GOOD NEWS FOR COLORADO SPRINGS- Not enough endtime zealots turned out to make today’s event scary, although those who did approach us with arguments were disturbing enough. By the way, the “Jewish Market” turned out to be a dozen tables, 75% of them with books, basically free propaganda literature (much of it from StandWithUs) making the case that Israel can do no wrong.
Tonight is Colorado Springs’ first annual A Night to Honor Israel, an event put on by the local chapter of Christians United for Israel. On the face of it — at least on the flyer for it — the gathering appears to be an outreach of the Christian community to our Biblical compatriots in their “hour of need”, whatever that means. Ostensibly a lovely gesture, but below the surface it’s murkier.
Does anyone remember Jerry Falwell? In 1979, Falwell founded the political lobby known as the Moral Majority on the following four principles:
1. opposition to abortion
2. support of the traditional family
3. strong American military
4. unconditional support for Israel
Abortion, family, even military I understand. But unconditional support for Israel? Why would right-wing Christians be unabashedly pro-Israel? Jerry Falwell saw Israel’s fate as a crucial international issue for Christians because of the role it plays in Biblical eschatological schemes.
To Christian Zionists, the land of Israel is covenant land — land that belongs not to Jews or Arabs but to God himself. It is on God’s land that the Second Coming of Christ will occur. It is on God’s land where the Chosen, the Jewish people, will perish by the millions in the battle of Armageddon, excepting those few Jews who accept Christ’s final offer of salvation. To Christians, Israel is a key player in the Biblical apocalypse and little more. Christian Zionism is, at its core, supremely self-centered and anti-semitic.
Not surprisingly, Christian Zionists are a major obstacle to a just peace between Palestine and Israel, pressuring both the U.S. and secular Israeli governments to refuse to cede a single inch of the Promised Land, indeed to take the entire West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and all of Jerusalem — a message that American Jews are more than happy to embrace.
Since 9/11 a growing contingent of the Christian Right has been aligned with Israel in another important respect. Both see militant Islam as the greatest threat to Judeo-Christian culture, a common enemy that must be defeated. Pastor John Hagee, who founded Christians United for Israel with the active assistance of none other than Jerry Falwell, has called for Israel to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran, not to ensure the safety of the Jewish homeland, but to hasten Christ’s return to earth and the certain annihilation of the Jewish people. I guess it is acceptable to be anti-semitic as long as you’re pro-Israel.
Although called to be peacemakers, Christian Zionists are happy to warmonger in the Middle East and will keep continued pressure on the U.S. government to support Israel’s right to exist and be safe in the midst of the Islamic world — at least until the Second Coming provides the Final Solution.
SUNDAY 5/17- Colorado Springs Christians United For Israel has scheduled A Night to Honor Israel to instruct one and all “WHY it is necessary to stand united for Israel: “Biblically, Morally, Geo-politically” on Sunday May 17, from 3pm-7pm at the City Auditorium. Can you guess there will be something to say about this outside?
COLORADANS FOR PEACE will be providing counterbalance to the racist war-mongering outside the City Auditorium, from before 3pm Sunday, until this message is heard: JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE, NO WAR WITH IRAN.
With the consent and aid of the US, Israel most recently committed horrible atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon, and they continue to seize Palestinian land and oppress the Palestinian people. Inciting America’s Christian community to rally for Zionist racism is exactly what will not serve the cause of peace in the Middle East.
The CUFI invite reads: “Join us for Colorado Springs’ first ever Night to Honor Israel as Christian and Jewish communities gather in a show of support for Israel. The event boasts traditional Israeli song and dance, a beautiful banner presentation of the Tribes of Israel, and dynamic speakers that will convey the importance of standing with Israel and encourage us to action. There will be an Israeli Marketplace, and the event will close with a light reception.”
Which sounds reasonable enough, until of course the mention of “encourage us to action.” By action, the CUFI guest speakers mean war with Iran.
The Colorado Springs event is one of scores scheduled across the country this weekend, intended as “a gift to Israel on the anniversary of her creation,” an expression of unconditional support “in Israel’s hour of need.” Israel has in the last hour cast Lebanon and Gaza into death throes, as it grades the remainder of Palestine for Jewish settlements. By hour of need, do they mean, the threat posed by Iran acquiring nuclear weapons? Iran has never threatened the “destruction of Israel” other than the expressed hope that her Zionist system of apartheid borders be dissolved and the inhabitants of the region be permitted a democratic regime of their choosing.
Here are some sample banner slogans:
CHRISTIAN RIGHT + ZIONISM = UNHOLY ALLIANCE
WHAT FRIEND OF ISRAEL CONDEMNS JEWS TO HELL?
ISRAEL IS NOT YOUR ESCHATOLOGICAL PAWN
CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS ARE ANTI-SEMITES
Here’s the COLORADANS FOR PEACE invite, please pass it around!
Fellow peace activists,
If you haven’t heard already, we will be protesting “A NIGHT TO HONOR ISRAEL” to be held at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium this Sunday. The event is sponsored by Christians United For Israel, which teaches unconditional support of Israel, and is currently advocating for a US attack on Iran.This event is touted as the “First Annual” for Colorado Springs, and is among 60 happening on the same day all over the country as “a gift to Israel.” The same featured speakers have been traveling the US over the last several months urging unilateral support for Israel “in her hour of great need.”
COLORADANS FOR PEACE is determined to show that the City of Colorado Springs must not be considered an accomplice to Israel’s racist motives and criminal actions. We believe that peace in the Middle East will not be reached by escalated militarism and preemptive violence.
Please contact whomever you think would be interested. We will assemble on the sidewalk across the street from the City Auditorium at 221 E. Kiowa Street, between Nevada Ave and Weber Street. We’ll be there from 3pm to 6pm or so, serving as peaceful witness against war and racism. We will have Palestinian flags and banners which read OCCUPATION IS A CRIME and STAND WITH GAZA, among others. More information, and updates can be found at http://coloradansforpeace.org
WHAT: Witness for peace at COS Pro-Israel rally
WHERE: Across from City Auditorium at 221 E. Kiowa St.
WHEN: Sunday May 17, from 3 PM to 6 PM,
WHO: Coloradans For Peace with other organizations working toward promoting peace in the Middle EastFeel free to call me if you have any questions. I can be reached at 719.460.2836. Whatever assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Yours,
Eric Verlo
Coloradans For Peace