Israel Shunned - Then Attacked

There was great indignation in Israel at the decision of the Austrian Chancellor, Dr Bruno Kreisky, to limit transit facilities for Israel-bound Soviet Jews in exchange for the lives of four hostages held by Palestinian guerillas for 12 hours at Vienna airport on September 28. Mrs Golda Meir, the Israeli Premier, hurried to Vienna and confronted Dr Kreisky with a demand for the retraction of his capitulation to the guerillas. Her demand was flatly refused. Dr Kreisky has been warned by the terrorists that there would be further guerilla action if the transit camp at Schoenan stayed open. The camp had been used as a clearing house where 35,000 emigrants stayed overnight on their way to Israel. Dr Kreisky suggested that the United Nations should take over responsibility for the camp but this was apparently not favoured by Mrs Meir.

Following their successful tactics in securing the closure of the Schoenan camp the Palestinian guerillas proceeded to threaten terror attacks against Soviet Embassies unless the Kremlin banned Jewish emigration to Israel. The terrorist spokesman said, "Soviet Embassies and interests in the Middle East and the world will be a target for our strikes if the Soviet Government fails to stop Jewish emigration to Israel.... The continuous emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel is a grave danger to our just struggle and puts an added burden on the Palestinian revolution".

It is clear that any nation holding out a helping hand to Israeli emigrants is open to this sort of intimidation. As a consequence the Israelis feel increasingly friendless among the nations and despondent of any international assistance against the terrorist tactics of the Palestinians. This is all part of Israel's chastisement as indicated in the prophetic word. The hostility of the nations will increase and reach its zenith at the end-time. But history has proved that Israel is indestructible. Her glorious future is ensured by divine promise. In contrast to her present isolation, it is written:

"Thus saith the LORD of Hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you" (Zech. 8:23).

The above comment was dictated on October 6, the Jewish Day of Atonement, which marked the outbreak of hostilities in a new Middle East war. There had been for some time troop concentrations by the Egyptians at the Suez border and by the Syrians at the Golan Heights. It appears that a co-ordinated offensive was mounted against Israel on both these fronts. At the time of writing it is too early to comment, except to emphasize the gravity of these developments in this troubled area. No doubt strenuous efforts will be made by the United Nations to confine the conflict to the Middle East and to get the contestants to the conference table. With what success remains to be seen.

As Christians we must continue in earnest prayer to God for those in high place among the nations. We can but watch with increasing awe as the great drama of human history moves to its climax.

unknown | Nov 1973
Comment By Torchlight