Tag Archives: West Bank

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“Hamas is Not a Terrorist Group!”

Yes, I know we are celebrating the festive Hanukkah season, but unfortunately ridiculous news in the Middle East does not take a holiday!

The UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote today on a resolution condemning Hamas for firing rockets at Israeli citizens, demanding an end to the incessant violence.  However, according to Palestinian Authority Leader Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, “Hamas is not a terrorist group!”

What is interesting here is that Fatah and Hamas have been fighting one another for years over joint control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  The two organizations are fierce adversaries…unless, of course, Israel is involved.  In that case, they team up like long lost allies!

The Fatah spokesman went on to say that rather than condemning Hamas, Israel, “which is the true face of state-sponsored terrorism,” should be condemned.  

Another Fatah spokesman, Abbas Zaki, managed to cram his foot further in the Fatah-Hamas mouth when he said:

“If Hamas, which is practicing resistance, is labeled a terrorist movement, this would mean that all Palestinians practice terrorism. Hamas belongs to us and we belong to Hamas. We can’t leave Hamas to fight alone.”

Hamas is recognized by virtually the entire free world as an unquestionable terrorist organization.  Per Fatah’s assessment, it seems Hamas is not alone.

The resolution was drafted by the US and is reportedly supported by all EU nations.  Friends, please pray today that UN delegates from around the world will vote truthfully, and that a resolution condemning Hamas’ violence will finally be issued.

PS: We’ll return to our Hanukkah celebration tomorrow morning, so stay tuned!

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An Israeli-Palestinian Contrast

Yesterday morning, a Palestinian terrorist bound and executed two people, just for being Jews.  It was pointless, and so sad for the families who lost loved ones.

That happened in the West Bank.

Thus, it would be somewhat logical to think that Jewish presence in the West Bank is not safe or advised.  But there is a distinct contrast between the idea that Palestinian terrorists are out to kill Jews, and the fact that Jews and Palestinians work peacefully, side-by-side every single day.  It is a striking irony in the West Bank.

Here is a example of what every day life is like in at least one company in the industrial zone of the West Bank.  Watch for yourself, then try to find understanding in the contrast of relationship between Jews and Palestinians.

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Jews and Arabs Leaving Peacefully Side-by-Side!

I recently read an article entitled, Biblical Shomron: Israel’s Strategic, Peaceful and Beautiful Heartland.  In it is the story of the Shomron Regional Counsel’s success in developing areas where Jews and Palestinians work peacefully side-by-side.  The area is called the West Bank, but in Biblical terms, it is Samaria.

This area is targeted by the BDS movement, an effort to boycott, divest and sanction Israeli companies for the purpose of “helping” the Palestinians.  But the truth is, if these companies were shut down, more Palestinians would be out of work than Israelis!  That’s one of the things that makes the BDS movement so ridiculous!

I have been to this area and I have seen Jews and Palestinians working peacefully side-by-side and it is such a refreshing sight!  Peace is possible when left to the citizens themselves.  It is when the Palestinian Authority and/or Hamas get involved that things turn south, as they have in the ongoing conflict at the Gaza border.

If only the citizens were allowed to seek a better living, Israel would give them that!  Those who do have the opportunity to live and work in the Shomron region bear testament to that!

Please pray for the people of Gaza.  The oppression (and brainwashing) is so intense, violence is all they know.  Pray they will find the freedom enjoyed by their countrymen in the Shomron region.

BTW – the Jewish “settlements” in the West Bank we hear so much about on the news look like this: