Sharon Thanks The Christians

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made an appearance at the opening of the Christian Feast of the Tabernacles and thanked evangelical Christians for supporting Israel during the terrorist bombings, rising tensions and the apparent detour on the road map.

One thing that we never seem to see enough of from anyone today, and from world leaders in particular, is gratitude like Sharon is showing here. Too often, politicians seem to take their supporters for granted and never seem to give them the simple, honest "Thank you" that is all most of them want in return for their efforts.

Most Christians who support Israel are driven by a couple of motives: respecting the common bond between Christianity and Judaism and/or because we feel it is the right thing to do.

Israel is more than a friend, they are like a cousin. They share similar values, a similar history and the Old Testament. Are there differences? Sure. But we can generally view things through very similar lenses, making understanding and empathy with the Israelis much easier than it is with say the Palestinians, with whom we share very little commonality.

Christians also tend to support Israel because we know, as an established fact through practice, that the Israelis will allow us, and even welcome us, to practice our religion freely. We also know that they extend that same courtesy to the Muslims in Israel, which tugs at our religious desire to see everyone treated fairly and equally before the Lord, no matter what the name we may call Him.

Rannan Gissan, spokesman for the prime minister, said, "We don't have many friends around us in the world. It gets quite lonely there. And when you're at the head of the column, you always want the soldiers to tap you on the helmet to know someone is behind you. Your coming here is tapping on the helmets of all the Israelis who are standing in the front lines for freedom, for prosperity, for western society."

OK, it's more than a simple "Thank you," but the basic premise is still the same. The Israelis are acknowledging and showing appreciation for the friendship of the Christians during these troubling times.

It is a simple, yet powerful, gesture.