Doc's Talk: CUFI-Christian United For Israel

Monday, August 27, 2012

CUFI-Christian United For Israel

Nurit Greenger

I met Pastor John Hagee and his wife Diana before he had started the project A Night To Honor Israel and before CUFI was born. We were a small group of people who were invited to listen to a man who claimed to be a Christian-Zionist.

The name alone made me skeptic. But I was willing to listen and I did. I became an instant admirer of a man I would easily adopt to be my father.

Several months ago I received a video: John Hagee exposes all on Aish HaTorah's Old City rooftop overlooking Temple Mount (March 2012) - http://jewishisrael.ning.com/video/pastor-john-hagee-at-the-wailing-wall-on-aish-hatorah-s-rooftop?xg_source=msg_mes_network. (Hagee Preaches the Gospel from the Aish HaTorah Rooftop - http://jewishisrael.ning.com/profiles/blogs/hagee-preaches-the-gospel-from-the-aish-hatorah-rooftop)

The video angered me and was a letdown because it has a tone of Christian replacement theory; after all Pastor Hagee makes no bones about the fact that the Christian replacement theory is not his thing. He does not believe that God has forsaken His children, the Jews, and replaced them with the Christians, a theory that brought about the senseless murder of countless of Jews.

I expressed my anger publically and I kept my hope that Pastor Hagee did not mean harm to Jews when he declared in the video that Jesus will rule for 1000 years from Temple Mount. After all, Temple Mount is the holiest place on earth to the Jews and it belongs to them.

When it comes to the state of Israel it is difficult to remain angry and disrespectful of Pastor Hagee; because he is a genuine Christian-Zionist that even Theodore Herzl would be proud of.

So when I received the announcement that CUFI is going to hold, first time, A Night to Honor Israel in Los Angeles and Pastor Hagee will be the keynote speaker I saw it my duty to attend. Because there is no better friend to Jews and Israel than Pastor John Hagee and his organization, Christians United For Israel.

On August 26, 2012, at the Saban theater in Beverly Hills CUFI put together a magnificent evening to honor Israel. In between the speeches, the Gatekeepers choir sang in Hebrew and English. They started with the United States anthem following by the State of Israel anthem –Ha'tikvah, they sang twice, in a raw, in the most beautiful rendition. The speakers included David Siegel, Israel Consulate General to the Southwest US, rabbi David Woznica, of Stephen Wise Temple and rabbi David Baron, of Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills (http://www.templeofthearts.org/), as well as CUFI leaders from several CUFI centers.

All along the evening, to express their feeling to what speakers said the audience waved the flags of the United States and Israel each guest received as they entered the hall.

Before Pastor Hagee delivered his speech, as customary among Christians, the collection buckets were passed around and people's wallets opened to donate. CUFI is a nonprofit organization and our dollars pay for their fight for fair play for Israel, for Jews on campuses as well as fund projects in Israel.

The crescendo of the evening came with Pastor Hagee's speech. No one is better than he to express his unconditional and genuine support for the Jewish nation and the state of Israel.

It is no easy task to repeat what comes so naturally to Pastor Hagee. Some highlight of the speech are worth attempting to repeat.

Pastor Hagee first visited Israel in 1978 as a Christian and returned to his hometown San Antonio, Texas a Zionist. In Israel he saw an elderly Jew praying at the Wailing Wall with such devout it affected him greatly. Visiting Jerusalem for the first time Pastor Hagee felt spiritual connection. For him Jerusalem is the center of the world. If the city was good for Jesus it is good for every Christian to go visit.

On that first time in Israel Pastor Hagee had gone through a revelation that Jews and Christians must unite in a common cause. Pastor Hagee then took a three years study bench to learn all about the Jewish nation and their homeland Israel and then he was ready for the task ahead of him, bridge and unite Jews and Christians.

And there were many obstacles to overcome, from rejection, threats – verbal and physical - and even face Nazi protests.

He first had to begin recruiting Christians and teach them that they cannot expect Jews to accept them before they support Jews and their homeland. Then Pastor Hagee had to gain Jews' trust. After all, millennia of Christians persecution of Jews has closed all the doors of trust. That trust building is an ongoing process as many Jews still live in trepidation of the trail of Jewish blood Christian left behind throughout history.

