SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 87

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL – THE STATE OF THE STATE IN 5775!

Jewish people throughout the world mark the civil New Year, Wednesday, September 24, celebrating Rosh Hashanah with apples and honey and hoping for sweet new beginnings. . It is the biblical Feast of Trumpets, and the start of the Ten Days of Awe, culminating in the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).  Following that, is the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles). The high holy days are drawing both Jews and Christians from all over the world, many of whom come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Fall Feasts.

On the Hebrew calendar, it is the month of Elul, and the New Year is 5775. The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority has released its estimations that 8,904,373 people are living in the land, of which more than 6 million are Jews. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at his recent cabinet meeting that this is a triumph over the Holocaust, a time when six million Jews perished.

Israelis are healing and recovering from a summer of war with Hamas, and southern communities are re-building after damages incurred by thousands of rockets launched from Gaza.  Despite the current cease-fire, there are great uncertainties in the land.

FEAR OF CROSS-BORDER INFILTRATIONS

Israeli citizens in southern towns on the border with Gaza remain concerned that Hamas could re-build underground tunnels that would cross over into Israeli territory. Several families with children have already moved to other parts of the country. 

Likewise, citizens living in the north of Israel are concerned that Hezbollah has already built tunnels that could be used to attack residents living near the border with Lebanon… or, even those Israelis living in the Galilee. Despite assurances from the IDF that no such tunnels exist inside Israeli territory, northern residents are not convinced. 

In addition, the IDF continues to monitor fighting between Syrian rebels and Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, which are taking place on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Recently, a Syrian jet fighter crossed over into Israeli air space. The IDF launched a surface-to-air missile, shooting down the jet which ended up crashing back inside Syrian territory. The Syrian pilots parachuted out of the plane and their whereabouts are unknown.

The IDF has had to continually defend Israel’s border with Syria from intrusions by rebels and government forces who are fighting each other. It now appears that most of the areas on the Israeli-Syrian border are controlled by rebel forces who are jihadists aligned with Al Qaeda and Al Nusra Front.

Furthermore, Israel is preparing for another war with Hezbollah. The terrorist militia still controls much of southern Lebanon. Though Hezbollah is busy helping Assad’s regime battle rebels in Syria, the terror group remains a formidable threat to Israel, having acquired 100,000 rockets for a future war with the Jewish State.

ISLAMIC STATE AND IRAN

Israel is not as concerned as the rest of the world is about the advances of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. While understanding that it is a threat to the Middle East, Islamic State has not yet become a major danger to Israel. 

With a foothold in Lebanon, Islamic State (comprised of Sunni jihadists) still has to fight Hezbollah (comprised of Shiite fighters) before it will be able to have much influence in that country. In Gaza, it is Hamas that retains control, and other terrorist groups are too weak to oppose it. In Jordan, domestic intelligence forces have been able to keep Islamic State from operating there. Egypt has a problem with various terrorist groups in the Sinai, but at this point in time, the focus of these groups is to attack the Egyptian regime. Currently, Islamic State does not have a strong presence in Egypt or the Sinai. On occasion, jihadists from the Sinai have launched missiles at Israel’s southern city of Eilat. So far, however, they have contained most of their terrorist operations within Egyptian territory, while supplying arms to other terrorists who smuggle them into Gaza.

Israel still considers Iran to be the #1 exporter of terror in the world. Iran has threatened to destroy Israel. This existential threat keeps Israeli leaders pushing for strong restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. An Israeli military operation against Iran remains on the table should Iran renege on its commitments; or, should there be a failure in an attempt by P5+1 nations to reach a nuclear deal with Iran by a November 24, 2014 deadline.

Meanwhile, Iran, Hezbollah and Assad’s Syrian regime continue to engage in close strategic cooperation, with their current emphasis on defeating Sunni rebels in Syria. But, ultimately, they have their eye on Israel.

THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AND EAST JERUSALEM

The IDF remains on alert in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) receiving good intelligence information from operatives in the Palestinian territories. 

