Obama Beginning to Reap What He Has Sown

The Rapid Decline of a Presidency

It has been very interesting to watch the downward spiral of the Obama Presidency after his very public and celebrated Cairo speech to the Moslem world in June of this year.

As I have previously noted in this blog, in that speech Obama (and I will summarize) subtly but clearly shifted the blame for the Middle East crisis from the Palestinian and Arab nations to Israel. President Obama became one of the leading “accusers” of Israel despite his verbal affirmation of the US longstanding and positive position as the protector of Israel.

In addition, after a gentle “wrist slap” for persistent Arab Moslem  terrorist violence against the Jewish state, he then makes Israeli settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria his number one agenda item for  resolving the Middle East crisis. His State department has consequently taken an increasingly public and hostile stance towards Israel, making Israel out in the public eye to be the “enemy” of peace in the middle East.

Even the liberal Washington Post observed:

One of the more striking results of the Obama administration’s first 6 months is that only one country has worse relations with the United States than it did in January: Israel. The new administration has pushed the reset button with Russia and sent new ambassadors to Syria and Venezuela; it has offered olive branches to Cuba and Burma. But for nearly three months it has been locked in a public confrontation with Israel…if he is to be effective in brokering a peace deal, Mr. Obama must be tough on more than one country, or one party to the conflict.

So, over this past summer, what have been the consequences for Obama’s Cairo speech and negative shift in US relations with Israel?

Palestinian Response:

Palestinian leadership has become much more intransigent and less willing to negotiate with Israel. They simply echo Obama’s position and hide behind his measured negativity towards Israel. As Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat boldly asserts concerning PM Netanyahu’s compromise plan for limiting housing expansion in West Bank settlements, the only thing suspended by this announcement will be the peace process. This is absolutely unacceptable. The real Israeli official answer is being conducted on the ground by continuing the building of housing units and settlements.

Erekat describes Netanyahu’s compromise as “total defiance” to US calls for a settlement freeze.

Israeli Response:

A recent Smith Research Institute poll in Israel discovered the following:

• Only 4% of Israelis believe President Obama is pro-Israel or sympathetic to Israel…down from 31% in January.
• This is in stark contrast to the 88% of Israelis that believed George W. Bush was sympathetic towards Israel.
• 51% of Israelis believe that Obama is pro-Palestinian.
• Quoting a Tom Gross Media assessment, …even many left wing Israelis rallied behind the government of Benjamin Netanyahu in his confrontation with Obama after the State Department summoned the Israeli ambassador to Washington in July and told him two families of Jews could not live in a private home, long owned by Jews, in the heart of Jerusalem, and that the Jerusalem municipal authorities should not have evicted two Palestinian families who had been squatting in the property and had not paid the Jewish owner any rent since 1985.

Since turning against Israel what has happened to his Presidency?

President Obama has gone from one who had the magic touch in politics and had unprecedented favor not only in the US but around the world to one that is in steep decline. Here  is some of the evidence:

• His job approval rating has plummeted from 60% positive in April to 45% in August. A record for a new President.
• Just 37% of the all important independent voters still approve his job performance. 59% disapprove.
• 55% of voters now see the country as seriously off-track.
• His healthcare plan is in serious trouble.
• Many experts believe that if this downward trend continues it will signal a large turnaround at the ballot box in 2010 for the Democratic Party he represents.
• This could signal a powerful erosion of his authority and ability to govern as he is now.

I will conclude with this – Isaiah 49: 25-26

In this prophetic chapter concerning the End of Days and restoration of Israel, God sounds this warning to the enemies of Israel,

Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? For thus says the Lord: even the captives of the mighty will be taken and the prey of the tyrant be rescued. For I will contend with those who contend with you (Israel) and I will save your children…Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. (Is.49:25-26)

Joel Chernoff

It’s Official: Obama’s New Middle East Plan is a Poison Pill For Israel

President Obama and PM Netanyahu Meet

The much anticipated meeting in Washington D.C. between President Obama and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has come and gone.

