Mohammed Zoabi: An Israeli Arab to Admire

The other day I was perusing Facebook and I came across a post from one of my Israeli friends that said, “I always wondered about the opinion of Israel [sic] Arabs. Although its [sic] just one young (courageous!) man, he represents most Israeli Arabs I met [sic] here. Thank you, you are a very important part of our nation!

My Israeli friend is talking about Mohammad Zoabi, a 16-year-old, courageous (as my friend put it) Israeli Arab from Nazareth. This means that Mohammed is an Arab Muslim who is a full citizen of the State of Israel. In his videos, posted below, Mohammad shares his feelings about being a proud Zionist and citizen of Israel. That’s right, 16-year-old Mohammed considers himself a Zionist!

He believes Israel is the true hope for lasting democracy in the Middle East, and urges international policy makers attempting to force a peace plan to recognize that real peace between Israel and the Arab world will only come when the Arabs stop hating the Jewish people. In fact, Mohammed even inserts a quote from Golda Meir, former prime minister of Israel, “Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”

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As for Israel being called an apartheid state, Mohammed says anti-Israel advocates should look at the greater Arab world’s apartheid against Israel.

Mohammed believes he is lucky to be an Arab who lives in Israel because it allows him to be a Muslim who lives in a modern, 21st-century democracy.

I believe this young man is articulate and intelligent. He has a bright future ahead of him and I pray more young Arab Muslims come to think and respond like him. He is receiving tons of encouragement from all around the world, yet he is also being barraged with tons of criticism from anti-Israel supporters for abandoning his upbringing.

I encourage you to watch the videos below and hear his pride being an Israeli Arab.

CJK

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Kerry's Kerfuffle

Secretary of State John Kerry has recently found himself in the deep end of the pool with no one around to throw a life vest after the remarks he made saying Israel could become an “apartheid state” if they didn’t adopt and advance a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

It was bad enough he said “apartheid state,” but even worse was his decision to say it on Yom Hashoah (The Day of Holocaust Remembrance).

Kerry’s choice words certainly excited the anti-Israel base by using the word “apartheid” and at the same time his words were not welcomed by a majority of politicians who roam the congressional halls of Washington, DC. On the right, Texas Senator Ted Cruz [R] called for Kerry to resign, and on the left California Sen. Barbara Boxer [D] tweeted:

I posted a blog almost a year ago on Israel being labeled an apartheid state. In the post I mentioned South African Member of Parliament and pastor, Kenneth Meshoe. Kenneth Meshoe grew up in apartheid South Africa, enduring the harsh discrimination and segregation of blacks.

Michael Curtis of Gatestone Institute wrote,

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He [Meshoe] describes those who promulgate the lie of Israel-as-apartheid as ignorant individuals who are not aware of, or who deliberately disregard, the true nature of the negative impact of apartheid on black South Africans––an experience quite different from that of Palestinians in nature and intensity. South African blacks were treated as second-class citizens and were denied basic human rights. By contrast, he points out that in Israel there are no laws discriminating against people on the basis of their color or on the basis of their religion. Palestinians have not suffered the pain of apartheid experienced by black South Africans.

Pastor Meshoe amplifies his general remarks by specific examples. He calls attention to the fact that in South Africa there were separate modes of transport for blacks and whites; there were coaches in trains only for black people, and others only for whites. Segregation was present in schools, hospitals, public places, city parks, benches, chairs, beaches. No such segregation exists in Israel.

Kerry rescinded his “apartheid” remarks and stressed the need for a two-state solution to bring peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The word “apartheid” is only the tip of the Israeli-Palestinian iceberg. What brought it afloat was Israel’s refusal to continue peace talks with the Palestinians after the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement. Ultimately, the “moderate” Fatah party in the West Bank reconciled its differences with Hamas, a terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip. This deal was enacted while Kerry was attempting to revive the peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the Fatah-Hamas agreement and took it as a sign the Palestinians really don’t want peace if they are willing to partner with terrorists. Yet, Kerry points his finger at the Israelis and considers them the reason for peace negotiations falling apart.

