So You Think Israel is Racist?

Can't Wait for the Left to Respond to This Man...

Canadian PM Stephen Harper Speaks to Israeli Knesset

On 20 January 2014, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke before the Israeli Knesset. 

During his introduction, PM Netanyahu was interrupted by a shouting Arab MK Tibi. To this outburst, PM Netanyuhu replied:

“I haven't found any Arabs who wish to leave the State. Quite the opposite; Arabs have been very upset at a proposal by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman that would redraw Israel's boundaries and include many Israeli Arabs in a Palestinian state.” In response, ML Tibi said “this is our homeland.”

  

You should note that this is the same MK Tibi, who, when it was suggested (as stated abouve) that the town he lived in be turned over to the PA to rule, was the loudest opponent~he does not want to be part of the PA~Why? Perhaps because under the PA he would be jailed, or maybe  killed for speaking out and against the very country that pays his salary.

In fact, during PM Harper's speech, MK Tibi again interrupted shouting that Israel was an “apartheid state” after which he walked out. These disturbances did not stop the session, and if anything showed that Israel is a true democracy where even those who hate and wish to destroy the country are able to stand up in the Knesset and speak their minds~even if it is slanderous or hateful.

Here is the full text to the speech given in the Knesset by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper:

Monsieur le Premier Ministre, Monsieur le Président de la Knesset, Monsieur le Président de la Cour Suprême, Monsieur le Chef de l’Opposition, Mesdames et Messieurs les Ministres, Et les Députes, Distingués Invités, Mesdames et Messieurs,

Shalom. And thank you for inviting me to visit this remarkable country, and especially for this opportunity to address the Knesset. It is truly a great honour.

And if I may, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my wife Laureen and the entire Canadian delegation, let me begin by thanking the Government and people of Israel for the warmth of your hospitality. You have made us feel extremely welcome. We have felt immediately at home.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Canada and Israel are the greatest of friends, and the most natural of allies. And, with your indulgence, I would like to offer a reflection upon what makes the relationship between Canada and Israel special and important. Because the relationship between us is very strong.

L’amitié entre le Canada et Israël prend ses racines dans l’histoire, se nourrit de valeurs communes et se renforce volontairement aux plus hauts échelons du commerce et du gouvernement ce qui est l’expression de fermes convictions.

The friendship between us is rooted in history, nourished by shared values, and it is intentionally reinforced at the highest levels of commerce and government as an outward expression of strongly held inner convictions.

There has, for example, been a free trade agreement in place between Canada and Israel for many years, an agreement that has already proved its worth. The elimination of tariffs on industrial products, and some foodstuffs, has led to a doubling in the value of trade between our countries. But this only scratches the surface of the economic potential of this relationship. And I look forward to soon deepening and broadening our mutual trade and investment goals.

As well, our military establishments share information and technology. This has also been to our mutual benefit. For example, during Canada’s mission to Afghanistan, our use of Israeli-built reconnaissance equipment saved the lives of Canadian soldiers.

All such connections are important, and build strong bridges between us.

Pour bien comprendre la relation particulière entre Israël et le Canada, il faut regarder, au-delà du commerce et des institutions, les liens personnels tissés par l’amitié et la parenté.

However, to truly understand the special relationship between Israel and Canada, one must look beyond trade and institutions to the personal ties of friendship and kinship. Jews have been present in Canada for more than 250 years. In generation after generation, by hard work and perseverance, Jewish immigrants, often starting with nothing, have prospered greatly. Today, there are nearly 350,000 Canadians who share with you their heritage and their faith. They are proud Canadians. But having met literally thousands of members of this community, I can tell you this: They are also immensely proud of what the people of Israel have accomplished here, of your courage in war, of your generosity in peace, and of the bloom that the desert has yielded, under your stewardship.

Laureen and I share that pride, the pride and the understanding that what has been achieved here has occurred in the shadow of the horrors of the Holocaust.

La compréhension du fait qu’il est juste d’appuyer Israël parce qu’après avoir connu la persécution durant plusieurs générations, le peuple juif mérite d’avoir son propre pays et mérite de vivre en sécurité et en paix dans ce pays.

The understanding that it is right to support Israel because, after generations of persecution, the Jewish people deserve their own homeland and deserve to live safely and peacefully in that homeland. Now let me repeat that: Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so.

This is a very Canadian trait, to do something for no reason other than it is right, even when no immediate reward for, or threat to, ourselves is evident.

