Apartheid Israel!

It was a Facebook post by a friend of one of my former pupils, who had been on my own "Friends" list for a number of years.  It was, basically, a 'tongue-in-cheek' comment on the late Fidel Castro, using a reported quote from this former President of Cuba.

However, some of the following comments that appeared to be praising this "great humanitarian" led me to give some of "the other side" of the story!  This, in turn, led to the former pupil informing me that I am a "pro-Zionist" who supports the bombing of innocent civilians, including children, by apartheid Israel!

That probably wasn't a wise move on his part!  My response was as follows - in case any of my blog readers think as he does!  I typed:

If that is directed at me (I was absolutely certain that it had been - but one must be careful!), you need to do some serious research on the State of Israel - and not be hoodwinked by the pro-'palestinian' propaganda that is spouted by the MSM (main stream media, in case you are unfamiliar with the abbreviation).

Just to get you started - If Palestinians were to lay down their guns tomorrow, there would be no war. If Israel were to lay down its arms, there would be no Israel.  It would be so very helpful if the 'Palestinians' were to stop firing rockets at Israel; stop digging tunnels that are intended to enable their 'soldiers' to infiltrate Israel; and stop teaching their children to "kill the Jews" (that, of course, is not confined to 'Palestinian' authorities).

There is NO apartheid in Israel!  Have you ever been there? Have you seen, for yourself, this apartheid to which you refer? Do you know how many Arabs are Members of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament)? By the way, do you know how many Jews are involved in the political leadership of any Arab state?! (The answer to that question is easy - less than 1!!) Do you know how many Arabs are members of the IDF (the Israeli Defence Force)?  Do you know how many Arabs hold top positions in the Police, the Military, in Institutes of Higher Education (and as teachers in primary and secondary education - teaching Jewish children!), in Medical Institutions and Hospitals?

Do you know how many 'Palestinians' work in Israel - because the wages and conditions are better than anything they can obtain in 'Palestine'?  Do you know how many 'Palestinians' bring their children, and other relatives, to Israeli hospitals for treatment - free of charge? Can you provide a figure for these "innocent men, women, and children being bombed and daily harrasses or being evicted out of their homes"? Do you know how many rockets, bombs, sidearms, etc were found in 'Palestinian' hospitals and other public buildings? Are you aware of the 'Palestinian' strategy of firing their rockets, indiscriminately, at Israel - from areas of civilian population?  Do you really understand the definition of "apartheid"?  Indeed, do you know the meaning of "Zionist"?  You really should go beyond the Daily Record (a Scottish tabloid newspaper that caters for the less educated in Scottish society!) for your information about the world!

I then pointed out that, so far, 37 Arab Muslims (at least some of whom, and probably all of whom, are 'Palestinian' Arabs) have been arrested over the arson attacks that have destroyed hectares of forest in Israel.  I suggested, from another perspective, that he check out the Arab countries that do practice apartheid towards Jews!  For example, Jews are not even allowed to permanently reside in Saudi Arabia, Libya, or Jordan - and I suspect that any Jew would be refused entry to Iran!

If there ever was to be a "State of Palestine" (for the first time in the history of the world!), it has already been made clear that it would be "ethnically cleansed" of any Jews!

Well, I could have gone on - and could go on.  However, I do hope that anyone who has bought into this hype about Israel being a modern South Africa will begin to realise that nothing could be further from the truth.  There are no "Jews only" forms of transport. There are no "Jews only" beaches. There are no "Jews only" cafés or restaurants.  There are no "Jews only" washrooms.  Indeed, according to Kenneth Meshoe, a South African politician, any attempt to compare Palestinians’ experience in Israel with the former racist regime is offensive to individuals who suffered under the system of racial separation.  He said that, on a trip to Israel, "I deliberately looked for anything that looked like apartheid. I took a bus to the center of Jerusalem, but blacks, Jews, Arabs and everybody else all sat together. Swimming at the Dead Sea was mixed. I looked for the ‘black only’ beaches, but there were none. Arab school teachers stood in front of Jewish classes! That would never have happened under apartheid."

Apartheid Israel? - it simply doesn't exist!

POTUS

For those who may be unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for "President of the United States". This office is generally recognised as being the most influential in the "free" world - which is why so many, outwith the USoA, are so interested in its holder.

After a Facebook entry, there were those who concluded that I was a supporter of Donald Trump. That was not, strictly speaking, true.  It just happens to be the case that I am vehemently opposed to Hillary Clinton - and there isn't really any other choice. Apart from the sudden death of one of them, or some major divine intervention, either Trump or Clinton will be declared to be the 45th POTUS on Nov.9th, 2016.

I, of course, do not have a vote in this presidential election.  However, many of those who read this blog do have such a vote. I wish to provide three reasons why, if I did have a vote, I would be casting it in favour of Donald Trump!

