Transcript [00:00] Netanyahu is making the point that, you [00:02] know, I I have to do what's best for [00:04] Israel. And so if Lebanon's going to [00:05] attack, I I have to respond. We have to [00:08] do that. [00:09] >> President Trump is the president of the [00:11] United States. [00:12] >> He has to look out for the best interest [00:13] of the United States. We could argue [00:15] that it's not in the best interest of [00:18] the United States to go down this road. [00:20] But if he says, "Listen, I understand [00:21] that it's going to make things more [00:22] difficult to deal with down the road and [00:25] it could end up strengthening Iran in [00:26] ways that are not good and there's all [00:28] sorts of there there is negative [00:29] fallout. But on balance, bringing down [00:31] the price of oil, getting the straits of [00:33] Hermuz opened. If he determined that [00:35] it's in America's best interest to go [00:37] down this route as an Israeli, I can't [00:39] really have a quarrel with that. He's [00:40] the president of the United States." [00:41] Welcome to this episode of [00:42] Shouldertoshoulder, a podcast where a [00:44] pastor and a rabbi get to the heart of [00:46] issues that matter to people of faith. [00:48] I'm Pastor Doug Reid here with my friend [00:49] Rabbi Pesak Baliki. And on this episode, [00:52] we'll be having a conversation all about [00:54] the recent between Iran and the US and [00:58] all that is going down in the Middle [01:00] East. Before we jump into our [01:02] conversation, please like our Facebook [01:03] page and join our Facebook group, the [01:05] Shoulder-to-Ser Community, where you can [01:07] interact with Peso and me all week long. [01:09] The best way to support this podcast is [01:11] to come on over to Patreon, subscribe to [01:13] Shouldertoshoulder. For just $10 a [01:15] month, you're helping us bring this [01:17] message of shoulder-to-shoulder to more [01:18] and more people all around the world. As [01:20] a thank you for your $10 subscription, [01:22] you'll get exclusive access to chapterby [01:24] chapter Bible study beginning in Genesis [01:26] chapter 1 from Rabbi Pesak and myself. [01:28] So go on over to Patreon, subscribe to [01:30] Shouldertoshoulder for just $10 a month. [01:33] We're grateful for our sponsor, Israel [01:35] 365 News, which is the place for you to [01:37] go and get your news and information [01:38] before going to anyone else. Go on over [01:41] to israel365news.com [01:44] to check out some of their articles and [01:45] be sure to read Rabbi Pesoc and my [01:47] columns. Every week, Israel 365 has [01:51] incredible products and initiatives that [01:53] they are getting behind. And this week, [01:55] what are we supporting Peso? [01:58] Well, Doug, every day lies about Israel [02:01] spread online faster than the truth can [02:05] catch up. And my good friend Charlie [02:07] Kirk saw this problem clearly and [02:09] famously a few months before he was [02:11] murdered, he had he wrote a letter to [02:13] Prime Minister Netanyahu outlining what [02:16] Israel could do better about telling its [02:18] own story and fighting back against [02:20] these lies. and he recommended the [02:22] creation of something that he called the [02:24] Israel Truth Network, a rapid response, [02:27] a mechanism to put out fact sheets in in [02:31] uh in in real time responding to [02:33] whatever the lie of the day about Israel [02:36] happens to be. He also recommended [02:37] building a website with a backend with [02:39] an archive and uh creating video content [02:42] to go along with it. the whole nine [02:43] yards to push back effectively with well [02:46] sourced material, userfriendly material [02:49] that could push back against the lies [02:51] against uh on Israel. And uh shortly [02:54] before he was murdered in the last [02:56] couple months of his life, he started uh [02:58] advising us and we were working with a [03:00] few people from his team to create the [03:02] Israel Truth Network and it is now up [03:04] and running. So sign up for the daily [03:07] briefs, join the fight for truth, go to [03:09] theisrael truthnetwork.org. Make sure [03:11] you include the the t h e the the or the [03:15] Isisraeltruuthnetwork.org. [03:16] Spell it out as one word and then click [03:19] in the top left corner to sign up for [03:21] the news briefs and you will get in your [03:23] inbox. You will get these short [03:25] wellsourced u very clear responses to [03:29] lies about Israel. If there's no if [03:31] there happens to be a rare day where [03:32] there's no brand new lie being spread [03:35] about Israel in the news, we deal with [03:37] some of the classic lies about Israel. [03:38] They're all archived on the website and [03:41] the website is growing and uh it's going [03:43] to as we're adding more material to it, [03:45] it's going to include a a real [03:47] comprehensive archive of many issues [03:49] relating to Israel. So go to [03:51] theisraeltruthnetwork.org, [03:53] sign up for the uh sign up for the [03:55] briefs and share them with friends. It's [03:57] a great way to be wellarmed to push back [04:00] against all the lies about Israel. [04:03] >> Super important. And there's lots going [04:05] on right now in the world that people [04:09] have questions about. I have received so [04:11] many messages, texts, uh Facebook [04:14] messages, and others. What is going on, [04:17] pastor? Help me. What What is happening? [04:19] What why such a quick about face uh you [04:22] know, turn from President Trump? Help me [04:25] understand. Is this some 4D chess that [04:27] he's playing? I I've gotten all the [04:29] questions. And like a good pastor, my [04:31] response was not geopolitical. It was, [04:34] you know what, Psalm 2, the nations rage [04:37] and he who sits in heaven laughs. I [04:39] don't know what's going on right now, [04:41] but [laughter] I know that God is in [04:43] control. So, Pesak, we have to help our [04:45] listeners make sense of what is going on [04:49] cuz it all caught me by surprise. caught [04:52] me off guard to see so much of the vice [04:55] president kind of taking the lead on [04:57] some of this stuff has put people on [04:59] their heels cuz he seems to have a [05:00] different worldview than a lot of others [05:02] in the cabinet. And I'm just kind of [05:05] flabbergasted. I I'm sure Israel is [05:08] reeling as well and feeling it. I've [05:10] been watching a lot of our friends and u [05:13] former podcast guests try and make sense [05:15] of it in their own way between social [05:17] media posts and articles and other [05:19] things. But I think we should deal with [05:21] a little bit of what is actually in [05:23] theouou because a lot of people are [05:24] talking about it but haven't read it. [05:26] And then we need to help our listeners [05:28] make some sense of it so that they can [05:30] pray so that they can be engaged so that [05:32] they can know what's going on. So how [05:34] are you and how has it hit Pesqualiki? [05:38] [sighs and gasps] So I'm I'm doing I'm [05:41] doing great. And for those of our of our [05:44] listeners, of our viewers who actually [05:46] follow the uh the YouTube channel, who [05:48] follow my personal YouTube channel, if [05:50] you've been watching my videos since [05:52] thisou was released, then you know my [05:55] take and uh and you and you're probably [05:57] not as worried as most people are [05:58] because