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Huckabee's Jewish Problem
There has long been a peculiar tension between American Jews and conservative Christian evangelicals. The latter's professed love of the Jews has had much to do with their interpretation of the Book of Revelation, and in particular, their support of the state of Israel. As much as many Jews welcomed this support, there has always also been always a dark side to be contended with. That dark side has, among other things, included the targeting of Jews for conversion; the notion that Jews and the state of Israel play a particular (and particularly grisly) role in the fulfillment of Biblical prophesy on the one hand -- and the religious supremacism inherent in Christian nationalism on the other.
Concern about these matters has sharpened recently with the rise of Mike Huckabee as a force in the Repubican presidential contest. Even if Huckabee does not get the GOP nomination for president, he might still be a leading contender for the vice-presidential nomination. And, reports Shmuel Rosner, the Chief U.S. correspondent for Ha'aretz, a leading Israeli newspaper: "In Jewish circles, this prospect has been met with dismay." |
Indeed. Reporting here at Talk to Action, and elsewhere, detailing the depth, breadth and details of Huckabee's views and his close religious and political associates -- demonstrate there is good reason for concern.
Rosner writes:
Huckabee has a long record of expressing a longing for a more Christian America. Late last week, the American Jewish Committee criticized him for views it characterized as "a prescription for theocracy."
This is what Huckabee said: "What we need to do is amend the Constitution so it's in God?s standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other."
A rather opaque statement, but one message is clear: Huckabee wants to change the U.S. Constitution to reflect what he sees as divine law. It's not exactly what the Jewish voter wants.
It's not the first time Huckabee has butted heads with the principle of the separation of church and state that is so dear, for obvious reasons, to America's Jewish minority. On the eve of the Iowa caucus, an ad went on the air in which he declared himself a "Christian leader."
The following day, he received a letter from Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League: "We presume you seek the presidency in order to be the leader of all Americans, regardless of the faith they hold." The ad, Foxman said, causes us to be "concerned." The relationship between the Jews and the Christian evangelical community is delicate, containing both satisfaction for the latter's support for Israel as well as fears about its domestic positions.
Of particular concern, writes Rosner, is the possibility that Huckabee's views also land him on the dark side on his view of the role of Israel in prophesy.
"As president," Huckabee promises in a position paper, "I will always ensure that Israel has access to the state-of-the-art weapons and technology she needs to defend herself from those who seek her annihilation." He often mentions that he has visited Israel nine times. "I've literally traveled from Dan to Be'er Sheva," he said in a candidates' debate a few days ago.
He didn't mention that most of the visits were religious in character, not political. He led believers to churches and archaeological sites. A few Jewish community leaders question whether his support for Israel stems from his sense that "we've got one true ally in the Middle East, and that's Israel," or whether it's linked to his desire to hasten the End of Days, Armageddon.
Such concerns seem to have little filtered out into major American media coverage of the candidate however. If, however, Huckabee's campaign regains the momentum it seems to have been losing since his victory in the Iowa caucuses, his record on these things may very well receive more attention. At least, it certainly ought to.
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