Tag: Hezbollah

“GUARDIAN OF THE WALLS”

May 30, 2021 / admin

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121: 4

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him…

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations…

We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33: 8,10-12, 20-22

Rocket fire over Gush Dan (Tel Aviv and surrounding area) in Israel shortly after midnight,16 May 2021). The straight lines on left are rockets being fired from Gaza and the curly ones are the Iron Dome interceptors

I came home from work Monday night (10th May) and plonked myself down in front of the TV, trying to decide if I had the energy to go for a swim or not. A sound began to penetrate my consciousness. The “Red Alert” (incoming missile) siren was sounding, barely audible in my home. I quickly relocated to my ‘safe room’, and immediately heard the booms, the last of which was very loud and rattled my windows. I later learned that the closest rocket landed just 1-2 km away. That was the opening volley of this week’s events.

Seven rockets had been fired towards Jerusalem from Gaza. Though the phrase ‘towards Jerusalem‘ is in the media, of course the Gazan terrorists do not aim at Jerusalem itself for fear of killing ‘good Muslims’ or damaging the Al Aqsa mosque. Instead they aim at the predominantly Jewish towns and villages on the western outskirts.

The map of where the first missiles aimed at “Jerusalem” landed.

Since that evening we have had no further “Red Alerts” in my town and if it were not for the media, I would not know anything was happening. It must be one of the quietest spots in Israel right now. However one cannot live in a bubble and it is with a very heavy heart I have followed events.

A soldier from the Israeli military's Home Front Command walks outside a house in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon that had been struck by a Hamas rocket on May 20, 2021. (Edi Israel/FLASH90) — A soldier from the Israeli military’s Home Front Command walks outside a house in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon that had been struck by a Hamas rocket on May 20, 2021. (Edi Israel/FLASH90) https://www.timesofisrael.com/guardian-of-the-walls-wasnt-the-resounding-victory-the-idf-had-hoped-for/

It has been a terrible eleven days for Israel and also for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have fired more than 4300 rockets and missiles into Israel since that first volley on Monday. The towns around the Gaza Strip, Ashkelon and Ashdod have been subjected to an almost continuous barrage of hundreds of rockets. The city of Ashkelon alone was targeted by around 960 rockets. Places further afield, including Beer Sheva , Tel Aviv and the region of Gush Dan (the central coastal plain), including the region around Ben Gurion Airport have also been attacked. Some of the rockets fell in open areas, and 90% of the others were shot down by the “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense system, nevertheless some penetrated our defenses killing 13 people, injuring around 350, and destroying a significant number of homes, cars and other property. Of the thirteen people killed, all except one were civilians, including an elderly woman and her Indian care-giver, two children, two Arabs, two Thai agricultural workers and two who died as a result of injuries sustained while running for cover. The only military casualty was a soldier on duty near the Gaza border.

A heavily damaged house from rocket fire in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021 (JACK GUEZ / AFP) — The scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-killed-by-rockets-in-ashkelon-amid-massive-barrages-from-gaza/

Red Alerts in Gush Dan just after midnight 16 May2021

Some of the rockets fired towards Israel, around 680 in number, failed to reach Israel, falling in the Gaza Strip and causing casualties there- of which at least some were blamed on Israel.

In response to the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza, Israel initiated what has been called “Operation Guardian of the Walls”. The IAF (Israeli Air Force) and artillery divisions pounded Hamas and Islamic Jihad military targets relentlessly for eleven days and destroyed much of their infrastructure, including 100 km of underground tunnels and bunkers, 10 Hamas government offices, 11 security offices, 5 banks that handled Hamas’ finances and the international media tower used as the center of communications and intelligence by Hamas ( and also housing the media offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera). The IAF carried out 570 airstrikes against rocket and mortar launchers. Some 25 senior Hamas commanders were also targeted and killed.

In spite of these heavy attacks only 232 people were killed in Gaza and 1600 injured, according to official Hamas figures. Most of the casualties, around were Hamas fighters. The relatively low loss of life is thanks to the extreme care that Israel takes to prevent civilian casualties. Not only do they telephone people individually warning them to vacate buildings about to be attacked, but they also send a warning ‘roof knock’ – a small explosive device – before dropping the main explosives. In the case of the international media tower, occupants were given an hour to vacate the building. There were also incidents when Israeli planes aborted attacks because children or other civilians were seen in the area. Since the last round of hostilities Israel, with the help of the USA, has developed much more precise weaponry which can take down one building or installation without harming those around it. There is no army in the world, or in the history of mankind, that takes as much care to avoid harming civilians.

It is for this reason it really hurts when Israel is criticized by the press and others for using ‘ excessive force ‘. This is war and we are fighting for our existence. Did the allies in WWII use ‘excessive force’ when they obliterated Dresden in Germany, or when the USA dropped the atomic bombs on Japan? How many innocent civilians have died in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan in more recent years? ( According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission’s annual report last year, there were 8,500 civilian casualties in 2020, including 2,958 deaths (1)). How would the UK or USA or any other country respond if their neighbors began firing thousands of rockets into their major cities. Yet many in these Western countries hypocritically dare to criticize Israel when civilians get caught in the crossfire. No matter how careful the army is, accidents happen and civilians get killed.

I do not feel anyone has the moral right to accuse Israel of ‘excessive force’ until they themselves have been targeted by a barrage of rockets or have had to live for 20 years under the threat of incoming fire, as our southern communities have! In the area around Gaza, residents have only about 6-10 seconds to find cover. Here we have about 1.5 minutes. Would you like to live like that- always looking for places to run to whenever you are out and about, wondering if your children are safe every time the sirens blare? Most of the children in those areas have known no other life and many suffer from insomnia, bed-wetting, nightmares and other symptoms of PTSD.

Here is the latest (23 May) breakdown of the damage inflicted on Israel (did your newspapers report this?):

In Ashkelon, 792 buildings and 267 vehicles were damaged.
In Ashdod, 228 buildings and 130 cars were damaged.
In Sderot, 228 buildings and 267 vehicles were damaged.
In Tel Aviv, 77 buildings and 74 cars were damaged.
In Ramat Gan, 254 claims were filed for damages,
In Givataym – 157,
In Petah Tikva – 231.
In Lod and Ramla, 348 buildings and 229 vehicles were damaged.
In Akko, claims were filed for damage to 16 buildings and 4 cars, in Haifa – 19 buildings and 26 cars, in Jerusalem – 4 buildings and 26 cars

And this was with the Iron Dome stopping some 90% of the incoming missiles. Imagine the carnage without that protection.

These figures also do not show the damage to the economy in terms of lost workdays or the expenditure of the army and air force. The IDF WhatsApp update on 16 May 2021, stated that “ It’s estimated that each Iron Dome interceptor cost approximately, 50,000 USD, which means 57 Million USD or 187 Million NIS was spent to defend and protect human life – not to mention all other costs….”. The figures also do not measure the human costs, in terms of anxiety, depression and other psychological effects. Schools were closed in a large part of the country – just after they had reopened following the Covid pandemic. I was shocked by images of high school students sitting their bagrut (matriculation) exams wearing masks and being interrupted by sirens and having to scramble for cover. How could they do well in their exams under such circumstances?

Hamas and Islamic Jihad make no secret of the fact they want to kill as many civilians as possible. They deliberately aim at large, densely populated population centers with the hope of killing as many Israelis as possible, while hiding their rocket launchers and other military installations beside homes, hospitals and schools. They cynically hope that Israel will kill as many of their ‘innocent civilians’, especially children, as possible. It makes for ‘good press’. They don’t care about their own people. If they did, they would not build tunnels under their homes and use them as human shields. If they did, they would not attack Israel in the first place and they would, as Israel has done, invest money in building safe rooms and an “Iron Dome’ system of their own. If they did, they would not spend millions, if not billions of dollars in aid money, building hundreds of miles of tunnels and bunkers under the cities of Gaza and on munitions and armaments intended solely for attacking Israel (Yahya Sinwar, the Head of the Military Wing of Hamas, recently boasted that they have 500 km of tunnels under Gaza that Israel did not demolish, and at least 10,000 more rockets!!!). Imagine how good a life the Gazan’s could have had that money been spent on building homes, hospitals, schools and infrastructure. They could all be living in mansions with the best standard of living in the world.

Now that the rockets have stopped falling and a ceasefire seems to be holding the real war is beginning – the war for your minds. As has happened so many times in the past, the media is focusing on the damage inflicted on Gaza by Israel, publishing inflated figures of the dead and wounded, clearly staged photos of the damaged buildings and failing to give the backstory behind these images. Here is a particularly one-sided article published by CNN today entitled ” Gaza Mourns its Dead as the Specter of an Endless Cycle of Conflict Looms” (1). What about Israel mourning its dead? What about the homes destroyed in Israel? Instead it shows heart wrenching images of destruction and injured people, but only those in Gaza. The picture of the stuffed toy in the rubble is clearly staged – if an explosion had indeed torn the head off this toy wouldn’t it show some dirt at least?

A stuffed toy found among the ruins on Al-Wahdah street. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/22/middleeast/gaza-mourn-dead-intl-cmd/index.html

This article does attempt to give a little of the backstory but it comes well into the article and is sketchy to say the least. There is no mention of the fact that it was Hamas that fired the first rockets and started this war. It speaks about the endless cycle of violence, but does not explain that it is Hamas that is driving this cycle of violence, and has done ever since wresting power by force from the Palestinian Authority after it failed to win the last ‘democratic’ elections in Gaza in 2007. If Hamas had not fired first at Israel, there would have been no dead children, headless stuffed toys nor demolished houses in Gaza. It’s Hamas who is responsible for every civilian casualty in Gaza, not Israel!

Here is another example of biased reporting picked up from Reuters today,

Note the caption refers to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Who is occupying Gaza today? Certainly not Israel. Israel evacuated every last citizen and soldier from Gaza in 2005. Reuters – check your facts!! We hoped then that that would bring an end to the rocket attacks, but they have continued and since then we not only have had a steady rain of attacks but also several outbreaks of all-out war initiated in every case by Hamas. The only ones ‘occupying ‘ Gaza these days are Hamas terrorists and a great many reporters.

We now have a ‘ceasefire’ brokered by Egypt which seems to be holding for now. I put ‘ceasefire’ in brackets because what these usually mean is that Israel ceases and Hamas fires! For Hamas the concept of a ‘ceasefire’ is a little different from what it means to us from the West. For them it is hudna, more akin to a withdrawal for the purpose of rearming and regrouping. There is no intention of negotiating a lasting peace. The best we can hope for is a few years, or months, weeks or days of relative calm. For this reason polls indicate that 3/4 of Israelis feel that we entered the ‘ceasefire’ too soon and should have continued to strike Hamas until it was fatally crippled. International pressure, especially from the USA, however meant that Israel could not go on without serious repercussions.

This derives from the failure of the Western mind to understand the mentality of the Arab mind. The USA is already talking about reconstructing Gaza, sending humanitarian aid and boosting its economy. This comes from the mistaken idea that the attacks on Israel are being driven by economic despair. This is not the case. It is being driven by the Islamic concept of Jihad, in which it is every Muslim’s ultimate duty to conquer the world for Allah, and rid the world of the infidels (the Jews, Christians and everyone who is not a Muslim). The western world does not understand that the extreme Islamic nations, such as Iran for example, do not want peace and co-existence. They want war to destroy the “Big Satan”, the USA and the western world. Their first step in doing this is to destroy Israel, which they call the “Little Satan”. Like it or not, this is essentially a holy war, the war against the God of Israel, YHWH, and the god of Islam, Allah. There can be no negotiation in the context of such a world view.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” .

Ephesians 6: 12

The Covenant upon which Hamas is founded states that,

“The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: ‘O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.” (Article 7 of the Hamas Covenant – a quote from the Muslim Hadith writings).

And,

“Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it” ( from the Preamble of Hamas Covenant) (2).

For on the Hamas Covenant see the summary below.

