Preface:

If ever there has been a time for Christians to understand the truth about Zionism and how to interpret current events as they unfold in Palestine and Israel, it is now, because so many are utterly and dangerously deceived in this regard.

However, let us at the very outset deal with the elephant in the room. For those who are not interested in seeking the truth, this paper will be immediately and ferociously branded “antisemitic”. Nothing could be further from the facts.

Firstly, what is the actual meaning of the word semitic? The Oxford Dictionary defines it thus:

“Relating to or denoting a family of languages that includes Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic and certain ancient languages such as Phoenician and Akkadian, constituting the main subgroup of the Afro-Asiatic family. Specifically relating to the peoples who speak Semitic languages, especially Hebrew and Arabic.”

So how is it that antisemitic has now become understood as anti-Jewish? Its present common day usage constitutes mere sloganeering, which can probably be ascribed to the case that Jews so ubiquitously define their identity around victimization.

Secondly, as Christians, we emphatically embrace all peoples of the world, for every human that draws breath on this planet, is a child of God, created in His image and wholeheartedly the object of His love. Our unequivocal duty is thus to love others as we love ourselves. And treat all as equals. Some of course reject this reality, which decision we respect, and, in such instances, we simply move on.

So, we are neither anti-Jewish nor pro-Palestinian. What we are, is anti-anything and anybody that undermines God’s understandings and plans for His creation and pro-anything and anybody that aligns with God’s understandings and plans for His creation – most of humanity sadly however have no grasp of these understandings and plans!

With that out of the way, lets introduce Zionism, generally understood to be a nationalist movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine (originally) and (now) the development and protection of what is today called “Israel”.

Most people think that Zionism originated in the late 1800’s with Herzl’s First Zionist Congress.

Theodor Herzl (born 2^nd May 1860, died 3rd July 1904) was an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist / political activist, who today is considered to be the father of modern political Zionism. Herzl formed the so called “Zionist Organization,” together with vigorously promoting Jewish immigration to Palestine in an effort to catalyze a Jewish state.

Herzl reached the conclusion that pervasive anti-Jewish sentiment would make Jewish assimilation impossible and thus the only solution for Jews, was the establishment of a Jewish state. In 1896, Herzl published the pamphlet Der Judenstaat, in which he elaborated his vision of a Jewish homeland. His ideas soon attracted international attention and rapidly established Herzl as a major figure in the Jewish world.

In 1897, Herzl convened the “First Zionist Congress” in Basel, Switzerland, and was elected president of the Zionist Organization at this congress. He thereafter began a series of diplomatic initiatives to lobby support for a Jewish state, appealing unsuccessfully to German emperor Wilhelm II and then Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II. At the Sixth Zionist Congress in 1903, Herzl presented the so called “Uganda Scheme,” endorsed by none other than the Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain on behalf of the British government.

The proposal, which sought to create a temporary refuge for Jews in the then British East Africa following the Kishinev (modern day Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova) pogrom (an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jewish people in Russia or eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), was however met with strong opposition and ultimately rejected. Herzl died of a heart ailment in 1904 at the age of 44 and was buried in Vienna. In 1949, his remains were brought to Israel and reinterred on Mount Herzl.

Zionism, however, properly begins with the dispute between twin brothers, Jacob and Esau (born circa BC 1836), some 3859 years ago. Esau, being the oldest, had first claim to the birthright, which included the title deed to the land of Canaan (as it was called at the time), later Palestine, and more recently known as “Israel”.

Yet Jacob too had a claim, based on a prophecy given while their mother was yet pregnant. The twins appeared to fight even in the womb, and so their mother inquired of the Lord to know the reason. We read in Genesis 25:23:

The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger.”

The acrimonious rivalry between the two thus began before they were even born, giving rise to dynamics that would affect the “two nations” throughout their history, till present times in fact.

Zionism, from a Scriptural perspective (which of course is the actual truth), is therefore a dispute over a birthright, which included the title deed to Palestine. Unfortunately, most people who read the story in Genesis remain ignorant of Scriptural law and therefore do not understand the legal consequences of the boys’ actions. To compound the problem, most people also fail to study the history of Esau, whose nickname, Edom (“Red”) became the formal name of the nation he founded.

It is vital in these times, to address Christians globally regarding this original dispute. There are many (Evangelical and Pentecostal in particular) Christians, that believe in a “Godly imperative” to support the cause of the “Jews,” the “State of Israel,” and the “peace of Jerusalem” – indeed one could go so far as calling these believers, “Christian Zionists”, fully persuaded of the “prophetic reinstatement of Israel.” Tragically they have adopted one of the greatest deceptions of human history, and in so doing, propagate falsehoods which are seriously damaging to the Kingdom of God and themselves.

Whilst Christian Zionists are dispersed around the globe, they are arguably at their most forceful in the United States of America. In the latter country, their stubborn commitment to “Israel” in general, in no small part contributes to the official stance of the U.S. Government towards the state, namely unwavering and generally unqualified support – literally constituting a lifeline to “Israel”. Consider:

· “Israel” would never have been founded in the first instance without U.S. financial and diplomatic support;

· The U.S. has given approximately USD 160 billion to “Israel”in aid since World War II and even now is in the process of arranging a further USD 14 billion package;

· The U.S. runs political interference on behalf of “Israel” at the U.N. Security Council, with the U.S. delegation often being the only one standing in the way of various resolutions;

· “Israel” actively sponsors legislation to ban boycotts against it within the U.S., promoting laws to ensure that strong action is taken against whoever tries to boycott “Israel.” Just imagine – a foreign government attempting to silence the free speech of U.S. citizens;

· “Israel’s” proxy groups, like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), push regimes to stifle anti-“Israeli” speech under the guise of fighting antisemitism;

· Pro-“Israel” lobbying groups like AIPAC (https://www.aipac.org/), expend tens of millions of dollars on national-level campaigns, each U.S. selection cycle;

· The U.S. brokers normalization agreements between Israel and other regional powers (Saudi Arabia for example), expending precious U.S. political capital in the process and often also involving significant concessions to these nations;

· The U.S. would never extend this level of support to any other nation on planet earth, but Israel, even in consideration of its most stalwart allies over the years.

Israel and the U.S. are undeniably joined at the hip, both as ignorant (or defiant) as the other, regarding the truth about Zionism. How incredibly dangerous – for they are in fact both fighting God Himself and will suffer the inevitable consequences, jointly and severally.

Let no role player, stakeholder or affected party (particularly folk who are presently living in “Israel” right now, whether in so called occupied or unoccupied territory) say that they were not warned!