Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...
Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ... Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...
attitude in the Synagogue Light article already mentioned, in which he asserts, “It isnatural that the people of Israel desire to expand agricultural output, and marvels havealready been accomplished.” Later he continues, “Given an ample supply of sweet waterand the power with which to pump it, Israel could materially expand her agriculturaloutput. There is land available which could be made to bloom.” Thus, whether speakingto members of his own church, his cabinet and government, or the Jewish people at large,Benson's overriding themes are of support and certainty of the fulfillment of prophecy,even using biblical imagery as often as possible.For their part, Jews and especially Israelis must have been at least marginallyaware of Benson's interest. His visits to Israel as Secretary of Agriculture wereanticipated in Israeli newspapers, where he was often billed as “Secretary ApostleBenson.” 201 The Secretary himself told the President of the Church, David O. McKay,after his 1957 trip, that he and his family had been “effective ambassadors of good will”for the Church, as well as the United States. 202Indeed, in 1955 Benson had appeared “onthe first of a new series of radio programs being broadcast over a local station with thecooperation of the American Zionist Council. Also present for the first program in theseries, known as 'The Bible in Action,' was Abba Eban, Ambassador of Israel.” 203Benson's prominence in the Jewish/Israeli community was further strengthened decadeslater when Benson's “Message to Judah” was recognized in The United Israel Bulletin. 204Covering nearly a full page of broadsheet, the 1978 article outlines Benson's recent201202203204Dew, Biography, 350.Dew, Biography, 327.“Secretary of Agriculture Speaks on Radio Program of Zionist Council,” JTA, October 3, 1955,http://archive.jta.org/.“Ezra Taft Benson Stresses Close Affinity Between the Mormons and the Jewish People,” United IsraelBulletin, December 25, 1978. Obtained from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Archives(Salt Lake City, Utah).68
speech in Calgary and subsequent locations, emphasizing that the Jews were “not alone.”This of course came at a time when American support of Israel had begun to wane,finding itself replaced in many instances by greater interest in the plight of displacedPalestinians, or simply by a renewed fascination with the Middle East, akin to whatEdward Said termed Orientalism. 205This apparent decrease in American support of Israel does not imply thatAmerica's government had by any means lessened its commitment to Israel. In 1973,after some initial reticence, the United States stepped in to provide urgently neededmilitary supplies to Israel in the surprise Egyptian-Syrian attack known as the YomKippur War. 206 All succeeding administrations likewise sustained American support forIsrael. 207Despite Carter's frustrated efforts at peace, which often included criticism ofIsrael's settlement of the West Bank and Gaza, he remained a committed proponent of theJewish State. 208Likewise, Evangelical Christians had by this time numerically surpassedthe less sympathetic Protestants, and Restorationism once again began to take hold in themind of American Christians, as did the perception of Islam as a “tool of the anti-Christ.” 209Benson's own rhetoric was never antagonistic to the Muslim religion or its people,but his unyielding support of Israel and insistence on its legitimate claim to the landnever faltered. While Benson's rhetoric regarding Israel pre-dates much of the resurgenceof pro-Israel sentiment that pulsated throughout the late 1960s and well into 70s in the205206207208209Oren Power, Faith and Fantasy, 541-543; see also Edward Said, Orientalism (New York: RandomHouse, 1978).Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, 531.Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, 535-537.Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, 538.Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, 538.69
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speech in Calgary <strong>and</strong> subsequent locations, emphasizing that <strong>the</strong> Jews were “not alone.”This <strong>of</strong> course came at a time when American support <strong>of</strong> <strong>Israel</strong> had begun to wane,finding itself replaced in many instances by greater interest in <strong>the</strong> plight <strong>of</strong> displacedPalestinians, or simply by a renewed fascination with <strong>the</strong> Middle East, akin to whatEdward Said termed Orientalism. 205This apparent decrease in American support <strong>of</strong> <strong>Israel</strong> does not imply thatAmerica's government had by any means lessened its commitment to <strong>Israel</strong>. In 1973,after some initial reticence, <strong>the</strong> United <strong>State</strong>s stepped in to provide urgently neededmilitary supplies to <strong>Israel</strong> in <strong>the</strong> surprise Egyptian-Syrian attack known as <strong>the</strong> YomKippur War. 206 All succeeding administrations likewise sustained American support for<strong>Israel</strong>. 207Despite Carter's frustrated efforts at peace, which <strong>of</strong>ten included criticism <strong>of</strong><strong>Israel</strong>'s settlement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Bank <strong>and</strong> Gaza, he remained a committed proponent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Jewish <strong>State</strong>. 208Likewise, Evangelical Christians had by this time numerically surpassed<strong>the</strong> less sympa<strong>the</strong>tic Protestants, <strong>and</strong> Restorationism once again began to take hold in <strong>the</strong>mind <strong>of</strong> American Christians, as did <strong>the</strong> perception <strong>of</strong> Islam as a “tool <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anti-Christ.” 209<strong>Benson</strong>'s own rhetoric was never antagonistic to <strong>the</strong> Muslim religion or its people,but his unyielding support <strong>of</strong> <strong>Israel</strong> <strong>and</strong> insistence on its legitimate claim to <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong>never faltered. While <strong>Benson</strong>'s rhetoric regarding <strong>Israel</strong> pre-dates much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> resurgence<strong>of</strong> pro-<strong>Israel</strong> sentiment that pulsated throughout <strong>the</strong> late 1960s <strong>and</strong> well into 70s in <strong>the</strong>205206207208209Oren Power, Faith <strong>and</strong> Fantasy, 541-543; see also Edward Said, Orientalism (New York: R<strong>and</strong>omHouse, 1978).Oren, Power, Faith, <strong>and</strong> Fantasy, 531.Oren, Power, Faith, <strong>and</strong> Fantasy, 535-537.Oren, Power, Faith, <strong>and</strong> Fantasy, 538.Oren, Power, Faith, <strong>and</strong> Fantasy, 538.69
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