Think on This: “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” I Samuel 15:29
Do This: We at The Jerusalem Connection are asking all of our readers to stay alert to the coming events during Israel Apartheid Week in cities or college towns near you. Send letters to your editor. Join the pro-Israel groups that will be “protesting the protest.” And be informed so that if you face members of the movement (even via social media) you can discredit the movement’s premise with facts.
As a primary call to action we ask all our readers to send the editor of your local paper a letter as follows:
Dear Editor,
Many of your readers may not be aware that college campuses across America are having Israel Apartheid Week this week, the main purpose of which is to disseminate propogranda against Israel that is simply not true. Here are the top five reasons why Israes is NOT an apartheid state.
Equality. During South Africa’s apartheid system, the majority black population was oppressed and persecuted by the minority whites. In Israel, all citizens—including Arab citizens—are equal before the law, regardless of their race, religion, or minority status. Of all the countries in the Middle East, Israel is the only true democracy with full freedom for its citizens.
Citizenship. In 1970s South Africa all non-whites were stripped of their South African citizenship. In 1948, Israel did the opposite. When the dust settled from Israel’s war of independence, Israel gave full citizenship to the Arabs who remained in Israel and did not flee. They did this even though it was a defensive war. Today 20% of the Israel population is Arab. That’s a million and a half Arab citizens living in Israel and enjoying all the same rights as Israeli Jews.
Democracy. In South Africa, non-whites were not allowed to be in government or even vote. In Israel, Arabs have been represented since the very first Knesset. Israeli Arabs vote and have been elected to every level of local and national office, including appointments to the Israeli Supreme Court and government minister positions.
Freedom. The South African apartheid regime strictly regulated the lives of non-whites with a host of separation laws. Black South Africans were confined to Bantustans, defined labor areas that they were not permitted to leave. Israel, in contrast, has extensive anti-discrimination laws. Israeli Arabs work in all sectors, attend universities, and open businesses. While much of the Arab population lives in concentrated Arab municipalities in Israel, this is an informal segregation as a matter of choice. For South African blacks, segregation was a matter of force.
Security. The security fence separating Israel from the West Bank is often denigrated as the “apartheid wall.” During Israel Apartheid Week, a common tactic on campuses is to build mock “apartheid walls” at protest sites. Admittedly, Israel must strictly enforce border control between Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. However, this restriction is due to their legitimate security concerns and not racism. The fence is credited for a drastic reduction in the number of mass-murder attacks carried out in Israel after reaching a peak in the second intifada. In South Africa, racism formed the base of segregation, not terrorism. Blacks living under South African apartheid did not seek the destruction of South Africa, only the regime of apartheid.
Thanks so much to the lovely Shelley who brings us this wonderful education. Our Sunday worship service shall include prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and for the Persecuted Church…perhaps one and the same now. During this sermon on the Transfiguration of Jesus, we shall highlight his Kingship and Sacrifice and pray that our nation shall transfigure into holy enlightenment with regards to Biblical teaching on the rightful place of Israel.
Wish I could be there Sunday! Shelley
Israel seems to always be the underdog every place in the world. Would that we Christians could be more vocal in her support. Thank God for ministries like Jerusalem Connection!
Thanks to all the well-informed pastors out there like yourself!