Jerusalem, Israel
THE MOUNT CARMEL FIRE
The inferno that raged in Israel’s Mount Carmel’s forest region in December 2010 was the worst fire disaster Israel has experienced since its founding as a modern state. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, Turkey and Jordan sent firefighters, planes, and fire retardant to Israel to stop the blaze.
The fire was reportedly started by several Druze teenagers in the village of Isifiya who were negligent in putting out a small blaze where they had been smoking. Other blazes were started by arsonists later on. The fire raged out of control because for nearly ten months there was little or no rain in Israel, in addition to six previous years of below average rain fall. The forest was a tinder box ready to explode and the fire leaped from village to mountain top, making it impossible to control for at least four days.
The facts of the fire’s damage are staggering: A bus carrying Israeli prison guards was engulfed in the flames, and only a few made it out alive. A Haifa police commander, who thought one of her colleagues was on the bus, drove to the site, hit a fire wall, and incurred burns over most of her body. She died several days later. A 16 year old boy left school and ran to rescue his friends and died in the fire, as did several fighter fighters and volunteers.
Reports indicate that 44 people died as a result of the fire; 75-100 homes were destroyed; and, 35,000 dunams of trees burned, about a third of the Carmel forest. The cost of repair, including re-forestation, is expected to total billions of shekels. Many Israelis were displaced, and moved into hotels or stayed with friends and relatives. Some citizens are now receiving a small stipend from the government to pay for expenses, hopefully, until they are compensated for damages, and can re-build. Israelis want to re-build quickly and get on with their lives.
Yemin Orde, a youth village, was partially damaged in the fire. Bet Oren, a small kibbutz in the north, was at the epicenter of the fire. At least 15 buildings were destroyed there, including many apartments. In Ein Hod, an artist village nestled among the once beautiful trees of the Carmel region, several homes and book stores were burned to the ground.
Walking through Ein Hod it was obvious to this writer that some residents living there had been influenced by Eastern religions. It appeared that the artists had created idols for sale. One house, in particular, has been completely burned down. Many idols were sitting around the property, which was now only filled with ashes. On other properties, partially damaged by the fire, idols were laying on the ground, cracked and burned.
Many nations came to Israel’s rescue during the fire, even countries that had strained relations with the Jewish State. The general public was humiliated because Israel had to depend on other nations for help. Israeli citizens take pride in Israel being a “first responder” to other countries in times of crisis.
During the Second Lebanon War, Israel incurred damage in the north of the country, due to Hezbollah’s rockets exploding in the forests; and, due to fires started by arsonists. A subsequent report determined that Israel did not have enough equipment or staff to control a major fire. However, nothing was done to upgrade Israel’s fire and rescue services. When the Carmel fire erupted, Israel was understaffed, ill-equipped, and under-financed for such a major disaster. Was the Carmel fire a wake-up call to the Israeli government during peaceful times of what could happen during a future time of war?
PRAYER POINTS:
• Intercede according to Deuteronomy 4:23-36.
• Read Joel 2:30-32, and pray that Israelis would heed the words of the prophet, repent, and call on the name of the Lord.
• Acknowledging Malachi Chapters 3 and 4; 1 Kings 18:19-21; and 1 Kings 18:36-39, entreat the Lord on Israel’s behalf, praying its citizens would cry out to the Lord with one voice, turn from their idols, and seek Him above all. May the Spirit of Elijah prepare the way of the Lord on Mount Carmel and in all of Israel.
• It is Israel’s destiny to be a “light to the nations.” But, until the land is cleansed from iniquity, Israelis will have to lean on those people God provides, to aid and rescue them in their afflictions. As Israel mourns the death of loved ones lost in this devastating fire, pray that the Lord will pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication upon His chosen people. (See Zechariah 12:10).
• Pray according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, that Israelis will humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from evil ways. May the Lord hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land!
A News Prayer Network, providing prayer points on current issues in the news, from Jerusalem to the rest of the world
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXX
Jerusalem, Israel
NEW EFFORTS TO EXPLAIN ISRAEL’S VITAL SECURITY INTERESTS
Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have ended. The Palestinians blame Israel for not continuing the settlement moratorium. The Israelis blame the Palestinians for refusing to recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. Despite U.S. pressure and demanding timetables, 2010 negotiations at the level of indirect proximity talks leading to direct talks, has gained little ground and accomplished almost nothing in moving the peace process forward. Instead, what has been emphasized, to an already skeptical global community, are the wide gaps that remain between Israel and the Palestinians.
THE FEAR OF UNILATERAL MOVES
The current threat, posed by the Palestinians, is the possibility of a unilateral declaration of statehood, which would be internationally recognized through a UN Security Council resolution. Adding to that is the threat of another UN resolution that would declare Jewish settlements illegal in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). This declaration might also extend to Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. Any such UN resolution would make it impossible for Israel to continue building for natural growth in order to meet the demands of its expanding population.
Israel has initiated a diplomatic campaign, through governmental and non-governmental channels, to educate the international community regarding its vital security needs and the importance of it retaining defensible borders. In this diplomatic campaign is an explanation as to why declaration of Palestinian statehood, without an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, would be a foolish undertaking.
NO MORE CONCESSIONS
Israel cannot provide further concessions to the Palestinians that would threaten the security interests of the Jewish State, and Jerusalem government leaders have now decided to emphasize this point in public statements.
According to Middle East analyst, Dan Dyker, who recently spoke to journalists in a conference call hosted by The Israel Project, Israel has moved from concession based diplomacy to a security based diplomacy model.
“Israel wants to be very clear about where it is going and what it needs,” Dyker stated. In his estimation, anything done by the Palestinians, unilaterally, will destabilize the Middle East, threaten U.S. interests in the region, and create a diplomatic war. He believes that there must be a bilateral agreement and not unilateral actions.
ISRAEL’S JEWISH IDENTITY
While Israeli citizens are willing to accept a nation state of the Palestinian people, sitting on its borders, the Palestinians are not willing to reciprocate. This has been a major point of contention in the peace process.
A critical component of Israel’s security is Palestinian acceptance of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. “Israel insists on this recognition today, because it reflects on the self definition of the Jewish people. It is a nation state that reflects on the destiny and the history of the Jewish people...There is no country in the world today that faces an assault on its national legitimacy,” declared Dyker.
Today, the Palestinian narrative, spread globally, undermines Israel’s ability to defend itself. Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, look to de-legitimize Israel on a daily basis. Dyker said there needs to be a culture of peace where there is reciprocity, mutual respect and recognition. For example, Israeli citizens are concerned that the Palestinian Authority still educates its people in armed resistance, threatening the survival of the Jewish State.
Ideologically, there’s been little change in Palestinian education circles. Palestinian television programs still encourage young children to think about eventually taking over Israel’s major cities. The Palestinian narrative does not encourage a future end to the conflict. According to Dyker, Israel cannot race to finalize borders in a peace agreement if Jewish citizens are going to live next to a population that has indoctrinated its children to support terrorism.
SECRET NEGOTIATIONS REPORTED
Secret diplomatic talks, involving the highest level of U.S. and Israeli leaders, may be undermining Israel’s public relations efforts. Reports indicate that the two countries could be hiding what may already be major concessions on Israel’s part, because of U.S. assurances on paper. The question remains as to whether Netanyahu is currently conceding land for peace, and dividing Jerusalem, because of U.S. pressure, and without the general public knowing about it.
Without referring to these reports, Dyker expressed his disapproval of hidden agendas. “Let’s not fool ourselves in thinking we can negotiate away in secret.”
The Oslo Accords, which were finalized in 1993, were partially negotiated in secret between Israel and the Palestinians. After seven years, the Accords failed to produce lasting peace. Dyker doesn’t want to see another failure in any future peace agreement.
ISRAEL’S INDEPENDENT NEED FOR DEFENSE AND CONTROL
One of the sticking points in peace negotiations has been Israel’s insistence in having its own military presence in certain areas. Referring to the suggestion that Israel accept international forces in the West Bank, or anywhere between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, Dyker said this would not work. “Israel has never asked any foreign country to defend it,” he said.
He gave the example of how UN forces in Lebanon have been unable to control arms flowing from Iran to Syria to Hezbollah. This is occurring despite UN Security Resolution 1701, initiated after the Second Lebanon War in 2006. There are now more than 50,000 new rockets in Hezbollah’s possession, while UN troops live in fear of repercussions if they try to stop the flow of weapons to Hezbollah terrorists.
Speaking about the ineffectiveness of UN forces in Lebanon, Dyker acknowledged, “They don‘t have the political will to turn down forces like Hezbollah. They have to check in with Lebanon before they take action, and they want to stay neutral. There are many caveats that restrict what they can do.”
In this new public relations campaign, Israel is emphasizing what it needs in order to retain national security at the highest level, including defensible borders. One of the factors is the necessity for Israeli unified control of Palestinian air space.
Dyker mentioned that it takes four minutes for a plane to fly from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. “Any enemy aircraft has to be knocked down 9 miles from any major city,” Dyker said. He referred to Israel’s small land space, narrow width, lack of strategic depth, and topological disadvantages. This creates a situation where Islamic extremists with short-range rockets and advanced weapons could stand on a Palestinian hillside and shoot down on Ben Gurion Airport.
Israel needs control over Israeli and Palestinian airspace in order to defend all citizens from an intruding enemy plane. “It would have to be knocked down in an area that wouldn’t hurt citizens in populated areas,” Dyker explained. He added that the Jordan Valley creates a wall to the east. If there is instability in Jordan because of an American pullout from Iraq, or because of an intrusion into the Jordan Valley by a nation at odds with Israel, this area becomes vulnerable, especially to terrorist infiltration. “If they could get to the hilltops, they could easily fire on any Israeli city.”
As Israeli leaders contemplate how to explain Israel’s policies in a clear and concise way to the global public, the Palestinians continue emphasizing what they believe is the current impasse in the peace process. Recently, Palestinian leaders said they will not be able to return to the peace table with the current Israeli government in power. They blame Netanyahu for the impasse, and are looking to the U.S. to initiate a new peace plan, while they also pursue UN recognition of a Palestinian state. Furthermore, they have dismissed talk of temporary solutions or the establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
In conclusion, while the rhetoric on both sides continues, it remains to be seen whether Israel’s present public diplomacy initiative will work to bring greater understanding and sympathy towards the Jewish State’s essential security requirements, especially in the face of future Palestinian aspirations.
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
Psalm 35:1
NEW EFFORTS TO EXPLAIN ISRAEL’S VITAL SECURITY INTERESTS
Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have ended. The Palestinians blame Israel for not continuing the settlement moratorium. The Israelis blame the Palestinians for refusing to recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. Despite U.S. pressure and demanding timetables, 2010 negotiations at the level of indirect proximity talks leading to direct talks, has gained little ground and accomplished almost nothing in moving the peace process forward. Instead, what has been emphasized, to an already skeptical global community, are the wide gaps that remain between Israel and the Palestinians.
THE FEAR OF UNILATERAL MOVES
The current threat, posed by the Palestinians, is the possibility of a unilateral declaration of statehood, which would be internationally recognized through a UN Security Council resolution. Adding to that is the threat of another UN resolution that would declare Jewish settlements illegal in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). This declaration might also extend to Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. Any such UN resolution would make it impossible for Israel to continue building for natural growth in order to meet the demands of its expanding population.
Israel has initiated a diplomatic campaign, through governmental and non-governmental channels, to educate the international community regarding its vital security needs and the importance of it retaining defensible borders. In this diplomatic campaign is an explanation as to why declaration of Palestinian statehood, without an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, would be a foolish undertaking.
NO MORE CONCESSIONS
Israel cannot provide further concessions to the Palestinians that would threaten the security interests of the Jewish State, and Jerusalem government leaders have now decided to emphasize this point in public statements.
According to Middle East analyst, Dan Dyker, who recently spoke to journalists in a conference call hosted by The Israel Project, Israel has moved from concession based diplomacy to a security based diplomacy model.
“Israel wants to be very clear about where it is going and what it needs,” Dyker stated. In his estimation, anything done by the Palestinians, unilaterally, will destabilize the Middle East, threaten U.S. interests in the region, and create a diplomatic war. He believes that there must be a bilateral agreement and not unilateral actions.
ISRAEL’S JEWISH IDENTITY
While Israeli citizens are willing to accept a nation state of the Palestinian people, sitting on its borders, the Palestinians are not willing to reciprocate. This has been a major point of contention in the peace process.
A critical component of Israel’s security is Palestinian acceptance of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. “Israel insists on this recognition today, because it reflects on the self definition of the Jewish people. It is a nation state that reflects on the destiny and the history of the Jewish people...There is no country in the world today that faces an assault on its national legitimacy,” declared Dyker.
Today, the Palestinian narrative, spread globally, undermines Israel’s ability to defend itself. Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, look to de-legitimize Israel on a daily basis. Dyker said there needs to be a culture of peace where there is reciprocity, mutual respect and recognition. For example, Israeli citizens are concerned that the Palestinian Authority still educates its people in armed resistance, threatening the survival of the Jewish State.
Ideologically, there’s been little change in Palestinian education circles. Palestinian television programs still encourage young children to think about eventually taking over Israel’s major cities. The Palestinian narrative does not encourage a future end to the conflict. According to Dyker, Israel cannot race to finalize borders in a peace agreement if Jewish citizens are going to live next to a population that has indoctrinated its children to support terrorism.
SECRET NEGOTIATIONS REPORTED
Secret diplomatic talks, involving the highest level of U.S. and Israeli leaders, may be undermining Israel’s public relations efforts. Reports indicate that the two countries could be hiding what may already be major concessions on Israel’s part, because of U.S. assurances on paper. The question remains as to whether Netanyahu is currently conceding land for peace, and dividing Jerusalem, because of U.S. pressure, and without the general public knowing about it.
Without referring to these reports, Dyker expressed his disapproval of hidden agendas. “Let’s not fool ourselves in thinking we can negotiate away in secret.”
The Oslo Accords, which were finalized in 1993, were partially negotiated in secret between Israel and the Palestinians. After seven years, the Accords failed to produce lasting peace. Dyker doesn’t want to see another failure in any future peace agreement.
ISRAEL’S INDEPENDENT NEED FOR DEFENSE AND CONTROL
One of the sticking points in peace negotiations has been Israel’s insistence in having its own military presence in certain areas. Referring to the suggestion that Israel accept international forces in the West Bank, or anywhere between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, Dyker said this would not work. “Israel has never asked any foreign country to defend it,” he said.
He gave the example of how UN forces in Lebanon have been unable to control arms flowing from Iran to Syria to Hezbollah. This is occurring despite UN Security Resolution 1701, initiated after the Second Lebanon War in 2006. There are now more than 50,000 new rockets in Hezbollah’s possession, while UN troops live in fear of repercussions if they try to stop the flow of weapons to Hezbollah terrorists.
Speaking about the ineffectiveness of UN forces in Lebanon, Dyker acknowledged, “They don‘t have the political will to turn down forces like Hezbollah. They have to check in with Lebanon before they take action, and they want to stay neutral. There are many caveats that restrict what they can do.”
In this new public relations campaign, Israel is emphasizing what it needs in order to retain national security at the highest level, including defensible borders. One of the factors is the necessity for Israeli unified control of Palestinian air space.
Dyker mentioned that it takes four minutes for a plane to fly from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. “Any enemy aircraft has to be knocked down 9 miles from any major city,” Dyker said. He referred to Israel’s small land space, narrow width, lack of strategic depth, and topological disadvantages. This creates a situation where Islamic extremists with short-range rockets and advanced weapons could stand on a Palestinian hillside and shoot down on Ben Gurion Airport.
Israel needs control over Israeli and Palestinian airspace in order to defend all citizens from an intruding enemy plane. “It would have to be knocked down in an area that wouldn’t hurt citizens in populated areas,” Dyker explained. He added that the Jordan Valley creates a wall to the east. If there is instability in Jordan because of an American pullout from Iraq, or because of an intrusion into the Jordan Valley by a nation at odds with Israel, this area becomes vulnerable, especially to terrorist infiltration. “If they could get to the hilltops, they could easily fire on any Israeli city.”
As Israeli leaders contemplate how to explain Israel’s policies in a clear and concise way to the global public, the Palestinians continue emphasizing what they believe is the current impasse in the peace process. Recently, Palestinian leaders said they will not be able to return to the peace table with the current Israeli government in power. They blame Netanyahu for the impasse, and are looking to the U.S. to initiate a new peace plan, while they also pursue UN recognition of a Palestinian state. Furthermore, they have dismissed talk of temporary solutions or the establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
In conclusion, while the rhetoric on both sides continues, it remains to be seen whether Israel’s present public diplomacy initiative will work to bring greater understanding and sympathy towards the Jewish State’s essential security requirements, especially in the face of future Palestinian aspirations.
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
Psalm 35:1
Friday, October 8, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS XXIX
Jerusalem, Israel
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN OF ISRAEL
“I declare that I will be a loyal citizen of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” These are the words that candidates for Israeli citizenship will have to declare if the Israeli cabinet approves an amendment, on Sunday, October 10, 2010, to the current Citizenship Law. The words “as a Jewish and democratic state” are an addition to the traditional pledge.
New citizens that are eligible for the army will have to promise to defend the country. All would-be citizens will have to agree to perform any civilian service asked of them.
Some Israeli analysts believe that the bill is pointed at Israeli Arabs. But, considering that a majority of Palestinians want their future state to encompass all of Israel and the territories, the bill is also pointed at them. Any Palestinians that are allowed to live in Israel under a final peace agreement will have to pledge their allegiance to the state of Israel if the amendment is approved.
In a recent cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the State of Israel is “a Jewish state but it is also a democratic state. It is the national state of the Jewish People in the sense that every Jew can come here, from anywhere in the world, and make his home. The Jews have a state of their own,” proclaimed Netanyahu.
Netanyahu also commented that non-Jews live in Israel, and they deserve full equal rights in the Israeli democracy of this Jewish state. “It is a democratic state, in the spirit of our Declaration of Independence. I was born with this understanding about the country. I have written about this. I have defended it in every position I have held over the years. This is deeply ingrained in my soul both as Prime Minister and as a citizen of this country. Therefore, what we are doing expresses the nature and character of the State of Israel. This is what we expect of others and of ourselves. The expectation is also valid for those who seek to join our country – and this is both proper and natural, I would say that anything else would be unnatural and there is a great struggle today to annul and blur Israel's identity as the national state of the Jewish People and say that it does not belong to the Jewish people in a national sense.”
The fact that Netanyahu has had to repeat these words, over and over again, both in peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and in meetings with diplomats, indicates a serious deterioration in Israel’s diplomatic relations with the international community. After 62 years of modern statehood, Israel is still defending its right to the Promised Land.
What has not been addressed, publicly, by the Israeli government, is whether new citizens will be obliged to learn and sing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. No changes have been addressed, but it is obvious that the anthem is meant, specifically, for Jews returning to Israel from the Diaspora. The national anthem does not address another people group becoming citizens of Israel.
Here are the poetic words of Hatikvah:
“As long as deep in the heart,
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And, forward to the East, to Zion, an eye looks
Our hope will not be lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free nation in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.”