So what do we know now?

Their meeting seemed cordial and both tried to be publicly conciliatory towards each other but it was clear that a consensus was not reached. PM Netanyahu was nice but made it clear that, though Israel will work towards peace with their Arab neighbors, he was not ready to embrace the two-state solution.

President Obama made it clear that he wants Israel to embrace the two-state solution and strongly pressured Israel to discontinue all settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).

The Plot Gets Thicker: New Middle East Plan Revealed

On May 21 the popular London-based Al-Quds Al Arabi newspaper ran an extensive analysis of Obama’s new peace initiative. According to this report the main points of Obama’s peace initiative are as follows:

• It is based on the Saudi/Arab League plan from March 2002.
• It envisions a demilitarized Palestinian state.
• It mandates a Palestinian state with territorial contiguity between Gaza and the West Bank that would split Israel into two parts.
• Jerusalem would be split into Arab controlled east Jerusalem and Jewish controlled west Jerusalem.
• Jerusalem would also serve as the capital of the new Palestinian state.
• Israel would forfeit sovereignty over the Old City of Jerusalem and the Old City of Jerusalem would be internationalized, that is belonging to no one.

Obama Initiates Another First (unfortunately)

In addition, it was noted that President Obama and King Abdullah of Jordan conceived this plan while Obama was recently visiting Jordan.

This is the first time a US President has created a peace plan without first coordinating with Israel.

This is not a good sign for Israel…and for the US in general!

So what does Netanyahu really think?

 May 22, the day after the Al Quds Al Arabi article is published in London, PM Netanyahu addresses the nation of Israel on Jerusalem Day which is the celebration of the unification of the city of Jerusalem under Jewish control after the Six Day War in 1967. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

He states in his speech,

United Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. Jerusalem was always ours and will always be ours. It will never again be partitioned or divided.

It sounds to me as if there is little to no give in Israel’s position concerning Jerusalem and is the polar opposite to President Obama’s desire for Jerusalem in his new peace initiative.

What About Obama’s Call for halting Settlement Expansion?

While Netanyahu has tipped his hat at this request and dismantled one or two outposts, the Israeli PM insists that authorized settlements should be allowed to continue natural growth i.e. natural population expansion.

What Does This All Mean?

It means that there is little common ground between Obama’s new agenda for peace and Israel’s new government. There are so many non-starters for Israel that I believe there is absolutely no chance Netanyahu and his conservative government would or even could agree to it without a total collapse of the coalition Netanyahu leads.

In other words Obama’s initiative is, for all intents and purposes, dead on arrival.

What Will Obama’s Response Be?

Obama has put himself in a very fragile position politically. If Obama, after all of his public posturing,  does not try to force Israel to comply he risks looking weak and impotent before the Arab/Moslem world and for that matter the world in general. He is investing a lot of the political capital he gained with his election in trying to resolve the Middle east conflict…his way. I don’t believe he will crawl away with his tail between his legs.

President Barack Obama

This is where we must pray for the President and this country.

Unfortunately, it appears…and I say appears…that he is moving in the direction of being willing to sacrifice, if necessary, the US’s long standing relationship with Israel to accomplish what he believes will bring peace to the Middle East.

Look for the US to put unprecedented pressure on Israel to bend to its will.

I hope I am wrong. Keep praying for Israel and the US.

The God of Israel is in control.

Joel Chernoff

~The views contained in The Joel Chernoff Report are not necessarily views held by the MJAA~

Pressure From Obama Administration Building

First it was Special Envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and now none other than Vice-President Joe Biden is challenging Israel that they should back a two-state-solution. Not only must Israel support this particular formulation for Middle East peace but the new Netanyahu government should demonstrate in some fashion it’s sincerity to the Palestinians by making further goodwill gestures and concessions.

Gettin’ in Israel’s Face

He made these remarks at the annual policy conference of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). This is a major and influential Jewish organization.