Either way, Kerry used a trigger word that will not easily be forgotten by those who value the State of Israel. Whether it was a Freudian slip or not, Kerry created a serious kerfuffle.

CJK

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Israel: A Little Country with a Big Heart

Israel has an incredible heart for meeting the needs of their own people, the citizens of their neighboring countries, and the world.

Much of this desire to help mankind comes from the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, healing the world, of making the world a better place. Three examples of this come from the Israeli military, from the Israeli medical community, and from Israeli technology.

On January 12, 2010 a massive, devastating earthquake struck Haiti, leaving more than 200,000 people dead and 400,000 more injured and homeless. The Kedem Battalion from the Israel Defense Forces, a unit designed to assist those affected by disasters, came to the aid of Haiti within hours of the earthquake. They set up their field hospital with advanced medical equipment, including intensive care units, operating rooms, delivery rooms, and more. The search and rescue teams immediately began searching for survivors through the rubble of the quake. One officer tells of a survivor they found. He asked upon their calling out, “Where are you from?” “Israel,” came the reply. The Haitian man replied, “You mean you came half way around the world, just to save me?” Another incident from this rescue shows the impact of this unit. A woman named her son Israel, after the aid and care she received at the field hospital. This experience repeated itself recently in the aftermath of an earthquake in the Philippines when the Israeli unit set up their field hospital. A Filipino woman named her newborn son Israel, in honor of the care she received from the Kedem Battalion. This unit is ready to go anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice to aid those affected by a disaster of any kind, whether from a natural disaster or a military attack. A wonderful example of Israel’s heart is its desire to help those in need.

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The Syrian civil war has ravaged the nation and left about 150,000 dead. Israel has opened its heart to those wounded and injured in the fighting by treating 700 Syrians. Rambam Hospital in Haifa has treated some of those injured Syrian citizens, assisting them in their need. If anyone practices the concept of “loving your neighbor as yourself, and loving your enemy,” Israel does. Treating these affected Syrians that come to them, Nahariya Hospital in northern Israel has cared for more than 200 Syrian victims of the conflict. Concerning this care, Dr. Tsvi Sheleg stated, “We don’t care where he’s from, what he’s done, where he is going. He’s wounded. He needs help. That’s our mission. That’s our goal. That’s what we do for a living. That’s what we do for our heart.” Additionally, Israel regularly aids Palestinian children and citizens with medical care in Israeli hospitals, at no cost to them.

Israeli technology has led to amazing innovations we use today. For example, Israelis developed the Pentium processor, the cell phone, email, voicemail, and a myriad of other devices. Called the Start Up Nation, Israel has significant international vocal support for their technological abilities. Consider what renowned investor Warren Buffett says of Israeli technology: “What makes Israel a technological superpower? Is it the Jewish ability to challenge ideas, to question and think outside the box? The pioneer spirit and the willingness to take risks?…When you’re looking for brains, for energy, for integrity, it’s the only stop you need to make in the Middle East.”

Former Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once said, “I can envision a day with a world without Israel.” If that day would ever happen, the world would lose its heart. Because Israel serves the world, including their enemies, expecting nothing in return. It’s truly the Little Country with the Big Heart.

Rev. Tim Munger

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Divine Revolution: The Lord Will Passover (Part 5)

To start the Divine Revolution series click here.

I’m writing you from inside my house with my family and some friends. We’re all gathered together to have a very specific meal that Moses demanded all Israelites to eat.

You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Many of us are scared about how certain events will unfold, while others––like myself––are excited to leave Egypt.

