I have been somewhat remiss in updating my blog lately. I could say it is because I have been too busy (true) but it is largely because so much has been happening, it has seemed an impossibly daunting task. But here goes, I will try.
We have just celebrated the Festival of Purim in which we commemorate the events recorded in the Book of Esther. It is generally a fun time when children and adults dress up in costumes, eat Haman’s Ears cookies, and the Book of Esther is read in congregations amidst much noise-making and laughter. In some Orthodox circles there is even an injunction to ‘drink until you do not know’, though most people do not take this too literally (thankfully). This tradition however carries over to the so-called ‘Adloada’ (which translates as ‘until you don’t know’) which is a procession or street carnival held in almost every town, city and settlement in Israel on Purim.
This is the first time we have had an Adloada in Mevaseret since the beginning of the Covid Pandemic. It was lovely to see the families out having fun. For all that, it seemed to me that the joy was a little forced and the mood somewhat somber this year.
This is not surprising. Israel is facing what is probably the greatest threat to its existence since the founding of the State 75 years ago. We have survived many wars, two Intifada’s, missile and arson attacks, and innumerable terror attacks perpetrated by our enemies, but now we are facing the threat of self-destruction. There are even some who are warning of the possibility of a civil war.
For weeks now there have been around the country massive demonstrations, blocking roads and at times breaking out in scuffles with police. Demonstrators are expressing their opposition to the moves of the current government which they see as threatening the democratic system and human rights of Israel’s citizens, especially of women and minority groups. The central issue is the new Bill, that has already passed two readings in the Knesset, and which would give the government the power to appoint Supreme Court judges, and the ability to override Supreme Court rulings, essentially putting the government and Knesset members above the law. Israel’s democracy has been based on the independence of the judiciary as a check and balance on the government, and this Bill would seriously undermine this. There are many other issues too. It is too complex to go into all of them here.
With both sides accusing the other of undermining democracy and creating chaos and anarchy, there seems to be no way forward. The President of Israel has put forward an ‘outline’ of a compromise which he claims has the support of most of the Knesset ministers and the opposition, but the exact nature of this ‘outline’ and who supports it, is not clear.
Netanyahu is in an impossible situation. He can only remain in power if he has these small, extreme ultra-religious parties as coalition partners, and they will only stay in the coalition if Netanyahu keeps his promises to them. This means Netanyahu cannot back down on any of their demands without putting himself out of power. I don’t know how long the coalition can survive in such an atmosphere, but with no united opposition, the alternative is yet another election or anarchy.
Some have asked me how to pray into this situation. Here are some suggestions:
- Pray that God will raise up godly politicians and leaders who truly have the welfare of the nation at heart and not their own personal power and wealth.
- Pray that civil liberties will be maintained, especially the freedom of worship and the freedom to gather that we now enjoy. Currently believers in Yeshua can legally proselytize adults (over the age of 18), but that could all change under the current government.
- Pray that the political divisions in our society will not cause division in the community of believers in the Land.
- Pray against violence and the possibility of a civil war.
Iran
There is a danger that our enemies may see our internal struggles as a sign of weakness and might see this as an opportune moment to attack. If they do, they may get a surprise. If there is one thing that can unite Israelis, it is the imminent threat or an actual attack from outside.
Iran now has enriched uranium to 84%, just a step away from the 90% needed to make a nuclear warhead. The clock is ticking. The attempts to revive the 2015 Nuclear Deal with Iran have failed. The world has been distracted by the war in Ukraine and other matters. Iran has used this hiatus to strengthen its position. The Iranian regime is under attack at home and may see a war with Israel as a way to regain respect and status in the Muslim world, and the support of its people.
The US and Israel have been cooperating with preparations, and carrying out drills, for a military offensive to destroy Iran’s nuclear installations. Netanyahu has intimated that Israel is close to readiness for such an operation. He may see this too as a way to distract us from our internal dissension, and to maintain his hold politically.
Terrorism and the West Bank
The past months have seen a serious increase in terrorist attacks in Israel. At least 15 Israeli civilians have died in terror attacks since the beginning of the year. Just last evening (09/03) there were two attacks: one in which 3 young men on their way to a friend’s wedding were gunned down from behind at nearly point blank range in downtown Tel Aviv, and a bomb was planted in a bus in the town of Beitar Illit. Two of the young men suffered life-threatening wounds to the neck and spine and are still fighting for their lives. The third was shot in the face. The bomb on the bus was discovered in time and it was detonated by security forces without injury.