First of all, let me make clear that I do not hold Donald Trump in very high esteem. He has shown himself, over and over again, to be boorish; loud-mouthed; amoral (if not immoral); and totally lacking in public speaking ability.  In almost any other situation, he would not receive one iota of support from me.

Having said that - and this is one reason for voting for him - he is not in anyone's pocket. As far as I know, he inherited his business empire from his father, but it has made him a very rich individual, who has provided the greater part of the financial support for his campaign.  This means that he is not beholden to anyone; he would not have to dish out "favours" to financial backers; he would have a level of independence that no POTUS had enjoyed for a very long time.  

His competitor, on the other hand, has been the recipient of millions of dollars in support from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, to name just three.  Now, of course, Clinton is not so stupid as to have these amounts paid directly into her campaign fund!  Oh no!  They are paid into the Clinton Foundation - an organisation that, as far as I can make out, is run by the Clintons, for the Clintons!  Not that Clinton rejects financial support for her campaign, from Islamic donors. According to the Middle East Forum’s “Islamist Money in Politics” (IMIP) project, which has released the names of the top-ten recipients of 2015-16 campaign contributions from individuals who subscribe to the same Islamic supremacism as Khomeini, bin Laden, and ISIS, Clinton is at the top, raking in $41,165 from prominent Islamists. This includes $19,249 from senior officials of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), declared a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates on November 15, 2014.  (For full details of all Islamist contributions, click here… http://www.islamist-watch.org/money-politics/recipient/141/).  Does any sensible person think that these "donations" all come without any "strings" attached?!

The second reason why I would vote for Trump is his choice running-mate - the man who, in the event that Trump wins, would be the Vice-President, and the man who would take over if the President should die - however that might happen.  This man is Mike Pence, currently Governor of Indiana, and a sincere disciple of Jesus. Indeed, he appears to be many of the things that Trump is not - which would make him a good "counter-balance" to any wild ideas that the new President might seek to introduce.  He is a qualified attorney and has experience in government at Congressional level.  He opposes - as does Trump - the late-term, and partial-birth abortion procedures that Clinton supports.  Indeed, Clinton's relationship with "Planned Parenthood" should make anyone who seeks to follow the teaching of the One Who said "Allow the little children to come to me" very concerned indeed.  If you are unsure as to what is involved in these particular procedures, do take time to check them out!  Clinton's choice of running-mate is a man who agrees with her on such matters.

The third reason I would offer for voting for Trump is that he is not a "career politician".  He has never held public office before, at any level.  All of the criticisms that are levelled at him are of things that he said, and allegedly did, as a private citizen.  That does no make any of them acceptable - but we, quite rightly, demand a higher standard of behaviour from our elected representatives.  I suspect that, if elected, and with a good VP, Donald Trump could surprise a lot of people!

I could go on - Trump has never, as far as I know, been charged with the leaking of state secrets.  He has never boasted about getting a self-confessed rapist of a young teenager "off the hook"!  His physical health appears to be good - unlike Clinton's.  He certainly hasn't been accused of having an ear-piece during national debates - a means of having answers and information fed in from some back room!  He also has a nice sense of humorous timing.  I think that my favourite moment in the debates was when Clinton made some comment asking what would happen of Trump was in charge of the legal system. His instant response: "You would be in jail." was classic!

As a disciple of Jesus, I believe firmly that God is in control, and that nothing can, or will, happen on this earth without His knowledge, and permission. If Clinton emerges as the victor in this presidential race, I will see that as a judgement on the government and people of the USoA.  I trust that they will be spared such a judgement - and that Donald Trump, with all of his faults and failings, will be the next POTUS.

Every picture tells a story!

Every picture tells a story - but is every story told by a picture honest and dependable?

A few days ago, a photograph appeared on most, if not all, of the MSM. It was the body of a small child, named as Aylan Kurdi, lying on a beach at the edge of the water. The child was, we were informed, drowned - the tragic result of a rubber dinghy, full of refugees, having 'flipped over' in the sea. The apparently distraught father claimed that his wife and other son had also drowned. They were, he claimed, escaping from the war in Syria. The picture was likened to that of the young girl, running naked along a road in Vietnam, having been (if I recall correctly), the victim of a napalm bombing. That picture has often been credited with having brought about the end of the involvement of the USoA in Vietnam.

I was one of those who was criticised, by dear fellow-disciples of Jesus, for not responding with the demand that the UK take in more refugees.  I was, effectively, accused of lacking compassion.  It appeared that I am a poor advert for Jesus.  My basic response was that compassion sometimes needs to be tempered with discernment.

Later reports would seem to suggest that I was correct!   People have looked again at the picture - and come to the reasonable conclusion that it was all carefully staged (not that I am suggesting that the Vietnamese picture was likewise!).  It has been pointed out that, if that little body had been washed ashore by the waves, it would not have been lying as it is in the picture - almost as if the child had lain down for a sleep.   The father's own story has been found to be filled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies.   The latest claim, from a survivor of the capsizing, is that he was actually the 'captain' of the ill-fated little vessel.   It has also been noted that he was able to return to Syria in order to bury the bodies of his family - returning to the very 'war zone' from which he claimed to have fled!  