Recently, the IDF found and killed two terrorists in Hebron who had kidnaped and murdered three Israeli boys in June 2014.  It took three months to find the terrorist’s hiding place, but the IDF was able to carry out a successful military operation.   

As long as, politically, Israel is able to remain in the West Bank and oversee security there, the IDF should be able to adequately protect Israeli citizens from terrorist attacks in that area.

Israel has low-level cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and its police forces. However, one area that remains a flash point is East Jerusalem where there are frequent riots between the Israeli police and angry Palestinians. 

If the Palestinian Authority decides to hold new elections in the coming year; or, if the current cease-fire between Hamas and Israel does not hold; there could be increased attempts at terrorist attacks in the West Bank, and violent disturbances in and around the Jerusalem area.

ANTI-SEMITISM AND ALIYAH

Aliyah increased by 28% over this past year, marking a five year high, according to Israel’s Jewish Agency.  Jews throughout the world, especially in Europe, experienced the worst acts of anti-Semitism since pre-World War II.  Immigration to Israel increased dramatically from France and the Ukraine due to Jews feeling unprotected in their Diaspora communities.

An estimated 24,800 Jews immigrated to Israel in 5774, with 6,000 fleeing anti-Semitism in France, resulting in more immigrants from that country than any other in this past Hebrew calendar year. Reportedly, 4,200 Jewish people immigrated to Israel from the Ukraine, and another 4,500 from Russia. More young people are immigrating now, with 60% making Aliyah under the age of 35.

A recent survey showed that at least 26% of Europeans hold anti-Semitic views. Anti-Semitism was most prevalent during the Gaza war, with 74% of citizens in the Middle East acknowledging their hatred towards Jews. 

During Operation Protective Edge, which lasted 50 days, European Jewish property and institutions were attacked.  Fire-bombings of synagogues took place in France and Germany (and, rioters attempted to infiltrate a Parisian synagogue). There were assaults on Jewish individuals, especially those wearing traditional Jewish garb. In London and in Rome, swastikas and hate graffiti against Jews were spray-painted on walls. European politicians spoke anti-Semitic rhetoric, and several times Israel was compared to Nazism. 

In the future, it is expected that there will be more attempts by anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli extremists to commit violent acts against Jewish people, and that Jewish community leaders will encourage individual Jews to conceal their identities. Aliyah to Israel is expected to increase during the upcoming calendar year, especially from Europe.

Israel is planning to organize a debate in the UN General Assembly for January 2015 on the subject of anti-Semitism. Israel continues to be plagued by UN Human Rights groups that, unfairly, condemn the Jewish State for defending itself against terrorist groups. Israel also wants this issue on the UN agenda because of the rising tide of anti-Semitism, worldwide.

POLITICS IN ISRAEL

Compared to other politicians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still the most trusted leader in Israel. While his popularity has waned since the Gaza war, his government has remained stable for the time being. However, his decision to run for a fourth term in future elections has been disconcerting for younger politicians who are vying for power within his Likud Party. Recently, the second most popular MK in the Likud, Gideon Saar, resigned. He had held the post of Minister of the Interior in the current government coalition. While he said he was stepping down for personal reasons, it was also reported that his relationship with Netanyahu had deteriorated in recent months. There are others that are disgruntled with Netanyahu’s leadership and they could try and form a new political party that would take votes and power away from the Likud and weaken Netanyahu. In 5775, it can be expected that Netanyahu will not have a quiet year in politics, especially as new elections draw near.

According to a recent poll conducted by the monthly Peace Index and co-sponsored by the Israeli Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, Israeli Jews remained optimistic in 5774, with an overwhelming 75% saying that they were satisfied with their over-all personal lives going into the New Year.  However, it was the Israeli Arabs that seemed to be more satisfied regarding the state of the country, with 52% showing their support. Only 38% of Israeli Jews claimed to be satisfied with their country’s situation.

