Violence erupts in Gaza and Israel

The Indian Express is reporting that "As localized violence in Jerusalem escalated into cross border conflict, Hamas launched a rocket attack at Israel which killed two people . Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza in which 26 Palestinians, including nine children were killed."

Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, heavy sigh. First, I will declare that I do not have a blind support for Israel. I don't have a blind support for anyone or anything. Israel is not always right yet Israel has a right to exist like everyone else. One of the things I like about being Canadian is that I am allowed to have Jewish friends and Muslim friends because here in Canada, no one cares what religion you are. I admire people who strive to follow a religion. The Byrds had it right.

Two things have happened. A rise in tensions in Jerusalem sparked a conflict in Gaza. Israel targeted Hamas in Gaza and Gaza returned fire indiscriminately. Before I dive into the conflict, I will point out that the current inhabitants of Gaza do not have hereditary title. They are not the original inhabitants of Gaza the Philistines were. The Philistines were wiped out by Egypt.

I will also point out that the Jews do not have hereditary title to all of Israel. When Joshua conquered Israel, many areas were left unconquered. Joshua was commanded "if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him."

Bombing Gaza during Ramadan is not nice. Ramadan is a holy time where Muslims fast during the daylight hours each day for 30 days. They eat after sunset and before sunrise for the 30 days. At the end of Ramadan, they have a feast. It's similar to Lent and Easter only more intense.

Reuters posted an explanation of what the previous tensions in Jerusalem were about which sparked the violence. "Since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in mid-April, Palestinians have faced off nightly with Israeli police in East Jerusalem, who put up barriers to stop evening gatherings at the walled Old City's Damascus Gate. Palestinians saw the barriers as a restriction on their freedom to assemble. Police said they were there to maintain order."

"Tensions have also been high over a long-running legal case that could see multiple Palestinian families evicted from their homes to make way for Israeli settlers who, backed by an Israeli court ruling, want to move in." Evicting Palestinians out of their homes is not Zionism.

When I personally see the current extremisms which exist on both sides of the conflict, I'm tempted to throw my hands in the air and say f*ck all of ya. You are all missing the point. I support the Iron Dome. Gaza has a right to exist but they are bat sh*t crazy and Israel's treatment of Gaza is heavy handed. Evicting Palestinians out of their homes in West bank is ungodly.

Unfortunately, we know how this is going to end. All the world will unite against Israel. They will conquer Israel and place Jerusalem under siege for 3 1/2 years. Two false prophets and two true prophets will rise. The two true prophets will be slain once again like unto Jean Baptiste.

In the end, God will save Israel but that's not all. We are forgetting why God let Israel be overrun. Israel is not always right. The pride cycle has shown us that. God is not a respecter of persons.

In Vancouver Jews and Arabs can be friends without a problem because this is neutral ground. As Orlando Bloom said, Jerusalem drives men mad. People are more important than places.