March 23, 2004

The “Samson Option” is based on the story of Samson in the Bible who, after being captured by the Philistines, brought down a Gaza Temple. In doing this, he killed himself but took many of his enemies with him.

Israel has been a precarious position physically and politically since it inception. In reaction to this predicament, the Israeli government developed a “Samson Option” in the 1960’s to respond to an overwhelming attack in which it would loose. They decided to take as many of their enemy with them as they could in a hopeless situation.

Their option relies on using nuclear weapons to destroy specific sites and cities of their enemies. Given the relatively short distances between places and countries in the Middle East, the warheads could arrive in minutes and would be very effective.

In summary, Israel’s long standing foreign policy is to commit suicide rather than submit to Arab rule.

The U.S. is aware of this and is mindful of the consequences should Israel be backed into a corner. For example, the U.S. guaranteed Israel’s survival and defense during the first Gulf War. In return Israel did not retaliate after it was struck by Iraqi missiles.

Now, with an evangelical Christian in the White House, this issue is more important. What additional reasons could come into play other than simply protecting an ally beset by enemies? 

Would the U.S. now see a confrontation in the Middle East as a good thing because Biblical prophesy of a Second Coming would be fulfilled?

Christian zealots support Israel not because they like Israel or Jews.  They want bible prophesies fulfilled. This means Israel expands to its Biblical borders causing dissention and conflict resulting in Armageddon which in turn signals the return of Jesus. To them, supporting Israel helps bring about the Second Coming.

Plus, they believe Jews who will not recognize Jesus as Savior when He returns will die and many zealots believe as many as two thirds of all Jews will die. To evangelicals the Second Coming means a new day for mankind but without Jews.

Would the current evangelical administration push things along in the Middle East so Israel eventually exercises the Samson Option resulting in a regional nuclear war leading to Armageddon? 

This could be.

Bush unequivocally supports Israel and rarely if ever criticizes it for anything. However he is quick to criticize Palestinians. Consequently, the bloodshed has increased in the past few years and there is more anger and raw emotion than ever before.

Further, the U.S. takeover of Iraq a Bush Administration obsession magnifies the resentment in the area and supports Israel politically and militarily.  This furthers the violence and conflict.

Belief in the Second Coming is a cornerstone of Christian thought especially for fundamentalists like Bush. To them, it is worth almost anything to make it happen. Every day, millions of Christians pray for Jesus’ return but few have the power to help make it happen like Bush does. Has he switched from praying to doing?