Russian President Vladimir Putin told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop living in the past Thursday, after the Israeli premier tried to tie tensions with Iran to an upcoming Jewish holiday about a thwarted genocide of Jews in ancient Persia.
In a meeting with Putin in Moscow, Netanyahu said Persia had made “an attempt to destroy the Jewish people that did not succeed” some 2,500 years ago, an event commemorated through the Jewish holiday of Purim, which Israel will celebrate starting Saturday night and lasting in some places until Monday.
“Today there is an attempt by Persia’s heir, Iran, to destroy the state of the Jews,” Netanyahu said. “They say this as clearly as possible and inscribe it on their ballistic missiles.”
Adopting a conciliatory tone, Putin said that the events described by Netanyahu had taken place “in the fifth century BCE.”
“We now live in a different world. Let us talk about that now,” Putin said.
The exchange highlighted the radically divergent world views of the two leaders: Netanyahu has said he sees himself as the guardian of the Jewish people against existential threats, most notably from Iran and its nuclear program.
Putin, on the other hand, has sought to maintain positive ties with Tehran, including by selling the country the advanced S-300 anti-aircraft system over Israel’s objections.
The holiday of Purim commemorates the biblical tale of Jews Mordechai and Esther thwarting a plan by Persian viceroy Haman to slaughter the Jewish people, and is celebrated by reading the Megillah of Esther, dressing up in costumes, exchanging packages of food and festive eating and drinking.
Netanyahu has used the Purim story in arguments to world leaders to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions in the past, including during a controversial speech to Congress in March 2015, a day before Purim.
“Tomorrow night, on the Jewish holiday of Purim, we’ll read the Book of Esther. We’ll read of a powerful Persian viceroy named Haman, who plotted to destroy the Jewish people some 2,500 years ago. But a courageous Jewish woman, Queen Esther, exposed the plot and gave for the Jewish people the right to defend themselves against their enemies. The plot was foiled. Our people were saved,” he said at the time, to applause from the US lawmakers. “Today the Jewish people face another attempt by yet another Persian potentate to destroy us.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif responded shortly after the speech that Netanyahu was mistaken as “if you read the book of Esther, you will see that it was the Iranian king who saved the Jews.”
Zarif was referring to the fact that the order to stop the genocide in the story came from King Ahasverous, though he is portrayed in the book as little more than a figurehead, easily manipulated first by Haman and later by Esther.
There was no immediate Iranian response to Netanyahu and Putin’s exchange.
The Empire strikes back. They say power is like a drug. Once one has had a good taste, it can be difficult to give up. The following is my opinion and subject to fair criticism.
When the presidential candidates lined up in 2008 some had reservations about Junior Senator Obama. He came out of nowhere to become the Democrat Nominee. Contra claims that criticism was driven by racism; cursory checks of his ideology were what raised concerns.
Ironically, many who invoked the racist card had no hesitation in going after conservative black politicians. The racist tag is a political strategy routinely used by the Left.
Those who bothered checking Senator Obama's past affiliations weren't entirely surprised at what he achieved over his tenure. For example, there was his long association with the problematic Jeremiah Wright.
President Barack Obama promised that his would be the most transparent administration in US history. And the truth is, it was. At least in relation to his policies toward the Muslim world, Obama told us precisely what he intended to do and then he did it. (Emphasis mine)
What's really surprising is just how much of his agenda was able to successfully implement throughout the term of his administration.
Among other things, Obama championed same-sex marriage, transgender and women's rights (abortion). He worked to make it possible for biological "female gender" males to use the same bathroom little girls use. The Obama administration also instigated racial tension.
While the dynamics of the Arab Winter were in place before Obama took office, his small US footprint policy helped it along. His courtship of Rouhani and Putin assisted the latter in achieving goals not possible before. Obama was and is a change-agent.
On the other hand I was dead wrong about Donald Trump. I suspected he was indulging a whim at best, and would eventually drop out of the presidential race. I had a list of suspicions about his motives - his past Democrat affiliations etc. In retrospect, modern Democrats have moved so far left they make the older variety appear conservative.
What I now see, from my limited perspective, is a flawed Donald Trump (aren't we all?) who sincerely loves his country and is trying to do the right thing. The Left sees an obstructer to its goals.
The Obama Empire had its taste of power. But the Trump win was a severe and unforeseen head-blow to its Leftist agenda. The nature of Barack Obama's make-up now compels him to strike back and stay in the game in tangible form. Obama is like Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: he misses his Precious and desperately wants it back.
Daniel Greenfield noted in November 2016:
...Obama is not a conventional politician. He’s an organizer and a campaigner at the vanguard of a radical movement that seeks to control traditional institutions, but doesn’t feel bound by them. Unlike Bill Clinton, his plans don’t begin and end with the White House. As an organizer, Obama is equipped to build bases of power outside traditional institutions. And that is exactly what he is doing.
Greenfield followed up on the current state of play with layers of the previous administration which form the current "Deep-State" in a recent post:
There is now a President and an Anti-President. A government and a shadow government. The anti-President controls more of the government through his shadow government than the real President.
Skeptics will scoff. However we're already seeing the "resistance" rallying against Trump, post hand-wringing meltdown. There are organized and well funded rallies. The smarting media is striking back. While it largely ignored the reality anti-Semitism over the last eight years, it now has Trump to blame. The troops are in formation.
The Leftist Empire would like him to be removed before the end of his term. It has a far-reaching support base. Not only do the media, educational institutions and European globalists empathize with the previous administration, but so do many Christians.
I monitor social media chatter from a range of popular "progressive Christians." Many are ministers yet the biblical gospel is missing from their conversation. They promote a sinless social-justice gospel. The majority of their attention is focused against Trump's faults, and their perception of conservative Christians.
The previous administration was decidedly anti-Christian. It exorcised the expression of Christian beliefs from government institutions and in the public arena. I'm not attempting to validate Trump's profession of Christianity. But his administration is far more sympathetic to Christian public expression than Obama's ever was.
The next four years will be a torrid battle field for the Trump Administration. However, the true nature of this battle is spiritual and perfectly stated in Ephesians 6:12.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Daniel 2:34 speaks of a stone, not made by human hands, which strikes the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Michael Vlach notes that: 'The "stone" that "was cut out without hands" is undoubtedly God's kingdom...'
The Leftist Empire may be striking back, but it will only succeed as permitted by a sovereign God. All earthly political kingdoms will one day answer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Rev 11:15
Is that a comforting thought for you? It is to me.
Maranatha
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