As everyone probably knows, the Methodist Church (UK) recently adopted an extremely anti-Israel program. It is heartening to see that not all Methodists agree. A Methodist Friends of Israel group was formed. At their Web site, they explain who they are:
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Methodist Friends of Israel was formed in July 2010. We are Christians who are members or adherents of the Methodist Church, who love Israel and want to bless her and who fully accept God's everlasting covenant with His chosen people. While recognising that the nation of Israel is, like all nations of the world, an unrighteous nation that does not always get things right, we firmly stand with her at all times and continue to support her in an increasingly hostile world. We will not turn our backs as so many did in the 1930s.
We see that anti Semitism is on the rise throughout the world with synagogues and graveyards vandalised and Jews being attacked both verbally and physically and that there appears to be a direct relationship between the increased attacks on Jews and the blanket condemnation of Israel by the media, many charitable organizations and world bodies such as the UN. We are concerned that the whole, true picture of what life is like in Israel is given to the world rather than the biased half truths, distortions and lies that are presently reported.
We are concerned that many churches are going down the politically correct line of condemning Israel's policies and are thus contributing to the strong anti Semitic views of the world. In their support of calls to boycott goods from certain parts of Israel they are actually hurting the very people they say they want to help, as many Palestinians are employed in the growing of, or production of, the goods to be boycotted. If the boycott takes place jobs will be lost, together with income, and increased poverty will be the result.
Within our churches we want to see an understanding of our Jewish roots, which brings a new depth to our understanding of the Scripture, and a return to full teaching on God's relationship with Israel, past, present and future as revealed in Scripture. This includes recognizing that Israel is the land given by God to the Jews and Jerusalem is its only capital.
We commit to:
- Praying for Israel, land and people- including praying for safety, justice and fairness for ALL, Jew and Gentile, who live in the land and for wisdom for the members of the Knesset as they make their policies
- Studying the Scriptures
- Finding out from many sources the whole picture of what is happening in Israel so that we can pass on the facts to those whose view is based solely on biased media coverage, and so correct mistaken beliefs
- Blessing Israel however possible including buying goods and produce from Israel and resisting all calls for boycotts
- Supporting Israel's defence of its people and their right to live without the threat of missile attacks, homicide bombings etc.
- Standing against libellous attacks against Israel
- Fully supporting Israel's right to the land given them by God
- Encouraging the Church to have a real understanding of its Jewish roots
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