ISRAEL UPDATE

November 5, 2006 – It is the city of Bethany located near both Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, a city famous in Bible times as it was frequented by Jesus visiting his close friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

While glancing through some photo archives I saw a seen both frightening and yet so relevant for today a Jewish home located in Bethany desecrated by graffiti.   The inscription read “Islamic Jihad, death to America and the West,” and the words encapsulate not a disgruntled local resident but in reality a worldwide epidemic of Anti American Sentiment.

Islamic Jihad, a radical terror group feared especially by the Israeli civilian populace was spawned out of the vehement Islamic fervor of Iran as the Ayatollah Khomeini took control of that nation.  In fact, it was this notorious religious leader that declared on November 4, 1979, “This is not a struggle between the United States and Iran; It is a struggle between Islam and the infidels.”

Khomeini in another statement declared, “Islam will be victorious in all the countries of the world, and Islam and all the teachings of the Koran will prevail all over the world.”

Conversion, death, or subjugation are the only options for the “infidels” i.e. unbelievers in Islam and while many politicians want you to believe the terror epidemic is a by product of the war in Iraq it is in fact a struggle that started long ago but only now are some realizing just how serious and how broad the problem is.  It is a war between Islam and the world.

 

November 5, 2006 – “We shall never call for or accept a negotiated peace.  We shall only accept war – Jihad – the holy war.  We have resolved to drench the lands of Palestine and Arabia with the blood of infidels or to accept martyrdom for the glory of Allah.

This quote didn’t come from a radical terror group such as Hezbollah or al Qaeda, nor was it the fiery rhetoric of a rogue

nation’s dictator, rather it came from a man connected to the royal Saudi family, a man known more for political associations and friendship with high profile Americans, Abdul Aziz Ihi Saud.

After reading Mr. Saud’s comments I must whole heartedly concur as he speaks the truth for the following reasons.

First, modern peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians are not peace treaties and are subject continuous change and have no real way of enforcement.

Second, Mr. Saud’s words ring with such unfortunate truth and clarity especially the last five years one would have to realize war is what is wanted from Israel’s neighbors.

Third and most important, another aspect of this conflict that needs attention is for people to understand is that this is not just tribal rivalry or a dispute between siblings. 

The hatred and desire for destruction is of a spiritual origin thus the apostle Paul’s words are relevant today “Thou we walk in the flesh we do not wage war in the same manner as that of the world.”  II Cor 10:3

Let us learn to fight the right war, spiritually not physically.

 

To be continued…