"Israel has no better friends throughout the world." As I wrote this article, news came in of 2 Palestinian teenagers shot by Israeli IDF soldiers. From what I gathered, two teenage Arabs wielding knives and clubs broke into a settlement home in Eli and started beating and eventually stabbed an Israeli man in his house. The man fought back, protecting his wife and children and managed to get them out the house. The family called emergency services and when the soldiers arrived the two teenagers, who’d been hiding, then attacked the soldiers. – On first reading I must question why these two weren’t arrested by police, as happens in regular communities? it seems odd (to outsiders) with the use of excessive force… But on the other hand; what were the teenagers doing there (apart from attacking people)? What did they hope to achieve? Also, what did they think would happen after attacking soldiers? Then there's the imbalance: guns and bullets versus bats and knives… though in 2011 there was similar story when two Arab teenagers (similarly armed) broke into a house (in Samaria), murdering an entire family. As a rule though, tensions are always high. Since the beginning, Israeli soldiers have taken the stance of no compromise. But we still live with the fact that 2 more teenagers are dead. The result of stories like the one above, is that Israel is often painted as the bad guys, and they’re not innocent, so why is it that Christianity always takes the side of the Israelis, even when the nation’s actions are hard to comprehend, let alone explain reasonably? We all know the story that Israel is God’s chosen people, but in a world (modern society) increasingly dismissing God and the Bible (or Torah) as irrelevant, can the “chosen people” still be justified? Does that stance even apply anymore? History [Biblical] The Bible contains some of the oldest historical records known to man, much older than the Qur'an. Foundations of Israeli culture (founded in the wisdom of the law of Moses) is divinely inspired and linked/integral to the religious beliefs of over half the world’s population (55% in 2010), and that’s only counting the big ones (Christianity – a third of the world’s population, Islam – quarter, and then the much smaller Judaism)… and that 'religious' population is increasing fast. In other words, Israel is the most devout state in exercising God’s early inspired practices, due to the fact that Israel as a nation has a direct covenant with God (Deut 5:2). “Although other ancient communities saw a divine presence in history, this was taken up in its most consequent fashion within the ancient Israelite community and has remained, through many developments, the focus of its descendants' religious affirmations” --- [http://history-world.org/history_of_judaism.htm] God's favourite, or chosen nation; what does that mean? Firstly; what kind of God has “chosen people”, i.e. favourites, what about the rest of us unlucky enough to be born in another country… and furthermore, regarding said favourites, why Israel? No one knows why God chose Israel because no one knows the mind of God. The second part though is quite interesting, looking at the nation itself – if one were to petition the world, Israel would definitely not be the most popular country insofar as topics of human rights and politics are concerned. In fact many would see the nation as (and they've been labelled as such) supremacists. Seeing themselves (in some ways) as higher than the rest of the world, kind of like the way other school kids look at the teacher’s pet. Moreover, what does it mean for the rest of the world knowing that God has chosen one nation? At a glance, in terms of Biblical practice/law etc… Israel has drifted far from God. It’s a tough sell; how does one reconcile “Love thy neighbour” with protecting oneself from terrorism and being the only tiny Jewish State in a hostile (Anti-Semitic) Arab world (with leaders openly proclaiming their will for Israel's destruction)? But then again, God has this habit or pattern of redemption… the Bible is full of it, it’s literally the central message of the Bible: Salvation, redemption of humanity through his son Jesus Christ (a Jew). And if we look throughout history, Israel has constantly failed God, failed to obey him. Yet the message is that despite (our) failings, God still loves us. So in reality, as Jesus said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone… no one is without sin, so no one can really judge. Israel is an allegory for all of us. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
