Historical Revisionism Favors Islam and Treats Israel as the Bad Guy

Today's post is a long one. I violate all the rules for writing a post and for that I am sorry. But, I hope you will persevere and take the time to read this post because it will inform you with the facts needed to think critically and accurately about the Arab-Israel crisis, as well as the history of antisemitism, especially from the
Muslims.

One of the greatest attempts to rewrite history to conform to a political ideology (often anti-semitic) centers around the Jews and their subjugation by Islam throughout Europe, as well as the history of Israel.

Another common method of history revisionism that is commonly employed is:

1) Islamic Tolerance:

Perhaps the most serious flaws in most books are distortions resulting from a combination of omission and commission. This is particularly true of the coverage of Islamic history and Muslims' treatment of Jews in the world history texts. The increased attention given to Islam is one change made to recent editions. Its prominence is now at least equal to that of Judaism and Christianity and, in some books, surpasses them. The significance of Islam to world history is not in doubt. What is historically inaccurate, however, is the portrayal of Muslims as paragons of tolerance, particularly regarding Jews.

Several textbooks, including the Middle East (Houghton Mifflin 1990) write that the Muslims offered the Jews religious toleration, and the Jews were generally treated with leniency by Muslims. Some texts even have the audacity to write that the Jews flourished under Islam.
In World History-Patterns of Civilization (Prentice Hall, 1990) by Benton Beers, we have one of the few books that hints that life was not so ideal, noting that Islam protected Jews "in theory if not always in practice." 

Farah and Karls put it differently, writes" Jews did not have all the advantages Muslims did. While Jewish communities in Islamic countries fared better overall than those in Christian lands in Europe, Jews were no strangers to persecution and humiliation among the Arabs. 

As historian Bernard Lewis has written: "The Golden Age of equal rights was a myth, and belief in it was a result, more than a cause, of Jewish sympathy with Islam" ("The Pro-Islamic Jews," Judaism, Fall 1968, p. 401). Jews were generally viewed with contempt by their Muslim neighbors; peaceful coexistence between the two groups involved the subordination and degradation of the Jews. Jews did thrive culturally and economically at certain times, but their position was never secure and changes in the political and social climate would often lead to harassment, violence and death

2. Omission

American history texts often skip the period of Nazi persecution prior to the war. In American Journey (Prentice Hall, 1992), for example, James West Davidson et al. have a single line stating that Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I. Usually, the critical aspects of the Nazi terror are ignored.

In The Human Experience—A World History, Farah and Karls define concentration camps as "large prisons" and the Holocaust as "widespread destruction." 

3. Apologists for Authoritarianism

The distortion that is commonly employed is to describe Arab regimes in benign and often positive terms. Conflict among Arab nations is rarely mentioned. 

In The Human Experience--World Regions and Cultures, Welty and Greenblatt go so far as to excuse Arab governments for adopting authoritarian forms of government. They assert that military takeovers are common because army officers are better educated, the army is the most effective power base other than religion and historical tradition favors military rule in the Arab world. These are the same authors who write that one of Faisal's first acts as King of Saudi Arabia in 1964 was to abolish slavery, as if nothing was unusual about the practice of slavery a century after the Emancipation Proclamation. They also ignore the evidence that slavery continues to be practiced in parts of the Arab world to this day.

4. Lies about Israel

The coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict is particularly abysmal. Much of the crucial history of Palestine before 1948 is omitted, particularly from the U.S. history books. Those texts that discuss the mandatory period present the Arab version of history; that is, an unrestrained flood of Jewish immigrants invaded a land already inhabited by another people, who were subsequently forced out. The historical Jewish presence in the country is usually ignored.

Beers, for example, implies in World History--Patterns of Civilization that no Jews lived in Palestine until Eastern Europeans came in the 1920's and 30's (nearly 40 years after the First Aliyah) and found more than 650,000 Arabs already living there. (A patent lie).

Farah and Karls write in The Human Experience-A World History that only 50,000 Jews, most from Eastern Europe, lived in Palestine at the time of the First World War, comprising only 10 percent of the population. The actual number was more than 80,000, closer to 15 percent of the total population. 