And there is the difference between the two faiths. To that Pastor Hagee jokes that if he is walking in Jerusalem with one of his Jewish friends and the Messiah comes, they will have a theological discussion about it.

Since his first visit to Israel the Zionist Pastor Hagee has been to Israel 30 times. He takes Christian groups to Israel to introduce to them the land of Jesus. He believes that Jews do not need a reason to be Jewish but Christians without Jews have no religion, as Jesus, who gave birth to Christianity, was a Jewish rabbi.

Pastor Hagee objects to the UN equating Zionism to racism. It is wrong he says and the UN is wrong on most issues. He calls to end all funding the UN as well as to the Arab-Palestinians until they acknowledge Israel's right to exist and end all hostilities and terror.

The Idea of organizing A Night to Honor Israel came after Israel destroyed the nuclear reactor Osirak in Iraq. The media heavily criticized Israel and Pastor Hagee saw the need to stand with Israel. To organize the first night to honor Israel was difficult, but Pastor Hagee was adamant and never gave up. First event took place with a small number of attendees. Nowadays, each year, CUFI holds A Night To Honor Israel in 40 USA cities. Los Angeles had its first event this past weekend.

To be one of CUFI's 1.2Million and growing member, one needs to be a firm, reliable and truthful friend of Israel. We are living in dangerous and challenging times for Israel and Christians and our unity is our strength says Hagee. The US and Israel are two exceptional nations facing the bestial genocidal Iran.

CUFI is very active on US campuses. Their ongoing goal is to level the plain at the university so Jews have a fair hearing.

Pastor Hegee's speech is full of meaningful slogans, i.e. you cannot change what you cannot control; the USA and Israel are indivisibly united; persistence overcome resistance; never wrong to do the right thing; truth will endure forever; you cannot be all things to all people and to stand with Israel you either support Israel or you don't.

CUFI also holds a yearly conference in Washington to express is unwavering support for Israel. On Capitol Hill they know that CUFI will support you on the base of your support for Israel; you do, they will, you don't they won't.

CUFI means United States and Israel as one, it means the right of Israel to exist, it means that the way you treat Israel you shall be treated in return and that includes the USA.

CUFI's slogan is For Zion's sake I will not keep silent; Israel you are not alone. This means this land – the land of Israel - is mine and mine is the Jewish people's land.

So Pastor Hagee, I apologize for getting mad with you and the video I watched earlier this year; as long as you unconditionally embrace and support Jews and the state of Israel, I am one of your soldiers.

Anti-Semitism is an ancient disease the world has not got rid of yet and it exists in the USA as well. Today Israel is under constant attacks and Jews are persecuted again. There is no better way than to have 50Million Evangelical Christians in your corner. That is what CIFU all about; millions of Christians united with and for Israel, no matter what, and Pastor John Hagee leads the movement.

I strongly suggest to learn more about CIFI (http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer) and get involved. If only, just attend A Night To Honor Israel.

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The IDF’s Minorities in Numbers and Pictures

In honor of IDF Diversity Week, we present diversity through numbers and pictures. Each year, more and more Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin and immigrants from around the world take on the responsibility of defending Israel.

MUSLIMS:

Muslim Arab Israelis are not required to draft in the IDF, but there are many who volunteer. In 2013, there were over 200 Muslims serving in the IDF and over 300 in the reserves.

Bedouins:

Bedouins are nomadic Muslims who were in Israel when modern borders were set in place and are now considered Israeli citizens. They are not required to draft but a growing number choose to enlist. In 2012, there were over 1,400 Bedouin Muslim soldiers doing regular IDF service and almost 1,500 in the reserves.

Read more:http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/27/truth-idf-numbers-pictures/#more-34027

Are you aware that in 2013, Middle class taxes go up-significantly?

In January of next year, the federal income tax rate for middle-class taxpayers is scheduled to rise from 25 percent to 28 percent, and the payroll tax is scheduled to rise from 13.3 percent to 15.3 percent… This drives the marginal tax rate based on the aforementioned three taxes to 48.12 percent. Add in state and local property, corporate, excise, and other state and local taxes, and the percentage of each additional dollar that is taxed hovers around 50 percent… When half of each additional dollar earned is taxed away, taxpayers experience a disincentive to start businesses or expand existing ones. This leads to fewer jobs being created.

