On December 31, 2014, Australia – knowingly or otherwise – honoured the legacy left in the Middle East by the ANZAC diggers of World War 1 who liberated the land of the Bible from centuries of Muslim control.
On that, the final day of its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Abbott government voted against an Arab-led plan to force the birth of a State of Palestine in the biblical heartland of the nation of Israel.
Yesterday, New Zealand’s foreign minister arrived in Jerusalem in an effort to reportedly reverse what Australia accomplished. This even though modern Israel’s existence is as much a New Zealand heritage as an Aussie one.
What happened to the spirit of the ANZACS?
What happened, one wonders, to the spirit that saw the two countries – Australia and New Zealand – unite to stand sacrificially against totalitarianism; that a century ago led New Zealanders to fight and die alongside Australians so that the centre of the earth, including the Middle East, could be free?
And what message will this send to the majority of young New Zealanders who believe commemorating their ANZAC Day will be important for generations yet to come?
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has finished holding meetings with Israeli officials here in Jerusalem, but Kiwis concerned for their country should be rapping at the door of John Key down south to demand some answers with urgency.
They should also inquire of their Jewish prime minister whether their once Judeo-Christian nation should not have some sense of moral obligation towards protecting the long-hated Jewish people, and towards shoring up Israel, the embattled single beacon of Western democracy in the Muslim Middle East.
Reports out of Jerusalem on the eve of McCully’s visit signified serious concern that, just months after Australia blocked the UNSC effort to induce a two state solution, its neighbour across the Tasman is nursing dreams of tabling its own resolution to effectively restart the contractions.
The French – with help from Washington, according to Palestinian Authority chairman Rami Hamdallah – are right now spearheading the push to secure a ruling Israel believes will endanger its existence.
But should France fail, New Zealand’s proposal – which equally overrides Israel’s concerns – would legislate the unilateral establishment of ‘Palestine’ by 2017 unless Israel bends to the will of the world.
New Zealand’s ability to support the French resolution or submit its own will be substantially boosted by its rotation onto the Council presidency in July.
For Israel – based on its painfully accrued experience over more than a quarter of a century of failed land-for-peace formulae, together with present-day geopolitical realities in the region – Palestine presages the destruction of the Jewish national home.
The pressure on Israel to help facilitate the creation of this Arab state has increased exponentially since the March elections swept Benjamin Netanyahu into his fourth term as prime minister.
Last month saw European politicians – including the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Norway’s foreign minister Børge Brende – along with the pope, put their shoulder to the hitherto ‘immovable stone’ that is the land back in Israel’s hands in an effort to wrest it away.
Officials from Poland, Cyprus, France, Slovakia, Czech and Canada are scheduled to visit Israel this month to weigh in on the issue. With the exception of the last two, they will be coming to turn the screws on the Jews.
Israel is trying to push back. Netanyahu has appointed two right-thinking officials to the Foreign Ministry, while retaining the ministerial portfolio for himself.
On May 25, Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Dore Gold – who runs a research group that, according to the New York Times, “staunchly opposes an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank [sic] or any division of Jerusalem” – was made the new director of the Foreign Ministry.
A few days earlier, newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely cited the Bible and stated that all the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. She instructed Israel’s diplomatic staff to make this point to the world.
“We need to return to the basic truth of our rights to this country,” said the 36-year-old Zionist. “This land is ours. All of it is ours. We did not come here to apologize for that.”
And on Israel’s celebration of Jerusalem Day on May 17, Netanyahu emphatically declared that the city is Israel’s capital alone, and that it will remain so.
“We need to tell the truth [to the world], without fear,” he told his countrymen.
Israel has a wealth of documented Scriptural and historical truth on her side, but is seriously short of allies in the world.
Apart from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic and a handful of small nations, the international community is in lockstep agreement that the time has come to ‘just do it’ – just create Palestine and get the Jews out of that ‘occupied Arab territory’.
During Australia’s recent tenure on the Security Council, Canberra stood up to the furious Arab assault on its unwillingness to side against Israel. The government of Tony Abbott, with conviction, refuted the Arab claim that Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria contravene international law, and it notified the Arab world that Australia would not use pro-Palestinian language that refers to east Jerusalem as occupied.
Despite hysteria and angry threats from Arab envoys, Australia was unmoved.
In the face of this fury, Canberra’s stand at the Security Council was magnificent.
Wellington’s stand – if it goes the wrong way – will be ignominious.
When it comes to the most critical political issue on the planet – the Islam-Israel conflict – can New Zealand really be that far removed from Australia? The Islamic threat to Israel is a menace to Western democracy and targets the way of life of the Judeo-Christian-founded nations of the world.
Australia and New Zealand should be natural allies in support of Israel. New Zealand is small with a population of just five million, but her nearby noteworthy neighbour (23 million) is the country’s largest bilateral trading partner. New Zealand benefits massively from the friendship. Back in April Abbot told Key, “New Zealand and Australia are family.”
These two countries fought together in a war that shaped the destiny of Israel. They would be at their best if they fought together in peace to secure that destiny. It would bring blessings to both lands.
If New Zealanders mean as a prayer the words of their national anthem, “God defend our land,” they should rapidly reassess their position on Palestine and consider aligning themselves instead behind – or at least behave morally towards – the nation whence comes their knowledge of Him.
