Genesis 12:1-3

I read this comment on a news site today concerning the current conflict between Israel and Gaza:

Sadly, what we may be witnessing is the inevitable results of Genesis 12:1-3 coming into effect with stark reality - that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has entered into judgment with the inhabitants of Gaza and they are reaping the "reward" of their anti-Semitic hatred of their Jewish neighbors.

For reference Genesis 12:1-3 (NRSV):

Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Personally, I disagree with the above comment's take on Genesis 12. In part because I don't think we can equate the current political entity known as Israel, created in 1948, with the nation mentioned in the verse. And Genesis 12 in no way gives carte blanche to Israel to exercise excessive violence, and call it God's judgment.

And yet I would venture to say that the above comment reflects the common view of much of conservative American Christianity today.

What are your thoughts on above scripture, and how we should understand it today?