Topic: Foreign Policy
Israel & Ron Paul - a clear understanding This is a summary analysis of the positive effect a Ron Paul Presidency would have on Israel.by Harry Tugwell
(libertarian)
Monday, January 14, 2008
I have a neighbor Don Robinson, a great guy and my best friend. Don is an evangelical Christian of Baptist faith. I maintain a "printing press" to deliver Ron Paul articles to him daily. He had rather watch television, and is not a computer geek like myself.
People getting their information only from the slanted television and newspaper perspective, SCARES ME TO DEATH!, especially with the obvious bias going on with the news media recently. The powers that be, are brainwashing the public with their biased agenda.
I think I have pretty well sold Don on Ron Paul for President,
EXCEPT
one of the most important issues to Christians. As stated in Genesis 12:1-3.
Genesis 12:1-3 declares:
The Lord had said to Abraham, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Ultimately, all the peoples of the earth would be blessed if they too would profess their faith in God.
Some think this relates to blessing or cursing Abraham, not Israel. Let us give it the benefit of the doubt for those who think it pertains to Israel, and evaluate Ron Paul's policies as they would affect Israel, verses the policies of the current administration, and most of the other presidential contenders other than Ron Paul.
This was also a major concern to me. I have been doing research on this item several days now, hoping that I would discover Ron Paul's clear justification for his foreign policy relevant to Israel and the Muslim world. After much research, I have not found a clear concise summary, so I offer the following analysis, which also contains views expressed by Ron Paul and others who are supporting him.
Monetary policy - Ron Paul plans to pull the monetary support from both Israel and their Muslim neighbors. This gives Ron Paul 3 points to the positive, since the Muslim neighbors would have that much less money to perpetuate violence against Israel.
Score 3 points for Ron Paul on his monetary policy.
Sovereignty of Israel - Ron Paul would give Israel's sovereignty back to Israel, they would not have to be a puppet of the current administration, who now tells them "not to attack", "not to retaliate" etc. over and over. Also, all of the major Democratic candidates, and the major Republican candidates apparently plan to continue in similar footsteps of the Bush administration.
Score 1 point for Ron Paul for giving Israel's sovereignty back to them.
Dividing Israel's covenant - continuing trying to give land to Palestine, which is against biblical doctrine. The closer the Palestinians get to Israel, the more danger Israel is in. And the Palestinians continue to want more and more land from Israel.
Score 5 points for Ron Paul for discontinuing our current policy which is giving away Israel to their neighbors, which is against biblical teaching. Personal monetary support for Israel - The people of the USA are free to contribute money to Israel or others as they see fit. Under Ron Paul, they could do so more appropriately if they desire, because Ron Paul will eliminate the federal income tax, and tax on social security. Ideally, Doctor Paul must hope that both Jews and Christians alike would vastly step up their support for Israel.
Score 1 point for Ron Paul - for support of Israel with charitable contributions by private persons, companies or institutions. This would be a "blessing" to Israel, using private funds, not USA government taxpayer funds, which we do not have.
Our enemies are Israel's enemies - This is a fact. Any one who is seen as our enemy, for instance, Iran, Cuba, Russia, etc. etc. and now Venezuela, are also perceived to be enemies of Israel's, since we are so involved in their politics and policies. By pulling the USA monetary support and intervention in Israel's policy direction, this perception would soften, and possibly fade away.
Score 3 points for Ron Paul - for eliminating perceived enemies of Israel.
The USA would once again be the strongest military power in the world - We already have the hardware, resolve and manpower. We are currently out of money, and can not pay for the conflicts we are now in, much less another war, and the dollar is shrinking in value due to our extreme spending on foreign policy. Ron Paul policy would strengthen the dollar, and keep a very strong military "on call" for immediate dispatch as voted by congress, or as directed by President Ron Paul immediately if we came under attack, as directed by the principals of the constitution. As a side point, Dr. Paul's elimination of the Federal Reserve and going back to a gold or silver standard, would also help reestablish the USA as the strongest military power in the world.
Score 5 points for Ron Paul - for strengthening our military power and reserve.
Deterrent against an attack on Israel - The current perception by the enemies of Israel is that Israel can not "call the shots" as necessary for their protection, without consulting with the USA first. And when they do, we tell them to "hold back", do not retaliate" etc. Apparently Israel listens to the USA, since we send money, and the world perceives that Israel probably will not strike or retaliate. If we get out of their business, the world would surely know "don't mess with Israel". Israel has the military, manpower and approximately 300 nuclear bombs. Not a country to be messed with.
Also, the USA currently is perceived as being weak on war strategy, due to the devaluation of the dollar, our military being stretched to the limit, the weakening resolve of our citizens toward these wars, and our history of not winning the Korean war, the Vietnam war, and it is not looking exceptionally well in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Score 5 points for Ron Paul - for strengthen the deterrent against an attack on Israel.
Israel's enemies are our enemies - similar to the entry "our enemies are Israel's enemies", we have turned so many countries against the USA for our seemingly unfettered false support for Israel. True "support for Israel" would be exemplified by a Ron Paul Presidency.
Score 5 points for Ron Paul - for lowering the enemy count against the USA.
Israeli military prowess - now their military has to have some reservation regarding their pride in their military. They are not sure what the true position and direction their leadership will take if oppressed. With the USA out of their business, their pride would be enhanced. (i.e. Hezbolla in Lebanon)
Score 1 point for Ron Paul - for giving Israel's military respect back to them.
