Since Israel’s rebirth as a nation, she has had to fight for her very survival. Israel has been attacked by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, and Hamas. Though vastly outmanned, Israel has not only survived, they have thrived in multiple ways.
When Mark Twain visited Palestine in 1867, he wrote that it was “a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land.” Since then, as Jewish people returned to their ancient homeland, they bought land and restored it. In 1948, Britain sectioned off a small portion of Middle Eastern land for Israel. Israel has continued to develop her land and the land thrives.
Israel also offers opportunities for people to thrive, including non-Jews. For example, Arab Muslims may enjoy the privileges of citizenship. Some even serve in Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset.
In contrast, both the people and the land often suffer under Israel-hating leaders. We now know that Hamas hid under hospitals with the sick, elderly, and new-born babies. They don’t even value their own people.
Israel forced its people out of Gaza in 2005. Instead of using foreign aid to invest in their infrastructure, medicine, education, and commerce, to better the lives of the Gazans, their leaders used the money to build hundreds of underground tunnels. They have money to buy weapons to kill Israelis. The leaders enrich themselves, while the people suffer.
Unlike the terrorists, Israel tries to prepare non-combatants for retaliation so they can live.
Someone said, “Free Palestine from Hamas!”
Land for Peace
The land Israel gained in wars, came about due to the attacks and provocation of her neighbors. After Israel regained the entire city of Jerusalem, they handed the Temple Mount back over to Muslim supervision with the hope that it would promote peace. It did not.
According to James Garlow, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Yasser Arafat all Gaza, Arab East Jerusalem, and approximately 94 % of the so-called West Bank in 2000 at Camp David. Arafat said no and launched the 2nd intifada.
A similar offer was made to Mahmoud Abbas by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008. Gaza had already been given. Abbas never got back to Olmert.
Israel could be a blessing to other nations as a peace partner.
Let’s try to gain an understanding of both sides of this conflict so we can address it wisely and pray effectively. See Proverbs 18:13, 15, and 17.
Based on history, and on-going attacks, what else can Israel do to live in safety?