Paul Luckraft reports on Melanie Phillips’ Yom Hashoah lecture.

This year’s Simon Wiesenthal Memorial Lecture was given by journalist and author Melanie Phillips at St John’s Wood Synagogue on 12 April. The theme, as indicated by the title - ‘Time to Leave? Jews in Britain and Europe’ - was an exploration of anti-Semitism, its main causes and current trends.

The talk was powerfully presented and passionately received by a large audience – present among which was our Resources Editor, Paul Luckraft, who brings us this report.

Storm Clouds Over Europe

Renowned social commentator Melanie Phillips, of Jewish heritage, started her lecture by painting a picture of the current climate for Jews in Britain and Europe. The recent realisation that the Labour Party is riddled with anti-Semitism from the top downwards and the latest atrocities in France mean that these are alarming times for Jews. Fear is on the rise again. In 2017 there was the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK since 1985 when records began. Surges like this usually occur in response to Israeli military action - but not this time.

Equally alarming, she noted, are the increasing numbers of synagogues being attacked and Jews being taunted in the streets in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. This is against the backdrop of the rise of nationalistic parties in Europe and surveys showing that in many countries there is a significant percentage of the population who don’t wish to see Jews in their country - certainly not on their street!

These are alarming times for Jews in Britain and Europe.

Phillips’ sobering conclusion was that it is possible to see clear signs of history repeating itself - a gathering storm similar to that within the Weimar Republic of the 1930s. But this time there are significant differences. In Nazi Germany, anti-Semitism was state policy. This is not the case in modern European countries, but the parties in power seem to be ineffectual in combatting the evident rise in this, the oldest of all hatreds.

Islamic Jew-Hatred

The reasons behind this rise, Phillips argued, also seem more complicated and interconnected than in the 1930s. Some come from the political left, some from the political right and some from the arrival and growth of Islam.

The fruit of the latter, she posited, is growing increasingly apparent in many areas of Western society. For instance, the large number of jihadis now in the UK (25,000), of which 3,000 are under constant investigation or monitoring. Or the level of sexual violence targeting white girls - as highlighted by the Rotherham case, merely one of several such cases in the UK as well as in other countries such as Germany and Sweden. But, she rightly noted, these incidents cannot be adequately reported or tackled nowadays without facing accusations of racism or Islamophobia.

The UK and Europe generally refuse to accept these sorts of incidents (as well as other, directly anti-Semitic ones) as being based on religion. The threats are not acknowledged as being basically Islamic. The charge of being Islamophobic makes it difficult to draw attention to any kind of Islamic hatred – including Jew-hatred.

Not all Muslims, of course, adopt these views, nor would consider doing so. Some also feel under threat from Islamist groups, and do not want to see anti-Semitism increase either. This needs to be constantly stressed, yet these Muslims also feel restricted in speaking out and objecting. Nevertheless, Islam more broadly holds that modernity as found in the West must be destroyed if Islam is to flourish here, and that Jews are a fundamental part of this problem.

The charge of being Islamophobic makes it difficult to draw attention to any kind of Islamic hatred – including Jew-hatred.

Intriguingly, present within European politics and culture is a different, but no less toxic, anti-Western sentiment – the inevitable result of the continent dismantling its own traditional cultures and values. This undermining from the inside out is a threat against which the West, at present, cannot defend itself.

The West’s Cultural Suicide

Phillips argued compellingly that we cannot fully understand anti-Semitism in the UK and Europe unless we realise that the West has ripped up its own cultural foundations. Moreover, the West is now seen as the main oppressor in the world (a view held most strongly by those on the political left). These two facts have changed everything in recent times.

The key driver behind the ascent of these beliefs about Western civilisation was, in Phillips’ view, the Holocaust, which smashed Europe’s belief in itself as a continent of enlightenment and high culture. It wasn’t just the Jews who died in the concentration camps - but the West’s own self-confidence in its values and civility.

As a result, she suggested, the West took an axe to its own roots and began to radically alter the way it operated - especially in areas such as education and the family. Transnationalism became viewed as the best way forward, as nationalistic views were considered too parochial and likely to cause more harm. International groups, such as the UN and EU, were to take precedence over national governments.

This new globalist way forward also meant incorporating a different morality and a sense of multiculturalism as an idealistic norm. Politically, the extreme left became mainstream, as a new version of Marxism was called upon to help reshape our society and culture.

Anti-Zionism: The New Anti-Semitism

Another key event Phillips brought to the attention of the audience was the Six Day War (1967), which fomented a new kind of anti-Semitism centred upon the state of Israel. No longer the victims, Jews were recast as the aggressors. Israel was now to be delegitimised and demonised - not through rational arguments but with a torrent of dehumanising abuse and irrational malice.

Phillips was quick to stress that though this anti-Israel fervour could be called anti-Zionism, in reality it is just anti-Semitism in another form. Any distinction is bogus: the new anti-Zionism cannot be split from its anti-Semitic roots.

Phillips was quick to stress that though this anti-Israel fervour could be called anti-Zionism, in reality it is just anti-Semitism in another form.

Israel is now seen as menacing and powerful, but this, she maintained, is a paranoid delusion. In reality, Israel has only become powerful in order to defend itself. Initially the Jewish nation was accepted by the West, which was crippled with guilt and self-doubt after the Holocaust. Now though, Israel can no longer claim victimhood. They are the aggressors, while the Palestinian Arabs have become the new victim group which demands our support. And this changes everything.

Activists protest in support of the Gaza 'March of Return', New York. See Photo Credits.According to Phillips, victims, by definition, cannot be victimisers. Nor are they held responsible for their own shortcomings. They have a ready-made excuse for their actions – “we’re the victims here!” They are placed beyond criticism and are effectively handed a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ to react however they like to those who are perceived to be victimising them.

Meanwhile, Jews can no longer be regarded as victims. When they emerged from the Holocaust, they were the supreme victims, but since then they have gained power and wealth throughout the world. And this is now resented. Obviously they are intent on taking over the world (and so the old anti-Semitic conspiracies are revived)!

One incredible feature of this diatribe highlighted by Phillips is the appearance of the claim that Jews burnt Arabs in the concentration camps! Here is not just Holocaust denial, but Holocaust reversal.

Victim culture is now at the heart of left-wing politics, and victim culture is essentially anti-Jew. So, Phillips concluded, the Labour Party is caught up in anti-Semitism which is intrinsic to its politics - and will remain so even with a change of leader.¹

Europe’s Lost Soul

Why is anti-Semitism so much on the rise in the West? Because, Phillips argues, the West is in cultural disarray. It is starting to disintegrate, bringing this trouble upon itself.

According to Melanie Phillips, Europe lost its soul after the Holocaust and is now floundering. Immigration policies are creating turmoil, as migration is viewed as inherently a good thing (to say otherwise would be racist). As a result, Islamic ‘no-go zones’ have started appearing in many countries. Traditional cultures have become fragmented and weak. Real threats abound, but governments are helpless, hamstrung by their own policies and beliefs.

Europe lost its soul after the Holocaust and is now floundering.

In such times of transformation and confusion, she noted, prejudices easily arise and old ones will always re-surface. One reason why there is so much Jew-hatred is simply because there is now much more hatred in general.

Europe may be becoming increasingly Islamic, but it will not go down without a fight. Either way the Jews will be caught in the middle and are likely to suffer accordingly. They will continue to be accused of many things, including of fuelling claims of anti-Semitism in tactical pursuit of their own malicious aims.

Is it Time to Leave?

So, is it time for the Jews to leave Western Europe? According to Phillips, it could be said this question is an overreaction based on paranoia, rather than a fair one. Yet the final choice of whether to leave or stay is always a personal one. For individual Jews, the key question may well be, ‘where do I feel safer?’