of you'll hear what my take is. [06:00] And I'm going to get into a lot of it. [06:02] So, some of what I'm going to say here [06:04] uh is going to be repetition from a [06:07] variety of different videos that I had. [06:09] But I think what I'd like to do here is [06:11] have the kind of most comprehensive [06:12] treatment of this thing cuz I made a [06:14] number of videos about different aspects [06:16] of this and the situation is is changing [06:18] day by day because it's not just theou [06:21] hours sometimes, [06:21] >> right? It's what people say about it. [06:23] It's what happened in Geneva over the [06:25] last couple days. Uh there's a there's a [06:27] lot going on and by the time this [06:29] podcast is released, which is usually [06:30] about a day and a half after we record [06:32] it, things could change even more. So, [06:35] we're not exactly sure where things are [06:37] going to be when this is released. Maybe [06:38] it'll all be old news by then. But [06:41] before we get into the details of it, [06:43] Doug, before we go ahead and and read [06:45] the clauses of theou and understand what [06:47] this deal is, let me just start out by [06:50] saying this. The pro-Israel community [06:54] has a has an overreaction problem. [06:59] We tend to like, you know, if Trump is [07:01] on a on a day where Trump does what we [07:04] want, it's like, wow, he's like Cyrus [07:06] the Great and he's the [laughter] [07:08] and and the redemption is coming up in [07:10] the streets of Jerusalem. [07:12] You know, we're winning. [07:13] >> And then and then if he does something [07:15] that we don't like, it's like, oh my [07:16] gosh, he's betrayed us. He's turned on [07:18] us. [laughter] [07:19] That's the end of the relationship [07:20] between BB and Trump. Like, we just we [07:24] have to just relax. We have to relax and [07:27] and remember that, you know, first of [07:30] all, as you said, you know, God is on [07:32] the throne and and that's fine and and [07:34] we will be fine. But I'm saying even [07:36] more when we're talking about what Trump [07:38] is doing, we have to relax, take a deep [07:41] breath, and and think back to some of [07:43] the other things that we've seen, uh, [07:45] the two steps forward, one step back. [07:48] Sometimes it's two steps back. We we [07:50] just have to we have to keep a level [07:52] head. And that's what I'm going to try [07:53] to convey in my remarks. So that's the [07:57] that's the chill pill we all need to [07:59] take. So if you're listening to this [08:00] podcast and you're all worked up and [08:01] you're really upset at Trump and you're [08:03] really upset about this and you're [08:04] really worried about Israel and what [08:05] does this mean? Go make a cup of tea, [08:08] hit pause on the podcast, come back, sit [08:10] down and and we'll get into it. Okay. [08:12] >> Well, and I often say to people, I mean, [08:14] think about the alternative. I mean, [08:16] Trump could not be the president right [08:17] now. [08:17] >> Oh my god. That's a whole other thing [08:19] for sure. I mean, [08:21] >> could you imagine the dystopian hell [08:23] we'd be living in if Kla Harris was [08:25] [laughter] president? I mean, forget [08:26] about the fact that we never would have [08:27] been able to weaken Iran the way we [08:29] have. There's so many things that [08:30] couldn't have happened. Who knows if the [08:31] hostages would have ever come home. I [08:33] mean, the list goes on and on and on. [08:35] Okay, there's no we have tremendous [08:36] amount to be grateful for. But no, with [08:38] all fairness to people, gratitude for [08:41] what was done does not exempt President [08:44] Trump if he's making a grave mistake. [08:46] you know, cuz I've been critical of him [08:48] and this MOU. There's a lot to criticize [08:50] about this MOU. I'm not, don't get me [08:52] wrong, you'll see what I say about it. [08:53] I'm not saying thisou is good. It's not [08:55] good, [08:56] >> but it's not nearly the disaster people [08:58] think it is, [09:00] as I will explain. Okay, that's [09:02] >> Well, let's get into it. [09:03] >> Let's get into it. Okay. So, first of [09:05] all, um the text is famously 14 points. [09:09] 14point memorandum of understanding. [09:11] Okay. Now, it critical to know we I'm [09:15] going to share clause 13 with you first. [09:17] I know that sounds a little weird [09:18] because it's the second to last clause [09:22] because the 13th clause says as follows. [09:25] He says after signing thisou [09:29] and subject to the beginning of the [09:31] implementation of paragraphs 1, four, [09:34] five, 10, and 11 of thisou [09:39] and the continuing implementation of [09:41] these measures, meaning they're not [09:42] one-time things. They're things that [09:44] have to be implemented and stay [09:45] implemented. [09:47] the United States of America and the [09:48] Islamic Republic of Iran will start [09:50] negotiations regarding the final deal [09:54] exclusively on the other paragraphs. And [09:57] the reason I'm reading that first is [09:59] that that clause gives us sequencing. [10:04] It gives us the sequencing. And the [10:05] sequencing isn't that clause one comes [10:07] before clause 2 comes before clause 3 [10:09] comes before clause 4. The Gaza 20point [10:12] plan, if we we all remember that one [10:15] from months ago, was written in [10:17] sequence, meaning you read it and it [10:20] went through the chronology of how [10:22] things are supposed to play out. This [10:24] one is not written in that order. And [10:26] that's what this clause is about. It's [10:28] saying that there are [10:30] five clauses that all need to be [10:33] implemented immediately. That these are [10:35] phase, if we want to call it phase one. [10:38] They don't use the term phase 1 phase 2 [10:39] in this but that's what it basically [10:42] says here is that these these five [10:43] clauses one these five paragraphs 1 4 5 [10:46] 10 and 11 they are the preconditions for [10:49] moving forward with everything else and [10:52] this is so critical here [10:55] because [10:57] with these deals [11:00] let me say something about the structure [11:01] of these of these deals I at this point [11:04] we're starting to get used to reading [11:05] these deals you know these peace deals [11:07] like the 20 I'm going to compare it to [11:08] the Gaza 20 point plan because we're [11:11] more familiar with that. It's been [11:12] around longer. We've talked about it [11:14] more on this show. [11:17] In the Gaza 20oint plan, the big problem [11:19] with it, we talked about this at [11:22] nauseium. [11:23] The big problem with the Gaza 20oint [11:25] plan was that the biggest issue in it, [11:30] the biggest problem we're trying to [11:32] solve with Gaza [11:34] is getting rid of Hamas. [11:37] is disarming Hamas. All the other pipe [11:39] dreams about reconstruction and in, you [11:42] know, investment and and building a [11:44] better life for the Gazins and who's [11:46] going to govern it and will it be some [11:47] technocrats and will the you know, will [11:50] the other Arab states be involved and [11:52] and and are we going to, you know, what [11:54] all of that looks like post kamas is all [11:58] the precondition for all of it is that [12:00] you get rid of kamas, [12:01] >> right? And that's why we've never gotten [12:04] past phase one in in Gaza. [12:08] There's been no progress whatsoever past [12:10] phase one. We