The Bible-thumping, messianic rhetoric of Israeli and American politicians reveals a dangerous irony: they don’t oppose theocracy, only the Islamic kind, cloaking their own fanaticism in terms like “Judeo-Christian values” and “the West”.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee texted President Trump this week and told him he was spared by God when the bullet at that Pennsylvania rally narrowly missed his head. He was spared to “be the most consequential president in a century – maybe ever.”
Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and evangelical pastor, wasn’t subtle in his religious push as Trump weighs whether the United States should join Israel in striking Iran: “I don’t reach out to persuade you. Only to encourage you. I believe you will hear from heaven.”.”
As Israel intensifies its assault, talk has shifted from diplomacy to regime change in Iran, targeting a fundamentalist power that has weaponised religion to oppress women, human rights, and which for decades has threatened religious war.
But the messianic language claiming to defend democracy heard from both Israeli and American politicians reveals a dangerous irony: They’re not opposing theocracy, they just oppose the Islamic kind. They just cloak their own religious fanaticism in terms like “Judeo-Christian values” and “the West.” ….more
