What is the Truth About Israel?
The change is happening so rapidly that it has caught many off guard
Support for Israel runs deep in this country for a number of reasons. According to recent polls as many as 80 percent of American Christians feel a moral obligation to support Israel. A large part of this is due to the influence of the Bible but there is also an appreciation for Israel’s democratic values as well as empathy with Israel since the same terrorist organizations that want to destroy the Jewish state have also attacked America.
Another value that runs deep in American society is truthfulness, and dishonesty is frowned upon. For this reason many Americans are quite gullible and simply believe what they are told because of the assumption that they are being told the truth.
This may have been the case in years gone by but today the world is quickly changing. While America has been known for Christian values such as honesty and morality these qualities are coming under vicious attack. The change is happening so rapidly that it has caught many off guard.
Anti-Semitic Propaganda
This can be seen especially in regards to the Israel issue. The global propaganda campaign to delegitimize and demonize Israel that is prevalent in the Muslim world and in post-Christian Europe is now finding its way here and can be found on American college campuses, in social media and in liberal institutions
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A young Israeli man, Hen Mazzig, came to the Pacific Northwest for four months this year to speak on college campuses, high schools and churches. He spoke about the history of modern Israel, his experience growing up there and his service as an officer in the IDF COGAT unit that assists and promotes Palestinian civil society.
After speaking to over 16,000 people at many institutions he wrote an article describing his complete shock at the “gut-wrenching, anti-Israel, anti-Semitic hostility expressed by many students, professors, church members and even high school students.” He concluded “I never expected to encounter such hatred and lies. I never believed that such anti-Semitism still existed, especially in the U.S.”
The danger is not just that America’s support for Israel will be eroded due to this campaign but that our belief in the Bible – the foundation of Israel’s significance and America’s greatness will also be diminished. For this reason it is very important that young people know where to find the facts and information necessary to arrive at the truth and to give an answer in defense of the truth.
Is Israel An Apartheid State?
Take for example the accusation that Israel is an apartheid state. There is actually no truth to this accusation but it is a brilliant use of an emotive concept that carries with it a call to action. This is because the only other time in history the term was employed was in regards to the South African apartheid regime that was a racist government brought down in 1996 through international protests and sanctions.
Israel’s enemies have concluded that if Israel can be branded an apartheid state then she too could be brought down through international protests and a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions. Yet, Arabs occupy senior positions in all sectors of Israeli society. Salim Jubran, Supreme Court Justice; Nawaf Massalha, former Deputy Foreign Minister; and Angelina Fares, the former Ms. Israel are all Israeli Arabs.
They enjoy full equal civil rights. In fact, the freest Arab population in the Middle East lives in Israel. It is also the only country in the region where the Christian population is growing. Kenneth Meshoe, South African Member of Parliament, is very outspoken that Israel is not an apartheid state and to accuse her of being so insults the millions of Black South Africans who suffered under true apartheid.
Finding Answers
The US Branch of the ICEJ has just launched a unique website to help the American Christian community find the information needed to defend Israel and to defend their own support of Israel? The IsraelAnswers.com website is an easy-to-use site in a question and answer format with straight forward answers.
Do you have a question about Israel? Visit us at IsraelAnswers.com and get it answered!
—by Dr. Susan Michael, ICEJ USA Director
For more than forty years, Susan Michael has pioneered the development of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in the United States and around the world. She currently serves as the ministry’s USA Director and is a member of the ICEJ’s international Board of Directors.