Why is HAMAS Inside Tampa Schools?

Clare Lopez

Kelly Miliziano, who teaches history classes at Steinbrenner High School in the Tampa, Florida area apparently thinks it’s perfectly OK to invite a senior official of a HAMAS-affiliated organization into her classroom to discuss Islam with her students. According to local media reports, not only has this been going on for years, but in spite of the civil and criminal proceedings that could result from such reckless negligence, the Hillsborough County school superintendent, Mary Ellen Elia, and the chairman of the school board, Candy Olson, also expressed approval for students under their responsibility to be exposed repeatedly to guest speaker, Hassan Shibly, who is the Executive Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the Tampa area.
More...

Did You Know... Ignoring the Call to Islam will Bring Jihad

‘Conquest through Da’wa [proselytizing] that is what we hope for. We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America! Not through sword but through Da’wa.’
-- Yousef al-Qaradawi , Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader The Arabic word ‘Da’wa’ means the “call to Islam.” But do not think that Da’wa is the same thing as an invitation to an optional holiday event. The classical Islamic doctrine of jihad mandates that enemies must be given the opportunity to convert to Islam or pay the jizya tax before it is permissible to attack them.
Clare M. Lopez

Who is being discriminated-facts tell the truth

Religious bias

Hate crimes motivated by religious bias accounted for 1,409 offenses reported by law enforcement. A breakdown of the bias motivation of religious-bias offenses showed:

65.4 percent were anti-Jewish.
13.2 percent were anti-Islamic.
9.5 percent were anti-other religion, i.e., those not specified.
4.3 percent were anti-Catholic.
3.8 percent were anti-multiple religions, group.
3.3 percent were anti-Protestant.
0.5 percent were anti-Atheism/Agnosticism/etc.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/hate-crime/2010/narratives/hate-crime-2010-incidents-and-offenses.

On March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview

with PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here's what he said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism.

For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

In March 1977, Zahir Muhsein, a PLO executive, said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct Palestinian people to oppose Zionism."

"For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

The Arab Apartheid

Ben-Dror Yemini
In 1948, the Arab countries refused to accept the UN partition proposal and they launched a war of annihilation against the State of Israel which had barely been established. All precedents in this matter showed that the party that starts the war - and with a declaration of annihilation, yet - pays a price for it. Between 550,000 and 710,000 Arabs fled because of the war and a larger number of 850,000 Jews were expelled or fled from Arab countries (the "Jewish nakba").
Population exchanges and expulsions were the norm at that time, occurring in dozens of other conflict points and affecting about 52 million people. In all the population exchange precedents that occurred during or at the end of an armed conflict, there was no return of refugees to the previous region, which had turned into a new national state.
Only the Arab states acted completely differently from the rest of the world. Instead of assimilating the refugees, they crushed them despite the fact that they were their coreligionists and members of the Arab nation - instituting a regime of apartheid. So the "nakba" was not caused by the actual dispossession, which had also been experienced by tens of millions of others. The "nakba" is the story of the apartheid, oppression, abuse and denial of rights suffered by the Arab refugees at the hands of the Arab countries. (Maariv)

International Law and Military Operations in Practice - Col. Richard Kemp

"Islamist fighting groups study the international laws of armed conflict carefully and they understand it well. They know that a British or Israeli commander and his men are bound by international law and the rules of engagement that flow from it. They then do their utmost to exploit what they view as one of their enemy's main weaknesses. Their very modus operandi is built on the correct assumption that Western armies will normally abide by the rules, while these insurgents employ a deliberate policy of operating consistently outside international law. "

Lost Historical Moments

What Rabin’s last Knesset speech really said:repudiation of a Palestinian state

Rabin ruled out a fully sovereign Palestinian state :

“We view the permanent solution in the framework of State of Israel which will include most of the area of the Land of Israel as it was under the rule of the British Mandate, and alongside it a Palestinian entity which will be a home to most of the Palestinian residents living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. We would like this to be an entity which is less than a state, and which will independently run the lives of the Palestinians under its authority.”

Rabin ruled out a total withdrawal from Judea and Samaria and thus a return to the pre-June 1967 borders :

“The borders of the State of Israel, during the permanent solution, will be beyond the lines which existed before the Six Day War. We will not return to the 4 June 1967 lines.”

