Israel’s Best Friends

Israel’s Best Friends

by Sarah Ann Haves

Two dozen
members of parliaments from 17 countries traveled to Jerusalem this week as
guests of the International Israel Allies Foundation (IIAF). Speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles
celebration, and meeting with reporters at an ICEJ press conference in
Jerusalem, these government leaders had much to say about their love and
support for Israel. 

At a time
when Israel feels more and more isolated on the world stage, it’s rare to find
a group of so many pro-Israel government leaders who are outspoken in their
admiration for the Jewish State.

The number
one issue that has been Israel’s concern is the threat of Iran becoming a
nuclear state. Not only is Iran
striving for nuclear military power, it is also bent on terrorizing the world
in its quest for hegemony.

U.S.
Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) talked about his concern regarding Iran’s
refusal to bend to diplomatic pressure, which has been a frustration for
western leaders, despite multiple UN sanctions. Furthermore, Iran has been behind terrorist attacks on
American interests overseas even though western powers have been willing to try
and negotiate a nuclear settlement with the Persian State. 

“This is
very frightening to me. Because it shows they have no concern for the Obama
Administration’s determination or commitment.”

Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand for the international community to
set “red lines” as a way of threatening Iran with military action has met Franks’
approval. He would like to see U.S. President Barack Obama set “red lines” as
well.  Franks believes America
should work with Israel and with the Free World, and, say, unequivocally, that
there is a line that Iran must not go past or military intervention will
occur.  He thinks it is the safest
and best opportunity to prevent conflict, and to prevent Iran from gaining
nuclear weapons.

Other friends of Israel spoke at the ICEJ Feast and press conference of how their
government has supported the Jewish State.  James Lunney, a Member of the Canadian Parliament since
2000, explained that Canada has taken a strong position against Iran, and
considers the Persian State the greatest threat in present times. He recalled
how Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper pulled Canadian diplomatic staff out
of Tehran on September 7^th and closed its embassy there. Five days
later all Iranian diplomats were required to leave Canada. This was a bold
move, according to Lunney, but necessary until Iran stops trying to obtain
nuclear capability for military purposes.

“We have
closed our mission in Iran and we hope other nations will increase sanctions,
economically, against Iran. We are encouraging other nations to take this
threat seriously…. There is a lot more that could be done. So, we have
increased pressure to the maximum, in terms of financial transactions,
including any business dealings with Iran.” 

In addition,
Canada has listed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. 

“We have
underscored the fact there is Holocaust denial, anti-Semitism, and de-stabilization
of governments. We feel this is unacceptable.”

At the UN
and in international forums, where Israel is subject to perpetual de-legitimization
and denunciation, especially accusations that set a double-standard against the
Jewish State, Lunney says Canada has taken a strong stand. In the future,
Canada will use its efforts wherever possible to make sure that decrees coming
out of these forums will not be a condemnation of Israel.

What Canada
cannot do, according to Lunney, is follow Israel’s example and set “red lines”
in terms of military conflict. This is mainly due to the fact that Canada has a
small army. But, despite not being able to give Iran a military ultimatum,
Canada is working behind the scenes to encourage stiffer UN sanctions.

“We are
encouraging nations to ramp up pressure to try and prevent military conflict.
At the same time we are very aware that the number one responsibility of any
nation is the security of its population.”

Lunney mentioned several historical facts including Israel’s bombing of the Iraqi
nuclear reactor in 1981 that prevented Saddam Hussein from acquiring nuclear
weapons. He also spoke about the 39 Scud missiles that Iraq launched against
Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.

“They didn’t
do a lot of damage, but if just one of them had had a nuclear warhead, this
nation (Israel) would not exist. So, we are very cognizant of the threat to
this nation. We are doing everything we can to encourage the international
community to put pressure on Iran to prevent a conflict because the enemy is
not the Iranian people; it’s a rogue regime that is incompatible with the rest
of the world.” 

Lunney added that Iran is embracing an ideology that is a jihadist mentality. 

“You can’t
threaten to destroy your neighbor; any neighbor of the family of nations. It’s
not acceptable.”

Canada wants
to avoid a conflict that will potentially harm many Iranians. But, Lunney and other Canadian leaders have
acknowledged that the Iranian regime is intent on destroying Israel.

