# Thank you Christians, from an Israeli Jew **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 29, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113 "2002-09-29T16:47:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![akohl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@akohl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akohl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/1 "2002-09-29T16:47:35Z")
Last week, in Jerusalem, I had the privilege of attending “THE COVENANT - The story of my people,” a musical theatre production put on by the International Christian Embassy. Over 10,000 non- Jews, along with a couple hundred Jewish Israeli guests like myself attended. The purpose of the event was to show support, solidarity and friendship towards the people of Israel. I just thought I would take advantage of my mood to share with all of you my appreciation for the friendship that is extended to us from people all over the world. At a time when so many raise a threatening hand against us this friendship must not be taken for granted. So for those of you who consider yourselves friends of the people of Israel I personally thank you and suggest that this thread continue with the following question; How can Jews and Christians, and others who feel that we have values in common work to better understand the nature of the bonds of friendship between us and how can we continue to pursue and widen our common agenda? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/2 "2002-09-29T17:09:17Z")
IMO, the only agenda the International Christian Embassy has for Israel is as a backdrop for Christ’s return. They aren’t concerned for Israel or Jews except inasmuch as they constitute a very important part of apocalyptic prophecy. Folks like the International Christian Embassy support Israel so that the Jews will restore the Temple, confess that Christ is God, and help bring about the End Times. Bleah. ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/3 "2002-09-29T17:34:29Z")
What exactly is the “Jewish/Christian” common agenda? ---
**Author:** ![akohl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@akohl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akohl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/4 "2002-09-29T18:06:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > \*\*IMO, the only agenda the International Christian Embassy has for Israel is as a backdrop for Christ’s return. > \*\* Well Andros, maybe your right.But then again, maybe their religion has uplifted them morally to the point that they can tell the difference between wanton slaughter and self defence, in other words, between right and wrong. If we can agree that its wrong to break into someone’s home in order to shoot children in their beds then I share more common ground with the fundamentalist Christian than I do with much of the rest of the world. Our disagreement on eschatology is almost trivial in a world where radical evil gets wide popular support and innocent law abiding civillians are being murdered for no reason other than blind hatred. In other words, in today’s day and age, we could use all the support we can get and for this reason Christian friendship is really appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/5 "2002-09-29T18:18:26Z")
The enemy of your enemy isn’t always your friend. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/6 "2002-09-29T18:39:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by akohl \* > Our disagreement on eschatology is almost trivial in a world where radical evil gets wide popular support and innocent law abiding civillians are being murdered for no reason other than blind hatred. “No other reason”? My ass. > [@](#): > > In other words, in today’s day and age, we could use all the support we can get and for this reason Christian friendship is really appreciated. Yeah, blind support is always much more reassuring than having people ask questions about one’s own conduct. Yep, everything’s gonna be fine now that you’ve got a bunch of fundamentalist Christians who understand you and your situation so well. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/7 "2002-09-29T18:43:10Z")
Hmmm . . . it’d be interesting to have **Alessan** ’s take on this, as another Israeli. And I know **Blessedwolf** lived there for a while. Dunno about **Zev** or **Chaim** or **Dex** , but it would be nice to get their views as well. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/8 "2002-09-29T19:39:45Z")
> [@](#): > > maybe their religion has uplifted them morally to the point that they can tell the difference between wanton slaughter and self defence, in other words, between right and wrong arse. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/9 "2002-09-29T19:45:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by akohl \* > \*\* How can Jews and Christians, and others who feel that we have values in common work to better understand the nature of the bonds of friendship between us and how can we continue to pursue and widen our common agenda?_\* Do not put **andros** in charge or **minty green** on any of the committees. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dave316](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dave316](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dave316)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/10 "2002-09-29T20:20:22Z")
