The Price for Fulfilling a Vision

It’s the little things that catch our attention, things like:-

∙ May 1, 2018: the statement by Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington and now serving as a deputy minister for diplomacy in the prime minister’s office, that the expected peace plan of U.S. President Trump will undoubtedly require Israeli concessions, but that Israel would be foolish to reject it. In his opinion, no U.S. President has been a more favorable ally to Israel than Trump. Therefore, we should welcome the peace plan, irrespective of its content. In his words: “My own feeling is to strongly recommend that the Israeli government accept this plan with an open mind, if not open arms, that we engage with it energetically and that we certainly don’t reject it out of hand.”

∙ May 4, 2018: a report that President Trump revealed his proposed peace plan to Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman during the latter’s visit to Washington last week. This plan, long-awaited by many, will require Israel to give up four areas of East Jerusalem that would serve as the capital of a “Palestinian” state. One Hebrew language, daily newspaper here reported that Trump’s plan does not include the Old City of Jerusalem, which would be recognized as “international territory”. But, the proposed peace plan is also reported to contain total U.S. support of Israel in any matter concerning Iran. This is a broad provision and is expected to include support of Israel before the international community, as well as provide military aid and weaponry, in the event that Israel would decide to take action against Iran, even if initiated by Israel. The office of the Israeli Defense Minister refused to comment. Trump’s peace plan is expected to be made public after the U.S. Embassy is re-dedicated, this time in Jerusalem, on May 14.

∙ May 5, 2018: In an interview given by Defense Minister Liberman, he commented on the upcoming move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, saying: “There are no free meals. National ambition and fulfilling a vision has a price. Opening the US embassy in Jerusalem will have a price too and it is one worth paying. I hope there won’t be, but I think that this decision is historic, important and dramatic. We have to welcome – and be prepared to pay prices. No one gave us our country on a silver tray.”

So, the summary of the above statements is: take it, whatever it is; we’ll probably have to make concessions (it seems that we are always the ones having to do that); favors come with a price and big favors come with a big price. 

On December 7, 2017, after Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital, I asked: “The only question I have at the moment is ‘What price is Israel going to have to pay for this announcement?'” Now, we get a glimpse of what it will cost, though foggy. Soon, we’ll see it clearly! Woe to those who try to divide up God’s land (Joel 3:2), whoever it is.

Iran, again. Things are definitely heating up.

A month ago, a Syrian base was bombed and 7 Iranian military advisers and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were killed. Iran said that it would retaliate for the strike. Israeli defense officials are preparing for a possible revenge attack by Iran, from Syria, with rocket and missile launches directed at northern Israel. While Tehran is not looking for an all-out war with Israel, it is anticipated that Iran’s retaliation will be directed against military, as opposed to civilian, targets. According to a report on one of Israel’s major TV stations: “Israel has recently identified with certainty Iranian preparations to fire at the north…We are not on the eve of war with Iran… but Iran is very determined to carry out an attack to avenge the T-4 strike and the deaths of its military personnel”. According to the TV report, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly claimed that they would hit all Iranian targets in Syria, if an attack was launched against Israeli territory. And, of course, Defense Minister Liberman said only a week ago that “If Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will strike Tehran.” But, there is the Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy in Lebanon, which has over 100,000 missiles aimed in our direction. If Iran launches a missile attack from Syria, even if against military targets only, there is a great likelihood that the Hezbollah will join the fray and be less discriminating in its choice of targets. Not to be forgotten is Hamas, Iran’s other proxy in Gaza, who is still trying to make its mark on the world with its “kite bombs”, among other violent means. We have various anti-missile systems, but if we blow all of their projectiles out of the air, what will follow after that?

Earlier today, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “We are determined to block the Iranian entrenchment, even at the cost of confrontation…We don’t want an escalation, but we are prepared for every scenario. We don’t want confrontation, but if there needs to be one, it is better now than later.“ (my emphasis) 

Yes, it is the little statements that grab our attention. 

This is not exactly what I wanted to share this evening, but it’s definitely on the front burner.

“Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” (Joshua 10:8)

“‘They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you’, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1:19) 

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

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin