Peace between Israel and the UAE - Hope and Agency over Grievance and Resentment
Dear Christian Leaders,
We are writing today to share several timely and important resources from CAMERA's Partnership of Christians and Jews, one of which is available in print, another on the radio, and a third in the form of our July webinar titled, "Jesus was a Palestinian and Other Anti-Israel Myths."
The Partnership in Print
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Dexter published an insightful and challenging article about the US-brokered peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates - a deal hailed by leaders and analysts alike as a significant step towards peace in the Middle East.
In his piece, Dexter points out that the decision on the part of the UAE to make peace with Israel demonstrates how this Arab nation has chosen hope and agency for its people, rather than keeping them trapped in the decades-long, futile grip of grievance and resentment practiced by the Palestinian Authority. He writes, "Palestinian elites have made their decision and so have the folks who govern the UAE. The Palestinians have chosen to stymie the Jews trying to pursue their destiny in the Land of Israel; the Emiratis have chosen to build a future for themselves."
In the face of such a positive step forward on the part of the UAE, it is noteworthy - and indeed, troubling - that so-called "peacemakers" in the "progressive" Christian world are silent. Unfortunately, just as the Palestinian leadership has something to lose as a result of any peace agreement with Israel, it appears that "progressive" Christian "peacemakers" may have something to lose as well.
"Enlightenment or Hunger Games: It's Our Choice," by Dexter Van Zile
So there’s a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The Israelis suspend their efforts to affirm sovereignty over the West Bank in exchange for diplomatic relations with the UAE. Other countries in the region may soon follow suit and recognize the Jewish state.
Apparently, decades of fruitless conflict in the Holy Land convinced Emirati leaders that it was time to make peace with Israel and continue building a future for the people they govern. When it comes to building a future for their people, the Emiratis have a good start.
The UAE has already sent a probe to Mars, constructed the Burj Khalifa, which for now is the tallest building in the world, and even constructed an indoor ski slope in the middle of the desert. They’ve built islands shaped like palm trees. The UAE has a space agency which runs summer camps for high school students.
They’ve made the desert bloom.
Emirati leaders have decided to pursue a transcendent purpose more meaningful and hopeful than depriving the Jews of their future as a sovereign people.
The Partnership on Radio
In July, Tricia was interviewed by John Loeffler on his nationally syndicated radio talk program, Steel on Steel, which has aired weekly since 1990. In this 15 minute discussion of "Jesus the Narrative versus Jesus the Nazarene," Tricia exposed the errors of the "Jesus was a Palestinian" narrative and discussed historical and theological truths essential for countering current Christian antisemitism and its twin, anti-Zionism.
The Partnership Webinar
And finally, for those of you who missed our July webinar titled, "Jesus was a Palestinian and Other Anti-Israel Myths," or if you would like to watch it again, you can find it here. Please feel free to share this link with others to help us spread the truth and the work of CAMERA's Partnership of Christians and Jews. We were encouraged by the fact that over 600 people registered for this event, and even more so by the quality and quantity of questions raised during the session. We regret that time did not allow us to answer the dozens of questions that went unanswered. If your question was one of those we were not able to address while we were live, or if you have any other questions about the topic or the work of CAMERA, please feel free to email Tricia at tricia@camera.org.
For the sake of Israel,
Tricia Miller and Dexter Van Zile