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Arlene Bridges Samuels
In Essentials, Unity

Intransigence Idolized: UN’s 57 member Organization of Islamic Cooperation

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Diplomats and their staffs have converged on New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. New York City once again has capably transformed itself into new traffic patterns blocking key streets,setting up sophisticated cyber security and enlisted every limousine in the city. Israel’s best friends, President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley will champion Israel and denounce Iran. Many other nations will roll out new versions of lies and slander against Israel, pass resolutions with counterfeit “facts” with scant attention to the deadly policies of murderous despots and dictators from Syria and Iran in particular. Leading the way, with most of the UN’s willing and complicit followers, is the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The United Nations, founded in 1945, embodied the hopes of a world that was shattered in the aftermath of World War II. It’s credited with saving the lives of millions, providing medical aid and education while running more than half a trillion dollars through UN accounts to enact multiple worthwhile programs. Yet the institution is beleaguered with bureaucracy, division, and rancor.

The United Nations though has enjoyed some shining moments. A few years after its founding two UN sessions took place which altered world history, first on November 29, 1947 followed on May 14, 1948. Reaching into the ancient annals of time the United Nations placed its imprimatur on the modern rebirth of the Jewish state of Israel. In 1947 the Partition Plan was approved and ratified in 1948.

Then in 1969 along came the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC)consisting of 57 member states representing more than 1.8 billion people as of 2015. The organisation declares that it is “the collective voice of the Muslim world.” In the ensuing years, the OIC has grown in its influence and power bolstered by its vast oil reserves and the world’s need for it. Their intransigence against Israel has grown too as they remain true to the last part of their title, “Cooperation” but it seems only among themselves. I suggest a better idea. The OIC could “cooperate” by funding the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, transferring the Palestinian issue there, and pressure Hamas to desist its terror then rebuild Gaza into a productive locale. That’s a game changer but I’m a realist. Based on their past history, they seem more focused on blaming Israel than rebuilding and lifting up their own Muslim people.

In 2015 the UK Guardian Gave an Overview on the UN’s 70th anniversary

Let’s imagine what the middle east might be like today if the Muslim nations had accepted the 1947 UN Resolution 181. The Partition Plan in part called for an economic union between them. Arab Palestinians would now have a thriving economy. Rather than Arabs displaced in 1948 choosing not to flee, their families would live in decent apartments, unemployment would be low, research would be high. Arab Palestinian children would thrive on their Arabic alphabet rather than their hate-filled anti-Jewish music videos. Arab Christians wouldn’t face persecution. Arab journalists would not fear for their lives when speaking against their leaders. The billions given to the Arab Palestinians would have built hospitals, businesses and modern schools instead of Hamas, for example, purchasing weaponry to commit terror against the Jews or line the pockets of leaders stashing their Swiss bank accounts.

The Jews accepted the less than ideal partition plan. Arabs rebelled, victims of their own self-destruction. While the United Nations voted on a partition plan that provided Arab and Israeli statehood, Arabs in essence have defied the United Nations for seventy years with the exception of Egypt and Jordan which thankfully and courageously made peace with Israel.

“The United Nations was created not to lead mankind to heaven but to save humanity from hell.” Dag Hammarskjöld, UN’s Second Secretary General

The OIC and, might I add western nations, have excelled in building a propaganda machine or only report half of a story with misleading headlines. The propaganda has been so effective that the OIC and United Nations in general overlook Palestinians’ failures and rebellion and constantly lay the blame at Israel’s feet. They have made victimization an art form while paying little attention to the horrors done to the Syrian people or Boko Haram’s murderous rampages in Nigeria.

Despite making intransigence an idol which never offers anything positive toward Israel or the Palestinians,the IOC and the UN have not and cannot defeat the Jewish nation that beats the odds. Regardless of Arab-instigated violence, Antisemitism, media bias, terrorism, and 24/7 hatred for seventy years, the Israelis endure. Their economy is vibrant. Their research blesses all of humankind. Their inventions are enjoyed. With one hand, Israelis have built something out of nothing while forced to hold an Uzi in the other hand to defend themselves. They flourish despite everything.

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So while the UN General Assembly goes through the motions, passes their empty resolutions, demonizes Israel, and overlooks dictators, one reality “trumps” them all. Israel’s champions, President Trump and Ambassador Haley, have also defied the odds. Ambassador Haley- as we say in the south-is “a brick in a velvet glove.” She was not just talking when she famously said, “I am taking names.”

I hope her list keeps growing.

About the Author
Arlene Bridges Samuels is a pioneer in pro-Israel Christian advocacy for twenty-five years in positions with Israel Always and Earl Cox-Israel's Goodwill Ambassador to Christians and Jews, SE Region Outreach Director at American Israel Public Affairs Committee, (AIPAC) and International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA's project, American Christian Leaders for Israel. Since 2020, she is the weekley featured columnist at The Christian Broadcasting Network Israel, and frequent Guest Columnist for Allisrael News and The Jerusalem Connection Report. Arlene co-edited The Auschwitz Album Revisited. Traveling to Israel since 1990, by invitation she attends the GPO Christian Media Summit. She and her husband co-authored a new book, MENTAL HEALTH MELTDOWN, illuminating the voices of bipolar and other mental illnesses. TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com
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