Hope:

An Extended Hand to the Jewish Nation

The Gladstone Community is a group of people, followers of Jesus.

There are many aspects with how they live out the Christian faith – like living in community, sharing, helping, thinking ’green’ in the city environment, buying and renovating old and run down properties in order to create sustainable living conditions for people in a transit from a broken life to newness in Christ – but I noticed also a very positive attitude to Israel and the Jewish people. They are involved in “Hope for Israel’, and they regularly send some of their members to see Israel. A personal encounter builds the heart relation. I applaud them.

            I live in Norway, and I am disgusted with the trend in our society that targets the state of Israel as a villain in the Middle East, when the truth is the radical opposite. Israel is a vibrant democracy, where true disagreement exists.

            Being pro-Israel does not entail being anti-Palestine, or anti any other state. Being pro-Jewish does not entail being anti-Muslim or any other faith.

            Presently there is a report out from “Flyktningehjelpen’, a national organization aiding refugees. Israel was originally formed as a modern political entity to secure a safe haven for refugees, for Jews were persecuted in eastern and western Europe in different waves of persecution; they were persecuted in many of the Arab nations in modern history… I am astounded by the lack of historical insight, but more about the venom and jealousy that I detect in Norwegian official agencies and newspapers.

            If staunch supporters of the Palestinian people really care for the individuals who live in the region, in Gaza, the West Bank or any other states like Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt – if we really care about their life and livelihood, we would call for a peace with Israel and encourage co-existence, not eradication of Israel as a state. The Palestinian leadership have not had their people’s interest in mind, but used them in their own political games. It is sad.  You may not agree with my sentiments or analysis of the situation, but answer me this: what is the best for the Palestinian man, woman and child?  Interestingly enough, the section of the Israeli population which is Palestinian Arab, does not want the Palestinian leadership. They enjoy the Israeli model of government, social welfare, freedom, opportunity, etc.

            Israel has a culture of innovation, partly due to need, but also to the will and freedom to seek solutions. All peoples n the region could benefit greatly from interaction with them. How to make the desert bloom? How to desalinate water sources (the Mediterranean Ocean)?  In medical research, there are numerous of new discoveries…

Who dear support the existence of Israel today? There is hope for anyone who does.