Understanding Israel: Did you know?

Did you know that Christians ruled the Holy Lands during two periods, each of which lasted longer than Texas has been a state?  During both the Byzantine and Crusade periods the Holy Land was ruled by Christians for hundreds of years.  I knew, but forgot.  This land, like the food, has produced an overlapping set of cultures.  Canaanite, Jewish, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Catholic Crusaders, Ottoman, British, and now Israeli.  The most difficulty thing is that we don't understand Israel and the complexities and nuances of its history at all.  

Our translator and guide has been fantastic.  He has helped us to grow a lot in our appreciation and love for all Israelis: Christians, Muslims, and Jews.  However, three days in a country does not make me an expert on the nuances of Israeli political life.  And, a nation like the U.S. with less than three centuries of experience is challenged by conflicts and nuances that are older than our nation.

Many Christians seem to support israel out of a hope for the immanent return of Jesus and the final battle of Meggido.  Other pastors with count down clocks seem to support the modern Israeli state out of a bizarre fantasy that it is the kingdom of David restored.  The modern state of Israel is not the kingdom of David restored.  But, Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and the only real American ally left after idiotic foreign policy that alienated and betrayed our allies during both Democratic and Republican administrations.  

At the best our policies in the Middle East have been benign naive incompetence, at their worst they have led to even greater humanitarian catastrophes and a more unstable region that is potentially more volatile and less democratic than before.  But, we must stand with Israel.  They are an amazing people who do not want American soldiers, but need American support.  We do not need to tell them how to execute their foreign policy in a region of the world that we fail to understand.  But, we need to make sure that their frail strategic position is never worsened by our lack of support.  Peace must be our goal, but peace will never be achieved by weakening Israel.  Only with a strong Israel will peace and stability in this region be possible.