The Politics of Betrayal

By Malcolm Hedding

22 Jun 2009

It is nothing short of astonishing to note the agenda-driven politics of our day. It gives lip service to grand ideals, papers over the truth, and in the end amounts to betrayal. This is the picture unfolding before our eyes concerning Israel. Even her modern-day historical narrative is being denied in order to achieve certain global goals. The nation bends and turns in order to appease its allies, who have now determined that a two state solution is in her “best interests.” This in spite of the following:

1. The Road to Oblivion
Israel is now expected to make peace with a Palestinian entity that is presently at war with itself and that does not accept Israel’s right to exist! This is not just true of Hamas but also of Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has recently reaffirmed his hard-line positions on refugees, Jerusalem, the pre-1967 borders, and denying that Israel is a “Jewish state.” In Gaza, Hamas openly touts its total rejection of Israel, while also butchering Fatah loyalists. Like its northern cousin Hizbullah, Hamas is funded and armed by Iran, a reality that has forced Israel to fight two proxy wars with Tehran in the last two years. Now of course she is expected to open negotiations with terror militias committed to her destruction in the expectation of ultimately handing over Jerusalem to them! What right thinking Western nation would do this and where in history is there a precedent for this nonsense? This is the road to oblivion.

2. The Road to Democracy
Where in the Middle East, apart from Israel and Lebanon, is there an example of democracy? Israel is the stronger of these two and indeed is a shining light of freedom, tolerance and opportunity for all its citizens. By contrast, the surrounding Arab/Muslim nations are largely totalitarian, tolerant of Islam only, and suppressive of women’s and minority rights. Christians cannot practice their faith openly, build churches and propagate their message! Bibles are often banned but the “Protocols of Zion” are sold openly from Damascus to Tehran. In short, the road to democracy all but ends at the borders of Israel. Should the West impose democracy on the region? The answer is no! Rather, it should strongly stand behind Israel and adopt policies that do not reward dictatorships.

3. The Road to Agreement
Whenever Israel has found a genuine peace partner, peace agreements have followed. Both Egypt and Jordan are examples of this, but the same cannot be said of the Palestinians. Guided by callous leadership, they have embarked on one destructive adventure after another. Even their so-called peace initiatives were pursued with deceit and dishonesty, saying one thing to Western politicians but the opposite when speaking to the Arab/Muslim world. Even Yasser Arafat, speaking in Johannesburg in 1994, stated that his real intention through the Oslo process was Israel’s end. But Western leaders turned a “blind eye” and said it was mere rhetoric! Given the more recent experience of a still hostile Gaza after Israel’s full withdrawal, it begs the question why the obvious is not seen by enlightened world? And why is Israel being pushed into the arms of Hamas? Rather, the road to agreement must begin with the cessation of violence, the recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and the genuine desire for peace. Anything short of this is madness!

4. The Road to Peace
Israel has fully demonstrated her desire and willingness to make peace. Whenever Israel makes concessions, she is rewarded with violence, as happened in September 2000 and after the Gaza pullout of 2005. Meantime, Fatah and Hamas are engaged in a violent power struggle over who will ultimately claim credit for Israel’s demise. Sadly, the conflict persists due to a radical Islamic theology that rejects any Jewish sovereignty in “Palestine” because it was once part of the Dar al-Salaam (House of Islamic Peace). Until these realities are firmly dealt with by the international community, there cannot be and should not be a road to peace. A two state solution is unthinkable at present as it will result in more violence against Israel. When this happens once it can be excused, but when it happens repeatedly, it amounts to stupidity! Or, is there another agenda behind it? To move forward in these circumstances is the road to national suicide!
 

Rev. Hedding is executive director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem; www.icej.org

This article was first published in the July 2009 issue of The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition; www.jpost.com/ce
 

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