A message from Bridges for Peace,
Christians for Israel and ICEJ, and Christian Friends of Israel
Communities, 20 July 2017:
Over the last twelve months a series of meetings
has been held at which Australian pro-Israel Christians have focused on the
important ways in which we can express pro-actively our support of Israel,
especially in these days when there is virulent international condemnation of a
nation that is so tiny, yet huge in the heart and purposes of God.
As the United Nations continues to
demonstrate its at times bizarre irrelevance and hostility in matters relating
to Israel, 2017 is shaping to be a critical, historic and indeed prophetic year
for Australia - and Aussies - to be seen as strong and dependable in standing
shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
This year is significant for its many anniversaries
for the Jewish world: 120 years since the first Zionist Congress; 100 years
since the Charge of the Light Horse Brigade in Be’er-sheva; 100 years since the
Balfour Declaration; 70 years since the UN partition vote; and 50 years since
the miraculous Six Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem.Those of us who are Christian supporters of Israel now have a unique opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, building on the first ever visit - yes, in 2017 - by a sitting Israeli Prime Minister to Australia, when Benjamin Netanyahu came to Sydney in February.
A smaller core group of leaders has met twice this year, and not surprisingly our focus has been on Jerusalem, the eternal and undivided capital of Israel. Sadly, Australia’s official position on the status of Jerusalem has been in keeping with that of the rest of the world, which is overwhelmingly anti-Israel and continues to withhold recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It is time to end the double standard where Israel is the only country that does not get to choose its own capital.
The prophecies of Zechariah were written around 2500 years ago, predicting a future day when the world’s focus would be on Jerusalem, when “all nations of the earth are gathered against it” (Zechariah 12:3) - as we consistently see whenever the United Nations meets. The warning to the nations in verse 9 is equally clear. As we consider the geo-political and spiritual aspects of current ongoing Middle East hostilities, I have no doubt that the time-frame of this prophecy is upon us.
As
I write, the battle is being joined over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the
right of Jews even to pray at their holiest site. The recent UNESCO resolutions denying the
Jewish heritage of Jerusalem and Hebron, the burial ground of
Israel’s “fathers and mothers”, have found a deeply troubling echo in former
Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s obsessive and incomprehensible slamming of Israel for,
amongst other things, "Judaising" the "great Arab city" of
Jerusalem.
I encourage you to pray Psalm 55:9 over this situation and any others that would speak and murmur against Israel from our cities, especially Canberra: “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.” And praise God for the motion from the Victorian Liberal State Council with a sheer absolute majority to strongly support the relocation of our Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
I want now to focus on the recently raised petition to the Australian Senate requesting our Parliament to do just that - to relocate our embassy to Jerusalem, thereby demonstrating our 100 years of mateship with Israel. This is a bold and exciting initiative that we strongly believe is of the Lord. We are receiving growing endorsement for this endeavour from Jewish organisations in Australia and are delighted with their positive and affirming response.
You are
urged to read carefully both the petition covering letter and the petition
itself, and if you agree with it add your name, address and signature. You can then play your part in helping others
to sign by downloading multiple copies of the blank petition and seeking many,
many other signatures so that we have a real impact upon our parliament and our
nation. And don’t forget to write individually to
your local Senator and local Member of the Federal House of Representatives in
support of the petition.
Please
also send the covering letter and the petition on to your own contacts and
networks, encouraging everyone to do just what you have done. Those of us
who will be in Beer-sheva on the very significant date of 31 October 2017 will
also seek signatures from the thousands of Australians who will be gathering
there for the commemorative events associated with the 100th anniversary of the
Light Horse charge. The latest date for
the petitions to be received is 11 November, which being Armistice Day will
surely resonate well with many folk.
As Christian supporters of Israel, may we never forget what God has said in 1 Samuel 2:30 - “Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” May we all be among those whom God will indeed honour and bless as we stand with and bless Israel, and in so doing honour our God who declared in Genesis 12:3 that He will bless those who bless Abraham and his offspring through Isaac, the Jewish people.
Keith Buxton
Principal
Petitioner
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