Did You Know Using the Expression ISIL is Anti-Semitic?
The definition of anti-Semitic: One who discriminates against or who is hostile toward or prejudiced against Jews. This is taken directly from the Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anti-semitic.
The use of the expression ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), this versus ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), is clearly an example of the definition of anti-Semitic. Why? The expression ISIS does not inherently make a statement about Israel one way or the other. ISIS was founded in 1999 by the Jordanian extremist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The nation of Israel was in existence at that time. On the other hand, the term Levant comes from the French term lever (“to rise”) and its Arabic equivalent is Mashriq (“the country where the sun rises”). The introduction of the word came with the French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon, which lasted from 1920 until the mid-1940s. Surprise, surprise…Israel did not become a nation until 1948. The term Levant did not, or does NOT include Israel. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant explicitly denies the right and existence of the Jewish nation. The term ISIL is 100% discriminatory against the Jewish people, obviously takes a hostile position toward the nation of Israel, and shows extreme prejudice against both the people and their nation.
Don’t believe me that ISIL takes this position? Look at the map. Where is the currently existing nation of Israel on it?
Looks what Allen West says about this topic…
If you choose to refer to this group as ISIL, you have basically rewritten the map of the Middle East and fallen into the trap of not recognizing the existence of Israel and also Lebanon. If you use ISIL you are then validating the Islamic totalitarian and jihadist claim that the modern day Jewish State of Israel is an occupation state and does not exist in the eyes of Muslims. [Taken from: http://www.allenbwest.com/allen/obamas-use-isil-reveals-true-allegiance-animus-towards-israel]
There are many in the Arab/Muslim world that have NEVER acknowledged the right of Israel to exist. They will not be satisfied until the modern-day nation of Israel is annihilated and wiped off the face of this earth. [If you are interested more about this subject, please read: Understanding Why Israel Will Never Have True Peace Until the Lord Returns at: http://reachinghigherwithmeyer.blogspot.com/2012/11/understanding-why-israel-will-never.html.]
If you are promoting peace, truth is, using the label ISIL does the opposite – it divides. And why even bother using ISIL if it could offend people at all? Most people use the label ISIS any way. It is an undeniable truth to the educated that the using of the label ISIL is a slap-in-the-face to Israel and the Jewish people. So let’s just call “a spade a spade”…shall we? ISIL suggests: “We want peace in the world, but an existing nation that is already a part of it…we do not want, nor will we accept it. So let’s wipe Israel off the face of the earth, as it was at the time of the French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon.” By the way, the Scriptures prophetically address those who desire this scenario, and predicts with 100% certainty what will happen in the future to those who wish this…
Psalm 83
1 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
5 For they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them;
they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who were destroyed at En-dor,
who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves
of the pastures of God.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest,
as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so may you pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your hurricane!
16 Fill their faces with shame,
that they may seek your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
let them perish in disgrace,
18 that they may know that you alone,
whose name is the Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth.
PSALM 83 WILL OCCUR, AS GOD’S WORD IS SURE…PRAISE HIM!!!
ISIL is an inflammatory expression and should offend every Jewish person on the planet It should also offend all true Christ-follower’s. If not, I would ask, why not? Don’t you think the Jewish people are entitled to the Promised Land that God vowed to give to them approximately 4,000 years ago? If not, you are going against a foundational promise of God. That promise is also inclusive of the only way to eternal salvation. How is the Holy Spirit involved in your denial of the existence of Israel, the same Spirit who saves people and guides the Lord’s chosen people into all truth and tells them what is yet to come (John 16:13)? God always keep His promises [see http://reachinghigherwithmeyer.blogspot.com/2016/07/does-god-always-keep-his-promises.html]! If you are a true child of God, your desire should always be for God’s Word to be true and that the Lord keep every single one of His promises. A true child of God will see anti-Semitism for what it is and always reject it and those who promote it. Anyone using the term ISIL – you are not promoting God’s agenda and supporting His chosen nation. And quite simply, according to the Scriptures, “Whoever is not with [the LORD] is against [the LORD]” (Matt 12:30a).
“I [the LORD] will make of you a great nation [Israel], and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)