FOR OTHER LAND NEWS SEE THE FOLLOWING:
Dore Gold appointed Foreign Ministry director
Israel’s top diplomat tells colleagues ‘entire land is ours’
Netanyahu: Jerusalem has and always will only be the capital of the Jewish people
Melanie Phillips: As I See it: Israel’s Foreign Ministry moves to be right
As a New Zealander I have been concerned for a while over John Key’s stance on Israel. I have been praying for a change in his views and a recognition of his heritage… Once I get university exams out of the way this week (I should be studying now, oops) I’ll get pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and email him and Murray! As ANZACS it would be wonderful to think that Aus and NZ would stand together on this one. Stan, you make some very valid points, thank you.
stan, I have just finished reading a book by Chris Mitchell called “Dateline Jerusalem” ….very informative and full of much interesting data….good that. There are people out there prepared to tell the truth (as you do) about this beautiful Land that God calls his own!
we pray for Israel reg ultras here in Gaalong and are looking forward to hearing what you have to say when you visit here in August…I was at Simcha last December when you spoke so challengingly about that Vote in UN..praise God Au,strata stood firm! Jerusalem must not be divided..or Judea and Samaria given away….. Robin andrews
Hello Stan,
I was with the Baker Group in Israel recently and have been praying that the NZ Prime Minister John Keys would have a change of heart and stand with Israel. The Israeli prayer group I attend prayed last night that NZ would stand with Israel and this is disappointing news. However we will continue to pray believing that “all things are possible”. You are doing a mighty job and I so much enjoyed my time in Israel with you as guide.
Kath
Luke 2:25 And Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy Word: for mine eyes have seen THY SALVATION, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, AND THE GLORY OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary, his mother, BEHOLD THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING AGAIN OF MANY IN ISRAEL; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.
Isaiah 49:6 And he said, it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to RAISE UP THE TRIBES OF JACOB AND TO RESTORE THE PRESERVED OF ISRAEL: I will also give thee TO BE A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, that thou mayest be MY SALVATION unto the ends of the earth.
COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE Isaiah 40:1
REJOICE YE WITH JERUSALEM Isaiah 66:10 Romans 15:10
I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE Genesis 12:3 Acts 3:25
AND I WILL PLANT THEM UPON THEIR LAND, AND THEY SHALL NO MORE BE PULLED UP OUT OF THEIR LAND WHICH I HAVE GIVEN THEM, SAITH THE LORD THY GOD Amos 9:15
THY PEOPLE ALSO SHALL BE ALL RIGHTEOUS: THEY SHALL INHERIT THE LAND FOREVER, THE BRANCH OF MY PLANTING, THE WORK OF MY HANDS THAT I MAY BE GLORIFIED Isaiah 60: 21
YEAH, I WILL REJOICE OVER THEM TO DO THEM GOOD, AND I WILL PLANT THEM IN THIS LAND ASSUREDLY WITH MY WHOLE HEART AND MY WHOLE SOUL Jeremiah 32:41
WHEN THEY THEREFORE WERE COME TOGETHER, THEY ASKED OF HIM (JESUS), SAYING, LORD, WILT THAT AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL? AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR THE SEASONS WHICH THE FATHER HATH PUT IN HIS OWN POWER Acts 1:6
When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him (messengers of God’s truth), then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and Before him shall be gathered ALL NATIONS: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, COME, ye bless of my Father, inherit the kingdom (the blessing) prepared for you from the foundations of the world: … Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire…
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM Psalms 122:6
Countless times in Israel’s past – when things looked very bleak – yea, right-down disastrous – something would occur which changed the circumstances at hand almost ‘in a blink of the eye’ … and don’t we know WHICH ‘Eye’ did the blinking!
Therefore, I have determined that I shall and that I will look UP and I shall grasp the Tzitzis I trust are still ready and available on Jesus’ garment … and I shall not let go, on behalf of our beloved Israel … and I shall ‘be still and know that You Are God’ Who treasures His people more than mere words can express.
Dear Kim – you do not need to log in to read any of the articles. Just ignore the log in instructions and go straight to the articles under “On Watch.” God bless you!
Miranda, your passion and concern for Israel is exemplary. May I stress, however, my strong conviction that the Jewish people are over the worst of their suffering. See my previous article – ‘Christians and the battle for the land of Israel.’ God bless you.
First I just want to say thank you Stan. all you say is so true. The scripture says all nations go against Israel. I pray that all true Christians never change and join those nations that are against G-ds word. Also I was trying to log on to read an article and many have messed up my subscription with you. Please keep my one I have had with you the same. Being in my 70s I can hit the wrong keys..I love your articles and truth and pray without ceasing and stay in the Word. We all need to in one way or the other just keep on telling them, the world, the truth. Shalom
I am a former New Zealander now a citizen of Australia, I agree with everything you say concerning John Keys. He has become a disappointment, they intensely dislike him with his hardline approach to rebuilding Christchurch homes devastated by the earthquake ‘ he comes from there!’ They see him as a hardline property developer. Now he wants to spend $25m on a referendum to change the flag, that the diggers fought for, while people still haven’t got houses. I don’t think he’ll be getting back into office!
As an Australian I’m disgusted with NZ’s stance on this issue! Having said that however, I’m also very concerned with how long Abbot’s party will remain in power. If, as it seems (to me at least), they may well lose the next election, we will no longer have a prime minister who will support Israel and we too will suffer the wrath of God after all these years of steadfast support for His beloved Israel!
As I watch the rest of the world March to the same Anti-Israel anti-christ drum, it’s only a matter of time before she will be totally alone. I dread that day for her, but I know it must come, ultimately for her good, but not without much suffering in the process. These are exciting yet very difficult times which will only become worse, as we are all aware of according to His Word. I pray for much wisdom and G_dly guidance for Netanyahu and for those who surround him! May G_d supply him with ALL His needs according to His glorious riches in heaven and according to His purposes for His precious people and land! Amen!