He says and I quote, “you are not going to like my saying this, but (do) not build more settlements, dismantle exisiting outposts and allow Palestinian freedom of movement.”

On the other hand…

… he urges the Palestinians to “meet their obligations” to the so-called “road map” for peace. Does he specifiy what the Palestinians need to do? Of course not. All he requires is that the Palestinians and Arab states around Israel make “meaningful gestures” whatever that means.

Is that evenhanded…NO!

Is that fair…NO!

Is he showing conscious or unconscious bias against Israel and her security interests…In my view absolutely!

Mitchell, Clinton and Biden are all exhibiting a certain arrogance not just towards Israel and concerning the Middleast conflict but in everything that they are doing. Obama believes that he knows best and is riding a wave of popularity not only in the US but also worldwide. With the support of both houses of Congress I believe he is intoxicated with a false sense of greatness and rightness.

Is this good for Israel?

No! It is no coincidence that all three are firing shots over the bough of the new Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who will be in Washington soon for high level consultations with the President Obama. They are all publically trying to soften, what they believe to be, Netanyahu’s harder line on forming a Palestinian state.

They hope that Netanyahu will be compliant to the Obama administrations sense of what the right thing to do is and go along with their agenda for world peace.

So how is Netanyahu reacting to all of this combative public posturing?

He also spoke at this same AIPAC conference and asserted his “triple track” approach to the Midde East conflict. At no time did he mention the creation of a new Palestinain state.

It appears to me that Obama’s agenda and Netanyahu’s clear lack of enthusiasm for any peace formulation that put’s Israel’s security at risk, ie the two state solution is headed for something of a showdown in Washington this month.

The question is how bad will it get.  We will see.

Joel Chernoff

~The views contained in The Joel Chernoff Report are not necessarily views held by the MJAA~

No Political Solution to Mideast Conflict?

 Israel has a new government and a new Prime Minister…Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu successfully pieced together a government and now has the responsibility for navigating treacherous national and international political and military issues confronting Israel.

Israel's newly appointed Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

Mr. Netanyahu appears to be up to the task.

He wasted no time in sending the world a message that he sees the Iranian nuclear threat as the number one issue facing not only Israel’s existence but also endangering the western world.

Amazingly, even before he was sworn into office, he publically stated that if the US does not put an end to the Iranian nuclear threat “Israel might be forced to resort to a military strike on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear installations.” (Jerusalem Post) Now that’s a bold statement given the post Gaza/anti-Israel political climate internationally.

 An Apocalyptic cult?

He further stated,

“You don’t want a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs…When the wide-eyed believer gets hold of the reins of power and the weapons of mass death, then the entire world should start worrying, and that is what is happening in Iran.”

Netanyahu goes on to point out Iranian President Ahmadinajad’s multiple calls to “wipe Israel off the map” and politically influential Iranian Moslem cleric Ayatollah Khamenei’s description of Israel as “a cancerous tumor.” He appears to take the Iranian President and cleric at their word. I really believe Netanyahu’s warning concerning Iran is serious. Israel will follow through.

I don’t believe he is spouting empty words…and for that matter neither is the God of Israel.

I love it when the enemies of Israel so brazenly shake their fist in Israel’s face. What they don’t realize is that they are actually mocking the God of Israel and that is not a wise thing to do. Israel exists in her homeland because God brought about their return for His purposes and plans. Any person or nation that gets in the way of God’s agenda will find themselves at the “sharp end of His divine sword.”

This is a spiritual not political confrontation.

Look–the fact is that our Arab cousins and Moslem brothers see this as a spiritual confrontation between the God of Islam and the God of Israel. They couldn’t be anymore clear about it. Messianic Jews and most evangelical Christians agree with this perspective. Western politicians and leaders seem not to grasp this so they pursue a political answer only to encounter failure year after year. They ignore the obvious at their own peril. Let me say this very clearly…

Their will be no political resolution of the Middle East conflict.