Zion represents not only God’s beloved city, Jerusalem, but also represents the entire land of Israel to many Jewish people. Palestinians, and most Israeli Arabs, however, believe the land of Israel belongs to them and they do not acknowledge Israel’s biblical claims to the city of Jerusalem and to Zion.
Some Israeli rabbis think that it is from the earth of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem that Adam was created. It was here that Isaac could have been sacrificed by Abraham on Mt. Moriah had the God of Israel not intervened. This is where the Lord chose His Holy Temple to be built according to students of the Old and New Testaments.
Jerusalem is the epicenter that draws Jews and Christians from all over the world to come and worship God, which is a fulfillment of the biblical scriptures.
Zechariah 8:20-22: “Thus says the Lord of Hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come; inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of Hosts. I, myself will go also,” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.”
For the Jewish people, Jerusalem is not just a capital city. Jerusalem represents the steady existence of a land and people since biblical times. It is a city that encompasses the collective dreams and hopes of the Jewish people. Jerusalem will continue to draw Jewish people back to their homeland to inherit the land that the God of Israel has promised them.
The threat of Jerusalem being divided in a final peace agreement with the Palestinians represents a concern not only for Israelis but for Jews living in the nations who look towards Jerusalem as their holy city.
Declaring that Jerusalem must remain the undivided eternal capital of the Jewish State is important for pro-Israel supporters who are fighting against those seeking to de-legitimize the state of Israel.
Returning to Jerusalem is declared every year by Jews living in the Diaspora who celebrate Passover. Jewish people look at each other after the Passover Seder and say, in Hebrew: “Next year in Jerusalem”.
This brings to the forefront the identity of Israel represented by Jews throughout the world. These words go to the depths of the very heart and soul of a Jew.
Therefore, while the state of Israel attempts to amend the Citizenship Law, it should also consider how it wants to deal with the national anthem, especially in regard to new citizens who are not Jewish. Hatikvah, more than the Citizenship Law, represents the heart of the Jewish people – not only today, but also when the modern state of Israel was established in 1948. It is this Jewish national identity with God’s land of promise -- the Jewish homeland -- that is being contested by the world today.
Psalm 137:6: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For, there, those who carried us away captive asked of us a song. And, those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth – If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN OF ISRAEL
“I declare that I will be a loyal citizen of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” These are the words that candidates for Israeli citizenship will have to declare if the Israeli cabinet approves an amendment, on Sunday, October 10, 2010, to the current Citizenship Law. The words “as a Jewish and democratic state” are an addition to the traditional pledge.
New citizens that are eligible for the army will have to promise to defend the country. All would-be citizens will have to agree to perform any civilian service asked of them.
Some Israeli analysts believe that the bill is pointed at Israeli Arabs. But, considering that a majority of Palestinians want their future state to encompass all of Israel and the territories, the bill is also pointed at them. Any Palestinians that are allowed to live in Israel under a final peace agreement will have to pledge their allegiance to the state of Israel if the amendment is approved.
In a recent cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the State of Israel is “a Jewish state but it is also a democratic state. It is the national state of the Jewish People in the sense that every Jew can come here, from anywhere in the world, and make his home. The Jews have a state of their own,” proclaimed Netanyahu.
Netanyahu also commented that non-Jews live in Israel, and they deserve full equal rights in the Israeli democracy of this Jewish state. “It is a democratic state, in the spirit of our Declaration of Independence. I was born with this understanding about the country. I have written about this. I have defended it in every position I have held over the years. This is deeply ingrained in my soul both as Prime Minister and as a citizen of this country. Therefore, what we are doing expresses the nature and character of the State of Israel. This is what we expect of others and of ourselves. The expectation is also valid for those who seek to join our country – and this is both proper and natural, I would say that anything else would be unnatural and there is a great struggle today to annul and blur Israel's identity as the national state of the Jewish People and say that it does not belong to the Jewish people in a national sense.”
The fact that Netanyahu has had to repeat these words, over and over again, both in peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and in meetings with diplomats, indicates a serious deterioration in Israel’s diplomatic relations with the international community. After 62 years of modern statehood, Israel is still defending its right to the Promised Land.
What has not been addressed, publicly, by the Israeli government, is whether new citizens will be obliged to learn and sing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. No changes have been addressed, but it is obvious that the anthem is meant, specifically, for Jews returning to Israel from the Diaspora. The national anthem does not address another people group becoming citizens of Israel.
Here are the poetic words of Hatikvah:
“As long as deep in the heart,
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And, forward to the East, to Zion, an eye looks
Our hope will not be lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free nation in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.”
Zion represents not only God’s beloved city, Jerusalem, but also represents the entire land of Israel to many Jewish people. Palestinians, and most Israeli Arabs, however, believe the land of Israel belongs to them and they do not acknowledge Israel’s biblical claims to the city of Jerusalem and to Zion.
Some Israeli rabbis think that it is from the earth of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem that Adam was created. It was here that Isaac could have been sacrificed by Abraham on Mt. Moriah had the God of Israel not intervened. This is where the Lord chose His Holy Temple to be built according to students of the Old and New Testaments.
Jerusalem is the epicenter that draws Jews and Christians from all over the world to come and worship God, which is a fulfillment of the biblical scriptures.
Zechariah 8:20-22: “Thus says the Lord of Hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come; inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of Hosts. I, myself will go also,” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.”
For the Jewish people, Jerusalem is not just a capital city. Jerusalem represents the steady existence of a land and people since biblical times. It is a city that encompasses the collective dreams and hopes of the Jewish people. Jerusalem will continue to draw Jewish people back to their homeland to inherit the land that the God of Israel has promised them.
The threat of Jerusalem being divided in a final peace agreement with the Palestinians represents a concern not only for Israelis but for Jews living in the nations who look towards Jerusalem as their holy city.
Declaring that Jerusalem must remain the undivided eternal capital of the Jewish State is important for pro-Israel supporters who are fighting against those seeking to de-legitimize the state of Israel.
Returning to Jerusalem is declared every year by Jews living in the Diaspora who celebrate Passover. Jewish people look at each other after the Passover Seder and say, in Hebrew: “Next year in Jerusalem”.
This brings to the forefront the identity of Israel represented by Jews throughout the world. These words go to the depths of the very heart and soul of a Jew.
Therefore, while the state of Israel attempts to amend the Citizenship Law, it should also consider how it wants to deal with the national anthem, especially in regard to new citizens who are not Jewish. Hatikvah, more than the Citizenship Law, represents the heart of the Jewish people – not only today, but also when the modern state of Israel was established in 1948. It is this Jewish national identity with God’s land of promise -- the Jewish homeland -- that is being contested by the world today.
Psalm 137:6: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For, there, those who carried us away captive asked of us a song. And, those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth – If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXVIII
Jerusalem, Israel
ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO THE LAND -- Direct Talks with the Palestinians
A second round of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians begin on Tuesday, September 14. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly talked about reaching an “historic compromise” with his “partner for peace”, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. While Netanyahu has kept much of the content of direct talks private, he has publicly insisted that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the State of the Jewish people. He is also demanding that there be an end to the conflict with the signing of a peace accord. Abbas has said that the Palestinians will not agree to any concessions on their part towards Israel. After 17 years at attempted peace-making, most Israelis and Palestinians are skeptical and weary.
Israelis are tired of conceding to the Palestinians with no reciprocation. Israel’s right-wing government ministers are watching closely for signals from Netanyahu, as to whether he is already giving in to Palestinian demands at the beginning of the direct talks, without receiving something in return. In Netanyahu’s recent statements, he has referred to the disputed territory as the West Bank rather than Judea and Samaria, even though, in the past, he has always been careful to refer to the territory by its biblical name. For the first time, ever, Netanyahu has publicly referred to Palestinian “sovereignty” over a future state of the Palestinian people. These are worrying signs for those who do not want to see Israel enter into an agreement that would divide the land and threaten Israel’s security.
Israel’s Biblical Roots
For pro-Israel supporters, what should be of most concern is that the Palestinian narrative has become the acceptable “norm” of U.S. and international interlocutors. They are basing the Palestinian right to the land on historical roots. At the same time, the Israeli government is trying to defend Israel’s right to the land based on historical roots. But, the real root of the issue at hand is Israel’s biblical right to the land, based on promises made by the God of Israel in His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The insistence, on the part of the Palestinians, that the Jewish people are occupying Arab land, and ultimately this land must be conquered and ruled by Islam, has not been fully challenged in a public discourse by pro-Israel leaders.
The Jewish State’s failure to present the biblical ties of the Jewish people to the land, as a public demonstration of Jewish sovereignty, is an unfortunate shortcoming of Israel’s present and past governments. This is causing Israel to lose the battle in media and diplomatic circles, as well as at the Middle East bargaining table. It has resulted in greater empathy expressed towards the cause of the Palestinian people by much of the global community.
Meanwhile, Israel has every right to present a biblical case for not dividing the land, through private direct talks, and in statements to the general public. Israeli leaders should also be presenting their case for Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem, based on a multitude of promises mentioned in the Tanach (the Old Testament). In so doing, Israel will spell out a sure foundation for its claim to the land it currently occupies, and for its control over its capital city.
An example of a biblical case for Israel’s sovereignty over the disputed territory begins with a clear demonstration of God’s eternal and everlasting land promises expressed in the Abrahamic Covenant, and mentioned in Genesis 15:18. This scripture points out the exact area that Israel is to inherit. It not only encompasses the current disputed territory, but much more. It provides details that this covenant was established through Abraham and his descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates. This covenant was unconditional and eternal. In Genesis 17:19, the Bible directly refers to this covenant that Abraham’s son Isaac inherits and his descendants after him. The Promised Land covenant is referred to, again, in Genesis 28:3-4, when the Lord is speaking to Jacob, who later becomes Israel (Genesis 32:28). Ishmael and his descendants do not inherit this covenant.
Genesis 17:20-21 explains, just as clearly, the Lord’s blessing upon Ishmael. Ishmael is told that he will be fruitful and multiply exceedingly; that he will produce 12 princes and be a great nation. Today, Arab states in the Middle East region are prospering, confirming this blessing to Ishmael’s seed. But, most of the Arab peoples are not following the God of Abraham and his descendants. Instead, a majority of them are Moslems; worshipping a pagan moon god; and, many have aligned themselves with the violent and radical streams of Islam.
Judea and Samaria – the Mountains of Israel
The mountains of Israel are the heartland of the nation, and this is the land promised to the children of Israel, mentioned in Ezekiel 36:8-11. Jewish people lived in this area, called Judea and Samaria, when Israel was attacked by six Arab Moslem nations in 1948. Jewish communities in the area were destroyed by Arab Forces during Israel’s War of Independence at that time.
In 1967, during the Six Day War, when Israel was attacked, again, by surrounding Arab nations, Israeli forces re-captured Judea and Samaria from the Jordanians. The Jewish communities there were re-built and, today, a few have developed from small settlement towns into flourishing cities such as Ariel and Maale Adumim. Ancient biblical sites are also thriving: Mount Gaash, which supports Ariel; Kiryat Arba, located near Hebron (David’s city); Shiloh; and Bet El (Bethel).
But, the narrative in media reporting today, is that this territory is supposed to be given over to the Palestinians. It is the Palestinians who are expected to establish their own state on biblical land which belongs to the Jewish people. Why aren’t pro-Israel pundits highlighting and emphasizing this contradiction?
The Israeli government, and many of the Israeli people, have now accepted this Palestinian narrative, which has also become ingrained in the minds of politicians and diplomats in the international community. The UN, EU, and Quartet (UN, EU, U.S., and Russia) have established resolutions to help the Palestinians gain international acceptance for their so-called “historical” rights to this land, without Israel’s “biblical and historical” rights being considered.
The only international sympathy towards the Jewish State has been attention given to Israel’s security needs. The nations are pressing Israel into accepting international troops on its borders to accommodate those needs. Israel has refused this offer, stating the inept ability of already established UNIFIL troops in Lebanon that are supposed to be protecting south Lebanese villages from an infiltration of Hezbollah missiles, weapons, and arms depots. UNIFIL has failed to adequately enforce UN Security Resolution 1701, which is undermining Israel’s security on its border with Lebanon.
The Development of a Confederacy
It appears that the United States is making great efforts at forming a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, which would include moderate Arab states. U.S. President Barack Obama, along with his current peace envoy George Mitchell, and American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all support the division of the Jewish State. They are helping to form a U.S. led coalition, which resembles a confederacy.
Attention given to the Arab Peace Initiative, by the international community, confirms that many nations support Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 borders, which means releasing all control over Judea and Samaria to Palestinian forces. This would give Israel limited ability to defend its borders. This confederacy that is being established points to Psalm Chapter 83.
Furthermore, it seems that the Palestinians are working towards unilaterally declaring their own state. The Palestinians are already looking to the UN, EU, and the Quartet to internationally recognize their future state. Behind the scenes, they are trying to broker a deal for a UN Security Council resolution which would be introduced sometime in 2011 or 2012.
Today, the nations are trying to de-legitimize Israel. They are condemning the Jewish State, accusing Israel of war crimes. International leaders enter into lies, slander, and falsehoods, to undermine Israel, and threaten its existence. And, the confederacy has developed to such a point that certain nations are blindly rejecting God’s eternal covenant with the Jewish people.
A quote from Jordan’s King Abdullah, in August 2010, confirms this:
“What we are trying to achieve is Israelis and Palestinians moving the process forward, so the Arab Peace Initiative can be activated, and so that Israel’s future is not just to the Jordan River, Lebanon or Sinai. The bigger picture for the Israeli people is Israelis’ integration into the Arab Islamic world; that is the prize.”
That may be the prize for Arab nations, but it is not the prize for Israel based on the biblical scriptures.
Meanwhile, Jordan, which is already sitting on Israeli territory, has not been willing to absorb the Palestinians, or take any responsibility for the establishment of a Palestinian state. As a sign of God’s displeasure, Jordan may soon be confronted by the same forces that are causing instability in Iraq. In the future, Jordan could be trampled down by radical Islamic groups that are interested in using Jordan as a launching pad against Israel. This would threaten Israel’s eastern border. (See Ezekiel 36:5-7).
This is one reason that Israel has insisted, in negotiations with the Palestinians, that the IDF (Israel’s Defense Forces) must have a presence on Israel’s eastern border to protect it from terrorist infiltration into the Jordan Valley. So far, Abbas has refused to consider this Israeli request towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Futility of Unilateral Actions
The Israelis have already made some mistakes when it comes to stewarding God’s land. Past Israeli governments have engaged in two controversial unilateral withdrawals from land. In the year 2000, Israeli forces unilaterally withdrew from Lebanon, abandoning the South Lebanese Army which had been faithful to Israel at the time.
Today, the Iranian-backed radical Shiite group, Hezbollah, has filled the vacuum, and is Israel’s most formidable foe on the Jewish State’s northern border.
In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew IDF forces from the Gaza Strip, uprooting 6-7,000 Israelis from their homes. Today, the Iranian-backed radical Islamic group, Hamas, has filled the vacuum on Israel’s southern border, and has become another enemy of the Jewish State.
Both terror groups refuse to recognize Israel’s existence or the right for Israel to control its capital city, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem government leaders know that if Israel unilaterally withdraws from Judea and Samaria, without a final peace accord established, radical Palestinian forces will fill the vacuum; Hamas will take over the area; and, missiles will be launched against Israel’s major cities. Even if Israel signs a formal accord with the Palestinians, this is a serious threat to Israel’s existence. There’s also a great possibility of civil war developing in Israel if 75-100,000 Israelis are forced to leave their homes in Judea and Samaria and move elsewhere within the state. As a result, there’s the possibility of, not only a future war between Israel and the Palestinians, but an inevitable conflict between Israelis, themselves. The division of the land could result in a great divide between the Israeli people.
Fruitless Efforts at Peacemaking
Meanwhile, Israel has tried peacemaking several times: The Camp David Accords, the Wye River Accords, the Oslo Peace agreement, Oslo II, the Road Map, The Annapolis Process, Proximity Talks, and now Direct Talks with the Palestinians. But, as long as the Jewish people continue to offer concessions on the land that they are commanded to inherit; doing so in defiance of God’s promised eternal and everlasting covenant with them; the more the likelihood that any future peace deal will not bring them peace at all.
The sooner that Israeli leaders realize this; and stop blindly offering biblical land for peace -- the sooner they will receive the peace which God, Himself has intended to establish with them forever.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO THE LAND -- Direct Talks with the Palestinians
A second round of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians begin on Tuesday, September 14. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly talked about reaching an “historic compromise” with his “partner for peace”, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. While Netanyahu has kept much of the content of direct talks private, he has publicly insisted that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the State of the Jewish people. He is also demanding that there be an end to the conflict with the signing of a peace accord. Abbas has said that the Palestinians will not agree to any concessions on their part towards Israel. After 17 years at attempted peace-making, most Israelis and Palestinians are skeptical and weary.
Israelis are tired of conceding to the Palestinians with no reciprocation. Israel’s right-wing government ministers are watching closely for signals from Netanyahu, as to whether he is already giving in to Palestinian demands at the beginning of the direct talks, without receiving something in return. In Netanyahu’s recent statements, he has referred to the disputed territory as the West Bank rather than Judea and Samaria, even though, in the past, he has always been careful to refer to the territory by its biblical name. For the first time, ever, Netanyahu has publicly referred to Palestinian “sovereignty” over a future state of the Palestinian people. These are worrying signs for those who do not want to see Israel enter into an agreement that would divide the land and threaten Israel’s security.
Israel’s Biblical Roots
For pro-Israel supporters, what should be of most concern is that the Palestinian narrative has become the acceptable “norm” of U.S. and international interlocutors. They are basing the Palestinian right to the land on historical roots. At the same time, the Israeli government is trying to defend Israel’s right to the land based on historical roots. But, the real root of the issue at hand is Israel’s biblical right to the land, based on promises made by the God of Israel in His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The insistence, on the part of the Palestinians, that the Jewish people are occupying Arab land, and ultimately this land must be conquered and ruled by Islam, has not been fully challenged in a public discourse by pro-Israel leaders.
The Jewish State’s failure to present the biblical ties of the Jewish people to the land, as a public demonstration of Jewish sovereignty, is an unfortunate shortcoming of Israel’s present and past governments. This is causing Israel to lose the battle in media and diplomatic circles, as well as at the Middle East bargaining table. It has resulted in greater empathy expressed towards the cause of the Palestinian people by much of the global community.
Meanwhile, Israel has every right to present a biblical case for not dividing the land, through private direct talks, and in statements to the general public. Israeli leaders should also be presenting their case for Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem, based on a multitude of promises mentioned in the Tanach (the Old Testament). In so doing, Israel will spell out a sure foundation for its claim to the land it currently occupies, and for its control over its capital city.
An example of a biblical case for Israel’s sovereignty over the disputed territory begins with a clear demonstration of God’s eternal and everlasting land promises expressed in the Abrahamic Covenant, and mentioned in Genesis 15:18. This scripture points out the exact area that Israel is to inherit. It not only encompasses the current disputed territory, but much more. It provides details that this covenant was established through Abraham and his descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates. This covenant was unconditional and eternal. In Genesis 17:19, the Bible directly refers to this covenant that Abraham’s son Isaac inherits and his descendants after him. The Promised Land covenant is referred to, again, in Genesis 28:3-4, when the Lord is speaking to Jacob, who later becomes Israel (Genesis 32:28). Ishmael and his descendants do not inherit this covenant.