got the hostages back [12:14] with theseUS [12:16] is they're not a peace treaty. They're [12:18] not signed by both parties. They're [12:22] they're they're in this weird space [12:24] where it's kind of like we would like to [12:26] talk about some things, so we're going [12:27] to take 60 days to talk about some [12:29] things. [12:29] >> You just hit the nail on the head. It's [12:31] very loose. It's not Trump keeps calling [12:33] it a peace deal, but it's really just an [12:35] agreement to have a talk. [laughter] [12:37] That's all it is. [12:38] >> Oh, for sure. And and you know what? [12:40] What you said is actually the key. [12:44] It's the key to to what I just said. [12:47] When I started and I said we all have to [12:48] calm down. It's because of what you [12:49] said. Let me show it to you in the in [12:51] the actual memorandum. So, let's first [12:52] let's start let's do this in in the [12:54] order that it's supposed to be [12:55] implemented. So, let's start with 1 4 5 [12:57] 10 and 11. So, what's supposed to happen [12:59] first? So clause one [13:03] is has to do with Lebanon. Okay, let me [13:06] read you one. One reads as follows. The [13:08] United States of America and the Islamic [13:10] Republic of Iran and their allies in the [13:13] current war are signing this [13:17] to declare the immediate and permanent [13:19] termination of military operations on [13:21] all fronts, including in Lebanon, [13:26] and undertake from now on not to [13:28] initiate any war or any military [13:31] operation against each other, and to [13:33] refrain from the threat or use of force [13:36] against each other, and ensuring ing the [13:38] territorial integrity and sovereignty of [13:40] Lebanon. [13:42] The final deal will confirm the [13:43] permanent termination of the war on all [13:46] fronts including in Lebanon. That's the [13:48] third time mentioned Lebanon and other [13:50] provisions of this paragraph. So the [13:51] first clause here is that there has to [13:54] be a termination of all military [13:55] operations in Lebanon. The the uh the [13:58] problem with it is that it says [14:01] that the United States of America and [14:03] the Islamic Republic of Iran and their [14:05] allies are signing this [14:09] and that's not true. No, [14:11] >> right? [laughter] [14:13] >> Israel didn't sign this. [14:14] >> I I don't think they even saw it until [14:16] after it was signed. [14:18] But is even if they saw it Israel [14:20] Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu's [14:22] statement from the prime minister's [14:24] office, the official statement of the [14:26] prime minister about theou thanked, you [14:29] know, it was very polite and diplomatic [14:30] and it thanked President Trump for all [14:32] his efforts to prevent a nuclear Iran, [14:33] but the opening sentence of it was the [14:36] state of Israel is not party to this [14:39] memorandum of understanding. [14:41] >> Correct. [14:42] >> So that opening statement is simply just [14:44] false. [14:45] Well, and I Prime Minister Netanyahu [14:47] made a very uh quippy comment. I He was [14:49] giving a speech somewhere. I saw the [14:51] clip this morning and he said, "You [14:54] know, in Israel, apparently I only do [14:56] whatever President Trump tells me to do. [14:58] And in America, President Trump only [15:00] does what I tell him to do." And and it [15:02] got a good [laughter] laugh. But it is [15:04] one of those things that Israel and [15:05] America are two separate countries. They [15:07] when the interests align, it's beautiful [15:09] and wonderful. And we've been able to do [15:11] some incredible things together. uh both [15:13] technologically, militarily, uh you [15:16] know, intelligence, but we're we're two [15:18] different countries. And so, you know, [15:20] prime minister is really Netanyahu is [15:22] making the point that, you know, I I [15:24] have to do what's best for Israel. And [15:26] so, if Lebanon's going to attack, I I [15:28] have to respond. We have to do that. [15:31] >> And that also speaks to the whole, you [15:33] know, to all the screeching on the on [15:35] the pro-Israel side that Trump betrayed [15:36] us. Look, President Trump is the [15:38] president of the United States. He has [15:40] to look out for the best interest of the [15:42] United States. [15:43] >> Correct. [15:43] >> And [15:45] we could argue that it's not in the best [15:48] interest of the United States to go down [15:50] this road. But he's the [15:52] commander-in-chief and if he determined [15:54] that putting a pause on all the kinetic [15:57] activity with all of the with all of the [16:00] of the negatives of that, everything's [16:01] got negatives and positives. if he says [16:04] listen I understand that it's going to [16:05] make things more difficult to deal with [16:06] down the road and it could end up [16:08] strengthening Iran in ways that are not [16:10] good and there's all sorts of there [16:11] there is negative fallout but on balance [16:14] bringing down the price of oil getting [16:15] the race of Hermuz opened and you know [16:18] giving this you know giving this thing a [16:20] shot and and not angering my friends in [16:23] Pakistan and in Turkey who really want [16:25] me to do this negotiation for whatever [16:27] his reasons were if he determined that [16:30] it's in America's best interest [16:33] to go down this route. As an Israeli, I [16:35] can't really have a quarrel with that. [16:36] He's the president of the United States [16:38] and we and and the US and Israel, as you [16:42] said, that's the that's something that's [16:44] so important. I was very uncomfortable [16:45] at the beginning of the war when there [16:47] was all this rah rah rah about how [16:49] Israel and the US it's it's like one [16:50] fighting force. We're arm in- arm. We're [16:52] shouldertoshoulder. We're doing, you [16:53] know, no pun intended, but [laughter] [16:56] you know the podcast. [16:57] >> Yeah, exactly. It was wonderful. But, [17:00] you know, all of that talk, it made me [17:01] very uncomfortable and I even said it in [17:03] a few interviews that I did. I was like, [17:05] whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down. Just [17:07] because we're doing the same thing now, [17:11] >> you know, and and our air forces are [17:12] working together, let's not fool [17:14] ourselves. We do not have the same [17:16] objectives and and and just let's be [17:19] realistic. We don't anyway. Well, and I [17:22] think there's too there's also an [17:23] element, yes, in the best interest of [17:25] the United States and probably an [17:27] unspoken thing, and I've heard a few [17:28] pundits mention it, uh, there's also in [17:31] the back of President Trump's mind, he's [17:33] thinking about the economy. He's [17:34] thinking about gas prices. He's thinking [17:35] about the midterm elections. [17:36] >> In the forefront of his mind, that's not [17:37] even in the back of his mind. [17:39] >> Correct. And so, there's an element of [17:40] what's best for the United States, [17:42] what's best for President Trump and his [17:43] party and the midterm elections. So, [17:45] there's there's layers to this. So, it's [17:47] not just about right and wrong, Israel [17:50] and Iran, the moral case where a lot of [17:52] people go for the war, but ultimately, [17:55] you know, President Trump is doing [17:56] what's best for the United States, [17:58] what's best for