As I write the Biden regime and many aid organizations are scrambling to amass aid for the ‘humanitarian’ needs of the Gaza people. A couple of days ago, Matthias Schmale, Gaza director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) admitted on i24 TV news that there was no humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the last round of fighting. When asked about the “humanitarian situation” in the Strip, Schmale said that though at least 1,000 residential units were destroyed, leaving “a couple of thousand people who don’t have a home they can go back to” he considers “the biggest damage [to be] psychological,” because “building and rebuilding buildings is easy, and easy to plan for.” He went on to say, “During the 11 days of war, we did not run out of food, water and supplies, [though] we would have if Kerem Shalom and the border would have stayed closed… So, from my point of view, there is no acute or serious shortage of medical supplies, food or water, as long as this now starts – continues – to come in.” When asked about his opinion on “claims by Israeli officials that the IDF bombardments were very precise.” Shockingly, Schmale replied: “I’m not a military expert, but I would not dispute that. I also have the impression that there is a huge sophistication in the way the Israeli military struck over the last 11 days. So, that’s not my issue. My issue is another one. I’ve had many colleagues describe to me that they feel that, in comparison to the 2014 war, this time the strikes felt much more vicious in terms of their impact. So, yes, they didn’t hit, with some exceptions, civilian targets, but the viciousness, the ferocity, of the strikes was heavily felt.”(3) Schmale was forced by Hamas to apologize for this statement the next day!!!

A few days before the ceasefire went in to effect, both Hamas and Israel called a 5 hour temporary ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid from Jordan to pass through Israel to Gaza. The ‘ceasefire’ came to an abrupt end when Hamas fired on the aid convoy at the border crossing wounding an Israeli soldier, a soldier who was helping to bring them food and medicines. That’s how badly they needed aid!!!

THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA?

Caught in the middle of all this are the people of Gaza who are being cynically used by Hamas as expendable human shields. Furthermore, instead of investing the millions of dollars already sent as aid to the Gaza Strip into building homes, hospitals, schools and much-needed infrastructure, the Hamas government has constructed hundreds of kilometers of tunnels and bunkers under the cities and towns of Gaza and purchased tens of thousands of rockets and other types of armaments. Iran has financed, trained and equipped the Hamas ‘army’. It is important to understand that Israel is not fighting the Palestinians of Gaza, but rather the terrorist organizations of Hamas and Islamic Jihad which are both proxies of Iran.

Here is a video of Yahya Sinwar (translated into English) in which he says. “We have our own funds… We don’t need any reconstruction funding. I want to thank Iran which has not stopped assisting Hamas & other factions with money, arms, experience & support.” Here is clear proof that Hamas is a proxy of Iran. It receives, money, arms, training and most likely its orders from Iran.

Now how is this for a bit of hypocrisy? The overall leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who remained safely in Qatar during the latest round of hostilities, has a niece who has been hospitalized in an Israeli hospital for over a month following a bone marrow transplant. Not only that but his grand-daughter was treated in an Israeli hospital in 2013, and his mother-in-law and his daughter were both treated in Israel in 2014 (4). Even during the latest fighting Israel brought several Gazans into Israel for urgent medical treatment. What other country in the world treats its enemies in this way?

IRAN, HEZBOLLAH AND ITS OTHER PROXIES

Another proxy of Iran is Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and Syria, which poses an even greater threat to Israel. You might be wondering why Hezbollah did not attack Israel at this time. My feeling is that Iran is holding them back for the ‘right moment’. This latest round of fighting with Hamas was just a trial run to test the waters for a larger attack on Israel from the north. Iran supplied Hamas with some of its latest technology , such as attack drones and unmanned submarines (which tried to attack Israel’s offshore natural gas platform), possibly as a trial run to see if Israel could counter them. They were probably surprised to find that Israel was a jump ahead with its defensive technology. Israel shot down all the drones and destroyed all the submarines and Gaza’s naval bases. Israel also shot down a barrage of rockets fired towards the industrial complex in Haifa from Hezbollah-held territory in Lebanon and an explosives-laden drone flown from Syria which crossed into the Jezreel Valley.

ANARCHY BREAKS OUT ALL OVER ISRAEL

During the 11-day war with Hamas, a series of much more disturbing events took place, and are still taking place. Riots involving mobs of Arabs are attacking Jewish shops, homes, vehicles and synagogues all over Israel, especially in the mixed towns of Lod, Jaffa, and Haifa. ‘Lynch’ mobs have hauled innocent passersby from their cars and beat them to a pulp. At least two men have been killed, one Jewish and one Arab. I am very sad to say that in response, some Jewish right wing activists have retaliated and joined the mindless violence.

פרעות בערים המעורבות: בתי כנסת הוצתו בלוד, מג"ב בדרך אל העיר > מהומות ברמלה, לוד, רהט pic.twitter.com/WrpMWbdTSx
— ידיעות אחרונות (@YediotAhronot) May 11, 2021

Cars set on fire in Lod, May 12th, 2021

?A synagogue is burning in Lod

pic.twitter.com/Qk0smCbtow
— Gabriel Hébert-Røuillier (@Gab_H_R) May 11, 2021

A Synagogue in Lod is torched by Arab mob

Below is a video of a ‘lynching’ attack when two Jewish men, driving near the Old City, were attacked by a mob of stone throwing Arab youths. Trying to escape the driver drives back and forth and loses control of his car which mounted the pavement hitting one man, who runs off apparently unharmed. Eventually a police man arrives on the scene and fires into the air to disperse the rioters, and rescue the men from the car who were both injured.

CCTV footage shows the moment the Israeli driver was attacked by Palestinians throwing stones, as he rams his vehicle into them. pic.twitter.com/7S2aDSFrjH
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 10, 2021

Below is an excerpt from an article in The Jewish Press written on 13 May,

Anarchy has taken over the streets of integrated Israel, with Arab rioters targeting Jews and young Jewish thugs organizing to attack Arabs as well.

A police officer in Ramle was shot by rioting Arabs at a junction in the city of Ramle. A 19-year-old IDF soldier was also injured after having been attacked by rioting Arabs in Jaffa (Yafo), part of greater Tel Aviv.

Two Jewish men were wounded by gunfire by rioting Arabs in Lod, one in serious condition and the other less so. A third was injured by rocks hurled by Arabs. Three synagogues were burned to the ground.

In Akko, some 20 Jewish-owned bed & breakfasts were torched and burned to ashes.

In Haifa, violence returned Thursday as well. And by Thursday night, the violence had spread to the streets of coastal Ashkelon in the south.

Arab rioters from the nearby Bedouin villages managed to block the road, the only artery connecting Arad residents with Highway 6, Be’er Sheva and the rest of the country.

A woman living in Arad was the victim of a near-lynch earlier this week, with rioters pulling her out of her car at the Shoket Junction on Highway 31 and torching her vehicle.

“The truck traveling behind her was driven by an Arab, and he was the one who saved her,” a friend in Arad told JewishPress.com.

To make sure there were no further victims, police closed Highway 31 between Arad and Shoket Junction. On Thursday night some 30 Jewish activists demonstrated at the entrance to the city, waving Israeli flags. Due to rumors that young Arab hotheads were going to attempt to attack Jews in Arad, police forces were doubled and guarding the main entrance to the city; other entries were locked down” .

In the small northeastern city of Arad, where a significant number of the small businesses are owned by local Bedouin, residents said they have been in virtual “lockdown” for the past three days, unable to leave the city without the concern they might not make it more than a mile or two down the road on Highway 31 (6)

And this was just the run down for that one day.

Road 31, the main road to Arad was closed for several days because the local Bedouin had blocked it using rocks and burning tires and had collapsed all the tall lighting poles along the highway down across the road.

?A synagogue is burning in Lod

pic.twitter.com/Qk0smCbtow
— Gabriel Hébert-Røuillier (@Gab_H_R) May 11, 2021

Similar acts of vandalism and destruction have occurred all over Israel. Two days ago I saw a video of a young woman driving through the Wadi Ara road, one of the main northern routes to the Galilee from the center. She stopped at an intersection in Umm ql-Fahm where the traffic lights had earlier been destroyed by Arab mobs. A group of Arab youths smashed her car windows and pulled her out of the car, and then drove off in it. She was fortunate not to have been beaten up. All this was caught on CCTV but it appears to have been taken down off the web. At the same intersection an Arab woman was killed two days ago by a car accident caused by the lack of traffic lights.

What is happening now is hard to ascertain. The army has put a news blackout on the rioting in an attempt to calm things down.

The greatest tragedy of all this is not the loss of life nor the wanton destruction, as terrible as that is, but the undoing of years of co-existence and building up of trust. Can it ever be restored? Can Jewish Israelis ever live again in peace with the Arabs in our midst? The worst of the rioting has taken place in the mixed cities, long touted as examples proving that Jews and Arabs can live together in peace. Was that all an illusion? Twenty percent of Israel’s population is Arab. We live together, walk the same streets, eat at the same restaurants, use the same buses, are treated at the same hospitals, work together and play together (contrary to those who accuse Israel as being an apartheid state). But now, can I trust the Arab sitting beside me on the bus. Is he, or she, going to draw a knife or a gun and start killing? Can I trust the Arab plumber or gardener that comes to my home, or the doctor who treats me at the hospital? Yahya Sinwar boasted the other day that he has 10,000 ‘martyrs’ in Israel just waiting for the word to attack. This is a much more dangerous threat than the 10,000 or so rockets he claims to have.

THE FUTURE?

I have a sinking feeling that everything is coming to a head. This ‘ceasefire’ cannot last long. Iran is waiting for the right moment to unleash all its proxies and attack Israel. Biden is chasing butterflies, hoping to negotiate the un-negotiable with Iran, or to buy peace in Gaza with those who do not want peace. He is not in touch with reality. Israel cannot and will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear capability. There have been a whole series of mysterious fires and explosions in Iranian nuclear development facilities. They have fallen short of blaming Israel in so many words and Israel is not admitting to anything. Israel may have won this last round of fighting on the ground but Hamas is surely winning the war in cyberspace and the media. The UN is trying to charge Israel with ‘war crimes ‘ in the international court and few countries are voting against it. There is no mention of the war crimes perpetrated by Hamas! Antisemitism of a scale not seen since the Holocaust is raising its ugly head all over the world and Islam has infiltrated every Western country. The stage is set and the fuse is burning. When will it hit the powder keg? I don’t know but it could happen any minute or months or possibly at a stretch years from now, but it seems inevitable.

I do know however it will not happen until God so ordains. It is he who will gather all the nations of the world against Israel and lead them to judgement and their own destruction for what they have done against His people.

For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I will enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
They have also divided up My land.
They have cast lots for My people,
Have given a boy as payment for a harlot,
And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.

“Indeed, what have you to do with Me,
O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia?
Will you retaliate against Me?
But if you retaliate against Me,
Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head.

Joel 3: 1-4

Yes, the LORD says this,

“If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!”

Psalm 81: 13-14

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL

And now the good news! Israel seems to have beaten the Covid-19 virus. With over 5.5 million of our population of 9 million now fully vaccinated there are only around 383 active cases and less than 20 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours. This is down from a peak of around 10,000 active cases on the 18 of January, just before the start of the vaccination program. As a result, from 2 June nearly all coronavirus restrictions are going to be dropped, except for the requirement to wear face masks in indoor public spaces. Movie theatres reopened last week and the first tourists entered for at least a year!! (6). Tourism is still limited to small groups of vaccinated individuals but all going well regulations will slowly be lifted over the coming months. That said, I wouldn’t book your tickets just yet.

If you wish to follow the unfolding of events here in Israel I can recommend the Twitter or WhatsApp group in the links below. The information is gleaned from the Hebrew press and the IDF website, summarized in English, and updated several times a day.

SHARE THE GROUP WITH A FRIEND —

— Read it on Telegram, send this link and have them click it — https://t.me/Israel_Defense_Upd_Eng

— Read it on WhatsApp, this link and click it — https://chat.whatsapp.com/KAM1lHfgtsy0C8vWwvC3vs

…..this is a private non-governmental effort using publicly available information. (Go away spies, we got nothin’ for you.)

