Better to Stand with Israel than Fly a Palestinian Flag

During the Crusades, 1095 to 1291, European Jews were in danger of being killed. There are documented accounts of Christians who tried to protect Jews from marauding Crusader groups attempting to kill them because some mideast Jews had fought to defend their towns, and Jerusalem, from the European armies. In the German city of Trier, the local bishop attempted to protect the Jews, but he was weak, and so as the Crusaders attacked, the bishop abandoned the Jews. He then gave them the choice of becoming Christians or being forced to leave town. Other German cities like Mainz had local burghers fight against the incoming Crusaders. Another German town, Cologne, hid all local Jews among their Christian neighbors. ~~~~~ More than 800 years later, Jews are still in danger. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, to plea yet again on behalf of the Jewish people, calling the nuclear deal with Iran a marriage of militant Islam and nuclear weapons. He described widespread international praise for it as a grave misjudgment : “I wish I could take comfort in the claim that this deal blocks Iran’s path to nuclear weapons. But I can’t, because it doesn’t.” Netanyahu didn't abandon his disagreement with the Obama administration now that the Iran nuclear agreement is finalized : "The vast majority of Israelis believe that this nuclear deal with Iran is a very bad deal. And what makes matters even worse is that we see a world celebrating this bad deal, rushing to embrace and do business with a regime openly committed to our destruction. Iran is setting up dozens of terror cells. Imagine what they will do after the sanctions are lifted.” Netanyahu answered his own question : “Unmuzzled,” Iran will “go on the prowl, devouring more and more prey,” he said, reminding the UN that Iran is spending billions on weapons and satellites. “Do you think Iran is doing that to advance peace?” he asked, responding to Obama’s claim that the Iran deal will ensure that their nuclear program is “peaceful.” Netanyahu rejects this argument, saying the agreement does nothing to block Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon : “When bad behavior is awarded, it only gets worse.” Netanyahu acknowledged that "well-intentioned people" believe the deal is the only way to block Iran’s path to the bomb. Yet, “the best intentions don’t prevent the worst outcomes." Netanyahu directly addressed the nations in attendance, challenging them : "If Iran’s rulers were working to destroy your countries, perhaps you’d be somewhat less enthusiastic about the deal. If Iran’s terror proxies were firing thousands of rockets at your cities, perhaps you’d be more measured in your praise. And yet the response from every one of you here, utter silence," he said. "Deafening silence.” After those remarks, Benjamin Netanyahu stood at the podium and glared at the delegates around the room for 45 seconds in silent condemnation of the UN, indeed condemnation of the world. ~~~~~ Dear readers, to emphasize the anti-Israeli character of the United Nations, the Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at UN headquarters on the same day that Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said it was a "proud day." Abbas warned that the PA no longer feels bound by agreements with Israel he claimed are "continually violated....we cannot continue to be bound by these agreements and Israel must assume all of its responsibilities as an occupying power." Netanyahu's office said Abbas's speech was "deceitful and encourages incitement and lawlessness in the Middle East." The General Assembly passed a motion earlier this month to raise the Palestinian and Vatican flags. Israel voted against it, with the United States and six other countries, while 45 countries abstained. In 2012, the General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status to that of a "non-member observer state" - the same status the Vatican holds - only fitting since the Vatican just recognized the "state of Palestine." Far better to stand with Israel.