In 1917 the Balfour declaration was written.  Writing of that time Jill Hamilton has the following to say in her book, God, Guns and Israel:

A close acquaintance with the Old Testament had given more than half of the members of the War Cabinet a feeling of familiarity with the Holy Land.  This intimacy predisposed them to listen sympathetically to arguments promoting the aim of Zionists.  (The term ‘Zionist’ was coined in the nineteenth century to describe the political movement which aimed to establish a Jewish state in Palestine.). Many of these Nonconformists could quote lengthy passages including the Psalms – the poetry of the Bronze Age – by heart.  Like a large number of British people during the nineteenth century, and indeed the early twentieth century, they came from homes where the Bible had few competitors.

Enthralled during their childhoods with stories set in Jerusalem, Jericho, Jaffa, Gaza and other places in the Old Testament, some exhibited a lifelong fascination with the Holy Land, others with the Bible itself.  Lloyd George… once remarked that he knew the towns in the Holy Land better than those on the Western Front.  On another occasion he explained that he had learnt the names of rivers, valleys and mountains of the Holy Land long before those in either Wales or England.  For him and others, drawing up plans for the Jewish people to ‘return’ to a place which the Bible had made so familiar had a particular attraction, especially as the Jews were seen not only as the ‘people of the Book’, but as a downtrodden race and a worthwhile cause.  Because of the age–old problem of anti–Semitism in Europe there was an urgent need to find homes for displaced Jewish refugees fleeing from the harsh restrictions and pogroms in Russia.”

That was over a hundred years ago.  Today in England the Bible has largely become a forgotten book, churches are being turned into residential or commercial properties, and shockingly Jews are hiding their identity for fear of attack.  

These are not inconsequential changes as far as Almighty God is concerned.  He has warned to “consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” – Psalm 50:22, and the principal applies nationally as well – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” – Psalm 9:17.  

Further to this, the God of Israel has also made it clear that those that bless the seed of Abraham will be blessed, and those that curse the seed of Abraham will be cursed – Genesis 12.

Although the Balfour Declaration was a turning point and show of huge support for the Jewish homeland, ever since British support has been fickle.  As is always the case with democracies, support can quickly change based on poll numbers or elections, or other national interests.

The changes in English society have not only been affected by the removal of God’s word, but also from changing demographics.  The same has happened in Canada.  The title of a book written about the main port in Eastern Canada through which for a time one third of all Canadian immigration flowed, is entitled “Pier 21 – The Gateway that Changed Canada”.  This title sums up the effects immigration can have on a county.  This is especially the case when those being granted access bring a very different culture, as has been happening in Great Britain.

The changes in English society in regards to Israel have been on display in a recent by-election in Rochdale, a suburb of Manchester in the north.  Rochdale is traditionally a left wing seat held by the Labour Party.  However, Labour had to pull their candidate, Azhar Ali, due to comments alleging Israel had allowed the October 7th massacre to happen.  With Labour out of the race one of the loudest Roman Catholic Anti Semites in the country to take the seat – George Galloway.

George Galloway won a huge majority based on a blatantly anti Israel platform.  Even his election posters were a Palestinian flag, and upon winning he claimed the win was for Gaza.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a press conference outside No.10 Downing Street calling the win “beyond alarming”.  Richard Time leader of the Reform UK party, released the following statement:

“Now the polls have closed, people across the UK need to know the truth about this election campaign - and the implications for our democracy.

To suggest that a parliamentary election in this country has not been truly free and fair is a very serious allegation indeed.

Unfortunately however, the behaviour of certain candidates and their supporters in this contest fell very far short of this our traditional democratic standards. What we have witnessed and experienced in Rochdale is deeply disturbing.

In recent weeks, Reform UK’s candidate and campaign team has:

- been subjected to death threats

- suffered vile racist abuse

- been refused entry to hustings in a public building

- had to be relocated for their own safety

- suffered daily intimidation and slurs

In one incident, Reform UK business supporters were threatened with a firebomb attack if they distributed our leaflets. Menacing behaviour was a feature of the entire campaign, including outside polling stations on the day of the election itself. In this ugliest of contests, we are also concerned by the sudden increase in the size of the postal vote, which has jumped from 14,000 to some 23,000 in this constituency since the last general election.

The results of the Rochdale by-election should act as a stark wake up call to those in power – and the entire electorate. This is Britain. We are supposed to be a beacon of democracy. This shameful contest has been more characteristic of a failed state.

Unless something dramatic changes, our fear is that it will be repeated in dozens of constituencies across the UK at the general election. By Christmas, we face the prospect of numerous extremist anti-Semitic lawmakers in the House of Commons.”

This is a shocking statement for Israel.  However, for as much as there is an outcry against George Galloway, even the current government is seemingly dialling back its support of Israel.  The current chief of staff, David Cameron said Britain would reconsider recognizing a Palestinian State, which would be utterly dangerous for Israel.  If there is one thing Israel has learnt from October 7th its that when they give the Palestinians land it does not bring peace, quite the opposite.  However, it may be a shocking statement for Israel, but from scripture we do not expect Israel to gain in support from around the world, also quite the opposite.

When we look at Ezekiel 38 we find a picture where Israel is invaded by a northern confederacy of nations, led by Rosh, or Rus, or as we know it today Russia, but there seems to be little in way of support for Israel outside of a verbal response from the Southern confederacy which will include Britain as the latter day Tarshish.

But the warnings in scripture are clear for those that would turn their backs on God’s people.  And in the end Britain herself may end up feeling quite isolated as Russia gains in power and influence in Europe.  In the meantime, the extreme Muslim’s that Israel is dealing with are going to be a growing problem for Britain herself as the “thumping majority” that George Galloway just received from the voters shows.  Rather ironic.

And for those that are still reading their Bibles, may you be lifted up as you see events continuing to bring us closer to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.