THE MAIN POINTS OF THE HAMAS COVENANT

======================================= The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement was issued on August 18, 1988. The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as the HAMAS, is an extremist fundamentalist Islamic organization operating in the territories under Israeli control. Its Covenant is a comprehensive manifesto comprised of 36 separate articles, all of which promote the basic HAMAS goal of destroying the State of Israel through Jihad (Islamic Holy War). The following are excerpts of the HAMAS Covenant: Goals of the HAMAS: ——————

‘The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinguished Palestinian movement, whose allegiance is to Allah, and whose way of life is Islam. It strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine.’ (Article 6) On the Destruction of Israel: —————————– ‘Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.’ (Preamble) The Exclusive Moslem Nature of the Area: —————————————- ‘The land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [Holy Possession] consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgment Day. No one can renounce it or any part, or abandon it or any part of it.’ (Article 11) ‘Palestine is an Islamic land… Since this is the case, the Liberation of Palestine is an individual duty for every Moslem wherever he may be.’ (Article 13) The Call to Jihad: —————— ‘The day the enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In the face of the Jews’ usurpation, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised.’ (Article 15) ‘Ranks will close, fighters joining other fighters, and masses everywhere in the Islamic world will come forward in response to the call of duty, loudly proclaiming: ‘Hail to Jihad!’. This cry will reach the heavens and will go on being resounded until liberation is achieved, the invaders vanquished and Allah’s victory comes about.’ (Article 33) Rejection of a Negotiated Peace Settlement: ——————————————- ‘[Peace] initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement… Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the infidels as arbitrators in the lands of Islam… There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility.’ (Article 13) Condemnation of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty: ———————————————- ‘Egypt was, to a great extent, removed from the circle of struggle [against Zionism] through the treacherous Camp David Agreement. The Zionists are trying to draw other Arab countries into similar agreements in order to bring them outside the circle of struggle. …Leaving the circle of struggle against Zionism is high treason, and cursed be he who perpetrates such an act.’ (Article 32) Anti-Semitic Incitement: ———————— ‘The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: ‘O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.’ (Article 7) ‘The enemies have been scheming for a long time … and have accumulated huge and influential material wealth. With their money, they took control of the world media… With their money they stirred revolutions in various parts of the globe… They stood behind the French Revolution, the Communist Revolution and most of the revolutions we hear about… With their money they formed secret organizations – such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs and the Lions – which are spreading around the world, in order to destroy societies and carry out Zionist interests… They stood behind World War I … and formed the League of Nations through which they could rule the world. They were behind World War II, through which they made huge financial gains… There is no war going on anywhere without them having their finger in it.’ (Article 22) ‘Zionism scheming has no end, and after Palestine, they will covet expansion from the Nile to the Euphrates River. When they have finished digesting the area on which they have laid their hand, they will look forward to more expansion. Their scheme has been laid out in the ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’.’ (Article 32) ‘The HAMAS regards itself the spearhead and the vanguard of the circle of struggle against World Zionism… Islamic groups all over the Arab world should also do the same, since they are best equipped for their future role in the fight against the warmongering Jews.’ (Article 32) . ===================================================================== Information Division, Israel Foreign Ministry – Jerusalem Mail all Queries to ask@israel-info.gov.il URL: http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il gopher://israel-info.gov.il

REFERENCES

LOCKDOWN 3.5

January 20, 2021 / admin

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9

18 January 2021. I am sitting by my window watching the precious, beautiful raindrops falling. At last, after 3 weeks of glorious but oh so dry winter weather, the rains have returned to refresh the land and bring life. My neighbor’s cat is drinking from a puddle on top of my stone fence. A special treat for him. My own cat is snuggled up in my warm and dry bed – he doesn’t like to get wet! I thank God for all these blessings. It is so easy these days to be overwhelmed with grey sadness as we are stuck in our homes in lockdown once again. How important it is to count all our blessings and meditate on the lovely things of this world. Paul knew that. Life in the Roman Empire was no picnic in his time, and Paul himself wrote the words above while in prison, waiting to learn if he would be executed or not. His advice to the believers then is still good advice for us now as we try to cope with the boredom and isolation of lockdown, the continuing threat of virus infection, economic difficulty, the political turmoil and the military threats of our time. I am deeply grateful for all the beautiful things of life, friends and family, my home, my cat, the flowers in the garden and the blossoms in the forest, and most of all for the sure hope of a better future in the Lord.

Update 20/01 : It is very cold today and it is still raining. There is even some ice amongst the rain. We may get some snow but the forecast is for snow only down to 900m. We are at an altitude of about 800m. It is snowing on Mt Hermon and some of the higher hills in the north. It is only 6 degrees C here right now (at noon) and it is expected to go down to around freezing point tonight. Brr! We are not used to such low temperatures.

LOCKDOWN 3.5

In the grips of a third wave of Covid-19 infection, Israel went into its third lockdown on December 27th, 2020. As the second week approached it became apparent the lockdown was too ‘leaky’ and the infection numbers were continuing to rise. Restrictions were therefore tightened on the 7th of January, leading to the dubbing of the current phase ‘Lockdown 3.5’. This lockdown was due to end on the 21st of this month but as the infection rate is still high, and hospitals are struggling to cope, the lockdown has now been extended until the 31st January at least.

Daily infections passed a grim milestone and reached a peak (I hope) of 10,021 on the 18th of January (1,2). That same day the total number of confirmed infections in Israel since the beginning of the outbreak stood at around 552,000 (5.5% of the population), and deaths have reached 4,006 (0.7% of cases). This comparatively low death rate can be attributed to our high level of testing and to the courageous and dedicated medical staff who have gone far beyond the call of duty in treating the seriously ill (In comparison, Sweden which has about the same population as Israel, and approximately the same number of reported infections, has experienced 10,323 deaths, more than 2.5 times that of Israel).

In spite of many mistakes, the dithering and zigzagging of government decisions and the lack of cooperation within of several sectors of the society, I think Israel is coming through this crisis reasonably well, compared to other countries. I believe our prayers do make a difference. Nevertheless it is not easy and there is a considerable cost in economic terms and in the mental welfare of the population. The statistics mask the human element of suffering. Our economy is still only ticking over at about 50% and unemployment is around 25% with many businesses, especially small businesses, going bankrupt. Social welfare services are reporting a sharp rise in families needing help, in people reporting symptoms of depression and a rise in suicide rates. My pastor, who is a practicing clinical psychologist and counsellor, also reports a similar rise even amongst believers. In these days we need to know how to draw on the deep wells of living water (John 4), rejoicing in the Lord and counting our blessings.

Israel is boasting of its success with the vaccination process which began around the 18th of December. We have vaccinated a greater proportion by far of our population than any other country. To date, 80% of our medical personnel and 75% of our over 60s have already received their first shot, and many their second shot as well. This represents around 22% of our total population. The full effects of the vaccination do not kick in until about a week after the second shot and therefore we are only just beginning to see results from the vaccination program. Infection rates in the elderly have dropped considerably, even after only receiving the first shot. We have now begun to vaccinate teachers and the over 45 age group. The limiting factor is the availability of vaccines but we are managing to vaccinate over 150,000 every day. Yesterday, 19/01, over 200,000 were vaccinated. One reason we can do this is because of the cooperation between the IDF Home Front Command and the Health Funds. Home Front medics are qualified to give injections and are manning many of the vaccination stations in addition to the Health Fund and hospital nurses. Because of our unique Health Fund system we can effectively gather statistics so Pfizer is using Israel as a massive trial to gauge the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. This will provide valuable information for the rest of the world – just another way that Israel blesses the world.

Getting the second shot at the vaccination station in the Pais Arena in Jerusalem, 14 January 2021

Of course there are risks with such a new technology and a large percentage of Israelis are refusing to be vaccinated, or do not wish yet to be vaccinated. There are also many, especially amongst the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities who are refusing vaccination because of religious, political or ethical reasons, or because of misinformation about the risks. Unfortunately many in these same communities are also violating the restrictions designed to limit infection and consequently it is in these communities that the infection rates are highest. About 30% of tests are coming back positive in ultra-orthodox towns compared to about 5% for the national average (3).

The video below shows hundreds of guests dancing at an ultra-orthodox wedding taking place in the ultra-orthodox town of Bnei Brak. In these communities, many synagogues, yeshivas (schools for Torah study) and schools are remaining open contrary to regulations and there have been outbreaks of violent resistance when police have attempted to arrest violators or break up gatherings. (Under current restrictions the gathering of more than 10 people indoors is banned and in addition masks must be worn and social distancing maintained).

תיעוד שברהנו טגניה מביא עכשיו מבני ברק: חתונת נכדי האדמו״רים מדאראג וקרעטשניף. המוזיקה בקולי קולות, כל מי שעובר ברחוב מבין מה קורה בפנים. אנחנו הספקנו לקבל את הכתובת ולשלוח צוות צילום. והמשטרה? ״בדרך״ pic.twitter.com/s1J805X9ON
— יאיר שרקי (@yaircherki) January 18, 2021

It is not only the ultra-orthodox and the Arabs who are violating restrictions but also many of the secular youth. The video below shows a party taking place in the Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, also contrary to regulations. The hospitals are reporting that they are seeing more and more young people amongst the seriously ill being admitted in this third wave.

מסיבה בפארק הירקון בניגוד להנחיות? המשטרה והעירייה לא שמו לב.pic.twitter.com/NMzpDKz4oc
— ike latov (@IkeLatov) December 26, 2020

Social distancing a la Tel Aviv – or why we should vaccinate the under 30s.

No one in Israel is being forced to accept the vaccination, but what is being introduced is the issuing of a ‘green passport’ in the form of a cell phone app which will grant those who have been vaccinated a pass to attend places of worship, theatres, restaurants, sports facilities and to also have a greater freedom to travel. I am somewhat concerned about the social tracking aspect of this ‘passport’, and the data being gathered through it, but since the security forces are already tracking us by means of our cellphone GPS systems, it probably is not a significant additional loss of privacy. On the positive side it will allow more sectors of our economy to begin to open up for business, especially the internal tourism and hospitality sector and the entertainment sectors. We may also soon be able to meet together in places of worship.

Many Messianic believers here, as in other parts of the world, also have objections to receiving the vaccinations. To address this I wrote an article that was published this week in the Kehila News online magazine. If you are interested you can read it here: https://news.kehila.org/to-vaccinate-or-not-to-vaccinate/

Many of the hospitals are reporting that they are reaching their capacity in the coronavirus wards. There is no lack of beds or equipment, but there is a limited supply of qualified doctors and nurses who can treat the seriously ill. A few days ago, the largest hospital in Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein Kerem, had to close its doors to non-Covid emergency admissions and some Covid patients were rerouted to other hospitals. Covid ward staff are suffering exhaustion and reporting many PTSD symptoms, which inevitably will sooner or later result in a drop in the quality of care and a rise in the death rate amongst the seriously ill. Hospital staff are being drawn in from other departments which decreases the care available to patients suffering from other illnesses or trauma.

We are all hoping that the vaccines will put the brakes on the Covid pandemic but there are still a lot of unknowns, especially with the rapid spread of new mutant strains. We already have both the UK and South African strains spreading in Israel and we are trying to keep the Brazilian strain from entering the country. No one knows if the vaccines that are being given will be effective against these new strains, which are much more infective than the older strains. We bade goodbye to 2020 with the hope that 2021 will be a much better year, but this is far from a certainty. It may yet prove to be an even worse year.

ISRAELI ELECTIONS AND AMERICAN POLITICS

Our coalition government was unable to agree on a budget within the required time and therefore the Knesset (Parliament) has been dissolved and new national elections must be held, according to the law. The election will take place on the 23rd March. This will be our fourth round of elections within the last two years. There is a great deal of electioneering taking place, with parties disintegrating, forming and reorganizing, and much wheeling and dealing going on. Polls suggest that Netanyahu and his Likud Party will once more gain the majority of the votes, largely because of the disarray in the opposition with the major left wing parties fragmenting into smaller parties. The Likud Party has lost the support of some of the more extreme right wing parties and so in recent days we have seen Netanyahu courting the votes of the Arab sector. In short, the new elections seem unlikely to result in the formation of a viable government as Israeli society is becoming more and more polarized and fragmented, and this at a time when, more than ever, we need to stand together and have a strong government. I thank God that He is still on His throne and ultimately in control. Please pray that He will raise up righteous men and women who will put the well-being of the nation before their own personal agendas, and who can unite us rather than divide.

Here in Israel we watch American politics closely. The USA is one of Israel’s best friends and whatever happens there affects us deeply. Many Israelis are dismayed that Trump is being replaced by a new president, Joe Biden. Trump did much to help Israel during his term of office, such as moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem, cancelling the flawed agreements with Iran, and helping to broker the Abraham accords. On the other hand, many are relieved that Trump is leaving office as he had become increasingly unstable and unpredictable in his actions. Against this, Joe Biden is as yet an ‘unknown quantity’. He does support Israel and at least 11 of his chosen cabinet are Jewish. We all hope he will consult closely with Israel in matters concerning Middle East policies, especially those relating to Iran.

The swearing in of the new president, Biden, will take place in just a few hours from now in Washington DC, under unprecedented security arrangements following the shocking riots that took place there a week ago. We are all hoping there will not be a repeat of the violence and bloodshed.