Israeli Jews continue to be frustrated with their economic situation, especially rising housing and education costs. Only 29% were supportive in 5774 in how the government handled the economy. On security issues, 61% of Israelis showed confidence in how the government handled security in the country. Even though Israelis have consistently supported Netanyahu, those answering questions in this recent poll indicated that 62% didn’t trust in the general Israeli leadership.

In conclusion, Israelis feel safe and have a positive attitude about their lives. But, with the possibility of border infiltrations by terrorists, and war on the horizon in the north of the country, 5775 could be a turbulent year.  

Going into the New Year, pray for the Israeli public and government to be united in purpose, with vision for the future. Pray for a strong and efficient military. Pray for the Israeli people to have a listening ear towards God receiving His wisdom and understanding, especially during times of turmoil. Pray for calm and quiet between sectors of the Israeli Jewish and Israeli Arab populations. Pray for security over Israel’s borders and an extra measure of protection for the citizens of this thriving and prosperous nation.

“The Lord bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!”

Psalm 128:5-6

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 86

Jerusalem, Israel

SEPTEMBER 2014 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

·         Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was recently at the Vatican pushing his agenda for a type of one world religion. His idea, and the Pope’s idea, is to establish or strengthen an existing organization that promotes peace between religions in order to curb religious violence. Peres wants an “unquestionable moral authority” that says to radical Islamists: “No, God does not want this and doesn’t allow it.”

We see this as setting a dangerous precedent for the establishment of a type of governmental religious authority that could easily turn from warning Islamists to persecuting Jews and Christians based on a universal interfaith theology of rules and regulations.

Proclaim 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man, Messiah Jesus. Pray that the Lord will stop any efforts to set up a one world religious system that would threaten believers. To Him be glory, power and dominion forever and ever! (I Peter 5:11).

·         The more we read about the evil intent of ISIS (Islamic State) and Iran, the more we realize that the world is dealing with two major principalities and powers of the air that are really from the same violent spirit – a radical Islamic power that wants to take over and bring the world into bondage to a false god and religion. The Iranians are exploiting ISIS to take the pressure off of them as they try fervently to reach nuclear capability, with the goal of firing atomic weapons at Israel to try and destroy the Jewish State.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is worried that the West will make a bad deal with Iran in order to help curb ISIS violence, gave his advice in media interviews recently. He said, “When your enemies are fighting each other, don’t strengthen either one of them; weaken both”. (Netanyahu continues to encourage Jewish school children, especially those under Hamas fire in the south of the country, to study the Bible, their heritage!)

Meanwhile, Israeli military officials are concerned that Al Nusra Front, Al Qaeda operatives, Muslim Brotherhood rebels, and other extreme Sunni groups that have the same ideology as ISIS, have gained control over most of the Syrian border with Israel. They have taken captive UN Fiji soldiers, invaded Quinetra, and set up military positions on the Syrian Golan Heights. These rebels are managing to wipe out all Syrian government positions on the border and want no UN presence there. Residents on the Israel side complain of the constant sounds of war.

Furthermore, ISIS has infiltrated Lebanon, and Iranian Revolutionary Guards are still there training Hezbollah; Jordan is being threatened by economic instability which is paving the way for an ISIS takeover of Jordan. Hamas is receiving training and weapons from Iran, and money from Qatar. (Qatar supports the Moslem Brotherhood and could also be helping ISIS). Hamas has gained popularity among Palestinians for their armed struggle against Israel, and is, aggressively, trying to take authority away from the Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

Southern Israeli residents on the Gaza border have anxiety and a sense of despair, believing that Hamas will, once again, infiltrate their kibbutzim in the near future. (Blood pressure and glucose levels went up from stress during the 50 days of Operation Protective Edge, and soldiers and residents who heard and experienced war are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

An evil ring of fire is emerging around Israel, influenced by proxies of Iran, as well as extreme Sunni jihadists. The world is standing by watching and doing nothing to stop these evil forces from influencing and infiltrating governments in the Middle East.