Genesis 17:20-21 explains, just as clearly, the Lord’s blessing upon Ishmael. Ishmael is told that he will be fruitful and multiply exceedingly; that he will produce 12 princes and be a great nation. Today, Arab states in the Middle East region are prospering, confirming this blessing to Ishmael’s seed. But, most of the Arab peoples are not following the God of Abraham and his descendants. Instead, a majority of them are Moslems; worshipping a pagan moon god; and, many have aligned themselves with the violent and radical streams of Islam.
Judea and Samaria – the Mountains of Israel
The mountains of Israel are the heartland of the nation, and this is the land promised to the children of Israel, mentioned in Ezekiel 36:8-11. Jewish people lived in this area, called Judea and Samaria, when Israel was attacked by six Arab Moslem nations in 1948. Jewish communities in the area were destroyed by Arab Forces during Israel’s War of Independence at that time.
In 1967, during the Six Day War, when Israel was attacked, again, by surrounding Arab nations, Israeli forces re-captured Judea and Samaria from the Jordanians. The Jewish communities there were re-built and, today, a few have developed from small settlement towns into flourishing cities such as Ariel and Maale Adumim. Ancient biblical sites are also thriving: Mount Gaash, which supports Ariel; Kiryat Arba, located near Hebron (David’s city); Shiloh; and Bet El (Bethel).
But, the narrative in media reporting today, is that this territory is supposed to be given over to the Palestinians. It is the Palestinians who are expected to establish their own state on biblical land which belongs to the Jewish people. Why aren’t pro-Israel pundits highlighting and emphasizing this contradiction?
The Israeli government, and many of the Israeli people, have now accepted this Palestinian narrative, which has also become ingrained in the minds of politicians and diplomats in the international community. The UN, EU, and Quartet (UN, EU, U.S., and Russia) have established resolutions to help the Palestinians gain international acceptance for their so-called “historical” rights to this land, without Israel’s “biblical and historical” rights being considered.
The only international sympathy towards the Jewish State has been attention given to Israel’s security needs. The nations are pressing Israel into accepting international troops on its borders to accommodate those needs. Israel has refused this offer, stating the inept ability of already established UNIFIL troops in Lebanon that are supposed to be protecting south Lebanese villages from an infiltration of Hezbollah missiles, weapons, and arms depots. UNIFIL has failed to adequately enforce UN Security Resolution 1701, which is undermining Israel’s security on its border with Lebanon.
The Development of a Confederacy
It appears that the United States is making great efforts at forming a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, which would include moderate Arab states. U.S. President Barack Obama, along with his current peace envoy George Mitchell, and American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all support the division of the Jewish State. They are helping to form a U.S. led coalition, which resembles a confederacy.
Attention given to the Arab Peace Initiative, by the international community, confirms that many nations support Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 borders, which means releasing all control over Judea and Samaria to Palestinian forces. This would give Israel limited ability to defend its borders. This confederacy that is being established points to Psalm Chapter 83.
Furthermore, it seems that the Palestinians are working towards unilaterally declaring their own state. The Palestinians are already looking to the UN, EU, and the Quartet to internationally recognize their future state. Behind the scenes, they are trying to broker a deal for a UN Security Council resolution which would be introduced sometime in 2011 or 2012.
Today, the nations are trying to de-legitimize Israel. They are condemning the Jewish State, accusing Israel of war crimes. International leaders enter into lies, slander, and falsehoods, to undermine Israel, and threaten its existence. And, the confederacy has developed to such a point that certain nations are blindly rejecting God’s eternal covenant with the Jewish people.
A quote from Jordan’s King Abdullah, in August 2010, confirms this:
“What we are trying to achieve is Israelis and Palestinians moving the process forward, so the Arab Peace Initiative can be activated, and so that Israel’s future is not just to the Jordan River, Lebanon or Sinai. The bigger picture for the Israeli people is Israelis’ integration into the Arab Islamic world; that is the prize.”
That may be the prize for Arab nations, but it is not the prize for Israel based on the biblical scriptures.
Meanwhile, Jordan, which is already sitting on Israeli territory, has not been willing to absorb the Palestinians, or take any responsibility for the establishment of a Palestinian state. As a sign of God’s displeasure, Jordan may soon be confronted by the same forces that are causing instability in Iraq. In the future, Jordan could be trampled down by radical Islamic groups that are interested in using Jordan as a launching pad against Israel. This would threaten Israel’s eastern border. (See Ezekiel 36:5-7).
This is one reason that Israel has insisted, in negotiations with the Palestinians, that the IDF (Israel’s Defense Forces) must have a presence on Israel’s eastern border to protect it from terrorist infiltration into the Jordan Valley. So far, Abbas has refused to consider this Israeli request towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Futility of Unilateral Actions
The Israelis have already made some mistakes when it comes to stewarding God’s land. Past Israeli governments have engaged in two controversial unilateral withdrawals from land. In the year 2000, Israeli forces unilaterally withdrew from Lebanon, abandoning the South Lebanese Army which had been faithful to Israel at the time.
Today, the Iranian-backed radical Shiite group, Hezbollah, has filled the vacuum, and is Israel’s most formidable foe on the Jewish State’s northern border.
In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew IDF forces from the Gaza Strip, uprooting 6-7,000 Israelis from their homes. Today, the Iranian-backed radical Islamic group, Hamas, has filled the vacuum on Israel’s southern border, and has become another enemy of the Jewish State.
Both terror groups refuse to recognize Israel’s existence or the right for Israel to control its capital city, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem government leaders know that if Israel unilaterally withdraws from Judea and Samaria, without a final peace accord established, radical Palestinian forces will fill the vacuum; Hamas will take over the area; and, missiles will be launched against Israel’s major cities. Even if Israel signs a formal accord with the Palestinians, this is a serious threat to Israel’s existence. There’s also a great possibility of civil war developing in Israel if 75-100,000 Israelis are forced to leave their homes in Judea and Samaria and move elsewhere within the state. As a result, there’s the possibility of, not only a future war between Israel and the Palestinians, but an inevitable conflict between Israelis, themselves. The division of the land could result in a great divide between the Israeli people.
Fruitless Efforts at Peacemaking
Meanwhile, Israel has tried peacemaking several times: The Camp David Accords, the Wye River Accords, the Oslo Peace agreement, Oslo II, the Road Map, The Annapolis Process, Proximity Talks, and now Direct Talks with the Palestinians. But, as long as the Jewish people continue to offer concessions on the land that they are commanded to inherit; doing so in defiance of God’s promised eternal and everlasting covenant with them; the more the likelihood that any future peace deal will not bring them peace at all.
The sooner that Israeli leaders realize this; and stop blindly offering biblical land for peace -- the sooner they will receive the peace which God, Himself has intended to establish with them forever.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Saturday, August 14, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXVII
Jerusalem, Israel
ISRAEL’S NEED FOR DETERRENCE
Since May 2010, Israel has been experiencing an escalation in attacks that have challenged the nation’s deterrence capabilities. A conflict on the Mediterranean Sea developed when a flotilla of ships, sponsored by Turkey, tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Then, rockets launched by Hamas in Gaza, hit Israel’s southern towns. That was followed by Grad missiles, launched from the Sinai that landed in Israel and Jordan. These missiles were, reportedly, unleashed by a global jihad group associated with Hamas and radical Egyptian Bedouins.
Clashes on Israel’s Northern Border
Most recently, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) shot and killed an Israeli battalion commander, and seriously wounded another Israeli soldier in a border clash. Israel responded with force and killed three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.
At the time of the Lebanese attack on Israel, the IDF was cutting down a Cyprus tree in one of the enclaves that exists between the Israeli fence and the demarcated Blue Line that marks the internationally recognized border. For several months, the LAF’s 9th Brigade had been provoking Israel in the enclaves. Lebanese soldiers were cocking and aiming their weapons at Israeli soldiers carrying out routine maintenance work. The LAF’s new Shiite officer, who is known to have close ties to Hezbollah, instigated these provocations, despite the fact that the enclaves are technically on the Israeli side of the border.
The recent shooting by the LAF was a further act of aggression, which directly challenged Israel’s sovereignty over the area. The sniper did not target the soldiers in the enclaves, but hit an officer at an IDF post on the Israeli side of the fence.
These on-going acts of hostility by Israel’s enemies have been a test to see how Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) will react, as the region heats up and gets closer to war. Israel must respond harshly and forcefully against any attack on its sovereignty, in order to deter its enemies from striking again. But, while sending that clear message, Israeli leaders are measuring just how hard to respond in order not to embroil the Jewish State in a full scale regional war at this time.
When the time is right, Israel will have to do something about the continued arms build-up in the north by Hezbollah, and in the south by Hamas, that threatens the survival of the Jewish State. Much of the funding, training, and arming of these two formidable foes comes from Iran. The longer Israel waits, the harder it will be for the Jewish State to defeat its enemies.
The deterioration of Israel’s deterrence capabilities continues, while the balance of power in the Middle East tips towards rogue states and non-state terrorist groups in the region. If Israel doesn’t take action soon, its enemies will.
Hezbollah has increased its political and military control over Lebanon. The terrorist group has become a strong force on the ground -- infiltrating the ranks of the LAF; setting up its own telecommunications system; increasing its intelligence gathering; and executing alleged spies it says have collaborated with Israel. Hezbollah has reportedly been relying on informants and Shiite sympathizers within the LAF to make sure that Hezbollah’s resistance force against Israel remains strong, especially in southern Lebanon.
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, has been building a recent case against Israel to curry favor with the Lebanese public. His guerilla group faces a possible indictment by an international tribunal in The Hague, which is planning to implicate Hezbollah in the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Concerned that an indictment will hurt Hezbollah’s image in Lebanon, and decrease its political and military influence in the country, Nasrallah wants to pin the assassination blame on Israel. To distract the international community from its problems at home, Hezbollah will continue to try and engage Israel in hostilities on the Lebanese border.
Meanwhile, these border clashes advance Iran and Syria’s interests. Iran wants to distract the international community from its determination to become a nuclear state, so it has used Hezbollah and the LAF to stir up trouble with Israel. Syria has taken advantage of the increased border tensions to reestablish its political presence as the “guardian” of stability in Lebanon. Syria continues to build-up Hezbollah’s missile and weapons arsenal, which gives it greater influence over Lebanon’s military forces, as well.
If Israel faces more skirmishes on its northern border, the IDF will increase its use of armored vehicles and infantry forces to serve as a deterrent to any further action by the LAF or Hezbollah. With less restrictions on the rules of engagement for Israeli soldiers, the risk of war increases.
Middle Eastern Alliances
There is now a strong Iran-Syria-Lebanon-Gaza axis in the Middle East that Turkey is intent on joining. While alliances among Islamic states and radical groups are getting stronger, Western nations are engaging in appeasement policies with Israel’s enemies. In the Middle East, perceived weakness invites further aggression.
When clashes erupt on Israel’s borders, rather than come to Israel’s defense, the international community calls for “mutual restraint”. Global leaders do not fully stand by Israel in the face of these attacks from radical elements. Moreover, the appeasement actions of these global leaders embolden Israel’s enemies. What’s troubling is that Israel’s military deterrence is eroding, while its diplomatic favor within the international community is shrinking, as global leaders refuse to accept Israel’s military responses as acts of self defense.
In the past, the only thing that has kept Israel’s enemies at bay has been the IDF’s controversial use of “disproportionate force.” This very act of deterrence, to keep Israel’s enemies from attacking again, has resulted in a global uproar against the Jewish State. Nevertheless, Israel must continue to defend its citizens, even in the midst of world condemnation.
Meanwhile, Western nations do not seem to discern a targeted and successful Islamic-led diplomatic campaign, intent on delegitimizing Israel in international forums, which has resulted in undermining Israel’s security and threatening its survival.
Unilateral Withdrawals
Not only are Israeli leaders facing an upward battle militarily and diplomatically, but the peace process has become another obstacle in the nation’s future ability to defend itself. Politically, while it appears that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been the one to try and engage the resistant and stubborn Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in direct peace talks, it is Abbas that has really had the upper hand. Despite enormous world pressure on Abbas to begin negotiating directly with Netanyahu, he is waiting until his demands are met...i.e., more concessions from Israel.
Former Prime Minister and current Defense Minister Ehud Barak is not only Israel’s most decorated military general; he is also a statesman who has negotiated with the Palestinians in times past. He was recently quoted as saying Israel will need to take unilateral action in the future in regard to the peace process.
In May 2000, Barak ordered the IDF to unilaterally withdraw from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah filled the vacuum. This eventually led to a war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006.
In August 2005, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the unilateral withdrawal of IDF forces, and the removal of settlers from their homes in Gaza. Hamas filled the vacuum. This eventually led to a war between Israel and Hamas in the winter of 2008-2009.
To-date, it is the IDF more than Palestinian forces that has kept Hamas from taking control of West Bank cities. Any Israeli unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), to appease the Palestinians and Arab nations, will bring about a continual erosion of Israel’s deterrence capabilities. Instead of missiles being launched from Gaza into Israel’s southern towns, Hamas will be able to launch missiles from the West Bank and hit Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. This is what Israel can expect if it concedes to the Palestinians and decides to unilaterally withdraw its forces and citizens from land, without a formal peace agreement that ends the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Future Expectations
Each time there is a renewal of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, the result is terror and warfare against the Jewish State. One reason for this is because Iran and its proxies do not want peace in the Middle East. But, it is the goal of U.S. President Barak Obama to see quiet on the streets in order to form a strong coalition of Arab and European nations to take future action against Iran’s nuclear program.
Yet, Obama, like other former U.S. presidents, does not understand that peace cannot be forced on Israeli and Palestinian leaders, especially when the gaps are too wide. Therefore, his attempt at pushing a timetable and trying to pressure both parties into a final status agreement has, so far, been fruitless.
Meanwhile, U.S. leaders have admitted that if sanctions against Iran don’t work, America has a contingency plan to attack Iran in order to stop its nuclear program. Iran says it will retaliate by disrupting oil shipments in the Persian Gulf, and will use strong force against American military bases in the Gulf region. Iranian leaders have also stated that Iran will retaliate by hitting Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities.
While Israel’s borders are heating up, and a regional war seems inevitable, there is also the risk of a world war, if Iran does not back down from its intent on developing nuclear bombs and weapons.
If Western nations will recognize Israel’s need to respond forcefully when confronted by Iran’s proxies in the Middle East, these nations will be more prepared to face Iran’s direct actions. A strong Israel could be helpful to a U.S. led coalition of Arab and European states. Demonstrating power in the face of a formidable foe could be what’s needed to stop Iran before it’s too late.
“Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace; and, do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and, those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people; and, consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You.” Psalm 83:1-5
ISRAEL’S NEED FOR DETERRENCE
Since May 2010, Israel has been experiencing an escalation in attacks that have challenged the nation’s deterrence capabilities. A conflict on the Mediterranean Sea developed when a flotilla of ships, sponsored by Turkey, tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Then, rockets launched by Hamas in Gaza, hit Israel’s southern towns. That was followed by Grad missiles, launched from the Sinai that landed in Israel and Jordan. These missiles were, reportedly, unleashed by a global jihad group associated with Hamas and radical Egyptian Bedouins.
Clashes on Israel’s Northern Border
Most recently, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) shot and killed an Israeli battalion commander, and seriously wounded another Israeli soldier in a border clash. Israel responded with force and killed three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.
At the time of the Lebanese attack on Israel, the IDF was cutting down a Cyprus tree in one of the enclaves that exists between the Israeli fence and the demarcated Blue Line that marks the internationally recognized border. For several months, the LAF’s 9th Brigade had been provoking Israel in the enclaves. Lebanese soldiers were cocking and aiming their weapons at Israeli soldiers carrying out routine maintenance work. The LAF’s new Shiite officer, who is known to have close ties to Hezbollah, instigated these provocations, despite the fact that the enclaves are technically on the Israeli side of the border.
The recent shooting by the LAF was a further act of aggression, which directly challenged Israel’s sovereignty over the area. The sniper did not target the soldiers in the enclaves, but hit an officer at an IDF post on the Israeli side of the fence.
These on-going acts of hostility by Israel’s enemies have been a test to see how Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) will react, as the region heats up and gets closer to war. Israel must respond harshly and forcefully against any attack on its sovereignty, in order to deter its enemies from striking again. But, while sending that clear message, Israeli leaders are measuring just how hard to respond in order not to embroil the Jewish State in a full scale regional war at this time.
When the time is right, Israel will have to do something about the continued arms build-up in the north by Hezbollah, and in the south by Hamas, that threatens the survival of the Jewish State. Much of the funding, training, and arming of these two formidable foes comes from Iran. The longer Israel waits, the harder it will be for the Jewish State to defeat its enemies.
The deterioration of Israel’s deterrence capabilities continues, while the balance of power in the Middle East tips towards rogue states and non-state terrorist groups in the region. If Israel doesn’t take action soon, its enemies will.
Hezbollah has increased its political and military control over Lebanon. The terrorist group has become a strong force on the ground -- infiltrating the ranks of the LAF; setting up its own telecommunications system; increasing its intelligence gathering; and executing alleged spies it says have collaborated with Israel. Hezbollah has reportedly been relying on informants and Shiite sympathizers within the LAF to make sure that Hezbollah’s resistance force against Israel remains strong, especially in southern Lebanon.
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, has been building a recent case against Israel to curry favor with the Lebanese public. His guerilla group faces a possible indictment by an international tribunal in The Hague, which is planning to implicate Hezbollah in the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Concerned that an indictment will hurt Hezbollah’s image in Lebanon, and decrease its political and military influence in the country, Nasrallah wants to pin the assassination blame on Israel. To distract the international community from its problems at home, Hezbollah will continue to try and engage Israel in hostilities on the Lebanese border.
Meanwhile, these border clashes advance Iran and Syria’s interests. Iran wants to distract the international community from its determination to become a nuclear state, so it has used Hezbollah and the LAF to stir up trouble with Israel. Syria has taken advantage of the increased border tensions to reestablish its political presence as the “guardian” of stability in Lebanon. Syria continues to build-up Hezbollah’s missile and weapons arsenal, which gives it greater influence over Lebanon’s military forces, as well.
If Israel faces more skirmishes on its northern border, the IDF will increase its use of armored vehicles and infantry forces to serve as a deterrent to any further action by the LAF or Hezbollah. With less restrictions on the rules of engagement for Israeli soldiers, the risk of war increases.
Middle Eastern Alliances
There is now a strong Iran-Syria-Lebanon-Gaza axis in the Middle East that Turkey is intent on joining. While alliances among Islamic states and radical groups are getting stronger, Western nations are engaging in appeasement policies with Israel’s enemies. In the Middle East, perceived weakness invites further aggression.
When clashes erupt on Israel’s borders, rather than come to Israel’s defense, the international community calls for “mutual restraint”. Global leaders do not fully stand by Israel in the face of these attacks from radical elements. Moreover, the appeasement actions of these global leaders embolden Israel’s enemies. What’s troubling is that Israel’s military deterrence is eroding, while its diplomatic favor within the international community is shrinking, as global leaders refuse to accept Israel’s military responses as acts of self defense.
