The crisis between Israel and Hamas within the Gaza Strip seems near the "boiling over" point. Tensions have been building since the border-fence riots began last March. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed as the IDF has retaliated following attacks by Hamas rebels. Thousands of acres of Israeli farm fields, pastures, and orchards have been scorched by the incendiary balloon and kites launched from Gaza into Israel's Negev communities. The border crossings have often been closed because of violence that occurred there. And, when the border crossings are closed, that means that the people living in Gaza are denied those supplies upon which they rely for survival. But, when Israel does open those crossings, immediately they become the focal points of Hamas attacks.
In today's front page article of the Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Netanyahu states that unless quiet is restored along the border with Gaza, "fearsome blows" would occur. He did not detail what those "blows" would be, but it appears that Israel might launch another offensive into the Gaza Strip as they did several years ago. The continued draining of the financial resources of the people living within the Gaza Strip by the leadership of Hamas certainly demonstrates that they have very little, if any, concern for the welfare of its citizens. People are starving, but let's spend those dollars sent to us on bullets instead of beans. Unemployment is high, but, instead of creating jobs that will benefit the welfare of all its citizens, people are told to stoke fires with tires, dig tunnels, and to create mayhem along the borders.
In spite of the obvious fact, at least to many of us, that Hamas is the chief antagonist, the world continues to condemn Israel, with the Palestinian Authority leadership bringing Israel before the International Court on charges of "crimes against humanity." If the charges were not so serious, they would seem ludicrous. I find it fascinating that, when there are days with no Hamas-directed attacks against the frontier fence, the IDF merely monitors as they would any other part of the nation. It is not the IDF that is stirring up conflict, but Hamas seeking to cause as much destruction and death as it possibly can. Yet, I don't hear anyone declare about Hamas that it is guilty of "crimes against humanity."
And the United Nations continues it assault upon the legitimacy of Israel as a nation. Last Wednesday, the PX Commission of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, better known as UNESCO, adopted a resolution that declared the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem to be an integral part of the Palestinian Territory. I find this to be a resolution based, not upon history, but upon political bias. The cave of Machpelah in Hebron, was purchased by Abraham from the Hittites to be used for a burial place for his wife Sarah. Subsequently Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and finally Jacob were all buried here. Friends, the history of a Hebrew presence in Hebron goes back nearly four millenniums. Centuries later, Hebron was given as an inheritance to Caleb who drove out its giants. The city became one of the Levitical Cities, even being a City of Refuge. The earliest known Muslim presence in Hebron did not occur until the 7th century AD - some 2700 years after the time of Abraham. Yet, somehow in the minds of the leadership of UNESCO, Hebron is a Palestinian Historical Site.
According to an article published on the United with Israel website, "Israel has long criticized the anti-Israel bias within UNESCO, where Israel and its allies are far outnumbered by Arab countries and their supporters. Since 2009, UNESCO has passed 71 resolutions condemning Israel and only two resolutions against all other countries combined." (www.unitedwithisrael.org/unesco-again-attempts-to-steal-Israeli-heritage-with-lies-and-biases.)
Last year United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nicki Halley, withdrew the United States from UNESCO citing its increasingly growing anti-Semitism. (She will be sorely missed as an advocate for our nation and for Israel in the United Nations). Israel is in the process of withdrawing from UNESCO as well.
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that "UNESCO must top the absurdity of passing resolutions which deny the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, between the Jewish people and our eternal capital Jerusalem. No matter what UNESCO says, the Western Wall is not occupied Palestinian territory and the Cave of the Patriarchs - the burial site of Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah - is not a Palestinian Heritage Site." On those two issues, the Prime Minister is absolutely correct.
President Trump has stated that he has developed a plan for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. His plan has not yet been made public. Is it a workable plan? President Trump has declared before the world that he recognizes Jerusalem as the historical, undivided capital of the states of Israel. The Israeli leaders have categorically stated that the issue of the return of Palestinian refugees is a non-starter for them. To grant such a request would be tantamount to the destruction of the Jewish State. And Israel would certainly strongly object to having any Palestinian State become an armed one. You had to have traveled in Israel in order to understand why Israel would make this demand. The very survival of Israel would depend upon an unarmed Palestinian state. So, there are not a lot of substantive issues remaining upon which to broker a deal for a two-state solution.
Friends, I am convinced that there will always be unrest in the Middle East until, first the antichrist comes and declares a time of pseudo-peace in the region which will last for a brief time. Then he will declare his true intentions and conflict on a scale unseen before will be unleashed in the Middle East. True peace will only come when The Prince of Peace returns to establish His Kingdom. And oh what a day that will be. Perhaps it will occur soon! Hallelujah!
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