Although Israel is surrounded by enemies with thousands of missiles pointing in its direction, it is increasingly being said by Jews that they feel safer there than in a continent which seems to be in danger of repeating the grave errors of its past.

A sobering thought indeed.

A video of the Simon Wiesenthal Memorial lecture is now available online. We welcome Melanie Phillips’ insightful social commentary, more of which can be found on her blog, www.melaniephillips.com.

You may also be interested to watch this week’s fiery Parliamentary debate on the rise of anti-Semitism – click here for the full debate.

Notes

1 Moreover, the left asserts that to be anti-Semitic you must be fascist and hence on the right. On that basis it is impossible for those on the left to be anti-Semitic: they exonerate themselves.

Labour’s dark secrets exposed by the light of truth

As Britain’s Labour leader continues to face fire over anti-Semitism claims, I am reminded of the words of Jesus that what is said in the dark will be exposed to the light.

The light of truth has exposed the dark underbelly of Labour leadership, and it is surely time for serious questions about whether Jeremy Corbyn is fit for office.

The latest row has the Opposition Leader defending his decision to celebrate Passover with a controversial far-left Jewish group called ‘Jewdas’, which, at its 2017 seder, included a prayer asking God to “smash the state of Israel” and “burn down Parliament”.¹

This after Corbyn landed in hot water for his historic defence of an artist who painted a mural showing ‘hook-nosed’ bankers and businessmen sitting around a Monopoly board counting money.²

As the Tower Hamlets mayor rightly said at the time, the images “perpetuate anti-Semitic propaganda about conspiratorial Jewish domination of financial and political institutions”.

Mr Corbyn expressed regret that he did not look more closely at the image, “the contents of which are deeply disturbing and anti-Semitic,” he said.

Skeletons in the Cupboard

The fact that the string of allegations which have now come to light are historic as well as current just goes to prove how the past can come back to haunt us, as it often will for those with skeletons in their cupboard.

But there is a way of escape, and that is to make a clean breast of it all, to repent of past wrongs and put them right. After all, Jesus died for our sins, which is what we have been remembering over the last week!

In this respect, Mr Corbyn’s stated intention to meet with Jewish leaders to discuss the issue is to be commended.

It is surely time for serious questions about whether Jeremy Corbyn is fit for office.

With his reputation reeling, he has been forced to issue multiple statements and has MPs from his own party lining up against him. In addition, members of the Jewish community have taken to the streets in force, claiming “enough is enough”.

Calling on his party to get their act together, Labour MP John Mann asked: “What kind of Labour Party is this?”³ With 300+ allegations of anti-Semitism since 2015, numerous high-profile suspensions and resignations including discipline chief Christine Shawcroft, the issue is beginning to look like a cancer riddling the party’s entire body.

Owen Humphreys/PA Wire/PA Images

Indeed, Mr Corbyn and some of his colleagues are bringing a curse on the party from which it is unlikely to recover unless drastic repentance is forthcoming. For the Bible is absolutely clear in promising blessing to those who bless Israel, and cursing to those who don’t (Gen 12:3; Num 24:9).

Social Media Complicity

The latest furore comes just weeks after revelations that Mr Corbyn was part of several secret Facebook groups trafficking Jewish conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and the like. One allegedly showed Corbyn participating “right up until his first weeks as leader of the Labour Party”, according to the UK’s Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, and another he only quit after his membership was exposed last month.

The Labour leader deleted his personal Facebook account over the weekend.

In turn, a number of Corbyn-supporting Facebook groups spreading anti-Semitic hate have now been reported to the police by a group of 11 Jewish peers, including Lord Alan Sugar.⁴ Whatever the Labour leader’s personal views, it is clear that he is a rallying point for anti-Semites around the country.

Too Close for Comfort

As I’ve said before, these shameful reports serve to emphasise all the more strongly how the squabbling Tories urgently need to get their own act together and line up squarely behind Prime Minister Theresa May. Or else, never mind Brexit – hard, soft, or none at all – Britain could find themselves undoing all the sacrifices made in two world wars by allowing something too close to Nazism for comfort to flourish on our own shores.

Corbyn and some of his colleagues are bringing a curse on the party from which it is unlikely to recover unless drastic repentance is forthcoming.

Labour’s hard-left leader has already come dangerously close to power despite negative press coverage linked with anti-Semitism such as his reference to terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah as ‘friends’.

What is Hidden Will Be Made Known

In light of the dark shadow of a possible war looming in the Middle East, there is surely an urgent need to hone and clarify our relationship with the Jewish state. We need to get used to the idea that Europe is not our future. But a strong relationship with Israel and the United States would most definitely be in our interest – certainly promising hope and blessing.

Speaking of Israel, the Prophet Isaiah warns: “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined” (Isa 60:12).

Battered and bruised by social disintegration as values based on our Judeo-Christian legacy are recklessly jettisoned, Britain could sure do with some blessing rather than the curse that would inevitably follow lack of comfort for the people who gave us the Bible, Jesus and indeed Western civilisation itself.

It’s time for our politicians to guard their words, say what they mean and mean what they say. Jesus was specifically warning against hypocrisy when he said: “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops” (Luke 12:2f).

References

1 Corbyn criticised for attending Passover seder of group that prayed for Israel’s destruction. CUFI, 3 April 2018.

2 Daily Mail, 23 March 2018. 

3 BBC News, 27 March 2018.

4 Jewish News, 5 April 2018.

Party investigates shocking claims that Corbyn contributed to vile anti-Semitic group

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is under fire over yet more allegations of anti-Semitism.

Screenshots obtained by the UK’s Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAA) reportedly cite historic involvement of Mr Corbyn and other party members – as well as a BBC reporter – in a secret Facebook group trafficking Jewish conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and the like.¹

They allegedly show Corbyn participating “right up until his first weeks as leader of the Labour Party”, the CAA claimed.

Labour are said to be investigating the allegations, which include group discussions on conspiracies about Israeli involvement in the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and members using terms such as ‘JewNazi’ along with a comment that “[I] am reading Mein Kampf [by Adolf Hitler]…everybody should be forced to read it, especially Jews who have their own agenda as to why they were not liked,” the Jewish Press reported.

During last year’s snap General Election, some sections of the media accused Christian candidates of being “not fit for office” because of their traditional views on sexual ethics and the unborn.

Well, if Mr Corbyn and his colleagues were indeed members of this odious group, they too are surely not fit for office – certainly not that of Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition!

Too Close to Nazism for Comfort

This latest shocking revelation only serves to emphasise how the squabbling Tories urgently need to get their act together. Or else, never mind Brexit – hard, soft, or none at all – Britain could find themselves undoing all the sacrifices made in two world wars by allowing something too close to Nazism for comfort to flourish on our own shores.

There’s no doubt that many have become hypnotised by the inexplicable magnetism of Labour’s hard left leader, who has already come dangerously close to power despite negative press coverage linked with anti-Semitism - such as his reference to terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah as ‘friends’.

If Mr Corbyn and his colleagues were indeed members of this odious group, they are surely not fit for office.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone was handed a year’s ban from the party last April, which has now been extended indefinitely, after claiming Hitler supported Zionism before he went ‘mad’.

Ken Livingstone, under extended suspension from Labour for his anti-Semitic remarks.The new claims emerged only days after a separate row over anti-Semitism begged yet more questions of the Labour Party. These revolve around tweets by a key Corbyn aide that Israel was guilty of ‘genocide’.² Joss MacDonald, a Labour Party speech writer, has also branded Israel an ‘apartheid’ state, arguing that people excuse its behaviour “because of the Holocaust”, according to a tweet he posted in the aftermath of the 2014 conflict with Gaza.³

And yet, ironically, Labour is also currently under fire for receiving £540,000 from Formula One tycoon Max Mosley who is said to have done much to keep apartheid South Africa on the world motor-racing circuit at the time of the global sporting ban on the then white-led nation.⁴

Tory MP Andrew Percy, who is Jewish, said MacDonald’s “disgusting slur” (accusing Israel of genocide) shows yet again that Labour have “a systematic problem with anti-Semitic racism”. And there is an urgent need for that problem to be addressed, he added.