Welty and Greenblatt say in The Human Experience--World Regions and Cultures that Jews only migrated to Palestine from the 1920's on and give the impression the British did not impose restrictions until right before WWII. These authors totally ignore Israel's 3000 yr. existence in Israel.

 5. Lies and Revisionism about the Palestinian Refugees

The history of the Palestinians is replete with factual errors, omissions and distortions. Most books give the same explanation for the Palestinian refugee problem, that they "fled or were expelled." No one refers to the thousands who left before the fighting began or before the war was over. Nor do they point out that the number expelled was a fraction of the total that left to avoid the war, or in response to Arab leaders' exhortations to leave. 

Farah and Karls, for example, say in The Human xperience--A World History that the Palestinians "decided-or were forced-to leave what had been their homeland." This comes after a discussion of the 1949 armistice, which insinuates the Palestinians fled after the war. In their 1992 edition, they adopted a more neutral position, reporting that as a result of war 700,000 Arabs became homeless. It is unclear where Farah and Karls and the other authors who use the same statistic came up with the number of refugees. The 700,000 figure is lower than the exaggerated Arab estimates, but still nearly one-third higher than that of the U.N. Mediator on Palestine.

In World History-For A Global Age, Abramowitz is the only author who alludes to the fact that 500,000 Jews fled Arab countries in what was, in effect, an exchange of populations. No mention is made of the mistreatment of Jews that provoked many to emigrate from the otherwise tolerant Islamic societies to Israel.
Also, little is said about the treatment the Palestinian refugees received from their brethren. A couple of books do point out the refugees were not welcomed by the Arab states. 

Schwartz and O'Connor observe in Exploring A Changing World that Arab nations have not given the Palestinians a home (one of the ONLY texts to point out this truth), but Wallbank and Schrier's Living World History is the only book to note that only Jordan gave them citizenship. The text also points out that refugee camps became bases for "violent attacks" against Israel. Hantula et al's.
The number and condition of the refugees are distorted in every book that discusses them. Wallbank and Schrier say most refugee camps became "permanent settlements" without jobs, farms or services. 

Hantula et al., Stearns et al. and Beers all have nearly identical versions. According to these authors, one-third of the 3.5 million Palestinians live in exile, as many as two million confined to squalid refugee camps. These descriptions give the impression that millions of Palestinian refugees are suffering in camps, but this has not been the case for decades. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, two-thirds of the approximately 2.2 million Palestinian refugees are not in camps. "They live and work like everyone else in the towns and villages of the Middle East," UNRWA reports. Moreover, of the five million Palestinians, nearly three-quarters now live in historic "Palestine," either as Israeli or Jordanian citizens or in the West Bank and Gaza. 

The truth is that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights. In fact, Israel is one of the few places in the Middle East where Arab women can vote. Arabs hold 8 seats in the 120-seat Knesset (Israel's governing body), as well as various government posts. The sole legal distinction between the Arabs and Jews in Israel is that Arabs do not have to serve in the military. Industries like trucking and construction have come to be dominated by Israeli Arabs. 

There are gods...and then there is the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob

Just once, I'd like to see a celebrity receive an award like a Grammy, Oscar, Emmy or Espy and raise their hand up toward heaven and say, "I'd like to thank the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for this award!"

Now that would mean something instead of the generic, non-offensive offering up of thanks to "god" whoever he, she or it may be.

There are gods and then there is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This distinction separates the Almighty God from any other god, including the god, Allah. The fact that God identifies himself with 3 Hebrew patriarchs is very significant because it identifies Him as the God of history. He creates, guides and changes the course of history and uses individuals and nations to accomplish His will.

In Acts 6-7, Stephen was one of seven chosen to wait on tables and administer funds and supplies to the widows. Stephen was a man who was said to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit (How often do you hear that description used of someone today?). Stephen is doing signs and wonders (for insight in a modern-day context, see my post on Mama Heidi in Mozambique). Because of these signs and his gifted ability to speak with much wisdom, he had his detractors who wanted to destroy him and to do so, they fabricated lies. Stephen is arrested and brought before the Jewish leaders. This is a kangaroo court if there ever was one with the men who are trying Stephen in league with his false accusers, probably being paid for their efforts as liars.

