Israel

March 22, 2019

Despite the economic damage caused by re-imposed US sanctions on its oil sector, Iran has made significant steps toward a threat made in January to switch strategies from defense to offense regarding its long-term goal of destroying Israel. Three recent developments reveal this new strategy: a drone operation, a new missile plant in Syria and deploying an armed flotilla. ‘Way to Jerusalem’ Drone Operation Last week, Iran’s Defense Ministry announced it had successfully completed a drone...

March 19, 2019

Disguised as a non-partisan rebuke against bigotry, last week’s vote in the US House of Representatives for HR183 hoisted anti-Semitism to a new level. Only 23 lawmakers – all Republicans – voted against a resolution originally intended to reprimand Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for remarks she made at a town hall. She had insinuated that American Jewish people have allegiance to Israel rather than the US. Jewish member Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), who previously sparred with Omar over anti-Sem...

February 22, 2019

Netanyahu and Arab leaders agree confronting Iran is key to Middle East peace Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with representatives of more than 60 countries last week at a summit co-sponsored by the U.S. and Poland. It was the first time an Israeli leader and senior Arab officials attended an international gathering centered on the Middle East since the 1991 Madrid peace conference, reported The Times of Israel. Speaking to reporters in Warsaw, Netanyahu called the meetings...

February 20, 2019

March 1‒7 Prayer for Israel Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Air Forces (IAF) Military service is mandatory in Israel for both male and female citizens over 18. Manning checkpoints on borders between Israeli and Palestinian areas are among the typical military functions, and these are often the sites of violent terror attacks. God, thank You for the men and women in Israel’s armed forces. Please protect them as they guard the people and Land of Israel. Give them courage and disce...

February 15, 2019

Israel’s Defense Ministry began the final phase of its border fortification project along the Gaza border with an above-ground, 20-foot-high smart fence in late January. Building on the effectiveness of the Israel-Egypt fence, Israel has been fortifying its border with Gaza because of Hamas infiltration through terrorist tunnels and from the Mediterranean Sea. The fencing is similar to the successful fence on the Egyptian border, “but it has significant improvements and includes innovative ...

February 13, 2019

You can imagine the disciples’ confusion – their glances around the room and the unspoken questions in their eyes. “What is He doing?” Yeshua (Jesus) had taken off His outer garment and wrapped a towel around His waist. He filled a basin with water, knelt before His disciples – and began washing their feet. How could this be? This was servants’ work. Yet here was their Rabbi, the Messiah of God, humbling Himself to serve them in one of the lowliest ways. After He finished, He explain...

February 08, 2019

Anti-Semitism isn’t new to the U.S. But a recent Anti-Defamation League annual report says it’s rising at an unprecedented rate. “Data released in November and presented to the Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Committee last week show a 67 percent increase in antisemitic incidents across the U.S.,” reported The Jerusalem Post in early January. The article further quoted FBI data showing that more than half of “anti-religion incidents” in the U.S. targeted Jewish people, despite ...

February 01, 2019

As a skier in a blue jacket and red pants slalomed down Mount Hermon in northern Israel, two vapor trails and a blast lit the sky. Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system had intercepted a medium-range surface-to-surface missile that Iran had fired into the popular ski resort from Syria. The missile had been fired from a location where Syria had promised not to host Iranian military personnel. Israel contends the missile aimed at Israeli civilians was a message from Syria and Iran: A ...

January 30, 2019

February 1‒7 Prayer for Israel Believers in Israel Of Israel’s 8.5 million people, only about 2 percent are Believers in Yeshua (Jesus). Approximately 20,000 of those are Messianic Jews (Jewish Believers in Yeshua). Gentile Believers in Israel are frequently viewed there as dangerous missionaries, while Messianic Jews are often believed to have betrayed their Jewish faith. It can be challenging. Lord, please strengthen the Body of Messiah in Israel. Encourage these Believers – both Mess...

January 25, 2019

The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory. - Isaiah 62:2 When the Palestinian Authority saw Arab nations publicly warming up to Israel late last year, President Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League of States (ALS). The 22 ALS members had agreed not to normalize relations with Israel until the 70-year-old Palestinian cause was resolved. Opposition Crumbles Six nations formed the ALS in 1945 to buttress Arab prosperity and security...