ICEJ -NZ news letter Nov 13, 2013

ICEJ NEW ZEALAND

This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM November 2013 Chesvan–Kislev 5774

PO Box 100474 Auckland 0745 Telephone: 09 837 5384 / Email: icejnz@ihug.co.nz Find us online: www.icej.org

NZ REGISTERED CHARITY CC41177

Altars to the Lord Derek McDowell Director ICEJ New Zealand

Isaac on the altar

/Ŷ ƚŚĞ ďŝďůŝĐĂů ŶĂƌƌĂƟǀĞƐ Ăůů ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ /ƐƌĂĞů ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ :ƵĚĞĂ ĂŶĚ ^ĂŵĂƌŝĂ͕ ŵĂŶLJ ƟŵĞƐ ĂůƚĂƌƐ ĂƌĞ built for the Lord for a variety of reasons, but always they represented engagement with God -­‐ approach, ƐĂĐƌŝĮĐĞ͕ ĂƚŽŶĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐĞ ĂŶĚ communion with God. Altars were a place to sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord as Noah did when he came out of the ark (Gen 8:20).

Many times animals, grains, wine, fruit and incense were offered often as thanksgiving for the harvest like a tithe or first fruit offering.

When Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mt Moriah, there he built an altar of sacrifice (Gen 22:9). In faith he believed that God would provide a lamb sacrifice, yet in obedience he was prepared to sacrifice his only son Isaac as God had commanded.

We know he passed the test of faith and obedience when a ram appeared in the thicket. The Lord responded by again affirming by His oath His faithfulness to bless Abram and his descendents both physically and spiritually.

Abram built altars to the Lord. He built his first altar in Canaan after God had called him. There at Shechem, where God made his first promise “To your offspring I will give this land” he built an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him. He then went to the hills east of Bethel and west of Ai and built an altar there and called on the Lord to communion with Him. (Gen 12:4-8).

After Abram and Lot separated, the Lord promised to Abram he would give him and his offspring all the land he could see, Abram built another altar to the Lord, this time in Hebron (Gen 13:14-18). These altars at Shechem, Bethel and Hebron reflected Abram’s reverence for, dependence on and desire for communion with God. And they marked God’s promises to give the land

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to Abram and his descendents.

Isaac renewed his commitment to Covenant with the Lord appearing to him at Beersheva reaffirming the covenant with him. Isaac responded by building an altar there. And the Lord appeared to Jacob too after his cheating on his brother Esau and restoration of the relationship to which Jacob responded by building an altar at Shechem (Gen 33:20). God reaffirmed the covenant with Jacob too who responded by building a stone altar at Bethel and pouring oil on it (Gen 35).

Altars recorded occasions of theophany – the appearance of God before an individual. God made appearances to Abram (Gen12:7), he appeared to Isaac (Gen 26:24-25) and to Jacob (Gen 35).

When Moses ordered Joshua to fight the Amelekites, Moses knew to look to God to be their deliverer. When he went up the hill with the rod in his hand and Aaron and Hur to hold his arms up, the Lord allowed Joshua and his army to prevail over the Amelekites. Moses built an altar which he called, “the Lord is my banner”, Jehovah– Nissi (Exodus 17:15).

An altar like this is a declaration that God prevails over this world.

Moses instructed the Israelites that when they crossed the Jordan they were to make an altar on Mt Ebal and offer burnt offerings being reminded of the curses of disobedience (Deut 27). Once in the Promised Land, Joshua followed through on this command and built an altar to the Lord on Mt Ebal to renew the Covenant with the Lord (Jos 8).

The altars erected by Moses and Joshua also commemorated their victories and important milestones notably crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land.

Gideon defied the priests of Baal by tearing down his father’s pagan altar, but on the night before, he first built his own altar and named it the “Altar of Peace” (Judges 6:24).

Samuel who served Israel as prophet,

priest and judge followed in the patriarchal tradition building altars to the Lord. Each year he travelled from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, --places where the patriarchs built altars-- judging Israel in all those places. He always went back home to Ramah where he also judged Israel and built an altar to the Lord. (1 Sam. 7:15-17).

Altars were open structures often closely associated with the tabernacle or the temple. They were places for burnt offerings and places for burning incense in worship. Altars were evident in the tabernacle with Moses and in Solomon’s temple. Ezra had an altar built even before the second temple was rebuilt.

Josephus records that an altar appeared in the temple of Herod. An altar appears in the vision of Ezekiel’s temple (Ezekiel 43). The burnt offerings at these altars served a purpose of reconciliation and mediation as well as worship and of communion and meeting with God. Biblical altars to God demonstrate hearts turned towards God and God’s faithfulness. In the New Covenant, ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŶŽ ŵŽƌĞ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ŽīĞƌ ŽŶŐŽŝŶŐ ďůŽŽĚ ƐĂĐƌŝĮĐĞƐ ŽĨ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ at the altar. The cross becomes ƚŚĞ ĂůƚĂƌ ŽĨ ƐĂĐƌŝĮĐĞ ĂŶĚ :ĞƐƵƐ ĂůƐŽ becomes our heavenly altar to whom ǁĞ ďƌŝŶŐ ͞ƐƉŝƌŝƚƵĂů ƐĂĐƌŝĮĐĞƐ͟ ;,Ğď ϭϯ͗ϭϬͿ͘ :ĞƐƵƐ ďĞĐŽŵĞƐ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌĨĞĐƚ ĮŶĂů ƵŶďůĞŵŝƐŚĞĚ ůĂŵď ƐĂĐƌŝĮĐĞ͕ whose atoning death by his own ďůŽŽĚ ĂůůŽǁƐ ,ŝŵ ƚŽ ĞŶƚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ,ŽůLJ ŽĨ ,ŽůŝĞƐ ŽďƚĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĞƌŶĂů ƌĞĚĞŵƉƟŽŶ͘ /Ŷ ,ŝƐ ƌĞƐƵƌƌĞĐƟŽŶ͕ :ĞƐƵƐ ďĞĐŽŵĞƐ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌŵĂŶĞŶƚ ,ŝŐŚ WƌŝĞƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ New Covenant providing the way to ƌĞĐŽŶĐŝůŝĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉ ǁŝƚŚ God the Father.