The number of attacks gives a false idea of the threat. Israeli security forces have managed to prevent thousands of potential and even imminent terror attacks. For months now they have been combing the terror nests of the West Bank arresting and at times killing those preparing attacks, and confiscating weapons.
The foreign press often carries headlines emphasizing the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. They fail to point out that nearly all those killed have been in the process of preparing terror attacks on Israelis, and they opened fire on IDF soldiers who were trying to arrest them. Sadly, some civilians were also caught in the crossfire. They also fail to mention that the Palestinian terrorists intentionally target civilians, men, women and children. The IDF, on the other hand, tries very hard not to kill civilians and only targets known terrorist cells.
The West Bank is devolving into anarchy as the relatively ‘moderate’ President Mahmoud Abbas, is now aged 87 and ailing. When he resigns or dies he will leave a power vacuum. The Palestinian Authority is now very weak, and the terror organization, Hamas, which currently controls Gaza, is preparing to take over, with the support of Iran. It is infiltrating into Palestinian society and spreading its insidious ideology of mindless hatred and fear of Jews especially among the young and disaffected. They brainwash the young with inflammatory lies and propaganda and even run military training camps for children. These young people are then encouraged to carry out terror attacks and become martyrs, having been promised a reward in heaven. In the month of February, children as young as 13 and 14 carried out three terror attacks in Jerusalem using knives and guns. This is child abuse at its most extreme. Pray for these children, a whole generation, that are being brainwashed and for those who send them out to be killed in the name of Allah. They are all the victims of a Satanic lie.
Israeli Terrorists
Recently two young Jewish men travelling home by car through the Palestinian town of Huwara in the West Bank were attacked and killed. Later that night, hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the town of Huwara, throwing stones into houses, and burning houses and cars, over a period of 5 hours. That this pogrom was carried out by Jews is shameful and deeply saddening. Afterwards, the far-right National Security Minister responsible for the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to this attack saying, “I understand the hard feelings, but this is not the way, we don’t take the law into our hands…The government of Israel, the State of Israel, the IDF, the security forces – they are the ones who have to crush our enemies” (1) . Though Ben-Gvir has since tried to retract his statement, it is clear that his ultimate goal is to eradicate the Arab presence in the Jewish homeland.
The Earthquake in Turkey and Syria
I cannot finish without mentioning the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The horrendous level of destruction and the scale of the suffering is difficult to comprehend. That the earthquakes occurred during our worst winter storm of the season, with heavy rain and snow falling, and subzero temperatures, added to the suffering of survivors and hampered rescue efforts. Within hours Israel had sent a teams of search and rescue volunteers and a fully equipped and staffed field hospital, together with food, water and medical supplies. There are even reports that Israeli aid went in to the affected areas of Syria, but of course the Syrian government has to deny that, since we are still technically at war. Christian and Messianic aid organizations and churches in Israel have sent tens of thousands of blankets, coats, food and medical supplies.
The earthquake was felt strongly here in some areas, particularly in the north and along the coast. I saw a video taken in a 9th floor apartment in Hadera and the hanging lamp was swinging at least 1 meter each way. I didn’t feel it here near Jerusalem. As always, when these earthquakes hit our region, there is much talk about how unprepared we are for such an earthquake in Israel. It could have easily been us this time. According to the historical record we are overdue for a large earthquake so it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. Following the earthquake in Turkey we had a series of tremblors here raising some concern. Things seem to have settled down for now. However should we get hit by an earthquake of comparable intensity we would see many of especially our older buildings crumble and fall and much loss of life. According to a report of the State Comptroller there are at least 600,000 buildings in Israel that would collapse in a significant earthquake. Buildings constructed before 1980 were not required to be built to withstand earthquakes.
Weather woes
The past months have seen many examples of extreme weather all around the world, floods, snowstorms, hurricanes etc. Israel has been blessed in that we have not experienced any weather related natural disasters lately. Our winter has been warmer and drier than normal. So far we have had only one significant storm system this winter. Here in the Jerusalem area we have had only 70% of our annual average rainfall so far and the rainy season is drawing to a close. There are signs of spring everywhere.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
Psalm 122: 6-9
References:
- https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-27/ty-article/.premium/israels-ben-gvir-vows-to-crush-enemies-after-settlers-west-bank-revenge-riot/00000186-9262-db08-a986-de76609a0000