Just before Stephen is stoned to death, he lays out the history of the Jewish people starting with God's call to Abraham in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). This is the longest recorded message in the book of Acts (I suggest you go and read it right now--it's really a summation of the Old Testament). Luke includes it because it succinctly describes God's past workings with Israel and how everything He did led to the ultimate fulfillment of the promised Messiah, Yeshua.

Stephen recounts Moses hiding out in the desert of Midian for 40 yrs, and he comes upon a burning bush. Upon closer inspection, he hears the voice of the Lord saying: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." 

There were plenty of gods then, and there are plenty of gods now. But there is only One who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This even sets him apart from Allah because according to the Qur'an, Allah is the God of Abraham and Ishmael. In their twisted, fabricated theology, they don't believe that Isaac was the firstborn child of promise, they instead believe it was Ishmael, the child of Hagar the bond-slave to Sarah.

I'll leave you with this. One of the reasons why God identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is that he is the God who cares about individuals. He chooses them to help raise up a small group of people who would become nation that would spread the glory of God throughout the entire earth.

God also is the God of place. He met Abraham in Mesopotamia when Abraham was totally clueless and had no idea who this God was, and He met with Moses in Midian. He is the eternal, almighty God who meets us right where we are. That's why I can humbly say that because He found me years ago at the age of 14 sitting in the L.A. Coliseum listening to some preacher named Billy Graham. Because He found me way back then at a certain time and place, He is my God as well. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Dale. And He will meet me right where I am today. For that I am truly thankful and praise His Holy Name.

My Take on Ezra: The Hard Work of Worship

I’ve been reading the book of Ezra, in the Old Testament and of course, the Hebrew Bible.

The Book of Ezra opens with a decree of Cyrus (king of Persia) which permitted the Jews to return to Judah to rebuild the Jerusalem temple (Ezra 1:1-11). Isaiah, the prophet, prophesied about 300 yrs earlier that a king named Cyrus would fulfill God’s will and allow the Jews to go home to Jerusalem and sure enough, three centuries later, God puts the idea into Cyrus' head to let the Jews return to build the Temple.

Once again, we see God providentially at work behind the scenes orchestrating His will and good pleasure. He's been doing this from the very beginning and He's doing it where you live and work right now as well.

Even though Cyrus the Great allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem, not everyone packs up and leaves. In fact, very few do, and those who ultimately return don’t do it all at once. Most of the Jews in Persia are well-established having been there for over 60 yrs. already. Many followed Jeremiah’s advice and bought property in Babylon and settled down.

The Jews who decide to return to Jerusalem do so ultimately under the leadership of Sheshbbazzar and this first group doesn’t seem to have been very large. But they had the financial backing of those who remained in Babylon. It seems that Sheshbazzar and his fellow returnees began laying the foundations of the Temple (Ezra 5:16).

Eighteen years later, Zerubbabel, the grandson of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, arrives in Jerusalem (520BC) with 42,360 Jewish returnees to rebuild the Temple. They start by rebuilding the central altar, which allows them to offer sacrifices to God. They then begin work on the Temple itself. When the foundation is laid, most of the people shout for joy. However, those familiar with the first Temple see the diminished size of the new foundation and they weep out of sadness, realizing that this Temple will in no way compare to Solomon’s glorious structure.

The Bible says that only those whose hearts were moved turned their hearts toward home, and that number was 42,360. The rest of the Jews had grown comfortable. Why go back and face such hardship? Only those upon whose hearts God moved were willing to make the commitment. And their desire was to get back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple which was their central focus of worship where sacrifices and offerings to the one true God would be offered once again and where God would dwell in the midst of his people.

In reading Ezra, I've been struck at the importance of worship in the lives of these Jewish exiles.  Here they had spent 70 yrs in captivity and even though they were treated well and had a comfortable lifestyle, their hearts were drawn back to Jerusalem for one reason: to rebuild the Temple and to worship Yahweh.

Worship is what it’s all about, and sadly, it’s the hardest part of being a Christian. To truly worship God is work. It’s a sacrifice and we seldom do it. Even at many of our Sunday worship services in churches across America, I doubt that God is truly worshipped. We sing three or four hymns and think we’ve given God His due but in reality, we’re just going through the motions. Real worship is life-transforming. Real worship leaves you in awe. Real worship brings God’s presence into the picture and when He shows up, who knows what will happen? We could speak in tongues, or spend hours praising His name, or fall on our faces in silence. One thing is for certain, when God shows up, we aren’t checking our watches wondering if we’ll get to our favorite restaurant before the church crowd shows up.

Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman said this:

²³ But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 ESV)

Worship is a big deal with God. I’ll continue this in my next post.

Why do the nations rage? And who are they "raging" against?

As we embark on 2012, the question that needs to be asked is: "Why do the nations rage?" What nations you ask? And who are they "raging" against?

I'm referring to Psalm 2:1-3 (GW) 

¹ Why do the nations gather together? Why do their people devise useless plots?
² Kings take their stands. Rulers make plans together against the LORD and against his Messiah by saying,
³ “Let's break apart their chains and shake off their ropes.”

In 2012, we face greater turmoil and instability in our world than at any time in recent memory:

• Iran launched two long-range missiles this week and in recent days has threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz through which 40 percent of the world's oil is shipped. All reports indicate that within a year, probably this year, Iraq will have a nuclear weapon. I wonder what they'll do with that? Watch for Israel to bomb Iran this year which will probably create a major Middle East conflict which will no doubt draw the 

U.S.into its web. Also, watch for oil prices to skyrocket as we are punished" for siding with Israel in this conflict.

• North Korea: New leader and everything is up for grabs as far as whether North Korea will keep a low profile in utter darkness or if they will make some noise and do some saber-rattling, something they do every time they need some $$$ from the U.S. and S. Korea.
• Egypt: The Arab Spring is now a cold winter with the Muslim Brotherhood pushing its way to fill the power vacuum. This means greater instability in the region and increased fears and concern for Israel.
• Syria, Libya, Iraq, Pakistan and Russia all present potential problems as they jockey for power and align against Israel and the U.S.

Who are these nations "raging" against? They are raging against the Lord--against God Almighty. They are raging against His authority and sovereignty. They are aligned against God's Anointed who is Jesus, the Messiah. They are also aligned against Israel, the apple of God's eye.

Psalm 33:8-11 reminds us that God is in control of the nations:

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!
For He spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.

What God says will certainly come to pass. Psalm 2:4 says that God sits in heaven and laughs at the nations and holds them in derision. The prophet Isaiah said that "All the nations are like a drop from a bucket and are accounted as the dust on the scales."

So here is the take away from all this: The Good News is that even when our State Department is "clueless" (which is so often the case), our God is not. He has determined the boundaries for every nation and knows how long each leader will be in command, and how long each nation will survive. There is no decision made by any nation that catches God by surprise.

Just as God told Moses what Pharaoh would do and that he would let the children of Israel go, as well as telling him beforehand that the Egyptian people would want to heap all their possessions upon the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt. God knows exactly which nations invent, produce and develop.

He knows all about the monetary crisis in Europe and knows exactly how it will pan out. He regulates uprisings and revolutions. Yes, God is sovereign over every nation and people group on this planet, as well as over the climate. He is not worried about global warming and knows that we can't destroy this planet by our own efforts. As the Apostle Paul declared in Acts 17:24, He is "Lord of heaven and earth."

So regardless of what happens this year, know this: God is in control. Nothing is going to catch Him by surprise. He is accomplishing His will and good pleasure in nations and people, in you and me.

Disbelief: "You wanna run that by me again?"

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” What does it mean to “believe all things”? I think that in context, it means that love sees the best in others or gives the other person the benefit of the doubt, choosing to believe the best about them not the worst! 

However, the Apostle Paul is not saying that love is gullible and believes everything and does not exercise qualities such as wisdom and discernment. What he is saying is that love will believe well of others unless convinced otherwise. It seeks to put the best possible construction on another's words, actions, etc.