His own sister claimed, on Canadian television, that he had been in Turkey (it would appear that he had been there for about three years!) and that she had been paying the rent for the family's apartment.   It was she, also, who stated that his desire to get to Europe was motivated by his need for false teeth!   An anonymous blogger has apparently stated that Mr Kurdi had his teeth pulled out when being tortured by the Assad régime in his home country.  It could be asked why he didn't make this 'fact' known, himself, when he first came to the attention of the world's media.

Much more has apparently been unearthed, and it seems to me that there are more questions than answers in this sorry saga.  Of course the death of any child - or any adult - is sad.  Of course one has compassion for those who are genuinely fleeing persecution and violence.  However, there are sound reasons for believing that the majority of those who are currently seeking to enter a number of European countries are not fleeing adverse situations and circumstances, but merely seeking to benefit from what they see as some kind of 'El Dorado'!

I am not one to be taken in by every conspiracy theory - even those put about after the tragic event of fourteen years ago.  However, in addition to the above, the alleged comment by an official of the Saudi Arabian government, that his country (and other Arab, Muslim, countries) do not take in Muslim refugees because they want Europe to be filled with Muslims, is really quite believable!  The dream of many Muslims is the realisation of the world-wide Islamic Caliphate, and they will do all in their power, including lying and deceit, to achieve it.

Praise God, therefore, that He is the One Who is ultimately in control!   His Kingdom is within His people and will, many of us believe, be consummated soon.   Then will come to pass the vision granted to John: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.'   And He Who sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" (Rev 21:1-5).  Hallelujah!

Who would be a blogger?

Already, I am beginning to almost regret having started my proposed series on The Ten Words (Commandments). Part of the idea was that, for this month, I wouldn't have to think about what to publish.  Little did I know how much would be happening in the first couple of weeks of 2015!

I have already made reference to the murderous activities - in one case, that of the Muslim police officer in Paris, cold-blooded, evil, despicable, murder - of the Islamist thugs at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, and in the Jewish supermarket.  However, the universal, and well-deserved, repulsiveness engendered by those cowardly actions has served to overshadow another news report with an Islamic flavour.

On Friday, in the port-city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia - that bastion of Sunni Islam - Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger convicted of insulting Islam, was brought after Friday prayers to a public square, and flogged 50 times before hundreds of spectators.  What was his real 'crime'?  He had criticised Saudi Arabia’s powerful clerics on a liberal blog he founded - a blog that has since been shut down. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 1million riyals or about £175,000.  In fact, his original sentence was seven years in prison and 600 lashes (in July last year), but an appeals court overturned the sentence and ordered a retrial - which then earned him a more severe sentence of 1,000 lashes and ten years in prison.  The 1,000 lashes will be administered on a weekly basis, fifty at a time,  That means that he will be tortured like that for almost a year.  However, it might not be as long as that.  As he is, reportedly, denied any medical treatment in between lashings, it is unlikely that he will survive for long enough to complete his sentence.

Despite international pleas for his release, Badawi, a father of three, was brought from prison by bus to the public square and flogged, on the back, in front of a crowd that had just finished midday prayers at a nearby mosque.  I really can't imagine a Christian congregation coming out of a worship service and immediately watching a hanging!  But then, I cannot imagine British authorities arresting me for anything that I have published on this blog!

This event, I believe,together with the murder of the Muslim police officer, and the massacre of so many Muslim schoolchildren and some of their teachers, by members of the Pakistan Taliban, in the Peshawar district of Pakistan; shows that these Islamic terrorists are a threat to anyone, and everyone, who criticises them or who does not submit to their own beliefs.  I suppose that I have placed myself in the firing line of any of them who happens upon this blog, and who can find out where I live! 

Thankfully, I am soon to be moving home - mind you, we are going to France! 

Truth will out!

There are few days in which some reference is not made, in the British media, to the situation in the Middle East.  This does not simply mean reports from the ongoing civil war in Syria; or to the continuing unrest in Egypt; or to the latest visit to one of the Middle eastern countries by some 'high-flying' diplomat/politician.  It invariably means that those nasty Israelis are, yet again, bullying the poor Palestinians.  At least that is what much of the media would have us believe! 

At the centre of the situation is the city of Jerusalem.  It is claimed to be holy (i.e. separated from, and different to, anything else) by both Judaism and Islam.  However, the way in which it is treated by both gives the lie to one of those claims!  Here's a clue - the "Holy City" of Islam is Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia!

This video gives some interesting information - as does the "Show More" button, just under the screen if you go to the YouTube page to view.   The sound doesn't commence until about 1m20s into the video - so don't adjust your volume!



sh’alu shalom yerushalayim.   (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.)  Ps.122:6