On May 14, 2018, the United States of America became the first country to officially recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and relocated its embassy there from Tel Aviv.
Several nations have already followed in suit, most notably Guatemala, a nation whose president, Jimmy Morales, and 40% of the population are Evangelical Christians who believe that the land belongs to the Jewish people by right and the will of God:
“…Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel… they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.”—Ezekiel 37:21-22
The move has not been a smooth transition; as protests erupt and claim lives, the world grapples with taking sides in this tragic conflict. The recognition of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel is controversial because there are many who still believe that Palestine has rights to claim the city.
Many Wrongs Amount to No Right
Palestine forfeited any rights it may have had to the region in 1947 when Palestinian Arab leaders refused to accept the terms of the United Nations Partition Plan and instead attacked Israel.
The proposal was for the British (who at the time controlled the region) to withdraw from the region, and there would be an Arab state, a Jewish state, and the independent City of Jerusalem. Instead, the fighting that became the 1948 First Arab-Israeli War resulted in a Jewish state (Israel), while the West Bank and Gaza Strip were occupied by Jordan and Egypt, respectively.
Essentially, the Palestinian Arabs were used as pawns by their neighboring countries in the battle for control over territories.
These territories became catalysts for Arab-Israeli wars that followed shortly after and continue to this day. These wars have continued in part because the United Nations and world superpowers continue to add fuel to the fire by supporting countermeasures against the development of Israel.
For example, when Israel declared Jerusalem its undivided capital in 1980, (after many years of occupation and de facto rule) the United Nations invalidated their claim and threatened to impose sanctions. The dispute over Jerusalem continued, fanning the flames for more violence, leaving Israel on its own to clean up the mess.
Thankfully, the United States has chosen to step in and stand with Israel. And we have chosen loyalty to our longtime ally. And now we are finally committed to working toward a solution for Israel, the region, and the world.
The Region Will Prosper Under the Right Leadership
Naming a winner ends the fight once and for all, but we have also named Israel the winner for good reasons. With and without foreign support, and despite countless wars and limitations from the United Nations, Israel has proven itself superior to its enemies in battle, economic development, and in cultivating a sustainable democracy.
Israel has proven God’s judgment to be sound by earning its right not only to exist but also to prosper and develop the region.
There are three key reasons why Israel deserves to win:
- Israel will Develop the Region Economically
Despite a relatively short history, Israel has become one of the most highly developed nations with very high standards of living. Israel boasts a strong, diverse economy and has revolutionized desert living. Israel is by far the world leader in water recycling and has made monumental contributions to the world with advances in technology such as drip irrigation, which has made it possible to grow crops on land that would otherwise be too dry.
- Israel is a Leader in Humanitarian Aid
Israel is one of the most active countries when it comes to humanitarian aid, and is often the first responders to natural disasters worldwide. In fact, Israel was one of the first countries to provide aid after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August 2017. Additionally, Israel has provided supplies, medical care, and food for refugees in Gaza and the West Bank. And, most recently Israel has covertly and overtly been conducting a humanitarian aid project called, Operation Good Neighbor, which provides aid to the people of Syria who have been suffering through a catastrophic civil war.
- Israel is a Democracy that Welcomes Jews and Non-Jews Alike
Israel is a Jewish state that guarantees a right of return to all Jewish people, so that they may find freedom from the persecution they have faced around the world for centuries. But Israel is also a secular democracy home to many Arabs, Christians, and non-religious secular Jews.
God wants to entrust the Holy City of Jerusalem to a country that welcomes those who can work together and coexist peacefully. Israel’s mission is to create a better world, whereas their enemies are only focused on destroying the Jewish state.
Stand With Israel For a Better Future
My Olive Tree has had the honor of partnering with Israel directly to restore the Holy Land. We have been planting olive trees in the Negev Desert which has been turning the desert from a barren wasteland into fertile groves and gardens, creating new opportunities for Israeli farmers and immigrants.
We have also planted the olive trees strategically in places such as the Peace Grove planted directly over the tunnels of terror where the militant extremist group, Hamas, would carry out kidnapping and attacks against Israeli citizens and soldiers.
We are proud to have completed this project because it sends a clear message to terrorists and all enemies of Israel that we will not balk at their efforts to terrorize and destroy the nation of Israel. We will continue to build in the face of destruction, and in the name of God, in goodness and in peace, we will continue to work towards a better tomorrow.
There is Still More Work to be Done
The move to Jerusalem has inspired the enemies of Israel to take drastic measures. Hamas is denying the people of Gaza medical aid offered by Israel and working to fan the flames of violence and conflict by coordinating attacks against Israel.
The last thing our enemies want to see is the undoing of their efforts to terrorize and destroy, so let us punish evil by doing good. Sponsor an olive tree with us to show Hamas and the world, that we are not afraid to stand with Israel, and that we support peace, liberty, and justice for all!