At the risk of sounding “uncharitable,” here is a list of things (or people) I don’t believe:

• Evolution. (Where’s the missing link?)
• Global Warming (I know that experts like Al Gore, Brad Pitt & Britany Spears will disagree with me, but there are several thousand scientists who haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid, and they are not following the money).
• Attorney General Eric Holder. (I never believe him when he is testifying before Congress, and I don’t believe he is concerned about justice for ALL Americans. In fact, he’s evidence enough for eliminating the Justice Dept. which is an oxymoron.)
• Pres. Obama. (He said he won’t rest until every American has a job--Except for his weekly golf. And all vacations. And trips to the burger joint with Joe. And campaign stops and TV interviews.)
• Ministers at conferences when they tell you how many are attending their church or how many were saved at some rally. They always inflate the numbers (This is referred to as “evangelistically-speaking”). This same thing happens when denominations list their overall numbers for worldwide growth, conversions, baptisms, etc. Inflated numbers every time.
• The published numbers for poor people in America (We are told that 1 in 6 Americans is fighting hunger). We have redefined poor. They  have 2 flat-screen TVs, own one or more cars, eat out at McDonalds, have an Xbox system, Sony Playstation 3, etc. Do I really believe there are poor people in America. Yes, but not the high numbers published in news stories by advocates (who make their living by inflating the numbers). A better understanding of real poverty is a visit to India or Ethiopia, Africa.
• Politicians when they say they want to “help you.” It’s usually the other way around, they want to “help themselves” at our expense,
• Affirmative action. Instead of taking race into consideration when one is considered for a job or entrance to a university, we need to look for the one who is best qualified, be they male, female, black, white, Indian, Asian, etc. AA leads to preferential hiring and reverse discrimination.
• Political Correctness. This is a tyranny against the freedom of speech so that no one is ever offended. This is an attempt to limit our thoughts, words and actions.

Here’s what I DO believe:

• The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Bible. He created this earth, all that is seen and unseen. He created man to have dominion over this earth.
• Yeshua (Jesus Christ). He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Chosen One. He is the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega. Apart from Him, nothing was made that has been made. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man comes to the Father except by Him. He is full of righteousness, grace and mercy.
• The Bible is God’s revealed word to us. We need to devour it. The Bible contains the words of life itself. God’s Word of instruction gives us understanding, wisdom, hope, strength, direction, happiness, integrity, and ultimately leads us to eternal life.
• Israel. God chose Israel to be His people and His land. His steadfast love toward Israel and its people endures forever. He has given Israel to His people the Jews, who have descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because of His great love toward His people, the Jews, He brought them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, to the land we now call Israel and gave them this land (their Promised Land) as an inheritance to them. God calls Himself the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel.
• In God’s plan and purpose for my life this day. My life does have purpose. He is ordering my steps and leading me in the paths of righteousness and goodness for His name’s sake. Even when bad things happen, my Lord is still at work and He never drops the ball, never forgets about me, never stops loving me. He is worthy of my praise and my life.
• In the end, God wins. 

How about you? What do you believe?

How Did We Get Here?

Please bear with me for a couple more posts on Israel. The world is ganging up on Israel and even Christians are either complacent or they've turned their back on Israel as well (In a future post, we'll look at the error of "Replacement Theology" which has caused many believers to harden their hearts towards Israel).

There is so much misinformation out there regarding the Mideast Crisis. You hear news analysts say that it's so complicated. The fact is that it's not all that complicated as this video illustrates. Please set aside 6:30 minutes to view this brief little video: "Israel's History in a Nutshell." It's a crash course in understanding what's going on in the Middle East.

And, if you can spare four more minutes, watch the History of Israel. 4000 yrs in 4 minutes. This is a funny, clever, animated video that gives you an overview of what's been going on with Israel since God created the earth. It's apparent this video was created by a Jewish non-believer with one glaring omission: The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, don't let that keep you from appreciating this video. Like the book of Esther where God isn't mentioned once yet His invisible hand is evidenced throughout Esther. So also Jesus is the Lord of history, the Holy One of Israel and this video is all about Him and His faithfulness to keep His covenants and His people.

No Apartheid in Israel

Note: From time to time, I'll be sharing posts from other bloggers who have greater credibility or authority than I have on the subject they are addressing.  This post was originally written by journalist, Stan Goodenough on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Stan and his family live in Jerusalem, Israel.

This post originally appeared at his blog, Jerusalem Watchman "No Apartheid Here" 

Stan, who is from South Africa, has a unique understanding of what we call "apartheid." Here is Stan's edited post. ( I have posted a link at the bottom if you want to read it in its entirety.)

Anti-Israel groups and individuals in about 14 countries are currently caught up in claiming that Israel engages is apartheid against the Palestinians who live there. 

