Recently Tucker Carlson flew to Israel to interview U. S. Ambassador Huckabee. Carlson’s intentions were to set forth questions relative to the legitimacy of the modern state of Israel. It did not appear as if he was interested in Ambassador Huckabee’s responses to his questions. From this interview and other statements made by Mr. Carlson, I conclude that he sees his purpose as undermining Evangelical Christian support for Israel.
Carlson asked Ambassador Huckabee to justify Israel’s claim to the land. I believe that there are multiple answers to this question. The first is based on ethnicity. Throughout the 20th century, there was a cry for a Jewish homeland. This was most emphatic in the wake of the Holocaust. Jews needed a place of refuge. Secondly, those who practice the religion of Judaism have claimed a Biblical right to their ancient homeland. Those who practice Judaism have been distinguished throughout the ages by participating in communal synagogue activities as well as advocating and living a Torah lifestyle. Biblically speaking, they have been distinguished by observing the Shabbat. The Bible declares that Shabbat is a special sign between G-d and the people of Israel (Exodus 31). I have read rabbinical statements to the effect that: “We (the Jewish people) have not kept the Shabbat, but the Shabbat has kept us”. To further distinguish the Jewish people from other groups, Christians moved their special holy day to Sunday while the Moslems moved theirs back to Friday. Finally, there is the mystical element of faith. I have witnessed the testimony of different Jewish people who spoke of a deep inward call to return to the land of Israel in accordance with and responding to ancient Biblical promises.
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