We pray for Israelis who are still trying to cope after 50 days of war with Hamas; and, for those who are still grieving in the loss of their loved ones (The 72^nd Israeli just succumbed to his wounds in the hospital). 

We pray for families in the Middle East who have been in the cross-fires of fighting and who have experienced horrors at the hands of ISIS fighters, Sunni rebels, Assad’s security forces, etc. We intercede for the men, women and children who have been abused and murdered; for half of the Syrian population that is now dispersed across the Middle East and Europe; and, for Christian communities and other communities that have been wiped out in Iraq. We acknowledge the brutal acts of inhumanity that have occurred and call upon the Lord to intervene, and continue to pour out His miracles and extend His mercy where there is great suffering and pain, in Yeshua’s name!

CRAFTED PRAYER:  We declare that “the kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.” Amen!  We take our authority in Messiah Yeshua, and proclaim, “To Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb, be all praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”

“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus, the Messiah, is Lord; to the glory of God the Father.”  We proclaim this for all who are under the influence of radical Islam.

We declare that those who have evil intent will be brought into confusion and their plans thwarted in Jesus name. We agree with God’s Word that “He will decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.”

“The Lord abides forever. He has established His throne for judgment. And, He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed; a stronghold in times of trouble. And, those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

(Read Revelation 11:15; Revelation 5:13; Philippians 2:9-11; Isaiah 11:4-5; and Psalm 9:7-10).

·         Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trying to convince world leaders to adapt a plan that would force Israel to accept a Palestinian state, based on Palestinian demands. He is also meeting soon with the Arab League in Cairo, hoping they will sign-off on his plan. Abbas is insisting on several months of peace negotiations where Israel would be expected, in the beginning, to draw a map of final borders.  If Israel refuses, Abbas threatens he will demand that the UN Security Council kick Israel off of Palestinian land and impose a solution. He has also indicated that the Palestinians will join the International Criminal Court in an effort to convict Israeli military leaders of war crimes. This is his plan and he is bringing it to the nations.

Meanwhile, some of the more liberal leaders in Netanyahu’s inner security cabinet have drafted a plan for Israel to meet with moderate Arab states in a regional diplomatic conference to bring about Middle East peace. Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir was pushed by the U.S. to attend a similar conference in Madrid in 1991, and the results were not in Israel’s favor. At that conference, the Palestinians received international recognition for the first time. History shows that Israel does not do well in Middle East peace conferences. A regional peace conference for a wider diplomatic horizon would be a threat and a trap for Israeli leaders.

CRAFTED PRAYER: Lord, you are Israel’s rock and fortress. For Your name’s sake, You will lead Your people and guide them. You will pull them out of any net that foolish leaders may try to lay for them.  All things secret will be exposed. You are Israel’s strength. Lord. “For it is written, ‘I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?  Have you not turned the wisdom of this world into nonsense?’ ” 

Lord, please thwart any political or diplomatic plans that would set a trap for Israel, whether it is from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or from liberal leaders in Israel’s government. We ask this in Yeshua’s name.

(See: Psalm 31:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:19-20).

·         Polls are showing that Netanyahu has lost some of the public’s trust. Moreover, there is not unity in his government, and his own Likud Party is acting against him. There are problems within the inner security cabinet as politicians there have vocalized their disagreement with the way Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, and Chief of Staff Benny Gantz handled the recent war. Many Israelis are also frustrated that the IDF did not allow ground troops to re-occupy Gaza and deal a final blow to Hamas. There is a struggle going on with Israel’s welfare officials who do not want the social and welfare budget to be tapped by the government to pay for damages done to southern communities during the war. Israeli society is showing signs of great frustration and distress.

Intercede for Israel according to Isaiah 51:12-13, Isaiah 41:10, and Psalm 18:2-3: 

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Yet, you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the One who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone!” 

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Pray for Israelis to find the Lord, return to Him and receive His salvation in the midst of their struggles. 

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies.”