I believe it is more important than ever that the church distance itself from politics. One of the most serious mistakes of church history was the combining of state and church that occurred during the Roman Empire period. It led to heresy and the incorporation of paganism into the doctrine and practices of the church. We who follow Yeshua do not belong in the world, we are in the world but not of it (John 17:9-18), and our focus needs to be on spreading the word of the gospel and making disciples. If Christian or Messianic believers side with one political party or another, or one politician or another, we will rise or fall with them, alienate those on the ‘other side’, weaken the witness and bring the Name of God into disrepute. We need to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ and look to the true ruler of Heaven and Earth. It is He who raises up kings and brings them down (Daniel 2:21). Someone sent me this song today and it seems apt:

(31) The Lord Reigns and One God with Lyrics – YouTube

SECURITY

Although our attention has been focused on the Corona crisis, this does not mean that the external threats to Israel have lessened. Iran is still breathing dire warnings every day and continuing to build up its arsenal of long range missiles capable of attacking all Israeli territory and US military installations in the Middle East. They are also threatening those Arab nations, which stand against them, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. These nations have drawn closer to Israel as a result and this has led to them forging economic and military agreements with Israel, known as the Abraham Accords. The latest country to open full diplomatic relations with Israel is Morocco. The economic advantages these accords afford Israel will go a large way to offset the losses we have experienced due to the Corona pandemic. The military implications are yet to be seen. Perhaps it will cause Iran to hesitate longer before attacking Israel, or perhaps not. Time will tell.

Meanwhile Iran is continuing to increase its uranium enrichment program and develop its nuclear and conventional weapon arsenal. It now has long range missiles capable of hitting any country in the Middle East and not a few in Europe. Not only that Iran continues to arm its proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran recently showed off its vast array of missile and drone capability sending a clear threat and message to the USA, Israel and our allies.

The President-elect of the USA, Joe Biden, has stated that upon taking office on the 21st of this month, he will initiate talks with Iran in order to renegotiate a deal regarding its nuclear weapons development program. This is being regarded with some horror in Israel but it all depends upon whether any new deal struck will reign in Iran’s nuclear development program or not. In view of the ever rising tensions with Iran, Israel continues to strengthen its defensive and offensive capabilities. Additional anti-missile batteries are being set up around all major cities, including Eilat which is vulnerable to attack both from Yemen and from ISIS, which is now in the Sinai Peninsula.

The Corona crisis has resulted in a drop in internal terror attacks and in the year 2020 only two Israelis were killed in terror attacks. Disturbances on the Gaza border have also decreased but not stopped completely. Last night, for example, two missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip towards the Israeli city of Ashdod. They both landed in the sea, causing no harm. This morning Israel retaliated by attacking Hamas tunnels in Gaza. This follows a military exercise involving Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza during which missiles were fired into the sea and a mock tanks were attacked. It is believed this was intended to send a “clear message to the Zionist enemy” (4). The evening before the exercise Hamas attempted to fire a missile into Israel but it failed to cross the border. Two days earlier two rockets were fired into Israel, one of which landed near Ashdod and the other landed on Palmachim Beach south of Tel Aviv. Fragments of an Israeli Iron Dome interceptor rocket, which failed to hit the missile that was headed towards Palmachim beach, landed in Bat Yam causing some minor damage but no injuries (4).

Tensions are also high in the north. Last month the IDF released the information that in 2020 they had carried out around 500 attacks and a number of cyberattacks, aimed at countering the Iranian entrenchment in Syria (5).

IMMIGRATION

For the first time since the founding of the State of Israel, the Jewish population has dropped below 74% (6). In light of this it is good news that immigration has continued during the Corona virus pandemic, albeit at a slower rate than before. The Jewish Agency says that in 2020 some 20,000 people immigrated to Israel, mainly from the former Soviet Union and including some 1200 from Ethiopia (7). The first immigrants to arrive in 2021 were another 300 Ethiopians (8). They were part of the airlift dubbed “Operation Rock of Israel” intended to bring all the remaining Ethiopians waiting to come to Israel, many of whom have been waiting, separated from their family members, for 15 years or more. The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem sponsored the flights of 1/3 of the immigrants in this latest airlift. Increased efforts are being made to bring the last of the remaining Jews from Ethiopia as conditions have deteriorated over the last year due to food shortages, the armed conflict in Tigray province and the coronavirus. This endeavor is being spearheaded by Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, who is an Ethiopian immigrant herself, and Jewish Agency chairman Isaac Herzog.

In December 2020 a group of 250 members of the Bnei Menashe from northern India also immigrated to Israel. The resumption of immigration to Israel by these descendants of the Tribe of Menashe which were exiled 2700 years ago was also the fruit of the efforts of MK Pnina Tamano-Shata. She was not alone. The Jerusalem Post noted that “This aliyah was also the fruit of efforts by a wide range of Christian Zionists and lovers of Israel around the world. International groups such as Christians for Israel, Bridges for Peace, Ebenezer Operation Exodus, the ICEJ and Shalom Israel Asia Pacific, as well as many Christians from Scandinavia to Seoul, poured out their hearts in prayer and provided support to carry the sons of daughters of the Bnei Menashe back to Zion just as Isaiah (49:22) foretold” (9). Some 6500 members of the Bnei Menashe are still waiting to come to Israel.

Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel…

Thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations,
And set up My standard for the peoples;
They shall bring your sons in their arms,
And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders…

Then you will know that I am the Lord,
For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.”

Isaiah 49:6, 22-23

REFERENCES

BLUE SUMMER

August 27, 2020 / admin

Today I said ‘goodbye’ to another friend who is leaving the country and I feel blue. It feels like the story of my life – saying goodbye. Its part of living in Israel – people come and people go. Yes, of course some stay, but there are just way too many goodbyes.

As I sit at my desk and look outside I can see the sky and it is strangely blue. It has been a strange summer in many ways, but the blue sky is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of just how strange it is. Normally the sky in Israel in summer is a yellowish beige color or at best an insipid pale blue, but this year, with almost no air traffic passing over, the sky is a deep, rich blue day after day, something we would normally only see a few days in the winter.

CORONA IN ISRAEL

Five months have passed since we first went into lockdown because of the corona virus. We are no longer under strict lockdown but life is still far from normal here in Israel, as in many other parts of the world. We continue to have around 1500-2000 new cases of covid-19 every day, and two days ago (24/08) we passed the 100,000 mark of confirmed cases, and now (26/08) have 107,341 confirmed cases, and the death toll has reached 867. With one of the highest infection rates in the world, we still cannot meet indoors in gatherings of more than 20 people, and 30 people outdoors. We must wear masks outside our home and there are many other restrictions and changes. Our congregation and our housegroup are still meeting on Zoom and life seems to have become somewhat dreary, and the simplest tasks, like going to the bank or the doctor, much more complicated.

The school year is due to start on the 1st of September and there are fears that this will precipitate another upsurge in cases. It is still unclear how schools are going to operate. It seems likely that smaller children up to grade 3 will go to school as before but from grade 4 and upwards children will go to school only twice a week and learn online the remaining days. The older children will have to sit at least 2m apart and wear face masks. It is not at all clear if this is a workable solution or even can be implemented in practice.

About two weeks after the beginning of the school year we enter into the period of the High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succot. These are times when large family groups normally gather for special meals and even larger groups congregate to pray. There is talk now of calling a full lockdown over the High Holy Days to try prevent yet another upsurge in corona cases. This year we ‘celebrated’ Passover and Shavuot under lockdown, it would be very sad to have to celebrate the High Holy Days in lockdown also.

Even if a new lockdown is instituted I am not sure it will be obeyed. Many people are defying, or just ignoring, even the current regulations, although in recent weeks more have been observing the requirement to wear a mask in public areas, probably because of the large fines being imposed for those who get caught not doing so. People are more anxious and are to some extent policing each other, something we didn’t see at the beginning.

Traditionally at Rosh Hashanah some 30,000 religious Jews gather at the grave of Rabbi Nachman de Breslev, the founder of the Breslev Hassidic movement, in Uman in the Ukraine. In view of the risk of spreading the corona virus Israel has asked the Ukrainian government to assist in preventing Jews from travelling for this pilgrimmage but already some have managed to slip through the net and are gathering in Uman.

Ukraine chief rabbi: Crucifix at Jewish pilgrimage site a 'provocation' - World Jewish Congress — Breslev Hassidim at the grave of Rabbi Nachman de Breslev in Uman, Ukraine https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/tensions-build-in-advance-of-hasidic-pilgrimage

PROTESTS IN THE STREETS

At a time when it is forbidden to gather for prayer, weddings, and funerals in large groups the courts have persisted in upholding the democratic ‘right’ to demonstrate. For weeks now a noisy and large crowd of around 10,000 demonstrators have gathered outside Benjamin Netanyahu’s house in Jerusalem every Saturday night, and in smaller numbers also during the week.

What′s behind Israel′s growing protests? | Middle East| News and analysis of events in the Arab world | DW | 06.08.2020 — Street protests in Jerusalem
https://www.dw.com/image/54444283_303.jpg

Demonstrations have also occurred in Tel Aviv and at other places around the country. The demonstrators are protesting a wide variety of issues, including the poor handling of the corona virus epidemic by the government (ironically), the corruption in the government, the ongoing court case of Benjamin Netanyahu, the economic crisis (more than 20% unemployment), environmental issues, violence against women and a whole plethora of other complaints. Most of these complaints have some validity but I really question their methods. Disrupting the lives of all the people who live in the area, the extremely loud noise and the blocking of roads, week after week, is inconsiderate and antisocial to say the least. The lack of any ‘social distancing’ and the fact that many are not wearing masks, belies any concern they might be expressing about the poor handling of the epidemic, and represents a serious risk for spreading the virus further. It is so easy to complain but I do not see these people suggesting any workable solutions to these issues!

Of course the protests have generated counter protests and this has resulted in some violence between protestors, counterprotestors and the police trying to control the crowds. There have been many arrests but the protests continue, week after week. Although these people are still a small minority I am concerned that they represent a growing social shift towards anger, anarchy and social breakdown. This video reveals the spirit that lies behind it all. (Hint: these people are NOT praying to the God of Israel!!)

THE NEW MIDDLE EAST

In spite of the pandemic, life goes on and we have seen some very significant events in the Middle East over the past few weeks, and an interesting realignment of power.

MYSTERIOUS FIRES IN IRAN

Iran, struggling with a high rate of coronavirus infection, economic collapse and the embargoes against it, has been struck by a whole series of mysterious fires breaking out in important installations and infrastructure such as at its nuclear research facilities, ports, oil refineries and power stations. At first, Iran claimed these fires were just accidents, but there have been so many of them this claim can no longer be sustained and they are now admitting the fires are probably the result of sabotage, perhaps carried out by means of cyber attacks. Who is carrying out these acts of sabotage? There are a lot of candidates, internal resistance groups, anti-regime resistance groups in Turkey and elsewhere, and of course Israel and the USA. No one is claiming responsibility and even Iran seems reluctant to point the finger at this stage.

EXPLOSION IN BEIRUT

As I hit the “publish” button on my previous blog, literally at that same moment (4th August), a fire followed by a massive explosion occurred in Beirut, destroying large swathes of the city, killing at least 180 people, injuring 6,000 and making around 300,000 homeless. The explosion was so loud it was heard in Cyprus. We didn’t hear it here probably because of the high mountains between us and Beirut.

We will probably never know for sure what caused this explosion but there does seem to be growing evidence that somehow Hezbollah was involved. Videos published indicate that a fire in a ‘fireworks’ or munitions store spread into the storehouse containing 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate which then exploded. Was it just negligence and a terrible accident, or was it sabotage? I do not know but I do believe that Lebanon will never be the same. There is a growing groundswell of discontent and anger directed towards Hezbollah, which is undermining its power. Will it be enough to bring down this powerful terror organization, backed by Iran? Not unless the international community is willing to raise up and support an alternative government in Lebanon, and this is not likely to happen in today’s atmosphere. The Lebanese government resigned after the explosion leaving a power vacuum. Who will fill it? Will there be another civil war there? Those Lebanese who can are fleeing the country. Once a majority of the population, the relatively wealthy Christians represent only around 10% of the population today.