Every time Moses proclaimed a judgment on Egypt, it happened according to his word, 9 plagues in total (I wrote about that here). A few days ago Moses approached my grandfather and the other elders of the Israelites and gave them specific instructions on the events that would transpire tonight. Moses said, “Israel is God’s firstborn son, and He is tired of seeing Pharaoh abuse and mistreat you. God is the one who holds Israel’s destiny in His hand, not Pharaoh.”

Moses continued, “On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household… keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD” (Exodus 12:3-12).

So here we are, family and friends, stuffed into our house eating lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread. I’m not a fan of unleavened bread, but there hasn’t been any time to let the yeast rise. All of the men have their robes tucked into their belts, their sandals strapped to their feet, and their staff in their hand. Moses told us to be ready to move because tonight Pharaoh is going to force us out of Egypt and we’ll have no time to waste. It’s pretty quiet outside, occasionally we hear the wind blowing through the street.

My mother is very anxious, wondering if the sign of the blood on the doorposts and lintel will actually work. She’s worried about me because I’m her firstborn son. I had to remind her that everything Moses has said so far has been true, so why would he lie now?

I have to say, I’ve come a long way with Moses. I was really upset with him when he caused Pharaoh to give us more backbreaking work. However, his genuine faith in the Lord has really impacted my life. I truly believe the hand of God is at work in Moses as he challenges Pharaoh and his gods. All night my grandfather has been saying to me, “I told you so!” I believe our God has come to rescue us.

Even though I consider myself a realist, I am very optimistic and hopeful about tonight. I believe our God will free us from the bondage we’ve endured for hundreds of years. Tonight we will go from servitude to freedom because our God has big plans for us Israelites. Tonight is the Lord’s Passover, and any moment now we’ll be free!

Uzzi

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Divine Revolution: Playing Chicken With God (Part 4)

To start the Divine Revolution series click here.

Egypt is unrecognizable. The once-lush fields that were fed by the Nile are left desolate by torrential hail and swarming locusts.

The abundant livestock that roamed the land of Egypt were eradicated by pestilence and disease. And even the Egyptians couldn’t escape the numerous plagues to befall the land, they’ve been found covered in boils and sores.

Somehow as Egypt is rapidly crumbling, the area of Goshen––where my people live––remained unscathed. When the flies started to blanket Egypt, I never once had to reach for my homemade fly swatter. As all of the cattle, horses, flocks, and camels of Egypt died, the livestock of Goshen thrived. I saw many Egyptians with boils and sores covering their body, yet somehow the Hebrews kept their health. When the hail pummeled the ground, destroying everything it touched, Goshen remained isolated and protected. Even during the darkness, light broke through in Goshen.

Moses and Aaron are on a mission to convince Pharaoh to let us Hebrews go in order to serve our God. Moses has become quite a hero to the Hebrews. He hasn’t spoken directly to us since the trouble he created with Pharaoh (you can read about that here), so we’ve come to rely on the information that quickly makes its way back to Goshen. From what I’ve heard, with almost every plague to hit Egypt, Pharaoh attempts to compromise with Moses on letting us go.

After the flies covered Egypt, Pharaoh approached Moses to bargain with him. Pharaoh said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land [of Egypt]”(Exodus 8:25). Moses knew Pharaoh was trying to prevent us from leaving Egypt. So he quickly replied, “It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us?” (Exodus 8:26). Moses was right, the sacrifices we would offer to the Lord are considered sacred idols to the Egyptians.

Before the locusts destroyed whatever crop remained after the hail Pharaoh called Moses and gave him permission to let us serve God in the wilderness. However, Pharaoh followed up his statement with the question, “Who are the ones that are going?” (Exodus 10:8). Moses replied, “Everyone is! And all our flocks and herds.” Moses statement angered Pharaoh since he was planning on holding the woman and children as ransom so the Hebrew men would return after serving the Lord in the wilderness.

Finally, after complete darkness fell on the land Egypt, Pharaoh begrudgingly gave Moses permission to let every Hebrew serve God in the wilderness, but their livestock must remain! Moses replied, “Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there” (Exodus 10:26). Pharaoh again denied Moses demands.