him politically, and [18:00] Israel has to do what's best for Israel. [18:03] Exactly. Anyways, so so we have clause [18:06] one that's supposed to be immediate, and [18:08] then we have clauses four and five. I'm [18:10] not going to read these at in full cuz [18:12] it's boring. Clause four is that the [18:14] naval blockade that the US put on Iran [18:16] gets lifted. Clause five is that the [18:20] straits of Hormuz get opened. And a lot [18:23] of people were screeching about this. [18:26] And because in it it says that uh for 60 [18:30] days [18:32] Iran can't charge any fees, which [18:34] implies that after 60 days they can they [18:37] can start charging fees. So everyone's [18:39] like, "What do you mean? It's it's [18:40] illegal to charge fees. That's the whole [18:41] issue, right? How can how can we how can [18:43] we concede that? Okay. Well, I'll get to [18:46] that in a moment. I think there's a lot [18:47] a lot of the concessions in this [18:49] document that are upsetting people. I [18:50] want to first get through a few things [18:52] and then I'm going to make a statement [18:53] about all of them cuz I'll tell you the [18:56] punchline now. This thisou was built to [19:00] fail. It will never mark my words. It [19:03] will never be implemented. [19:06] Just like the Gaza 20oint plan will [19:08] never be implemented. It won't be okay. [19:11] Now, is that good news or bad news? [19:13] Depends how you look at it. It's good [19:14] and bad, but that's my belief. So, we [19:17] have uh four is uh is is removing the [19:20] blockade. Five is opening up the straits [19:22] of Hormuz. And we had two more, right? [19:24] We had 10 and 11. So, what's 10? 10 is [19:28] uh that the US is going to lift [19:30] sanctions [19:32] and and 11 is that uh all of the frozen [19:36] assets of Iran are going to get released [19:38] to them. Okay, those are the five things [19:40] that Iran is insisting on immediately. [19:43] They need cash. The US wants the straits [19:45] opened. They want the blockade lifted. [19:47] They want Lebanon, you know, they want [19:49] Lebanon to be kept quiet, right? They [19:52] want sanctions lifted. That's those are [19:54] the immediate things. [19:58] Now, I mentioned before that in the Gaza [20:01] 20point plan, the big flaw in it was the [20:03] disarming of Hamas. But it's not just [20:06] that Kamas didn't get disarmed. is that [20:08] when you read the Gaza 20oint plan, [20:11] it it has some very specific things in [20:13] it. For example, when it talks about the [20:15] international stabilization force, which [20:17] is going to be the security force, the [20:18] police force in Gaza after Hamas is [20:21] removed, [20:22] which is of course never going to happen [20:24] or hasn't happened. [20:26] It says there that it's going to be run, [20:27] it's going to be, it's going to be [20:29] overseen by the Egyptians and the [20:30] Jordanians. There were very specific [20:32] things in there like that [20:35] and about how the board of peace will [20:37] work. very specific. [20:40] But when it came to the disarming of [20:42] Hamas, what did it say there? It said [20:46] um that the Gaza will be demilitarized [20:51] through an agreed upon process. [20:56] What does that mean? [laughter] [20:58] >> Who's going to do it? [20:59] >> Yeah. [20:59] >> How? What agreed upon process? By who? [21:02] Who's agreeing? Like what are you [21:03] talking about? It's it's so vague and in [21:07] fact we saw after the Gaza 20oint plan [21:10] was signed and President Trump was asked [21:12] on Fox who's going to disarm Hamas and [21:15] he said I don't know maybe we'll do it [21:17] maybe Israel will do it and then Marco [21:19] Rubia was asked and he said no no Israel [21:21] can't do it because that would be the [21:22] end of the ceasefire and then uh Jared [21:24] Kushner and Steve Wooduff were on 60 [21:26] Minutes and they were asked about it and [21:27] they said well uh the International [21:29] Stabilization Force will do it which is [21:31] incorrect and they that's they're [21:32] supposed to come in afterwards and then [21:34] King Abdullah of Jordan was asked about [21:35] what Witkoff and Kushner said that the [21:38] international stabilization force that [21:40] he's supposed to oversee is going to [21:41] disarm Famas and he said we're not going [21:43] to disarm FAMAS. We come in afterwards. [21:44] He's right. So [21:47] it was it was written but what's the [21:50] problem? It's not just one clause of the [21:51] 20point plan. It's the most important [21:53] clause of the 20oint plan. It's it's the [21:55] whole reason for the thing is to move to [21:57] a post kamas Gaza and the and the post [22:00] kamas part of it is completely vague. [22:04] Why do I bring this up? Because we have [22:06] the same thing in this document. It's [22:07] the same it's not it's the same [22:10] structural thinking in this document. [22:12] The equivalent of the disarming of kamas [22:15] is the nuclear issue. Isn't that the big [22:18] issue? Isn't that the main event? Isn't [22:20] that the main course of this meal is [22:23] getting rid of the nuclear and dealing [22:25] with the uranium? Well, I'm going to [22:26] read you the clause about the nuclear in [22:28] this memorandum of understanding. Okay, [22:29] I'm going to pull it up here. Here we [22:30] go. The clause about the nuclear [22:34] is [22:38] here we go. [22:41] The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms [22:45] that it shall not procure or develop [22:48] nuclear weapons. Right? Because they [22:49] always claim they don't want one. Great. [22:50] So they'll say it again. Lovely. [22:52] >> The United States of America and the [22:54] Islamic Republic of Iran [22:57] and get ready. You might fall asleep [22:59] while I'm reading this, Doug. [23:01] They have agreed to resolve the [23:04] disposition of stockpiled enriched [23:06] material, the uranium, pursuant to a [23:10] mechanism [23:11] that will be mutually agreed upon in [23:15] accordance with the schedule [23:19] mentioned in paragraph 7, which has to [23:21] do with the lifting of sanctions, [23:25] meaning that I'm sorry, the lifting of [23:28] United Nations resolutions against Iran. [23:30] They want them all repealed. [23:33] So, [23:35] let me start the sentence again. [23:38] That they're going to agree to resolve [23:40] the disposition of the enriched uranium [23:43] pursuant to a mechanism that will be [23:45] mutually agreed upon in accordance with [23:47] the schedule mentioned in paragraph 7 [23:51] with the minimum methodology to be down [23:53] blended on site under the supervision of [23:56] IEA. So, it already puts in a minimum [23:58] way of of dealing with the uranium, [24:00] which leaves it all in Iran and just [24:02] dilutes it a little bit. But then it [24:04] goes on, this is the best part, and this [24:05] is what you just said before about [24:07] agreeing to talk. The two parties also [24:10] agreed to discuss the issue of [24:13] enrichment and other mutually agreed [24:16] matters relating to the Islamic Republic [24:18] of Iran's nuclear needs based on a [24:21] satisfactory framework being agreed upon [24:24] in the final deal. [24:26] What does this even mean? They agree to [24:30] have a conversation based on a [24:31] methodology that's going to be worked [24:33] out in the final deal. Like [24:36] it's a word salad that's basically [24:38] saying we're agreeing to talk according [24:40] about this issue in in line with a a [24:44] mechanism that we're going to work out [24:46] later on. Okay. This is the main thing. [24:51] It's the whole reason we started kind of [24:53] bombing them in the first place. It's [24:55] completely open to interpretation. [24:58] So my take on this whole thing [25:01] is that like the Witoff and Kushner who [25:05] have their fingerprints all over this, [25:06] they're in the room. These are the deal [25:08] makers. [25:09] Their way of making a deal [25:12] is they say, "Hey, look, [25:16] let's take whatever issues are standing [25:18] in the way of coming to some sort of [25:20] framework agreement and we'll put them [25:23] for later and we'll agree to talk about [25:25] them and we'll figure them out down the [25:27] road." And they have this naive [25:31] belief that probably comes from being [25:33] New York real estate guys where making a [25:36] deal means you come to some framework [25:37] agreement and then you have your lawyers [25:39] and the other people work things out and [25:40] if the deal falls through, okay, then [25:42] maybe there's some litigation or maybe [25:44] you just move on to your next deal and [25:45] you eat the loss. But but basically they [25:49] they're like, "Let's come to some [25:50] agreement on some things that we can [25:51] agree with. [25:53] The things that we can't agree upon [25:55] right now or that are too contentious, [25:56] we don't want to deal with them. We [25:57] don't want those things to stand in the [25:59] way of having some framework agreement [26:01] because when we have a framework [26:02] agreement and a handshake and we're all [26:04] talking and we all say we have an [26:05] agreement, they believe that the [26:07] momentum of that will lead to progress [26:11] and that having conversations [26:14] constitutes progress because we're [26:15] building trust da da da da da da da. [26:18] Right? And so it's the it's the exact [26:20] same template where the big thing, the [26:23] main issue, the issue that is so [26:26] unresolvable that it's what would stand [26:29] in the way of making a deal if you put [26:30] it on the table now. So we take it off [26:33] the table and put it later and you think [26:35] you've solved something. That doesn't [26:37] solve anything. All it means is that [26:39] you're never going to get to that phase. [26:42] Yeah. It's interesting because all of [26:43] the push back from the Democrats and [26:46] from people that saw this were like, [26:48] "Well, this is what we had before we [26:50] started bombing them and we're just [26:51] trying to work back to a deal." Is that [26:53] a fair analysis? I mean, I've heard [26:55] Elizabeth Warren, I've heard several [26:56] other politicians make this case that [26:59] like, well, isn't this what we had [27:01] before we started dropping bombs on them [27:02] and now we're trying to work back to [27:03] that place and the straight of Hormuz [27:05] was open before. Is that fair? [27:06] >> If this was actually, you see, if this [27:08] was actually a deal, but you said it, [27:10] it's not even really a deal. [27:12] I'll give you another example. This is a [27:14] great example from this thing. So, a lot [27:17] of a lot of people have been talking [27:18] about the the fact that it promises 300 [27:20] billion dollars to the Iranians, right? [27:22] You've heard them keep not giving them a [27:24] scent. So, let me let me read you that [27:26] clause. [27:28] >> So, let's do that one now. Let's read [27:29] that clause and I'll and then I'll tell [27:31] you a little bit about it. Okay? Let's [27:33] find the clause. Where is it? The $300 [27:34] billion. [27:36] >> It's in here somewhere. [27:38] >> Yeah. Trump said, "Well, here we go. [27:40] Class six. Ready? Here we go. The United [27:43] States of America [27:46] undertakes with regional partners [27:49] to develop [27:52] a definitive mutually agreed plan [27:56] with at least $300 billion US for the [28:00] reconstruction and economic development [28:02] of the Islamic Republic of Iran. [28:06] Okay. The United States of America [28:07] undertakes with regional part. So first [28:09] of all, it says that regional partners [28:11] are undertaking this with America. And [28:13] now what are they committing to? [28:16] They're committing to develop a plan [28:20] with at least $300 billion for [28:22] reconstruction. The mechanism for the [28:24] implementation of this plan [28:27] will be finalized as part of a final [28:30] deal within 60 days. [28:33] Okay. Wait. So what does this mean? This [28:36] means that at the end of the 60 days [28:37] it'll the mechanism. It doesn't mean [28:39] that they'll have the 300 billion. No, [28:41] no, no. It says the mechanism for this [28:45] will be finalized at the end of the 60 [28:47] days. [28:50] Okay. Now, what is this 300 billion? So, [28:52] I decided to go down that rabbit hole [28:53] the other day. Like, what is this? What [28:55] are people saying about it? So there was [28:57] a Reuters story about this 300 billion [29:01] that quoted someone high up in the in [29:03] the administration [29:05] who said that it's not government money [29:08] not forget about American government [29:09] money it's nobody's government money [29:11] which which JD Vance also said I think [29:14] after that story came out and Trump has [29:16] said it also that they were very adamant [29:17] there it's not government funds it's [29:20] actually meant to be a private [29:21] investment fund now who's going to [29:24] invest in in rebuilding infrastructure [29:27] in Iran. So JD Vance was asked about [29:30] this in a press conference on Thursday. [29:35] Who's where's the money going to come [29:36] from? And his words, and this is a [29:39] quote, he said, well, there's a lot of [29:42] interest in the Arab world in investing [29:44] in Iran. There's a lot of interest, and [29:47] it's a big population. It's a big [29:48] economy. There's a lot of interest in [29:49] the Arab world to invest in Iran. But [29:51] because of the way the sanctions are, [29:54] you can't invest and therefore the [29:57] United States is going to provide [29:58] whatever waiverss are necessary to allow [30:00] that investment to flow in there. Now, [30:02] that's very different than what it says [30:03] what I just read to you cuz what I just [30:05] read to you is that they will develop a [30:08] plan for the reconstruction, not just [30:11] they're going to allow private [30:12] investment in. Okay, that's one thing. [30:14] >> But he said that it would be with that [30:16] there's a lot of interest in the Arab [30:17] world. But what's the problem? The same [30:20] day the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia [30:24] was quoted in Alraabia, which is the [30:27] official Saudi [30:29] government media organ. So it's kind of [30:32] like if the foreign minister is being [30:34] quoted in state media in a country [30:36] that's not free. That's basically a [30:38] press release. Okay. So the Saudi [30:40] foreign minister is quoted in Alarabia [30:42] that day saying that he doesn't know [30:45] anything about this fund and the [30:46] Americans have never discussed it with [30:48] the Saudis. [30:50] And he added, "We have no interest in [30:52] investing in Iran." [laughter] [30:54] Okay. Uh and there was and the Jerusalem [30:57] Post did an interview with this Baharini [30:59] businessman who's also like got a big [31:01] business consulting firm. He's like a [31:02] well-connected Bahraini business guy cuz [31:05] Bahrain and Israel are have you know [31:07] have diplomatic relations. So he was [31:09] interviewed and he said that there is [31:11] zero interest in the in the Arab world [31:13] in investing in Iran. And he and he was [31:16] it wasn't because like we hate them or [31:18] we're angry because they bombed us. No, [31:19] he was very pra pragmatic. He said [31:21] you're talking about private equity, why [31:24] would they invest in a country that's [31:26] still run by the Islamic regime, [31:29] >> right? [31:29] >> When if you're investing in a major [31:32] infrastructure project in a country, it [31:34] means you have to deal with the [31:35] government. It means that you're [31:36] beholden to that government down the [31:37] road. It's not a safe investment. It's [31:40] not a safe place to put your money. So [31:42] we're talking about creating So think [31:43] about this. This $300 billion is [31:45] supposed to be private investors [31:49] and JD Vance is saying that it's coming [31:51] from the Arab world. The Arab leaders [31:52] are like, "What on earth are you talking [31:54] about?" [31:56] So now, let's take a step back. [31:57] Everything that I'm saying now, we can [31:59] sit here, you and me, Doug, and say this [32:00] whole this whole is ridiculous and it's [32:04] foolish. And that's not even the point [32:06] I'm making, even though we're laughing [32:07] at it. Because if we stop there, then we [32:12] have to say that the people who who are [32:13] doing this are all just a bunch of [32:14] idiots and we're smarter than them. And [32:16] I don't believe that. And that's why I [32:18] said at the beginning that this document [32:20] is actually built to fail. [32:22] It's never I'll say it simpler. This [32:25] $300 billion never going to happen. Zero [32:29] chance. I'll put my money I'll put my [32:30] house on that. Never going to happen. [32:33] >> So in that though, you're saying it it's [32:35] been built to fail. So they're [32:38] intentionally putting something out [32:40] there. Is that to [32:42] build up support maybe amongst the [32:45] nations to say, "Look, we've tried every [32:46] diplomatic [32:48] option we can and President Trump got [32:51] through the midterms and now we're going [32:53] to go in and finish what we got to [32:55] finish." [32:56] >> So I'll tell you what I think you're [32:57] implying. [32:58] No, what I think it is is this, and this [33:01] speaks to the whole thing of like [33:03] everyone in the pro-Israel community [33:04] feeling betrayed by Trump and like, "Oh [33:06] my gosh, what's he doing? He's throwing [33:07] us under the bus. This deal is terrible [33:09] for us." Look, [33:11] it's not a good deal. But Trump's also [33:14] not a fool. And he's not going to [33:16] suddenly backtrack on everything he has [33:18] said about Iran over the last few [33:20] months. And he and he has said [33:22] repeatedly that he does not want to [33:23] leave the Iran issue for a later [33:25] president to deal with. You have to [33:27] think about the things he said. He's [33:28] worried about his legacy. He's not a [33:29] fool. [33:31] He knows who he's dealing with. [33:33] >> I think anybody if anybody loves [33:35] themselves a lot, it's President Trump. [33:37] And so if he's worried about his legacy, [33:38] he wants to make this. [33:40] >> But when you look in thisou and you see [33:42] that it totally gives into them on the [33:43] straight, it gives Iran control of the [33:45] straight of horror moves, [33:49] which was like Trump was adamant that we [33:51] would never do. It actually gives that [33:53] to them. It unfreezes their assets. It g [33:55] it promises them that if they're good [33:57] boys at the end of this they'll get [33:59] another $300 billion. Do you know how [34:00] much $300 billion is for Iran? The [34:02] Iran's entire economy is about $300 [34:05] billion. It's like doubling their [34:07] economy. [34:07] >> It's an insane amount of money. [34:09] >> Okay, there the [34:12] when you read theou, it's so over the [34:15] top. Uh look, the Iranian state media [34:19] released the 14point [34:22] before America did. And when they did, [34:26] people in media were so skeptical about [34:28] it and thought that it was just Iranian [34:30] propaganda that this is what theou was. [34:32] Cuz it was so over the top in Iran's [34:34] favor. So everyone thought it was a joke [34:37] and and there was a lot of in in media [34:39] people were saying, "Oh, this can't [34:40] really be the real thing. It's just from [34:41] Iranian state media." And then sure [34:43] enough, it comes out and it's identical [34:44] to what the Iranians said it was. And [34:46] people were like, "Oh my gosh, you know, [34:48] Trump got steamrololled. You know, Trump [34:49] got taken for a ride." But because so [34:52] much of it is so unrealistic and so over [34:55] the top, [34:57] my take is [34:59] that Trump just wanted to get the [35:01] straits of Hormuz opened. [35:04] And he's like, look, [35:06] these guys aren't going to comply with [35:08] what we want. They're not they're not [35:10] going to reign inbalah. They're not [35:12] going to they're not going to stop [35:13] funding their proxies. They're not going [35:14] to stop all their nefarious activity. [35:16] It's not going to happen. They're not [35:17] going to give over the uranium. They're [35:18] not gonna they're not gonna it's not [35:20] going to happen. We're not going to get [35:21] to those later stages. This is what I [35:24] think is going on in the Oval Office. I [35:25] think Trump is saying to to the guys who [35:27] want to make the saying, "Listen, I [35:29] don't think it's going to go anywhere. [35:30] Promise them whatever the hell you want. [35:32] Let's get the Straits of Hormuz opened [35:35] cuz we got to get the Straits of Hormuz [35:36] opened so that we can bring down the [35:38] price of oil, stabilize things, keep [35:39] things quiet for a little while, you [35:42] know. [35:44] And listen, if they comply, [35:48] if they actually do comply with [35:50] everything, great. [35:52] So, we'll move forward, [35:54] >> right? [35:55] >> But if they actually, you know, like [35:58] reign inbah completely, which is absurd [36:00] because entire razon detra is to attack [36:03] Israel, they they have no other job, [36:05] right? I mean, if they actually do that, [36:07] if they actually, [36:09] you know, surrender all their nuclear [36:11] stuff and it's totally under control, [36:14] like again, from the it still throws the [36:17] Iranian people under the bus. There's [36:19] other issues here. I'm not saying it's a [36:20] good deal, but I'm saying I think that [36:22] Trump's thinking was [36:24] that these long these these later [36:26] commitments that are in the deal are [36:29] never going to come to fruition anyway [36:31] or the likelihood that they will is so [36:33] slim that who cares. Who cares if it's [36:36] 300 billion or 500 billion or a [36:37] trillion? None of it's going to happen [36:39] anyway. [36:40] So that's why I think that we just need [36:42] to take a chill pill. Again, I'm not [36:44] saying it's a good deal. I'm not saying [36:45] it's it's good for Israel. It's not. It [36:47] is. it it's not good to throw a lifeline [36:50] to these guys. I think that the war [36:52] never should have been stopped on April [36:53] 