UAE MAKES PEACE WITH ISRAEL

Last week we were all surprised by the announcement that the United Arab Emirates had signed a peace treaty with Israel. This is a huge step linking the two strongest economies in the Middle East with mutual trade ties and shared interests. I think it has come about for two reasons:

A recognition of the mutual economic benefits. “Israel’s Economy Ministry has estimated that the normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year to Israel in trade and investments. According to figures compiled by the Ministry, based on various scenarios, exports to the UAE, which are currently at around $300,000 a year, could jump to an annual $300 million-$500 million “(1). For Israel this could help offset the massive economic losses sustained by the lack of trade and tourism due to the corona crisis. It will also open up markets in the far east. The UAE will also benefit from tourism from Israel and our technological know how in things like desert agriculture and water management.
A case of ‘the enemy of the enemy is my friend’. We share a mutual enemy – Iran- and have a vested interested in working together against that enemy. Just take a look at the map:

United Arab Emirates political map — https://geology.com/world/united-arab-emirates-satellite-image.shtml

The UAE lies on the peninsula which juts out to form the strategically important and vulnerable Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, adjacent to Iran. If Saudi Arabia and Israel also form a coalition, as has been rumored, this would create a land connection between Israel and the doorstep of Iran, a great strategic advantage. Already Saudi Arabia has granted permission for civilian flights to cross its territory and airlines are offering a 3 hour flight from Israel to the UAE starting from next week!! We will be literally be able to fly to Dubai for a day’s shopping (well, the more wealthy among us anyway). There are rumors that other countries such as Sudan, Oman and even Lebanon are also secretly negotiating with Israel, although they are officially denying this.

Many of us are wondering what all this means? Of course Iran, and its allies, Russia, Turkey and China are not at all happy about the realignment of loyalties taking place. But should we be? I am reminded of another period in Israel’s history, prior to the Babylonian conquest, when Israel put its trust in a worthless peace treaty with Egypt rather than putting its trust in the all powerful God of Israel. Are we making the same mistake? Of course peace in itself is a good thing, and we should strive to live in peace will all men, as far as it is possible, but there is only one who is totally trustworthy and that is our God, YHWH.

It is interesting that the pact between the UAE and Israel created little outcry amongst the Arab nations, especially the more ‘moderate’ ones. It is a sign that the Arab world is getting fed up with the Palestinian issue and it is now being sidelined by the much more dangerous issue of the Iranian threat. There is a growing feeling across the Middle East that the Palestinians need to move on, put the past behind them and start thinking about their future. They need to recognise Israel and stop brainwashing their children in a culture of hate and violence. They have basically lost their cause, the destruction of Israel, and now have nothing to lose and everything to gain by working together with Israel.

It seems clear to me that all the things that are happening in the world today indicate that we are already in the end times. Everything seems to be getting set in place for the great war that will precede the setting up of a one-world government and the tribulation period. Just exactly where these events fit into the Scriptural scenario is not clear yet, though many have their own ideas about that, but the important thing is that we each individually are prepared. That means we need more than ever to check our walk with God. Are we in fellowship with him. Do we truly KNOW him in Jesus? If so, we need to stay close to Him, studying the Scriptures, avoiding error and deception and praying as never before.

Jesus warned that towards the end there would be many false prophets and false teachers who would deceive many, and a time of apostasy in the church. It seems to me that we are already experiencing this time of apostasy as the church is being infiltrated by many false teachings and practices, and believers seem to have little interest in sound teaching and the study of the Scriptures. Here is a link to an article I recently published in Kehila News, the Messianic magazine produced in Israel, confronting just one of the many false teachings going around at present.

COVID-19 and Prophecy: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

HEATING UP IN GAZA

Over the past few weeks we have had another upsurge in the release of arson balloons, some of which are carrying explosive devices. Every day there have been tens of fires ignited in the fields, nature reserves and towns surrounding the Gaza Strip. Most of these fires are quickly extinguished but many acres of crops and natural areas are being destroyed and the people living in constant fear. The IDF has developed a laser gun that can track and shoot down these balloons but the sheer number of balloons coming over is overwhelming. In addition to the baloons there have also been a number of rockets fired into Israel over the last couple of weeks. Israel is continuing its policy of retribution and is bombing Hamas installations in Gaza every day, but is careful not to escalate the situation more than is necessary. No one wants all out war at this point. Israel has also shut down the border crossings, prevented fishing boats from going beyond a certain point and stopped the supply of fuel for the power stations in Gaza. Consequently the citizens of Gaza are now getting only 4-6 hours of electricity a day – and this in the middle of summer and in the corona crisis. There is no doubt this is causing severe suffering to the population of Gaza.

Unfortunately Hamas has learned that it can escalate the situation to such a degree that it can ask for various concessions and get them. It is like rewarding a child with sweets whenever it throws a tantrum. One might ask why they are doing this at this time. One reason is that Qatar stopped sending money to Gaza and now they are demanding, not only these handouts be resumed, but doubled. They also are demanding an extension of the fishing zones and the opening of Israel’s borders to allow more workers to enter Israel. Gaza has an unemployment rate of around 60% but if they come to work in Israel there is a strong likelihood they will bring the infection from Israel into the Strip.

Until now Gaza has been spared serious levels of infection by the corona virus with only a few cases brought in by returning residents. However this week members of a family in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Strip were found to be infected, the first incidence of community transmission. As a result today the entire Gaza Strip has been ordered into strict lockdown for 48 hours (now extended for several more days). Perhaps this will give us a respite from balloon attacks? (Nope – didn’t!!) However if the virus spreads further in Gaza it will be a catastrophe as the poor health services and the dire economic situation in the Strip means they will not be able to cope. Hamas has already threatened a massive rocket attack on Israel should the virus spread significantly in the Strip – this in an attempt to pressure Israel to help them fight it. They have obviously never learned ‘not to bite the hand that feeds you‘!

TENSION ON THE NORTHERN BORDER

On July 20th a Hezbollah fighter was killed in an air strike against an Iranian military installation near Damascus in Syria. Blaming Israel, Hezbollah has threatened reprisals and will not be satisfied until at least one Israeli soldier is killed in revenge. There have been several attempts to carry out such an attack but none have been successful. We thought that perhaps, with the Beirut blast and its aftermath, the Hezbollah would have more important things on its mind, but apparently not. Last night they fired on Israeli troops operating near the border. None were hurt but Israel will not tolerate such an attack and this morning Israeli aircraft crossed into Lebanon airspace, for the first time since 2006, and fired on Hezbollah observation posts there. Flares illuminating the scene ignited some fires but no casualties have been reported. This means that tensions in the north are once more high, with some Israeli communities being ordered to stay indoors near safe rooms.

NEW ELECTIONS POSTPONED

According to the law, failure to pass a national budget by August 25th would have automatically required a new election here in Israel. Just two hours before the deadline the Knesset passed a bill allowing for an extension of 120 days, thus postponing the requirement for new elections. I hope our government can lay aside their politicking and squabbles long enough to pass some kind of a budget soon. It is difficult for government departments to continue functioning and to meet the new challenges facing us, without a budget.

IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL

In spite of the coronavirus crisis there has continued to be a steady trickle of new immigrants arriving in Israel. Aliyah and Integration Minister, Pnina Tamano-Shata, Israel’s first Minister from the Ethiopian community, has put forward her plans to bring 4,500 members of the Falash Mura community still in Ethiopia to Israel by the end of the year, and the remainder of those 8000 waiting in compounds in Addis Abbaba by 2023. Some of these people have been waiting for 10 years, in poor conditions and separated from close family members already living in Israel. MK Tamano-Shata has recently been diagnosed with the virus and is currently in isolation.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE

This week the country has been shocked and disgusted by reports of a gang rape of a 16 year old girl by 30 men in a hotel in Eilat. So far only 11 have been arrested in addition to the manager of the hotel. This follows a similar event in Cyprus when a British woman accused a group of Israeli youths, aged between 15-22, of gang raping her last summer. She was pressured into recanting her accusation and the boys were acquitted and returned home to what almost amounted to a hero’s welcome.

Before I came to Israel I thought there was an enlightened attitude towards women in Israel. After all, one of Israel’s first Prime Ministers, Golda Meir, was a woman and woman worked alongside the men in the kibbutzim and served in the IDF from its earliest days. It didn’t take me long to realize I was very wrong. Women are regarded as sex objects and are given little respect in the Middle East in general, and this attitude also permeates some sectors of Israeli society. There is much violence against women and the number of women murdered by their husbands, or other family members, is alarming. Rape is also becoming more common as so many young people reject the moral restraints provided by faith or even religion. Only one in ten rape cases result in a conviction and only a tiny percentage of rape complaints make it to the courts in the first place, or are even reported to the police.

References:

CORONA CHAOS

August 4, 2020 / admin

How can it be that another month has passed? Time is flying by. We are now into the 6th month of the corona crisis and there is no end in sight. I seem to have adjusted to the ‘new normal’ staying at home mostly, not going out to work and seeing most of my friends only on Zoom. It is a strange life but it is life and I seem to still be keeping plenty busy. I am grateful that I and all my close friends and family are still healthy and that I still have a roof over my head and food on my table. I am so much better off than so many. It is good to count our blessings in such times – it helps us keep our balance.

Police clear off protesters who blocked a main road during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem early Sunday, Aug 2, 2020. (AP/Oded Balilty) — Social distancing – Israeli style!!
https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2020/08/000_1W68MH-640×400.jpg

Covid-19 in Israel

Here in Israel we are experiencing the ‘second wave’ of the virus amidst economic and political chaos. As of today (04/08) Israel has had a total of 74,430 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 546 deaths. A week or so ago, the rate of new infections per day was exceeding 2000, the fifth highest per capita in the world, even higher than the USA. The graph below shows the number of new confirmed cases per day in Israel since the beginning of the pandemic.

As you can see there have been many more cases in the ‘second wave’ than in the first but, compared to other countries, our death rate has remained very low, now standing at 546 in total, less than 0.1%. The curve showing the total number of confirmed cases per day (see below) appears to be flattening over the last few days, but this could be misleading as the number of tests carried out has also dropped. As you can see yesterday (03/08), the number of new cases jumped by over 1800 but the number of tests carried out doubled over the previous day. The steep drop for 04/08 reflects that it is still only midday and many more may be reported as the day goes on.

A better indicator of the situation is the graph below that shows the total number of confirmed cases since the end of February. As you can see the graph may be showing a levelling off, but it is way too soon to know for sure.

You might be wondering how it is that Israel, which did so well at containing the first wave, has failed so dismally in this ‘second wave’. In the first wave, restrictions and a lockdown were quickly implemented and there was a high degree of cooperation by the general public. However, Israeli patience is short, and as soon as restrictions began to be lifted we immediately lost all discipline and many people began to act as if it were all over, gathering in large groups and ignoring government guidelines. It didn’t help that the opening of the lockdown coincided with a severe heatwave that sent thousands to the beaches and other open spaces contrary to restrictions at the time. Schools were also immediately reopened and it proved impossible for them to maintain the restrictions, especially in the heat. Some schools became centers of infection and had to be closed down. In the weeks that have followed the government has zigzagged on restrictions, changing their minds every day or so, until the general public became totally confused about what was allowed and what not, and they lost faith in the government. This of course has sent all the politicians scrambling for survival, as the government teeters on the edge of collapse and the possibility of new elections looms. The dire situation has sent thousands to the streets to protest the perceived failure of the government in ongoing demonstrations, which have at times devolved into violence between demonstrators and counterdemonstrators, and the police trying to keep order. Needless to say, the demonstrators are not keeping social distancing rules nor wearing masks, and it seems to me they pose a greater threat to us all than the weak and confused government.

Thousands of protesters chant slogans and hold signs during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, Saturday, Aug 1, 2020. (AP/Oded Balilty) — 10,000 Protestors outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, 01/08/20
https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2020/08/AP_20214647095172-640×400.jpg

תיעוד: עשרה שתולים מתחזים למוחים עם דגלים שחורים, ואז תוקפים את המפגינים עם בקבוקי זכוכית, אגרופים, וגז פלפל. מזכירים לכם מי כאן המסוכנים. להפיץ pic.twitter.com/YhljmyKk0b
— איתמר קציר (@ItamarKatzir) July 28, 2020

Violence at a protest in Tel Aviv

Of course all this is having a detrimental effect on the economy and people are getting angry and scared as the months tick by and still no money is coming in. There are still around 800,000 unemployed, more than 20% of the workforce. Many sectors, the tourist, hospitality and entertainment industries especially, are still totally shut down and these represent a huge part of the Israeli economy. This week the government is making a cash payment to every Israeli in an attempt to cool the anger, appease complaints and stimulate the economy. This payment is however very controversial as a flat sum is being paid out irrespective of income and means, which means the rich and very rich, who do not need it at all, get the same payment as the desperately needy, while the payout is costing the country around 1.9 billion dollars which we will have to borrow. This may not be so easy as Israel’s credit rating is deteriorating because it has been unable to pass a National Budget in spite of 3 elections and a unity government. If a Budget is not passed by 25 August, we will automatically have to go to new elections – something we need like a hole in the head. While I will be grateful for the 750 shekel handout they promise me as a single individual, this amount will cover perhaps two trips to the supermarket and will not significantly help in the long term. I cannot see this move will in any way stimulate the economy.

