The Israeli and Palestinian peace process is a complicated dance and obviously people have various impassioned views on this issue. However, I would warn Jewish people not to get too excited about ostensible Republican support for Israel. Much of it comes from “rapture politics.” For example, today’s New York Times listed Michele Bachmann’s divine reasons for supporting the Jewish state:
“We believe very strongly that nations also receive blessings as they bless Israel.” In 2010 she warned that “if we reject Israel, then there is a curse that comes into play.”
Such bizarre views strike me as odd and incoherent. If an allegedly all-powerful God wanted a particular nation to be blessed, would he really need the help of yahoos like Michele Bachmann and the ignorant sheep who follow her? As a supporter of Israel, I find such primitive and superstitious thinking abominable and a great threat to the long-term health and well-being of that nation. Irrational views and destructive policies can only come from partnering with people who have a medieval mindset and a dizzy worldview.
Whatever one’s views are on the peace process, decisions should be made based on rational thought, not rapture fantasies by misguided fundamentalists.