Rabin ruled out withdrawing form the Jordan Valley:

“The security border of the State of Israel will be located in the Jordan Valley, in the broadest meaning of that term.”

Rabin ruled out uprooting settlement blocs, like the Gush Katif bloc in Gaza (which was subsequently uprooted by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon):

“The establishment of blocs of settlements in Judea and Samaria, like the one in Gush Katif.

AND

Rabin ruled out removing any settlement before coming to a full peace agreement with the Palestinians:

“I want to remind you: we committed ourselves, that is, we came to an agreement, and committed ourselves before the Knesset, not to uproot a single settlement in the framework of the interim agreement, and not to hinder building for natural growth.”

Rabin insisted on Israel retaining full security control of the borders with Egypt and Jordan, contrary to Israel’s relinquishment of the Philadelphia Corridor on the border with Egypt:

“The responsibility for external security along the borders with Egypt and Jordan, as well as control over the airspace above all of the territories and Gaza Strip maritime zone, remains in our hands.”

Correcting Oslo Myths-Part 2

3) Kuttab laments that the post-1993 Oslo process resulted in a Palestinian Authority "whose ministers and legislators are not guaranteed passage between Gaza and the West Bank ...."

Before free passage or other perquisites, PA leaders were obligated, among other things, to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, end anti-Israeli, antisemitic incitement in schools, mosques, and communications media, and resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful negotiations. They met none of these commitments, sometimes bolstering terrorism and greatly increasing incitement.

4) Kuttab complains that under Oslo the PA got "lightly armed police ---- but no real sovereignty over the land or contiguity between our communities in Gaza and the West Bank."

Oslo agreements repeatedly were revised, regardless of Palestinian non-compliance, until the authorized number of police grew from 8,000 to 40,000. Though they were to be the only armed forces in the territories, Israeli estimates early in the second intifada put the number of gunmen - police, "security services," terrorists, and armed gangs - at 85,000. Their armament reportedly included not only heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, but also anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Sovereignty was to be negotiated in the envisioned 1998 "final status" talks - after a five-year period of confidence-building. Palestinian leadership chronically undermined the process. Palestinian terrorism made the 1993 - 1998 Oslo period more deadly for Israelis than the 15 years preceding it.

The United States doesn't have contiguity between the lower 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii; territorial contiguity between the West Bank and Gaza Strip - that is, through the 20 miles of Israeli territory between them - was never promised and would destroy Israeli contiguity.

5) "Palestinians have been made to endure hundreds of checkpoints in the West Bank, an eight-foot wall deep in our territories, and tight Israeli control over borders."

The security barrier is not "deep in Palestinian territories," but rather encompasses less than 8 percent of Judea and Samaria, and is mostly a fence, rarely a wall; the land in question is not "our [Palestinian] territories" but disputed territory to which, according to the authors of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, Jews as well as Arabs have claims; and there are no international borders, only the 1949 armistice lines with Jordan. Under 242, borders remain to be negotiated. As for checkpoints - like the security barrier and "tight Israeli control" - Palestinian Arabs precipitated these measures themselves. No terrorism and there would be no fence or tight Israeli control and few checkpoints - like before the first intifada.

Correcting Some Oslo Myths

1) In Oslo "Israeli, Palestinian and other world leaders promised that ... Palestinian sovereignty would be solidified."

No, they didn't. The 1993 Declaration of Principles and subsequent Oslo agreements outlined a process by which final status negotiations about the West Bank and Gaza Strip would be reached. The process required an end to anti-Israel terrorism and incitement and a commitment to peaceful negotiations. The PA, Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and other terrorist groups, sabotaged the process from the start.

2) "The reality is that, in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, which states that it is inadmissible to occupy land by force, Palestinian territories are still under foreign military occupation."
Wrong again. Resolution 242 (1967) does note "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war." It also affirms the right of every state in the area "to live in peace with secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force." There were no "Palestinian territories." Jordan occupied the West Bank, Egypt controlled Gaza. Israel did not have "secure and recognized boundaries," so retention of some of those territories was possible under 242. Israel is not a "foreign" military occupier in the West Bank but, pending final negotiations, the lawful military administrator as a result of a successful war of self-defense.

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