Danger of Distraction

As I’ve already intimated in earlier articles, British politicians are once again in danger of being side-tracked by issues – including Brexit – that blur our focus on the bigger picture.

In God’s eyes, according to the Bible, Jerusalem is the very centre of his attention. The prophet Ezekiel records: “This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the centre of the nations, with countries all around her” (Ezek 5:5). Apparently the Hebrew for ‘Zion’ (another name for Jerusalem) suggests something that is ‘marked’. In other words, it is the focus of God’s attention, the most important city on earth. This is why it has been fought over so much through the centuries; it’s centre-stage for the great battle between God and his enemies, and it could all erupt into a global conflict before too long.

Already, there is much talk of a possible war looming between Israel and Iran (along with its Russian-backed proxies Hamas and Hezbollah). In light of such a dark shadow, there is surely an urgent need to hone and clarify our relationship with the Jewish state. We need to get used to the idea that Europe is not our future. But a strong relationship with Israel and the United States would most definitely be in our interest – certainly promising hope and blessing.

In God’s eyes, according to the Bible, Jerusalem is the very centre of his attention. 

Britain, Pick Your Side!

Speaking of Israel, the Prophet Isaiah warns: “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined” (Isa 60:12). We can surely take comfort from God’s word, promising blessing to those who bless Israel, and cursing on those who don’t (Gen 12:3; Num 24:9).

I am encouraged to hear that, thanks to the vision of a giant sword being planted in the ground in Parliament Square given to a lady vicar from London’s Notting Hill, plans are in hand to read the Bible (the sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6:17) outside Parliament each day this year.⁴ We need to get back to the Bible, on which our great country was built.

Battered and bruised by social disintegration as values based on our Judeo-Christian legacy are recklessly jettisoned, Britain could sure do with some blessing rather than the curse that would inevitably follow lack of comfort for the people who gave us the Bible, Jesus and indeed Western civilisation itself.

It’s time to choose whose side we’re on!

Notes

1 World Israel News, 7 March 2018.

2 Carlin, B. Labour is plunged into new anti-Semitism row. The Mail on Sunday, 4 March 2018.

3 Ibid.

4 Daily Mail, 1 March 2018. See also the ‘Truth to Power’ campaign website.

Drought-stricken nation refused water aid - MP

As Jews celebrate the time in ancient Persia when they were rescued from annihilation, anti-Semitism rears its head at UK universities and the South African Parliament.

The effects of the longstanding drought that has struck South Africa’s Western Province could have been alleviated if they had accepted an Israeli offer of help, the Cape Town Parliament heard.¹

South Africa’s Water Crisis

In responding to a state of the nation address from new President Cyril Ramaphosa following the resignation of Jacob Zuma amidst allegations of corruption, opposition MP Kenneth Meshoe revealed that the Jewish state had offered their world-renowned expertise in the prevention of water shortages.

The ACDP (African Christian Democratic Party) member said it had been refused on the grounds of a narrow political agenda linked with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign that seeks to isolate Israel along lines comparable to that suffered by South Africa during the apartheid era.

BDS supporters accuse Israel of being an apartheid state because of their alleged mistreatment of Palestinians – this in a region where in fact they stand out as the lone democracy with Arabs and Jews sharing equal rights along with positions of influence in the nation.

The effects of South Africa’s long-standing drought could have been alleviated if they had accepted Israel’s offer of help.

Mr Meshoe said it was surely irresponsible for the Government (both national and provincial) to turn down aid from people with a proven track record – “people who live in a desert and yet have no water shortages” – and described it as “the politics of hatred that will not help our country,” urging the new President to root out corruption, starting with his Cabinet, and pursue truth, righteousness and justice for all.

Israel has also suffered a drought of late, but their innovative drip irrigation scheme has already been successfully tried in other dry areas of the world including Africa.

Israeli Apartheid?

Meanwhile UK universities are taking part in another so-called ‘Israel Apartheid Week’, part of a hostile worldwide campaign to delegitimise and demonise the Jewish state that in fact contravenes the International Definition of Anti-Semitism the British Government adopted last year, which states that “claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavour” is anti-Semitic.²

Christians United for Israel last year successfully campaigned to prevent some universities hosting these weeks after sharing their concerns with academic authorities – pointing out, for example, that Israel’s 1.6 million Arabs have the same rights as their 6.8 million Jewish fellow citizens.

The truth is that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and apartheid is being practised by its neighbours, where there is no freedom of speech or religion, and where women do not enjoy equal rights.

South Africans like Kenneth Meshoe lived through apartheid, which bears no resemblance to Israel’s policies.

The truth is that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and apartheid is being practised by its neighbours!

Don’t Shut Up!

Jewish people everywhere will this week be celebrating their annual feast of Purim, marking their deliverance from genocide in ancient Persia when Queen Esther used her position of influence to save her people.

Those who call for boycotts and protests against Israel today are in danger of being linked with unsavoury groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and their sponsors, Iran, who seek the annihilation of the Jewish race. Hitler tried it too.

At a London university, Jewish students were jeered and sworn at as a motion was passed supporting BDS while photographs were taken of those who opposed the motion!³ Since apartheid was basically racist, is this not a case of the pot calling the kettle black? And all this on UK campuses that were once the bastion of free thought.

Those who stand with Israel, and for truth, would do well to match the courage of America’s UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who responded to the advice of a top Palestinian negotiator that she should “shut up” by saying: “I will not shut up! Rather, I will respectfully speak some hard truths.”⁴

The great evangelist Billy Graham, who died last week, succinctly put it this way: “The Jews are God’s chosen people. We cannot place ourselves in opposition to Israel without detriment to ourselves.”⁵

References

1 Friday 16 February 2018, quoting from video of parliamentary debate.

2 Christians United for Israel, 26 January 2018.

3 CUFI, 16 February 2018.

4 World Israel News, 20 February 2018.

5 CUFI, 23 February 2018.

Part 2 of 2: Dismantling the lies.

Israel is so bursting at the seams with archaeological remnants from Bible times that it is remarkable that Palestinian denials of this record are not immediately laughed out of the room.

Every year new discoveries come to light – often by accident as evidence is so abundant - all of which prove that what God’s word says is true. Here are just a few examples.

Whilst excavating in the Ophel area in 2015, just south of the Temple Mount an ancient rubbish dump was exposed, the contents of which were wet-sieved. What came to light was remarkable – 33 tiny clay document-seals, amongst them one bearing the Hebrew inscription “belonging to Hezekiah, (son of) Ahaz, king of Judah.”¹

A further exciting find was announced only a few days ago, on 1 January 2018. Beneath the Roman paving west of the Temple Mount, beside the ruins of a 7^th-Century BC house, another seal was identified, bearing the Hebrew inscription, ‘Governor of the City’ and depicting two men wearing striped robes.²

A 2,700-year-old seal bearing the mark of the governor of the city of Jerusalem has been discovered under the Western Wall plaza, at a site where a First Temple–period building has been found. https://t.co/bGS41jXoko pic.twitter.com/YkIXPBmvby

— Archaeology Magazine (@archaeologymag) January 2, 2018

There are two references to such a title, both during the reign of King Josiah, and both named – Joshua (2 Kings 23:8) and Maleah (2 Chron 34:8).

