[The author was in Orlando FL for a celebration of Israel's
jubilee (50 years) with six other CPTers organized into=20
a special prayer team. The event was organized by=20
Christian Zionists who support Israel under coordination=20
of the Christian Alliance for Israel. Christian Zionists
believe that the modern state of Israel is a glorious
fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Our CPT prayer
group came together as one way to support Palestinian
Christians and all Palestinians who face home demolition,
land confiscation, and frequent arrest by Israeli
occupation forces.]

It was the most majestic worship I've ever seen. =20
Twelve women dressed in flowing white skirts and=20
gold vests stepped in procession down the wide aisles. =20
Each carried a banner representing one of the tribes of
Israel. Eight thousand people crowded the large
auditorium of the Orlando Convention Center. Many
danced and waved their arms, as the drums
and violin kept time. People laughed, shouted,=20
and singed to God.

What a surrounding! I felt small watching the
bigness of everything around me. People
everywhere=97young people, old people, dressed up,
in jeans, women, men and children. The row in
front of me sat an Asian American, Latino,
Caucasian, and African American=97all worshiping
together. The old white couple sitting beside me,
the African American woman harmonizing behind me.
She sings spontaneous =93hallelujah=92s.=94

It looked to me much like I expected the kingdom
of God to look like; for Yahweh is the God of all
peoples. I wanted to join in, but couldn=92t
somehow. Their rejoicing, fun and innocent as it
looked, was at the real expense of Israeli and
Palestinian lives.

Not recognizing the difference between the state
of Israel and the Israel of the Bible allows
atrocities to happen in the name of God, as if it
carries out God=92s purpose. Christian Zionists
here claim that a lack of support for the
political entity of the state of Israel is
anti-Semitic and anti-God. If this is true,
justice becomes a politician=92s pawn. It does not
care about people. It is not life-giving. It
serves the empire and it gives privilege to those
in power.

I wanted so much to join in their sincere praise ,
but in my heart, I knew I could not. Yahweh is
the God of all peoples. If everyone is not
included equally, then I can not include myself.