It’s Been 100 Days

It is hard to believe that only 100 days ago, Jerusalem was recognized as the capital of Israel by American President, Donald Trump. It was an historic declaration that that gave recognition to reality and shook up the international political arena. The announcement rattled the foundations of anti-Israel countries and organizations and created a rift in the long-standing agenda of the “united” nations, whose reactions to Trump’s announcement reflected their collective disappointment that their plan to dissect Israel would be further delayed. Yet, a few rays of light shone through the darkness, as a handful of countries praised the recognition of Israel’s eternal capital and even decided to do likewise.

The “Palestinian” Authority, an organization that came into being in the 1960s, with whom we are supposed to make peace, considered President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as sounding the death-knell of what was already the dead “peace process”. Trump, in essence, replied to the “Palestinian’s” intransigence to peace as “their loss”.

Let’s think about this for a moment. For dozens of years, Israel is being asked to make peace with a terrorist “organization”, which seeks its destruction, so that this “organization” can set up an independent, enemy country in the midst of Israel. What normal country in the world would do that? This question presumes that countries act normally. But, in asking the question, I momentariy forgot that when it comes to Israel, the vast majority of the countries of the world act irrationally. Returning to reality – this terrorist organization has been recognized by a multitude of countries around the world, many of whom have already set up embassies in East Jerusalem and are chomping at the bit in anticipation of adding yet another entity to the list of nations that seek to undo the recognition of Israel as the only democratic country in the Middle East. Israel, on the other hand, has learned the lesson that most countries still refuse to learn: When our enemy says that it plans to kill us and remove us from the map (which removal has already taken place in the education system in the “Palestinian” Authority), we take its words seriously. The world forgets the basic lessons that our school children learn each day: first taught, then tested. We have constant reminders that our enemies are intent on carrying out what they say they will do.

Only yesterday, before the entry of the Sabbath, in a vehicle-ramming incident, killed an IDF Officer and another soldier, and wounded two other people, one of whom seriously. Hamas, the terrorist faction of the PLO, openly welcomed the attack, stating, “The attack in Jenin comes 100 days after Trump’s decision and makes it clear that our people’s intifada for Jerusalem is continuing.” In an attempt to clarify its position, Hamas added, “The protest against the decision and against the occupation is not a wave of anger, but an ongoing matter until full freedom is achieved for our people.”

Commenting on the attack, Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said following the attack. “We will act to sentence the terrorist to death, to demolish his house and to punish anyone who was involved. There’s no ‘lone terrorism.’ It’s terrorism that is supported by Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] and the Palestinian Authority, which pays money to the families of the terrorists.”

In recent days, we’ve seen a number of incidents that reveal the serious rift existing between the political parties that vie for the leadership of the “Palestinian” Authority. It seems that the only thing they can agree upon is that they both hate Israel and seek to abide by the original charter of the PLO that calls for the destruction of Israel.

The Disaster of the Oslo Accords – Israel’s Biggest Political Blunder

It is almost a quarter of a century since Israel signed onto what has been referred to as the “Oslo Accords”. From day one, I had referred to that agreement as the “Oslo Disaster”, but hardened peaceniks kept saying “we need to give it time”. Time is an illusion that is believed to make everything work out well. But, for Israel, the past twenty-five year has been a nightmare, internally and internationally.

The constant yearning of Israel to live in peace with its neighbors gave rise to one of the biggest political blunders in its short history, resulting in serious ideological divisions and a de-stabilized political system – not to mention the number the number of resolutions passed against Israel by the united nincompoops of the world, which, hopefully, is now coming to an end with Nikki Haley’s presence in the UN.

It is not my intention to review the multitude of problems generated by the Oslo agreement, but an enumeration of some of them would seem to be in order.

The Oslo Disaster gave overnight recognition to a terrorist organization that had launched two major intifadas against Israel (one in 1987 and the other, after the signing of the accords, in 200) and to a multitude of “lone-wolf” incidents, particularly in very recent times (car rammings, stabbings, shootings and explosions). This organization exists in the heartland of Israel (Samaria) and along its southern coastline in Gaza (which, by the way, was apportioned to the Tribe of Judah – Joshua 15:21, 47). Terrorists put on a suit and we began to call them diplomats. But, the classic photo of Rabin, Peres and Arafat puts an abrupt end to wishful thinking. The photo shows Arafat in his military uniform, wearing his kfiyah that was usually covering his shoulder in the shape of Israel. For the “Palestinians”, it was pretending for peace with a pen, while continuing to seek soverignty and submission by the sword. Time and time again, the PLO was asked to renounce its chartered commitment to destroy Israel, which it blanketly refused to do and/or ignored. And the world community remained silent and if it spoke, it only did so if it condemned Israel for the failure of the Oslo Accords.

Then there was Israel’s failure to point out that it ended its “occupation” of population of the “Palestinian” territories within three and a half years after signing the Accords – a political blunder that has given rise to over two decades of condemnation over an issue that doesn’t exist in fact.

The Oslo Disaster polarized our political discussions and, as a consequence, the views of the country, focusing on our willingness or flexibility to “make painful concessions” for peace, which nothing was demanded of the PLO, other than to be willing to make a genuine peace with Israel, which its leaders would not, and could not, do. This is aptly demonstrated by the fact that on two occasions, the PLO was offered approximately 98% of all of the territory taken as a result of the 6-Day War, it turned down the offer. The pursued goal for the “Palestinians” was not peace, but prestige, power and prominence throughout the Arab world through total victory over Israel. Its attitude is what is referred to as “zero-sum” game – a sought-for, entire victory for one side, balanced out by an all-defeat for the other side. Enemies give all they have to achieve their desired victory over the other and when the balanced gains and losses are added up, they result in zero. But, here, it is all a “Palestinian” ploy. Pursue peace? The “Palestinian” attitude is “let’s not and say we did”. And the world remains silent and does not call the “Palestinian” leadership to account.

What the Oslo Disaster did achieve was to allow for the emergence of repressive “Palestinian” regimes, both in Samaria and in Gaza. Their leaders play on the misery of their own people, a misery that in large measure they, themselves, have brought about. They obtain billions from foreign governments and international organizations, which are intended to create a socio-economic infrastructure for the betterment of their population, only to have most of it funneled off into private pockets bulging from the misery of the people. The media focused and continues to focus on poverty-stricken areas, while ignoring that in places like Gaza City, the population flourishes with five-star hotels and restaurants that would rival those of any major city in the world. And the world remains silent in the face of media manipulation.

Almost twenty-five years have elapsed since the signing of the Oslo document and peace is ever more elusive now than it was before. Five successive Israel governments have extended their hands in peace, only to have them slapped away by “Palestinian” leaders, who are willing for peace to exist, if, and only if, the existence of Israel would disppear. Peace’s illusion. They really don’t understand peace, at all. The Oslo Disaster worsened already existing troubled waters, that only God’s direct involvement will be able to bridge. When that happens, the world will not be able to say anything.

Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance on His adversaries, and will atone for His land and His people.” (Deut. 32:43)

The LORD bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (Psalm 128:5)

Many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Have a great week.

Marvin

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