Astute insight into the British Hostage release
 
 
From: "G Collett" <grcol@gorge.net>
Subject: Jerusalem 7 April 2007
 

It would seem obvious that the Iranian success in capturing the British was a well-planned, coordinated, man-powered event.  It would seem that Iran had watched the British for some time to know where and how British sea surveillance was accomplished in order to make the “capture”. News reported that by admission of the British military personnel they were quickly overpowered.

In the Middle East the show of strength and power is a part of maintaining the concept of “saving face”, i.e. not being embarrassed or belittled in the eyes of family, friends and associates. Maintaining control and leadership is an important cultural theme. By “Rattling the Chains” of power an “opponent” is hopefully intimidated into, if not submission then at least into neutral co-existence. To understand “what happened” with the British “hostages” in Arabic culture a comparison to “hospitality” sheds light.

In Arabic culture when a “guest” has come, the first act is the offering of tea and/or coffee. If the cup is “half-full” it means the guest is “most welcome”, accepted and is even considered as a “family member” as the cup can be re-filled as often as needed. But if the cup is offered filled to the top it is a message that this is “all-required-in-hospitality-offered” and it should be consumed as quickly as possible and then leave, as the “guest” is not welcome. Showering the “guest” with gifts is a statement that the “cup” is filled fuller than full and the “Guest” has received a symbolic “Last Meal” for the “condemned”. In this case I would say the “capture” of the British was an attempt to start larger scaled conflict and/OR a test to see what the responses would be. The release in new suits, new luggage, candy and sweets in pomp and ceremony is a statement to the world Arab community of deep revulsion and rejection of the British but it all would not be taken or seen as such in the Western World. Realistically the military captives were taken as military and should have been released as military. Instead they were released as civilians without their military authority. That can be taken as a statement of future intent of Iran’s culture against the British and/or all outside foreigners. The Arab world interprets Israel as the “controller” and “instigator” of aggression against Iraq and initiator of the all Mid-East conflicts. Iran has been adamant in declaration of destruction against Israel.

How long or how much will have to continue before Israel is caused … or given the freedom to respond against Iran, or Syria, or any who attack Israel? I have received a number of communications suggesting that this summer will be the critical peaking of conflict against Israel because it is the 40th year after the 1967 Six-Day War, forty being one number in Judaism of a generation or judgment. A question is could the 40 years start with the 1973 Yom Kippur War of 1973?  Bottom line … only by the individual Biblical prophetic events can a “time” sense be known or understood. There is at this time no known planning for the 40th commemoration, at least by the Government, this summer in Israel. The cry is “peace, peace” but there is no peace……….

Food for thought!
I appreciate your prayers!

Blessings in Christ, --Gary

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