The goal of these outraged organizers, their purpose is to force Israel to convert to a one-man-one-vote democracy. They hope to achieve in Israel what they did with South Africa.

Luminaries who promote the idea that Israel perpetrates the same sins South Africa once did are former US President Jimmy Carter and Liberation Theology “Christian” Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Together with United Nations investigators and human rights groups, they have all rallied around this “sexy” lie: Israel is an apartheid state.

Is there any justification for this? Any at all?

What was apartheid?

In 1948, the year Israel declared independence, South Africa’s white government began enacting laws to enforce the segregation of different races.

Known as the “Apartheid Laws,” they would apply to people who, until that time, had all been South African citizens; they would solidify the power and dominance of the whites.

Like carefully placed bricks in a wall, the legislation established an enduring edifice of institutionalized racial discrimination. It would persist for 46 years and wreck tens of millions of lives with massive injustice and suffering. The minority whites, for our part, directly benefitted from the system, enjoying one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Dismantled in the early 1990s – largely due to intensified international pressure – its painful legacy wracks that nation until today – a woe for which there is no anticipated cure.

I am a South African who was born into, and lived through nearly half of, the apartheid era. During my childhood and teenage years my family relocated repeatedly, living in every corner of that country. I changed schools 13 times, and in three years as a member of the South African Defense Forces I was stationed in five different military bases across the land. I know South Africa well.  I know apartheid well. I know Israel well.

And believe me, no factual or accurate comparisons can be drawn between that South Africa and this Israel.

None whatsoever.

Let me tell you what Israel would have to do to qualify as an apartheid state. But first, a couple of clarifications:

The charge is that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian Arabs is similar to White South Africa’s treatment of South African black citizens (which included full-blood “Africans,” mixed-race “coloreds” and the descendants of immigrant Asian laborers).

The whole argument collapses right there, because the Palestinian Arabs have never been Israeli citizens. Nor did/do they have any national history as “Palestinians” – neither in Israel nor anywhere else. They are Arabs – their country of origin is Arabia.

For starters, then, it is fallacious to compare Israel’s relationship with the Palestinian Arabs in any area to the apartheid governments’ relationships with their black South African citizens.

Let us then turn to the Israel’s Arab citizens. Most are also Palestinian Arabs, but unlike the majority of their people – who remain stateless – they were willing to take citizenship and be integrated into the country of Israel.

Israeli Arabs comprise a little over 1.5 million of Israel’s 7.7 million citizens – approximately 20 percent of the population. They are, therefore, a minority. They live in 15 towns and cities, mostly in and around the Galilee. They have full voting rights. Five Arab political parties are represented in the Knesset; there are 14 Arab members of Knesset, one has attained to a ministerial portfolio, one is a former and another is a current deputy Knesset Speaker.

Israeli Arabs enjoy complete freedom in their country. They can live, study, work and travel where they please. They have national health coverage and enjoy the same benefits as their fellow, Jewish, citizens.

What they do not have to do, is serve in the IDF (although some Druze and some Bedouin choose to do so and have served with distinction; even laying down their lives.)

The majority of Israel’s Arabs identify their nationality as “Palestinian.” Many, including some of the parliamentarians, openly support the PLO goal to destroy Jewish Israel and replace it with a Muslim Palestine.

To suggest that Arabs in Israel live in any way comparable to the miserable existence endured by black South Africans is to do a terrible injustice both to Israel and to apartheid’s victims.

Jerusalem Watchman "No Apartheid Here"

Why Stand with Israel?

We are living in a sobering moment in history that calls all Christians to take a stand with Israel, the most important piece of real estate on this planet. 

Many today denounce the Jews as "occupiers" of the land formerly known as Palestine. But this land belongs to God Almighty and He has given it to His people, the Jews.

In today's post and subsequent posts, I will explore current issues being raised regarding Israel's existence as a nation: 

• Whether the Palestinians have a right to statehood,
• The claim that the Jews are engaging in an mid-east version of apartheid by their treatment of the Palestinian people. 
• Israel's right to exist as a nation. 
• Whether-or-not Israel is a holy nation or a nation of unbelievers who are no more special than any other people or land. 

