SITUATION ANALSYIS -- VI

Jerusalem, Israel

Barack Obama’s surge to power has left some conservative Jews worried about how he will tackle complex Middle East issues that affect Israel’s security. An Exit Poll taken in Israel, of absentee American-Israeli voters, found that a majority of them voted for John McCain because they thought he would do a better job at handling U.S.-Israel relations.

But, an overwhelming majority of American Jews living in the U.S. voted to put Obama in office. Most of them voted for what they perceive will be Obama’s U.S. domestic policies rather than what they hope will be his foreign policy initiatives concerning Israel. Yet, these same American Jews are also watching for signs that Obama’s pro-Israel promises will ring true.

Israeli-American Rahm Emanuel has been positioned in the future Obama Administration as his Chief of Staff. This has been a relief to some American Jews, but others feel the appointment has more to do with pushing Obama’s legislative agenda through the Democratic majority in Congress.

During this transitional period in the U.S., Obama’s priorities will be to solidify who his staff, cabinet, and political advisors will be when he takes the office of the American presidency in late January 2009. He will be looking at solutions to deal with the burgeoning U.S. financial crisis that has affected global financial markets. Following that, it’s expected that he will turn his focus towards finding a suitable withdrawal timetable for U.S. troops to pull out of Iraq, while aiming to fortify troops in Afghanistan. Next in line will be his controversial attempt to dialogue with Iranian leaders, something Israel opposes. The results of that diplomatic exchange will signal to Israel and the international community as to whether Iran’s ambitious nuclear program can be halted by diplomacy and sanctions, or whether military action will be necessary.

Not only will President Obama be dealing with Iran’s insistence to continue its nuclear program; but he will also have to decide what to do about North Korea’s current obstinacy regarding its nuclear program. Furthermore, Syria’s denial of a nascent nuclear program has International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) weapons inspectors insisting on further investigation. They say traces of uranium have been found at the site bombed by Israeli forces on September 6, 2007.

Meanwhile, it is too early to tell whether Barack Obama will surface as a global leader decisive in actions, especially in being able to keep Russia contained regarding its political and military ambitions. Russia’s leaders would like the nation to rise to superpower status once again. Currently, Russia’s parliament is trying to amend laws which would open the door for Vladimir Putin to re-emerge as president of the Russian people. In doing so, his intention to get a foothold in the Middle East, by strengthening his ties with Iran and Syria and their terrorist proxies will continue. Through massive arms sales, military bases and training offered in strategic cooperation agreements with rogue states in the region, Russia will be flexing its Middle East muscle, challenging Israel’s ability to have a qualitative edge, military, over its Arab neighbors.

Israelis hope that whoever becomes Prime Minister in the February 2009 general elections in the Jewish State will have common ground on the diplomatic front with Obama and his political team. It’s a wait and see attitude in Israel right now.

PRAYER POINTS:

(1) Pray that Obama will listen and clearly understand the security needs that Israel has.

(2) Pray that Israel will not be pressured by international leaders to compromise in regard to a two-state solution; especially if that solution leaves the Jewish State lacking defensible borders.

(3) Pray that American and global leaders will have discernment in understanding the real intentions behind the Arab Peace Initiative.

This Initiative would be part of a regional comprehensive peace deal between Israel and Arab states. But, it backs Israel into a corner. The plan requires that Israel withdraw to pre-1967 borders, relinquish the Golan Heights and divide Jerusalem. It also threatens a sustainable Jewish majority in Israel by demanding that tens of thousands of so-called Palestinian refugees be allowed to return to live in Israel.

Pray that the new U.S. administration understands the dangers in this Initiative that undermine Israel’s survival. Right now, Obama’s advisors are encouraging him to embrace the Initiative.

(4) Pray that a new Israeli government, led by a new Israeli Prime Minister, will have much wisdom, and be stable, strong and united in order to deal with the Iranian threat before the Islamic State has nuclear capability.

(5) Pray for Israel’s general elections in February 2009, and for the government coalition that will be formed at that time, according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

The three main candidates for the office of Prime Minister have stated their party platforms in general terms. However, in the past, an Israeli Prime Minister under pressure from the U.S. and the international community, has been known to concede on core issues, against the wishes of a majority of Israeli citizens.

Pray that this kind of compromise is avoided at all costs.

(6) Declare that He who keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep, according to Psalm 121:4. Remind the Lord that you will give Him no rest until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:6-7).

(7) God watches over His Holy Land and Holy City of Zion. Whoever touches Israel touches the apple of God’s eye. Proclaim Zechariah 2:8, and pray that the nations come into alignment with God’s plans for Israel, especially for Jerusalem.

(8) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, now and forevermore. Declare Psalm 125:2, and pray for God to keep watch over His Holy City for it to remain united.

(9) Pray for the protection and well-being of Israeli citizens who are currently under rocket attack in Sderot, Ashkelon, and in the Negev. Pray that though a thousand may fall at their side, and ten thousand at their right hand, the rockets shall not come near them. (Psalm 91:7).

(10) Read Psalm Chapter 2. May it be a stern warning to the new U.S. Administration and to the global community -- that God will judge how they treat His Son and His covenant land of promise.