In the past, the only thing that has kept Israel’s enemies at bay has been the IDF’s controversial use of “disproportionate force.” This very act of deterrence, to keep Israel’s enemies from attacking again, has resulted in a global uproar against the Jewish State. Nevertheless, Israel must continue to defend its citizens, even in the midst of world condemnation.
Meanwhile, Western nations do not seem to discern a targeted and successful Islamic-led diplomatic campaign, intent on delegitimizing Israel in international forums, which has resulted in undermining Israel’s security and threatening its survival.
Unilateral Withdrawals
Not only are Israeli leaders facing an upward battle militarily and diplomatically, but the peace process has become another obstacle in the nation’s future ability to defend itself. Politically, while it appears that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been the one to try and engage the resistant and stubborn Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in direct peace talks, it is Abbas that has really had the upper hand. Despite enormous world pressure on Abbas to begin negotiating directly with Netanyahu, he is waiting until his demands are met...i.e., more concessions from Israel.
Former Prime Minister and current Defense Minister Ehud Barak is not only Israel’s most decorated military general; he is also a statesman who has negotiated with the Palestinians in times past. He was recently quoted as saying Israel will need to take unilateral action in the future in regard to the peace process.
In May 2000, Barak ordered the IDF to unilaterally withdraw from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah filled the vacuum. This eventually led to a war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006.
In August 2005, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the unilateral withdrawal of IDF forces, and the removal of settlers from their homes in Gaza. Hamas filled the vacuum. This eventually led to a war between Israel and Hamas in the winter of 2008-2009.
To-date, it is the IDF more than Palestinian forces that has kept Hamas from taking control of West Bank cities. Any Israeli unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), to appease the Palestinians and Arab nations, will bring about a continual erosion of Israel’s deterrence capabilities. Instead of missiles being launched from Gaza into Israel’s southern towns, Hamas will be able to launch missiles from the West Bank and hit Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. This is what Israel can expect if it concedes to the Palestinians and decides to unilaterally withdraw its forces and citizens from land, without a formal peace agreement that ends the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Future Expectations
Each time there is a renewal of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, the result is terror and warfare against the Jewish State. One reason for this is because Iran and its proxies do not want peace in the Middle East. But, it is the goal of U.S. President Barak Obama to see quiet on the streets in order to form a strong coalition of Arab and European nations to take future action against Iran’s nuclear program.
Yet, Obama, like other former U.S. presidents, does not understand that peace cannot be forced on Israeli and Palestinian leaders, especially when the gaps are too wide. Therefore, his attempt at pushing a timetable and trying to pressure both parties into a final status agreement has, so far, been fruitless.
Meanwhile, U.S. leaders have admitted that if sanctions against Iran don’t work, America has a contingency plan to attack Iran in order to stop its nuclear program. Iran says it will retaliate by disrupting oil shipments in the Persian Gulf, and will use strong force against American military bases in the Gulf region. Iranian leaders have also stated that Iran will retaliate by hitting Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities.
While Israel’s borders are heating up, and a regional war seems inevitable, there is also the risk of a world war, if Iran does not back down from its intent on developing nuclear bombs and weapons.
If Western nations will recognize Israel’s need to respond forcefully when confronted by Iran’s proxies in the Middle East, these nations will be more prepared to face Iran’s direct actions. A strong Israel could be helpful to a U.S. led coalition of Arab and European states. Demonstrating power in the face of a formidable foe could be what’s needed to stop Iran before it’s too late.
“Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace; and, do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and, those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people; and, consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You.” Psalm 83:1-5
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS --- XXVI
Jerusalem, Israel
WHERE IS THE PEACE PROCESS GOING?
Growing U.S. pressure on the Palestinians to enter into direct talks with Israel has led to a scheduled meeting of Arab League foreign ministers, set to take place in Cairo, on Thursday, July 29, 2010. The Arab League is expected to decide, at that time, whether to approve a direct meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to advance the peace process.
It’s probable that the Arab League will continue to use Abbas as their mouthpiece, demanding that Israel meet certain conditions before the Palestinians can enter into direct talks. The demands are based on directives spelled out in the Arab Peace Initiative, introduced by Saudi Arabia in 2002. This initiative continues to be the driving force among Arab states that are seeking an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But, Israel says the demands do not allow Israel to maintain defensible borders.
STALLING THE PROCESS
Meanwhile, the Arab League and the Palestinians may find it advantageous to continue to use stall tactics, hoping to delay the initiation of direct talks until September, in order to stir up a political crisis within the Netanyahu government. September is the time when Netanyahu and his inner cabinet must decide if Israel will renew the settlement construction moratorium that officially ends on September 26th; or, allow construction companies to begin building again in the territories. Currently, the Netanyahu government is divided over the issue, as coalition leaders that are both “for” and “against” the settlement freeze have threatened to quit the government if their demands are not met.
Since Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama met at the White House in early July, there has been no real advancement of the peace process, despite continued American pressure to move towards direct talks. Abbas, along with Fatah members of his government, have continually insisted that Israel deal with core issues, such as defining the borders and security of a Palestinian state. They want to see progress before advancing the talks. Israel wants the Palestinians to come to the table without these pre-conditions. The stalemate continues.
So far, the inability for Obama to successfully deal with Palestinian intransigence has lead some Jewish leaders to conclude that American influence is diminishing, which inevitably puts more pressure on Israel. Behind the scenes, Arab officials are looking to the U.S. for assurances that Israel will start direct talks where they left off during the previous Israeli administration, under the direction of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert had agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), with land swaps included. He was also willing for Israel to share control of East Jerusalem neighborhoods with the Palestinians. And he called for the initiation of an international body to oversee the Old City holy sites. Peace talks between Olmert and Abbas broke down even before Olmert resigned from the premiership due to allegations against him of financial corruption.
NEGOTIATING THROUGH THE MEDIA
During this current season of indirect proximity talks between Abbas and Netanyahu, there has been a new kind of peace negotiating… that is, through public statements made to the global media. Abbas has continually reminded the international community of what his expectations are of Israel, outlining Palestinian “red lines”. He has held back all efforts to advance the peace process until the Israeli government shows a willingness to meet his demands. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has not been willing to publicly offer many details concerning Israel’s “red lines”, even though he has done extensive interviews with media outlets.
THE REAL INTENTIONS OF THE PALESTINIANS
Presently, an increasing number of Israelis are showing signs of deep skepticism concerning Palestinian intentions towards peace. Some analysts believe that the current Palestinian leadership, both in the West Bank and Gaza are adhering to existing charters and doctrines, which call for a single state of Palestine that would encompass all of Israel.
Even with the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza five years ago, the current Hamas leadership in Gaza has done nothing to make it easier for local Palestinians. Hamas keeps many Palestinians languishing in refuge camps, highlighting this “eye sore”, so that the international community will fund UN coffers and send the money to Hamas. The Palestinian leadership in both the West Bank and Gaza want these “refugees” to be included in any peace deal with Israel, demanding that they have a right to return to Israel, rather than to a Palestinian state. Israel will not agree to such demands, citing that this would threaten the Jewish majority population in Israel. This has been one of the sticking points in the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
One of Israel’s frustrations with the Obama Administration has been the constant pressure on Israel for greater confidence-building measures (i.e. Israeli concessions). Recently, there’s been a more vocal voice among Jewish leaders in Israel for a call to genuine reciprocity, where it is not only Israel making concessions to the Palestinians, but vice versa. One of the ways the Palestinians have been called on to show reciprocity is in toning down the continued incitement against Israel - in speeches by Moslem leaders to the local Arab population; in schools; in the media; and through international bodies like the UN, human rights forums, etc.
HOW ISRAELIS SEE PEACE DEVELOPING
A recent peace index indicates that most of the Israeli public thinks U.S. President Obama favors the Palestinians. Also, a majority of Israelis support renewed construction in the West Bank after the settlement moratorium is over on September 26, 2010. They believe that continuing the moratorium would play into the hands of American and Palestinian negotiators.
Among Israelis, there’s major support for continuing the peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but few believe that the talks will lead to a peace treaty. This has been the prevailing mood in Israel since the Oslo Accords were signed 17 years ago. Most Israelis have not been in favor of the indirect proximity talks currently taking place between Israel and the Palestinians, and a majority of the public wants to see the negotiations move to direct talks.
AMERICAN PROMISES TO ISRAEL – ARE THEY REALLY HELPFUL?
Israelis hear over and over again about America’s commitment to Israel’s security interests. The Obama Administration has pointed out, time and again, that it is committed to Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East, giving examples of unprecedented strategic cooperation between the two allies.
While these statements are practically true, Israelis are beginning to question the intent of Obama’s determination to maintain Israel’s military edge over its enemies in the region. Some Israelis point out that Obama is also expecting Israel to take increased risks to accommodate Palestinian demands on the diplomatic front. The concluding analysis is that this leads Israel to risk its security interests at the peace negotiating table, instead of on the battlefield.
One example of where this could become dangerous for Israel in the future has to do with negotiating the parameters of a Palestinian state. Abbas has demanded that there be no Israeli presence on the eastern border of a future state of Palestine, and he has pressed for an international force to be deployed there, instead. In that way, he reasons, Israel will get its security needs met, and the Palestinians will retain sovereignty over their state.
However, for Israel, this is a risk that is too great for compromise. Netanyahu has insisted that there must be an Israeli presence on the eastern border of a future Palestinian state, at least initially, because international forces cannot insure Israel’s security in the Jordan Valley region.
There is an increased concern in Israel that the U.S. may link Israel’s unwillingness to take risks in the peace process to how much of an on-going commitment America is willing to make towards Israel on a military level. Israelis reason that only time will tell how genuine Obama’s commitment to Israel really is. At this point, only 10% of the population believes that Obama is pro-Israel. In order for the general public to have increased confidence in the U.S. president and his administration, he will need to continue increased military cooperation with Israel, while at the same time, not expect Israel to sacrifice its security interests at the peace table.
TOWARDS A LASTING PEACE
In the meantime, the peace process continues to defy all projected time tables, and the lack of progress continues to be a frustration for all those countries that have based their foreign policy initiatives on seeing this conflict end. America, and other nations, would be well advised to stop putting such emphasis and time into solving the conflict, and leave it up to the Israeli and Palestinian communities to narrow the gaps on their own. There is little hope that a lasting peace can endure without the development of mutual trust between these two people groups, as they attempt to resolve the many problems involved in living together in this complex region of the world.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Pray for peace in the Middle East. It is a peace "not as the world gives" (not world peace); but, the peace that passes all understanding in the Messiah, who is the Sar Shalom (the Prince of Peace)!
(2) Declare Numbers 25:12 over Israel, "Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace."
(3) Pray for Israel's protection in the diplomatic process and on the battlefield. "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8.
(4) Proclaim over Israel, "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.
(5) Pray over the Arab nations and the Palestinians, according to Psalm 34:14, "Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it."
(6) Pray that all who have an ear to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, will abide in true peace and righteousness: "I will hear what God, the Lord, will speak; for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But, let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway." Psalm 85:8-13.
(7) Pray for wisdom for the Israeli government; that leaders will have insight to know who are their friends and who are their foes. (See Psalm 120:7).
(8) Pray that the Israeli people will be obedient to the Lord so that they can live in peace with their enemies. (See Proverbs 16:7).
(9) Pray for Israel's P.O.W., Corporal Gilad Shalit to have peace in his captivity. Pray for the people of Gaza to have peace, even though their leaders walk in wickedness. "And, seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace, you will have peace." Jeremiah 29:7.
(10) Declare peace upon the whole house of Israel; that she will be protected from terrorism and war. Pray, especially for protection over the settlement communities in Judah and Samaria (the West Bank): "Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off." Nahum 1:15.
(11) Pray that God's glory will descend upon Israel and the nations, according to Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!"
(12) Pray for the day when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords descends upon His Holy Land: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." Luke 19:28.
WHERE IS THE PEACE PROCESS GOING?
Growing U.S. pressure on the Palestinians to enter into direct talks with Israel has led to a scheduled meeting of Arab League foreign ministers, set to take place in Cairo, on Thursday, July 29, 2010. The Arab League is expected to decide, at that time, whether to approve a direct meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to advance the peace process.
It’s probable that the Arab League will continue to use Abbas as their mouthpiece, demanding that Israel meet certain conditions before the Palestinians can enter into direct talks. The demands are based on directives spelled out in the Arab Peace Initiative, introduced by Saudi Arabia in 2002. This initiative continues to be the driving force among Arab states that are seeking an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But, Israel says the demands do not allow Israel to maintain defensible borders.
STALLING THE PROCESS
Meanwhile, the Arab League and the Palestinians may find it advantageous to continue to use stall tactics, hoping to delay the initiation of direct talks until September, in order to stir up a political crisis within the Netanyahu government. September is the time when Netanyahu and his inner cabinet must decide if Israel will renew the settlement construction moratorium that officially ends on September 26th; or, allow construction companies to begin building again in the territories. Currently, the Netanyahu government is divided over the issue, as coalition leaders that are both “for” and “against” the settlement freeze have threatened to quit the government if their demands are not met.
Since Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama met at the White House in early July, there has been no real advancement of the peace process, despite continued American pressure to move towards direct talks. Abbas, along with Fatah members of his government, have continually insisted that Israel deal with core issues, such as defining the borders and security of a Palestinian state. They want to see progress before advancing the talks. Israel wants the Palestinians to come to the table without these pre-conditions. The stalemate continues.
So far, the inability for Obama to successfully deal with Palestinian intransigence has lead some Jewish leaders to conclude that American influence is diminishing, which inevitably puts more pressure on Israel. Behind the scenes, Arab officials are looking to the U.S. for assurances that Israel will start direct talks where they left off during the previous Israeli administration, under the direction of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert had agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), with land swaps included. He was also willing for Israel to share control of East Jerusalem neighborhoods with the Palestinians. And he called for the initiation of an international body to oversee the Old City holy sites. Peace talks between Olmert and Abbas broke down even before Olmert resigned from the premiership due to allegations against him of financial corruption.
NEGOTIATING THROUGH THE MEDIA
During this current season of indirect proximity talks between Abbas and Netanyahu, there has been a new kind of peace negotiating… that is, through public statements made to the global media. Abbas has continually reminded the international community of what his expectations are of Israel, outlining Palestinian “red lines”. He has held back all efforts to advance the peace process until the Israeli government shows a willingness to meet his demands. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has not been willing to publicly offer many details concerning Israel’s “red lines”, even though he has done extensive interviews with media outlets.
THE REAL INTENTIONS OF THE PALESTINIANS
Presently, an increasing number of Israelis are showing signs of deep skepticism concerning Palestinian intentions towards peace. Some analysts believe that the current Palestinian leadership, both in the West Bank and Gaza are adhering to existing charters and doctrines, which call for a single state of Palestine that would encompass all of Israel.
Even with the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza five years ago, the current Hamas leadership in Gaza has done nothing to make it easier for local Palestinians. Hamas keeps many Palestinians languishing in refuge camps, highlighting this “eye sore”, so that the international community will fund UN coffers and send the money to Hamas. The Palestinian leadership in both the West Bank and Gaza want these “refugees” to be included in any peace deal with Israel, demanding that they have a right to return to Israel, rather than to a Palestinian state. Israel will not agree to such demands, citing that this would threaten the Jewish majority population in Israel. This has been one of the sticking points in the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
One of Israel’s frustrations with the Obama Administration has been the constant pressure on Israel for greater confidence-building measures (i.e. Israeli concessions). Recently, there’s been a more vocal voice among Jewish leaders in Israel for a call to genuine reciprocity, where it is not only Israel making concessions to the Palestinians, but vice versa. One of the ways the Palestinians have been called on to show reciprocity is in toning down the continued incitement against Israel - in speeches by Moslem leaders to the local Arab population; in schools; in the media; and through international bodies like the UN, human rights forums, etc.
HOW ISRAELIS SEE PEACE DEVELOPING
A recent peace index indicates that most of the Israeli public thinks U.S. President Obama favors the Palestinians. Also, a majority of Israelis support renewed construction in the West Bank after the settlement moratorium is over on September 26, 2010. They believe that continuing the moratorium would play into the hands of American and Palestinian negotiators.
Among Israelis, there’s major support for continuing the peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but few believe that the talks will lead to a peace treaty. This has been the prevailing mood in Israel since the Oslo Accords were signed 17 years ago. Most Israelis have not been in favor of the indirect proximity talks currently taking place between Israel and the Palestinians, and a majority of the public wants to see the negotiations move to direct talks.
AMERICAN PROMISES TO ISRAEL – ARE THEY REALLY HELPFUL?
Israelis hear over and over again about America’s commitment to Israel’s security interests. The Obama Administration has pointed out, time and again, that it is committed to Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East, giving examples of unprecedented strategic cooperation between the two allies.
While these statements are practically true, Israelis are beginning to question the intent of Obama’s determination to maintain Israel’s military edge over its enemies in the region. Some Israelis point out that Obama is also expecting Israel to take increased risks to accommodate Palestinian demands on the diplomatic front. The concluding analysis is that this leads Israel to risk its security interests at the peace negotiating table, instead of on the battlefield.
One example of where this could become dangerous for Israel in the future has to do with negotiating the parameters of a Palestinian state. Abbas has demanded that there be no Israeli presence on the eastern border of a future state of Palestine, and he has pressed for an international force to be deployed there, instead. In that way, he reasons, Israel will get its security needs met, and the Palestinians will retain sovereignty over their state.
However, for Israel, this is a risk that is too great for compromise. Netanyahu has insisted that there must be an Israeli presence on the eastern border of a future Palestinian state, at least initially, because international forces cannot insure Israel’s security in the Jordan Valley region.
There is an increased concern in Israel that the U.S. may link Israel’s unwillingness to take risks in the peace process to how much of an on-going commitment America is willing to make towards Israel on a military level. Israelis reason that only time will tell how genuine Obama’s commitment to Israel really is. At this point, only 10% of the population believes that Obama is pro-Israel. In order for the general public to have increased confidence in the U.S. president and his administration, he will need to continue increased military cooperation with Israel, while at the same time, not expect Israel to sacrifice its security interests at the peace table.
TOWARDS A LASTING PEACE
In the meantime, the peace process continues to defy all projected time tables, and the lack of progress continues to be a frustration for all those countries that have based their foreign policy initiatives on seeing this conflict end. America, and other nations, would be well advised to stop putting such emphasis and time into solving the conflict, and leave it up to the Israeli and Palestinian communities to narrow the gaps on their own. There is little hope that a lasting peace can endure without the development of mutual trust between these two people groups, as they attempt to resolve the many problems involved in living together in this complex region of the world.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Pray for peace in the Middle East. It is a peace "not as the world gives" (not world peace); but, the peace that passes all understanding in the Messiah, who is the Sar Shalom (the Prince of Peace)!
(2) Declare Numbers 25:12 over Israel, "Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace."
(3) Pray for Israel's protection in the diplomatic process and on the battlefield. "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8.
(4) Proclaim over Israel, "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.
(5) Pray over the Arab nations and the Palestinians, according to Psalm 34:14, "Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it."
(6) Pray that all who have an ear to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, will abide in true peace and righteousness: "I will hear what God, the Lord, will speak; for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But, let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway." Psalm 85:8-13.
(7) Pray for wisdom for the Israeli government; that leaders will have insight to know who are their friends and who are their foes. (See Psalm 120:7).
