Announcing the publication of a new book “Unconditional – the Enigma of Antisemitism” by Author and Theologian Rev Fraser Harding.
Unconditional – the Enigma of Antisemitism
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History
Centenary of the Mandate for Palestine: Part 4 – The Legal Obligations of the Mandate
The San Remo Resolution of 25 April 1920 gave Great Britain the responsibility for executing the Mandates for Palestine and for Mesopotamia (now Iraq).
Messianic Jews—the Elephant in the Room of Jewish Christian Relationships
As an evangelical Christian closely involved in building bridges between Christians and Jews, there is a subject I try studiously to ignore, and that is the “problem” of Messianic Jews. It is indeed the “elephant in the room.”
True Australian History Continuing To Be Made In Israel
“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” – Psalm 22:27 Going back to where it started! That was the strong feeling of the Indigenous members of ‘Avad Oz’, ICEJ Australia’s worship...
Noteworthy: Victorian Liberal Friends of Israel
In early July I was invited to join the Victorian chapter of the Liberal Friends of Israel. I learnt about this initiative over a morning coffee with Noa Bloch and Lexi Kowal, the Political Affairs Director and former board member of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) respectively. Founded by Senator James Paterson, David Southwick MP and Tim Wilson MP, the network is already working with its NSW counterpart to build greater appreciation of the Australia-Israel friendship within the Liberal Party, attracting a large membership base in Victoria. Spokesperson David Van told I&CT, “we’ve been thrilled by the launch: the response has been extraordinary.” The Liberal Party will always be a Zionist Party The launch on 26 August drew more than 300 local supporters including 16 state Liberal MPs. The current Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg demonstrated his solid understanding of Israel’s history and spoke with great conviction in support of the bilateral friendship. Stalwart ambassador for the Christian Zionist community Jill Curry was well received. Curry gave a lucid summary of Christians’ rationale for supporting Israel before introducing Dave Sharma, former Australian Ambassador to Israel. On September 13, Sharma was preselected as the Liberal candidate for Turnbull’s former seat […]
The Prophetic Yom Kippur War
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the dramatic Yom Kippur. The Yom Kippur war is not only a powerful story from the pages of history, but I believe it also prophetically foreshadows an even greater war to come—while also pointing to the means of deliverance and victory. Caught Napping On October 5th, 1973 the Egyptian army on the West bank of the Suez Canal were drawn up in full battle array with bridging equipment and rubber boats for crossing the Canal. The Egyptian side of the Suez was bristling with 100,000 troops, 1350 tanks and 2000 artillery pieces and heavy mortars. Meanwhile the Israeli side of the border barely numbered 450 aging reserve troops, 44 artillery pieces and only 3 tanks! The border with Syria was in an even worse situation with the Israeli troops and tanks outnumbered in even greater numbers. The thin line of Israeli tanks and troops on the Golan was all that separated the civilians of the Galilee region from the incoming armada of Syrian troops and tanks. The surprise attack caught Israel napping. The seemingly all-knowing Israeli intelligence community had been completely blindsided by the attack. Israel’s frontline soldiers were therefore unprepared for the […]
Australia at a Crossroads:
The pulse of the land at the uttermost parts of the earth In the early hours of September 25, 1918, on the moonlit southern shore of the Sea of Galilee, white and aboriginal Australians executed the last horseback charge in military history to capture a small but fiercely-defended train station – Tzemach. Weeks later, World War 1 was over, and for the first time in nearly seven centuries, the Jews’ ancient homeland was free from Muslim control. As this article goes to press, the centennial of this little-known but critical Battle of Tzemach is being marked at the restored site, 11 months after the 100th anniversary of the famous victorious charge at Beersheba of the Australian 800 Light Horsemen. Beersheba began the liberation of the Land of Israel; Tzemach secured that liberty. ***** Last year—in the run up to Beersheba —I came to Australia to motivate for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Multitudes of Aussies longed to see their country “lead the charge” as the first to move its embassy to this city. My 2017 journey took me to every major center around Australia, and from Elcho Island in the north, through Alice Springs, to Tasmania way down […]
Needed: A Rented Office and an Australian Flag