as someone who lives where the Christian right is strong. I can tell you that if you think they are the friend of the Jews your dead wrong ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/11 "2002-09-29T20:34:39Z")
Maybe they just want to thank Israel for all the money and support they gave to the gentle Christians up in Lebanon. [http://www.rte.ie/news/features/middle\_east/history3.html](http://www.rte.ie/news/features/middle_east/history3.html) [http://www.lebaneseforces.com/hobeika.asp](http://www.lebaneseforces.com/hobeika.asp) [http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/18/lebanon.shelling/](http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/18/lebanon.shelling/) ---
**Author:** ![akohl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@akohl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akohl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/12 "2002-09-29T20:58:22Z")
Dave, I never meant to say that ALL fundamentialist Christians are on our side. I know that this is not the case. I just know that some Christians are friends of Israel and that my impression is that this friendship is very profound. It may be a small minority. I have no idea about the stats on this. Minty, I never said that having a few freinds made everything fine. Regardless of the outcomes, friendship is friendship and it has value. And about your ass- I never said the Palestinians had no legitimate grievances. They certainly do. But their grievances against Israel in no way warrant the level of fanaticism and cruelty that characterizes the approach throughout the arab world towards Israel and the Jewish People. Carnal, The Christains I’m talking about have are committed to the people of Israel in a way that is very different from their commitment to help Christians wherever and whoever they may be. There was never any massive support among Christians worldwide for the Lebaneese Christians. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/13 "2002-09-29T21:06:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by akohl \* > I never said the Palestinians had no legitimate grievances. Actually, you did. You may recall the use of the words “no reason other than blind hatred.” Feel free to disavow that as hyperbole or poor expression, but “blind hatred” is not a “legitimate grievance.” ---
**Author:** ![partly\_warmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@partly\_warmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partly_warmer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/14 "2002-09-29T21:21:49Z")
Whew, **akohl** , nothing like extending feelers for better understanding and getting bitten, is there? I’m a Christian. There are Jews in my family, and we have a certain tenuous connection with the Jewish community. A couple of my significant others were Jewish. If I had to pick something that stood between them – believe it or not – I’d have to pick individual’s ignorance of their own faith. The easiest way to bring Christians and Jews to appreciate one another may be for them to understand themselves better. An example, which is a little scholarly, but won’t be loaded with too much emotional baggage: There’s a nearby store selling Jewish religious books. Wanting a broad perspective on a part of the Bible, I went in and bought a Jewish commentary which, being written hundreds of years ago, I felt certain would have a quite perspective. (Boy, was I right!) I mentioned it to a couple Jewish friends. They’d never heard of it. I asked a rabbi about it, and got a look of utter astonishment. “Don’t people read this?” I asked. “Well, some do, but it’s considered esoteric.” Esoteric? A multi-volume set in a store that only sold a couple hundred titles? Add to this that it answered a few minor questions I’d had about the New Testament like a bright light had just been turned on. “. . . you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Sort of a SDMB idea. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/15 "2002-09-29T21:36:09Z")