On many occasions, Canadians have even gone so far as to bleed and die to defend the freedom of others in far-off lands. To be clear, we have also periodically made terrible mistakes as in the refusal of our government in the 1930s to ease the plight of Jewish refugees. But, as a country, at the turning points of history, Canada has consistently chosen, often to our great cost, to stand with others who oppose injustice, and to confront the dark forces of the world.

Il est donc dans la tradition canadienne de défendre ce qui est juste et fondé sur des principes, que ce soit ou non commode ou populaire.

It is, thus, a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular. But, I would argue, support today for the Jewish State of Israel is more than a moral imperative. It is also of strategic importance, also a matter of our own long-term interests.

Ladies and gentlemen, I said a moment ago that the special friendship between Canada and Israel is rooted in shared values.

En effet, Israël est le seul pays du Moyen‑Orient à s’être ancré depuis longtemps dans les idéaux de liberté, de démocratie et de primauté du droit.

Indeed, Israel is the only country in the Middle East Which has long anchored itself in the ideals of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. These are not mere notions. They are the things that, over time and against all odds, have proven to be the only ground in which human rights, political stability, and economic prosperity, may flourish. These values are not proprietary; they do not belong to one nation or one people. Nor are they a finite resource; on the contrary, the wider they are spread, the stronger they grow.

Likewise, when they are threatened anywhere, they are threatened everywhere. And what threatens them, or more precisely, what today threatens the societies that embrace such values and the progress they nurture? Those who scorn modernity, who loathe the liberty of others, and who hold the differences of peoples and cultures in contempt. Those who often begin by hating the Jews, but, history shows us, end up hating anyone who is not them. 

Those forces which have threatened the State of Israel every single day of its existence, and which, today, as 9-11 graphically showed us, threaten us all.

Ou bien, nous défendons nos valeurs et nos intérêts, ici, en Israël, nous défendons l’existence d’un État libre, démocratique et distinctement juif ou bien nous amorçons un recul, sur le plan de nos valeurs et de nos intérêts dans le monde.

And so, either we stand up for our values and our interests, here, in Israel, stand up for the existence of a free, democratic and distinctively Jewish state, or the retreat of our values and our interests in the world will begin.

Ladies and gentlemen, Just as we refuse to retreat from our values, so we must also uphold the duty to advance them. And our commitment as Canadians to what is right, fair and just is a universal one. It applies no less to the Palestinian people than it does to the people of Israel.

Autant le Canada soutient sans réserve le droit d’Israël à la légitime défense, autant il préconise depuis longtemps un avenir juste et sûr pour le peuple palestinien.

Just as we unequivocally support Israel’s right of self-defence so too Canada has long-supported a just and secure future for the Palestinian people.

And, I believe, we share with Israel a sincere hope that the Palestinian people and their leaders will choose a viable, democratic, Palestinian state, committed to living peacefully alongside the Jewish State of Israel. As you, Prime Minister, have said, when Palestinians make peace with Israel, Israel will not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state as a new member of the United Nations. It will be the first.

Sadly, we have yet to reach that point. But, when that day comes, and come it must, I can tell you that Israel may be the first to welcome a sovereign Palestinian state, but Canada will be right behind you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, support~even firm support~doesn’t mean that allies and friends will agree on all issues all of the time. No state is beyond legitimate questioning or criticism. But our support does mean at least three things.

First, Canada finds it deplorable that some in the international community still question the legitimacy of the existence of the State of Israel.

Notre point de vue sur le droit à l’existence d’Israël en tant qu’État juif est absolu et non négociable.

Our view on Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable.

Deuxièmement, le Canada est convaincu qu’Israël devrait pouvoir exercer ses pleins droits d’État membre de l’ONU et profiter de sa souveraineté dans toute sa mesure.

 

Second, Canada believes that Israel should be able to exercise its full rights as a UN member-state, and to enjoy the full measure of its sovereignty. For this reason, Canada has spoken on numerous occasions in support of Israel’s engagement and equal treatment in multilateral fora. And, in this regard, I should mention that we welcome Israel’s induction this month into the western, democratic group of states at the United Nations.

Troisièmement, Nous nous refusons à critiquer Israël de façon isolée sur la scène internationale.

Third, we refuse to single out Israel for criticism on the international stage. Now I understand, in the world of diplomacy, with one, solitary, Jewish state and scores of others, it is all too easy “to go along to get along” and single out Israel. But such “going along to get along,” is not a “balanced” approach, nor a “sophisticated” one; it is, quite simply, weak and wrong. Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world where that kind of moral relativism runs rampant. And in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted.

