I originally planned to post an article about how the world’s major religions would be treated in the end times today, but recent developments involving the U.S. and Israel have become so pressing that I’ve decided to postpone the publishing of that article until Thursday. In its place is an article about recent developments between the U.S. and Israel.
If you’re following the news you’ve probably heard that the U.S. and Israel are at odds about Israel’s plan to build over a 1,600 homes in east Jerusalem. The U.S. accuses Israel of undermining prospects for Mideast peace with its actions while Israel believes it has the right to build these homes. Israel announced Tuesday that they will go ahead and build these homes despite the wishes of the U.S.
What you may be unaware is that U.S.-Israeli relations are at crisis levels. The probable reason why many people have not heard that there is a crisis in U.S.-Israeli relations is that Barack Obama claimed last week that there was no crisis (for those outside the U.S., most of the American media reports what Obama says like it’s the gospel). However, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. told the press recently that U.S.-Israeli relations are at a 35 year low.
What’s especially disturbing is that the U.S. has been treating Israel more like it is an adversary instead of a friend recently. For instance, the U.S. has committed the following not-so friendly actions in the past few weeks:
- Vice President Joe Biden deliberately showed up 90 minutes late to a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in protest of Israel’s plans to build homes and went on to denounce Israel’s actions.
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Israel of undermining U.S. credibility in the Mideast.
- U.S. is threatening to withhold weaponry that Israel needs for a conflict with Iran.
In addition, AFP reports that Barack Obama may be determined to oust Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem-based Debkafile reports that the U.S. is considering putting up something that amounts to a protective military shield for the Palestinians.
If U.S.-Israeli relations continue to deteriorate there could be increased danger for not only Israel, but also for the U.S. An increasingly hostile U.S. towards Israel would endanger Israel more because Israel’s enemies would be emboldened by the U.S.’s decreasing willingness to cooperate and support Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. would be in greater danger because countries that mistreat Israel risk getting divine punishment.
The Lord told the prophet Jeremiah that He has the power punish nations (people groups) and countries that do evil in His eyes.
- Jer 18:7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
- Jer 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
- Jer 18:9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
- Jer 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
How would the mistreatment of Israel be considered grounds for divine punishment? Genesis 12:2-3 indicates that those who bless Abraham’s descendants would be blessed and those who curse Abraham’s descendants.
- Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
- Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
- Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
There is some debate on whether Genesis 12:3 refers to Israel or not. I tend to side with those who argue that Genesis 12:3 refers to Israel.
If you disagree with my interpretation on Genesis 12:3, I’d still argue that the U.S. would be in greater danger by becoming increasingly hostile towards Israel. The U.S. would risk losing much of its influence on how Israel deals with its neighbors (why should Israel listen to the U.S. if the U.S. becomes too hard to please?). This could lead to greater Middle East conflict if Israel pursues aggressive policies (like invading Lebanon again) since Israel would no longer have to worry much about appeasing the U.S.’s calls for restraint. Greater Middles East conflict puts the U.S. at greater danger due to its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and due to the close proximity of its troops to the region.
Netanyahu met with Obama privately on Tuesday night. We’ll see if the downward spiral in U.S.-Israeli relations continues in the coming days.