I can’t help noticing that the Palestinians are conspicuous by their absence on the International Christian Embassy website. Oh, they’re actually quite conspicuous right there on the home page today, in the news, but it’s nothing good. [http://www.icej.org/cgi-local/icej\_goto.pl?type=NEWS&artid=20020929PZbtKNi7kwUAAEIQhnM](http://www.icej.org/cgi-local/icej_goto.pl?type=NEWS&artid=20020929PZbtKNi7kwUAAEIQhnM) > [@](#): > > ISRAEL TO END SIEGE BUT DAMAGE ALREADY DONE TO ARAFAT > ICEJ NEWS - 09/29/2002 > > Israel has succumbed to international and especially US pressure to end the siege on Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah compound, but the intended damage to the Palestinian Authority president’s image may already have been done. > > \< snip \> > > The siege began 11 days ago after a suicide bomber struck a bus in Tel Aviv killing six people. Since then, Israeli army tanks have demolished much of Arafat’s Mukata compound and have kept him, and about 200 militants locked inside. Nothing gets through to the men inside without permission from the Israeli army. > > \< snip \> > > The Israeli army action has been a slow chipping away of Arafat’s leadership. He has been out of Ramallah only one day since March. And while Palestinians say that Israel and the US’s opposition to him bolsters his popularity among the people, the PA has been racked recently with increasing accusations of corruption. [http://www.icej.org/cgi-local/icej\_goto.pl?type=NEWS&artid=20020925PZF6Kdi7kwUAADb1QL4](http://www.icej.org/cgi-local/icej_goto.pl?type=NEWS&artid=20020925PZF6Kdi7kwUAADb1QL4) > [@](#): > > POLL: PALESTINIANS WANT RELIGIOUS STATE > ICEJ NEWS - 09/25/2002 > > In a worrisome turn, a recent opinion poll has revealed that a majority of Palestinians would rather a highly religious Palestinian state, as opposed to a secular state whose dominant religion was Islam. > > \< snip \> > > However, the siege, and the perceived humiliation of Arafat as the symbol of Palestinian nationalism have sparked a wellspring of renewed support for resistance to Israeli military moves. In other words, nothing good. The ICEJ is totally, 100% a rah-rah “Go Israel!” undertaking, and the whole point is indeed to “restore Israel” to hasten the day of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ. According to Pre-Millenialist eschatology, Israel has to be restored as a nation before the rest of the Book of Revelation can happen–seals opened, Four Horsemen riding, Beast and Great Whore appearing, etc. And, of course, the piece de resistance, the Second Coming of Christ. [http://www.icej.org/pages/home/aboutus.html](http://www.icej.org/pages/home/aboutus.html) > [@](#): > > Did you know the Bible is very clear about the destiny of the Jewish people? The Scriptures say that, after the destruction of Jerusalem and worldwide scattering of the Jewish people, God would first bring them back to the Land of Israel from the four corners of the earth, after which He will spiritually restore them to Himself. It is in their land that they will receive a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and it is in their land that they will confess, as a nation, that the Lord will be their God, and they will be His people (Jeremiah 31:33). > > \< snip \> > > Israel is the target of hostility from many quarters. We believe that Christians must take a stand against anti-Israel and anti-Semitic prejudices, and counter lies with truth. As such, our approach may at times involve political stands, but these ultimately arise from biblical principles and convictions. > > We are compelled by our faith to help protect the Lord’s people and to help preserve them for that time when the Lord will fulfill all of His promises to them. [http://www.icej.org/pages/home/statements/y2k.html](http://www.icej.org/pages/home/statements/y2k.html) > [@](#): > > We have a sense that we live in prophetic times. The Christian Embassy shares with many others a firm belief in “the coming of the Lord.” We also believe there are many biblical promises being fulfilled in our day which signify Messiah’s soon coming, and that the most unmistakable sign of such an event is the ingathering of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. So, um, yeah, the only reason they’re boosting Israel is so they can help prepare the Way for Armageddon, and the Second Coming. It’s got nothing to do with ecumenical understanding between Jews and Christians–it’s entirely self-serving. “As soon as we can get Israel restored, Jesus will come.” And their Bible basis for all this “Bless Israel” stuff is, to me, frankly baffling. Not that I’m opposed to Christians being nice to Jews, and vice versa, but to actually formulate it as a doctrine of some kind, and to base it on Bible verses that don’t have anything to do with it, is…_strange_…IMO. [http://www.icej.org/pages/blessisrael/](http://www.icej.org/pages/blessisrael/) > [@](#): > > The Bible is clear about the attitude Christians should have towards the Jews. Genesis 12:3 says we should “bless them.” Isaiah 40:1 commands us to “comfort them.” Psalm 122:6 says we should “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Romans 11:31 tells us to “show them mercy.” Genesis 12:3 doesn’t say Christians should bless the Jews, it says God will bless the Jews. It’s part of God’s covenant with Abram. God is saying, “If you will keep my commandments, I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you.” It isn’t directed towards anybody else at all, Christian or Jew. Isaiah 40:1 doesn’t say Christians should comfort the Jews. It says that the Prophet Isaiah should comfort the Jews. Isaiah 40:1 is familiar to fans of Handel’s _Messiah_ as part of the great tenor recitative, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God…Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned…” Which command to “comfort Jerusalem” is directed towards the Prophet Isaiah. Or is the ICEJ also saying that Christians should inform Jerusalem her iniquity is pardoned? Seems a teensy bit arrogant to me–I thought only God had the power to forgive sin. 