Friday, September 9, 2011
Annexation Bill Introduced in Congress
Jim HutchensBy Dr. James M. Hutchens
The Jerusalem Connection


A bold piece of legislation was introduced yesterday morning by Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL). The resolution supports Israel’s right to annex Judea and Samaria in the event that the Palestinian Authority continues to press for unilateral U.N. recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Congressman Joe WalshAt the end of August the Israel Allies Caucus Foundation took Rep. Joe Walsh on his first trip to Israel. Along with high level meetings with Knesset members, academics and policy makers in Israel, the Caucus also ventured off the regular Congressional trip route with visits to Efrat, Gush Etzion, and many other outlying communities in Judea and Samaria. Throughout the short three day trip, Rep. Walsh was very moved by what he saw - a deep Jewish connection to the land today that is firmly rooted in biblical history. This experience, as well as gaining first hand information about Israel's security needs and vulnerabilities, helped lead to his introduction of this bold bill Thursday morning.

This is the first time that anyone in Congress has introduced a resolution supporting Israel's right to all of its Biblically mandated land. As Rep. Walsh will most likely be attacked by liberals, Republicans, Democrats, moderates and many others even in the "pro-Israel" arena, this is a pivotal time for the Evangelical world to stand up for a piece of legislation that draws strongly from a biblical basis and also for the Congressman who introduced it.

With the Palestinians attempting to gain statehood at the UN, the peace process at a standstill, and the two state solution proving inadequate to meet the security concerns of the Israeli people, it is time another option was brought to the table. I encourage you to stand with Israel once again and support Israel's right to a state with defensible borders. Please pray for wisdom and courage for Rep. Walsh and his staff