8th and that the only solution the only [36:57] way to bring territorial integrity and [37:00] sovereignty and peace to Lebanon and to [37:03] and and to help and and for Israel to [37:05] live in peace and for the whole Middle [37:08] East is if we bring down the Iranian [37:09] regime. Yes, that is I believe that [37:13] that's the only way we could do it. I [37:15] think that JD Vance is very naive. The [37:17] stuff that he said today leaving Geneva [37:19] was just ridiculous. He was talking [37:20] about how, you know, ifah and and Israel [37:24] could just have a convers, you know, [37:25] could have regular conversations, [37:28] then maybe we it would deescalate [37:30] things. Why would Israel and have [37:32] regular conversations? Again, is not a [37:35] state. They don't have any other role in [37:37] life other than attacking Israel. Why [37:39] would Israel have conversations with [37:41] them? So, I think JD Vance is is uh is [37:45] it's obvious to everyone that he's the [37:47] guy behind this. He's been the one [37:48] defending the deal on all the shows and [37:50] he's the one who went to Geneva and [37:52] leading and leading the group. And Trump [37:53] even made a comment and I think there's [37:55] he was I don't know if he was half [37:57] joking or if he was really serious where [37:58] he said, "Listen, this is JD's deal. If [38:00] it doesn't work out, we'll blame it on [38:01] him." [38:02] >> But I think, you know, Trump tends to [38:04] throw out these comments and there's [38:05] usually some truth to them. I think that [38:08] it's speaking to the fact that JD wanted [38:09] to do this deal and Trump's attitude was [38:12] I need quiet now anyway. Let's get the [38:14] straits open. You want to try this deal? [38:16] Go for it. Promise him whatever you [38:18] want. Get a deal done. You know, because [38:21] you see that even with JD going there. [38:25] Trump's been, you know, he's still been [38:28] hard on the Iranians the last couple [38:29] days. His his his truth social posts, [38:31] he's been, you know, he's been he's [38:33] been, you know, the same trash [38:34] talkinging of them. So anyway, that's my [38:36] take on this thing. We could go through [38:38] more clauses in it, but I don't know if [38:39] it's worthwhile. [38:40] >> But with uh with Lebanon right now, the [38:43] Israel has seemingly considered [38:47] holding on hostilities in that [38:50] direction. And they did get some very [38:52] direct push back from uh the White [38:54] House. President Trump made some pretty [38:56] disparaging remarks towards, you know, [38:58] every time you shoot a missile and you [39:00] guys shoot them down, you don't have to [39:01] bring a whole apartment building down. [39:02] like he he went after them a little bit [39:04] with a little bit of push back. Uh is [39:06] Israel going to continue? I know Prime [39:08] Minister Netanyahu has said they're [39:09] going to continue to respond, but are [39:11] they considering a pullback? Like what's [39:13] the what's going on with that? [39:14] >> Israel is not pulling back from [39:15] anywhere. Israel is not pulling back. [39:17] No, there's not going to be a [39:19] withdrawal. Uh and and President Look, [39:22] the thing that I was concerned with with [39:24] Lebanon until yesterday was that [39:31] the Iran [39:32] You know, Elliot Chaf taught us on this [39:34] podcast many times that we we have to [39:37] remember that is not technically a proxy [39:40] of Iran. Everyone calls it a proxy. He [39:42] always stressed this to us. Hamas is a [39:44] proxy. The Houthis are a proxy. They're [39:46] an independent organization that gets [39:48] money and weapons and support from Iran. [39:52] Is Iran. [39:54] Meaning if the United States has troops [39:57] in some other country, those troops [39:59] aren't a proxy of the United States. [40:02] They are America. [40:03] >> They're American troops. That that's [40:06] relationship to Iran. It's Iran. [40:09] So what was the game Iran was playing? [40:13] Fires drones and rockets at Israel. [40:16] Israel retaliates. And then Iran looks [40:18] at says to America, "Hey, [40:21] Israel's, you know, Israel's violating [40:24] the ceasefire. Israel is bombing." [40:27] And then and then Trump starts trashing, [40:31] you know, BB and telling Israel to back [40:33] off and to deescalate. But why did it [40:35] all start? Because attacked us. But is [40:39] Iran, which means that Iran is telling [40:42] to attack Israel and then telling [40:43] America, "Hey, get Israel to stop." [40:45] meaning they were playing this game. [40:47] Why? Because it was a win-win for them. [40:49] If Israel listens to America and gets [40:52] deterred and reigned in, [40:55] then that's great for Iran. They've just [40:57] showed that can attack Israel with [40:58] impunity. And they also show it's a show [41:01] of strength that they were able to re in [41:03] Israel by pressuring America. [41:05] It's also good for them within Lebanon [41:07] that they can show the Lebanese people [41:09] that they're stopping the bombing, which [41:11] has domestic value for them. [41:14] But if Israel does retaliate and defies [41:16] America, then it drives a bigger wedge [41:18] between the US and Israel, which is also [41:20] good for them. And it was a good move [41:22] for for Iran to do this. But the big [41:24] problem with it was that I was really [41:26] upset about for days was why is Trump [41:29] going along with this game? Why doesn't [41:31] he call out Iran and say, "Hey, you got [41:34] to reign inbalah [41:36] and get them to stop provoking the [41:38] Israelis." And he finally did it [41:39] yesterday. He put out a truth post [41:40] social post yesterday where he pointed [41:42] the finger at Iran [41:44] and that's why it's been quiet for the [41:46] last day. It hasn't been quiet cuz [41:49] they're in Gene. Maybe it's also because [41:50] they're in Geneva. Iran told to keep it [41:53] quiet now. They don't want firing at [41:56] Israel. So is this was the first 24-hour [41:58] period, the last 24 hours that didn't [42:00] fire anything at us. Obviously Iran told [42:02] them to keep it quiet. They're in [42:04] they're in Geneva. They have Trump who's [42:06] pointing a finger at them. They told [42:07] them to keep quiet. [42:10] But it it's just patently obvious [42:14] >> that the only solution to Lebanon is to [42:16] let Israel deal with Fisbah. You know, [42:19] we should also add in that Israel has [42:21] made tremendous progress in the last few [42:23] days. The main command center of Fisbah, [42:26] which is this big underground city. [42:28] >> I saw captured so many drones and [42:31] missiles and all sorts of [42:32] >> These tunnels are even bigger than the [42:34] stuff in Gaza. [42:35] >> Wow. [42:36] >> Underground hospitals. There's all kinds [42:37] of stuff in there. The main, they call [42:39] it the main nerve center of that, Israel [42:42] is finally, you know, closing in on it. [42:44] And apparently there's some guys trapped [42:46] in part of it. [42:48] Israel is getting closer and closer to [42:51] really dealing a fatal blow tobah. [42:53] That's part of why Iran is so panicked [42:55] over the Lebanon situation. [42:57] You know, suddenly in these last couple [42:59] weeks, this whole thing became about [43:00] Lebanon because Israel is making [43:02] headway. So listen, we're not out of the [43:05] woods yet. That's not My point isn't [43:07] that