This week, while addressing the UN
Alliance of Civilizations conference in Vienna, the Turkish
Prime Minister equated Zionism to “a crime against humanity.” Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply condemned the remark calling it a
"dark and mendacious statement, the likes of which we thought had passed
from the world." Thankfully, the United States and the United Nations
joined the criticism with John Kerry, the newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of
State declaring: “We not only disagree with it, we found it objectionable.”
Objectionable? It should be resolutely condemned in no uncertain terms. Surprisingly,
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was even a little stronger declaring: “it is unfortunate
that such hurtful and divisive comments were uttered at a meeting being held
under the theme of responsible leadership.” This is a welcome but unusual
departure from its normal anti-Israel stand.
What is really stunning for me in all of this is the ease in
which a world leader can hold such prejudicial views toward the very idea of a
Jewish homeland. Just a reminder to the world: the State of Israel is not a
concept, it is a reality, it is not a hoped for possibility, it is a biblically
promised land. There can be no tolerance for a position as hateful, menacing and
contrary to the Bible as declared by the Turkish Leader.
Jews and Christians alike should pay attention to the gathering
clouds. We must not be caught off guard be a rising tide of anti-Semitism and
anti-Biblicalism.
We should pray for these situations. We must also find
definitive ways to let our voices be heard by our political leaders. We can
make a difference.
And as always, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
No comments:
Post a Comment