And so we have witnessed, in recent years, the mutation of the old disease of anti-Semitism and the emergence of a new strain. We all know about the old anti-Semitism. It was crude and ignorant, and it led to the horrors of the death camps. Of course, in many dark corners, it is still with us. But, in much of the western world, the old hatred has been translated into more sophisticated language for use in polite society. People who would never say they hate and blame the Jews for their own failings or the problems of the world, instead declare their hatred of Israel and blame the only Jewish state for the problems of the Middle East.

As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel. On some campuses, intellectualized arguments against Israeli policies thinly mask the underlying realities, such as the shunning of Israeli academics and the harassment of Jewish students. Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that: A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish, as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history, that is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening.

MK Ahmed Tibi~Photo by Gil Yohanan

Note: This is the point in PM Harper’s address, that several Arab Knesset members, including MK Tibi who had heckled the PM earlier, got up and left the Knesset chamber. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Knesset stood to applaud PM Harper.

Mais, il s’agit du nouveau visage de l’antisémitisme. Un antisémitisme qui vise le peuple juif en prétendant viser Israël.

But this is the face of the new anti-Semitism. It targets the Jewish people by targeting Israel and attempts to make the old bigotry acceptable for a new generation. Of course, criticism of Israeli government policy is not in and of itself necessarily anti-Semitic. But what else can we call criticism that selectively condemns only the Jewish state and effectively denies its right to defend itself while systematically ignoring – or excusing – the violence and oppression all around it? What else can we call it when Israel is routinely targeted at the United Nations, and when Israel remains the only country to be the subject of a permanent agenda item at the regular sessions of its Human Rights Council?

Ladies and gentlemen, any assessment~any judgment~of Israel’s actions must start with this understanding: Depuis soixante-cinq ans qu’existe comme nation l’État moderne d’Israël, les israéliens ont enduré d’innombrables attaques et calomnies et n’ont pas eu une seule journée de véritable paix.

In the sixty-five years that modern Israel has been a nation, Israelis have endured attacks and slanders beyond counting and have never known a day of true peace. And we understand that Israelis live with this impossible calculus: If you act to defend yourselves, you will suffer widespread condemnation, over and over again. But should you fail to act you alone will suffer the consequence of your inaction, and that consequence will be final, your destruction.

La vérité, que le Canada comprend, est que beaucoup des forces hostiles dirigées contre Israël s’exercent aussi sur tous les pays occidentaux. Et Israël y fait face pour beaucoup des mêmes raisons que nous. Mais Israël y est confronté de beaucoup plus près.

The truth, that Canada understands, is that many of the hostile forces Israel faces are faced by all western nations. And Israel faces them for many of the same reasons we face them. You just happen to be a lot closer to them. Of course, no nation is perfect. But neither Israel’s existence nor its policies are responsible for the instability in the Middle East today.

One must look beyond Israel’s borders to find the causes of the relentless oppression, poverty and violence in much of the region, of the heartbreaking suffering of Syrian refugees, of sectarian violence and the fears of religious minorities, especially Christians, and of the current domestic turmoil in so many states.

So what are we to do? Most importantly, we must deal with the world as we find it. The threats in this region are real, deeply rooted, and deadly and the forces of progress, often anaemically weak. For too many nations, it is still easier to scapegoat Israel than to emulate your success. It is easier to foster resentment and hatred of Israel’s democracy than it is to provide the same rights and freedoms to their own people.

Je suis convaincu qu’un État palestinien viendra, et l’une des conditions qui va lui permettre de venir c’est lorsque les régimes qui financent le terrorisme se rendront compte que le chemin de la paix est celui de la conciliation, pas celui de la violence.

I believe that a Palestinian state will come, and one thing that will make it come is when the regimes that bankroll terrorism realise that the path to peace is accommodation, not violence.

Which brings me to the government of Iran. Late last year, the world announced a new approach to diplomacy with the government in Tehran. Canada has long held the view that every diplomatic measure should be taken to ensure that regime never obtains a nuclear weapon. We therefore appreciate the earnest efforts of the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany. Canada will evaluate the success of this approach not on the merits of its words, but on the implementation and verification of its promised actions.

Nous espérons vraiment qu’il soit possible d’obtenir que le gouvernement iranien renonce à s’engager, sur la voie sans retour, de la fabrication des armes nucléaires. Mais, pour le moment, le Canada maintient intégralement en vigueur les sanctions que nous avons imposées.

We truly hope that it is possible to walk the Iranian government back from taking the irreversible step of manufacturing nuclear weapons. But, for now, Canada’s own sanctions will remain fully in place. And should our hopes not be realized, should the present agreement prove ephemeral, Canada will be a strong voice for renewed sanctions.

Ladies and gentlemen, Let me conclude with this thought.