(8) Pray that the Israeli people will be obedient to the Lord so that they can live in peace with their enemies. (See Proverbs 16:7).
(9) Pray for Israel's P.O.W., Corporal Gilad Shalit to have peace in his captivity. Pray for the people of Gaza to have peace, even though their leaders walk in wickedness. "And, seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace, you will have peace." Jeremiah 29:7.
(10) Declare peace upon the whole house of Israel; that she will be protected from terrorism and war. Pray, especially for protection over the settlement communities in Judah and Samaria (the West Bank): "Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off." Nahum 1:15.
(11) Pray that God's glory will descend upon Israel and the nations, according to Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!"
(12) Pray for the day when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords descends upon His Holy Land: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." Luke 19:28.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXV
Jerusalem, Israel
THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST
Most of the global public would look at May 31, 2010, as the day that rapid change took place in the Middle East. That is the day that Israeli naval commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara ship, one of several ships in a Turkish sponsored flotilla that was trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
As they descended on ropes from helicopters, the Israeli commandos faced violent Islamic extremists. Using metal bars, knives, clubs, and a pistol they grabbed from an Israeli soldier, the extremists seemed intent on a lynching. Acting in self-defense, the Israeli commandos shot and killed nine men. On the Israeli side, several commandos were wounded by the extremists. At least one commando was seriously injured in the head, and then further hurt when he was thrown over the ship railing.
The flotilla of ships claimed to be carrying humanitarian aid and peace activists to Gaza. But, along with the aid and activists were at least 40 terrorists on board the Mavi Marmara ship, some of whom were on Israel’s most wanted list. Activists on board other ships in the flotilla surrendered to Israeli military forces without incident.
Israel botched the takeover of the Mavi Marmara ship because the Israeli navy had faulty intelligence and was not prepared to meet terrorists on board. All those who died were Turkish nationalists. The incident caused an unprecedented global outcry. Many embassies around the world demanded an explanation from Israeli diplomats, and countries were quick to cut off ties with Israel. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blasted Israel in the media, downgraded relations with the Jewish State, and has since threatened to take the matter to the international court, accusing Israel of war crimes. After the flotilla incident, nations began to demand that Israel not only open up its border crossings into Gaza, but also allow the Gaza sea port to be developed and opened to ship traffic.
Before this crisis, there were already telltale signs that change was coming to the region, but no one expected that a flotilla of ships would start a war of attrition at sea. Now, Israel waits for more ships to try and break the Gaza blockade.
Relations With America and Europe
Since the flotilla crisis, Israel has yielded to American pressure, and opened up the border crossings to allow all food supplies and household goods into Gaza. The only materials being held back are those that could be used by terrorists to make rockets. Israel will also not allow any arms to get to the Hamas terrorist regime that rules Gaza.
Bowing to the demands of President Barack Obama’s Administration, Israel has agreed to allow economic prosperity to flourish in Gaza, even though it’s expected to greatly strengthen the political power of Hamas, and increase the group’s popularity among Gaza’s residents.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also agreed to allow EU inspectors at Israeli border crossings, which, in essence, means that Israel will be sharing some control of the Gaza periphery. This is an unusual step and could pave the way for Israel to eventually agree to a permanent international monitoring force along its borders. Until now, Israeli officials have cited the failure of such forces to have an impact on arms smuggling. This has been the case in Lebanon where UN international forces have not stopped weapons transfers to Hezbollah, under the requirements of UN Security Resolution 1701. This resolution was supposed to be enforced after the Second Lebanon War, but the resolution was never really implemented.
Because of increased tensions between Netanyahu and Obama, Israel’s Prime Minister has put his Defense Minister Ehud Barak in charge of Israel’s strategic cooperation with the U.S. Barak has used this influential position to appease the Obama Administration. He has threatened Netanyahu that his Labor Party may bolt the Israeli government if certain conditions are not met. Those conditions are, apparently, Obama’s current demands of Israel.
This attempt by the Obama Administration to influence Israel’s foreign policy, and to pressure Israel’s coalition members, could eventually lead to a political shake-up of the Israeli government. Since the flotilla crisis, a weakened and isolated Israel has given the Obama Administration more leverage on the diplomatic front. Despite Israel’s recent concessions regarding Gaza, the White House has stated that it will work with its international partners to explore additional ways to improve the situation in Gaza, including greater freedom of movement and commerce between Gaza and the West Bank.
What this signals is Obama’s support for reconciliation efforts between Fatah and Hamas. This would unify the Palestinians, and strengthen their demand for a contiguous independent state stretching from the West Bank to Gaza. It would make it more difficult for Israel to stop arms smuggling, or to stop collaboration between terrorist groups. Any rockets received by West Bank terrorists could be used against Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, and against civilian populations in coastal cities. If Obama is truly behind Fatah-Hamas unity, it would indicate a significant change in U.S. foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Turkey seems to have aspirations of becoming the mediator in future Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks. Egypt has been mediating between the two groups for several years now, but has failed to get the parties to agree to certain demands for reconciliation.
International Approval and Pressure
Israel still has the approval of the U.S., along with the Quartet (U.S., UN, EU, and Russia) to keep the Gaza sea port closed to direct traffic. This includes inhibiting any new construction of the port which would enhance the ability of Hamas to receive large cargo ships.
Netanyahu said, in a weekly cabinet meeting on June 10, 2010, that Israel would not allow the establishment of an Iranian port in Gaza. Israel’s intent is to prevent Iranian missiles from being smuggled in to Gaza through the port. But, there is a call by some in the European community to allow aid ships to be inspected by international monitoring forces stationed off the coast of Cyprus. Then, after inspection and approval, the ships could sail on to Gaza. This, however, would curtail Israel’s ability to monitor the ships for arms and contraband. So far, Israel has been able to ward off this kind of intrusion into its security efforts at sea.
Relations With Turkey
At one time, the Israeli tourism industry boasted more than 100,000 flights from Tel Aviv to Turkey, which have now been cancelled following the flotilla crisis. At least 500,000 Israeli tourists once enjoyed Turkish hospitality at inexpensive hotels and resorts. Now, some tour companies claim Israeli tourism to Turkey has come to a screeching halt.
Since early June, at least $20 million in trade between Israel and Turkey has been in jeopardy, as well as lucrative arm sales to the Turkish military by Israel’s defense industries. Turkey has been increasingly critical towards Israel since the Gaza War of 2008-2009. Interested in a closer relationship with Hamas, Turkey is gaining popularity in Gaza. Before Operation Cast Lead, Israel and Turkey enjoyed landmark military cooperation and a strategic partnership. Now, Israeli military officials are concerned that the Turkish government’s access to advanced Israeli military technology could result in leaks to the Hamas regime. Turkey has stopped participating in military exercises with Israel, while pursuing upgrades in military cooperation with Syria.
Israeli-Turkish relations were deteriorating long before the flotilla crisis, due to Erdogan’s growing interest in renewing ties with the Islamic world. Turkey had already irritated Israel and the U.S. when it tried, with Brazil, to broker a deal with Iran over its nuclear issue. Turkey and Brazil were the only countries to recently vote against UN sanctions imposed on Iran.
Erdogan’s ambition may be to create an atmosphere for Turkey to become a leading regional superpower. To do this, he seems willing to sacrifice Turkey’s diplomatic and military relations with Israel. Sunni Turkey may want to eventually usurp Shiite Iran in becoming the ultimate defender of Islam. With ties to NATO and the West; and, with a more stable economy than Iran; Erdogan has already extended his influence in the Islamic world, in a way that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has failed to do.
Israel's P.O.W. Held In Gaza -- Gilad Shalit
The bolster to Hamas in Israel easing restrictions at the Gaza border crossings also complicates the negotiation process for the release of Israel’s soldier being held captive in Gaza. Hamas has not allowed Gilad Shalit’s family the Red Cross, or humanitarian groups to see Shalit since Hamas kidnapped him on June 25, 2006. Now that Hamas has been strengthened by the diplomatic community, its price for a prisoner exchange with Israel will be higher. Israel has agreed to release several hundred Palestinian prisoners, but Netanyahu refuses to allow terrorists with blood on their hands to return to their homes in the West Bank. He says past experience has proven that these terrorists will try and strike Israel again.
Conclusion
Some analysts say that the flotilla crisis has been a turning point in Middle East history; that a new order has now emerged. Turkey has shifted into the Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza axis; and, Islamic forces in the region have been emboldened. Turkey is now a popular supporter of Iran’s terrorist proxy, Hamas; and, Turkey’s stature within the Islamic world has greatly improved.
The greatest challenge to Israel since the flotilla crisis is that it recognizes it doesn’t yet have a clear deterrence policy in place to stop more flotillas from attempting to break the Gaza blockade. Israel’s long-term security interests may have been weakened by its recent concessions to the international community to ease the flow of goods to Gaza. At the same time, Hamas reached its goal of isolating Israel, diplomatically, while solidifying its control over the Gaza Strip. And, Israel’s POW Gilad Shalit is still being held captive by Hamas, going on four years since the Second Lebanon War.
While the Middle East is experiencing change, some things never change.... Israel’s challenges now and in the future are as daunting as ever.
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever; The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Without cause the nations have hidden their net for Israel in a pit, which they have dug without caring about Israel's survival. (See Psalm 35:7).
Psalm 9:15-16 states: "The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands."
Pray for the Lord to have mercy as the nations fall into their own snare. Those nations who have set a trap for Israel will fall into that trap. Pray that the nations will have a revelation of the God of Israel protecting and defending His land.
(2) Pray that God will grant increased wisdom to the Netanyahu government in the mist of this continued crisis at sea. Not yielding to risky concessions demanded by the international community, pray that the current government coalition will remain steadfast and unified.
Pray for God's favor over Israel, and continue to proclaim her destiny as a "light to the nations". Pray that with the compromises the Israeli government has already made, that God will protect Israel's borders, as well as the passageways into Gaza.
Pray that He will alert the IDF to any terrorist infiltration.
"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.' " Isaiah 35:3-4.
(3) Pray that those who have been disobedient at sea, in these flotilla of ships, will be exposed in their evil deeds, and that God will contend with them.
Pray that they will repent and turn to the Lord.
"O Lord, were You displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers? Was Your wrath against the sea, that you rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation?" Habakkuk 3:8.
(4) Pray that God will uncover all the plots of the wicked and establish justice and righteousness in the earth.
"Therefore, do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." Matthew 10:26.
(5) Pray for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, that he would have a revelation of the One True God.
"He has shown you, O Man, what is good; And, what does the Lord require of you... but, to do justly; to love mercy; and, to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.
THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST
Most of the global public would look at May 31, 2010, as the day that rapid change took place in the Middle East. That is the day that Israeli naval commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara ship, one of several ships in a Turkish sponsored flotilla that was trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
As they descended on ropes from helicopters, the Israeli commandos faced violent Islamic extremists. Using metal bars, knives, clubs, and a pistol they grabbed from an Israeli soldier, the extremists seemed intent on a lynching. Acting in self-defense, the Israeli commandos shot and killed nine men. On the Israeli side, several commandos were wounded by the extremists. At least one commando was seriously injured in the head, and then further hurt when he was thrown over the ship railing.
The flotilla of ships claimed to be carrying humanitarian aid and peace activists to Gaza. But, along with the aid and activists were at least 40 terrorists on board the Mavi Marmara ship, some of whom were on Israel’s most wanted list. Activists on board other ships in the flotilla surrendered to Israeli military forces without incident.
Israel botched the takeover of the Mavi Marmara ship because the Israeli navy had faulty intelligence and was not prepared to meet terrorists on board. All those who died were Turkish nationalists. The incident caused an unprecedented global outcry. Many embassies around the world demanded an explanation from Israeli diplomats, and countries were quick to cut off ties with Israel. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blasted Israel in the media, downgraded relations with the Jewish State, and has since threatened to take the matter to the international court, accusing Israel of war crimes. After the flotilla incident, nations began to demand that Israel not only open up its border crossings into Gaza, but also allow the Gaza sea port to be developed and opened to ship traffic.
Before this crisis, there were already telltale signs that change was coming to the region, but no one expected that a flotilla of ships would start a war of attrition at sea. Now, Israel waits for more ships to try and break the Gaza blockade.
Relations With America and Europe
Since the flotilla crisis, Israel has yielded to American pressure, and opened up the border crossings to allow all food supplies and household goods into Gaza. The only materials being held back are those that could be used by terrorists to make rockets. Israel will also not allow any arms to get to the Hamas terrorist regime that rules Gaza.
Bowing to the demands of President Barack Obama’s Administration, Israel has agreed to allow economic prosperity to flourish in Gaza, even though it’s expected to greatly strengthen the political power of Hamas, and increase the group’s popularity among Gaza’s residents.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also agreed to allow EU inspectors at Israeli border crossings, which, in essence, means that Israel will be sharing some control of the Gaza periphery. This is an unusual step and could pave the way for Israel to eventually agree to a permanent international monitoring force along its borders. Until now, Israeli officials have cited the failure of such forces to have an impact on arms smuggling. This has been the case in Lebanon where UN international forces have not stopped weapons transfers to Hezbollah, under the requirements of UN Security Resolution 1701. This resolution was supposed to be enforced after the Second Lebanon War, but the resolution was never really implemented.
Because of increased tensions between Netanyahu and Obama, Israel’s Prime Minister has put his Defense Minister Ehud Barak in charge of Israel’s strategic cooperation with the U.S. Barak has used this influential position to appease the Obama Administration. He has threatened Netanyahu that his Labor Party may bolt the Israeli government if certain conditions are not met. Those conditions are, apparently, Obama’s current demands of Israel.
This attempt by the Obama Administration to influence Israel’s foreign policy, and to pressure Israel’s coalition members, could eventually lead to a political shake-up of the Israeli government. Since the flotilla crisis, a weakened and isolated Israel has given the Obama Administration more leverage on the diplomatic front. Despite Israel’s recent concessions regarding Gaza, the White House has stated that it will work with its international partners to explore additional ways to improve the situation in Gaza, including greater freedom of movement and commerce between Gaza and the West Bank.
What this signals is Obama’s support for reconciliation efforts between Fatah and Hamas. This would unify the Palestinians, and strengthen their demand for a contiguous independent state stretching from the West Bank to Gaza. It would make it more difficult for Israel to stop arms smuggling, or to stop collaboration between terrorist groups. Any rockets received by West Bank terrorists could be used against Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, and against civilian populations in coastal cities. If Obama is truly behind Fatah-Hamas unity, it would indicate a significant change in U.S. foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Turkey seems to have aspirations of becoming the mediator in future Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks. Egypt has been mediating between the two groups for several years now, but has failed to get the parties to agree to certain demands for reconciliation.
International Approval and Pressure
Israel still has the approval of the U.S., along with the Quartet (U.S., UN, EU, and Russia) to keep the Gaza sea port closed to direct traffic. This includes inhibiting any new construction of the port which would enhance the ability of Hamas to receive large cargo ships.
Netanyahu said, in a weekly cabinet meeting on June 10, 2010, that Israel would not allow the establishment of an Iranian port in Gaza. Israel’s intent is to prevent Iranian missiles from being smuggled in to Gaza through the port. But, there is a call by some in the European community to allow aid ships to be inspected by international monitoring forces stationed off the coast of Cyprus. Then, after inspection and approval, the ships could sail on to Gaza. This, however, would curtail Israel’s ability to monitor the ships for arms and contraband. So far, Israel has been able to ward off this kind of intrusion into its security efforts at sea.
Relations With Turkey
At one time, the Israeli tourism industry boasted more than 100,000 flights from Tel Aviv to Turkey, which have now been cancelled following the flotilla crisis. At least 500,000 Israeli tourists once enjoyed Turkish hospitality at inexpensive hotels and resorts. Now, some tour companies claim Israeli tourism to Turkey has come to a screeching halt.
Since early June, at least $20 million in trade between Israel and Turkey has been in jeopardy, as well as lucrative arm sales to the Turkish military by Israel’s defense industries. Turkey has been increasingly critical towards Israel since the Gaza War of 2008-2009. Interested in a closer relationship with Hamas, Turkey is gaining popularity in Gaza. Before Operation Cast Lead, Israel and Turkey enjoyed landmark military cooperation and a strategic partnership. Now, Israeli military officials are concerned that the Turkish government’s access to advanced Israeli military technology could result in leaks to the Hamas regime. Turkey has stopped participating in military exercises with Israel, while pursuing upgrades in military cooperation with Syria.
Israeli-Turkish relations were deteriorating long before the flotilla crisis, due to Erdogan’s growing interest in renewing ties with the Islamic world. Turkey had already irritated Israel and the U.S. when it tried, with Brazil, to broker a deal with Iran over its nuclear issue. Turkey and Brazil were the only countries to recently vote against UN sanctions imposed on Iran.
Erdogan’s ambition may be to create an atmosphere for Turkey to become a leading regional superpower. To do this, he seems willing to sacrifice Turkey’s diplomatic and military relations with Israel. Sunni Turkey may want to eventually usurp Shiite Iran in becoming the ultimate defender of Islam. With ties to NATO and the West; and, with a more stable economy than Iran; Erdogan has already extended his influence in the Islamic world, in a way that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has failed to do.
Israel's P.O.W. Held In Gaza -- Gilad Shalit
The bolster to Hamas in Israel easing restrictions at the Gaza border crossings also complicates the negotiation process for the release of Israel’s soldier being held captive in Gaza. Hamas has not allowed Gilad Shalit’s family the Red Cross, or humanitarian groups to see Shalit since Hamas kidnapped him on June 25, 2006. Now that Hamas has been strengthened by the diplomatic community, its price for a prisoner exchange with Israel will be higher. Israel has agreed to release several hundred Palestinian prisoners, but Netanyahu refuses to allow terrorists with blood on their hands to return to their homes in the West Bank. He says past experience has proven that these terrorists will try and strike Israel again.
Conclusion
Some analysts say that the flotilla crisis has been a turning point in Middle East history; that a new order has now emerged. Turkey has shifted into the Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza axis; and, Islamic forces in the region have been emboldened. Turkey is now a popular supporter of Iran’s terrorist proxy, Hamas; and, Turkey’s stature within the Islamic world has greatly improved.
The greatest challenge to Israel since the flotilla crisis is that it recognizes it doesn’t yet have a clear deterrence policy in place to stop more flotillas from attempting to break the Gaza blockade. Israel’s long-term security interests may have been weakened by its recent concessions to the international community to ease the flow of goods to Gaza. At the same time, Hamas reached its goal of isolating Israel, diplomatically, while solidifying its control over the Gaza Strip. And, Israel’s POW Gilad Shalit is still being held captive by Hamas, going on four years since the Second Lebanon War.
While the Middle East is experiencing change, some things never change.... Israel’s challenges now and in the future are as daunting as ever.
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever; The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Without cause the nations have hidden their net for Israel in a pit, which they have dug without caring about Israel's survival. (See Psalm 35:7).
Psalm 9:15-16 states: "The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands."
Pray for the Lord to have mercy as the nations fall into their own snare. Those nations who have set a trap for Israel will fall into that trap. Pray that the nations will have a revelation of the God of Israel protecting and defending His land.
