For as long as I can remember, there has been conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite numerous cease-fires and agreements, the fighting has continued. I can even remember the words of a television commercial that ran back in the 1980s that reminded everyone to, "Pray for peace in the Middle East," echoing the words of Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Recently, the eyes of the world were once again drawn to the Holy Land as Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza, ceding the territory to the Palestinians. The move has been heralded as another step on the path to peace in the Middle East and statehood for the Palestinians. Given the history and depth of the conflict, one has to wonder if this withdrawl will truly bring peace, especially considering that it was not accompanied by any sort of pact or agreement. In reality, the concession had quite a lot to do with the pressure the United Nations has put on Israel in support of the Palestinians.First and foremost, let's get the record straight: The Palestinians are not a real people group. They are almost a complete fabrication. Still, the media and the United Nations continue to buy into the Palestinian "struggle." The Palestinians have no claim to Israeli land. In fact, the opposite is true. Much of what was the land of the Hebrews is in the hands of the surrounding Arab nations. It should be noted that the land the Palestinians have laid claim to - Gaza and the West Bank - were parts of Egypt and Jordan prior to 1967, they were not some nation that was taken from an indigenous people and given to the Jews. Still, the United Nations allows the Palestine Liberation Organization to be the only non-nation member to participate in sessions. This is interesting, considering the recent Chechen rebellion in Russia. Why didn't the United Nations rush to the cause of this "indigenous" people who were also struggling for liberation? One has to wonder about the desire for peace and statehood, especially after former Palestinian Prime Minister Yasir Arafat, who was granted the Nobel Peace prize, advocated encroaching on Israeli land - not, as many would like to believe, in order to create a Palestinian state, but rather, and these are his words, for the "annihilation" of the Israeli people. But that is not the end.Ever since Israelis were given back portions of their land in 1948, they have been victims of relentless and unprovoked attacks by the surrounding Arab nations. Beginning on the first day Israel became a nation in 1948, and continuing through the Six-Day War in 1967, the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the recent Intifada (Palestinian uprising), the Arab nations have aligned themselves against Israel. Now the Palestinian "plight" has served as further justification for Arab aggression against Israel. Why? For peace? Statehood? I doubt it. I think the real reason has more to do with two very ugly words: anti-Semitism. So where is the true path to peace in the Middle East? Certainly not in forcing Israel to do things it should not have to do. The history of this conflict is easily and readily available. Concession will solve nothing. Many Palestinians are already demanding that Israel surrender Jerusalem, the Holy City of the Hebrew people, as well. Where does this all end? With Israeli and Palestinian forces as they currently stand, one can only hope as the psalmist King David did long ago and pray, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
