Much of the world is in an “uproar” because suicidal political activists successfully provoked Israeli soldiers to defend themselves with deadly force. There are many videos exposing their lies and deceptions. The so-called “peace activists” were singing songs about slaughtering Jews! One woman openly declared that martyrdom would be a “happy outcome” and three of the four Turkish men that were killed were seeking a martyr’s death. I have seen no evidence that the Israelis deliberately did anything wrong, though it is unfortunate they reacted as strongly as they did. They righteously contacted the ships and told them that the aid would be transferred by land to Gaza. The ships refused, and attempted to gain access to Gaza by brute force. Thus, they denied their identity as “peace activists” by their own actions, and any blood shed in this event is on their hands. (Don’t get me wrong – I am fully aware that Israel is guilty of many crimes against the Palestinians – but this is not one of them as far as I can tell. In this case, the wounds appear to be self-inflicted. For an alternate view, see here.)
And this video shows the “peace activists” attacking the Israelis:
Here is another video in which the violent activists claim to be “peace activists” and deny that they attacked the Israelis –
This pretty much says it all (h/t Religio-Political Talk):
With the name of God, Peace be unto you.
A Christian friend of mine shared with me this very moving passage.
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”
(Joshua 5:13-14)
“Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither, ‘he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Very powerful!
Hey there Jonathan,
Excellent verse. On the one hand, I am “for” both the Palestinians and the Israelis in that I desire to see them both prosper and live in peace with each other. And on the other hand, I am not “for” either side in the sense that I do not want to see either Israel or the Palestinians have “victory” since that would lead only to more death and destruction.
Why is it the Israeli’s are always held to a higher standard of peace? I just do not get it? Even when suicide bombers stand in crowded marketplaces and kill both Jews and Muslims!
What concerns me most in all this is that these Muslims do not even want to protect their own. They hide their arms and bombs in homes were women and children live. They know the Israeli’s will not target children. But these Muslims do not seem to care what danger they put them in.
There was an excellent comment on Debbie’s blog about the Non Jews elected to the Knesset since 1949. Can you name any Jews in leadership in any non secular Muslim country’s or in the PLO?
Why would Jews allow Arab- Non Jews to be elected to the Knesset.
Two reasons Israel is held to a higher standard:
1) They have superior power and support from the US. Most folks tend to root for the underdog.
2) The world is generally anti-semitic and looks for any excuse to abuse Israel.
But we must also remember that Israel has committed many crimes against innocent Palestinians – both Muslims and Christians. There were incidents of ethnic cleansing in 1948. Hatred against Israel is founded largely in the lies of anti-semitism, but it also has roots in the reality of their own sins. And worse of all, these flames are being fanned by corrupt governments for their own political gains.
As for the Islamist terrorist hiding behind woman and children – that is part of their perverted ideology. In their minds, all death serves Allah because the dead Muslims go to heaven and the dead infidels go to hell, so all is good.
I’ll have to read the comment on Debbie’s blog. I follow it almost every day, but I missed that one.
Israel does not limit their citizenship to Jews. There are Arab citizens of Israel, and they can be elected like anyone else. This is very different in the so-called “Mulsim” countries (which are not Muslim at all, but rather Islamist). Just yesterday I read this headline Egypt to revoke citizenship of men wedded to Israelis.
Great chatting Lydia,
Richard
Richard, I think we are in agreement on most things. One area I think we differ is on Islam and what it is. If I understand you correctly, you point out there are those who interpret the Koran differently from Islamists, as you call them, and that is the true Islam.
I do disagree with that. Not that some interpret it differently, but that it is in the Koran at all…. to be interpreted.. Mohammad became more violent as time went on and fewer people converted. (If you read his history, know he was illiterate, you can see he borrowed from Christianity, Judaism and pagan religions to form Islam. This was probably from his experience working with the traveling Caravans where he would have encountered all religions).
So there ARE peaceful parts of the Koran and after his conversions were not coming…it became more violent.
We live in a New Covenant as Christians so when Muslims try to use OT scriptures to show that Christians are taught the same violence, we must remind them of Jesus Christ…GOD in the Flesh and the reason for the Cross and His resurrection.
Unlike the Jews, it is no longer an eye for an eye. But that does not mean I will not work hard to protect women from Sharia law or honor killings. Islam can never be “peaceful” when I see how they treat women and what the Quran says about wives. Our NT scripture tells husbands to LOVE their lives as their own bodies and just like Christ loved the church, His Bride, and gave Himself for her.