Je crois que l’histoire d’Israël est un très bel exemple pour le monde entier.

I believe the story of Israel is a great example to the world. It is a story, essentially, of a people whose response to suffering has been to move beyond resentment and build a most extraordinary society, a vibrant democracy, a freedom-loving country with an independent and rights-affirming judiciary. An innovative, world-leading “start-up” nation. You have taken the collective memory of death and persecution to build an optimistic, forward-looking land, one that so values life, you will sometimes release a thousand criminals and terrorists, to save one of your own.

In the democratic family of nations, Israel represents values which our Government takes as articles of faith, and principles to drive our national life.

And therefore, through fire and water, Canada will stand with you.

 * At this point MKs and hundreds in the Knesset gallery rise to give PM Harper a standing ovation

My friends, you have been generous with your time and attention. Once more, Laureen and I and our entire delegation thank you for your generous hospitality, and look forward to continuing our visit to your country.

Merci beaucoup.

Thank you for having us, and may peace be upon Israel.
  

Thank You Prime Minister Harper~May God Bless Canada and the Canadian People!

Don Franklin in the Israeli Knesset

Don Franklin~United Church Lakeland, Florida USA

* You Can Also See Don Franklin Speaking at the 4th Jerusalem Assembly at the Link Below:
 http://israelvisiontv.blogspot.co.il/2012/05/4th-jerusalem-assemblydon-franklin02.html

Bishop Quinten Moore in the Israeli Knesset~03 April 2012

On 03 April 2012, the attendees of the 4th Jerusalem Assembly were invited to the Knesset (Israel's Parliament). The various speakers spoke of their love and support for Israel and the Jewish people. These speakers, from various countries and backgrounds brought with them essential modern-day Christian Zionist messages.

While attending the 4th Jerusalem Assembly in Jerusalem, Bishop Moore also met our dear friend, Pastor Umar Mulinde. They met in the lobby as Pastor Mulinde arrived to speak with some of the leaders who attended the assembly. During this impromptu meeting, these two pastors from opposite sides of the world discovered they had a mutual friend! You can watch the encounter and learn more HERE. 

In this clip, Bishop Quintin Moore of The Christian Communion International, and lead pastor of The Father's House speaks and gives this blessing:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace...Numbers 6:24-26

Bishop Moore~Christian Communion International

Peter Darg at the Israeli Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~MK Aryeh Eldad~02 April 2012

MK Aryeh Eldad~Head of Hatikva Party, National Union~02 April 2012

4th Jerusalem Assembly~Mike Sodrel~02 April 2012

Mike Sodrel~Former Congressman, Indiana

Mike Sodrel~Speaking in Israel Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~Pastor Trey Graham~02 April 2012

Pastor Trey Graham~Dallas Texas, USA

Pastor Trey Graham Speaking in The Israeli Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~Dr. Jose Pascau~02 April 2012

Dr. Jose Pasca~Joshua Generation, Huston, Texas

Jose Pascau~Speaking in Israeli Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~MK David Rotem~02April 2012

Member of Knesset David Rotem~Israel Beiteinu

4rh Jerusalem Assembly~Mrs. Christine Darg~02 April 2012

Mrs. Christine Darg~Exploits Ministries

Mrs. Christine Darg~Israeli Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~Dr. Charlotte Philips~02 April 2012

Dr. Charlotte Phillips~Glory Center Ministries, Baltimore USA

Dr. Charlotte Phillips~Speaking at the Israel Knesset

4th Jerusalem Assembly~Bishop Daniel Williams~02 April 2012

Bishop Daniel Williams~Christian Communion International

Bishop Daniel Williams Speaking in the Knesset

MK Ayoob Kara~4th Jerusalem Assembly~02 April 2012

One of the speakers at the 4th Jerusalem Assembly, was member of the Israeli Knesset (Likud) Ayoob Kara. MK Kara, is a Druze-Israeli who lives in Isfiya, Haifa District, and is Deputy Minister for Development of the Negev and Galilee.

MK Kara, is a staunch, outspoken supporter of Israel~Indeed, there are many Jews who could take a few lessons from him!

MK Kara recognizes the danger of Iran, was opposed the withdrawal of Jews from Gaza, supports Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and suggested that a "Humanitarian Flotilla" be organized for the citizens of Syria.

His family served proudly alongside Jews both before and after the establishment of the state of Israel, and he himself obtained the rank of Major.