(2) Pray that God will grant increased wisdom to the Netanyahu government in the mist of this continued crisis at sea. Not yielding to risky concessions demanded by the international community, pray that the current government coalition will remain steadfast and unified.
Pray for God's favor over Israel, and continue to proclaim her destiny as a "light to the nations". Pray that with the compromises the Israeli government has already made, that God will protect Israel's borders, as well as the passageways into Gaza.
Pray that He will alert the IDF to any terrorist infiltration.
"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.' " Isaiah 35:3-4.
(3) Pray that those who have been disobedient at sea, in these flotilla of ships, will be exposed in their evil deeds, and that God will contend with them.
Pray that they will repent and turn to the Lord.
"O Lord, were You displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers? Was Your wrath against the sea, that you rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation?" Habakkuk 3:8.
(4) Pray that God will uncover all the plots of the wicked and establish justice and righteousness in the earth.
"Therefore, do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." Matthew 10:26.
(5) Pray for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, that he would have a revelation of the One True God.
"He has shown you, O Man, what is good; And, what does the Lord require of you... but, to do justly; to love mercy; and, to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXIV
Jerusalem, Israel
ISRAEL’S CRISIS AT SEA
FACTS:
• There was a pre-dawn raid on Monday, by Israel’s navy, of a Gaza-bound protest flotilla of six ships, called, “Free Gaza”. The ship captains claimed to be carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, they also admitted their real intent was to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israel is, technically, at war with Hamas in Gaza, and is not willing to allow weapons into Gaza by ship; or, the release of certain materials that could be used by Hamas to build rockets.
• Reports indicate that the protest flotilla was organized by a radical Islamic group, called IHH (an Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief). It’s based in Turkey, with ties to Hamas and the Moslem Brotherhood. Between 600-700 activists were on-board the ships.
• Israel warned the ships not to break the blockade, and to proceed, instead to Ashdod port, where they could deliver their humanitarian aid. Israel promised to get the aid to the people of Gaza. The captains of the ships refused to obey Israel’s orders.
• The Israeli navy then ordered helicopters to proceed toward the ships in the Mediterranean Sea. About 80 miles from the Gaza coast, the helicopters released naval commandos to drop into the ships and seize control. The Israeli navy was not prepared for serious violent clashes. When Israeli soldiers descended onto the lead ship, several activists tried to lynch them, using knives, metal and wood bats, clubs, and sticks, beating the soldiers ruthlessly. (There were rocks, detonators, large hammers, slingshots with glass marbles, and sharp metal objects on-board, as well). The violent activists threw a soldier over a third-story railing, and he sustained serious head injuries. They used stun grenades and Molotov cocktails against Israeli troops. And, they captured pistols from some of the commandos, and started to shoot. The commandos, in an act of self-defense, returned fire. At least 10 activists were killed. Many were wounded by the violent clashes on the lead ship, including at least seven Israeli soldiers. Most of those killed and wounded were Turkish nationals.
• The activists also tried to tie the ropes dangling from the helicopters, to the lead ship, in hopes of bringing down the helicopters.
• Visuals from the Gaza flotilla ship showed young Moslems shouting Islamic battle chants, invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle. One women interviewed on Al-Jazeera said that the goal of the flotilla participants was, “one of two happy endings: either martyrdom or reaching Gaza.”
• Israeli commandos had no problem seizing the other five ships, and all activists on-board those ships surrendered peacefully.
• There were members of international parliaments on-board the six ships, including those from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and Kuwait. There was also a Noble Peace Laureate on-board, as well as, a UN high-level official. As of this writing, there has not been a public statement about the condition of these V.I.P.’s.
• There was an Arab member of Israel’s Knesset on board the lead ship, Haneen Zoabi. She was not harmed. She spent Monday morning in IDF custody because she participated in the ship flotilla.
• Reports indicate that, not only were there anti-Israel activists on-board the ships, but also wanted Hamas terrorists, and those with ties to global jihad and Al-Qaeda.
• Netanyahu was in Canada about ready to leave for Washington, D.C., but postponed his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama because of the crisis. The meeting was supposed to help repair relations between Obama and Netanyahu.
• Israel’s ambassadors in embassies and consulates, worldwide, were called in by their host governments to explain what happened at sea.
• Greece, Turkey, and Germany cancelled important military exercises with Israel.
• Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel, saying this was not an Israeli-Turkish incident, but one of Israel’s relationship with the entire international community.
• Criticism and condemnation rose across Europe and the Arab world. Protests and riots occurred on the streets of Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Bosnia, France, and England. At least 10,000 Turks marched on Istanbul. About 1,000 Jordanians protested in Amman.
• Arab states, led by Turkey, called for a full investigation by the UN Security Council.
• European states called for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
• Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning in the Palestinian territories. He claimed that Israel planned an assault on the ships in advance, and violated international law. He called for the UN to stand up to Israel; and, demanded that the UN and US intervene and cause Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal called on Jordan and Egypt to cut off diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Israel’s police and prison services went on the highest state of alert. Unrest in Israeli Arab towns caused clashes with police.
• The U.S. administration did not condemn Israel, but called for an investigation to determine what happened.
• Egypt just opened the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
FAILURES:
• Senior Israeli officials said the naval operation was a failure. Israeli naval commandos were not prepared for the kind of violence they faced. This was a matter of faulty intelligence gathering on Israel’s part.
• The violent resistance by activists on-board the lead ship was an action designed to serve Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza. Israel acted in self-defense and for its own security interests. However, in the end, this was a successful diplomatic campaign for Hamas, serving Iran’s interests.
• Israel’s public relations officials, who were responsible for getting the facts out quickly to the media, failed to respond in “real time”. They waited many hours to get Israel’s point of view to the media, which was already broadcasting live video from the ships. Israel then went on the defensive, engaging in “damage control” with the media. The government spokesperson’s office and the IDF were too slow in releasing important video that proved Israel’s points: (a) that Israel wasn’t the aggressor; and, (b) that the soldiers acted in self-defense.
FALLOUT:
• A worldwide censure of Israel has already begun. This is an international diplomatic crisis for Israel, which could further isolate the Jewish State, internationally. This could result in a greater deterioration of Israel’s ties with European and Arab states, especially Turkey.
• The UN is expected to condemn Israel, claiming that the ships were carrying humanitarian aid; were in international waters; and that it was illegal for Israel, under international maritime laws, to board the vessels and seize the passengers and cargo. More accusations from the UN are expected, including UN Security Council resolutions against Israel, pointing to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
• Israel has already been accused of war crimes, due to the Goldstone Report; and, threatened with universal jurisdiction, which is already being applied in Britain and Belgium. Israel could be brought before the international court because of this current crisis. And, it’s expected that universal jurisdiction against Israel may be expanded to include other nations. This means, Israeli IDF officers and government leaders could be arrested when traveling abroad.
• Hamas has been trying to prevent peace talks from succeeding between Israel and West Bank Palestinians. This crisis could now help Hamas achieve its goal of breaking the blockade, and derailing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
• The Israeli blockade has already fueled anti-Semitism in the Arab world. Great anti-Semitism can be expected in Arab and European states.
• Further tensions are expected within Israel, provoked by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. There’s talk of another intifada starting.
PRAYER POINTS:
• At least seven Israeli soldiers were injured, two in critical condition, when activists opened fire on Israeli troops. One of the soldiers sustained a critical head injury. Please pray for the complete healing and fast recovery of these Israelis.
• Pray also for the activists that were injured, and comfort for families who lost loved ones on the lead ship.
• This conflict is being fought on the battleground of international public opinion. Pray for this crisis to end quickly, in Israel’s favor. Pray that righteousness, truth, and justice will prevail.
• Pray that the media will report the facts with accuracy and truth, and that those who defend Israel will be heard and received favorably by international viewers and listeners of broadcast and media outlets.
• Pray for protection over Israelis and Jewish people, worldwide, from any backlash as a result of this crisis. Pray, especially, for the Lord to shield Israelis living, working and traveling in Turkey, as the government says the situation has become dangerous there.
• Pray that Israel’s relationship with Turkey will mend and heal. Pray that Turkish leaders, especially, Turkey’s Prime Minister Rajab Tayyip Erdogan, will have a change of heart towards Israel, and believe the truth instead of lies about Israel’s intentions. Pray for Israel to have favor with the Turkish people, as well. Israel needs a good working relationship with Turkish diplomats and generals because of Turkey’s strategic geo-political position in the Middle East region.
• Israel needs good relations with European and Arab states, especially for its defense and security interests. Pray that all strategic defense cooperation will continue; and, that all military exercises scheduled for this time period, will resume immediately.
• Pray that the Israeli government will stand up to pressure and not concede to the Palestinians, Hamas, Syria, the U.S., the UN, the EU, the Quartet, the Arab League, or to any other international entities that would cause Israel to disobey God’s commands. Pray that Israelis call on the name of the Lord, for His mercy, in order to be released from world condemnation because of this crisis.
• Ask God to pre-occupy and distract the nations with other national and international issues and interests, in order for Israel to survive this crisis.
• Pray that all diplomatic challenges Israel is currently facing, will be resolved quickly. Pray that those involved in anti-Israel hatred; that are bent on the de-legitimization of the Jewish State (including the re-writing of history, and the organizing of international boycotts); will be confused in their plans, distracted from their goals, and stopped from carrying out their evil tactics.
• Pray that God will calm the nations, and grant His favor toward Israel, so she can fulfill her biblical calling as a “light to the nations”.
• Left-wing Israelis are contributing to the crisis. They have been protesting the IDF naval raid on the ships; and they are declaring that Israel’s blockade of Gaza is “illegal”. Pray that they would have a change of heart regarding their own nation, and would begin to defend Israel in the face of international condemnation. “A house divided cannot stand.” Pray for greater unity among the citizens of Israel.
• Pray for experienced and intelligent Godly men and women to be put in position to help Israel’s public diplomacy and media challenges. When it comes to winning the media war, every minute counts. Pray that the IDF will coordinate its media campaign with a high degree of excellence and speed.
• Israel allows as much as 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza on a daily basis. The humanitarian aid, from the ships, would have been in addition to what Israel already allows into the Gaza Strip. Please pray that this information is distributed, worldwide, reported by the international media, and believed by those who receive it.
• Two more ships are supposed to sail towards Gaza in a few weeks. They are also expected to try and break the blockade. Please pray that the ship organizers encounter difficulties, and that the planned sailing is cancelled.
ISRAEL’S CRISIS AT SEA
FACTS:
• There was a pre-dawn raid on Monday, by Israel’s navy, of a Gaza-bound protest flotilla of six ships, called, “Free Gaza”. The ship captains claimed to be carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, they also admitted their real intent was to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israel is, technically, at war with Hamas in Gaza, and is not willing to allow weapons into Gaza by ship; or, the release of certain materials that could be used by Hamas to build rockets.
• Reports indicate that the protest flotilla was organized by a radical Islamic group, called IHH (an Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief). It’s based in Turkey, with ties to Hamas and the Moslem Brotherhood. Between 600-700 activists were on-board the ships.
• Israel warned the ships not to break the blockade, and to proceed, instead to Ashdod port, where they could deliver their humanitarian aid. Israel promised to get the aid to the people of Gaza. The captains of the ships refused to obey Israel’s orders.
• The Israeli navy then ordered helicopters to proceed toward the ships in the Mediterranean Sea. About 80 miles from the Gaza coast, the helicopters released naval commandos to drop into the ships and seize control. The Israeli navy was not prepared for serious violent clashes. When Israeli soldiers descended onto the lead ship, several activists tried to lynch them, using knives, metal and wood bats, clubs, and sticks, beating the soldiers ruthlessly. (There were rocks, detonators, large hammers, slingshots with glass marbles, and sharp metal objects on-board, as well). The violent activists threw a soldier over a third-story railing, and he sustained serious head injuries. They used stun grenades and Molotov cocktails against Israeli troops. And, they captured pistols from some of the commandos, and started to shoot. The commandos, in an act of self-defense, returned fire. At least 10 activists were killed. Many were wounded by the violent clashes on the lead ship, including at least seven Israeli soldiers. Most of those killed and wounded were Turkish nationals.
• The activists also tried to tie the ropes dangling from the helicopters, to the lead ship, in hopes of bringing down the helicopters.
• Visuals from the Gaza flotilla ship showed young Moslems shouting Islamic battle chants, invoking the killing and defeat of Jews in battle. One women interviewed on Al-Jazeera said that the goal of the flotilla participants was, “one of two happy endings: either martyrdom or reaching Gaza.”
• Israeli commandos had no problem seizing the other five ships, and all activists on-board those ships surrendered peacefully.
• There were members of international parliaments on-board the six ships, including those from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and Kuwait. There was also a Noble Peace Laureate on-board, as well as, a UN high-level official. As of this writing, there has not been a public statement about the condition of these V.I.P.’s.
• There was an Arab member of Israel’s Knesset on board the lead ship, Haneen Zoabi. She was not harmed. She spent Monday morning in IDF custody because she participated in the ship flotilla.
• Reports indicate that, not only were there anti-Israel activists on-board the ships, but also wanted Hamas terrorists, and those with ties to global jihad and Al-Qaeda.
• Netanyahu was in Canada about ready to leave for Washington, D.C., but postponed his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama because of the crisis. The meeting was supposed to help repair relations between Obama and Netanyahu.
• Israel’s ambassadors in embassies and consulates, worldwide, were called in by their host governments to explain what happened at sea.
• Greece, Turkey, and Germany cancelled important military exercises with Israel.
• Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel, saying this was not an Israeli-Turkish incident, but one of Israel’s relationship with the entire international community.
• Criticism and condemnation rose across Europe and the Arab world. Protests and riots occurred on the streets of Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Bosnia, France, and England. At least 10,000 Turks marched on Istanbul. About 1,000 Jordanians protested in Amman.
• Arab states, led by Turkey, called for a full investigation by the UN Security Council.
• European states called for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
• Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning in the Palestinian territories. He claimed that Israel planned an assault on the ships in advance, and violated international law. He called for the UN to stand up to Israel; and, demanded that the UN and US intervene and cause Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal called on Jordan and Egypt to cut off diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Israel’s police and prison services went on the highest state of alert. Unrest in Israeli Arab towns caused clashes with police.
• The U.S. administration did not condemn Israel, but called for an investigation to determine what happened.
• Egypt just opened the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
FAILURES:
• Senior Israeli officials said the naval operation was a failure. Israeli naval commandos were not prepared for the kind of violence they faced. This was a matter of faulty intelligence gathering on Israel’s part.
• The violent resistance by activists on-board the lead ship was an action designed to serve Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza. Israel acted in self-defense and for its own security interests. However, in the end, this was a successful diplomatic campaign for Hamas, serving Iran’s interests.
• Israel’s public relations officials, who were responsible for getting the facts out quickly to the media, failed to respond in “real time”. They waited many hours to get Israel’s point of view to the media, which was already broadcasting live video from the ships. Israel then went on the defensive, engaging in “damage control” with the media. The government spokesperson’s office and the IDF were too slow in releasing important video that proved Israel’s points: (a) that Israel wasn’t the aggressor; and, (b) that the soldiers acted in self-defense.
FALLOUT:
• A worldwide censure of Israel has already begun. This is an international diplomatic crisis for Israel, which could further isolate the Jewish State, internationally. This could result in a greater deterioration of Israel’s ties with European and Arab states, especially Turkey.
• The UN is expected to condemn Israel, claiming that the ships were carrying humanitarian aid; were in international waters; and that it was illegal for Israel, under international maritime laws, to board the vessels and seize the passengers and cargo. More accusations from the UN are expected, including UN Security Council resolutions against Israel, pointing to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
• Israel has already been accused of war crimes, due to the Goldstone Report; and, threatened with universal jurisdiction, which is already being applied in Britain and Belgium. Israel could be brought before the international court because of this current crisis. And, it’s expected that universal jurisdiction against Israel may be expanded to include other nations. This means, Israeli IDF officers and government leaders could be arrested when traveling abroad.
• Hamas has been trying to prevent peace talks from succeeding between Israel and West Bank Palestinians. This crisis could now help Hamas achieve its goal of breaking the blockade, and derailing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
• The Israeli blockade has already fueled anti-Semitism in the Arab world. Great anti-Semitism can be expected in Arab and European states.
• Further tensions are expected within Israel, provoked by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. There’s talk of another intifada starting.
PRAYER POINTS:
• At least seven Israeli soldiers were injured, two in critical condition, when activists opened fire on Israeli troops. One of the soldiers sustained a critical head injury. Please pray for the complete healing and fast recovery of these Israelis.
• Pray also for the activists that were injured, and comfort for families who lost loved ones on the lead ship.
• This conflict is being fought on the battleground of international public opinion. Pray for this crisis to end quickly, in Israel’s favor. Pray that righteousness, truth, and justice will prevail.
• Pray that the media will report the facts with accuracy and truth, and that those who defend Israel will be heard and received favorably by international viewers and listeners of broadcast and media outlets.
• Pray for protection over Israelis and Jewish people, worldwide, from any backlash as a result of this crisis. Pray, especially, for the Lord to shield Israelis living, working and traveling in Turkey, as the government says the situation has become dangerous there.
• Pray that Israel’s relationship with Turkey will mend and heal. Pray that Turkish leaders, especially, Turkey’s Prime Minister Rajab Tayyip Erdogan, will have a change of heart towards Israel, and believe the truth instead of lies about Israel’s intentions. Pray for Israel to have favor with the Turkish people, as well. Israel needs a good working relationship with Turkish diplomats and generals because of Turkey’s strategic geo-political position in the Middle East region.
• Israel needs good relations with European and Arab states, especially for its defense and security interests. Pray that all strategic defense cooperation will continue; and, that all military exercises scheduled for this time period, will resume immediately.
• Pray that the Israeli government will stand up to pressure and not concede to the Palestinians, Hamas, Syria, the U.S., the UN, the EU, the Quartet, the Arab League, or to any other international entities that would cause Israel to disobey God’s commands. Pray that Israelis call on the name of the Lord, for His mercy, in order to be released from world condemnation because of this crisis.
• Ask God to pre-occupy and distract the nations with other national and international issues and interests, in order for Israel to survive this crisis.
• Pray that all diplomatic challenges Israel is currently facing, will be resolved quickly. Pray that those involved in anti-Israel hatred; that are bent on the de-legitimization of the Jewish State (including the re-writing of history, and the organizing of international boycotts); will be confused in their plans, distracted from their goals, and stopped from carrying out their evil tactics.
• Pray that God will calm the nations, and grant His favor toward Israel, so she can fulfill her biblical calling as a “light to the nations”.
• Left-wing Israelis are contributing to the crisis. They have been protesting the IDF naval raid on the ships; and they are declaring that Israel’s blockade of Gaza is “illegal”. Pray that they would have a change of heart regarding their own nation, and would begin to defend Israel in the face of international condemnation. “A house divided cannot stand.” Pray for greater unity among the citizens of Israel.
• Pray for experienced and intelligent Godly men and women to be put in position to help Israel’s public diplomacy and media challenges. When it comes to winning the media war, every minute counts. Pray that the IDF will coordinate its media campaign with a high degree of excellence and speed.
• Israel allows as much as 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza on a daily basis. The humanitarian aid, from the ships, would have been in addition to what Israel already allows into the Gaza Strip. Please pray that this information is distributed, worldwide, reported by the international media, and believed by those who receive it.
