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The video is fantastic but will the people who need to know, watch it.  It shows the true nature of the Palestinian movement.  They are right when they say a two state solution will not work.  The hypocrisy of the movement is shown by Omar who is against academic co-operation whilst he is studying at Tel Aviv University. The BDS is actually showing its true colours - Israel has no right of existence, there is no compromise and the ruse they are using is that they stand for peace.  We know that this is not so.  They stand for the destruction of Israel.

For the first time, the ACSI website features a video on its homepage. What do you think?

www.acsisrael.org

God bless

Just saw on the ACSI website that Australia has placed extra sanctions on Iran, following in the footsteps of the EU. I think this is fantastic, as I've long had a bee in my bonnet over Iran...

I don't know what we can do about anti-semitism in the press but it would be helpful to know if there are rockets still be fired into southern Israel.  I am wondering what the press makes of these attacks against Israel and how they explain the fact that the Palestinians who are unarmed are able to attack Israel with such weapons.  What is their explanation for the weapons and how if Israel's boycott is so effective how are these weapons getting into Gaza?

Yes it is an interesting debate.  I think you will find that most Jewish people are not against abortion because of the consequences that G-d places on the death of an unborn baby compared to those for one who is born.  That would be another interesting debate.  I find that Don Chipp had the right idea but the Democratics have been a great disappointment.  Still we do need a viable 3rd party but where will that come from.

My husband ran as an independent for local council one year, imagine his surprise when all the other independents got up and thanked the ALP for their support during the campaign.  It is hard to know who are the people who are supporting our independents and I believe that they should all state where their campaign help is coming from.

Sorry I am tied and have ended 2 sentences with the word from please forgive.

Yes have heard Ignite and know some of them and they have a great medium for getting the message across about Israel. Have also experienced many in the pews eager to hear about Israel as I think there is an awakening amongst ordinary folks (some would say since 1996) but the hierarchy of the church seem to have a total blind spot in many instances. They might not be openly antagonistic as those are who are into replacement theology but just indifferent which God is still going to hold them accountable for I believe.

Having said that I was a Christian for 23 years before I had any understanding of Israel and it really came from "acidentally" visiting the Holy Land in 1999 (went to help an elderly friend) and "whammo" I was hit over the head with stuff that I had never heard from the pulpit. It actually came from wandering up to the wall thinking "oh yes , I'll pray everybody else is praying" and I went down like a pack of cards, sobbing my heart out and heard a voice (yes I really did) saying "deep cries unto deep" Psalms 42:7.  Since then I continually get blown away by the treasures that the Church is missing out on because it has no understanding of it's Hebraic Roots and has even forgotten I believe that Jesus is Jewish and even came to the Jewish people first before us even!!!

I'm sure you would agree there are such wonderful, wonderful truths n the Word still to be discovered by the Church if they would only put God and Israel in there instead of themselves all the time but I'm convinced that it's like being born again - only the Holy Sprirt can bring illumination. In the meantime we can only say and do what the Holy Spirit instructs and pray that "the lights come" on for people as Israel is not going to go away and it behoves us in the days that are coming to be hanging onto the tallit of a Jew because we know their God goes with them Zech 8:23. Blessings

Dear Rubens - yes politics is a pain isn't it as both sides seem to make a game of it and oppose each other for the sake of opposing on many occasions. However, the current "contest" for want of a better word really has me concerned and I've  taken the liberty of enclosing a letter I have written to the Jewish News which hasn't seen the light of day yet because maybe it's a bit controversial for them when Julia is  seemingly so supportive of Israel. I never thought I would see the day when I bypassed a leader who was so supportive of Israel either but here's the reasons why.