Here are my 5 reasons for standing with Israel:

1. Every believer is charged to make the Jews a priority in their value system because God has.

• The Lord has selected a people—and He began by selecting a man named Abraham. In Gen. 12:3, the Lord says in the covenant that He makes with Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
• The Lord chose the Jews for His purposes—and He made covenants with them: The Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant.
• The Scripture speaks to us very clearly that we’re dealing with the roots of everything that has to do with the revelation of God to humankind. The proof of this is in the very existence of the Jews as a people, and the fact that they have been recovered as a nation. Today the struggle is over Jerusalem, over Israel, and over the presence of the Jews and their right to have a land. There are few nations willing to make an abiding commitment to stand by the Jews and Israel, but the Bible says God will honor those who do.

Ten Documentaries To See Before You Die...

When I watch a documentary, I am looking to be entertained as well as enlightened. A good documentary should draw the viewer in and broaden your horizons, engage you, and challenge you. I want the documentary to confront my thinking and help me become a more understanding, thoughtful person. I mean, how can you watch a documentary series like Ken Burns' "The War" or "WWII in HD"and not be a more grateful, thankful American for the sacrifice many young men made on our behalf? We live in such comfort and ease while those before us fought our battles and in many cases lost their lives, never to experience the joys of marriage or family, or growing old.

I have assembled ten documentaries which you MUST see before you die. I try to make a case for why you should go to the trouble of seeing each of these films which will make you cry, laugh, smile, and maybe even angry. Here they are...and you can find them at Netflix, iTunes, as well as at your public library.

The Long Way Round

A sort of Motorcycle Diaries for the Hollywood set, this documentary miniseries chronicles the cross-continental adventures of actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on their BMW bikes to travel round the world. Embarking from London and arriving 115 exhausting days later in New York, the duo tackles 20,000 miles of tough terrain, explores offbeat destinations and takes in colorful local culture. They traveled through Western and Central Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, Canada and through the U.S. for a cumulative distance of 18,887 miles.

You don't need to own or ride a motorcycle to enjoy this documentary. This is a film about discovering the world we live in and how wonderful and special people are whether in Europe or in the barren wasteland of Outer Mongolia. Ewan McGregor is very personable, engaging and funny. He invites you to join him on this amazing journey which you get to enjoy vicariously at his expense. Warning: If you are bothered by the use of the four-letter word "F_ _ _", then don't watch this film. The language used in this film is what one would typically hear at work or in the military.

The Long Way Down

Together again, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman make another outrageous excursion in this Fox Reality Channel follow-up to the actors' first trip, which was documented in the series "Long Way Round." Kicking off their travels in the Scottish village of John o' Groats, the pair eventually make their way to Cape Town, South Africa, journeying through Europe and Africa to reach their final destination.

Once again, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman team up for the trip of a lifetime from Scotland down through Europe and down to Capetown, Africa, and they take us along for the ride. Loved this documentary and you will too!

The Trials of Ted Haggard

In this telling documentary directed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Alexandra, former evangelical preacher Ted Haggard discusses his fall from grace in a highly publicized 2006 scandal involving crystal meth and a male prostitute. Among other things, the film reveals that Haggard remains committed to his wife and children despite a "personal struggle" with homosexuality he's long kept secret -- until now.

So you're saying right about now, Dale, are you crazy? Why would I want to see a film about a fallen preacher who disgraced his church as well as himself and his family? He's a hypocrite. Yes, he is. In fact, I had the opportunity to attend his church and hear him preach about 3 years before his downfall, and I came away with the impression that this man was self-absorbed and self-righteous. But this documentary reveals a broken man who has more compassion and empathy for people than he ever had before. God delights in bringing us to the end of ourselves so that He can redeem us for his glory and honor and that's what He has done with Ted Haggard. I would trust Ted Haggard more now as a pastor and minister of the Gospel more than some of the preachers that we have in the pulpit today. This film also reveals his wife as the bedrock of their family. She has chosen to stick with Ted and has suffered greatly because of it, but she has sought to remain true to her marriage vows. She is the "hero" in this story. She is the example of a godly woman who is trusting Jesus and His will for her life & family in spite of pain and trials.