everything's hunky dory. My point [43:08] is that yes, there are bumps in the road [43:11] and we're in the middle of a bumpy ride [43:13] right now with, you know, with the [43:16] USIsrael relationship and with what's [43:17] going on in Geneva and with the Iranians [43:19] and we don't know what the future holds. [43:22] But bottom line, [43:24] a lot of the disturbing stuff in thisou [43:27] is never going to happen. It's never [43:30] going to happen. and and uh you know I [43:35] think we just need to all calm down and [43:37] uh and I and I think things are not as [43:39] bad as people think. I want to finish [43:42] this with a theological question because [43:45] in the Christian world a lot of the [43:48] questions I have been getting is well [43:52] we're not going to be able to solve this [43:54] anyway. Everybody's going to continue to [43:56] fight everybody until from a Christian [43:59] perspective until Jesus returns and sets [44:01] everything straight. Is there a a Jewish [44:04] perspective uh an apocalyptic? Do you [44:08] expect that the whole world is going to [44:09] come to peace and then Messiah will [44:11] appear? Does Messiah come and put [44:13] everything right first? How does that [44:16] how does that work in your framework? [44:17] cuz I've been getting a lot of and I [44:19] probably opened up a can of worms at the [44:21] end here that we can't fully unpass but [44:23] I've gotten several uh questions just [44:26] kind of like hey pastor like you know [44:28] isn't it futile all of these [44:30] arrangements and agreements cuz they're [44:31] all not going to work out anyway and we [44:33] just need God to sort it out basically [44:34] is the the gist of the question. Is that [44:36] is that a fair assessment in the Jewish [44:39] community? Do do you think that way or [44:41] give me give me a perspective here? [44:43] Well, I mean, first, even though we of [44:46] course believe that the end of the story [44:48] is good and that in the end Messiah [44:50] comes, redemption comes and, you know, [44:51] and and the good guys win, that's, [44:54] >> you know, fundamental to, you know, to [44:56] our, you know, to, you know, to having [44:57] faith in God, [44:59] >> the God of the Bible. But to someone who [45:02] says that to you, I would say, well, [45:04] that doesn't mean that we don't defend [45:06] people who are being attacked by evil, [45:09] right? I mean I mean like Israeli towns [45:12] are being shelled [45:14] by guys. The fact that that defeating [45:18] isn't going to bring world peace and and [45:20] and bring about the you know the time [45:22] where we've all beaten our swords into [45:24] plowshares and you know knowledge of God [45:26] covers the earth like water covers the [45:28] sea. Just because that's not the outcome [45:29] of defeating doesn't mean that it's not [45:32] very important to save lives and to and [45:34] to fight evil. [45:35] >> 100%. you know, like like you know, so [45:43] you know, so from a theological [45:45] perspective, I don't the ultimate [45:47] redemption is not what's on our agenda [45:49] right now. What's on our agenda right [45:51] now, [45:51] >> it's not either or, it's both and, [45:53] >> right? It's bringing security to our [45:54] northern communities. It's bringing [45:56] security to our northern communities. [45:59] At the same time there is also the the [46:03] issue of fighting evil, destroying evil. [46:07] Now one big difference no big difference [46:10] one difference between the Jew the [46:12] normative Jewish way of thinking about [46:14] this and I say normative because there [46:16] are parts of the Jewish community that [46:17] don't think this way but normative [46:19] Jewish way of thinking about this and [46:20] normative Christian way of thinking [46:22] about these types of things. the [46:25] Christian way of thinking about them [46:26] puts a lot more on God sorting things [46:29] out. And in in the Jewish mindset, it's [46:33] like God empowers us to do things and we [46:37] need to we need to take the bull by the [46:40] horns and then once we do, God assists [46:42] us. So the success of the IDF and you [46:46] know, we hear a lot about miracles that [46:48] happen with soldiers on the battlefield, [46:49] but that all happens because of our [46:51] initiative. That's the theologically [46:53] speaking for Jews. We have to take [46:55] steps. We have to take risks. We have to [46:58] put ourselves out there and jump in. And [47:01] that's what and that's what then [47:02] triggers [47:04] uh God assisting us. And if we're not [47:06] going to do for ourselves God, you know, [47:08] that doesn't bring God in. We we we need [47:11] to show courage and that brings God in, [47:14] you know. So like you know David slays [47:16] Goliath [47:18] >> but of course God is helping him when he [47:19] does it but he has to have the courage [47:21] to go stand there as this [47:22] >> as this kid who's you know you know he [47:26] who's kind of exposed and and just as a [47:28] slingshot and and and we remember what [47:31] he says at that time where he calls out [47:33] the name of God. So, but he still has to [47:36] show that courage and take that action, [47:39] you know, and so that's that's our [47:41] attitude about the about these types of [47:43] issues that we have to act uh in those [47:46] moments and and that ultimately is what [47:47] is what brings about success. Now, of [47:49] course, there is the larger issue that [47:51] there's there's an obligation that u [47:54] that most in the in the west are kind of [47:57] not don't have such conviction for [47:59] anymore. there's an there's an [48:00] obligation of good people to defeat [48:02] evil. And u it's just not something [48:06] that's on our agenda anymore. And this [48:08] is where we need to really take a lesson [48:10] from the generation that fought the [48:11] Nazis and fought and fought Imperial [48:13] Japan. They had that conviction that [48:16] it's it's worth risking your life and [48:18] giving your life to defeat evil. So [48:22] yeah. No. Amen. I I think I think [48:25] Christians could uh use a dose of [48:28] courage and I think that's part of [48:30] what's uh uh wounding our churches. Uh [48:33] you know, we have a lot of spineless [48:35] pastors that aren't willing to step into [48:38] uh the middle of history and declare [48:40] good from evil and to speak truth to [48:43] power. And I think it's uh an imperative [48:45] that we get back to those biblical [48:47] values where yes, we God is going to [48:50] work on our behalf, but he expects us to [48:52] put our hand to the plow and not look [48:54] back. And so I think that's uh that's a [48:56] good thing for us to continue to pray, [48:58] continue to hope, continue to look to [49:00] the future, but continue to work in the [49:01] present for the right things and the [49:03] good things and continue to as always [49:06] pray for the peace of Jerusalem. [49:08] >> Amen. Amen, Doug. [49:09] >> Amen. Well, thank you for listening to [49:11] today's episode. If you enjoyed this [49:14] episode, please like, rate, and share [49:15] this podcast, subscribe on Patreon, come [49:17] on over to Facebook, like our page, join [49:19] our group, drop by YouTube, and check [49:21] this out. And you can watch the video as [49:23] we would love to connect with more and [49:25] more of our shoulder-to-shoulder family. [49:26] and we'll see you on our next
