Is This a Fair Comparison?

The nation of Indonesia has seen its share of Tsunamis, earthquakes and floods and with those tragedies the loss of life and property. Thankfully, relief organizations from around the world have rushed to the aid of the beleaguered nation providing both personnel and resources. Indonesia’s government and its people received all that was given to them eagerly and the smile on their faces lets us see what a kind gesture can do.

In light of Indonesia’s record on persecution of Christians and its suppression of human rights should this help be given? I emphatically say yes. The policies of that government are not inclusive of all that live there, in fact, the persecution of Indonesian nationals is certainly an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.

However, knowing the Indonesian history it seems ironic that with all of the need represented these past several years they have adamantly refused help of any kind from the nation of Israel. It was against this backdrop that cries came last week from Indonesia demanding Israel to stop building their settlements in occupied areas as it was a violation of human rights.

How do we compare building areas providing housing to a nation whose population is being uprooted and displaced which is happening to the Israelis with each war and tract of land given up in the name of peace, to organized terror groups? If the world has misgivings about Israel’s national policy, they might want to find a better example of human rights than that of Indonesia.

Modern history sadly has been defined by Israel’s critics comparing the Jewish State against a backdrop of so many nations that are very poor examples of moral conduct so how can the truth be told?