The UN, Iran, and Putin

The UN General Assembly was busy last week hearing the rants from many of the world's leaders. Perhaps the most controversial one - as he has been for the past few - was Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who ranted and raved about how oppressive the Israelis were and how colonial the United States was. Fortunately, many of the delegates vacated the chambers as he began. I probably would have as well. When you read his speech it is nothing but a hateful diatribe against democracy and the western nations, singling out Israel as the greatest threat in the world. He has become a very evil man.

Of interest to many of us were the speeches given by President Obama and then by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Personally, I believe our President did a great job of supporting Israel's position as a Jewish State. And most conservative commentators also cheered him, but with this disclaimer - that Obama was trying to regain the Jewish vote in America that he has lost in recent days. For the first time - perhaps since he has become President - I found myself agreeing more with him than disagreeing. Sort of startled myself.

The Palestinian Authority President and Chairman Abbas did what he had threatened to do: present a request to the Security Council that Palestine be declared unilaterally as a state with its borders being determined as they existed on the evening of June 4, 1967 - just prior to the 67 War. He also declared that East Jerusalem, including the Old City and the Western Wail - Israel's most holy site -would become the capitol. In his speech, Abbas claimed that the Israelis were solely responsible for the failure to achieve peace in the region. He described Israel as "an occupying power who has committed ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, pushing them away from their ancestral homeland." He also said, "Our people will continue their popular, peaceful resistance." However, he ignored mentioning the thousands of rockets that have been launched from Gaza into Israel, or the many Israeli citizens who have been murdered by terrorists from both the West Bank and Gaza.

Following the speech, Abbas quickly declined invitations by the Quartet (Russia, Europe, the UN and the United States) to resume negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian "eggs" are now in the Security Council "basket." I just read that discussion on this request should begin in early October.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to the Assembly after Abbas. His speech was a powerful declaration of historical truth. Once again he extended his hand to the Palestinians in friendship and in the offer to sit down to negotiate a just and lasting peace. The Prime Minister knew he was in a hostile environment. I quote from his speech: "I know that this is not exactly the image of Israel that is often portrayed in this hall. After all, it was here in 1975 that the age-old yearning of my people to restore our national life in our ancient biblical homeland was branded shamefully as racism. It was here in 1980 that the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt wasn't praised. It was denounced. And it's here, year after year, that Israel is unjustly singled out for condemnation. It's singled out for condemnation more often than all the nations of the world combined." He then went on to say, "Today I hope that the light of truth will shine, if only for a few minutes, in a hall that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country." Unfortunately, few delegates were listening.

If you get the opportunity to read the Prime Minister's speech, it is certainly worth reading. Also read the PA Chairman's speech. Then you can make the comparison.

Two other news-worthy items. Reuters reported today that Iran raised the prospect of sending military ships close to the United States Atlantic coast. The Iranian head of the Navy said, "Like the arrogant powers that are present near our marine borders, we will also have a powerful presence close to American marine borders." When I read this, I could not help but recall those scenes in one of Joel Rosenberg's novels about Iranian nuclear missiles being fired from ships off shore.

And, have you been paying attention to what is happening in Russia. Putin simply won't go away. Now he has declared his candidacy for President once again in elections to be held in March 2012. And he will win - and with an overwhelming vote besides. Since he left that office, the length of term for the Russian President has been extended from four years to six, which means that he could hold that office for two terms or twelve years. As one reporter said, we will have a new Russian Czar. And I think that is exactly what Putin wants to see happen. He is positioning Russia for greater influence. Do I hear the sounds of Ezekiel 38-39 on the horizon?

When I look out over the world and see what is happening, I am so encouraged to know that God is in total control. Nothing happening catches Him by surprise. He is in charge! Therefore our confidence needs to be completely in Him. Keep looking up!