• Two more ships are supposed to sail towards Gaza in a few weeks. They are also expected to try and break the blockade. Please pray that the ship organizers encounter difficulties, and that the planned sailing is cancelled.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXIII
Jerusalem, Israel
PEACE TALKS AND GLOBAL ANTI-SEMITISM
Commentary and Interview with Lance Lambert
While Palestinian and Israeli leaders engage in proximity talks, the Palestinians are already planning a renewal of the armed struggle against Israel, if the talks fail within the next few months. The Fatah movement has also threatened to take the Palestinian cause, once again, to the United Nations, looking to isolate Israel, internationally. Furthermore, Fatah members are trying to prevent Israel from deepening ties with the European Union.
Earlier this month, the Palestinians attempted to keep Israel from being invited to join the OECD (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). It was a failed sinister attempt by the Palestinians to exclude Israel from attaining an important financial level in an elite global organization. On May 10, 2010, all members of the OECD voted in favor of including Israel.
Now, a current Palestinian boycott against Israeli goods originating from the settlements has been designed to hurt Israel, economically. However, this means that thousands of Palestinian workers, who had jobs in the territories, are facing unemployment because of the boycott.
The Palestinians have been trying to discredit Israel, diplomatically, for years. Yet, introducing new policies attempting to de-legitimize the Jewish State, in the midst of proximity talks, has been particularly offensive to the Israeli government. A majority of Israelis do not believe that the current indirect talks with the Palestinians will lead to direct talks, and even if they do, that a final peace agreement will be reached. This is because, while Palestinian leaders say they want peace, their actions continue to demonstrate that they want to do Israel harm.
The anti-Israel stance by the Palestinians is just the tip of the ice-burg in a growing hatred of Israel that is increasing, globally. There are diplomatic initiatives being drawn up by international groups, intent on keeping Israel from being able to adequately defend itself. These groups claim that Israel uses disproportionate force against its enemies, with behavior that is too militant and too aggressive.
In addition, Islamic anti-Israel hatred has grown; coupled with classic anti-Semitism against the international Jewish community. This resulted in a peak in violent actions in 2009.
An escalation in hostilities toward the Jewish people began during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza (December 2008 to January 2009). Mass demonstrations, along with verbal and physical attacks, including outrageous accusations of Jewish blood libels, became more common place after Operation Cast Lead. This was especially noticeable when the Goldstone report was released (a document which unfairly accused Israel of war crimes in its Gaza offensive). The number of violent and verbal incidents against Jews spiked within Moslem communities in Western Europe, particularly.
A famous synagogue in Worms, Germany, which this reporter visited years ago, was attacked by arsonists on May 17, 2010. Leaving a note blaming Israel for the continued conflict with the Palestinians, the vandals tried, unsuccessfully to torch the entire building. Those who committed the crime may have been influenced by Islamic anti-Semitism. However, local Jewish leaders still aren’t sure. They said the attack could also be from neo-Nazi’s or extreme leftists. What unites European Moslems with these other groups is one common enemy... Israel.
The synagogue, built in 1034, destroyed by the Germans in 1938, was re-built in 1961. Behind the synagogue is a Jewish Cemetery believed to be the oldest in Europe. Now, local authorities will have to include a police presence, and build a protective barrier, in order to keep the building from incurring further attacks. Already, Jewish establishments across the world have been hiring security guards and creating barricades to protect their buildings and staff from violent anti-Semitic attacks.
Bible teacher and international speaker, Lance Lambert, spoke to this reporter about the current crisis, from his home in Jerusalem. “There’s always been anti-Semitism in the world. It is the most ancient hatred in world history. And, it has reached crescendo levels at times, in different points of history,” Lambert pointed out.
According to Lambert, approximately 40-70 million Moslems are living in Europe at this time, representing a significant minority. “While they are a minority, all is well. They don’t make a fuss. They only complain they are victimized. But, the minute they become a larger group, they begin to start exercising their muscle,” Lambert explained.
He cited that the violent trends against Jewish people in European nations can be directly attributed to an increase in Moslem populations that stir up trouble. “And, these nations, because of these Moslem minorities, are actually taking a stand against Jerusalem.”
Another factor that has contributed to a bias against Israel has been inaccurate reporting by major media outlets. While Israeli analysts do not think that an over emphasis on accusations against Israel is intentional on the part of Middle East reporters, negative headlines still make the daily news. The fact that Arab financiers hold substantial assets in global media conglomerates may explain why broadcast and print editors tend to release biased reports about Israel. Lambert believes that an emphasis on alleged Israeli war crimes, reported extensively in the European media, has kept certain high level Israeli officials from being able to travel to Belgium and Britain for fear of being arrested. “You have a world media that is energized by the powers of darkness and they produce lies....Now Israel is in a quandary; if she does anything, she could become a pariah to the nations.”
In speaking to a media advisor of a high level diplomat in the Israeli government, this reporter learned that the problem of bias against Israel in the media is exacerbated by the bureaucracy related to Israel’s democracy. When, for example, Israeli defense forces are accused of unfairly shooting a Palestinian, media outlets report the event as fact in their daily news feeds. But, while the IDF may say that they had no soldiers in the area at that time, the military still has to check out the incident and investigate it. By the time the military report is released, proving that the IDF was not the one that shot the Palestinian, it is considered old news by media outlets. And, Israel’s public image has already been damaged by the false information previously reported. This has happened on more than one occasion.
While Israel’s public diplomacy organizations are trying to get vital information to the global media as quickly as possible, the Palestinians, who do not operate in a democratic atmosphere, are content with bringing false accusations against Israel in “real time”. This is picked up, immediately, by media outlets hungry for news stories.
Currently, there is also a strain in global financial markets. According to Lambert, the nations have increased their national debt by billions, if not trillions, and he thinks there will be massive bankruptcy. “Most of the countries in Europe are in fearful condition economically; financially. There is a fear everywhere to not do anything that rocks the boat.... (Therefore), placate the Moslems, and don’t say too much that is nice about the Jews.”
At the same time, Lambert claims that the Arab nations, which lost wars and became stagnant and weak over the centuries, started gaining strength, last century, because of oil money. “Oil put back wealth into the hands of the Moslems...With the money that came from oil, and the influence that came from oil, because it was to be the great energy force of the 20th century, it had an enormous effect.”
As the Jewish people face crisis after crisis in relationship to the nations, and as Israel continues to be portrayed as a bully occupier, Lambert says the key is to understand the spiritual forces behind Israel’s adversaries. ”History is only the expression of spiritual forces, basically... I think the powers of darkness are having a field day.”
Lambert thinks that the increase in anti-Semitism will be a catalyst to get the Jews to pack their bags and return to their homeland, Israel. “The Lord will use it to produce Aliyah; certainly with France, because the French Jewish community is the largest in Europe – 500,000 strong. It is not being broadcast, but there are a large number of French Jews beginning to come back because they see the writing on the wall.”
As proximity talks continue, and the Israelis and Palestinians try to resolve their differences, the global diplomatic push is for a two state solution. This would cause Israel to withdrawal from land that some, here, believe is the biblical heartland of the Jewish State. Lambert does not think that the Israeli government wants to divide the land, but there may be an attempt by the international community to force the government into an agreement. “I think it is possible that they will impose a solution; that imposition will arouse the fury of the Almighty.”
Pointing to other issues, like Iran’s attempt to develop a nuclear bomb, Lambert surmised that the nations are currently acting the way they did in Adolph Hitler’s time. “I don’t think that Iran will be stopped any more than Adolph Hitler was stopped. They will be judged in the end, as Hitler was. The nations are unbelievably imbecilic. We have gone right through the build-up of the Holocaust; the appeasement of Hitler. The nations did nothing... I believe that the present situation is exactly the same; the appeasement of the nations. The nations don’t really want to believe that Iran is doing this.”
Lambert points out that God has a controversy with the nations, and according to scripture, will defend Israel in the end. “I don’t think the Lord will sacrifice this people. He will fight for them; Zechariah 14. The nations will come against Jerusalem to battle, and the Lord will go forth to fight for them in that day.”
What bothers Lambert, and other Bible believers, is the constant declared intent by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to annihilate Israel. Leaders in Jerusalem take these public proclamations seriously, and see Iran as an existential threat to the Jewish State.
During the Nazi era, Hitler tried to wipe out European Jewry. As Lambert explained, the powers of darkness tried to stop the re-creation of the nation of Israel, but the Holocaust became the catalyst for the modern state to be born in 1948. He believes Israel will come through a future war with Iran, even in the midst of great suffering. “Now, I wonder if this second phase would be the catalyst for the salvation of Israel. Iran’s attempt to annihilate us; liquidate us. Will it be that the Lord will, in some amazing way, deliver?”
Lambert acknowledged that the world has entered into a period of time where there will be more sanctions against Israel, along with more misrepresentation and alienation of the Jewish State, including more violent acts. He stated that there will be judgment on the nations for their acts against Israel, and the ultimate battle will be over Jerusalem. “The Lord will rise up to defend this little postage stamp of territory, and Jerusalem. He has always done it; and, He will do it again.”
The command in scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” is essential in the face of increased hostilities towards Israel and the Jewish people. It’s a key element for those who want to see the Jewish State survive, and believe Israel is to be a “light to the nations”.
Noting how God gave intercessors in Europe scriptural promises to meditate on and proclaim during World War II, Lambert assessed that this new season of prayer is not sentimental or emotional. “The basis has to be the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit has to give you the scriptures that you can stand on. If you stand on it, it shall be done.”
“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace; And, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest; Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.” Isaiah 62:1
PEACE TALKS AND GLOBAL ANTI-SEMITISM
Commentary and Interview with Lance Lambert
While Palestinian and Israeli leaders engage in proximity talks, the Palestinians are already planning a renewal of the armed struggle against Israel, if the talks fail within the next few months. The Fatah movement has also threatened to take the Palestinian cause, once again, to the United Nations, looking to isolate Israel, internationally. Furthermore, Fatah members are trying to prevent Israel from deepening ties with the European Union.
Earlier this month, the Palestinians attempted to keep Israel from being invited to join the OECD (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). It was a failed sinister attempt by the Palestinians to exclude Israel from attaining an important financial level in an elite global organization. On May 10, 2010, all members of the OECD voted in favor of including Israel.
Now, a current Palestinian boycott against Israeli goods originating from the settlements has been designed to hurt Israel, economically. However, this means that thousands of Palestinian workers, who had jobs in the territories, are facing unemployment because of the boycott.
The Palestinians have been trying to discredit Israel, diplomatically, for years. Yet, introducing new policies attempting to de-legitimize the Jewish State, in the midst of proximity talks, has been particularly offensive to the Israeli government. A majority of Israelis do not believe that the current indirect talks with the Palestinians will lead to direct talks, and even if they do, that a final peace agreement will be reached. This is because, while Palestinian leaders say they want peace, their actions continue to demonstrate that they want to do Israel harm.
The anti-Israel stance by the Palestinians is just the tip of the ice-burg in a growing hatred of Israel that is increasing, globally. There are diplomatic initiatives being drawn up by international groups, intent on keeping Israel from being able to adequately defend itself. These groups claim that Israel uses disproportionate force against its enemies, with behavior that is too militant and too aggressive.
In addition, Islamic anti-Israel hatred has grown; coupled with classic anti-Semitism against the international Jewish community. This resulted in a peak in violent actions in 2009.
An escalation in hostilities toward the Jewish people began during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza (December 2008 to January 2009). Mass demonstrations, along with verbal and physical attacks, including outrageous accusations of Jewish blood libels, became more common place after Operation Cast Lead. This was especially noticeable when the Goldstone report was released (a document which unfairly accused Israel of war crimes in its Gaza offensive). The number of violent and verbal incidents against Jews spiked within Moslem communities in Western Europe, particularly.
A famous synagogue in Worms, Germany, which this reporter visited years ago, was attacked by arsonists on May 17, 2010. Leaving a note blaming Israel for the continued conflict with the Palestinians, the vandals tried, unsuccessfully to torch the entire building. Those who committed the crime may have been influenced by Islamic anti-Semitism. However, local Jewish leaders still aren’t sure. They said the attack could also be from neo-Nazi’s or extreme leftists. What unites European Moslems with these other groups is one common enemy... Israel.
The synagogue, built in 1034, destroyed by the Germans in 1938, was re-built in 1961. Behind the synagogue is a Jewish Cemetery believed to be the oldest in Europe. Now, local authorities will have to include a police presence, and build a protective barrier, in order to keep the building from incurring further attacks. Already, Jewish establishments across the world have been hiring security guards and creating barricades to protect their buildings and staff from violent anti-Semitic attacks.
Bible teacher and international speaker, Lance Lambert, spoke to this reporter about the current crisis, from his home in Jerusalem. “There’s always been anti-Semitism in the world. It is the most ancient hatred in world history. And, it has reached crescendo levels at times, in different points of history,” Lambert pointed out.
According to Lambert, approximately 40-70 million Moslems are living in Europe at this time, representing a significant minority. “While they are a minority, all is well. They don’t make a fuss. They only complain they are victimized. But, the minute they become a larger group, they begin to start exercising their muscle,” Lambert explained.
He cited that the violent trends against Jewish people in European nations can be directly attributed to an increase in Moslem populations that stir up trouble. “And, these nations, because of these Moslem minorities, are actually taking a stand against Jerusalem.”
Another factor that has contributed to a bias against Israel has been inaccurate reporting by major media outlets. While Israeli analysts do not think that an over emphasis on accusations against Israel is intentional on the part of Middle East reporters, negative headlines still make the daily news. The fact that Arab financiers hold substantial assets in global media conglomerates may explain why broadcast and print editors tend to release biased reports about Israel. Lambert believes that an emphasis on alleged Israeli war crimes, reported extensively in the European media, has kept certain high level Israeli officials from being able to travel to Belgium and Britain for fear of being arrested. “You have a world media that is energized by the powers of darkness and they produce lies....Now Israel is in a quandary; if she does anything, she could become a pariah to the nations.”
In speaking to a media advisor of a high level diplomat in the Israeli government, this reporter learned that the problem of bias against Israel in the media is exacerbated by the bureaucracy related to Israel’s democracy. When, for example, Israeli defense forces are accused of unfairly shooting a Palestinian, media outlets report the event as fact in their daily news feeds. But, while the IDF may say that they had no soldiers in the area at that time, the military still has to check out the incident and investigate it. By the time the military report is released, proving that the IDF was not the one that shot the Palestinian, it is considered old news by media outlets. And, Israel’s public image has already been damaged by the false information previously reported. This has happened on more than one occasion.
While Israel’s public diplomacy organizations are trying to get vital information to the global media as quickly as possible, the Palestinians, who do not operate in a democratic atmosphere, are content with bringing false accusations against Israel in “real time”. This is picked up, immediately, by media outlets hungry for news stories.
Currently, there is also a strain in global financial markets. According to Lambert, the nations have increased their national debt by billions, if not trillions, and he thinks there will be massive bankruptcy. “Most of the countries in Europe are in fearful condition economically; financially. There is a fear everywhere to not do anything that rocks the boat.... (Therefore), placate the Moslems, and don’t say too much that is nice about the Jews.”
At the same time, Lambert claims that the Arab nations, which lost wars and became stagnant and weak over the centuries, started gaining strength, last century, because of oil money. “Oil put back wealth into the hands of the Moslems...With the money that came from oil, and the influence that came from oil, because it was to be the great energy force of the 20th century, it had an enormous effect.”
As the Jewish people face crisis after crisis in relationship to the nations, and as Israel continues to be portrayed as a bully occupier, Lambert says the key is to understand the spiritual forces behind Israel’s adversaries. ”History is only the expression of spiritual forces, basically... I think the powers of darkness are having a field day.”
Lambert thinks that the increase in anti-Semitism will be a catalyst to get the Jews to pack their bags and return to their homeland, Israel. “The Lord will use it to produce Aliyah; certainly with France, because the French Jewish community is the largest in Europe – 500,000 strong. It is not being broadcast, but there are a large number of French Jews beginning to come back because they see the writing on the wall.”
As proximity talks continue, and the Israelis and Palestinians try to resolve their differences, the global diplomatic push is for a two state solution. This would cause Israel to withdrawal from land that some, here, believe is the biblical heartland of the Jewish State. Lambert does not think that the Israeli government wants to divide the land, but there may be an attempt by the international community to force the government into an agreement. “I think it is possible that they will impose a solution; that imposition will arouse the fury of the Almighty.”
Pointing to other issues, like Iran’s attempt to develop a nuclear bomb, Lambert surmised that the nations are currently acting the way they did in Adolph Hitler’s time. “I don’t think that Iran will be stopped any more than Adolph Hitler was stopped. They will be judged in the end, as Hitler was. The nations are unbelievably imbecilic. We have gone right through the build-up of the Holocaust; the appeasement of Hitler. The nations did nothing... I believe that the present situation is exactly the same; the appeasement of the nations. The nations don’t really want to believe that Iran is doing this.”
Lambert points out that God has a controversy with the nations, and according to scripture, will defend Israel in the end. “I don’t think the Lord will sacrifice this people. He will fight for them; Zechariah 14. The nations will come against Jerusalem to battle, and the Lord will go forth to fight for them in that day.”
What bothers Lambert, and other Bible believers, is the constant declared intent by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to annihilate Israel. Leaders in Jerusalem take these public proclamations seriously, and see Iran as an existential threat to the Jewish State.
During the Nazi era, Hitler tried to wipe out European Jewry. As Lambert explained, the powers of darkness tried to stop the re-creation of the nation of Israel, but the Holocaust became the catalyst for the modern state to be born in 1948. He believes Israel will come through a future war with Iran, even in the midst of great suffering. “Now, I wonder if this second phase would be the catalyst for the salvation of Israel. Iran’s attempt to annihilate us; liquidate us. Will it be that the Lord will, in some amazing way, deliver?”
Lambert acknowledged that the world has entered into a period of time where there will be more sanctions against Israel, along with more misrepresentation and alienation of the Jewish State, including more violent acts. He stated that there will be judgment on the nations for their acts against Israel, and the ultimate battle will be over Jerusalem. “The Lord will rise up to defend this little postage stamp of territory, and Jerusalem. He has always done it; and, He will do it again.”
The command in scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” is essential in the face of increased hostilities towards Israel and the Jewish people. It’s a key element for those who want to see the Jewish State survive, and believe Israel is to be a “light to the nations”.
Noting how God gave intercessors in Europe scriptural promises to meditate on and proclaim during World War II, Lambert assessed that this new season of prayer is not sentimental or emotional. “The basis has to be the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit has to give you the scriptures that you can stand on. If you stand on it, it shall be done.”
“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace; And, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest; Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.” Isaiah 62:1
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XXII
Jerusalem, Israel
CRISIS IN JERUSALEM
Clashes with police on the streets of Jerusalem by Palestinians and Israeli Arabs could spark a third intifada in Israel. The latest fighting began after Israel announced the finished renovations of the historic Hurva synagogue in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter. At the same time, a right-wing group called the Temple Mount Faithful sought permission to go up on the Temple Mount to lay a corner stone, indicating a symbolic gesture towards the re-building of the Temple. Police refused to allow any Jew on the Mount, but false rumors spread that Moslem holy sites were being threatened by a supposed Jewish takeover.
