tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post5696214395420989497..comments2023-11-26T06:57:37.441-05:00Comments on "The Lid": Sarah Palin on IsraelAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14337861108761350581noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-62583560115500449532008-09-08T07:52:00.000-04:002008-09-08T07:52:00.000-04:00I just sent an e-mail to Chabad of Alaska asking t...I just sent an e-mail to Chabad of Alaska asking them if they knew of any direct statements that Mrs. Palin has made concerning this man. Awaiting a reply.TeachESLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12720974412917020750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-84353136570105422982008-09-07T18:29:00.000-04:002008-09-07T18:29:00.000-04:00Chaya, Kate,Yes, I think we agree there--I didn't ...Chaya, Kate,<BR/><BR/>Yes, I think we agree there--I didn't say all Christian Zionists believed in the conversion/damnation of Jews, only that Jews needed to understand the religious impetus behind certain political gestures by some Christian Zionist groups. (I said "most" but I might be wrong--it could only be "some.") I know for myself, I would rather reject support than worry that that support was being given for the wrong reasons. <BR/><BR/>Israel has a long history of getting support for reasons that have nothing to do with the need of the Jewish people for a homeland. For instance, during the Cold War, Israel was a foothold for the US in the Middle East. I'm not saying that the US supporting Israel for ulterior motives is a bad thing, only that we have to be aware of those reasons because those reasons may change (just like American interests shifted after the Cold War).<BR/><BR/>So, in this case, we have to be aware of the possible anti-Semitism at the heart of some Christian Zionism, and I think we need to think clearly on whether the political support is worth it when it comes with such a weight.<BR/><BR/>(For instance, Sarah Palin is pro-Israel, but she never spoke up against the guest-speaker at her church who said that Israel was vulnerable to terrorist attack because Jews had not accepted Jesus. That guest speaker--from Jews for Jesus actually--seem to be channeling some anti-Semitism, and the fact that Palin has not spoken out against that anti-Semitism makes me leery of her pro-Israel position. But then again, my cousins live there, so I get nervous when a non-Jewish person says something like, "I like Israel, I just wish there were less Jews there.")Benjamin Blattberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03163091516093037765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-41901644619230648512008-09-07T10:39:00.000-04:002008-09-07T10:39:00.000-04:00I'm not quite sure you would consider me a "Christ...I'm not quite sure you would consider me a "Christian Zionist", but I support Israel for the reasons chaya stated. We have a common heritage, and should respect each other as brothers and sister, as children of the most Holy.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09173642175294245534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-27300676229113460752008-09-07T04:24:00.000-04:002008-09-07T04:24:00.000-04:00Not all Christian Zionists feel the need to conver...Not all Christian Zionists feel the need to convert Jews. Many support Israel with no strings attached. Only out of love and concern and justice!TeachESLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12720974412917020750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-5435797740083419522008-09-06T18:15:00.000-04:002008-09-06T18:15:00.000-04:00I think American Jews need to seriously think abou...I think American Jews need to seriously think about most groups that describe themselves as Christian Zionists. I went to a Conservative Hebrew School, and we always learned that Israel was important because Jews needed a place where they could be Jews, without interference, prejudice, or violence. Many American Jews think that an American politician's stance on Israel is important, so over the years, a bunch of Evangelical Republicans have been supported by Jews because these Republicans have been pro-Israel. But so many Christian Zionists support Israel because they see it as a stage in their religious eschatology--Jews in Israel means Jesus comes again. (I'm simplifying a little crudely, but you get the picture.) So, Jews in Israel leads to the End Times. I would have no particular problem with that except that part of Christian eschatology is about the damnation or conversion of the Jews. So, if you put that all together, you get the equation that "Jews in Israel" leads to "End Times" leads to "no more Jews." Because of this, I feel very uncomfortable with Christian Zionists--because their pro-Zion stance goes along very comfortably with an anti-Semitic wish for a world without Jews. Which is why I think American Jews need to reconsider the religious right as a political bedfellow.Benjamin Blattberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03163091516093037765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-67008801852161750262008-08-31T06:54:00.000-04:002008-08-31T06:54:00.000-04:00As a Republican supporter, I wasn't sure that John...As a Republican supporter, I wasn't sure that John McCain was the best choice.<BR/><BR/>But I think he has made a very good decision. McCain and Palin are both pro-Israel and while they both still uphold Republican values, they can run the country without the incompetence of the Bush Administration.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04490122879705155154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-44188891418881519452008-08-31T06:41:00.000-04:002008-08-31T06:41:00.000-04:00She is to be VP of the U.S.! Her desire to free t...She is to be VP of the U.S.! Her desire to free the U.S. from Middle East oil has nothing to do with Israel. And it shouldn't. They have to do what is best for the United States. As someone who lives in Israel, I do not want the issue of Israel to interfere in the U.S. elections.TeachESLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12720974412917020750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-91782801250719613372008-08-30T23:07:00.000-04:002008-08-30T23:07:00.000-04:00Pfft! Since when do you have to have visited Israe...Pfft! Since when do you have to have visited Israel to be PRO Israel? What a ridiculous, and extremely lame, 'argument'! I've never been either, but that doesn't stop me from being pro-Israel. <BR/><BR/>Although, I am rectifying that lack come November! :) Great birthday present, eh?Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09173642175294245534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21392130.post-57610880278337589212008-08-30T17:41:00.000-04:002008-08-30T17:41:00.000-04:00As a Christian Zionist I took the time to confirm ...As a Christian Zionist I took the time to confirm that indeed she is solidly pro-Israel. (We have the same theological background and I checked out her church.)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02954876114052368587noreply@blogger.com