Among the finds for the Temple Mount Sifting Project, which sorted through the Muslim debris dumps referred to in Part 1 (last week), was a type of iron arrowhead complete with shaft which, according to Dr Gabriel Barkay, “was launched from catapults exclusive to the Roman army” during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.³

Every year new discoveries come to light which prove that what God’s word says is true.

Also particularly striking has been the recovery of fragments of the coloured paving of the Herodian Temple courts, painstakingly reconstructed by Dr Frankie Snyder and announced in 2016,⁴ reminding us of the ‘beautiful stones’ of the Temple drawn to the attention of Jesus (Luke 23:5; Mark 13:1).

Yet another seal was found in the same Muslim debris removed from the Temple Mount. This one, although partly broken, is inscribed in ancient Hebrew, ‘(Belonging to) [….]lyahu (son of) Immer’.⁵ The Immer family was a well-known priestly family around the 7^th-6^th Centuries BC. “Pashur son of Immer” is mentioned in Jeremiah 20:1 as “Chief Officer in the House of God” – a clear reference to the Temple. Its reverse side shows that it was used to seal sacking, possibly a bullion sack of Temple taxes.

Rare seal impression from First Temple priest #FoundbytheSiftingProject pic.twitter.com/VFEnVinweu

— Temple Mount Sifting (@TMSifting) April 3, 2017

As for other examples, there are literally thousands from which to choose, ranging from a Jewish chalk-vessel factory near Nazareth,⁶ to the ruined city of Lachish, excavated in the 1930s by the British archaeologist James Starkey. The city has extensive remains from various biblical periods, and is famous for the letters written in ancient Hebrew on pottery fragments (ostraca).

One message reads, “May YHWH cause my lord to hear, this very day, tidings of good…And may [my lord] be apprised that we are watching for the fire signals of Lachish according to all the signs which my lord has given, because we cannot see Azekah.”⁷ As well as including the ancient unpronounceable name of the LORD, the message clearly ties in with the book of Jeremiah: “‘O you children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee…Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem” (6:1) and “when the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and against Azekah; for these alone remained of the cities of Judah as fortified cities” (34:11).

Other aspects discovered by British experts include the Lachish Reliefs, which are a set of Assyrian palace panels which narrate the story of the Assyrian victory over the kingdom of Judah during the siege of Lachish in 701 BC. Carved between 700-681 BC, as a decoration of the South-West Palace of Sennacherib in Nineveh (in modern Iraq), the reliefs are today in the British Museum, along with the ostraca and siege weapons. Sennacherib’s presence at Lachish is noted in 2 Kings 18:14.

Lachish ruins (author's collection) and the Lachish Letter 4 (see Photo Credits).There can be no question whatever of falsification of Jewish history in such cases! Archaeology speaks!⁸ It is high time to mount a widespread challenge to the kinds of rhetoric outlined last week – to educate the Church and to hold politicians and the media to account. To that end I offer the following further comments.

Understanding the Deception

Holding up Palestinian narratives to the light, one principle becomes stark – that of deception. There are those who deceive and those who are deceived.

As noted at the start of last week’s article, Palestinian deception is a complex, intricate web – but two simple, vital things can still be noted about it. The first is the spirit behind it, which is anti-Semitism. Indeed, the very definition of Palestinian nationalism and culture – the crux of what brings them together as a people – is anti-Semitism, or a hatred of Jews and a disavowal of Israel’s right to exist.

In 1977, Zuheir Mohsen, a member of the PLO Executive Council, articulated the goals of their ‘peoplehood’ strategy saying, “The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a distinct ‘Palestinian people’ to oppose Zionism.”⁹

The second thing to note about Palestinian deception is that the main framework through which it is delivered, its language and its cultural and political driving force, is that of Islam.

Here, most Westerners, including myself, are confronted with an impenetrable script - we cannot read Arabic! Establishing the truth about Islamic teaching often feels like trying to catch an eel with bare hands. However, the doctrine of taqqiya forms an important part. Raymond Ibrahim, an American Arabic linguist and political analyst, points out:

According to the authoritative Arabic text, Al-Taqiyya Fi Al-Islam, deception is of fundamental importance in Islam. Practically every Islamic sect agrees to it and practices it. We can go so far as to say that the practice of taqiyya is mainstream in Islam, and that those few sects not practicing it diverge from the mainstream...Taqiyya is very prevalent in Islamic politics, especially in the modern era. [my emphasis]

The very definition of Palestinian nationalism and culture – the crux of what brings them together as a people – is anti-Semitism.

The Qur’an’s Sura 3:28 is acknowledged as the primary source for this doctrine, regarding which Raymond Ibrahim says, “…the Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir (1301-1373) wrote: ‘Whoever at any time or place fears their [infidels'] evil, may protect himself through outward show.’ As proof of this, he quotes Muhammad's companions. Abu Darda said: ‘Let us smile to the face of some people while our hearts curse them.’ Al-Hassan said: ‘Doing taqiyya is acceptable till the day of judgment.’ [i.e. in perpetuity]”.¹⁰

For the Bible-believing Christian, it is not difficult to see that deception goes back to the very foundation of Islam. While Mohammed was in contemplation in 600 AD, allegedly the Archangel Gabriel appeared before him and instructed him to recite verses, which begin with:

In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher,

Who created man, out of a clot of congealed blood… (Qur’an, Sura 96:1-2)

If the Archangel Gabriel really appeared to Mohammed, he would only have spoken the truth. Instead, the apparition’s statement flatly contradicts the word of God (man was created in the image of God from the dust of the earth, Genesis 1:27, 2:7).

Who was the very first to contradict the word of God? Satan himself (‘Did God really say…?’ and then ‘You shall surely not die’, Gen 3:1-4)! And in 1 Corinthians 11:14 we are told that “Satan transforms himself into an angel of light” – not Gabriel then! Poor Mohammed!

Not only does the Qur’an contradict the Creation account, but it strikes at the very heart of the Gospel. According to Surah 4:157-158, speaking of the Jews, “…they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God’; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not…”.

The main framework through which Palestinian deception is delivered, its language and its cultural and political driving force, is Islam.

Commenting on Sura 3, Al-Tabari (9^th Century) says that the deceit of Allah applies to the time where the Jews wanted to kill Isa the son of Mary. In order not to be killed, Allah put the appearance of Jesus' face on someone else, who was crucified instead of Jesus. This is how Allah had everybody, even Jesus, deceived.¹¹

Dealing with Deception

The ultimate source of all this is clearly Satanic, “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9).

For all of us who believe in Jesus Christ, in Yeshua haMaschiach, our starting point in responding should be the recognition that, as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12ff, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armour of God…” [my emphasis].

Remember that in applying the verses which follow there has often been an overemphasis on personal, individual equipment and action, whereas battle between armies is rarely, if ever, settled by single combat.¹² We must work together.

In addition to the defensive equipment, there are the weapons of offence: “take…the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end…” [my emphases].

‘All prayer’ is a potent weapon: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” (2 Cor 10:4-5).

So, too, is the word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, long neglected and ill-treated in many of our churches (and outside them a veritable desert!). Precious though the New Testament is, it cannot stand without the Old. Those scriptures were the only ones available to the first generation of Christians. Those were the scriptures familiar to Jesus and used by him, of which Paul said to Timothy, “from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures” and “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim 3:15-16, my emphases).

For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, our starting point in responding to Palestinian narratives must be a recognition that we do not battle against flesh and blood.

Those are the scriptures which have been undermined and devalued in the West, including within the Church. How the people of God need to recover confidence in his word – especially if they are to recognise and counter the lies of the enemy! How we need to appreciate that, as archaeologists physically dig into the layers of the past in the Holy Land, thrilling us with insights into God’s dealings with Israel, they are confirming the truth of Scripture and prophecy!

The hour is late. There is a desperate need for teaching on these matters. Well-guided tours of Israel are an enormous help. From such a broad basis we may become better equipped to witness more effectively, speak out publicly, and hold our politicians and the media to account, “speaking the truth in love, [growing] up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ…” (Eph 4:15, my emphasis). God grant that truth prevail!

References

1 For more details, click here.

2 Schuster, R. Governor of Jerusalem's Seal Impression From First Temple Era Found Near Western Wall. Haaretz, 1 January 2018.

3 Artifacts with links to Bible unearthed. Washington Times, 2 January 2006.

4 Flooring from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Ritmeyer Archaeological Design, 12 September 2016.

5 Archaeological Evidence of the Jewish Temples on the Temple Mount. Temple Mount Sifting Project, 14 October 2016.

6 Ngo, R. Jewish Purification: Stone Vessel Workshop Discovered in Galilee. Bible History Daily, 25 August 2016.

7 For more details see ‘Lachish Letters’ on Wikipedia.

8 To explore this further, I suggest the following sites: Associates for Biblical Research, Bibleplaces (for frequent updates), Israel’s Antiquities Authority, Ritmeyer Archaeological Design.

9 As quoted from: Dorsey, J. Wij zijn alleen Palestijn om politieke reden. Trouw, 31 March 1977.

10 Ibrahim, R. Islam's doctrines of deception. Middle East Forum, October 2008.

11 Deception in Islam. Muslim Hope, December 2008.

12 Interestingly, the shield of faith mentioned by Paul is the thureos of the Roman armies, a curved door-shaped shield, which did more than provide personal protection. Its most effective use was in forming the testudo: “The first row of men, possibly excluding the men on the flanks, would hold their shields from about the height of their shins to their eyes, so as to cover the formation's front. The shields would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their shields over their heads to protect the formation from above, balancing the shields on their helmets, overlapping them” (see here). In a sense, it was the forerunner of the tank! And it is a powerful reminder of the corporate nature of spiritual warfare!

All Scripture quotes NKJV.

Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Zionion’ by Steve Maltz (Saffron Planet, 2017).

This is a small book on a big theme: anti-Semitism in all its various forms. Its quirky title (pronounced ‘Zi-onion’) should not detract from the seriousness of its subject matter, nor should its size belittle the importance of its topic, which has been described as ‘the longest hatred’. As Maltz explains, he wrote this book “to expose the layers of hatred, as if peeling an onion, to shed light on the variety of aspects, scenarios and environments that this hatred has infiltrated” (p7).

So, now we know the reason for the title - the unusual conflation of Zion and onion - but what about the peeling process? How does Maltz go about exposing these layers?

The Multi-Headed Hydra

The answer lies in 16 short chapters, each of which outlines one particular area in which anti-Semitism is apparent, and which collectively build up the case that here we have something of major significance - something that is worldwide and endemic - an engineered hatred powered by generations of conditioning.

Maltz starts with the British Government and its post-Balfour failings, then moves on to the Palestinians, and the United Nations with its plethora of resolutions that condemn Israel (many more than those which condemn the rest of the world combined). Maltz concludes that either “Israel is the most evil rogue nation state in the World or there is a conspiracy of nations ‘out to get them’!” (p23).

In 16 short chapters, Maltz builds up the case that anti-Semitism is of major significance – a worldwide, engineered hatred that is endemic.

Later chapters include an examination of anti-Semitic attitudes found in the media, in academia and amongst activists and boycotters. Maltz demolishes the argument that Israel is an ‘apartheid state’ by demonstrating how Arabs have it better in Israel than they would elsewhere, something that a majority of Arabs admit to when surveyed. He also memorably coins the word ‘academonising’ to describe how those with impressive strings of qualifications often unite in their mutual hatred for the Jewish state.

Jihadists and neo-Nazis inevitably each get a chapter, but Maltz also illustrates that some Jews oppose the existence of Israel - usually for theological reasons - and that many Christians also still foster anti-Semitic sentiments, perhaps also for their own faulty theological reasons.

The overall conclusion is that “this multi-headed hydra of hatred against the Jews” (p77) is capable of emerging in many contexts. It is an ancient hostility that will not die. Jews remain hated and feared simply because they are Jews.

As Maltz admits, his book “has only skimmed the surface of the seas of animosity…[but the] objective has simply been to alert people to a massive injustice without laying it on too thickly” (p77).

Web Referencing

One interesting feature of the book is that the endnotes to each chapter consist largely of references to websites and webpages, most of which are independent news sources used to back up the points he makes. By following up each reference, the reader can expand his knowledge and understanding at each point. The book can thus be described as Tardis-like - much bigger on the inside that its outer size suggests.

It may seem tedious to have to keep going to the web to access this extra reading but all the links are also listed together on Maltz’s own website, Saltshakers, making clicking through much easier (though it must be said that some links no longer work).

The quirky title should not detract from the seriousness of the subject matter.

A Note on the Title

By the end, Maltz declares that “Our onion has been well and truly peeled” (p77). However, the onion analogy is not necessary to gain an appreciation of the book and the work Maltz has done in compiling it. It may have been inspirational and helpful for the author and his creative processes, but there is no sense that each layer (chapter) is getting smaller or heading towards a ‘centre’. The book stands on its own terms, and the reader will not be aware of any peeling process, though he may well be led to shed tears at each stage.

At first sight, the title is rather obscure and its pronunciation awkward to work out. Making up a new word for the title of a book can run into difficulty, but the subtitle (‘Why does the world obsess over Israel?’) is helpful in getting us past the cover – which as we know is never the best way to assess a book!

Excellent Value

Overall this slim volume is excellent value and easy to read. It could also be passed on to others whose views need challenging or whose understanding needs stretching. Maltz is an expert in providing assistance in both cases.

In some ways this is a slight diversion from the main themes of the author’s previous books (‘Hebraic Church’, ‘Livin’ The Life’) but these will be picked up again in his next book, Into the Lion’s Den, due out March 2018.

Zionion (80pp) is available from the publisher for £5.

500 years ago this coming week, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany.

500 years ago this coming week (31 October 1517), Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. In those days, this was the traditional way to initiate a public debate on a given theme.

This time the theme was a 95-fold challenge to the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church of the day, that was bent on fundraising at the expense of the poor by selling so-called ‘indulgences’, whereby the unsuspecting were persuaded that they could purchase forgiveness of sins.

The 95 items¹ were headed with the words:

Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute with him orally shall do so in their absence by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Luther summarised his overall purpose under three headings:

1. Selling indulgences to finance the building of St Peter's is wrong.
   
2. The pope has no power over Purgatory.
   
3. Buying indulgences gives people a false sense of security and endangers their salvation.
   

Thus broke out what became the Protestant Reformation, with the rallying cry of Habbakuk 2:4:

Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.

Luther did not succeed in reforming the Catholic Church of his day but became cut off from this community, instead propelling into existence the Lutheran wing of the Protestant Church, which has spread its influence widely over these 500 years.

Luther did not succeed in reforming the Catholic Church of his day, but propelled into existence the Lutheran wing of the Protestant Church.

Luther’s Blind Spot

This week, we should celebrate this astounding move which brought freedom to millions who were no longer to be chained by the religious orders of the historic Roman Catholic Church, but free to explore the life of faith which pleases God. The later reforms of the Roman Catholic Church surely also owe something to this early proclamation of Luther.

The church door in Wittenberg, Germany, where Luther pinned his 95 theses for all to see. See Photo Credits.