It will be resolved but not in the way the world thinks it should be. God does have a plan and we have very good Biblical evidence as to what it might be. More on that in later blogs.

Is a confrontation between President Obama and PM Netanyahu in the works?

If PM Netanyahu carries out his threat and attacks Iran unilaterally it will certainly put their relationship to the test. Of course Netanyahu does not want to offend or lose America’s friendship but I really believe that he will act in Israel’s best interest first and worry about what the rest of the world thinks later.

Obama on the other hand fancies himself to be globalist and is right now positioning himself via the opportunities presented by the international financial crisis as a possible leader of some form of one world government. (more on this later)

He is a globalist rather than a nationalist. John McCain was clearly a “country first” (nationalist) candidate while President Obama presented himself as something more. Time will tell.

We need to continue to pray…

that the USA continues to stay on the right side of this prophetic scenario and support Israel unwaveringly. This protects us from God’s judgment for our countries mounting debt of moral depravity among many other sins. Blessing Israel will continue to stay God’s wrath. His mercy and blessing instead will continue to be released over us. (Genesis 12:3)

Joel Chernoff

 ~The views contained in The Joel Chernoff Report are not necessarily views held by the MJAA~

The Fate of Israel’s Accusers

Javier Solana,  EU Foreign Policy Chief, speaking for the European Union (EU) made the following harsh and threatening statement concerning the formation of Israel’s new government under Benjamin Netanyahu. He said,

Javier Solana

” Let me say very clearly that the way the European Union will relate to an [Israeli] government that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different.”

I cannot recall a time that I have heard a western government so blatantly threaten Israel. Disagree–yes–but not threaten. This is yet another sign of the growing darkness and political isolation surrounding Israel.

The way that Solana talks about the two-state solution you would think it came to us from Mount Sinai. This despite continued Arab terrorist attacks on Israel.

Solana, who has been no friend to Israel in the past, in my view, has no business lecturing Israel as to who should or should not be in their government. Where is the common sense, the fairness and rational thinking that the Western world prides itself as having?

Israel is the victim, not the bully

Children Protest Israel

Year after year Israel is the party seeking peace and willing to negotiate for that peace. The Arab nations have consistently been unwilling to make any concession of importance. They don’t recognize Israel as a legitimate State and openly or quietly seek its destruction. The Arab nations have not been deceptive in this. They have been consistently clear as to their desire to see Israel and the Jewish people disappear into the Mediterranean Sea.

What Javier Solana and others should be saying

Mr. Solana should be threatening Hamas, Hezbullah and the terrorist sponsoring states of the Middle East. He should be loudly warning Hamas and others that if the bombs don’t stop falling on Israel then the EU will use every resource at its disposal to penalize them for their conduct both economically and militarily.

In short, the EU should be firmly standing with Israel

Israeli President Shimon Peres(L) and Solana(R)

Instead we hear warnings, threats and implied or overt accusations of war crimes from the likes of Solana and others. Now that… ticks me off. They accuse Israel of war crimes when day after day Hamas lobs bombs indiscriminately into the civilian populace of Israel.

Talk about the height of hypocrisy…perhaps it really is anti-semitism raring its ugly head.

The future of Israel’s accusers

Having said this let me point out what God says is the fate of Israel’s accusers in the “last days” before Messiah returns. The prophet Isaiah 54:15, 17 says the following:

If anyone stirs up strife with you it is not from me, whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you…no weapon formed against you shall succeed…and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in accusation. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication is from me, declares the Lord.

The fate of Israel’s accusers in the last days is this… God will make it possible for Israel to refute, i.e. effectively discredit, any accusation or accuser that rises up against her. Remember, this isn’t because Israel is perfect, has the right answer or has done the right thing, but because God himself is advocating for Israel.

Why is God advocating for Israel?

