Iran
The threat to Israel… and the world
While only a handful of Arab and Muslim countries have acknowledged the existence of Israel, let alone established diplomatic relations with her, only one has positioned itself as Israel’s most dire enemy: Iran.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a chief source of instability not only in the Middle East, but around the world. According to numerous intelligence agencies and military observers, Iran is one of the main sponsors and promoters of global terror and is working diligently to acquire a nuclear arsenal. The country’s extreme agenda gives comfort and inspiration to Islamic radicals seeking to transform moderate Muslim and Western societies in their own image. While Iran’s leaders are not shy about heaping scorn on “The Great Satan,” the United States, they save most of their vitriol for the “Little Satan,” Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called the Jewish state “the most cruel and repressive racist regime in Palestine.” He claims that Israel’s founders “resorted to military aggression to make an entire nation homeless on the pretext of Jewish sufferings.”
Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials have repeatedly and openly called for the destruction of the Jewish state. And, without actually involving their own troops, these Islamist zealots have used proxies to wage war on Israel.
“Proxy wars”: Hamas and Hizbullah
Iran funds, arms, trains and supports terrorist regimes and organizations that wreak murder and chaos around the globe. Their most prominent client-organizations, however, are Hamas and Hezbollah, through which Iran is able to wage “proxy war” against the Jewish state. Though Iran has never directly engaged Israeli militarily, Israel’s last wars were fought against irregular forces acting at Iran’s behest.
Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, a narrow band of land on Israel’s southeast border, and Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon, which borders Israel on the north.
For years, Hamas used Iranian funds and technology to launch vicious terrorist assaults on the Jewish state, murdering and injuring thousands of civilians. Once it seized control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas began bombarding southern Israeli cities with thousands of rockets until, in December 2008, IDF forces invaded the strip to stop the attacks.
Technically a “political party,” Hezbollah is a terrorist group that became the first Arab or Muslim group able to claim a real victory over Israel: Following years of Hezbollah’s guerilla warfare, in 2000, Israeli forces unilaterally withdrew from southern Lebanon, which they had patrolled for more than nearly two decades in order to prevent shelling of northern Israel from the region.
Although getting Israel out was its stated purpose, following the withdrawal, Hezbollah continued guerilla attacks and occasional incursions into Israel, in addition to launching rockets and missiles at northern cities. Other tactics include erecting large billboards visible across the border with graphic photos of the bodies or body parts of dead Israeli soldiers, or photos of missing soldiers, that mocked and threatened the IDF, the Israeli government, and the Israeli people.
In July 2006, Hezbollah launched yet another attack on Israeli soldiers stationed at the border, killing three and kidnapping two. Israeli forces invaded, seeking the two soldiers, while Hezbollah began bombarding Israeli towns — the worst attacks since the nation’s founding. One million residents of the Galilee fled or sat in shelters for a month. More than 150 Israeli civilians and soldiers were killed and Hezbollah did not return the two soldiers, whom Hezbollah claimed were alive. The soldiers’ fate was not known until their bodies were returned in a prisoner swap two years later; Israeli authorities believe they were killed in the initial attack.
In November, 2009, Israel intercepted a cargo ship carrying hundreds of tons of weaponry disguised as civilian goods, which Israeli intelligence says was on its way to Hezbollah from Iran.
What do you think?
5:04 pm
I do not believe the US should get in another war. They last a long long time. They cost a lot of money ,also.I do support Jews with prayers, and some money
11:42 am
Earl,war is a last resort but if a country attacks Israel it is our duty to support Israel against their enemies.God expect us to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem and to protect Israel at all times.
10:59 am
The main reason God has blessed us so is because we are the only one’s that have supported Israel and he expects us to with all we have!
7:40 am
Being a Christian this should be automatic for everyone to stand with Israel. I pray for Peace & that the doors stay open so that every Jew can come home where they belong. The prophesies are unfolding every day. Hallelujah!!!!
11:18 am
I think that all people around the world should stand beside Israel against their enemies.We can not let anything happen to Israel.If we turn our backs on Israel God will turn his back on us.I think that if Iran and other countries attack Israel that my country the United States and other countries should help Israel fight their enemies.If we don’t God will turn away from us.If we love God and his son Jesus we would help Israel no matter what we have to do.If we want to be bless by God we have to support Israel.We can not let any more land to be taken away from Israel that God gave them.We have to stop telling Israel to give up land that God gave long ago.
5:41 pm
I agree with Kenneth. The United States should stop telling Israel to give away land that God says is theirs. It is written.
