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Home – Israel News – Hold the Line: Truth, the Media, and My Visit to Israel

Hold the Line: Truth, the Media, and My Visit to Israel

I recently had the opportunity to represent the Heritage Foundation in Israel at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event was held at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem and attended by many hundreds of people, including a delegation from the United States.

Israel is a country I used to visit several times a year for many years. I even lived and studied there for a short time. However, when my wife and I started having children, I stopped international travel. Twelve years and four kids later, my wife decided that while she appreciates my devotion to her and the kids, it was time for me to restart making some long trips away from the house from time to time. (If you are married, you’ll understand.)

I was excited to return to Israel. I wanted to know what had changed and what was the same. As a conservative working around politics, I know how Israel is disparaged in our media today. None of the negative claims I have read recently matched my past experiences in Israel, but I wanted to know if there was something behind the media accusations. Can you really no longer buy a Jerusalem Cross in the Old City? Can you no longer access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? Has Israel lost its faith and turned against American interests?

I am American and Jewish—and a proud American and Jew at that—and my time a decade ago in Israel taught me that our two nations were bonded by our Judeo-Christian lineage and faiths. While Christianity is not Judaism, that does not mean I should not enjoy the beautiful history, buildings, and teachings of my Christian brethren. I hope my Christian friends take full advantage of the Jewish teachings, practices, and culture as well. This is the Judeo-Christian West after all. We’ve achieved a lot together, and we can still learn from one another and achieve more together.

I came to three conclusions from my time in Israel. The first was about Israel’s treatment of Christians, the second was about Israel’s bolstered conservatism, and the third was about Israel’s future.

Israel’s Treatment of Christians

To address the elephant in the room, there is absolutely no truth that I could find that corroborates the negative accusations that Israel mistreats Christians.

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I looked as best a human can throughout Jerusalem and beyond. I traveled on foot, by taxi, and in my own personal rental car all around the city every day. I did not notify anyone about where I was going or when I would be someplace, and I recorded many of the places I visited. Anyone could see that I was Western by my clothes, language, and build. To anyone who met me, I was a tourist.

I researched common recent accusations made against Israel—and particularly Jerusalem, and I listened to work by a prominent podcaster who has been spreading negative rumors about the nation and city.

Despite claims that Christians are being mistreated, I saw many Catholic and Orthodox priests. They were treated so normally it was unremarkable. They were friendly, content, and happy to talk with me.

I visited the Western Wall intent on infiltrating the Jewish rebels who (the podcaster assured me) are conspiring to rebuild the Third Temple. Again, nothing to report here. Most of those I saw seemed too busy praying for God’s favor to have time for such plots. The rest appeared to be tourists.

Yes, you can buy a Jerusalem Cross in the Old City, the airport, and countless other places in Israel. They are ubiquitous. In fact, if you so much as make eye contact with one of the many vendors selling Jerusalem crosses in the........

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