The Nations aligned against Israel
The United Nations declared the year 2014 as the year for Palestine. This declaration will certainly mobilize and energize the anti-Israel forces to a higher level. It is almost certain that South Africa, because of the unfair comparison of Israel with Apartheid South Africa, will be the spearhead of these anti-Israel campaigns.
The 18th National Congress of the South African Students Council (SASCO) in December 2013 declared: “We must strengthen our campaign for the liberation of Palestine against the Zionist Apartheid Israeli government. We will ensure that we continue with our support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign. We should nonetheless strengthen our involvement in this campaign and fully participate in the activities of the Israeli Apartheid Week. We call on all structures to heed this call.”
The 9th International Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) will be hosted by South Africa between 11 and 17 March 2014. It will take place at 15 South African Universities, in more than 35 South African cities, towns and communities. Amongst the many organisations supporting this campaign, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) sadly confers legitimacy to a highly biased political campaign. More sadly, most of the mainstream churches in South Africa are affiliated to the SACC, which bind these churches into a campaign of hate and slander against Israel. The Prime Minister of Canada set a better example by saying in the Knesset: “Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you”.
These campaigns are not new. The following is an extract from an article published in Frontpage Magazine, 24 December 2013: “Eighty years ago, the Nazis dispatched thousands to enforce their boycott of Jewish businesses. Stars of David were painted on windows and cameras were set up outside stores to photograph anyone violating the Nazi BDS campaign. Like modern BDS campaigns, it went beyond businesses to Jewish hospitals, Jewish professionals and Jewish academics. Its goal was to pave the way for mass murder by isolating the Jews of Germany”.
Israel as a nation and Jews in the Diaspora will inevitably feel the heat, but as so many times before during crisis, they will prevail. Although the Government of Israel will experience tremendous and sometimes almost intolerable pressure, the security of the country should never be compromised, even if the cost is very high.
Joel of the Bible prophesied the events which might crystallise in 2014. Joel warned the nations against the division of the land. Although Israelis might feel that all the nations are against them, they need to remember that God with Israel is a majority.
We need to be reminded of the prophetic times we live in. We cannot allow a repetition of history in which despicable acts of hatred started with seemingly innocent xenophobic language and small acts of racism. We need to identify evil at an early stage to be able to act on the root causes. We certainly need to seek and speak the truth about developments in the world and Israel in particular.
Most importantly, instead of condemning Israel for everything under the sun, let us reach out in unconditional friendship. Let us take note of the words of the Lord to Zechariah: “But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch”.
Enjoy this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIEeiDjdUuU#t=63