Yet, great though the Protestant Reformation has been, we would also be wise to perceive an unfinished work. Luther had one tremendous blind spot. When he failed to impact the Jewish community with his proclamation of the Gospel, he turned against them. In his publication of 1543 ‘On the Jews and their Lies’, he described Jews as a "base, whoring people, that is, no people of God, and their boast of lineage, circumcision, and law must be accounted as filth." He wrote that they are "full of the devil's faeces...which they wallow in like swine," describing the synagogue is an "incorrigible whore and an evil slut".²

He proposed the following seven actions:

1. To burn down Jewish synagogues and schools and warn people against them;
   
2. To refuse to let Jews own houses among Christians;
   
3. For Jewish religious writings to be taken away;
   
4. For rabbis to be forbidden to preach;
   
5. To offer no protection to Jews on highways;
   
6. For usury to be prohibited and for all silver and gold to be removed, put aside for safekeeping, and given back to Jews who truly convert;
   
7. To give young, strong Jews flail, axe, spade, and spindle, and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their brow.
   

Luther could not have foreseen that this unfortunate after-thought in his later life, following many years of powerful and fruitful ministry, would be taken up literally by Hitler’s Nazis as an impetus to the terrible ‘final solution’, culminating in the horror of the Holocaust.

Let us thank God for the good fruits of Luther’s ministry, but now take responsibility for the completion of the Reformation.

The True Life of Faith

Luther was fluent in Hebrew yet he failed to fully understand Hebraic thought. He saw the Epistle of James as a “perfect straw-epistle” because he did not understand James’ teaching that faith without works is dead (James 2:26).³

No doubt his mind was already so much against those from a Jewish background (like James, whose name was actually Jacob) to consider them as having a doctrine of salvation by works, like the Roman Catholics of his day.

He did not consider the Hebrew emunah sufficiently to observe that it means both ‘faith’ and ‘faithfulness’, so that Hebrews 11:1 can be translated equally “faith is the substance of things hoped for” and “faithfulness is the substance of things hoped for”, which completely validates James’ teaching that the faith which pleases God involves the fruitful outworking of our lives.

Luther was fluent in Hebrew yet he failed to fully understand Hebraic thought.

A Careful Eye on Prophecy

Of course Luther did not live in our day when we see the miracle of Israel’s re-birth as a nation. Nor did he witness the increasing numbers of Messianic Jews declaring faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. Would he have been ashamed if he knew of his own contribution to fanning the flames of Replacement Theology still rampant in the Christian Church?

Had he lived today perhaps he would not have been so foolish as to speak against the Jews as he did and may well have written a 96^th thesis. He may have had a more careful eye on the outworking of prophecy. In his day, just as he discarded the Epistle of James and also that of Jude, he discarded the Book of Revelation. Perhaps he had not the prompting to consider end time prophecy as we have, with signs all around us.

What would this 96^th thesis be? Let me suggest it:

96 For discussion: We live in the sure expectancy that God is drawing together both Jews and Gentiles into the one community of faith which Paul calls the ‘one new man’ (Ephesians 2:14-15). It is now time to rediscover the original roots of our faith together. God, in His wisdom, is enabling a fresh interaction between Messianic Jews and believing Gentiles as never before to firmly establish the common faith. Surely this will be the means of strengthening for the days ahead, for washing away all doctrinal and denominational division when we are united in Spirit and Truth through Faith in the One True God and His Son Yeshua the Messiah. This is to be the goal of all who believe in Him, whether from Catholic or Protestant backgrounds. Surely this will complete the Reformation begun so sacrificially 500 years ago, but now to be completed as we wait for the return of our Saviour.

References

1 Click here for a translation of the entire 95 theses.

2 Anti-Semitism: Martin Luther - "The Jews & Their Lies" (1543). Jewish Virtual Library.

3 Martin Luther and the Book of James. Biblestudy.org.

Anti-Semitic ‘bullets’ fly at annual Labour Party conference.

On the day we heard news of the killing of three Israelis by a Palestinian gunman in the West Bank, the UK media was also reporting on anti-Semitic ‘bullets’ being fired at the annual conference of Her Majesty’s official Opposition.

Anti-Israel sentiment has been simmering in Britain’s Labour Party ever since hard-leftist Jeremy Corbyn took over as leader two years ago.

He had earlier promised to deal with it, but little if anything has been done and things got out of hand in Brighton, an otherwise gentle seaside resort designed for rest and refreshment.

One speaker suggested Labour should be free to debate whether the Holocaust had happened.

Amid reports of intimidation of a leading BBC correspondent, activists applauded panellists at a fringe meeting who likened supporters of Israel to Nazis. Delegates even demanded expulsion from the party of the Jewish Labour Movement and Labour Friends of Israel – one speaker suggested Labour should be free to debate whether the Holocaust had happened!¹

Clearly, anti-Semitism is still a big problem in Mr Corbyn’s party more than a year after he pledged to get to grips with the issue. Even the chairman of the parliamentary Labour Party, John Cryer, said he had tweets from party members which made his hair stand on end and were “redolent of the 1930s”.²

‘Natural’ Party for Britain’s Jews

All the more shocking is the fact that, until recently, Labour has been the ‘natural’ party for Britain’s 290,000 Jews – but no longer. So what has happened? Well, it was also once the natural party for Methodists and other non-conformist Christians who had emerged from the awakening of biblical truths following the Reformation sparked by Martin Luther 500 years ago.

After all, Labour was founded on the Christian ethics of men like Keir Hardie who were keen to translate the good neighbourliness and social justice taught by the Gospel into the lives of ordinary working people. Indeed, members still pride themselves on being ‘caring’ individuals, which is one reason, no doubt, why minorities such as the Jewish community felt at home among them. But in reality, the heart and passion of their message has been lost in Marxist dogma and ideology, far removed from the freedom from such ‘slavery’ expressed in the Bible.

Mr Corbyn said he wanted a ‘kinder politics’, but instead we have a bunch of bully-boys replicating the behaviour of the Palestinian Authority.

Put simply, God has been thrown out of the party window. At the same conference two years ago, Mr Corbyn said he wanted a ‘kinder politics’,³ but instead we have a bunch of bully-boys replicating the behaviour of the Palestinian Authority brainwashing their children to hate Jews.

Born into the caring world of Christianity, Labour has brought much good to society – most notably through the National Health Service which became the envy of the world – but has made the disastrous mistake of devouring the hand that has fed it (ideologically speaking). Worst of all, Labour has turned on the nation that brought God to the world, specifically through the Bible and the Jewish Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Ridiculously Misinformed

And in berating Zionists as Nazis, they are ridiculously misinformed. For example, Israeli search-and-rescue teams are helping island communities shattered by the recent hurricanes, and their medics are tending to the wounds of those caught up in the Syrian civil war. In fact, dozens of Syrian civilians have written letters of gratitude to Israel and its defence forces. One 27-year-old Syrian woman wrote: “We thought that Israel was our enemy, but we realized that it’s good to us. I want to thank the hospitals in Israel and the Israeli army for all its help to the…Syrian children.”

A 30-year-old married man wrote: “After seven years of revolution in which we have lost lives and blood, there was nowhere for the wounded Syrians to go and receive treatment. I am grateful to the State of Israel for the help it provided to all the wounded people of Syria.”⁴

Was this how Nazis behaved in World War II?

‘What we are seeing is really dangerous…deeply sinister, nasty and quite frightening.’

Conservative MP Andrew Percy, who has also been a target of anti-Semitism, said of the shenanigans in Brighton: “What we are seeing is really dangerous. There is a cult of personality around Jeremy Corbyn that will not allow any questioning of him or his views. It is deeply sinister, nasty and quite frightening.”⁵

Another Tory MP, Sheryll Murray, had swastikas daubed on her General Election posters earlier this year.

These are the antics that remind us of Nazism, not the perfectly reasonable aspirations of Zionists seeking to secure the world’s only refuge for the Jewish people.