We would still be an ally to Israel, as we would be an ally to any nation in the world, if we truly believe they are taking the right course, and we declare war constitutionally, only when necessary, not go to war with a change in the wind, or congress unconstitutionally giving the power to the President to wage preemptive war. With the changing circumstances in the world, these decisions need to be made based on each situation, and who better to make these major decisions, than a Ron Paul administration, directed and backed up by the Constitution of the United States of America, the document which made this country great. Our current problems are a direct result of this country swaying from the direction of the Constitution. The score as calculated above is 29 positive points. Even if you do not agree with the points given to each item, I think you can clearly see that each subject for a Ron Paul Presidency is nothing but positive for Israel.
Actually I tried to find a negative and have not been able to do so. At first I was thinking that less money for Israel would be detrimental to Israel. Then I realized that Israel does not need our money. They are productive, and already well armed. They have some of the smartest people, and are a technological giant in the world.
LET AMERICA GET BACK ON TRACK WITH RON PAUL AND THE CONSTITUTION!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
THIS ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT, ACCORDING TO GENESIS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 29 NEGATIVE POINTS IN THE "CURSE" COLUMN, WHICH WE CAN MOVE TO THE "BLESSED" COLUMN. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH A RON PAUL PRESIDENCY.
THINK ABOUT THE "CURSES WE HAVE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY THE PAST FEW YEARS. COULD THIS BE WHY?
LETS US ALL WORK HARD AND TIMELY TO PROMOTE RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT.
TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE.
SUPER TUESDAY IS NOT FAR OFF!
And guess what, my neighbor and friend Don Robinson, now "approves this message". Don actually critiqued the last draft, and we are now in complete agreement on the content of this article.
ANOTHER RON PAUL CONVERT!
Harry Tugwell Don Robinson
PS: Do not be afraid of Dr. Ron Paul's proposed policies if some of them seem extreme to you. Under the direction of the Constitution of the United States, we have a check and balance system, to prevent adverse actions. Ron Paul would simply move the USA in the proper direction, by him and the people backing him, and making changes as they are approved by the Constitution. He would not attempt to be a "dictator" as it appears some are trying to do.
Move forward without fear!
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As somone who has studied Theology and Philosophy for many years (read the Old Testament in Hebrew and New Testament in Greek), and a true Christian (Reformed/Calvinistic), I want to point out that Text analysis must be in its historical context. Gen 12:1-3 refers to Israel in a religious sense, not nationalistic or political, in the first sense. There is a continuiity as well as discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments. In the NewTtestament, the message are for all, and Christians of all backrounds (Jewish, Caucasians, Black, Arab etc.) are the New Israel. The current modern state of Israel does not have so much to do with the Israel of the Old Testament. Jews have been dispersed through many countries. This text has often been misunderstood politically that Christians in the US (and other countries) must support and follow the current (political) state of Israel uncritically and unconditionally, and nothing can be further from the truth! Look at the realities, there are many atheists in the current (political) Israel, they do not allow any missionary work in Israel! and not always act in the mutual best interests of the US. The Israel of today is a political state in the first sense (not a religious state, whereby I do not want to say it is necessarily an anti-religious state). The current Israel should be treated politically as another political state. Ron Paul favours a neutral policy towards the Middle East and this is 100% correct. We can never approve Israel's killing of also Christian Palestinians, and that with US military and arms, just like Palestinian suicide bombings should be contemned. Religious conservatives in the US should take note of this difference (religious and political distinction) and could/should support Christians in the Middle East (in Israel, Palestina, Lebanon (many Christians there etc.) and not the (political state of Israel per se. If the US wants to mediate in the Middles East, it should be seen as a neutral broker, and not biased towards one country. Dr. Paul is not for giving Israel away to its neighbours, he is for justice for all and that Israel and its neighbours should ultimately make political peace themselves. All sides have to compromise. The current political borders (of 1967) of Israel has not so much to do with Israel in the Bible. Politically Dr. Paul would be for a two-state solution (I presume), which would be the direction a solution for the violence there should be found. Indeed Dr. Paul would differentiate between political aid and religios/church aid. The problem currently is that many Arab countries do not see the US as neutral, they see them as biased towards Israel, and this is not helping the situation at all, and may also be a cause for blowback. If the US says Israel is its only political friend int he Middle East, this is against the US Constitution (entanglement, alliances), the US should rather be non-interventionist and support the peace process and economic process where it can. It could sign agreements with the Israel AND its neighbours. There are groups in Israel that considers Christianity as a "paganism" and certainly Christians in the US cannot support such people. All in all: Dr. Paul is the correct political and religious approach and should score 1 in all categories. Dr. Paul's policy changes will and can be introduced step, by step e.g. evolutionary and not revolutionary, in co-ordination with Congress and constitutional.
My research concurs with Stefan's. God's people, Israel, does not refer to the State of Israel, but rather the Body of Believers. The notion of the physical land of Israel has been promoted, at least in one case, by the notes within the "Scofield" Bible. Records reveal that Scofield's history was shady at best - and that the sponsors of his written efforts had a political agenda. Furthermore, more than one comtemporary, orthodox Jewish group has publically stated that this idea is wrong, and they do not wish to be confused with "zionists". Last, I asked a senior Baptist minister of more than 50 years about Scofield. His answer was that he would never own a Scofield Bible...that in seminary they refered to it as the "Snowfield" Bible.
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