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Firstly I have to clarify something for those in the dark: During the Cold War, at the height of the Soviet Union, it was Ukraine that fell under the hammer of the Kremlin the hardest. Why? Because they were the biggest country outside of Russia, with the biggest population (well over 45 million) and the Verhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) the greatest center of power outside of the Kremlin. In addition to that there was their military might – including army, air-force and navy. Of course these elements were absorbed by the Soviets, but to keep the people under the Soviet domination they became the subject of mass propaganda, intimidation and of course the attempted identity assassination. That is, the Kremlin sought to erase the Ukrainian identity, from art to literature, school curriculum's were changed, Libraries were burned and sanctions imposed as Russia attempted to erase the rich history of a country dating back 1000’s of years (much like the central subject matter in the new film Monument’s Men referring there to the Nazis in WWII). In short, Ukraine posed the greatest threat to Russia within the Union, and thus suffered the harshest treatment. The other countries (Bulgaria, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Belarus etc.) would thus toe the line as Ukraine would form the example of how they would be treated if they did not bend to the Kremlin’s will. So, Ukrainian sentiment toward Russia is not pretty. However, even though the Soviet Union fell, Ukraine,gaining independence in 1991, has never quite shaken off the shackles, and is still dependent on Russia for trade and gas. So why the protests? 1. Ukraine wants to join the EU, but to do that it would need to break the ties to Russia and agree to the EU’s terms. Among them would be higher gas prices, meaning every household would pay more for simple heating. President Yanukovych apposed EU integration, effectively rejecting the EU in favour of Moscow. This simple move has hit a strong nerve with the people. 2. Ukraine’s Prime Minister wants to maintain Russian links, but his recent behaviour, even his treatment and regard for the protesters, has left Vladimir Putin looking at alternatives. Although Putin has been rather forceful in his discouragement of any EU deal, threatening Russian sanctions if they “go” or a 15+ Billion stimulus package should they “stay”. “Russia without Ukraine is a country; Russia with Ukraine is an empire." - Foreign Policy Community College saying 3. The Ukrainian people want a different PM, but there’s no viable alternative in the opposition party ranks, so a lot of it has to do with frustration over bad governance. Adding to the tension is that Ukraine is divided, practically in two – the Russian sympathizing East half, and the EU inclined West half (which is also where Kiev is situated and forms the platform for the protests) 4. Ukrainian politics are greatly dependent on Oligarchs and mafia styled ‘family’ dynamics. The current President Viktor Yanukovych, has even mistreated the Oligarchs, mismanaged the economy and his government is said to be rife with corruption. 5. It boils down to Ukraine’s national identity and their ailing economy. The issues may seem simple, but they are deep rooted. Those roots are too deep and too sensitive for Western powers like the US to influence, and even if they tried, they’d only be poking around in a wound - and the ripple effects of that are a little scary, hence the stand-offish approach from the West… A different perspective - taken from a press briefing regarding the security concerns and particularly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Rights and issues pertaining to the Winter Olympics in Sochi: Alexey Komov - responsible for international relations for the Russian Orthodox Church’s Commission on the Family and Motherhood and the World Congress of Families’ representative in Russia, at the National Press Club in Washington; he said, Russia is changing, perhaps too slowly for some. But its the Kremlin that remains an issue, and it is important to distinguish between the Government and its people, despite the fact that its the people who elected them to power. Their ideals and agendas remain selfish whilst the citizens (customarily) bear the brunt. It’s up to the Ukrainian people to decide their fate, to hopefully grow from this, and in some way better define who they are. My own opinion, is to work out something neutral such that Ukraine can stand on their own – however fantastical an idea that may be…if only… in an ideal world. What is clear though is that the initial riots and subsequent (seemingly reactionary) vehement protests came as a shock to even the president. When he made the anti EU announcement, protesters reacted by toppling a statue of Lenin in Kiev. The people of Ukraine are speaking. [Image credits: washingtonpost.com, "Walter Robotics" on tumblr.com, businessinsider.com, cyprus-mail.com, cnn.com, bbc.co.uk, aljazeera.com] *More of Ukraine on this blog: a look at Chernobyl in pictures, 25 years after the nuclear fallout. Follow up: "Children of Syria" (post from 2 weeks ago) With many children witnessing deaths of loved ones, the shocking UN report released recently claims that some have even been interrogated, tortured and beaten, in addition to basic struggles like finding refuge, aid, warmth (its winter in Syria)... suffering what many battle trained soldiers suffer through, having stressed the plight of PTSD and lack of schooling; these children have inherited the ignominious label of "The War generation". [Image credits: telegraph.co.uk, presstv.ir, nbcnews.com, albawaba.com, embraceme.org] |
[Banner illustration by Joel Kanar]
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