What's happening?

The State of Israel happened as a consequence of the Holocaust. For years there has been a yearning on the part of Jews to return to what they considered their homeland. Some were already there whilst many had been part of the dispersal and lived in a number of different countries. Throughout history there is evidence of hatred of Jews which we call anti semitism. I honestly believe it is more accurately described as racism even though Judaism is a religion.

After the Second World, War Palestine was given as a Jewish homeland. However, there were Palestinians already living there cheek by jowl with Jews. It was inevitable that there would be a squabble over who had the right to live there. Since that time the situation has never been resolved. We have seen conflict after conflict flaring up. Sometimes the Jewish government has initiated the fighting and sometimes the Palestinians have kicked off.

In the 1970s I was on holiday in Anglesey (where coincidentally I now live) and I was in conversation with a Muslim man. I asked him where he came from and he told me he was from Lebanon. At that time Lebanon, as the man declared, was in a sorry state with much armed conflict happening within its borders. It was constantly headline news in the UK. We wondered if there would ever be a solution with a return to peace. In the UK where there was a deprived area with high crime rates we would say "It's like Beirut there." London became the centre for the trade that had once been carried on in Beirut and many Lebanese people lived in peace here.

Over the years the exiled Palestinians found a way to return to their homeland, albeit one governed by Jews. They settled in their allocated areas and tried to return to a peaceful life where their children could receive good healthcare and education. Naturally, they continued to claim that the land was their's by right as did their Jewish neighbours. Jewish settlements encroached on Palestinian land as some Jews deliberately risked a stand-off with these people they considered lowest of the low. Then some of the settlements were removed with strong opposition from these right wing Jewish settlers towards their government.

The last few years have seen a period of violence with Palestinian suicide bombers giving their lives in a cause they were proud to die for. Eventually the old enemy of Israel, Yassa Arafat, died and a new regime began. The activities may have paused occasionally but now, with Hamas in charge, there seemed little chance of an early peace deal. So the conflict continued.

Now Israel has turned on its other enemy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, and is trying to exterminate it. Thousands of people, previously living a quiet life, are now caught up in the conflict as Israel destroys their homes by the hundred. President George W Bush, self appointed world policeman, is calling for a ceasefire when enough damage has been done. He also sends consignments of smart bombs to arm the Israeli side of the conflict whilst providing blankets as aid for the homeless.

What is happening? How can we make sense of it? In the USA there is a President, who claims to be a born again Christian, raining war via Israel on Lebanon. Jesus is the one we call the "Prince of Peace". George claims to follow Jesus, and starts his day's work with a period of prayer. But the day's work involves armed conflict. How does this stack up with Christianity?

The whole episode is a travesty of justice. It is built on a pursuit of popularity by an American President. In the same way he refuses to sign up to combatting global warming because it would involve loss of jobs in the USA. He says it is for the likes of China and India to do their bit before he will commit America to play its part. The fact is they cannot afford to do so and he can. The fact is that he must show the lead but he will not. So, the world has to continue with this threat of eventual extinction over American jobs which can be replaced in many different ways as has been the case in countries who have recognised their responsibilities.

It seems today as if the USA are saying, "Sort yourselves out but don't expect help from us in any way." They purport to be the allies of the UK but what sort of alliance are we pursuing with Blair and Bush these days. I think we are strange bedfellows indeed. Both the President and our Prime Minister claim to be Christians but I wonder how they can claim it in present circumstances.

Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep." Are there any shepherds out there feeding sheep? I see a world not with double standards but multi standards. I see nations incapable of setting an example to others. What's happening and where are we heading?

I am worried!