Restrepo

Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm, teamed with photographer Tim Hetherington, spent a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan, chronicling the hard work, fear, and brotherhood that come with repelling a deadly enemy. Hunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region's most strategic valleys, the filmmakers uncover the dark humor, sleepless surreality and constant anxiety of war in this Oscar-nominated documentary.

Photographer Tim Hetherington was killed this summer during the early days of the Arab uprising in Egypt. This powerful documentary gives insight into our war in Afghanistan and our future effort to win an ill-defined victory at the expense of our military. These young men in this documentary are real heroes and they are real leaders, doing a dirty, thankless job without any complaints.

Promises

Documentarians Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg traveled to Israel to interview Palestinian and Israeli kids ages 11 to 13, assembling their views on living in a society afflicted with violence, separatism and religious and political extremism. This 2002 Oscar nominee for Best Feature Documentary culminates in an astonishing day in which two Israeli children meet Palestinian youngsters at a refugee camp.

I love this documentary which gives some insight into the Palestinian mindset in E. Jerusalem. If you love Israel, this film is for you. It shows "enemies" coming together for one day to play and eat together and in some cases, having their hard hearts softened. See this film!!

Mad Hot Ballroom

Ballroom dancing goes from lame to cool for a group of New York City students in this insightful documentary, which follows a group of 11-year-olds as they learn to dance old-school styles including the merengue, rumba, tango, foxtrot and swing. Candid interviews capture the kids' initial reluctance at learning ballroom dance and their transformation into serious competitors determined to win a citywide competition. 

This documentary reveals how the arts can transform rebellious students and give them self-respect and discipline. Even if you can't dance, this is a feel-good film about success among public school students in the inner-city, a rare occurrence, but one to celebrate!.

WWII in HD (10 DVDs)

The History Channel presents this epic documentary that chronicles the deeply personal stories of soldiers, sailors, journalists, nurses and others who served in the front lines of the European and Pacific theaters of World War II. Weaving hours of rare, pristinely restored color footage with diaries, interviews and other first-hand accounts, this series recounts the global sweep of the war as experienced by those who were there.

Powerful series filmed in color in the midst of conflict. At times, it has such a contemporary look that you feel you're watching young men in battle in Vietnam or Iraq. This film will stir your patriotism, and also keep you from having a pity party. No matter how bad things are going in your life right now, it's NOTHING compared to what young men have had to endure on islands like Corregidor, Iwo Jima, Midway, Guadalcanal, Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, etc.

The War (Ken Burns)

Documentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick bring the harrowing history of World War II to life through the personal accounts of a handful of participants from four "typical" American towns -- proving nothing was typical during this terrible time. Historical footage and photographs combine with realistic sound effects to create visceral scenes of the battles at Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal, Okinawa and more in this seven-part PBS presentation.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Tammy Faye Bakker's journey from traveling evangelist to weepy, scandal-scarred cult icon is chronicled in this tongue-in-cheek documentary from Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato that's narrated by RuPaul. The film was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and details Jimmy Bakker's infamous affair -- which, in essence, ended the PTL Ministry -- as well as Tammy's emergence as a hero to alternative-lifestyle communities.

I witnessed, firsthand, PTL's rise from a furniture store studio in Charlotte to the massive Heritage Village. I also saw the lives of people in Burlington, Vermont and elsewhere who came to Jesus and heard the gospel for the first time thanks to PTL. For many Catholics in New England, PTL was the only place where they could receive affirmation , encouragement, teaching and strength after being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jim and Tammy were not charlatans out to rob people. They may have been misguided but they were never deceitful crooks. This documentary reveals the 'heart" of PTL and the love that Jim and Tammy Bakker had for people. More insight can be gained from reading Jim Bakker's autobiography, "I Was Wrong." It's a powerful and poignant read. There's no excusing the fact that they did some wrong-headed, misguided things which God did NOT tell them to do. Sinners, yes. Fallen from God's grace and mercy? No.

The Civil War (Ken Burns)

This documentary masterpiece from Ken Burns depicts the strategies and action of famous Civil War battles, and relates the stories of generals, field soldiers, politicians, heroes and a beleaguered president. The Emmy-winning miniseries begins by looking at the factors that led to the firing on Fort Sumter, and covers specific notable battles, climaxing with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender and Pres. Abraham Lincoln's assassination.