Confusing Ideological Alliance

What we are seeing, in fact, is a somewhat confusing ideological alliance been the Marxist-oriented hard left and the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the far-right Islamists who wish to drive Israel into the sea. Whatever you care to call this mish-mash of dogmas, they reflect long discredited, old-style, totalitarian regimes in which no other view is tolerated outside of what is judged to be politically correct.

This lack of tolerance is becoming endemic on our university campuses and is extremely worrying for the future of our democracy, with a vast swathe of young people very nearly sending Jeremy Corbyn – ‘friend’ of Palestinian terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah – to No. 10 Downing Street.

The God-haters are on the march; they’ve already dismantled the banners of truth and justice that launched the Labour movement.

Is this the kind of Orwellian police state the millennials really want? When will we wake up and smell the coffee?

God Help Us!

The God-haters are on the march; they’ve already dismantled the banners of truth and justice that launched the Labour movement, and decent people across the country sit idly by letting it all happen.

Journalists have joked about the way in which much of our youth have heaped Messiah-like status on Jeremy Corbyn, and even remarked on the fact he has the same initials as Jesus Christ. The trouble is that it’s not funny.

It’s so obvious that we need to restore the place of God in our society. Have we not learnt any lessons from the disastrous experiments of China, the Soviet Union, Venezuela and North Korea? Apparently not, because – in the very English, gentrified surroundings of Brighton, a Soviet-style UK is assembling before our very eyes.

God help us! And I mean, only God can help us!

Notes

1 Daily Mail, 26 September 2017.

2 Ibid.

3 He had urged delegates: “Cut out the personal abuse, cut out the cyber-bullying and especially the misogynistic abuse online and let’s get on with bringing real values back into politics.” BBC News, 29 September 2015.

4 Bridges for Peace, 15 September 2017.

5 Daily Mail, 26 September 2017.

Labour’s revival deserves close attention.

The re-emergence of the British Labour Party as a serious contender for power – following a period when they seemed unelectable under a new leader from the hard Left – is extremely worrying.

Although I recognise a clear resurrection of Marxism here, it is also worryingly comparable to the nightmare scenario of the rise of Nazism in the early 1930s when Hitler was swept to power by an electorate desperate for a restoration of pride and plenty. With the rise of socialist agendas in Britain and in other countries, the subtle agenda of anti-Semitism is once more being carried along by an increasingly angry undercurrent for change.

I am not suggesting Jeremy Corbyn is a new Hitler, but it is difficult not to be reminded of the Nazi era. After all, swathes of young people came out in support of Corbyn – the no-hoper turned celebrity almost overnight – in spite of much negative press coverage, including his evident anti-Semitic sympathies. But as someone has said, “the lesson we learn from history is that we never learn the lesson from history!”

Failure to Tackle Anti-Semitism

The latest victim of the menacing – some would say thuggish – behaviour of those surrounding Mr Corbyn is one of his own MPs, Luciana Berger, a 36-year-old Jewish mum representing a Liverpool constituency.

According to the Daily Mail,¹ she faces the threat of de-selection from party activists unless she apologises for previously criticising her leader. A former member of the Shadow Cabinet who quit her post in protest at Mr Corbyn’s stance, Miss Berger has received vile anti-Semitic abuse including 2,500 hate-filled messages in just three days from internet trolls. These included threats to rape or kill her, while some featured the yellow star used by the Nazis to identify Jews.

Corbyn is a no-hoper turned celebrity almost overnight - despite his evident anti-Semitic sympathies.

Mr Corbyn has faced repeated criticism that he has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in his party. He has personally referred to terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah as ‘friends’ and, in October 2014, travelled to Tunisia to visit the grave of a PLO terrorist linked with the massacre of Jewish athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.²

But none of this seems to move the rising mass of ‘Corbynistas’, who instead turn out to cheer their man as if he were some kind of pop star. Meanwhile, Labour takes an eight-point lead over the Conservatives – 46 per cent to 38 – according to a YouGov poll for The Times.³

Red Line for Jews

Grassroots group Momentum, evidently responsible for Mr Corbyn’s meteoric rise to prominence, has clearly recruited a sea of red political soldiers waving flags of intolerance at anyone daring to oppose their ideologies.

Isi Leibler, a highly respected Jewish leader and commentator, advises Britain’s Jews to cross this ‘Red Sea’ by packing their bags for Israel. The threat to their well-being and safety may be worse than at any time since 1656, when Jews were invited back to Britain under Cromwell following their expulsion in 1290.

“It is a horrifying prospect that a man who publicly praises Hamas and Hezbollah as his ‘friends’, who attended a ceremony in Tunis commemorating the murderer of Israeli Olympic athletes, was employed by the state-controlled Iranian TV to present programs, and tolerated the proliferation of overt anti-Semitism in his party was so close to being elected Prime Minister,” he wrote.⁴

Jewish leader Isi Leibler is advising British Jews to pack their bags for Israel.

Such huge support “for a primitive Trotskyite whose friends include terrorists…is simply mind-boggling”.

The ‘red line’ has now been crossed for British Jews who are considered pariahs by a substantial proportion of the nation, he added. Anti-Israel rhetoric has reached unprecedented levels both in street demonstrations and at universities, while armed guards are now required at schools, synagogues and other Jewish centres.

By contrast to the 1930s, he said, today’s Jews have a state willing to embrace them where they can enjoy the fruits of the Jewish national renaissance and leave behind the humiliation of anti-Semitism.

Anything Goes

1930s Germany might seem a world away from 21^st Century Britain, but what makes us think we are insured against totalitarianism, dictatorship, chaos and confusion, riots in the streets and even civil war?

We can insure our houses against a variety of risks, but there is no such insurance policy for our nation at this time. We have turned our backs on the Lord of glory – and he has left us to our own devices and dilemmas. We are now paying heavily for not taking out (everlasting) life insurance as we reap the consequences of worshipping the hedonistic idols of atheism, with society breaking down, terror stalking our streets and what we used to regard as ‘sin’ being celebrated and promoted.

In 1930s Germany, few dreamed that this apparently charismatic figure who talked of restoring German pride and was gaining in popularity by the day would, within a dozen years, have sent 50 million people to their deaths in a war that would see the destruction of the nation’s economy along with many of its great cities, and the most appalling crime in history – the murder of six million Jews.

Many believe the Holocaust could never happen again – and some actually believe it never took place at all – because it was wicked beyond belief. But in Britain’s brave new world where anything goes, a party whose leader has obvious anti-Semitic sympathies is now more popular than the newly re-elected Conservative Government of Theresa May, which has had to agree to work with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party to carry out legislation.

1930s Germany might seem a world away from 21^st Century Britain, but what makes us think we are insured against totalitarianism?

Temporary Troubles

It’s worth recalling that homosexuals were also sent to Nazi death camps. But now, perversely, their lifestyle is held up as something for which we must all be proud – and those who disagree are, like the Jews, also pariahs. Of course both these scenarios are horribly wrong. God loves gay people as much as any of us, but not their lifestyle.

An estimated one million people joined the ‘Gay Pride’ march through London, seen by the BBC as something to lift our spirits in these difficult times blighted by terror and confusion. But the ‘happy’ scene is in fact a tragedy, underscored for me as I watched the TV cameras pan across the parade down Regent Street with the distinctive features of All Souls, Langham Place, in the background.

For many across the world, this church is seen as the very heart and soul of Christian evangelicalism – representing those who believe the Bible is the unchanging word of God for all time; and that it means what it says, and says what it means. But the contrast picked up by the cameras also reminds us that the current state of the union is only temporary, whereas our God is eternal. Comparing people to grass, the Prophet Isaiah wrote: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isa 40:8).

And remember: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:13).