How much more, then, will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal ^Ɖŝƌŝƚ ŽīĞƌĞĚ ŚŝŵƐĞůĨ ƵŶďůĞŵŝƐŚĞĚ ƚŽ God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Messiah is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ĐŽǀĞŶĂŶƚ͘ (Hebrews 9:14-­‐15) Cover image: Communion elements, bread, wine

Rachel’s memories Rachel Millward The recent book launch of my ŵĞŵŽŝƌ ǁĂƐ ǀĞƌLJ ǁĞůů ĂƩĞŶĚĞĚ ĂŶĚ Ă ůŽƚ ŽĨ ĨƵŶ͘ / ǁŽƌĞ Ă Ŭŝůƚ͕ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƟŶŐ ŵLJ ^ĐŽƫƐŚ ŚĞƌŝƚĂŐĞ͘ DŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ grandchildren read brief extracts from the book and the large gathering ĞŶũŽLJĞĚ ĮŶĞ ŵƵƐŝĐĂů ŝƚĞŵƐ͘ The book of 320 pages including 51 photos covered my husband Bill and my life’s journey together including my Scottish heritage, coming to faith in Christ, our marriage and our years in the Maori Synod and several other parishes, especially St. Giles in West Auckland.

And of course our many accounts of experiences while leading groups to Israel.

We have received a number of encouraging comments about the book.

Here are several: t i3BDIFM T SFDPSEJOH PG IFS memories of places visited, early years in Scotland, experiences while leading many tour groups to Israel, her family life, interspersed with fascinating historical data concerning the Jewish people and Israel during her life-time, made me feel I was walking the journey with her all the way.” t i* BN IBMGXBZ UISPVHI ZPVS book and cannot put it down. I am grateful that you wrote it.” t 3FDFOUMZ POF FMEFSMZ $ISJTUJBO lady who had begun to read the book said to us, “I never knew why the Jews always seemed to be having such a bad time in the world!” She found the book helped her get the answer. t i* BN FTQFDJBMMZ FOKPZJOH the relating of some of Israel’s modern history throughout – well done.” t ɨJT ëOBM RVPUF DBNF GSPN Gadi Cohen, travel agent in Tel Aviv, who worked with me for many years to arrange the internal Israel parts of many tours: “It is a real piece of history.

Our country should be proud of friends like you. I showed the book to the whole office and they were all excited… everybody remembers the Kiwis with lots of love.”

During writing I began to wonder why I ever started the book – was it a decision made in a weak moment? However, I have been pleasantly surprised at

One of Bill and Rachel’s tour groups at the Rosh Hanikra border with Lebanon

the many positive responses. The book was written in the hope that our grandchildren would learn more about our lives, background and motivations and also that many readers would gain a better understanding of Jewish-Christian relations over past centuries and thus better understand God’s unfolding Biblical plan for world salvation.

I hope that all who read it will ĞŶũŽLJ ŝƚ ĂƐ ŵƵĐŚ ĂƐ / ĚŝĚ ǁƌŝƟŶŐ ŝƚ͘ /Ŷ ĐŽŵƉůĞƟŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ Ŭ͕ / Ăŵ ŐƌĂƚĞĨƵů ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ǁŽŶĚĞƌĨƵů ŝŶƐƉŝƌĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ encouragement of family and friends ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ Ă :ĞǁŝƐŚ ŵĂŶ ŝŶƐĐƌŝďŝŶŐ ŝŶ ŚŝƐ Ŭ͕ ͞^ŽŵĞƟŵĞƐ͕ LJŽƵƌ ŵĞŵŽƌŝĞƐ ĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ LJŽƵƌ ŽǁŶ͘͟

Rachel and her husband Bill were ĚŝƌĞĐƚŽƌƐ ŽĨ / :ͲE ĨƌŽŵ ϭϵϴϵ ƚŽ ϮϬϬϲ͘ Rachel’s book ($25 for one or $45 for two) can be purchased through ICEJ or directly ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞŵ Ăƚ ĞŵĂŝů͗ ZDŝůůǁĂƌĚΛŐŵĂŝů͘ ĐŽŵ Žƌ ƚĞů͗ Ϭϵ ϴϯϴ ϴϵϱϰ͘