Over the last few years, in the lead-up to the Beersheba centenary, I have actively promoted the view that Australia—in timely fashion and emulating its famed Light Horsemen—could once again lead the charge, recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and place its embassy there. In 2016, I sat in the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv and asked then-Ambassador to Israel, David Sharma, why it was that his country would not take the initiative and do the right thing in Israel—as it had with every other one of its embassies and high commissions around the world—by placing its embassy in the designated capital. He replied that it was “not Australian statecraft” to do so. A few months later, I put the question to former Prime Minister Tony Abbott during a ‘chance encounter’ at Jerusalem’s Holocaust Memorial Museum. His response was very different: “If I was prime minister I would do it today.” Later that year, as we approached 100 years marking the Battle of Beersheba and the celebrated legacy of the 800 Light Horsemen, people around Australia responded to this voiced hope: that on this pivotal issue of the embassy move to Jerusalem, their nation might again show the maverick brand of […]
Can A Nation Be Born in one Day? Isaiah 66
Israel is celebrating her 70th birthday this year. What Israel has achieved and in 70 years is nothing short of astounding. Incredible. MIRACULOUS! That’s not a word I use much, but I use it regularly when I talk about Israel. As we celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday, remember to honour God for keeping His promises to His people and for fulfilling His Word. Many are aware of the passage in Isaiah about a nation being born in day. “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.” – Isaiah 66:8 We read that and cheer loudly; “Yes, a land was born in one day! Yes, Israel was born on May 14, 1948. Praise God!” This is a correct response, the rebirth of the Sovereign State of Israel in May, 1948 was indeed the fulfilment of Isaiah 66:8, but I want to dig a little deeper to show you something even more astounding, even more miraculous—if that’s even possible. Isaiah 66:7-8, “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she […]
Whose Land? 2
Whose Land? is a two-part documentary film looking at the legitimacy of the State of Israel in International Law. This unique documentary features in-depth interviews with a team of highly qualified lawyers and historians. It is presented by Colonel Richard Kemp CBE and produced and directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Hugh Kitson. Part 1 of Whose Land? – entitled Foundations (94 minutes) – was released in Australia in August 2017 and in the UK, New Zealand and South Africa in November at the time of the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. It currently awaits release in the USA and Canada. It is available for live-streaming anywhere in the world through www.whoseland.tv Foundations looks at both the history and the legal issues that led to the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948. Included is a demographic snapshot of the Holy Land in the 19th century. What historical records are there of a Palestinian Arab nation whose capital city was Jerusalem? We look at the roots of the modern Zionist movement, a detailed look at the Balfour Declaration and the Paris Peace Conference – and the relatively unknown agreement forged by Arab and Jewish leaders over their territorial […]
1917 and the Liberation of Jerusalem
On December 11, 1917, Gen. Edmund Allenby’s forces officially liberated Jerusalem. Actually, a Jerusalem delegation, led by the mayor, surrendered the city to a pair of British army cooks on December 8. Thus began a comical farce. The Turkish army and its German commanders had fled the city ahead of the British advance, leaving the city officials nervously waiting for the liberators. The first uniformed men to arrive were privates Andrews and Church, two cooks who got lost while searching for cooking water. They wandered near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City and were confronted by a large delegation of city officials. The cooks were so scared they ran back to their unit. At 8 a.m. the following morning, James Sedgewick and Fred Hurcomb, two British sergeants, were scouting around the Old City walls when they were approached by a group of Arab dignitaries holding a white flag. The two soldiers were overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of accepting the surrender of Jerusalem and apologized after pictures were taken for posterity, saying they were unable to accept the surrender but promised to send a more senior officer. Later the same day, two artillery officers, majors Beck and Barry […]
Australian Embassy Petition
Over the last twelve months a series of meetings has been held at which Australian pro-Israel Christians have focused on the important ways in which we can express pro-actively our support of Israel, especially in these days when there is virulent international condemnation of a nation that is so tiny, yet huge in the heart and purposes of God. As the United Nations continues to demonstrate its at times bizarre irrelevance and hostility in matters relating to Israel, 2017 is shaping to be a critical, historic and indeed prophetic year for Australia – and Aussies – to be seen as strong and dependable in standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel. This year is significant for its many anniversaries for the Jewish world: 120 years since the first Zionist Congress; 100 years since the Charge of the Light Horse Brigade in Be’er-sheva; 100 years since the Balfour Declaration; 70 years since the UN partition vote; and 50 years since the miraculous Six Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem. Those of us who are Christian supporters of Israel now have a unique opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, building on the first ever […]