The situation is bleak and the future is uncertain. Recently the Director General of the World Health Organization put it this way:

“The pandemic is still accelerating,… We know that the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it is an economic crisis, a social crisis and in many countries a political crisis… The greatest threat the world faces is the lack of global solidarity and global leadership” (1).

The end result of this pandemic could yet result in the destabilization of many governments and nations, social chaos and world-wide economic collapse, the conditions just perfect for the establishment of a one-world government under the control of a strong, charismatic leader, the Antichrist, as the Bible predicts will occur in the end times.

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13 : 1- 8

“I will punish the world for its evil,
And the wicked for their iniquity;
I will halt the arrogance of the proud,
And will lay low the haughtiness of the tyrants.
I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold

Isaiah 13:11-12

Hospitals in Crisis

We are in the midst of the worst medical crisis to hit Israel and our hospitals are to be congratulated on the excellent care provided to the ill which has resulted in a very low death rate. However hospital authorities are warning that this could all change if the government does not do something to help them out. Yesterday some of the largest hospitals in Israel warned that they would have to start laying off staff as they can no longer pay their salaries, and this comes at a time when we are desperately short of doctors and nurses. Since the beginning of the corona crisis only 19 new hospital beds have been made available. A couple of weeks ago, the exhausted nursing staff went on strike for two days, pleading for help, and especially the hiring of additional staff. The government did say it would hire another 2000 doctors and nurses, but it is not clear where these highly trained people are going to come from, and who will pay them. Hospitals are warning they are close to collapse. If the rate of serious corona cases continue to rise we will soon be unable to treat those needing ventilation and we will see a sharp rise in the death toll. Please pray that a solution to this situation will be found.

Corona ‘Czar’

פרופ' רוני גמזו מציג את התוכנית שלו — Prof. Roni Gamzu giving his first press conference as the new coronavirus czar
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkCpm60lv

One ray of hope in this situation is the appointment two weeks ago of Professor Ronni Gamzu as the Corona ‘Czar’, an experienced medical professional in the public health field and a non-political figure, tasked with stopping the chain of infections and he has authority in testing, epidemiological investigations and quarantines. Gamzu lost no time in addressing the public and calling upon us to cooperate and work together with him and the government to fight this outbreak. He is working to present a logical and sensible plan of attack. A central part of his new plan will be the involvement of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to implement the epidemiological tracing of the infected, a somewhat controversial move as it involves the tracing of individuals by means of their cell phones, a serious infringement of privacy, but one temporarily sanctioned by the government under the emergency law.

No doubt there will be much controversy yet but at least now there is someone taking charge who seems to know what he is doing and has no personal political interests. Ynetnews put it this way, ”

At long last someone has decided to put his professional and personal ego aside in an attempt to create a consensus among all those who want to see Israel emerge from this mess. Gamzu’s opening moves are cause for optimism, and even if success is not guaranteed, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. If Israelis pitch in with Gamzu and his plan, there just might be a chance the country can defeat the virus without another lockdown and normal life can slowly resume. If not, all that await us are failure and disaster (2).

Please pray for Gamzu. He has terrible responsibility on his shoulders and needs all of God’s wisdom to make good decisions. Please also pray the politicians will not undermine his efforts. We need someone to reunite us as a people, and who will encourage us to pull together to get out of this mess.

With the school year about to start, at the beginning of September, there is talk of a possible total lockdown being imposed again towards the middle of this month. Although all effort is being made to avoid this happening, it may be deemed necessary to decrease the level of infection prior to the beginning of the school year. Decisions about schools opening, and under what conditions, have still not been reached. This is creating a high level of uncertainty and anxiety for students, parents and teachers.

Tension in the North

Two weeks ago a Hezbollah operative was killed by an attack on Iranian installations in Syria and Israel has been blamed. Hezbollah promised to avenge this killing and last week a group of Hezbollah operatives penetrated the Israeli border but were chased back by IDF forces who spotted them. Thus frustrated, another attempt was made, this time from Syrian space, and four operatives tried to plant explosive devices in an abandoned IDF base. They were killed by IDF fire and an aircraft. Yesterday morning the Imam Ali base near the town of Abu Kamal, in eastern Deir Ezzor region close to the border with Iraq, was attacked by unidentified aircraft and 15 Iranian-backed militiamen were killed. A number of positions, bases and weapons stores were destroyed (3). Israel has not admitted to carrying out this attack but has an ongoing policy of attacking Iranian supply lines, installations and weapons stores in Syria.

Please pray this escalating tension will ease. The last thing anyone in this region needs right now is a war.

Tension in the South

The southern border is relatively quiet but there have been a number of rockets being fired into Israel over the last weeks and also at least one incendiary balloon. With the fire risk season approaching its peak we do not want to see a resurgence of the balloon warfare we experienced over the last few years.

Wildfires

Fire season is upon us. Yesterday there was a major wildfire across the valley from here near Ein Kerem (the birthplace of John the Baptist). Some buildings and public buildings were threatened and around 200 severely handicapped children had to be evacuated because of the risk of smoke inhalation. Fire fighting planes and firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the fire. It served however as a warning that as temperatures rise and the late summer winds increase, the wild fire season is once more upon us.

Iran

Iran is also battling a serious crisis with the coronavirus, but lately it has also been hit by a string of explosions and fires at both civilian and military strategic installations. At first they tried to say these were accidents but the number and nature of these events clearly indicate that they are attacks. Israel is of course being implicated but there are a number of other possibilities too . Foreign or domestic organizations opposed to the regime may well be responsible.

Where is God in all this?

The situation is grim but I believe that God is still in control and has a purpose in all this – namely to call the unsaved to consider their lives and confront the possibility of death. God desires that no man, woman or child would die. He has provided a solution through the death and resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus), who has conquered death and promised eternal life to all who will follow him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

This is the message that needs to be proclaimed to all mankind today. There is hope, certainty and safety in Yeshua if we are willing to follow Him. Without him there is only doubt, turmoil and darkness.

Please pray that this message will go forth loudly and clearly here in Israel. Congregations have not been able to meet face-to-face for nearly 6 months now and we are all being challenged to find new forms and ways to fellowship together and to proclaim the gospel effectively and clearly. One way this is being done is through the internet. I can recommend the videos being produced by OneforIsrael – just google them. Though they are in Hebrew , English subtitles are provided. Some of these videos have reached more than 500,000 Israelis and there is much fruit. Please pray for this ministry and especially for their protection (they have received death threats) and that they can continue their work. Pray too for other internet releases. Below is a fun one based on the story of Noah, produced by the Messianic Jewish Alliance and performed by the Music and Media School in Jerusalem.

Finally here is another video, produced by OneforIsrael which exposes the basis of the spiritual bankruptcy of Rabbinical Judaism as it is practiced today.

‘My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 2: 13

Broken cisterns

References:

THE MOUSE ROARED

September 14, 2019 / admin

The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the nations,
And sing praises to Your name.

Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.

Psalm 18: 46-50

This week (1-7/09) God delivered Israel from the ‘violent man’, alias Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Seeking revenge for last week’s Israeli attack on a Iranian military installation in Syria, which was making precision guided systems for missiles. In the attack several Iranian military personnel and two senior Hezbollah operatives were killed. Immediately afterwards the ‘mouse roared’ threatening a massive attack on Israel in retaliation, an attack that would reach the center of the country. As the week passed Nasrallah’s roars faded to a squeak and by Sunday he was saying he intended only to ‘kill 2-3 Israeli soldiers’. Israel evacuated its bases within 5 km of the border, set up fake mannequins in vehicles, and banned travel on some roads. The civilian population was told to continue as normal. It also prepared for a massive attack on Hezbollah bases should there be any Israeli casualties.

On Sunday (1/09) about 4PM Hezbollah fired two anti-tank missiles at a vehicle containing 5 Israeli soldiers. By a miracle the missiles missed the vehicle hitting the road instead. Shrapnel pierced the tire of the vehicle but they were able to drive on to a safe position. For several hours there was a news blackout concerning the fate of the soldiers and the IDF carried out an evacuation of two soldiers to trick Nassrallah into thinking he had succeeded. Much later it was revealed that none of the soldiers had been even scratched.

Smoke rises from a fire caused from a rocket fired from Lebanon near Moshav Avivim on the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, September 1, 2019. (David Cohen/Flash90)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/reports-hezbollah-nearly-missed-manned-armored-car-driving-in-breach-of-orders/

Hezbollah forces also fired on the Avivim Army Base but it had been evacuated ahead of the confrontation.

In retaliation Israel fired around 100 shells into Lebanon but most landed in open fields, setting crops on fire. No casualties have been reported. After a couple of hours all firing stopped and since then all has been quiet.

A few days later (3/09) Nasrallah announced that the confrontation at the border is over. He is claiming a victory boasting, ” Despite all the preparations and fake targets the enemy scattered along the border, we waited for our target and when it came, we hit it, without any doubt“(1). Apparently this was sufficient for him to ‘save face’. Of course he made his announcements from the safety of his mouse hole (underground bunker) in which he has been hiding for several years for fear of an assassination attempt.

**Cartoon in the Lebanese media mocking Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who has been mainly in hiding since the 2006 war** – here celebrating his 59th birthday
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5581480,00.html

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had this to say about Nasrallah, ” The man in the bunker in Beirut knows exactly why he is in a bunker…We will continue to do everything necessary to keep Israel safe — at sea, on the ground and in the air — and we will also continue to work against the threat of the precise missiles” (1).

I may sound mocking but it would be a great mistake to underestimate the mouse in the hole. Nasrallah breathes threats against Israel every day and claims to have around 200,000 rockets and missiles that could hit every part of Israel. The problem is that these rockets and missiles are notoriously difficult to aim accurately. In past confrontations many have either been shot down by Israel’s anti- missile system or have landed harmlessly in open areas or in the sea. It is therefore of great concern to Israel that Iran is supplying high-precision missile guidance systems to Hezbollah. For this reason Israel is carrying out many missions to destroy the installations where Iran is building, storing these systems and training Hezbollah operatives in their use. Even since the confrontation on Sunday (1/09) the Israeli IDF has announced that it has carried out several such attacks in Lebanon, Syria and even Iraq. Israel must do everything it can to prevent Hezbollah obtaining this technology which would enable them to pinpoint with great accuracy key military and civilian targets. For now, Hezbollah is weak having lost a great number of personnel during the Syrian Civil War, and is also facing some financial issues. There are also signs that Hezbollah is facing growing criticism in Lebanon itself – see the cartoon above, for example (2) . The Lebanese people do not want to be drawn into another war with Israel. Should Hezbollah however recover its confidence, I have no doubt it will attempt to destroy Israel as Nasrallah threatens nearly every day.

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
²The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
³“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

⁴He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
⁵Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
⁶“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

⁷“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
⁹You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

¹⁰Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
¹¹Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
¹²Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

GAZA

The other day I was idly rereading some of my earliest blog posts written during the last Gaza war in 2008. I was amazed how similar they were to my more recent posts. Nothing significant has changed. They shoot at us and we retaliate. A ceasefire is announced and a tense calm exists until the next time they shoot at us. Round and round it goes with no end in sight. It is a great weariness for all.

Once more, the Friday night of 6/09 the sirens sounded in some of Israel’s southern communities, Sderot, Ibim, and Kibbutz Or HaNer as five rockets were fired from Gaza. One landed near the town of Sderot, setting fire to brush. Two women were treated for shock. This followed the weekly border riots in which two Palestinian minors were killed by IDF fire. The protests had been especially violent that week with around 6,000 Palestinians hurling a large number of explosive devices, grenades and firebombs at IDF troops guarding the border. The border fence was also damaged. In addition to the two dead, some 70 protesters were injured, 38 of them by live fire, according to the report of medical officers in Gaza.