😃 Psalm 122:6 is the Psalm that starts, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD”, praises Jerusalem, and goes on to say, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” As it’s a song attributed to King David, it’s hard to tell how they think it’s directed towards Christians, although it’s difficult to argue with the basic sentiment. Yeah, we should _all_ pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and while we’re at it, let’s pray for the peace of Stockholm, Singapore, and Springfield, Illinois while we’re at it. Now, Romans 11:31 does command Christians to show mercy to the Jews, but it’s in the context of Paul’s preaching that the Christians need to accept the fact that just because Jews don’t accept Jesus as the Messiah doesn’t mean they’re going to Hell. He’s saying that the old covenant with Abraham still holds, and one way or another, the Jews are still saved, so all you new Christians, don’t be insufferable about your supposedly superior form of salvation. So I don’t see that any of these verses calls for putting on a [fancy-dress pageant](http://www.icej.org/pages/events/feast/feast2002/the_covenant.html), but hey, _chacun a son gout_. 😃 So, you may ask, as I did, “Where do the rights of the Palestinians fit into all this?” Apparently, they don’t. All I could find, besides the “bad news front page”, was this. [http://www.icej.org/pages/projects/sap/](http://www.icej.org/pages/projects/sap/) > [@](#): > > When the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem first opened its doors in September 1980, there was an immediate realization that the challenge to comfort God’s people called for very practical responses to the many material needs that confronted us in Jerusalem and the Land of Israel. That awareness of Israel’s insufficiencies birthed a number of charitable projects which eventually have been joined under the banner of the ICEJ’s Social Assistance Program… Just as an aside–if I were Israeli, I’d be deeply insulted by the patronizing tone of this. It was my understanding that Israel prides itself on being a self-sufficient Modern Nation, and to hear these people say, “Oh, those poor benighted Jews, we see many insufficiencies in their culture, we’d better help them”, well, I’d be ticked off. Anyway… > [@](#): > > …The Social Assistance Program reaches out in genuine Christian compassion to many needy individuals in Israel, both Jewish and Arab, and supports projects throughout the Land, including Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan. (Isaiah 40: 1). > > The staff of the Social Assistance Program maintains a strong commitment to be a demonstration of God’s love and plan for Israel and a reconciling influence with her Arab neighbors. (Isaiah 19: 23-25). > > Staffed by volunteers and funded by donations from Israel’s many Christian friends worldwide, the department has grown until its ministering hand has touched thousands of lives throughout the land – Jews and Arabs, Christians and Muslims, Druze, Ethiopians and Bedouins alike . > > Some of the many projects we have undertaken during the last 5 years include: > > \< snip \> > > Variety of Arab needs > > \< snip \> > > Furniture for Arab Christian Camp > > \< snip \> > > Medical clinic built in Arab village with help of Jewish settlers > (part of a reconciliation project) > > \< snip \> > > Food for needy Bedouin Is it just me, or is the phrase “food for needy Bedouin” just a tad patronizing, too? BTW, no idea why they quote Isaiah 19:23-25. It says: > [@](#): > > In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. What has that got to do with a “reconciling influence with Israel’s Arab neighbors”? 😕 We should not only “Bless Israel” but “Bless Egypt”, too? But what about Assyria, which no longer exists as such? Who should we bless instead of Assyria? But then, the whole concept is weird, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2002, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/16 "2002-09-30T03:36:13Z")
