(Photo: Israel Ministry of Defense)
There are many lies told about Israel’s security fence. Israel’s critics portray the entire structure as a massive, towering cement wall, as a naked attempt for Israel to grab land, and as a mechanism to enforce an “apartheid” system. (Rabbi Eckstein refuted these and other myths in a white paper a few years ago).
Dexter Van Zile of CAMERA has exposed another falsehood about the fence, this one in a fundraising video for Bethlehem Bible College:
In the video, Bishara Awad who has led Bethlehem Bible College as its president since its founding in 1979, says “We have many problems in this land. We are under military occupation. The Israelis built a wall around us and this wall goes all around Bethlehem.”
No, it doesn’t.
As shown in this map provided by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the barrier does not completely surround or go “all around Bethlehem” but in fact passes by its northern and Western sides.
Dexter notes that this particular lie has been repeated by, among others, the mainline Christian magazine the Christian Century, a Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and, most recently, the CBS news program 60 Minutes. No retractions have been offered.
There’s an old saying that a lie repeated often enough becomes accepted as truth. Would that it were as easy to spread the real truth as it is to spread fiction.
What do you think?
1:32 pm
When your wall is done could you kindly send the builders to the United States to finish the border wall that separates the United States from Mexico? Those of us who are tired of the drug runners would appreciate the help.
2:47 pm
You will know Him personally one day. To Rachel.
7:28 pm
the truth is the only one that can walk a narrow path. If you walk this path you willsee the Son of Heshem!
7:10 am
Keep up the good work. Lies are cheap and easy. The truth take labor.
4:34 am
I believe Obama is given a “Bad Rap” by some of U’r fans, going so far as calling him “Pro Palestine/Anti Israel! When Netanyahu visited U.S.- he said U.S./Israel Pact is “Unbreakable”- I BELIEVE HIM!
4:24 am
I subscribe 2 several “Israel Support Orgs” like Ur’s (United for Israel; Christians United for Israel & International Fellowship of Christians & Jews). U all keep me abreast of Lies about Israel!
1:44 am
Stats speak for themselves. Look at the figures for terrorist acts before the barrier and after.
1:29 am
you are the chosen nation do every thing to protect your people and your nation,i bless you.
2:51 pm
I agree with Samuel. America can. Why not Israel?
11:03 pm
Fortunately, the truth always surfaces. Boo–60 Minutes. Keep your head up, Israel. So many positive things have happened in your nationstate since 1948, and it is increasing daily.It will get better.
7:05 pm
Israel has the right to do whatever it takes to protect itself. And a little bit of history to the Arab world. Israel was belong to the jew before the Arars were existed.
1:13 pm
Our grandfathers from Europe called this world The World of Lies. Interesting being Jewish, right?
5:54 pm
I think Israel should do what they need to do to protect their country, God gave it to them and no one has the right to take anything from them.GO ISRAEL
4:06 pm
It really is too bad that Israel wasn’t given the Sinai peninsula and more of modern day Lebanon back in 1919, or whenever they re-drew the boundaries during the Treaty of Versailles. Jews, Christians and even Muslims would have plenty of room to build homes, farms, businesses and maybe even live in peace. One need only look at the southern boundary of Israel via Google Earth and see how green it is compared to the dry and barren soil in the Egyptian Sinai. Democracy rules in Israel, and it is the West’s greatest ally in the region, whether or not it wants to ever realize it.
3:48 pm
I am sad and weary of the anti-semitism that is reflected in Western societies and in the press.
7:14 pm
i have love for Israel,because God has taught me to and has give me love for all people.So it hurt me to say this,but it will never change.i am a black man and live in the southern U.S.A.and ppl will say its changed ,but has not.Until God changes it my friend we shall both be weary.
3:01 pm
Timothy, God has put the same love in my heart for the Jews long before I knew anymore than what happened in the past. This love is beyond anything I can understand, and have L Why are we so blinded to the truth?earned so much in the last 7 yrs.
3:35 pm
There’s an old saying that a lie repeated often enough becomes accepted as truth. This sentences also sums it up to the so called “Jesus!” People talked of him for so long they think he’s G-d! We should be use to all of the lies. Even when we prove to them the real truth they still don’t want to believe.
1:10 pm
The oft repeated lie includes the arabs who assumed the name of the ancient Palestine area when they wanted to push Jews out of their homeland after it was improved and thrived. If the Arabs and Muslims would turn their efforts to peaceful improvement of their land instead of destruction of anything non shariah compliant then peace would prevail in the middle east.
2:42 pm
If YISRAEL was out for a land grab, they would and should take all the land that HASHEM has given them. From the Nile to the Euphrates. Omein
1:24 pm
Israel must continue to defend itself against its enemies which literally surround its territory. If building a fence is required then the fence should remain in place so long as Israel’s national sovereignty is in jeopardy from its enemies. That is so very basic it is hardly worth mentioning except for the fact that Israel’s enemies are not interested in anything but the total and absolute annihilation of Israel and its people. It goes without saying therefore: build as many defensive barriers to your enemies and continue other defensive measures as are required to protect and preserve your nation. Only mentally deficients and your enemies will object!
2:59 pm
Hello James,
By mental deficients i assume you mean the UN, The EU and obmanation.
7:12 pm
Keep up the good fight for God stands with you.