“We are very
concerned about the state of Israel. Canada is doing everything we can with the
tools available to us to prevent the kind of conflict that will cause massive
loss of life; and, also to prevent the creation of the kind of weapons in a
rogue state that could threaten the very existence of this nation. It is a very
serious threat. But, we will stand with Israel. Our Prime Minister said,
against the haters of Israel, Canada will stand with Israel no matter what the
cost. ”

Lunney also
spoke about matters of faith:  “I’m
encouraging the people that believe — the Christians in our faith community —
to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the state of Israel, because the God
of Israel has weapons far beyond anything that our military has in Canada to
offer the state of Israel.”

Among other
dignitaries that were given the opportunity to speak at the Feast of
Tabernacles was Kenneth Meshoe. He has served as a member of the South African
Parliament for nearly twenty years. 
Meshoe is the leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, which is
one of the opposition parties in the South African government.  In an interview this reporter conducted
with him after the ICEJ press conference, Meshoe shared his heart for his
country.

“Please pray
for a new South African government because we are hoping to have, and planning
to have, a Christian government within the next seven years.”

There are a
few things that Meshoe would like to see happen. Firstly, he wants to see South
Africa become a friend of Israel, so that in the UN Security Council African
countries will stand with Israel. 
Secondly, he wants to move the South African Embassy from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem which he proclaims is, “the undivided capital of Israel”. Thirdly, he
wants his country to invite Netanyahu to address the South African Parliament,
and would expect this to happen within the first 12 months of a new government
coming into power. Meshoe would also like the President of South Africa to come
to Israel to affirm the fact that South Africa should be one of the closest
allies of Israel.

“It is a
prayer of my heart, and it is my goal, that before I die, to see an alliance
between Israel and South Africa that would be as close as many Western
nations.”

Meshoe
acknowledged Israel has a lot to offer to Africa. He claimed that many African
leaders are unwilling to affirm this because they do not care for the African
people who are in need and are poor. Instead, they choose political correctness
rather than caring for their people.

“I am
convinced that any African leader who truly cares for his people is going to
say to Israel, come and help us. Let’s form a partnership because you have what
we don’t have. You have the knowledge, the skills and the expertise that we
don’t have. Israel can help Africa. And, I am looking forward to the day when
Israel and Africa will form a very strong partnership.”

According to
Meshoe, many countries on the African continent do not have clear drinking
water. Israel has the skills of purifying water; preserving water; and
converting sea water to drinking water. He also mentioned that though Israel does
not have enough water, Israelis are able to irrigate. “Their innovation skills,
I believe, would help Africa a lot.”  

Meshoe spoke
of South Africa’s current President Jacob Zuma. “He is a tough nut. I don’t
think he will change his position. He is surrounded by Moslems. They are
promising him oil and money. They are buying their way into every area of
government. He will not do anything…..Pray that there should be a change of
government, that’s what we want.”

At the Feast
this year, several prominent Jewish leaders spoke of their own faith that
Israel will survive.

Dan Dyker, Secretary
General of the World Jewish Congress said that the danger from the Iranian
Persian State meant that the Jewish State faced threats of a biblical
proportion.  Dyker got a rousing
applause from Feast delegates when he proclaimed that Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad should read the Book of Esther!

Rabbi Benny
Elon, Chairman of the IIAF delegation, refuted Iran’s rhetoric against Israel
when he stated: “They have no chance because they are fighting against the God
of Israel. No one can change His Master Plan. No one can break His eternal
covenant with the Jewish people; the people of Israel.”

MK Yuli
Edelstein, Israeli Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, spoke
boldly of God’s ability to protect His Chosen People and land.

“The Lord
will do as He sees fit.  Evil does
not only challenge us, but other free peoples, as well.”  He added that Israel did not overcome
evil powers in the past to now succumb to Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

As a prayer from his heart that was felt by some
5,000 Christians from 80 nations attending the Great Feast, Edelstein quoted
Psalm 29:11:

“May the LORD give strength to His people! May the LORD bless His people with peace!”
   

Ms. Haves is a news analyst, reporting on political, diplomatic, military and spiritual issues in Israel and the nations.

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