Ok, it’s always nice to see so many non- (anti-?) Christians speaking badly for us. Please explain to me why it’s bad for Christians to support Israel for religious reasons. Does there have to be more of a reason than “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you”? And why does it matter that Israel figures heavily in our eschatology? That also means that our support of Israel is bad? It looks as though there is a lot of baseless hostility here, and no matter what Christians do, people like andros and minty green are going to have a fit and go into convulsions. Anyway, no matter how much you guys rail and whine against Israel, they are a) our only faithful ally in that part of the world, and b) under attack by a group of people with no sense of morality or perspective. Israel is attacked on an almost daily basis with firebombs, guns, explosives, etc and we tell them “suck it up. It’s not politically expedient for you to defend yourselves.” Then when we are attacked using the same methods **a single time** our military completely dismantled an entire government? Can you say “hypocrite”? To answer the OP, It means a lot to me, at least, that our friendship is appreciated from at least some corners. As to our “common agenda”, I guess you could say that it’s recognizing that Christianity is a direct descendant of the Jewish faith, and that there should be no animosity whatever between us, and additionally to encourage whatever action is necessary for Israel to defend itself and put a stop to the terrorist attacks. If it were up to me, Israel would lay utter waste to all the hostile nations around them and be done with it once and for all. ---
**Author:** ![Michie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Michie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michie)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2002, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/17 "2002-09-30T03:41:19Z")
akohl, Just a quick note to you from someone who considers herself a friend of Israel. Your welcome. Our love & prayers will continue to go out to you. 🙂 Michie ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2002, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/18 "2002-09-30T03:47:22Z")
Well, I suppose the Palestinian Xtians should be just all warmed up inside by the simplistic religious dichotomies prevalent here. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/19 "2002-09-30T04:38:17Z")
**Joe Cool** : > [@](#): > > no matter what Christians do, people like andros and minty green are going to have a fit and go into convulsions Nope. Sorry, cap’n, but you’re dead wrong. See, I support Israel and her people because they are a market-driven democracy, because they are a sovereign nation under attack, and because they are a sound and valuable trade partner and ally in a region where few such exist. I support Israel because it’s the homeland of friends and family. I support Israel because it’s a beautiful and awe-inspiring land. I support Israel because if its culture, its cities, its spirit, its people. But it’s _not_ because I’m hoping they’ll all convert to my religion and help bring about the end of the world. Hey, if you personally like the Jews, that’s great. But I know for a _fact_ that many people who support Israel for eschatological reasons do so not out of any love for Israel or the Jews, but simply because without Israel the Pre-Mil prophecies cannot occur. I find that patronizing, dishonest, and vulgar. Now then, you want to suggest I’m anti-Israel? I pray every day that my cousin Asher and his family, including his newborn daughter, will live through the Intifada without being blown up by some psycho on the bus. I’ve attended temple. I’ve celebrated the Seder. I’ve been to more bas mitzvah than I can count. My family is Jewish, my heritage is Jewish, and large portions of my family tree were chopped off at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. So what say you avoid putting words in my mouth, Sparky? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2002, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113/20 "2002-09-30T05:35:24Z")
> [@](#): > > _DDG_ > I can’t help noticing that the Palestinians are conspicuous by their absence on the International Christian Embassy website. Oh, they’re actually quite conspicuous right there on the home page today, in the news, but it’s nothing good. > [@](#): > > _Collounsbury_ > Well, I suppose the Palestinian Xtians should be just all warmed up inside by the simplistic religious dichotomies prevalent here. Well it strikes me that if 10,000 “non-Jews” attended a function to show Christian solidarity with Jews in Jerusalem, that Palistinian ethnicity can be assumed in large part among the participants. Indeed is not the Jerusalem contingent of this denomination Palistinian ? Other than the simple Christian /Jew dichotomy what other dichotomies are you refering to **Collounsbury**? As a Christian, it warms my heart to read appreciation for the special love many Christians have for Jews from a member of the chosen people who have suffered for that distinction. Thankyou **akohl** > [@](#): > > _akohl_ > How can Jews and Christians, and others who feel that we have values in common work to better understand the nature of the bonds of friendship between us and how can we continue to pursue and widen our common agenda? Can I send you some pamphlets? 😃 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-christians-from-an-israeli-jew/130113.md?page=2)