In December 2010, when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Lebanon and announced that he would go to the border and throw stones at Israel, MK Kara decided to prepared a greeting. Speaking with local papers MK Kara stated:

“We are planning to fly 2,000 balloons across the northern border to Lebanon when Ahmadinejad comes for a visit Wednesday. The balloons represent the fact that the Jewish people have come home after 2,000 years of exile, and they are not going anywhere.” ...And We Say Amen to That!

MK Ayoob Kara~Member of Israel Kenneset

Jay & Meridel Rawlings~Jerusalem Assembly 2012~Part 2

The 4th Jerusalem Assembly 2012~Part 1

I Will Give Your Rains in Their Time...

 We have been struggling with a very heavy load for the past few months and as a result posting has been slow.

This has been a very busy and trying time for us all. Sometimes it seems as if anything that can go wrong~does! When there is a deadline the power goes out, and when there are two deadlines the equipment fails.

After Pesach we hope to be back to normal~or as normal as we can manage!


Meanwhile, here is a brief update...

When we first met Pastor Umar Mulinde in January, David titled the interview, Heart of a Lion. Indeed, this is a man with such a great spirit, and fortitude, it is difficult to describe. Both he and his wife, Evelyn touched our hearts and we have enjoyed a growing friendship with them.

Sadly, the good doctors were not able to save Umars right eye. The doctors were forced to remove it and he is now recovering.

We have been blessed to be able to remain in touch, with Pastor Umar and when he is able, we will ask him to say a few words for all of his friends who have been praying for him and following his recovery. Please, do keep this precious couple, and their six small children in your prayers. They still have a very long, difficult road to walk.

Jay, Meridel and David have been at a conference at the Knesset these past two day and in Meridel's words, wonderful things are happening~she says there is a spirit she has never experienced in all her years in Israel. Of course, David has been filming the event to produce a DVD, and we will be posting clips here very soon. Be sure to check back!

Israel suffers from a lack of rain and water is always scarce. As a result, much of the country looks brown and dusty most of the time.

For the past several years, the water level has been consistently "below the red line", a constant source of worry for all.

This year, as the title of this post indicates, the rains have indeed come in their time and the land has a fresh, lush appearance.

In this picture~looking from the hills of Kisalon towards Tel Aviv you can see the the beautiful "green" carpeting the hills and valleys.

Israel often brings to mind the Bible, conflict and Tel Aviv (the city that never sleeps). It is so much more! There are beautiful hills to hike and bike, amazing plant life and a climate range from snow on the Hermon to the desert of Eilat--as well as the lowest place on earth--The Dead Sea. It is a wonderland with something for everyone.

Kisalon is a moshav in central Israel, located near Beit Shemesh and is part of the Jerusalem corridor.

Like all of Israel, there is a bit of history wherever you look.

For instance, part of the Burma Road runs through these hills.

The road was built during the 1948 siege of Jerusalem to bring relief to the residents. Some of you may remember the movie with Yul Brenner and Kirk Douglas.

You can still see sections of the road today.

Yesterday, however, it was the beautiful greenery and flowers that have sprung up as a result of the rain that drew attention. Here are a few pictures of the area for you to enjoy! By the way, I do not now the names of the flowers, so if anyone has any information to offer....

These red "tulip-like" flowers do not grow in many places. In fact, on the other side of the hill they are nowhere to be seen.  What makes them so beautiful is the shape of the petals which curve to a very fine point. So beautiful up close!

Mini blue flowers surround the base of this bush with its red berries beginning to peek through. They are beautiful, but not edible...

The plant below is called Blood of the Maccabees. You can just see the beginning of the blood red bloom...

Someone told me these were a type of orchid~whatever they are they are delicate and gorgeous!

These flowers manage to grow everywhere~even in the center of a rock...

Israeli Knesset Thanks Christian Supporters of Israel

A special ceremony was recently held in the Israeli Knesset. Members gathered together to say thank you to Christians who have been faithful supporters of Israel.

During the Holocaust many Christians risked their own lives and the lives of family members to save their Jewish neighbors. They are now recognized and known as "Righteous Among the Nations". Now, seventy years later, Christian groups continue this legacy by supporting and caring for those in need, particularly the elderly~many of whom are survivors of those darkest of times. 

David attended the ceremonies and today we are pleased to present the highlights from this most important day.

Included are the introductions, speaker highlights, and sections of some of the films  that were prepared and shown at the ceremonies. On this special day, Israel confirmed, and declared her appreciation to the many, hard-working Christians who have stood solidly with her citizens over these many years.

Part I~The Israeli Knesset Thanks Christian Supporters

Part II~The Israeli Knesset Thanks Christian Supporters

Part III~The Israeli Knesset Thanks Christian Supporters

Part IV~The Israeli Knesset Thanks Christian Supporters