DĞĞƟŶŐƐ ĂƌĞ ďĞŝŶŐ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞĚ ŝŶ Ă ĨĞǁ North Island centres and around the ǁŝĚĞƌ ŚƌŝƐƚĐŚƵƌĐŚ ĂƌĞĂ ŝŶ ĞĂƌůLJ ϮϬϭϰ͘ Please contact Bill and Rachel directly if you would like to invite them to your ĂƌĞĂ͘

Rachel handing PM Yitzhak Shamir a cheque to help Jews from the former Soviet Union come home to Israel

Front cover of Rachel’s book

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Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  strategic  plan Jesma  Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara In  the  western  church  we  are  used  to  viewing  the  world  through  a  lens  Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ä&#x201A;Ć?ĹŹĆ? Í&#x17E;,Ĺ˝Ç Ä&#x161;Ĺ˝Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ć? Ä&#x201A;ÄŤÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x161; ĹľÄ&#x17E;Í&#x2022; my  family  and  my  happiness  and Â Ç Ä&#x17E;ĹŻĹŻ Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Í?Í&#x; ,Ĺ˝Ç Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Í&#x2022; ŽƾĆ&#x152; 'Ĺ˝Ä&#x161; Ĺ?Ć? Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; 'Ĺ˝Ä&#x161; ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĹľÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A; ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2022; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ,Ä&#x17E; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ä&#x201A; ,Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä? Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; <Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ä&#x161;Žž Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŻÄ&#x161; Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ç Í&#x2DC; ,Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ć? Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹĹ?ĹśĹ? ŽƾĆ&#x161; ,Ĺ?Ć? Ĺ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ĺś ŽĨ Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹľĆ&#x2030;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ç Ä&#x17E; ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E; ŽƾĆ&#x152;Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÇ&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161; ŽĨ ,Ĺ?Ć? Ĺ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä?Ć&#x152;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ĹŻĆľÄ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ĆľĆ?Í&#x2022; Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ä?ĹŹ Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ć? original  Edenic  purpose.  God instituted a strategy at the beginning of time to restore His creation and that strategy is COVENANT. Asher Intrater, an Israeli pastor has written,â&#x20AC;? All of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions upon earth are done through the mechanism of covenant. There must be a human being prophetically coming into agreement with God. Through this joint authority, the intervention of God takes place.

Without such joint authority, there will be no Divine interference.â&#x20AC;?

Our identity, as believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and disciples of His Son Yeshua, and also of the Jewish people as conduits of His redemptive strategy, is solidly based on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment and faithfulness to us through the covenants He has instituted.

The concept of Covenant is often better understood in tribal societies where it still plays a major role in community relationships.

Covenant is 1. A binding agreement between two or more people or groups to do a specific thing. It is a type of contract. In Hebrew it is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ritâ&#x20AC;?, meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;to cut.â&#x20AC;?

2. A legal and binding agreement or commitment to safeguard the integrity of a relationship, involving loyalty between the parties involved.

Asher Intrater suggests that covenant breaking is the basis for all sin as it involves a betrayal of trust. As such, it is also linked to rebellion and unfaithfulness to the senior covenant partner.

Covenant in biblical days was similar to a Suzerainty treaty which was made between nations or tribes. One entity was always more powerful than the other.

These treaties were composed of six

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aspects and the Book of Deuteronomy was a perfect example, containing the following:1. The preamble where the stronger party identifies themselves (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 1:1-1:5) 2. The history of the relationship between the covenant parties (Deuteronomy 1:6-4:49).

3. The legal framework or stipulations (Deuteronomy 5:1-26:19) 4. Blessings and curses related to faithfulness and covenant commitment (Deuteronomy 27-30) 5. Witnesses to the covenant (Deuteronomy 30:19) 6. The means of succession (Deuteronomy 31:1-8) and the provision for storing the document (31:9-13) Covenant Principles 1. The joining together of two entities for the purpose of establishing an enduring and mutually beneficial relationship. There must always be a stronger, senior partner who is committed to the well being and protection of the weaker party in the agreement.

2. It involves the attributes of obedience and loyalty. Rebellion and disobedience result in curses and are regarded as treason against the stronger party. There are always conditions and DPOTFRVFODFT BT JO BMM PG MJGF In the beginning In Genesis 1, God (Elohim) - the Creator, King and Lawgiver) sets out His strategic plan for His creation, including Human beings who were made in His image and likeness. Adam was to be

the representative man and his role was to be a benevolent caretaker of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation (Romans 5:12-14). He was given just one stipulation to test his heart and loyalty to His King. His choice brought DPOTFRVFODFT BT BMM DIPJDFT EP BOE UIBU DIPJDF BOE JU T DPOTFRVFODFT BSF affecting his descendants even today.

The marriage between Adam and Eve was the first mention of a covenant relationship and a Divine immutable principle was set in place. In Genesis 3, God shed the first blood resulting in the death of a lamb, to deal with Adam and Eveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rebellion, and set in motion the Divine plan to restore His creation, including the first couples descendants, back to our original calling and purpose.

The Almighty then began a search for a Covenant partner to fulfill His purpose, telling Noah, â&#x20AC;&#x153; But I will establish My covenant with you; you will come into the ark; you, your wife, your sons and your sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wives.â&#x20AC;? (NOAHIC COVENANT).

Sadly Noahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s descendants soon rebelled (Genesis 11) and the search for a suitable partner continued.