11:02 am
All I know is that I have a love for Israel and always have ever since I was a child,I do not know why, because as a child I knew very little about Israel and the Jewish people, I am an American Christian. I believe God put this love in my heart.Everything that can be done for Israel by the United States and the rest of the world should be done including war. if necessary, no matter what the cost God will bless us and return our investment,100 fold. so please do not say we should not go to war because of the cost. what is the cost to us as a nation if we do not?
9:29 am
I too believe The nation of Isreal should be supported in every way possible. Her enemies are ruthless and will never accept the jewish people’s existence. This lunatic in Iran is the cancer of the globe my fear is it is already to late to stop their nuclear program and the thought of some muslim with a suitcase nuke planted any where in the world is a freightening proposition. Instead of chasing Al Quieda all over the map America should go for the cancer of the globe and in my opinion this would be the greatest support we could give Isreal other than prayer to almighty God
12:42 pm
No one and I mean no one not even the pres. of the USA has the right to even suggest that Israel give up any more land. God gave this land to His chosen people(the Jews) and who in this round world do we think we are by telling God to give up His land which is exactly what we are doing
12:50 pm
We are telling God to give up His land to His enemies.Do any of us really think we are wiser than God? No buts just a clear straight answer. Gods’ word is true and He said it is forever settled in heaven.That settles it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:15 pm
GOD is GOOD,
and HE has already written what will happen~ Israel is HIS and the rest of us just need to get on board HIS PLAN! IRAN will NOT PROSPER!
7:19 pm
The United States should never leave Israels side, we will pay the ultimate price if we turn our backs on Israel! We have to trust God and do what is right.
9:54 am
We are supposed to be a Christian nation. Wake up people. If you don’t have the love in your hearts to protect Israel at all costs, then I appeal to you this way: By the grace of G-d we were grafted in. Don’t you see that if we allow the world to wipe out the vineyard, we the branches die too? Read Jeremiah 2:21, Deut. 32: 22, Isaiah 5:5-7. Israel is the vineyard of G-d. Because they failed and produced wild grapes, we were grafted in through Christ. That’s mercy.
But make no mistake. Israel belongs to our Father.
1:47 pm
We owe our very Christian faith to Israel and the Jewish people. They are our forefathers of Faith! God Bless them forever and He will. Jesus was a Jew! The apostles were Jews! I can never thank them enough for all they have given me through their struggles and for the Bible which was written primarily through them. God choose them from the time of Abraham to be His people giving them their land as an everlasting convenant. They are the apple of His eye. As a Christian I stand in solidarity with them. Words of gratitude can never express the thankfullness I feel for them. I hope and pray often that all Christians would understand our connectedness and will stand in loving union and solidarity with the Jews and their beloved nation-Israel and would extend the hand of love, support and friendship always. May God Bless them and bring peace to their world!
12:57 pm
Yes, we must stand and come together, in these times that we live. The Bible talks about what is going to happen. We must be ready, put G-D first, pray for Jews and Gentiles—-Love you guys
2:05 am
Am a Kenyan. I love the Israelites and will continue to pray for them. They are special to God and will never be destroyed
1:55 pm
I believe the early church was primitive and just as guilty as any at persecuting the chosen. It was not until WWII that Christians finally woke up. The Bible is going to fulfill itself whether we like it or not — the question is will we choose to be a light shining in the darkness? Will we stand with Israel no matter what? I pray that we do.
4:16 pm
I agree with the comments, and stand with the Rabbi.
Respectfully, MEC
9:39 pm
If you believe the Bible, there is no question where Israel stands, and no matter what anyone says that goes against this word. They are acting foolishly and are on the losing side. God spells out exactly the territory that belongs to Israel, and it is a lot more than they currently occupy.
9:51 pm
God bless Israel!
3:59 am
I am an Indian Christian. I have a lot love for Israel because it is a holy land given by God to his choosen people. God says: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.”- Genesis 12:3. Don’t worry if even USA is not taking your side. You people must believe in God and his mighty power. You people are apple of his eyes.
12:16 pm
God is sovereign! He said that there would be wars, wars and rumors of wars until the end of time; Matthew 24:6. He was, is and always will be in control of this world as well as the world yet to come. We must remain patient and faithful, be persistent in our prayers, diligent in our actions and steadfast in our beliefs. Israel is a blessed nation and we (the United States) have been blessed by supporting them and being their ally. Israel needs to stand their ground, defend their homeland, return to their roots and we need to stand by their side until the end.