The increased tension in Israel’s Old City follows a recent announcement by the Ministry of Interior that 1,600 housing units have been approved for a northeast neighborhood of Jerusalem. The announcement, which was declared during American Vice President Joseph Biden’s visit, was ill-timed, and has resulted in intense friction between America and Israel.
The U.S., once an ardent supporter of the Jewish State, has now entered the fray of other nations in rebuking Israel by condemning the housing and settlement policies of the Netanyahu government. America has been unrelenting in its demands of Jerusalem officials since the housing announcement was made. No apology by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been acceptable to U.S. officials. The Obama Administration is now expecting Israel to freeze all building in Jerusalem, and to offer the Palestinians more concessions, before peace talks get under way. So far, Netanyahu has refused.
The talks, which are supposed to start off as “indirect”, were finally agreed to after a stand-off between Israel and the Palestinians that lasted more than a year. Due to the present crisis, these proximity talks may be delayed, highlighting the continued failure of U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East.
One of the purposes of Biden’s visit to Israel was to garner more public support from Israelis who have had difficulty trusting U.S. President Barack Obama’s true intentions. The American public relations campaign got off to a good start, but failed miserably when the U.S. took issue with Netanyahu over the housing announcement.
While Biden was in Jerusalem, he warmly greeted Israeli officials, and spoke of the great partnership between the two allies. He reaffirmed America’s commitment to protecting the security interests of Israel. He said that America stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel, in an “ironclad commitment”, especially in the face of enemy threats. And, he expressed his pleasure that Israel and the Palestinians would soon get the peace process back on track.
Then, came the ill-timed housing announcement that turned the American public relations campaign into an Israeli public relations disaster.
It now seems that the strategic U.S.-Israel alliance has hit a low point. Attempts will be made to patch this up before Netanyahu travels to Washington, D.C. for the AIPAC policy conference, speaking right after U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton, to an audience of ardent Israel supporters.
Israel enters this new diplomatic season in U.S.-Israel relations shocked that its main ally in the world has turned so quickly and so publicly against its vital interests. This has not only caused a shake-up in the strategic partnership, but has put Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an awkward position, politically. He will, most likely, choose to weather this storm, hoping that new U.S. and Palestinian expectations will go away, and he will not have to give in to more Israeli concessions before the peace process indirect talks begin.
If Netanyahu has to choose between keeping his strong right-center government coalition in place, or caving into the demands of American policymakers, including Obama, himself, Netanyahu may use this opportunity to show his strength and courage to the Israeli electorate. If he looks to unite the Israeli people and stand firm in what he believes -- that is, that Jerusalem will remain the undivided eternal capital of Israel, and nothing about it is negotiable -- then he will be remembered as a great leader of his nation. Respect for Netanyahu among his own people, and, respect for him among international leaders will be gained if he is seen as a man that firmly stands on his principles – principles that a majority of Israelis now agree with. Many in Israel are hoping he remains true to his convictions in the face of unyielding U.S. pressure.
In the meantime, Israel continues to receive the rebuke of the international community about its current plans to build in east Jerusalem. On March 12, the Quartet (U.S., UN, EU, and Russia) issued a statement condemning such actions. It said it would closely monitor developments in Jerusalem and keep, under consideration, additional steps that may be required to address the situation on the ground. This announcement comes before the Quartet meets in Moscow on March 19.
One of Israel’s concerns is that Russia wants a more influential role in the peace process and may now try to garner support for hosting an international peace conference. Middle East analysts believe the purpose of such a gathering would be to push Israel into making dangerous concessions to the Palestinians in order to get negotiations moving forward towards a final peace deal.
Israel is also concerned that the Palestinians will now push for more condemnation of Israel at the United Nations, and will eventually try to impose UN sanctions on Israel; especially if the Netanyahu government continues its current West Bank settlement plans, as well as efforts to continue building in Jerusalem.
Israeli politicians usually like to dismiss as “superfluous” any disagreements with the U.S. Administration, saying such things are common practice between allies, and should not be taken seriously. But, this recent spat is considered by some diplomats as a deep schism in the U.S.-Israel relationship.
What is at stake here, and is receiving little media attention, is just how much of this partnership rests on Obama’s success in the Middle East. He intends for the U.S. to remain as the main peace broker between Israel and the Palestinians. He’s desperately looking for some progress on this front in order to be able to move ahead with his own plans.
According to Biden, in late March, Obama will be traveling to Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Moslem population where he lived as a boy. Perhaps, Obama hopes to bring Indonesia into the circle of Moslem nations he is courting. To do so, he may want to prove that he is not only the most prominent and powerful leader of the free world, but also the most likely western leader to unite the Arab world in the cause of stopping Iran from “going nuclear”.
The Obama doctrine on foreign policy was clearly stated in Biden’s Tel Aviv University speech when he said: “We are determined to keep the pressure on Iran so that it will change its course. And, as we do, we will also be seeking to improve relations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. They are connected indirectly, but there is a relationship. We call on Arab states, who share a mutual concern about Iran – we call on Arab states to support the effort to bring peace between Palestinians and the Israelis, and to take their own steps forward for peace with Israel.”
The U.S. agenda is to get the Arabs on-board, in a U.S. led coalition against Iran, but Arab states will only do so once they see progress between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has become the catalyst for this linkage to work successfully. Perhaps, American officials also fear that time is running out, and they will not be able to put a U.S. led coalition together before Israeli officials feel they must take military action against Iran.
Biden also said in his speech that “incitement against Israel continues as do attacks on the legitimacy of Jewish ties to this ancient land.” But, contrary to his words, it is now the United States that is verbally attacking Israel for its ties to the ancient city of Jerusalem, and the biblical heartland of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria).
The reason for this apparent lack of concern about Israel’s ancient homeland can be assessed by these comments in Biden’s Tel Aviv speech: “And, there is now an Arab Peace Initiative that makes an important contribution by envisioning a future in which Israel is secure and at peace with its Arab neighbors.”
Israel has already explained to American officials that the Arab Peace Initiative is unacceptable. The plan gives no wiggle room in negotiations, insisting Israel withdraw to pre-1967 borders, divide Jerusalem, and find a solution to allowing Palestinian so-called “refugees” to return to Israel, rather than to their own Palestinian state. Israel’s biggest concern, however, is that the Arab Peace Initiative leaves no room for Israel to retain defensible borders. This is exactly what the Arab nations and the Palestinians want.... a weakened Israel that militarily cannot defend itself -- in exchange for a peace agreement.
So, what are America’s diplomatic interests that are currently the most important factor in Obama’s game plan? In speaking of Iranian leaders, and the U.S. attempt to engage them in meaningful dialogue towards stopping their military nuclear program, Biden explained: “If they fail to respond, we would be in a much stronger position to rally the international community to impose consequences for their actions.”
Obama is looking for a comprehensive peace settlement between Israel, the Palestinians, and the Arab world. He is hoping to emerge as the global leader who can accomplish this goal, even after many American presidents have failed to do so. He wants to unite Arab nations and European states against Iran, and he believes his plans must be implemented quickly.
But, in building his diplomatic agenda, Obama has failed to understand that the piece of land being fought over by Israel, the Palestinians, and Islamic states, is a fight that cannot be settled by successful foreign policy planning. It is an ancient conflict, that has deep historic and biblical roots, and the outcome belongs to the decision of no man, but God Himself.
Biden spoke of Israel’s unique relationship with the United States, declaring: “Our nations’ unbreakable bond, born of common values, interwoven cultures, and mutual interests has spanned the entirety of Israel’s history. And, it’s impervious to any shifts in either country; and, either country’s partisan politics. No matter what challenges we face, this bond will endure.”
Let’s hope that American officials listen to the words they dictated Biden to share with Israelis at Tel Aviv University. Israel is becoming too heavy a burden for America to carry on its own, and the “enduring” bond already seems to be breaking under intense pressure.
“On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world. None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed.”
Zechariah 12:3 (New Living Translation)
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Pray for Jerusalem, Zion, the Jewish Quarter, the Old City, and the Temple Mount. Sound the alarm!
Joel 2:1 – Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound an alarm on My Holy Mountain. (This is the Lord's Temple; His Dwelling Place).
Psalm 102:13 – Arise and have mercy on Zion.
Isaiah 14:32 – It’s the Lord that has founded Zion.
Jeremiah 31:23b – The Lord bless you, O Home of Justice and Mountain of Holiness.
Joel 3:17 – The Lord dwells in Zion, His Holy Mountain, and in Jerusalem.
Zephaniah 3:14 – Zion, Jerusalem -- God will cast out your enemy; no more disaster!
Haggai 2:7-9 – God will shake the nations, and will fill the Temple and there will be peace.
(2) Pray for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government; for U.S. President Barack Obama's Administration; and about the crisis in U.S.-Israel relations.
Zechariah 12:2 – Jerusalem, a cup of reeling (drunkenness) to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:8 – God defends the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
(3) Pray about the evil counsel that the nations are abiding under. Pray that the nations are set free to follow God's way and not their own.
Read Psalm Chapter 2; Psalm 83
Psalm 33:10-11 – Read about the counsel of the nations vs. the counsel of the Lord.
(4) Pray about the sin of the nations; and, of those leaders who come against Israel on a constant basis.
Isaiah 24b-25 – To Him men shall come and all shall be ashamed. But, Israel shall be glorified!
Joel 2:18-19 – Israel will no longer be a reproach among the nations.
CRISIS IN JERUSALEM
Clashes with police on the streets of Jerusalem by Palestinians and Israeli Arabs could spark a third intifada in Israel. The latest fighting began after Israel announced the finished renovations of the historic Hurva synagogue in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter. At the same time, a right-wing group called the Temple Mount Faithful sought permission to go up on the Temple Mount to lay a corner stone, indicating a symbolic gesture towards the re-building of the Temple. Police refused to allow any Jew on the Mount, but false rumors spread that Moslem holy sites were being threatened by a supposed Jewish takeover.
The increased tension in Israel’s Old City follows a recent announcement by the Ministry of Interior that 1,600 housing units have been approved for a northeast neighborhood of Jerusalem. The announcement, which was declared during American Vice President Joseph Biden’s visit, was ill-timed, and has resulted in intense friction between America and Israel.
The U.S., once an ardent supporter of the Jewish State, has now entered the fray of other nations in rebuking Israel by condemning the housing and settlement policies of the Netanyahu government. America has been unrelenting in its demands of Jerusalem officials since the housing announcement was made. No apology by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been acceptable to U.S. officials. The Obama Administration is now expecting Israel to freeze all building in Jerusalem, and to offer the Palestinians more concessions, before peace talks get under way. So far, Netanyahu has refused.
The talks, which are supposed to start off as “indirect”, were finally agreed to after a stand-off between Israel and the Palestinians that lasted more than a year. Due to the present crisis, these proximity talks may be delayed, highlighting the continued failure of U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East.
One of the purposes of Biden’s visit to Israel was to garner more public support from Israelis who have had difficulty trusting U.S. President Barack Obama’s true intentions. The American public relations campaign got off to a good start, but failed miserably when the U.S. took issue with Netanyahu over the housing announcement.
While Biden was in Jerusalem, he warmly greeted Israeli officials, and spoke of the great partnership between the two allies. He reaffirmed America’s commitment to protecting the security interests of Israel. He said that America stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel, in an “ironclad commitment”, especially in the face of enemy threats. And, he expressed his pleasure that Israel and the Palestinians would soon get the peace process back on track.
Then, came the ill-timed housing announcement that turned the American public relations campaign into an Israeli public relations disaster.
It now seems that the strategic U.S.-Israel alliance has hit a low point. Attempts will be made to patch this up before Netanyahu travels to Washington, D.C. for the AIPAC policy conference, speaking right after U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton, to an audience of ardent Israel supporters.
Israel enters this new diplomatic season in U.S.-Israel relations shocked that its main ally in the world has turned so quickly and so publicly against its vital interests. This has not only caused a shake-up in the strategic partnership, but has put Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an awkward position, politically. He will, most likely, choose to weather this storm, hoping that new U.S. and Palestinian expectations will go away, and he will not have to give in to more Israeli concessions before the peace process indirect talks begin.
If Netanyahu has to choose between keeping his strong right-center government coalition in place, or caving into the demands of American policymakers, including Obama, himself, Netanyahu may use this opportunity to show his strength and courage to the Israeli electorate. If he looks to unite the Israeli people and stand firm in what he believes -- that is, that Jerusalem will remain the undivided eternal capital of Israel, and nothing about it is negotiable -- then he will be remembered as a great leader of his nation. Respect for Netanyahu among his own people, and, respect for him among international leaders will be gained if he is seen as a man that firmly stands on his principles – principles that a majority of Israelis now agree with. Many in Israel are hoping he remains true to his convictions in the face of unyielding U.S. pressure.
In the meantime, Israel continues to receive the rebuke of the international community about its current plans to build in east Jerusalem. On March 12, the Quartet (U.S., UN, EU, and Russia) issued a statement condemning such actions. It said it would closely monitor developments in Jerusalem and keep, under consideration, additional steps that may be required to address the situation on the ground. This announcement comes before the Quartet meets in Moscow on March 19.
One of Israel’s concerns is that Russia wants a more influential role in the peace process and may now try to garner support for hosting an international peace conference. Middle East analysts believe the purpose of such a gathering would be to push Israel into making dangerous concessions to the Palestinians in order to get negotiations moving forward towards a final peace deal.
Israel is also concerned that the Palestinians will now push for more condemnation of Israel at the United Nations, and will eventually try to impose UN sanctions on Israel; especially if the Netanyahu government continues its current West Bank settlement plans, as well as efforts to continue building in Jerusalem.
Israeli politicians usually like to dismiss as “superfluous” any disagreements with the U.S. Administration, saying such things are common practice between allies, and should not be taken seriously. But, this recent spat is considered by some diplomats as a deep schism in the U.S.-Israel relationship.
What is at stake here, and is receiving little media attention, is just how much of this partnership rests on Obama’s success in the Middle East. He intends for the U.S. to remain as the main peace broker between Israel and the Palestinians. He’s desperately looking for some progress on this front in order to be able to move ahead with his own plans.
According to Biden, in late March, Obama will be traveling to Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Moslem population where he lived as a boy. Perhaps, Obama hopes to bring Indonesia into the circle of Moslem nations he is courting. To do so, he may want to prove that he is not only the most prominent and powerful leader of the free world, but also the most likely western leader to unite the Arab world in the cause of stopping Iran from “going nuclear”.
The Obama doctrine on foreign policy was clearly stated in Biden’s Tel Aviv University speech when he said: “We are determined to keep the pressure on Iran so that it will change its course. And, as we do, we will also be seeking to improve relations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. They are connected indirectly, but there is a relationship. We call on Arab states, who share a mutual concern about Iran – we call on Arab states to support the effort to bring peace between Palestinians and the Israelis, and to take their own steps forward for peace with Israel.”
The U.S. agenda is to get the Arabs on-board, in a U.S. led coalition against Iran, but Arab states will only do so once they see progress between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has become the catalyst for this linkage to work successfully. Perhaps, American officials also fear that time is running out, and they will not be able to put a U.S. led coalition together before Israeli officials feel they must take military action against Iran.
Biden also said in his speech that “incitement against Israel continues as do attacks on the legitimacy of Jewish ties to this ancient land.” But, contrary to his words, it is now the United States that is verbally attacking Israel for its ties to the ancient city of Jerusalem, and the biblical heartland of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria).
The reason for this apparent lack of concern about Israel’s ancient homeland can be assessed by these comments in Biden’s Tel Aviv speech: “And, there is now an Arab Peace Initiative that makes an important contribution by envisioning a future in which Israel is secure and at peace with its Arab neighbors.”
Israel has already explained to American officials that the Arab Peace Initiative is unacceptable. The plan gives no wiggle room in negotiations, insisting Israel withdraw to pre-1967 borders, divide Jerusalem, and find a solution to allowing Palestinian so-called “refugees” to return to Israel, rather than to their own Palestinian state. Israel’s biggest concern, however, is that the Arab Peace Initiative leaves no room for Israel to retain defensible borders. This is exactly what the Arab nations and the Palestinians want.... a weakened Israel that militarily cannot defend itself -- in exchange for a peace agreement.
So, what are America’s diplomatic interests that are currently the most important factor in Obama’s game plan? In speaking of Iranian leaders, and the U.S. attempt to engage them in meaningful dialogue towards stopping their military nuclear program, Biden explained: “If they fail to respond, we would be in a much stronger position to rally the international community to impose consequences for their actions.”
Obama is looking for a comprehensive peace settlement between Israel, the Palestinians, and the Arab world. He is hoping to emerge as the global leader who can accomplish this goal, even after many American presidents have failed to do so. He wants to unite Arab nations and European states against Iran, and he believes his plans must be implemented quickly.
But, in building his diplomatic agenda, Obama has failed to understand that the piece of land being fought over by Israel, the Palestinians, and Islamic states, is a fight that cannot be settled by successful foreign policy planning. It is an ancient conflict, that has deep historic and biblical roots, and the outcome belongs to the decision of no man, but God Himself.
Biden spoke of Israel’s unique relationship with the United States, declaring: “Our nations’ unbreakable bond, born of common values, interwoven cultures, and mutual interests has spanned the entirety of Israel’s history. And, it’s impervious to any shifts in either country; and, either country’s partisan politics. No matter what challenges we face, this bond will endure.”
Let’s hope that American officials listen to the words they dictated Biden to share with Israelis at Tel Aviv University. Israel is becoming too heavy a burden for America to carry on its own, and the “enduring” bond already seems to be breaking under intense pressure.
“On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world. None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed.”
Zechariah 12:3 (New Living Translation)
PRAYER POINTS:
(1) Pray for Jerusalem, Zion, the Jewish Quarter, the Old City, and the Temple Mount. Sound the alarm!
Joel 2:1 – Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound an alarm on My Holy Mountain. (This is the Lord's Temple; His Dwelling Place).
Psalm 102:13 – Arise and have mercy on Zion.
Isaiah 14:32 – It’s the Lord that has founded Zion.
Jeremiah 31:23b – The Lord bless you, O Home of Justice and Mountain of Holiness.
Joel 3:17 – The Lord dwells in Zion, His Holy Mountain, and in Jerusalem.
Zephaniah 3:14 – Zion, Jerusalem -- God will cast out your enemy; no more disaster!
Haggai 2:7-9 – God will shake the nations, and will fill the Temple and there will be peace.
(2) Pray for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government; for U.S. President Barack Obama's Administration; and about the crisis in U.S.-Israel relations.
Zechariah 12:2 – Jerusalem, a cup of reeling (drunkenness) to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:8 – God defends the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
(3) Pray about the evil counsel that the nations are abiding under. Pray that the nations are set free to follow God's way and not their own.
Read Psalm Chapter 2; Psalm 83
Psalm 33:10-11 – Read about the counsel of the nations vs. the counsel of the Lord.
(4) Pray about the sin of the nations; and, of those leaders who come against Israel on a constant basis.
Isaiah 24b-25 – To Him men shall come and all shall be ashamed. But, Israel shall be glorified!
Joel 2:18-19 – Israel will no longer be a reproach among the nations.
SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 241
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