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Covenant with Abraham In the next stage of His strategic plan, God found a man and his family living JO NPEFSO EBZ *SBR BOE DBMMFE UIFN UP partner with Him on a journey of faith which would impact the entire history of humankind. In Genesis 12:1-3, God declared Himself to be the senior partner in a covenant relationship which would be dependent, not on Abraham and his descendants, but on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faithfulness to His promises.

Throughout the course of this continued on page 5, column 1

God’s strategic plan...

;ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƉĂŐĞ ϰͿ relationship, Abraham sometimes disobeyed God and “let the side down,” but God, as the senior partner in the agreement, remained committed to protect Abraham, the junior partner in the arrangement.

Abraham and his family became God’s chosen vehicle for the out working of His strategic plan. The ABRAHAMIC COVENANT is the foundational, unconditional covenant for both Jew and Gentile, and points to its ultimate fulfillment through the New Covenant instituted through the shedding of Messiah’s blood which would result in Paul’s One New Man (Ephesians 2).

But before then, God instituted the MOSAIC COVENANT, which was made only with Israel, to help them keep faithful to the Covenant. Israel’s continued existence is a testimony and proof that God is faithful to His covenant commitments.

The covenant was cut with the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb , (Exodus 12) as a substitute for the fist born son. Passover would find its ultimate fulfillment in the death of Yeshua.

Israel renewed her covenant with her heavenly bridegroom at Mt Sinai (Exodus 19:3-8), where the “bride” says “I do.” The 10 Commandments take the form of another Suzerainty treaty, cementing Israel’s relationship with her Husband/King, and seeing the out working of it through their relationships with each other.

The word Torah, translated Law in our Bibles, is drawn from the Hebrew root Yarah, meaning “ to aim or shoot towards the mark or bullseye. “ it gives direction for right living as God’s Covenant partner. Right belief must always result in right action and choices.

One of the problems with the ancient creeds of the church (the Nicene and Apostolic) is that they mention only right belief, and there is no mention in their tenets of right action, stemming from that belief. This stems from the disconnect which developed between the church and it’s Hebraic roots.

Intrater again... “ to present extreme sanctions against covenant betrayal. It (the Torah) is intended to guarantee the faithfulness of the people towards God as their spiritual Husband. The strong indictments of the Law (Torah) are

measures to protect and guarantee the faithfulness to our covenant.”

The Mosaic Covenant made between God and the Jewish people was a teacher or pointer leading to the final covenant which would bring to fulfillment God’s Strategic Plan to redeem and restore His Creation - the NEW COVENANT. The Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh), consisting of the Torah, the Nevi’im (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings) - the Christian “Old” Testament, are a history of God’s dealings with Israel, His covenant partner, and He continues to work out His purposes in and through them. He is bound, as the senior covenant partner, to fulfill His covenant obligations to protect and provide for them, even when they aren’t faithful to their own covenant promises.

Obedience, faithfulness and loyalty brought blessings as God had promised, and rebellion,disobedience and covenant breaking brought curses, with God often using the surrounding nations to bring His rebellious people back to Himself.

He repeatedly sent the prophets to warn and call the people back. So often their unbelief and rebellion against God was expressed through their lack of concern for the poor, the marginalized and the foreigner. These continue to be important warnings for the Church in the affluent west today ( Ezekiel 16:4849; Micah 6:8; Haggai 2:21-22; 12:7).

The Prophet Jeremiah spoke of a time when God would cut a new covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 31:30-31). This new covenant would be instituted through the shedding of the perfect sacrifice, God’s own firstborn Son. Yeshua’s Torah (the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7) SFRVJSFE B EFFQFS DPWFOBOU DPNNJUNFOU - a new, changed heart, which should express itself through changed actions, attitudes and relationships.

Yeshua’s first act following his baptism, as he prepared to begin his earthly ministry, was to take back the authority Adam, the representative man had given Satan (Luke 4; Isaiah 61).

In Matthew 26:10-12, the Son of God was anointed for burial and kingship.

The Passover meal he shared with his disciples during the Last Supper was a covenant renewal ceremony (Matthew 26:26-28). When we take communion we are sharing a covenant renewal ceremony with the Lord and we should never relegate this central tenet of the life of the early church to a once a month part of the Sunday service. The early church broke bread with each other every time they met, including over a meal in their homes and we would do well to make it a part of the life of our family, shared with our friends over the meal table, as a constant reminder of the covenant commitment we have made with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the shed blood of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah.

Hosea 2:19-20 - “I will betroth you to Me forever, and I will betroth you,to Me in righteousness and in justice, and in Hesed (grace) and compassion. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness and you will know the LORD.” :ĞƐŵĂ K͛,ĂƌĂ ĨƌŽŵ YƵĞĞŶƐůĂŶĚ ŝƐ Ă ŐŝŌĞĚ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ďŝďůĞ ƚĞĂĐŚĞƌ͘ ^ŚĞ ŚĂƐ ƐĞƌǀĞĚ with her husband John on the Board of / : ŝŶ ƵƐƚƌĂůŝĂ ĨŽƌ ŶĞĂƌůLJ ϮϬ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ ^ŚĞ ŝƐ ĐŚĂŝƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŽĨ EĂŵďŽƵƌ ŚƌŝƐƟĂŶ ŽůůĞŐĞ ŝŶ Y> ͕ Ă ŶŽŶ ĚĞŶŽŵŝŶĂƟŽŶĂů ĐŽůůĞŐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŽǀĞƌ ϭ͕ϮϬϬ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͘ :ŽŚŶ ĂŶĚ :ĞƐŵĂ ĂƌĞ co-­‐founders of Neighbour’s Aid Community Stores, which operates a series of charity shops to raise funds to help needy children ŝŶ /ƐƌĂĞů͕ dŚĂŝůĂŶĚ͕ DĂůĂǁŝ ĂŶĚ <ĞŶLJĂ͘