LIFE OR DEATH
In all the euphoria about the current PM’s pro Israel statements over the last few years (even though she did vote to expel an Israeli diplomat over the Dubai affair –which I didn’t agree with) could I please remind your readers that as a founding member of Emily’s List she stands for many issues that in my opinion are not as praiseworthy or deserving of our vote.  For those that are unaware Emily’s List (amongst many things) is a pro choice (read pro abortion) parliamentary group of Labour women that have also been instrumental in permitting embryo-experimentation and cloning (the Lockhart Bills), the controversial RU-486 Abortion pill, (taking authority away from Health Minister at the time – Tony Abbott), the overturning of Australia’s 13 year ban on Foreign Aid for Abortion and the ongoing attempted silencing of pregnancy support groups by punitive measures.
As these anti life activities are so contrary to what the Scriptures and what scientific research tells us is conducive to good mental health for all concerned, not forgetting the issue of the rights of the unborn, I cannot see that a vote for Julia is healthy for individuals or our nation.  With Tony Abbott’s proven track record of supporting the sanctity of life (and marriage and family I might add) it seems to me we are being given an opportunity in this forthcoming election to choose Life or Death. Now that sounds familiar!!!
Indeed, if we are not going to resist the merciless murder of our unborn in the womb, both here and in Israel and around the world then I say we have no business lamenting the holocaust, but please let it be known that I do lament the holocaust and I couldn’t be more pro Israel or pro Zionist if I tried. I beg you Australia to choose life as that is the issue at stake here and please don’t tell me it doesn’t start until he or she has taken it’s first independent breath as some Rabbi’s say. Tehillum 139:13-16 very clearly says otherwise.
Joy Heylen, Pakenham, Vic

Having said all that it would be interesting to know where Tony Abbott and his party stand in regards to Israel. I think Julie Bishop and I always thought Alexander Downer definitely had a good handle on it.  thanks

This is just by way of sharing. Although if anyone has any comments or wants to relate similar experiences please sing out.

Probably like many ACSI members, on Sundays I attend a nice healthy fellowship with blossoming youth ministry and lots of life. However, there is never any "official" position on Israel and the Jews. You wonder whether pastors have to be apolitical on this subject when beholden to a denomination like the Baptist Union or whichever.

I'd heard about a youth ministry group called "Operation Ignite", an arm of Return Ministries http://www.return.co.il/home_web.html . Their travelling show of testimonial, dance, music and drama claimed to "ignite the church with God's heart for Israel".

Tentatively I contacted them and, um, leaked my pastor's email address to them. Before I knew it they were booked in, and I was happily lumped with coordinating it. Our fellowship was a little stuck for material, it seems, plus our pastor was to be on extended leave so any idea to fill a Sunday morning service was clearly going to be welcomed.

They were three Canadians (Return Ministries is based in Canada), two Aussies, and one Israeli from Tel Aviv. They filled our Sunday am service and an evening youth service (which is not a norm. You might say there was popular demand...!) It was an amazing presentation, it richly blessed our church, and whats more...it filled the house. To say they were a total hit, especially with the youth, would be an understatement.

Hopefully in no more than 18 months - 2 years, they'll be back (with a greater Israeli content). I will certainly be informing as many through ACSI as possible.

The reason I share this is because it proved one thing- while fellowships affiliated with larger denominations or Unions might stay silent on what seems like a political hot potato, the rank and file in the pews come out of the woodwork, either with a pre-existing heart for Israel or a genuine desire to know and experience more.

Who knows, "The Church", who have basically been asleep at the wheel when it comes to Israel and the Jewish people, may wake up with a start, with a little encouragement. What does everyone think?

What an excellent debate!

Isn't politics a pain. I was once naive enough to assume that all Israel supporters are of the right, and got quite an education in that.

While people like Gillard are unstable on our moral issues, she has been particularly stout in defence of Israel and this is certainly a refreshing reality. I am of the opinion that if people are schooled and entrenched in hard-left or socialist background, their default position on Israel is a negative one. That Gillard's is not indicates she may swing according to the desires of the people.

Having said that I would rather a strong economy (and good mining) any time!

The Australian Christian Lobby,The National Alliance of Christian Leaders and even Fred Nile provide Godly insights on current issues/legislation - to name a few.  Our ANZAC forefathers died for our freedom and our sovereignty so I believe we must pick up the baton for our children's sake.

Quite right. Don't forget Family Voice Australia http://www.fava.org.au/ . They are genuinely influencial and Rev Mark Durie, a good friend of ACSI and published author, is on their board.

Given that the system won't be changing in a hurry I think we all have to step up to the mark somehow/someway and be more involved in how our country is managed. After all this is what Emily's List has done (of which our Julia is a founding member) and as you know it's become a powerful influence in bringing about anti God legislation so why aren't we doing the opposite. Maybe at one ACSI meeting we need to not only talk about effective hasbara but also how we can effectively lobby our local members for righteous laws. The Australian Christian Lobby,The National Alliance of Christian Leaders and even Fred Nile provide Godly insights on current issues/legislation - to name a few.  Our ANZAC forefathers died for our freedom and our sovereignty so I believe we must pick up the baton for our children's sake.