Faulkner, “Obama Delegitimizes Israel”

Fern Sidman has a great profile on Rev Michael Faulkner who is challenging Charles Rangel for his Congressional seat. He seems like a fabulous candidate.

Here’s what she reports on Faulkner’s views on the Arab/Isaeli conflict.

“Let’s make it abundantly clear. The pressure that Israel faces under the current administration has got to stop”, says Faulkner. “Look, I am a proud Zionist and not not ashamed to admit it. I am also a Christian evangelical and my total support is behind Israel because I am enjoined by scripture. I can tell you that millions of other Christian evangelicals feel the same way that I do. We have got to get the message out that the security of the United States is inextricably tied to Israel’s security and we have to do everything in our power to ensure that Israel’s security is not compromised”,

When asked about President Obama’s plans to compel the Netanyahu government to extend the freeze on settlement construction in Judea, Samaria and parts of East Jerusalem, Faulkner says, ‘I am tired of hearing the words ‘occupation’ and ‘return to 1967 borders’ when it comes to defining Israel because that simply is not the case. Israel is not an occupying power and thus anyone who says that Jewish settlement construction is an obstacle to peace in the Middle East is just using that as a smokescreen. The real obstacle to peace in that region are terrorists such as Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies.”

As to Rev. Faulkner’s perspectives on the creation of a Palestinian state, he says, “The Palestinians could have had an independent state in the past but they didn’t come to the table. Israel has made territorial compromises and has proffered numerous peace proposals, only to be with resistance by those who really do not want peace. Any proposal for the creation of a Palestinian state must come from Israel and not the US and if such a state is established it must be demilitarized for security reasons.”

Expressing anger at the myopic view of the Obama administration as it pertains to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Faulkner says, “Obama has participated in the delegitimization of Israel through his maltreatment of our best friend and stalwart ally in the region. By doing so he helps to fuel feelings of anti-Semitism. Where does he come off meddling in the internal affairs of Israel? Doesn’t our president understand that our best hope for peace lies in solidifying our relationship with Israel rather than alienating her? Doesn’t he comprehend the fact that any attack on the Jewish people and their land will be the harbinger for attacks on Christians and other peoples of the Western world?”

Concerning the Iranian nuclear arms threat, Rev Faulkner is quite clear. “You cannot appease these people because they are driven to destroy the West. I don’t feel our president should be traveling to the Middle East and apologizing for America’s support for Israel. Iran and Syria must be taken to task for underwriting and hosting terrorism in the region and the US should make it clear that we will not negotiate with terrorists under any conditions.”

Rev. Faulkner’s candidacy has received endorsements from FOX TV commentator Sean Hannity, the New Era Democrats, the Frederick Douglass Foundation, the East Harlem Concerned Pastors, Operation Black Storm, the Black Republicans PAC, the New York and National Right to Life parties, Newt Gingrich, the Republican Party of the State of New York, the Libertarian Party of the State of New York,Harold Augustus, West Harlem Senior Citizen Center, Howard Bernstein, West Harlem Senior Citizen Center, Apostle Edwards, One Way International Ministry, Yvonne Russell, Financial Network, Pastor Nelson, President, World International Chaplaincy, Pastor Debra L Smith, Christ Holiness Temple, Bishop Randall B. Gillis, Overseer, El Shaddei Church, Deacon Diaz, Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Michael Bozwa, Zion Tabernacle and Chaplain Desiree Bernstein, United Chaplains of the State of New York.