Notes

1 Ferguson, K. Labour MP is threatened with deselection by hard-left activists. Daily Mail, 6 July 2017.

2 Jerusalem News Network, 2 June 2017, quoting Jerusalem Post.

3 Joseph, A. Labour take shock poll lead over Conservatives. Daily Mail, 6 July 2017.

4 British Jews: A wake-up call. Jerusalem Post, 13 June 2017.

Acceptable anti-Semitism in Britain today.

In the wake of the Manchester and London Bridge terror attacks, Theresa May has pledged to open a new Commission for Countering Extremism¹ saying, "Enough is enough.”²

The new Commission would do well to look into the organisers of the recent Al-Quds Day rally held on Sunday, 18 June.³

The Jewish Chronicle (23 June 2017) reported that the police are investigating as a possible hate crime the statement by an organiser of the rally, Nazim Ali of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), that “Zionists” were responsible for the Grenfell fire. He is also reported to have said, “As we know in Grenfell, many innocents were murdered by Theresa May’s cronies, many of which are supporters of Zionist ideology.”⁴

Anti-Semitism on the Streets

Other choice sayings at the march apparently were, “Zionism is a fascist, evil ideology…Everyone knows that Zionist Israel and Isis are the same…We are all Hezbollah.”⁵ To prove this, the Hezbollah flag with its machine gun logo was waved even by children on the march. Hezbollah Military Wing is a banned terror group⁶ and the police are to investigate whether displaying the flags contravened UK terror laws. The organisers of the march apparently support the political rather than military wing of Hezbollah, even though the distinction has been acknowledged by the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to be non-existent.⁷

So, who are these “Zionists” that are being demonised?

Apparently, it is all Jews apart from the ones who reject the state of Israel. The only ‘real Jews’, in their view, are those who attended the march from a tiny fringe group called Neturei Karta (meaning ‘Guardians of the City’⁸) who reject the state of Israel’s right to exist. Since most UK Jews and a large number of Christians support the state of Israel’s right to exist, this logically makes them the hated “Zionists”.

Rewarded at the Ballot Box

Anti-Semitism continues to rise. In addition to overflowing onto our streets, it is being rewarded at the ballot box. Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West was re-elected, increasing her share of the vote by 10,000 in the election. This was the Labour MP whose anti-Semitic remarks (despite holding a seat on the Home Affairs Committee investigating the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK) caused Ken Livingstone to weigh in on her behalf and pull the plug on his own career, being suspended from the Labour party for bringing it into disrepute with his remarks on Hitler and Israel in a radio interview.⁹

Police are investigating as a possible hate crime the statement by a rally organiser that “Zionists” were responsible for the Grenfell fire.

This led to Shami Chakrabarti’s inquiry into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, which a recent documentary labelled a whitewash.¹⁰ During the inquiry, Jeremy Corbyn was questioned by Shami Chakrabarti as to why he has called Hamas his “friends” and has apparently called for them to be removed from the UK’s list of banned terror groups.¹¹ This inconvenient interview was omitted from the inquiry’s findings.¹² Shami Chakrabarti subsequently received a peerage.

Naz Shah has softened her stance on Israel. However, in Bradford, the Israel Palestinian question with attendant anti-Semitic rhetoric is central to political discourse. Consequently, when she said Israel had a right to exist during election hustings, an audience member shouted “Jew, Jew, Jew” at her, which the authorities are said to be investigating.^13,14

Usurping Spirit of Anti-Christ

The Labour Party has perhaps not been as forceful as it should have been in dealing with anti-Semitism, because it courts Muslim votes. After all, in Britain there are over 3 million Muslims but fewer than 270,000 Jews.

But it is not only the Labour Party that has anti-Semitic elements. Former Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron instigated the barring of former Bradford East MP David Ward from standing for the party in the recent election.¹⁵ The right wing of the Conservative party has also had its anti-Semites, though David Cameron took care to re-position the party away from its “nasty” elements.

This should not surprise us. Anti-Semitism rises because it is the hallmark of the growing spirit of Anti-Christ.

In militant Islam, this jealous, usurping spirit finds its most violent, implacable expression. It is fuelled by an irrational spiritual jealousy that cannot be appeased (Prov 27:4). Only the Holy Spirit can withstand and conquer the spirit of Anti-Christ and in turn counter it with a Godly jealousy that cannot be withstood: “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” (Zech 1:14).¹⁶

In militant Islam, the jealous, usurping spirit of Anti-Christ finds its most violent, implacable expression. 

Different Fronts, Same Spirit

Anti-Semitism is also rife among Muslims who would not consider themselves to be extremists and we are tolerating it in political discourse.

Mehmood Naqshbandi, who visits mosques around the country and advises Government and police on Muslim matters, said:

It’s a problem which is endemic in the Muslim community. It’s widespread; it covers generations. It is taken for granted when Muslims are talking to other Muslims, people don’t feel any obligation to hold back from expressing the kind of casual racist views about Jews and about the Jewish community that fits the nasty stereotypes of caricatures of Jewish behaviour, expectations of Jewish conduct and so on. It’s a deep-rooted problem, a problem which is not challenged.¹⁷

Like a hydra, the lawless spirit of Anti-Christ is thrashing violently and emerging on multiple fronts. The enemy is angered by the UK’s impending freedom from the EU bloc and the political, social and ultimately spiritual freedom this could bring. An independent UK need not be constrained by and involved in EU condemnation of Israel. We will not be compelled to send soldiers to fight in an EU army, a force which could be deployed against Israel in future.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

We have won the battle to leave the EU, but the war continues. Yet all who rise up against the Lord and against his Anointed One will ultimately be defeated. Micah 4:11-12:

But now many nations [or gentiles] are gathered against you. They say, ‘Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!’ But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing-floor.

When we oppose God’s people Israel, we fight against the Lord himself, who is the chief of all Zionists and the one who has declared that Zion will be the chief glory of the earth:

Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. (Ps 48:2-3)

When we oppose God’s people Israel, we fight against the Lord himself, who is the chief of all Zionists.

Zion is precious to the Lord:

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isa 49:16)

And it is the Lord who has regathered Israel. His ancient promise in Isaiah 61:4 has been fulfilled:

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

As for us, we declare:

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. (Isa 62:1)

References

1 Peck, T. Theresa May to set up commission for countering extremism. The Independent, 27 May 2017.

2 Rayner, G and Maidment, J. Theresa May says 'enough is enough' in wake of London Bridge terror attack as she confirms General Election will go ahead. The Telegraph, 4 June 2017.

3 See also our previous coverage here.

4 The Jewish Chronicle, 23 June 2017, pp6-7.

5 Ibid.

6 Proscribed Terrorist Organisations. UK Home Office, p10.

7 Ibid.

8 A group of Orthodox Jews, founded Jerusalem in 1938 – see here.

9 See Prophecy Today’s previous coverage of this issue here.

10 Whitewashed by J-TV.

11 Riley-Smith, B. Revealed: Jeremy Corbyn called for Hamas to be removed from banned terror list. The Telegraph, 3 June 2017.

12 Hope, C and Hughes, L. Shami Chakrabarti handed peerage weeks after suppressing Jeremy Corbyn interview from 'whitewash' anti-Semitism report. The Telegraph, 5 August 2016.

13 Murray, D. When did British voters start rewarding anti-Semitism? The Spectator, 11 June 2017.

14 Police probe ‘anti-Semitic’ heckling of Naz Shah for defending Israel’s existence. Jewish News, 3 June 2017.

15 Elgot, J. Tim Farron sacks Lib Dem candidate for 'offensive and antisemitic' remarks. The Guardian, 26 April 2017.

16 See this article from Prophecy Today’s launch issue warning about the rise of antisemitism.

17 Anti-Semitism in the UK: is it growing? BBC Radio 4, 5 March 2015.