I have always thought Israel a powerful nation albeit ruthless and stubborn. I just thought "well that's just their way". Mostly, I think I just figured it was better to have them as a friend rather than enemy. If I thought about the Middle East growing up, I usually thought it was dangerous and a mess and I was glad that I didn't live there.
The introspection for me began when a friend passionately debated America's foreign policy with me. He argued that if America threatened to stop foreign aid to Israel then it would engage in a meaningful peace process and 70% of the world's terrorists would stop. Being an American and natural moderate, I told him even superpowers don't have magic wands and I looked for the middle ground on the issue.
Then I came home and had a brief chat with my wife who corrected some large misconceptions I had. This led to the inevitable "uh oh" feeling that I get when I realize that I just argued something that I was mostly ignorant about.
I imagine myself in a toga sitting in a Greek Starbucks with Plato, Freud, and Sun Tzu. We are casually discussing modern life as I sip my skinny latte and let my expansive mind work. "I have amazing news. Did you know the Internet was invented by Al Gore?... Of course I am certain Freud."
These moments are usually followed by panic which is usually followed by a determined study of the available facts.
So over a Sprite and BBQ beef burger my wife (nerdy history major) gave me a brief synopsis. After this I did a little digging around on the US State dept web site (while not snoring!). The experience was sobering.
I now have an answer for why so many people around me in Egypt are politely dismissive if we start to talk about the Middle East. This combined with a belief that all Americans are Christians and thus the actions of America reflects the beliefs of the Christian faith can make cultural conversations difficult.
I love Israelis as fellow products of God's creation. I love those that follow Jesus as brothers and sisters. I love those that do not follow Jesus as friends and beautiful image bearers of God. I feel exactly the same towards the Arabs, Turks, and countless other ethnicities around the world. So this gets to the heart of this post. It hurts me that American favoritism toward Israel damages the ability of Americans to relate and connect with other Middle Eastern people.
The pro-favoritism arguements go something like this:
Israel can be a strong ally against the forces of chaos or militarism or extremism.
Israel must become strong for the end times to come so we should help that process along.
God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.
While I can't find support for these points of view in the bible, I understand and accept that some people believe them. I don't believe any of these points is significant enough to encourage a deviation from the example that both Jesus and the Apostles set for seeking those who have not heard about the Messiah and God's salvation for mankind.
Two biblical examples stick out in my mind.
Luke 9:51-55; a Samaritan village refused to let Jesus stay the night because of anger and tension with the Jews.
John 4: 4-42; Jesus strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman who introduces him to more people and many believe in him.
I think about the lives that were lost because ethnic barriers and the inability of the disciples to get over them. For now I will try to listen with more love and empathy and hope that the source of this wound (favoritism) will be removed in God's time.
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