:ĞƐŵĂ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ŝŶ ƵĐŬůĂŶĚ ŽŶ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ ϭϵ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ĂŶĚ ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ ͬ ^ƵŶĚĂLJ ϮϯͲϮϰ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ Ͳ ƐĞĞ ŝŶƐĞƌƚ ƉĂŐĞ͘

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM NZ BRANCH 5

^Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ç&#x2021; ÄŽÇ&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć? Ć?Ĺ?ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; <Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x161; Howard  Flower  and  Derek  McDowell It  is  now  75  years  since  the  night  of  November  9-­â&#x20AC;?10  1938,  when  â&#x20AC;&#x153;the  night  ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä?Ć&#x152;ŽŏÄ&#x17E;Ĺś Ĺ?ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć?Ć?Í&#x; Í´ Í&#x17E;<Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x161;Í&#x; Í´ Ä?Ć&#x152;ŽŏÄ&#x17E; ŽƾĆ&#x161; Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻ Ĺ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; 'Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;ĹľÄ&#x201A;ĹśÇ&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Austria.  The  Nazis  unleashed  an  Í&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ç&#x2021; ŽĨ Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?ŽůÄ&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E;Í&#x; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ä&#x201A; Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ć? ŽĨ Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ĺ?Ć&#x152;Žž Ä&#x201A;ĆŠÄ&#x201A;Ä?ĹŹĆ? Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹśĆ?Ć&#x161; :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ć?Í&#x2022; ostensibly  because  a  German  diplomat Â Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć? žƾĆ&#x152;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä?Ç&#x2021; Ä&#x201A; :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ĺ?Ĺś WÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Í&#x2DC; dÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ? ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;ŽƾĆ?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;Ć? ŽĨ :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ć? Ç Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä?ŽŜÄ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹľĆ&#x2030;Ć?Í&#x2022; žŽĆ&#x152;Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ĺś 1,000  synagogues  burned  and  more  Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ĺś ĎłÍ&#x2022;ĎŹĎŹĎŹ :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161; Ä?ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ç Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; destroyed  or  damaged.  It  was  a  turning  point.  As  a  BBC  žÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x152;Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x2030;ĆľĆ&#x161;Ć? Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2014; Í&#x17E;dĹ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; November  pogroms  marked  the  Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161; ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ,ŽůŽÄ?Ä&#x201A;ĆľĆ?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC; Ĺ&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2022; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?ĹŻĹ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ç Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;ƾůÇ&#x2021; ŽčÍ&#x2DC; :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ć? Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ĺś persecuted  from  1933  -­â&#x20AC;?  barred  from  Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; žŽĆ&#x152;Ä&#x17E; ĹŠĹ˝Ä?Ć?Í&#x2022; Ć&#x152;ŽƾĆ&#x;ĹśÄ&#x17E;ĹŻÇ&#x2021; Ĺ?ĹśĆ?ƾůĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ä&#x201A;ĆŠÄ&#x201A;Ä?ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC; ĆľĆ&#x161; <Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x161; Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;ͲÄ?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜÍ&#x2DC; ĹśÇ&#x2021; pretence  and  restraint  vanished.  The  Ć?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĆŠÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ĺ?ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć?Ć? ŽĨ <Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹľĆ&#x2030;Ć?Í&#x2DC;Í&#x; It  is  easy  for  us  to  compartmentalize  Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021; Í´ Í&#x17E;dĹ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśÍ&#x2022; ĹśĹ˝Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161; Ĺ?Ć? Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ÄŤÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Í&#x;Í&#x2DC; /Ć? Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Í?

A review of recent media reports highlights that all over Europe, the Jews are once again under fire. A European Union agency that monitors discrimination and other violations of basic rights recently released a detailed survey of Jewish perceptions that fear of rising anti-Semitism in Europe has prompted nearly a third of European Jews to consider emigration because they do not feel safe in their home country.

The survey, by the blocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fundamental Rights Agency, focused on eight countries that account for more than 90% of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish population and found that â&#x20AC;&#x153;while member states have made sustained efforts to combat anti-Semitism, the problem is still widespread.â&#x20AC;? The survey gathered information from nearly 6,000 Jews living in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Sweden.

The report makes several observations about the rise of anti-Semitic attitudes in Europe including: t "OUJ 4FNJUJTN IBT TQSFBE UP other segments of society and is not just