Simply put…God has a purpose and plan for humanity and planet earth. The restoration of Israel is at the center of His stated and prophetic plan in the “last days”. Once Israel has been restored physically and spiritually He will return to Jerusalem to set up His kingdom. This is clear in prophetic Scripture.

God is protecting His agenda for mankind and therefore will not allow anyone or any country to upset that plan. He is God!

Make a list!

Lastly, for future reference, I want you all to note who the accusers of Israel are and follow their fate and how God vindicates Israel in the face of those accusers and accusations.  I, myself, am going to begin to draw up such a list of accusers and track how God has dealt and is dealing with them through Israel. Now that should and will be interesting. Let’s compare notes as time progresses.

More on this later…

Joel Chernoff

-The views contained in The Joel Chernoff Report are not necessarily views held by the MJAA-

Interesting and Prophetic Administration Changes

I recently saw an interesting article ranking the last 12 US presidents as friends of Israel. President Bush (and his administration) was ranked 3rd. The point of the article was asking where the Obama administration was going to rank on this list.

President Obama

This question really cannot yet be answered with any certainty; however, in my opinion he has set a negative trajectory with his appointment of George Mitchell and in light of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent proclamations concerning Jerusalem and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Her words indicate Obama’s trajectory. I’ll talk more about this in later blogs.

What is interesting is that we see counterbalancing shifts in leadership in both the US and Israel.

The trajectory in this country is from conservative to far left liberal and quite possibly from strong to weaker support of Israel. Many believe as do I that Obama will put strong pressure on Israel to give up more land and concessions in his desire to make his mark as a great peacemaker much as other Presidents have attempted in their own ways.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Within months of this change in the US administration, we see in Israel the stunning rise of previous Prime Minister and conservative “right” candidate, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud Party at the expense of the left leaning and previous administration of Olmert/Livni and the Kadima party. Kadima has been leading the charge on the two state solution and has been prepared to give away not just Gaza but also most of Judea and Samaria for peace. In addition, Olmert has even put the division of Jerusalem on the table. Netanyahu is not willing

Gaza Terrorist

to do this especially since he maintains (and rightly so) that the Arabs do not want peace and that Israel has no real peace partner. Therefore, any land giveaway is not in Israel’s security interests as illustrated when Israel gave back Gaza. The Arabs rapidly turned Gaza into a terrorist state run by terrorists.

Are Netanyahu’s Hands Being Tied?

Presumed Prime Minister Netanyahu is trying to create a unity government with Kadima for purposes of presenting Israel with a softer

Tzipi Livni

political face to the international public. Livni and Kadima want no part of it unless Netanyahu shares power with Kadima and/or will guarantee Kadima that he will support the two state solution. Whatever Livni is negotiating for behind closed doors Netanyahu is not buying so an alliance is not likely.

This has left Netanyahu with the politically less desirable task of forming a government of far right religious and secular parties that are not favorable to dividing Israel into two states as well. They are also even more opposed to dividing Jerusalem in any way shape or form. The point is that any move by Netanyahu to “waffle” on the issue of Jerusalem or to consider dividing Israel will be met by the far right parties with the threat of leaving the government and therefore bringing down Netanyahu. This would provoke new elections and Netanyahu would be out. No politician wants to be “out of power” and so he will do everything possible to avoid this.

Once his government is formed, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hands will essentially be tied on the two state solution and dividing Jerusalem.

Prophetically, the way I see it - God has raised up a leader and government in Israel that can and indeed must withstand US and international pressure over dividing Jerusalem and Israel proper  in order to survive.

Orchestrating the Powerful

While President Obama seems to be on a collision course with Israel over Jerusalem and the two state solution, Netanyahu is rising to meet the challenge — whether he likes it or not!

Only God can orchestrate world events at such a high level. He simply will not allow the further division of His Holy Land despite Israel’s often willingness to do so.

In the end only God’s purpose and plan will prevail concerning Israel.

Joel Chernoff

-The views contained in The Joel Chernoff Report are not necessarily views held by the MJAA-