The brush fire in Sderot resulting from the rocket attack on Friday
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5581480,00.html

Later that Friday night the IDF attacked several Hamas targets and the next day a Hamas cell launched an armed drone attacked an IDF vehicle, prompting an Israeli retaliation in which the IDF attacked naval combat equipment belonging to the terrorist group and two military centers for Hamas’s aerial systems in airstrikes in the northern and central Strip (3).

Later Friday night Israeli aircraft and a tank attacked several Hamas targets in Gaza. This morning a drone, piloted by a Hamas cell, dropped explosives over the Israeli border, damaging an IDF vehicle but causing no casualties. Soldiers fired at the cell but there have been no reports of casualties (4).

On Tuesday of this week (10/11) the sirens sounded again, this time as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was giving an election speech in Ashdod. He was ushered off the stage by his security detail. Netanyahu said to the audience ” We have a code red warning, leave quietly” and then realizing this was impossible he turned an asked his guards “Where should they go?” This was all being broadcast live.. Almost immediately his election campaign people realized how damaging this incident would be to his campaign and deleted the video – but too late! You can see the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D32IBCyC01Q

In this attack two medium range missiles were fired from the Gaza strip towards the Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. One missile was shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system and the other landed in the sea. There were no casualties.

The next day, on Wednesday, sirens again sounded in some southern communities, this time while children were still in school. Three launches were detected and one of the rockets landed in the yard of a home causing some damage to the house. Thankfully the family were not at home at the time and no injuries were reported.

This last Friday also marked the 73rd week of the Gaza border riots, the so-called Palestinian “March of Return”. This too is a great weariness, so much so that it barely gets a mention on our local news these days.

With elections looming, in just 3 days time, the inability of the Netanyahu government to resolve the Gaza issue is a primary election issue. On Thursday, Netanyahu announced that ” it looks like there will be no other choice but to embark on a wide-scale campaign in Gaza” (5). On Friday, returning from meetings in Russia with Putin and the Russian Defense Minister, Shoigu, Netanyahu announced that such an attack “could happen at any moment” leading to some speculation it could happen even before Tuesday’s election. I doubt that Netanyahu would risk that but he is desperately trying to garner election points at this stage. We can only pray that God’s will will prevail at this time.

WEST BANK ANNEXATION?

On Tuesday afternoon our TV stations announced that Netanyahu would make “an important announcement at 5PM”. At 5PM this was postponed to 6PM, but at that time he came on air, to announce that if elected again as PM he will immedieately annex the Jordan Valley. You can see the whole speech, with English translation, by clicking on the link below:

As I watched this I was shocked by what appeared to me to be a brazen misuse of his position to score pre-election points. The Election Committee tried to shut this broadcast down and some, but not all networks did stop showing the speech. You can see the whole speech, with English translation, by clicking on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMWep1sV940&t=12s

It transpires that prior to Netanyahu’s speech he had intended to actually announce the annexation, as opposed to just announcing his intention to do so, if elected. He was dissuaded from doing so by senior security officials. What is more, the Election Committee has since fined Netanyahu and his Likud Party 30,000 shekels for violating the election law for making election campaign messages during a live broadcast(6).

ELECTIONS

There are, as I already said, only 3 days to go before the elections. After the failed election earlier in the year, the campaigns this time have been exceptionally dirty with much name calling, mudslinging and underhand, devious tricks on all sides. As things stand polls are indicating the likelihood of yet another stalemate. I am glad I do not have the right to vote as I would not have a clue who to vote for. They all have good policies and bad. I thank God I have something much more powerful that a ballot slip. I have prayer. I am simply praying that God’s Will will be done. I would like to hope for righteous and just, and wise government but I admit I don’t believe there are really any options for such a government to be elected. I do know however that ultimately God is in control although for a time Satan, the “Prince of the Power of the Air” (Ephesians 2:2), is wrecking havoc on Earth. Soon, I hope and pray, Satan’s time will come to an end and Messiah, Yeshua, will establish his throne on Mt Zion. Until this is fulfilled we need to be much in prayer for our leaders.

TERROR STRIKES AGAIN

There have been a number of terror attacks recently. The most serious occurred at Ein Bubin Spring, near the settlement of Dolev, east of Modiin. A father and his two teenage children went out for an early morning hike and as they approached the gate to the spring an explosive device detonated in their path, killing Rina Shnerb (17), and seriously injuring her brother Dvir (19). The father was lightly injured too. In a testimony to the resilience of the Israeli spirit and just hours after his release from hospital this week, Dvir received his certificate qualifying him as a medic for the Magen David Adom service, the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross.

17-year-old Israeli teen Rina Shnerb was murdered in a terrorist bombing in the West Bank on Friday morning, August 23, 2019 — Rina Shnerb, killed in terror attack.
Courtesy of the family
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/1566569364-rabbi-says-murdered-daughter-rina-shnerb-a-martyr-of-the-people-of-israel

BACK TO SCHOOL

On September 1st some 2,300,000 Israeli school children returned to school after the long, two-month, summer vacation. For me this marks the end of summer even though the weather denies it. It is still reaching more than 30 degrees pretty much every day but we have had one or two days lately that didn’t. There is a stirring in the air and a freshness in the breeze which heralds the coming of fall/autumn. Another herald of the coming change is the flowering of the sea squill, a plant recognized in Israel as the first harbinger of fall. They are already flowering. This is a reminder of the faithfulness of our God, who sustains the times and the seasons. Praise His Name!

Paul and Barnabus proclaimed:

Nevertheless He (God) did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts 14: 15-17

Sea squill, Urginea maritima,
Netanya Winter Pond 8 Sept 07

References:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/reports-hezbollah-nearly-missed-manned-armored-car-driving-in-breach-of-orders/

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5580947,00.html

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-almost-dragged-into-hezbollah-war-lebanon-idf-missile-1.7793227

2. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5581480,00.html

3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/army-gaza-drone-dropped-explosives-in-israel-near-border-idf-vehicle-damaged/

4. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/gazan-killed-by-live-israeli-gunfire-in-border-protest-palestinians-say-1.7805900

5. https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-Israel-may-go-to-a-military-operation-in-Gaza-before-elections-601583

6. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-likud-fined-for-electioneering-during-jordan-valley-declaration/

Delusions and Drones

August 31, 2019 / admin

Today is the last day of August and the last day of the school holidays for more than two million Israeli children. The almost traditional start-of-the-school-year teacher’s strike has been staved off this year at the last minute, and one can almost hear the sigh of relief uttered by parents across the land. I am not so sure about the teachers.

Terry Wise comic — https://www.israel21c.org/back-to-school-israeli-style/

THE ‘GAME’ OF DRONES

This summer has seen the rise of a new style of warfare in the Middle East – the war of the drones. I don’t mean the kiddies toy or the camera drones, but drones equipped for military purposes. Cheap and easy to build, drones can fly low, evade radar and heat sensors, are difficult to spot visually and are almost silent. These weapons are already being used not only by national military forces but also by terrorist organizations including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria. Such weapons are capable of causing much damage and loss of life in a conflict situation. The Jerusalem Post put it this way, ” What started as a child’s toy has turned into a strategic weapon in the hands of militaries and non-state hostile actors across the skies of the messy Middle East.
From the crowded cities of Beirut and Gaza to the sandy deserts of Yemen and Iraq, weaponized drones have brought a whole new assortment of security threats to the forefront and have raised the stakes in the tensions between Israel and its enemies (1).

Israel too has drones of its own and for some time now has been using them to fight against the incendiary balloons flown into Israel from Gaza and to drop tear gas canisters on rioters at the border.

IDF soldier with drone that intercepted incendiary balloon from Gaza (Photo: Reuters) — **IDF soldier with drone that intercepted incendiary balloon from Gaza** (Photo: Reuters)
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5318598,00.html

Israeli companies have also been working on countermeasures to detect and shoot down drones. One recently unveiled by the company Smart Shooter is the SMASH2000 which attaches to military rifles and enables anyone to be able to track and very precisely shoot down a fast moving target on land or in the air, such as a drone (1). However a spokesman for the company, Dr Abraham Mazor, pointed out that “The threat of drones is a multilayer threat…There is not only one kind of drone that we have to defeat; there are many kinds, in terms of height, weight, velocity; and therefore there is no one solution for the threat posed by them” (1).

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are busy building up their drone arsenal and have already sent attack drones into Israeli territory. In May last year at least three drone attacks were made on Israeli towns in the south. None caused damage or injury but explosions were heard and fragments found. It is thought that this was probably a practice run for a larger planned attack in the future. It is feared the drones could attack Israel’s Iron Dome batteries, military bases or civilian towns. They can carry explosives and gas canisters. A drone dropping a chlorine gas canister could bring about multiple fatalities in a built-up area for example.

On Thursday (22/08) an Iranian UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), or drone attack from Syria was repulsed by Israeli forces. According to the IDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, Iran’s Qud’s Force, part of the Revolutionary Guards had been preparing the attack for several months and had sent four Iranian drone operators to Syria to control the UAVs during an attack on northern Israel. Each drone was to carry several kilograms of explosives and crash into Israeli targets, serving as unmanned suicide bombers, or “kamikaze drones”. Fortunately for us, Israeli intelligence had discovered the plot and has been keeping track of the operation. Conricus did not explain how Israel had foiled the attack (2).

The following Saturday (24/08) Israeli aircraft attacked an Iranian military targets in the village of Aqraba, southeast of Damascus, where the drone operation was centered, killing at least 5 people including Hezbollah terrorists and at least one Iranian official (2).

The next day two drones crashed in Beirut, Lebanon. One exploded and damaged the Hezbollah Media Center and killed two Hezbollah terrorists. Hezbollah claim these drones were launched from Israeli gunboats, but the IDF has not commented. Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is nevertheless threatening to carry out a revenge attack, intending to kill at least 2-3 Israelis, within 72 hours, according to the Kuwaiti Al Rai newspaper and reported by the Israeli News Channel Arutz 7 this morning (3,4).

Broken windows are seen on the 11-floor building that houses the media office of Hezbollah in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, August 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/troops-in-north-gird-for-possible-reprisal-attack-after-hezbollah-threat/

The IDF believes that Hezbollah does not want to start a war with Israel at this time and will limit its attack to military targets. As a result Israeli forces in the north have been on high alert all week and all leave for soldiers in the region cancelled. The movement of military vehicles within a 5 km distance from the border has been limited and there are unconfirmed reports that IDF vehicles containing mannequins dressed in army uniform have been placed along the border presumably to confuse Hezbollah operatives (5). Civilians have been instructed to go about their daily activities as normal.

Although neither side wants a war only time will tell if this situation will escalate or not. Netanyahu has threatened dire consequences if even one Israeli soldier is as much as scratched.

DELUSIONS

Against this background of growing tensions between Israel and its enemies, Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran, President Trump has announced his intention of unveiling his ‘peace plan’ for Israel and the Palestinians, either before or after (he has said both on different occasions) the Israeli elections on September 17. This announcement came the same week Trump identified himself as both the “King of Israel” and “the Chosen One” (6). Trump is suffering from delusions of grandeur and sees himself as the savior of the world. I am very concerned that many Christian and Messianic believers (and others) here in Israel are enamored of Trump because of his pro-Israel stance, including the moving of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Whilst I am grateful for Trump’s support for Israel, I am concerned about his Messianic delusions and his perception of himself as the savior of the world. I don’t usually comment on political matters but at the risk of becoming very unpopular I feel the need to speak out. I feel we need to exercise great caution in whom we support. Jesus warned us of a period of deception in the end times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzlxrPC_E_U

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Matthew 24: 3-5

I don’t think many Israelis or Palestinians believe that peace is possible at this time. Just this week PA Prime Minister, speaking at the Jalazone Refugee Camp, threatened ‘we will enter Jerusalem as fighters by the millions‘ and that all the Israeli settlements and houses ‘will disappear, by the will of Allah’ (see video). This is our ‘partner for peace’?

Interestingly Abbas claims that the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites, and therefore the land belongs to them. He should be aware of God’s judgment on the Canaanites. God called Abram to the land of the Canaanites and told him that He would give him this land. However when Abram arrived the iniquity of the Canaanites was not complete and the Israelites were sent into Egypt for 400 years until the time was ripe for the destruction of the Canaanite peoples (also referred to in the Bible as Amorites).

