Our View on the Current Conflict

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has for years, in its bulletins, articles and press releases, warned of the terrorist threat to Israel posed by Hamas and Hizbullah.

By MALCOLM HEDDING
nasrallah good 298.88 ap (photo credit: AP [file])
nasrallah good 298.88 ap
(photo credit: AP [file])
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has for years, in its bulletins, articles and press releases, warned of the terrorist threat to Israel posed by Hamas and Hizbullah. For both groups, the inspiration behind their agenda is fanatical Islam, which seeks the total destruction of the Jewish state. Now, in concert with their devious sponsors in Damascus and Tehran, they have unleashed a war against Israel. Both groups have been branded terrorist organizations by the world community and thus, once again, the true face of the so-called Middle East conflict has come to light. In short, Israel now has no alternative other than to destroy the infrastructure and capabilities of these two groups. It is thus with indignation that we condemn the unprovoked aggression against Israel by Hizbullah in recent days. We fully support Israel in its right to self-defense and in its measured military campaign against this terrorist militia. Israel's response is entirely just, and we note with appreciation the statement of the G8 Summit gathered in St. Petersburg, that affirms Israel's right to self defense in light of this unprovoked aggression. Likewise, we are not without sympathy for the vast majority of Lebanese citizens who have been forced into war by Hizbullah. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem also notes that some of the blame for this tragic state of affairs lies at the door of the United Nations and the wider world community, in that they failed to insist on the complete disarmament of Hizbullah and its removal from southern Lebanon, as called for in UN Security Council resolutions. This disregard for the stipulations regarding Hezbollah laid down in UNSC Resolution 1559 has resulted in the attacks on Israel in recent days. There is no excuse for this inaction. Hamas is also designated a terrorist organization by the international community, and once more Israel, after fully withdrawing from Gaza to the recognized border, is under attack, this time by hundreds of Kassam rockets. The international community must support Israel in this theater of operations as well. Finally, we wish to record that recent events have proven that the "axis of evil" identified by President George Bush was right. We salute the American president's courage, forthrightness and discernment. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and its worldwide constituency of millions of Christians pledge our full and unreserved support for Israel and her people in these difficult days. As always, we will defend Israel's right to exist in peace and security, and we will pray for Israel's unqualified victory over these terrorists. The writer is Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (From the August 2006 edition)