Today the Iranian regime observes a feast all their own, "International Jerusalem Day," in which the regime organizes its people to vent as much hatred against the Jewish state as they see fit. Once again, President Ahmadinejad of Iran, the figure-head of the powerful Shi'a Muslim clerics who are the real power-holders in Iran, has called for the destruction of Israel.
The Arab Spring democratic revolutions portent new challenges toward the State of Israel. The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, has stated that Egypt-Israel peace treaty is not as sacred as the Koran or the New Testament which sounds to me that he is keen to find some sort of real or perceived violation in order to nullify it. Mr. Elaraby, an Egyptian, probably reflects the sentiments of an increasing majority of his fellow Egyptians, who are said to be organizing a ‘million-man protest’ against peace accord with Israel. Relations with former friend Turkey have been strained since Israel boarded a Turkish ship trying to run the blockade of the Gaza Strip last year and of course. The Arab (and the Persians, and the Turks) peoples are restless and the one thing they agree on is their hatred against the State of Israel.
Once again I want to say what I've said many times before: I support the State of Israel. This means that I support:
Because I am a frienf of Israel,The right of the State of Israel to exist, a priori. The right of the State of Israel to exist right where it is, west of the Jordan River. The right of the State of Israel to be, and to remain, a Jewish State. The right of the people of Israel to live in peace and security with all of its neighbors. The right of Israeli people and Jewish people to live in peace and security wherever they are with full civil rights and respect for their personal dignity.
The Iranian regime - and they do not like to be called "regime" but that's what they are - is one built on hatred against the Jews. This hatred flows from two sources: the Koran, which establishes a theological and political enmity between Muslims and Jews, and the peculiar beliefs of the Shi'a Muslim sect which glorify blood, violent emotions, and uncontained hatred to enemies. Along with the North Korean, Cuban, and "bolivarian" Venezuelan regime, the Iranian regime is one of intense narcissism, in love with every thing they believe, say, and proclaim. Underneath this crust, the ancient Persian obsession for world domination still festers, now amplified by Koranic and Shi'ite imperatives of worldwide Islamic domination and the destruction of Israel and the domination of Jewish and Christians.I have the privilege to be frank and hones, and provide constructive criticism whenever I think is necessary to give it. My criticism of Israel will be informed by the prophetic Sacred Scriptures we both share in common, as well as a common legal, cultural, and civilizational patrimony. My criticism of Israel will in no way lead to measures undermining its existence, location or Jewish identity. My criticism of Israel will also be informed by the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.
This is what I want you to take away from this post: it's not about Iran, or even the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. It is about the extermination of an entire people, a new Holocaust against the Jewish people and the State of Israel, spearheaded by self-styled liberators of the human race who happen to carry a Koran and a sword - and soon, nuclear weapons - to achieve their twisted ends. It is the Iranian regime, and the likely-minded, who represent a clear and present danger to what remains of world peace.
Let us pray, then, for their conversion. That they may see that the hatred they cultivate is unworthy of people who claim to be believers in the God of Abraham. Let us pray for peace in the world, for the end of war and the rumors of wars. And yes, let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
I greet you from Afghanistan. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ which surpasses every understanding be with all of you.