God said to Abraham, “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God”.

Genesis 17:8

Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it… Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Genesis 15: 7, 13-16.

God allowed the Canaanites ( sometimes called the Amorites in Scripture) to remain ‘until their iniquity was complete’. By identifying themselves as Canaanites (even though this claim has no historical basis in reality) the Palestinians may be sealing their own fate. How long will God allow the Palestinians to remain in the Land? Is their iniquity yet complete? Not yet, but it is getting close!!

APARTHEID STATE?

Having said that, many Palestinian Arabs are quite happy to live in Israel and cannot be counted as enemies. Living in the Jerusalem area I brush shoulders, quite literally, every day with my Arab neighbors. People who accuse Israel of being an apartheid state have no idea what they are talking about. In Israel Arabs, Jews and others shop in the same shops, swim in the same pools, use the same hospitals and buses and visit the same public toilets – a far cry from the Apartheid of South Africa. Everyday relationships between Arabs and Jews are usually friendly and helpful. Yesterday, for example, I had occasion to go to the after-hours medical clinic where I was received very warmly by the Arab receptionist and treated by an Arab doctor and nurse. Afterwards I traveled to the neighboring Arab town to fill my prescription. I was grateful to have Arab neighbors since Shabbat was about to start and all the Jewish pharmacies were already closed. For the same reasons thousands of secular Jews flock to eat in the excellent restaurants in this same Arab town on Shabbat. When I go shopping in my local supermarket I often see Jewish customers chatting warmly to the Muslim Arab lady who cuts the cheeses in the deli section. Yesterday I visited a Jewish friend in hospital. An Arab nurse directed me to her room. Another Arab nurse brought her her medicine. The other patient in her room was an elderly Arab woman. Her visitors greeted me and introduced themselves in a very friendly manner. It was an Arab family who helped me find my way to the exit afterwards. It just shows that at a grass-roots level peace is possible. It is really only a minority who want terrorism and war, but sadly they are the ones we hear about most. Here is an interesting video made by an Israeli-Arab Muslim woman :

References:

DOG DAYS

August 21, 2019 / admin

Israel is sweltering under the hottest part of our long, dry summer. With temperatures reaching above 30 degrees every day, it is too hot to do much outdoors and I am finding myself going a bit stir-crazy. I remember a rather corny TV weatherman in the 1980s who, around this time of the year, used to start a countdown until he had some weather to report. For 6-8 months a year, it is always hot and sunny in Israel and not a drop of rain will fall. Reporting the weather must be one of the most boring jobs in the Land, so it is no wonder that of late they have resorted to on reporting the height of the waves in the sea and the jellyfish count.

I am not attracted to the beach in summer. Dodging stinging jellyfish floating in a soup of 30 degree water, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of screaming people, does not tempt me at all. I much prefer a lovely cool swim followed by a laze on a grassy lawn under a shady umbrella at my local pool. I’ve been doing that a lot lately!

Image result for pics tel aviv beach — A Tel Aviv Beach in summer
https://igoogledisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/justbeachy2small.jpg

The weather is not the only thing getting hot around here. Once more we are seeing an escalation of tension both within Israel and on the southern border.

Gaza

After a hiatus of almost a month residents of our southern communities were again having to run to their bomb shelters this last Friday night (17/08) as ‘code red’ sirens blared. A rocket was shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome system and no injuries or damage were reported. Israel responded by attacking two underground military targets belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Last night (18/08) many southern communities went on high alert as more rocket fire was expected, and the cities of Beersheva, Ashdod, Ofakim, Gan Yavne and Yavne opened their municipal bomb shelters. During the night the sirens sounded again as at least three rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israeli towns in the south. Two of the rockets were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome system and some of the shrapnel fell in the yard of a home in Sderot causing damage. One woman was treated in hospital for shock and several others sustained minor injuries as they ran for shelter (1).

Recently there have also been several infiltration attempts across the Gaza border. On the night of Friday the 9th, four heavily armed Gazan Palestinians crossed the border fence into Israel with the intent of killing many Israeli civilians. They were spotted and engaged by the IDF. One of the Gazans threw a grenade at the IDF soldiers who returned fire killing all four infiltrators.

This photo released by the IDF shows a collection on weapons, including rifles, RPG launchers, grenades, bolt cutters, and knives carried by four Gazans who tried to cross the border into Israel, August 10, 2019. (Israel Defense Forces)

Last night also another group of Gazan terrorists attempted to infiltrate Israel but they were discovered and an attack helicopter and tank fired at them killing all. It is unclear how many they were, reports vary between 3-5. Palestinian media also reported that the men were members of the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Saraya al-Quds, but this has not been confirmed (2).

TERROR

In recent days there has also been an upsurge in terror attacks in and around Jerusalem. Shin Bet, one of Israel’s security services, claims that “the (Hamas) operatives in the West Bank were instructed to form cells in order to carry out kidnappings, shootings and stabbings, purchase weaponry, and find and recruit additional operatives for terrorist activities” (3). Earlier this month Shin Bet captured one such cell which had prepared 3kg of explosives for a planned attack in Jerusalem. These explosive devices had been stored in a school next to the bomb maker’s house! The Shin Bet also claims to have thwarted several other similar cells in recent months.

Sadly the Shin Bet, as effective as it is, cannot stop all terror attacks, especially the so-called ‘lone wolf’ attacks. On Friday (16/08) two teenagers standing at a bus stop were intentionally rammed by a passing vehicle, injuring one seriously and the other moderately. The vehicle overturned and as the driver emerged an off-duty police officer on the scene killed him. The officer also managed to capture the attack on his dashboard webcam. You can see the video on https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-seriously-injured-in-suspected-car-ramming-attack-next-to-elazar-settlement/ .

Earlier on the same day two teenage Palestinian boys attacked with knives soldiers guarding the Old City of Jerusalem. In the attack a 40-year-old policeman sustained multiple stab wounds to his upper body and a bystander was lightly injured. One of the attacking boys was shot dead and the other shot and seriously wounded. He was taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment. This attack was also captured on video, which you can see in the video on this site: https://www.timesofisrael.com/cop-injured-in-stabbing-attack-in-jerusalems-old-city-2-assailants-shot/ .

The tragedy of this attack is that the terrorists were just boys aged 14 years old. One must ask what kind of society so fills their children with hatred and violence that they would carry out such an act? A society that brainwashes them with lies and hatred for Jews from the cradle, one in which toddlers hero-worship terrorists, and who long to become shahids (martyrs) for the Palestinian cause.

Ex-Muslim, Jasmine Mohammed, founder of Free Hearts Free Minds organization, which provides psychological support for ex-Muslims, and author of “Confessions of an Ex-Muslim“, in an interview with the Jerusalem Post explained:

” that the general experience for Muslims is that of “pervasive hate for Jewish people – and this is learned from a young age. In Muslim communities, the word for Jew is not only used as a pejorative, it is used as a curse word. It is a hate that permeates so much so that it is invisible: It is just accepted.

“Never once, as a Muslim, did I stop to think about why we were to hate Jewish people so much. It’s like asking a child why they hate monsters. It is just a learned behavior that rarely gets questioned, and the hate of Israel is an extension of that. The hope to annihilate all Jewish people is based on the religion that teaches there will only be peace on earth once all Jews are killed by righteous Muslims (4).

On the 8th of August, just days before his 19th birthday, yeshiva student Dvir (Yehuda) Sorek was brutally stabbed to death just meters away from the entrance to Migdal Oz in the Gush Etzion settlement block, where his yeshiva was located. Dvir was enrolled in a program which combines military service with religious studies and was on his way home having gone into Jerusalem to buy a gift for his teachers. He was not wearing uniform and was unarmed.

Ironically Dvir was part of a group of young Palestinians and Jews who for two years have been meeting together in order to build understanding and a better future for both communities. The gift he had bought for his teachers was a book by David Grossman who champions the cause of the two-state solution”. He died clutching this book. Some of Dvir’s Palestinian friends wrote this about his murder, “

“Harsh reality hits us again. A few days ago, our yeshiva friend from Migdal Oz was abducted and killed, When I got the news that morning, I was shocked. I told my Palestinian friends what happened and they didn’t believe me.

Dvir Sorek, 19, who was stabbed to death in the West Bank….Dvir Sorek was one of the participants in this discussion group. In no way we can imagine that someone we met yesterday will be the victim of tomorrow.

We send our condolences to his family and our friends in the yeshiva.

And for us as a group, we condemn this kind of vicious violence that target us all for our residence place, religion, identity, citizenship. It is so sad we reached the point where we are talking about the right to not be killed.

We will stay in this way until we achieve the goal of freedom and the right to life. We are building a bridge between peoples on this land and we will continue to work on it (5).

In spite of all, there are those, albeit a minority, who are trying to make a better future.

The Shin Bet security forces have arrested two suspects for the murder, Nasir Asafra, 24, and Qassem Asafra, 30, cousins from the village of Beit Kahil in the southern West Bank (5).

Sister of Dvir Sorek: âI donât think his killers deserve to liveâ — Dvir Sorek
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/terrorism-news/soldier-found-stabbed-to-death-in-gush-etzion/2019/08/08/

Hamas has denied direct involvement in this spate of ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks claiming they were carried out by ‘rebellious youth’. In statements to the Palestinian news agency Safa, officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad said “The rebellion of the youth is a harbinger of an explosion,…We won’t tolerate the crimes of the occupation against our nation any longer” (10). Hours earlier an unnamed senior Hamas official made similar remarks to the London-based Palestinian newspaper al-Araby al-Jadeed, justified the attacks saying, “Palestinians are disappointed by the difficult conditions caused by the Israeli occupation… Dozens of promises to improve conditions have not been kept. This frustration has become the legacy of 2 million Palestinians” (10). Of course Hamas and Islamic Jihad will blame Israel instead of accepting that they have brainwashed a generation of Gazan youth into a brutal culture of mindless hatred and murderous intent while they have diverted billions of aid dollars into acquiring munitions, building tunnels and other military infrastructure rather than using it to give the Gazan people a better quality of life.

Both Israel and Hamas however are concerned that the current wave of terror attacks, and the cross-border infiltrations will catapult us into a full-scale war. Hamas has warned of an ‘impending explosion’, and there is growing discontent in Israel with our lack of decisive action.

North

Hamas in the south has carried out thousands of arson attacks in Israel over the last two years and last Friday Hezbollah in the north began to emulate these attacks. Hezbollah lit fires along the Lebanese border, which fanned by strong winds, quickly spread into Israeli territory threatening the town of Margaliot and an IDF post. Vehicles belonging to the UN ‘Peace Forces’ in Lebanon reportedly passed through the area at the time but did nothing to stop the arsonists or put out the fires (6).

Iran

The greatest threat to Israel remains Iran. Last week Israeli naval forces participated in a joint training exercise with US forces in which they “exercised regaining control of a hijacked ship and extracting forces from enemy territory” (7). Although the IDF claims this was just a routine training exercise it comes “amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Persian Gulf and efforts by the Trump administration to set up a naval security mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”. Six oil tankers have been seized or attacked by Iran in the Persian Gulf in recent weeks. The US is trying to set up a coalition force to protect shipping in the Gulf.

Earlier this month (05/08) Iran threatened European powers that it would further reduce compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal in about a month’s time if they were still failing to protect it from crippling U.S. sanctions, reimposed after Washington exited the deal (8). Iran threatened “to block all energy exports out of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil traffic passes, if it is unable to sell oil as promised by the 2015 deal in exchange for curbing its uranium enrichment programme” (8). It has already violated the deal by enriching uranium and stockpiling heavy water beyond the levels allowed. It denies that it is seeking to build a nuclear bomb but there is no other legitimate use for uranium enriched to these levels.

Iran also appears to be preparing a third attempt to launch its Nahid-1 telecommunications satellite into space (9).

Elections

In the midst of all these threats to our existence, Israelis will go to the polls on September 17 in a second attempt to elect a government. This will perhaps be the most important election the nation of Israel ever held. Given the childish taunts and accusations being bandied about by every candidate, and the corruption and dishonesty that infiltrates the entire political world, it is hard to know how to vote. It is also hard to know how to pray. However I would recommend the prayer of Derek Prince outlined in his book, “Secrets of a Prayer Warrior“,

“Lord give us leaders such that it will be to Your glory to give us victory through them.”

Furthermore, it is written,

“THE EFFECTIVE FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILS MUCH”

James 5:16

References:

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