Dear Friends,
Many of us knew in September of 2005 when Israel unilaterally gave the Palestinian Arabs the Gaza strip it would mean, eventually, war. We are seeing this today. I suspect this will be the last ever attempt by the Israelis to try to swap land for peace. Every time the consequences have generated among the Islamist radials more distain, more vitriol and determination to “Push Israel into the sea.”
The Gaza land grant moved the staging closer to Israel’s heartland and populated areas so for years now rockets launched from Gaza have been virtually a daily affair. Hamas has poked and prodded and harassed Israel with rocket fire. The Israelis have shown phenomenal restrain and have given frequent warnings. American would not have been nearly so patient if Canada was tossing us explosives every day.
Most Palestinian Arabs just want peace. Many would be happy if Hamas was a distant memory because they terrorize their own people. For suspicion for collaborating with Israel you might be found in a firing squad at the wrong end of the gun.
For Pam and I the Jewish people of the land are not theoretical and distant. They have faces and names. We have concern for their safety, and in the greater picture, a desire for all Jewish people as well as Arabs to discover Yeshua Hamashiach.
For now it might be interesting to those who are getting polluted news services that Israel has taken it on the chin, turning the cheek countless times before turning to restrain their attackers. You should know that Israel broadcasts warnings to the population in Gaza to move away from weapons caches and launch sites before they start their bombing and they labor diligently to keep noncombatants safe. In contrast the goal of Hamas is to kill at random anyone they may. They launch their rockets with prayers that Allah will guide them to Jewish souls.
One tell-tale insight that captures the situation goes like this: If you totally disarmed the Palestinian Arabs there would be an end to violence. If you totally disarmed the Jews there would be an end to Israel.
We pray for the peace of Israel and for the Palestinians. At the same time we wonder what the scriptures have to say, thinking that we are living in the days of Zechariah 12.
May we all have Heaven’s perspectives for only Father God sees with perfect clarity. Praying with eyes opened to an open Heaven!
Steven and Pam Johnson