On January 21, 2015, US Speaker of the House, John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the US Congress on the threat of radical Islam, including the growing nuclear threat from Iran.  Netanyahu accepted that invitation and huge upheaval followed.  President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry both immediately refused to meet with PM Netanyahu upon his visit to Washington DC, and now there is tremendous pressure for Netanyahu to cancel his appearance before Congress.

To be clear, I believe the better choice would have been for Boehner to properly notify the President, and for the Israeli Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, to have discussed the visit with Secretary Kerry prior to the invitation being made public.  However, Boehner has the right and the authority to invite foreign dignitaries to address Congress, and Netanyahu has the right and the authority to accept the invitation.

This now-turned-ugly incident is a microcosm of American politics and the current administration’s obvious turn against Israel over the past six years.  During that time, Israel has sensed abandonment, the President has blatantly and repeatedly shown contempt for the Prime Minister, and the US continues to press for compromise with Iran on its nuclear program.  Once the staunchest ally of Israel, the US has drifted off with other nations, leaving the Jewish state to face the threat of radical Islam (including nuclear Iran) alone.

With that as a backdrop, I’m grateful that there are some in Congress who see the need to stand with Israel.  I’m not necessarily a fan of the behavior of some of our Congressional leaders, but I do applaud Speaker Boehner’s boldness in doing what the US should be doing…reaching out to Israel and, in this case, providing a platform from which Netanyahu may voice concern for a threat that hangs over not only Israel, but the entire region and, ultimately, the world.  (Is Israel the only nation that sees this threat?)

Some argue that the invitation is politically motivated to boost Netanyahu’s chances of re-election on March 17.  To that I have two comments:

• With declining cooperation between the US and Israel, just how influential would Netanyahu’s speech to US Congress be to Israeli voters? If anything, there is fallout (even in Israel) associated with his decision to accept the invitation.  It seems to me that the impact to Netanyahu’s re-election bid may as much negative as positive.
• US Secretary of State John Kerry is engaged constantly with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, pushing furiously for a framework agreement by the end of March. That framework agreement would lay the groundwork for a final agreement this summer that would allow Iran to not only continue, but enhance, its drive toward nuclear weapons.  That is precisely what Netanyahu will warn against in his speech to Congress.  Do we really have time to wait for March 17 elections, then try to schedule the Israeli head-of-state (whether Netanyahu or one of his challengers) prior to the end of March?  That simply will not happen!  Bottom line: the US administration is not interested in hearing Israel warn against an Iranian nuclear deal!

To conclude, Obama and Kerry desperately desire a legacy.  They are pushing hard during these final 2 years to stamp their legacy with peace agreements with Iran and with the Palestinians.  (Both to the detriment of Israel.)  The Obama/Biden/Kerry administration is definitely playing with fire when it comes to Israel.  Genesis 12:3 clearly states that God will bless those who bless Israel, and will curse those who curse her.  As a nation, and individually, we will be held accountable for how we treat God’s chosen people.  We have enough trouble domestically in our country.  This is not the time to turn our backs on Israel.  Obama may not face voters again, but he will face God one day.  It is crucial that Christians pray for our president and our leaders, and it is crucial that we individually stand strong with Israel.  It is not too late for God to soften hearts, but time is running out.  We have crossed many “points of no return.”  Let’s pray fervently for God’s miraculous salvation from crossing this one.