Peace in the Middle East?

A reader asked, "Do you think there will be peace in Israel?" I said, "Sure. When the right parties get together, peace will be established."

She then asked, "Will America be one of those parties?" I responded rather emphatically: "NO. In order to negotiate a peace treaty, the peace-broker must understand the thinking of both sides; and most Americans do not understand the middle-eastern mindset."

I explained that American presidents are under the mis-impression that they can establish peace in the Middle East -- but they will never succeed. President Carter should have understood this more than the rest because he was a Bible teacher. But power went to his head and eclipsed his Biblical understanding.

This problem of jihad, terrorism, and war in the Middle East did not start on May 14, 1948, when Israel re-established herself as a nation. It didn't start with the Zionist political movement which was established by the Austro-Hungarian journalist Theodor Herzl in 1897 following the publication of his book Der Judenstaat. It goes back to the seventh century CE when Muhammad began his campaign to place the world under Islam.

The middle-eastern mindset employs a double-standard. It goes like this: I will conquer you. If I can't win you over by words, I will beat you in war. If I begin losing the war, I will ask for and sign a peace treaty. Experiencing no pressure while the treaty is in effect, I will continue to build my strength; and as soon as I think I can beat you in war, I will break the treaty. The treaty only protects me while I regain my strength, but YOU are wrong if you break the treaty.

The Koran (Quran) authorizes Muslims to lie to infidels.

But you need to understand this: When they say they want to completely destroy the Jews, they are telling the truth! And Americans are blind or ignorant to think the radical adherents of Islam ever want peace. Islam currently means "surrender" or "submission"; but originated from the word "Salam" which means "Peace." And the truth is that they want peace ONLY if we surrender to them.

And we must remember that their war-like mindset is authorized by the Koran. One of 109 examples of this is found in Sura 9:29 -- "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth [Islam]...." The Koran authorizes them to kill -- murder -- infidels; and an infidel is anyone who does not agree with their specific belief system. That's why Muslims consider other Muslims infidels, and the killing will not stop no matter how long America fights for and/or with them. That is, it will not stop until the right parties get together.

This is why the U.N. does not suggest a cease-fire when the Muslims (Palestinians, Hamas, et.al.) fire rockets into Israel. But when Israel fires back to protect herself, the Muslim leaders ask the U.N. for a cease fire. Remember, the U.N. does not favor the U.S. or Israel.

Also remember: The extreme Muslims do not respect life, nor do they honor truth. So when Israel's Brigadier General Motti Almoz said, "We are going to attack Gaza with great force in the next 24 hours due to a very large concentration of Hamas efforts in that area," the Israeli military also asked Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate "for their own safety." However, Gaza's Interior Ministry urged residents in the area to ignore Israel's warnings and to stay in their homes, saying the announcement was Israeli "psychological warfare" and an attempt to create confusion. The Muslim leaders are allowing their own people to be killed in order to present a bigger case against Israel. And I am ashamed of our American leaders for ignoring truth.

Does Israel target schools, hospitals, mosques, and homes? No. Israel targets wherever the Hamas launches or stores weapons; and the haters of Israel deliberately fight from and hide in schools, homes, mosques, etc.

Will there be peace in the Middle East? Yes. Anyone who has seriously studied the Bible knows that Jesus is the ONLY one Who can establish peace, for He is the Prince of Peace. Every eye will see and every knee will bow in submission to HIM when He returns. And He WILL return. (Acts 1:9-11)

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.