6 Â Â INTERNATIONAL Â CHRISTIAN Â EMBASSY Â JERUSALEM Â NZ Â BRANCH

Kristallnacht in Berlin, Nov9-10 1938

associated with far right groups. Twenty seven percent of respondents said the perpetrators had â&#x20AC;&#x153;Muslim extremist views,â&#x20AC;? 22% said they had â&#x20AC;&#x153;left-wing political viewsâ&#x20AC;? and 19% blamed people with â&#x20AC;&#x153;right-wing viewsâ&#x20AC;? t (SPXJOH JNNJHSBOU populations in Europe, like Turks in Germany and North Africans in France have had a negative effect on attitudes to Jews t -JOHFSJOH IJTUPSJDBM QSFKVEJDFT towards Jews and historic negative association of Jews with communism and capitalism permeate European thinking, but the current Arab Israeli conflict has also had a â&#x20AC;&#x153;notable impactâ&#x20AC;? on European thinking t 0OF JO UISFF +FXT TFF statements criticizing Israel as antiSemitic - often, the spirit behind anti-Israelism and anti-Zionism is antiSemitic t ɨF &VSPQFBO FDPOPNJD DSJTJT has fueled Jewish conspiracy / controlcabal stereotypes t 4JYUZ TJY QFSDFOU PG SFTQPOEFOUT said they considered anti-Semitism to be a major problem in their countries, while 76% said the situation had become more acute over the past five years. t "MUIPVHI GFX CVU TUJMM reasonable numbers-- have experienced physical violence, one in four is afraid to publicly identify as Jewish because they have experienced some form of physical harassment. Over 75% did not report their harassment incidents to the police.

Hungary has seen a sharp ugly rise in anti-Semitism. As late as October 1944 the Nazis turned their attention to Hungaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jews. With the help of Hungarian sympathizers, 600,000 Hungarian Jews were transported to

Jews by Chanukiah outside Brandenberg Gate

the death camps for slaughter. The New York Times on 29 October reports: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The hardy perennial of anti-Semitism has made a dramatic comeback in Central Europe. Germany has recently reiterated its friendship with Israel, in response to recent anti-Jewish activity.

Far-right political parties in France and Austria have gained force. In Hungary, a virulently anti-Semitic party, Jobbik, is now the third-largest in Parliament. One party official has called for a list of all Jewish legislators, to assess their loyalty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a move that even the right-wing government condemned.â&#x20AC;?

According to a 2008 report, although less than 1% of the German population is Jewish, around 20% of Germans harbor latent anti-Semitic attitudes - a RVJFU VOTQPLFO BOUJQBUIZ UPXBSET Jews. Whilst many say Jews enrich their culture, over half think Jews try to take advantage of being victims during the Holocaust. And this, despite the fact that the German government is very vocal to ensure anti-Semitism has no place in German society. Chancellor Angela Merkel is a strong voice speaking out against anti-Semitism.

France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, around 500,000.

In the 1950s and 60s following a large French speaking Jewish exodus out of North Africa, the Jewish community grew to a peak of 700,000 in the 1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s but has since declined. With the growth of Muslim communities in France and elsewhere in Europe, pro Palestinian antipathy shown by many Europeans to anything Jewish or Israeli and European law changes banning kosher slaughter and male circumcision, an ominous continued on page 7, column 1

75 years...

;ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƉĂŐĞ ϲͿ trend for Jews, French Jews are starting to move locations within France and abroad, including to Israel.

A review of aliyah statistics over the last few years from European nations like Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary and France shows that aliyah has been trending upwards. In 2012 there were 3,540 who made aliyah from Europe (both Western and Eastern Europe) compared with 3,389 from North America (Canada and the USA).

The upward trend in Europe is probably due to the economic downturn and the rise in anti-Semitism. 2010 was a big year. It could be the peak from the economic crisis.

The numbers for 2013 due out shortly should be helpful to determine if the upward trend will continue or not.

Indications are that with the exception of France, aliyah will be up 5% on 2012.

Different reports suggest that French aliyah for 2013 may rise 40% to 100% over 2012 numbers. Even though European Jewry has experienced some resurgence following the Holocaust, the worsening atmosphere in Europe towards Jews will lead to increased desire among Jews to make aliyah. ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ :ĞǁƐ ŚĂǀĞ ĂůƐŽ ďĞĞŶ ƌĞƟĐĞŶƚ in that Israel economically and culturally is not an easy country to emigrate to. dŚĞ :ĞƌƵƐĂůĞŵ WŽƐƚ ƐĂŝĚ ƌĞĐĞŶƚůLJ ƚŚĂƚ “Israel’s policy-­‐makers must begin ƉƌĞƉĂƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ŝŶŇƵdž ŽĨ ƵƌŽƉĞĂŶ :ĞǁƐ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŽŵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ͞ƌĞŶĂŝƐƐĂŶĐĞ͟ ŽĨ ƵƌŽƉĞĂŶ :ĞǁƌLJ ĂŌĞƌ ƚŚĞ ,ŽůŽĐĂƵƐƚ ŝƐ Ă ĨĂůƐĞ ŚŽƉĞ͘͟ This is a challenge Israel needs to ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ŝĨ ŝƚ ǁĂŶƚƐ :ĞǁŝƐŚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚŽ come home. The rise of European ĂŶƟͲ^ĞŵŝƟƐŵ ŶŽƚǁŝƚŚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ͕ /ƐƌĂĞů ŶĞĞĚƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽƐƉĞĐƟǀĞ newcomers, especially for Europeans to want to immigrate to Israel in large ŶƵŵďĞƌƐ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ ĂƐ ĂŶƟͲ^ĞŵŝƟƐŵ ƌŝƐĞƐ ƚŽ ƵŶĂĐĐĞƉƚĂďůĞ ůĞǀĞůƐ͕ ĞŵŝŐƌĂƟŽŶ will increase despite misgivings about life in Israel, but will they make aliyah to Israel?