Hey there Lydia,
I agree we are probably in agreement about most things. 😉
As for “true Islam” – I’m not sure there is such a thing. The Islam that was practiced at the time of Muhammad surely has gone through a lot of changes, and indeed, there are now 73 different sects of Islam, so I doubt you could find any more agreement amongst Muslims as to “true Islam” than we could find amongst Christians as to what constitutes “true Christianity.” (Think of the conflict between Protestants, Catholics, and Greek Orthodox just for starters).
So … with that idea out of the way, I think that the important thing is “what are the variations of Islam that Muslims try to follow?” This is where we find genuinely peaceful forms of Islam. The vast majority of Muslims are truly peace-loving who see God through the lens of the Quran. They have no other lens. So for me, the issue is not over the 109 verses of the Quran that might provoke violence. The issue is obviously one of hermeneutics. There are many Muslims that strongly argue against the application of the “violent verses” to today’s conflicts.
As for the history of Islam – have you read any books that are favorable towards Islam? If so, which? On another thread I mentioned Karen Armstrong’s “Islam: A Short History” which is supposed to “put to rest” the idea of Islam as violent. Have you read that one?
Here is a review from the Amazon page:
Please don’t misunderstand me. I know that there are a lot of problems with Islam. I just think it’s very important that we look at both sides of this conflict between the two largest religions on planet earth.
Great chatting, I really appreciate your contributions.
Richard
The false land of Ishmael, which is its true name since it is man’s attempt to fulfill the prophecies of God through force, is always held to a much lower standard than any other nation would be held to. Anyone claiming it is held to a higher standard is choosing to live in darkness and ignorance. When was the last time the US media seriously critiqued Israel? Case in point.
What other country can take 6 billion a year from the US, more if you factor in the expenses of keeping its enemies bribed, and still complain that it is being marginalized by US politicians? Find me one other example and I’ll apologize for calling you a liar.
There have been numerous reports of falsified data regarding the Gaza flotilla, the Ishmaeli government produced a false audio recording of the flotilla participants talking about how they were going to send the Jews back to Aushchwitz. Only days after the story died down was it confirmed that this was a big fat LIE! No one on board the boats who were attacked said any such thing.
Are you really going to believe a government that purposely faked a recording just in order to spin the story their way until the public lost interest in it? You are either gullible beyond belief or are just wanting to live in lies. Why don’t the Ishmaelis release the video of what led up to the confrontations? That would settle the question of who provoked who once and for all wouldn’t it? Did you really not think of that or are you just counting on being able to shed blood and get away with it?
They also claimed that there were caches of weapons aboard, later it was revealed the weapons included standard sea gear such as night-vision equipment and kitchen knives. The Ishmaelis also faked photos of bulletproof vests, so they are clearly the liars. They also delayed the release of photos of doctors, FROM THE FLOTILLA, bandaging wounded Ishmaeli soldiers.
The video above does not even invoke the killing of jews as its title claims. It is a remembrance of an ancient battle, that’s all. Anyone who would even post this video as evidence is a liar to the core.
The woman in the video is stating that she believes helping people is something worth dying for. Only a fool or a liar would suggest that means she is suicidal or wants to provoke violence. This post casts a lot of doubt on the rest of your research. That’s for sure.
I’m sure you can find an amen corner to shout about how awful Ishmael gets treated and how anyone who points out its murder and deceit is just a “hater” but I know you won’t refute the questions I’ve raised. How come Ishmael gets caught lying again and again? How come it needs so much aid? How come it gets to cast itself as a US ally even thought it has been caught spying on the US numerous times? How come it’s racist doctrines never get covered in the media, even when its “rabbis” specifically call for the killing of innocents based on race? (And if you don’t know how racist some of the settlers are, boy you better start doing some real homework- try whatreallyhappened.com)
The Ismaelis attacked the flotilla in open international waters and started killing people. Those on board panicked and did what they could do to defend themselves. At this point in history anyone trying to paint it otherwise has blood on their hands.
Israel is a state of righteousness as the bible makes clear in the old and new testaments. The creation of a nation state falsely assuming that sacred name is the result of materialistic greed. It is the same mistake Abraham made when he tried to sleep with his handmaid and fulfill God’s prophecies on his own.