It’s no secret that there is no love lost between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister elect Benjamin Netanyahu. I can see why - the Obama administration actively worked to unseat the Israeli Prime Minister (SEE HERE), sending operatives from his 2088 and 2012 campaigns to work with groups opposed to the Likud party, which Netanyahu leads.
While attempting to meddle in another sovereign nation’s election process (an ally no less) is egregious on it’s own the rift goes deeper than the election.
Reason #1 for division - Iran: The US is working to negotiate a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. Attempting to get an agreement with Iran is not itself a bad thing, but the way it’s being done is an affront to our strongest ally in the middle east.
Israel is the ONE COUNTRY that Iran has singled out not only as an enemy, but Iran has consistently stated, in public, that it intends to annihilate the state of Israel... wipe them off the map. And yet the one country with the greatest threat from Iran does not have a seat a the negotiating table. The one country that has the most to lose if Iran goes nuclear is not even being consulted by our State Department on this so-called deal. The Israeli Prime Ministry could not view this any other way but this: The US is acting against the safety and security of its ally, Israel.
Reason #2 for division - The Palestinian Issue: The Obama administration's insistence on Israel ceding land to the Palestinians.
In its first public response to Netanyahu's election triumph, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said President Obama still believes in a two-state solution. This was after Netanyahu, shortly before the vote, reversed his stance and stated he would not allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Earnest stressed that Obama believes a two-state solution is best. And State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki clarified that the administration "absolutely" will continue to push for this.
While one can debate the merits of whether Israel should be working towards a peace agreement with the Palestinians, one has to ask: "How is it that we feel we can dictate to other countries how they should manage their affairs?" Not only that, but once again our administration is insisting on pushing Israel towards something that will put them at risk.
At the moment, Hamas in Gaza is aligned with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Hamas has in it’s charter that one of it’s primary reasons for existence is for the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel. Israel’s demand that it will not negotiate a peace agreement until the Palestinians agree to Israel’s right to exist is completely reasonable. How can you negotiate peace with an entity that demands that all of your people must die? (Actually, only the Jews have to die) While the Obama administration has repeatedly and publicly called for a "two-state solution," there has been no call for the Palestinians to recognize Israel's right to exist.
Add to this the fact that Iran gives financial and military support to Hamas, and Hezbollah, the risk is only increased for Israel in that region.
So the rift between the Obama White House and Netanyahu is real, but it isn’t based on personal dislike. The rift is based on the fact that the US is actively working to place one of our closest allies, and the only democracy in the Middle East, into a a very dangerous position.
I would counsel the current administration to take heed to the word of God...
"I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land." (Joel 3:2)
“Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. (Isaiah 41:10)
Pastor Clay
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