The name of our God is beginning to spread among the Egyptians, some are even starting to fear our God. I heard when Moses warned Pharaoh that our God was going to bring damaging hail, many of Pharaoh’s servants who feared the word of the Lord quickly brought in their slaves and livestock from the field.

I was also told that Moses relayed this treasonous message from the Lord to Pharaoh, “Indeed for this reason I have raised you up, in order to show you My power, and that My Name is declared through all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). I’m sure that ruffled the king of Egypt’s feathers.

Pharaoh has remained obstinate to Moses’ wishes, and because of it Egypt is collapsing. Since the plagues started, the once-thriving empire is now economically insolvent with no crop or livestock to survive. Politically Pharaoh is risking his kingdom over some Hebrew slaves, and the Egyptians are spiritually bankrupt know that each one of their god’s was humiliated with each passing plague. Even the magicians in Pharaoh’s court have all but given up on attempting to duplicate the plagues; they admit that these events are “the finger of God” (Exodus 8:18).

God is doing something miraculous by slowly breaking down Pharaoh’s will over us. Pharaoh is playing chicken with God. The question is, who will break first?

Keeping you connected.

Uzzi

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Divine Revolution: Blood Water (Part 3)

To start the Divine Revolution series click here.

All of Egypt is abuzz with the nearly apocalyptic events that have unfolded since Moses went before Pharaoh again. I have to admit, I was shocked to see Moses return after the mess he made the first time he went before Pharaoh.

If there is one thing you can’t fault Moses for, it’s his tenacity. From what I can gather, his persistence derives from his belief that our God is the one orchestrating these unusual events.

Since I last wrote we all but lost hope in Moses and his brother Aaron. Yet to my surprise, Moses has left quite an impression on the Egyptians!

Here’s what happened.

About a week and a half ago Moses appeared to Pharaoh just as he entered the Nile for a morning dip. Moses again requested that Pharaoh release the Israelites. “The LORD God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, ‘Let My people go’” (Exodus 7:16).Pharaoh smirked at Moses’ request and replied, “I don’t know your God and I’m not releasing your people, now leave me be.”

Moses stretched out his staff over the Nile and with great conviction struck the water. The freshwater river, by which Egypt lives, began to bleed; literally it transformed into blood. Pharaoh rushed toward the shore and moments later fish corpses floated to the surface of the Nile. The stench of death emanated from the Nile waters and it has been unbearable to breathe ever since. In desperation for fresh water the Egyptians have been digging around the Nile to find water not contaminated by dead fish.

Seven days after Moses cursed the Nile, God told him to go to Pharaoh again to “Let My people go, that they may serve Me” (Exodus 8:1) or else the God of the Hebrews would curse the land of Egypt with frogs. Pharaoh’s persistence is much like Moses’; he denied Moses’ appeal. So Moses struck the waters again with his staff and frogs emerged from the waters and covered the land.

The frogs leapt into houses, bedrooms, and beds. They found their way into kitchens, ovens, and even kneading bowls. It was a disgusting sight to see. For about a day or so I spent most of my time sealing up my room so that I wouldn’t be sleeping with frogs.

Moses must have really annoyed Pharaoh with the frogs because he actually agreed to let us go! So the frogs returned to the Nile, but the stubbornness of Pharaoh didn’t. He went back on his word and refused to let us go.

I’m beginning to think this is more than just a standoff on who can perform the best magic tricks in Egypt. Whenever Moses engages with Pharaoh it’s said that he invokes the name of our God in order to show His power over Pharaoh. Many Israelites are saying Moses isn’t the one creating the plagues, that he’s just a servant of God who is judging Pharaoh for the way he’s mistreated us! If this is true, this is looking more like a revolution, a divine revolution, on who has the ultimate say over us Hebrews and whose God or gods are real.

I’ll keep you posted.

Uzzi

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