Howard Flower is ICEJ’ sAliyah director based ŝŶ ^ƚ WĞƚĞƌƐďƵƌŐ ZƵƐƐŝĂ͘ dŚŝƐ ƌĞǀŝĞǁ ŚĂƐ ƐŽƵƌĐĞĚ Ă ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ĂƌƟĐůĞƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĚŝĂ including Jerusalem Post, New York Times, ͕ W:DĞĚŝĂ͘ĐŽŵ͕ DŽƐĂŝĐDĂŐĂnjŝŶĞ͘ĐŽŵ ĂŶĚ :ĞǁŝƐŚ ŐĞŶĐLJ ƌĞƉŽƌƚƐ͘

/ƐƌĂĞů͛Ɛ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ĞĚŐĞ 'ĂƌLJ ^ŚĂƉŝƌŽ

Following Google’s purchase of Israeli innovative social GPS app, Waze, Students for Israel suggest the BDSers act upon their words and refrain from using it as well as all other Israeli inventions!

Israel is quickly becoming an ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŐŝĂŶƚ͘ tŝƚŚ ũƵƐƚ ŽǀĞƌ ϳ͘ϳ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ /ƐƌĂĞů ŚĂƐ ĂŶ ĞƐƟŵĂƚĞĚ 4,800 startups, many of them high tech. These companies are sources ŽĨ ŐƌŽƵŶĚďƌĞĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ĐĂƚĂƉƵůƟŶŐ /ƐƌĂĞů ƚŽ ŐůŽďĂů ƚĞĐŚ ƉƌŽŵŝŶĞŶĐĞ͘ dŚĞ ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ Israel’s culture, environment and keen strategy has led to a tech boom that rivals Silicon Valley.

It’s not only the sheer number of entrepreneurial companies; it’s their ĂƐƚŽŶŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ĞĚŐĞ͘ KŶĞ ŽĨ the most popular and widely known /ƐƌĂĞůŝ ƚĞĐŚ ƐƚĂƌƚƵƉƐ ŝƐ tĂnjĞ Ă ŵŽďŝůĞ ƉŚŽŶĞ ƚƌĂĸĐ ĂŶĚ ŶĂǀŝŐĂƟŽŶ ĂƉƉ ƚŚĂƚ͛Ɛ ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ Ă ͞ĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͕͟ and is used by nearly 50 million ĚƌŝǀĞƌƐ ǁŽƌůĚǁŝĚĞ͘ tĂnjĞ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ so successful that it was recently ĂĐƋƵŝƌĞĚ ďLJ 'ŽŽŐůĞ͘ Kƌ Ăŵ ŝƐ Ă ƐƚĂƌƚƵƉ that has developed technology that ĂůůŽǁƐ ďůŝŶĚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŝŶƚĂĐƚ ŽƉƟĐ ŶĞƌǀĞƐ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ͘ WŚŝŶĞƌŐLJ ŚĂƐ ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ Ă ůŝƚŚŝƵŵ ĐĂƌ ďĂƩĞƌLJ ƚŚĂƚ ƚƌŝƉůĞƐ ŵŝůĞĂŐĞ for electric cars. These are just a few examples of thousands of startups that ĂƌĞ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ /ƐƌĂĞů Ă ͞ƐƚĂƌƚƵƉ ŶĂƟŽŶ͘͟ Israel’s tech boom is good for Israel and the global economy. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange lists 616 companies, meaning Israel has one public company for every 12,500 citizens. By comparison, the U.S. has one public company for every 47,000 people. Israeli companies’ continued success is a model for the rest of the world, and a tribute to their enduring spirit in the face of significant

challenges.

Israel is a flourishing high-tech hub in an increasingly inhospitable region. Yet the country is surprisingly self-reliant. At an October 7 Tel Aviv event promoting the International CES®, I moderated a panel of leading Israeli innovators. The discussion revolved around why Israelis are so entrepreneurial. The panelists’ responses revealed that Israeli tech prowess comes from a combination of intelligence, creativity, productivity and independence as well as their staunch determination to press on in the face of daunting opposition.

The panelists praised Israel’s education system. Dr. Yoelle Maarek, head of Yahoo! Labs Israel, said Israeli education is excellent, largely because the students participate actively. She compared her experiences teaching in France, the U.S. and Israel, and said Israeli students are the most eager to learn.

Others point out the mandatory military service most young Israelis are SFRVJSFE UP GVMëMM XIFO UIFZ UVSO BT B driver of high achievement. Dr. Maarek and another panelist, Dov Moran, inventor of the USB flash drive, said that military service, combined with the continuous external threats to Israel, cultivate a seriousness of purpose and a cultural willingness to accept economic risks. Creating a new business may seem relatively tame when neighboring countries are hostile to your physical survival. Besides this, Israel’s investments in defense technology and commercial products spun off from defense continued on insert page one, column one continued on insert page 1, column 1

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM NZ BRANCH 7

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and in settlement blocs should never be construed as a form of punishment against the Palestinians or as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;evening of scores.â&#x20AC;? Rather, it should be a natural outcome of population growth. At the same time, we can understand the political expediency of emphasizing building to blunt criticism â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly on the Right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of the unpopular move of freeing murderous terrorists.

Notwithstanding US, UN and Palestinian claims to the contrary, Israeli building is not an obstacle to peace.

