Dear Editor,

At first, after reading the letter to the editor, “Restrain Netanyahu,” I had no intentions of responding, but the more I thought about the opinion of the writer and how much I disagreed with his assessment of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel, I decided I wanted to look at Israel from a different perspective.

First, let me begin by saying I know very little about the Palestinian and Israel conflict of today, other than what I have seen in the news.

It seems that Israel and the Jewish people are facing violence and antisemitism all over the world, even here at home. An example was the shooting at a Pittsburgh Synagogue.

What I do know more about, as a Christian, is that Israel was created by God, and all of the other nations were created by man.

“The Land Grant given to Abraham and his seed (children) through Isaac and Jacob was a covenant with God.” (Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-18, 15:1-21, 17:4-8, 22:15-18 Psalm 89:28-37). Israeli enemies will never be able to outmaneuver the hand of God as God will defend Israel, even from Natenyahu if needed, because they are His chosen people.

Today it seems popular to deny the connection between Jesus of Nazareth and the Jewish people of the world.

Jesus was born to a Jewish woman, He never denied his Jewishness.

He considered the Jewish people His family. He was circumcised on the eighth day in keeping with the Jewish tradition.

He had His Bar Mitzvahj on his 13th birthday, He kept the law of Moses, He wore the Prayer Shawl over His head “King of the Jews.”

It was the Jewish people’s contribution that gave birth to the Christian faith. They are responsible for The sacred Scripture, The prophets, the Ptriarchsk, Mary, Joseph and Jesus, the twelve Disciples and the Apostles. To deny the importance of these is to call God a liar.

I also believe Christians (Gentiles) have an important and unique role to play as God wants us to bless and protect His people and the state of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. (Genesis 12:3)

“And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all nations of the earth be blesssed.” (Psalm 122:6) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee.” God has asked us to do this!

Judi Phillips

Bethesda