Most of the announced projects are slated for places such as Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aleh Adumim, Betar Illit and east Jerusalem.

In any two-state solution that would conceivably receive broad Israeli support, Nabil Abu Rudaineh, spokesman for these places would remain part of the PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said Jewish state. the announcement â&#x20AC;&#x153;destroys the peace For US administrations at least since process and sends the international the Clinton era, the notion that Israel community the message that Israel does must retreat to the 1949 armistice lines not respect international law.â&#x20AC;? and that east Jerusalem, Judea and The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s declaration that Samaria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the cradle of Jewish history â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it would be building coincided with must be made judenrein is hardly a given. the release of the second group of 26 The 2000 Clinton parameters, US terrorists, most of them responsible for president George W. Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2004 the deaths of Israeli citizens, arrested letter to prime minister Ariel Sharon, before the signing of the Oslo Accords. negotiations prime minister Ehud We find it problematic that this government is using building beyond the Olmert conducted in 2008, all were (SFFO -JOF BT B RVJE QSP RVP GPS QSJTPOFS based on the principle that Israel would retain major settlement blocs in any tworeleases. Building in east Jerusalem dĹ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; h^Í&#x2022; hE Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; WÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś ĆľĆ&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; Í´ Ä&#x201A;žŽŜĹ? Ĺ˝Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć? Í´ Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć?Ć&#x;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; the  governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  decision  this  week  to  move  forward  with  building  plans  ĨŽĆ&#x152; Ď­Í&#x2022;ϹϏϏ Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ ƾŜĹ?Ć&#x161;Ć? Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2021;ŽŜÄ&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ϭϾϰϾ Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹľĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;Ä?Ä&#x17E; ĹŻĹ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Í&#x2DC; Í&#x17E;tÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x161;Ĺ˝ ŜŽĆ&#x161; Ä?ŽŜĆ?Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; Ä?ŽŜĆ&#x;ŜƾÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĆŠĹŻÄ&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć?Ć&#x161; :Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;ĆľĆ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ĺľ Ä?ŽŜĆ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;ĆľÄ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä?Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ć? Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x201A; Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ć?Ĺ?Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x17E;ĹśÇ&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć&#x152;ŽŜžÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; ĨŽĆ&#x152; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ĺ?Ĺ˝Ć&#x;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜĆ?Í&#x2022;Í&#x; h^ ^Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ć?Ć&#x2030;ŽŏÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ç Ĺ˝ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺś :Ä&#x17E;Ĺś WĆ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŹĹ? Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC; hE ^Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Ͳ'Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ä&#x201A;Ĺś <Ĺ?Ͳ moon  called  the  move  â&#x20AC;&#x153;contrary  to  Ĺ?ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ&#x201A;ĹŻ ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ç Í&#x; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Í&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ĺ˝Ä?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2DC;Í&#x;

8 Â Â INTERNATIONAL Â CHRISTIAN Â EMBASSY Â JERUSALEM Â NZ Â BRANCH

state solution.

Earlier this month, Peace Now published a report titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The two-state solution is still alive 20 years after Osloâ&#x20AC;? that noted most Jewish population growth in Judea and Samaria was concentrated in settlements that would remain part of Israel according to the Geneva Initiative.

The Jewish population living in Judea and Samaria has indeed tripled since 1993 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; right before the signing of the Oslo Accords â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from 110,000 to 341,000. But 64 percent of the population growth has occurred in cities and towns such as Modiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;in Illit, Betar Illit and Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aleh Adumim.

The idea that Jewish settlements are â&#x20AC;&#x153;an obstacle to peaceâ&#x20AC;? is based on the morally repugnant premise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; supported by the international community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that the very presence of Jews in these territories is an affront to the Palestinians, while Palestinians expect Israel to absorb not just the 1.6 million Arabs with Israeli citizenship but also an unknown number of Palestinian â&#x20AC;&#x153;refugees.â&#x20AC;?

This should not be surprising considering the fact that Muslim countries regularly persecute religious and ethnic minorities without incurring serious international condemnation.

Why should a Palestinian state be any different? The real obstacle to peace remains Palestiniansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rejection of the very JEFB PG B VOJRVFMZ +FXJTI TUBUF %FDBEFT before Judea and Samaria came under Israeli control and â&#x20AC;&#x153;settlementsâ&#x20AC;? began to be built, Palestinians opposed the very existence of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zionist entity.â&#x20AC;? To this day Palestinians harbor hopes that Palestinian â&#x20AC;&#x153;refugeesâ&#x20AC;? will be allowed to settle in Israel; they deny the Jewish peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ties to the Land of Israel; they refuse to see the Jews as a distinct people that has a right to its own state.

WÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x17E; Ç Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻ Ä?ŽžÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; WÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ˝Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ç&#x152;Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; :Ä&#x17E;Ç Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161; Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Í&#x203A;Ć? Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ&#x201A;ĹŻ Ć?Ä&#x17E;ůĨͲÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;ĹľĹ?ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ĺ?Ĺś Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ć? Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ć?Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ĺ&#x161;ŽžÄ&#x17E;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;Í&#x2DC; ĹŻÄ&#x201A;ĹľĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĆŠĹŻÄ&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć? misses  the  point.

WĆľÄ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ĺ?Ĺś :WĹ˝Ć?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC;Ä?Žž ŽŜ ĎŻĎ­ KÄ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; ĎŽĎŹĎ­ĎŻ