SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 100

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL’S BIBLICAL CLAIM TO SOVEREIGNTY

Israel recently marked November 29, 2015 as 68 years since the UN recognition of a Jewish State in the land of Israel. In his comments at his weekly government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the outbreak of murderous attacks the day after that momentous decision 68 years ago. “As it was, then, so it is today; we continue to fight terrorism. This terrorism has been with us for almost 100 years and we have defeated it time and again; we will defeat it this time, as well.”

Netanyahu was referring to the continued daily attacks on Israeli Jews by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians, since September 2015, in what IDF (Israel’s Defense Forces) are now calling a limited Uprising (Intifada). Netanyahu declared in his remarks at the cabinet meeting that what drives the current terrorism is the opposition that these attackers have to the existence of the State of Israel as the National State of the Jewish People within any borders. He explains that radical Islam is joining this opposition, striking nations around the world. Netanyahu continues to draw parallels between the attacks on Israel and those of other free, independent and democratic societies.

In meetings last week with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Netanyahu was willing to consider new gestures that would make life easier for the Palestinians in the territories in exchange for American recognition of Israel’s right to build in settlement blocs that Israel would retain in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians. Kerry refused Netanyahu’s offer.  Reports indicate that Netanyahu was also considering a unilateral withdrawal of a small portion of Israeli land as a concession to the Palestinians, which the Prime Minister’s office vigorously denied.  

While Netanyahu has often declared his willingness to work towards a “two-state solution”, there are others within his government and in the Opposition that say he will not concede to the creation of a Palestinian State. Nevertheless, Netanyahu often defends Israel’s right to a secure Jewish and democratic state while emphasizing his willingness for the Palestinians to have their own demilitarized state. But, it is not always clear where Netanyahu stands on Israel’s sovereignty over its own territory.

In a political journal called, “Sovereignty”, published by the right-wing organization Women in Green, several Israeli leaders explain why they do not think that Netanyahu is defending the state of Israel, successfully, beyond issues of safety and security. 

Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin comments, “A determined battle must be waged to change the way Israel presents itself to the outside world. This is where we are at this stage. We must speak about sovereignty and raise the subject continuously...”

According to Attorney Yossi Fuchs, the head of the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel, the Israeli diplomatic corps must stop the discourse that centers on security and focus on a legal and historical discourse. “Instead of claiming that we are realizing our rights on the Land, we speak of security. The Palestinians speak of justice and we speak about terror, and when you continue to speak only about self-defense, the world tells you that the simplest solution is to give them back their land and you will have quiet.” 

Fuchs sees a road map leading to a Palestinian state as a fatal mistake. And, he takes issue with Netanyahu for adopting the mainstream Israeli terminology that when the Palestinians stop their acts of terror, then two states can be established. 

Israeli Gen. (Res.) Uzi Dayan writes in the same political journal that as a boy living in Emek Yizrael, his studies were conducted in the field with the Bible in hand. “For us, the Bible was both history and our deed of ownership to the land.”  While Dayan admits that the Israelis in his class did not study the Bible as a sacred book, they knew what was in it. When Dayan brings tours to Israel, they pass through the Jordan Valley and he focuses on security; they pass through Judea and Samaria and he focuses on history. According to Dayan, “The sense of belonging begins in the people’s hearts, and when people are not familiar with their land, they do not feel connected to it.” 

Yet, Israel seems to have lost its way when it comes to national identity. Because of the make-up of Netanyahu’s current government, which is comprised of a narrow right-wing coalition, the Prime Minister is trying, once again, to establish a nationalistic bill that would cement Israel’s right to the land as the Nation State of the Jewish People. Still, there are those who say he is not going far enough.

Perhaps, because of the pressure on Netanyahu to take a stronger public stand for Israel’s rights to its own land, he recently gave a new twist on the subject of Israeli sovereignty. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on November 18, 2015, Netanyahu stated, “The Palestinians will have to finally recognize the Jewish State... After all, we’ve only been here about 4,000 years. We have some connection to this city. Four hundred yards (from here) is David’s City. An equal distance, this Temple Mount, where there was a temple; the place where Abraham first visited; and Solomon built a temple; and Jesus overturned the money changing tables on that Temple (Mount); all this from Solomon’s time to the rise of Islam, the seat of Islam, by 1500 years... We have some connection to this land, to this city!” 

Netanyahu added, “We recognize that there are another people here and we need to forge a peace. So, we need to sit down and discuss the issue of mutual recognition.” 

Unfortunately, it is this willingness by Israeli leaders, not just Netanyahu but also his predecessors, to recognize a Palestinian right to Israeli land, that is hurting Israel’s narrative. How can Israeli leaders then determine to get the international community to recognize Israel’s right to its own sovereignty on that same land?

Education Minister Naftali Bennett is concerned that Netanyahu may take unilateral steps in the future in order to appease the Palestinians. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference he proclaimed, “I will do everything possible to prevent unilateral withdrawals. And, I will do everything in my power to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian State smack in the heart of Israel.... This land belongs to the Jewish People.” Bennett reminded the audience, “One cannot occupy his own home.” 

Bennett has a plan for Israel to apply its sovereignty on to Area C where there are roughly 450,000 Israelis and less than 100,000 Palestinians living. He recommends that Israel offer the Palestinians full Israeli citizenship. Then, make sure that Israel obtains the settlement blocs (all of Israeli controlled areas). In Areas A and B, Bennett thinks that Israel should provide the Palestinians with enhanced autonomy, allowing them to run their own schools, hospitals, finances, etc. This is his idea of unilateralism. 

In Bennett’s concluding remarks at the diplomatic conference, he spoke of Jewish identity. “My vision for Israel is to be a lighthouse in this huge, huge Islamic storm. We are a lighthouse that pierces those clouds.”

Marking November 29^th, 2015, Israel’s leaders recognize that they are still fighting for Israeli sovereignty in their own land. They have a long way to go to convince the international community that Israel’s narrative is the correct one. If Israeli leaders can get beyond the security issues, explaining the historical rights of the Jewish People, it will still not be enough. Bringing up sovereignty issues as they relate to Israel’s biblical identity should be a priority focus. Israel’s convincing narrative is that it is the Israelites’ covenant with the God of Israel through His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that entitles them to rightful ownership. It is this narrative that must be heard in order for Israel to have the best defense for determining its sovereignty in the Jewish Homeland.

“The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”    Genesis 35:12

“I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.”   Leviticus 26:42

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 99

Jerusalem, Israel

NOVEMBER 2015 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

·        Russia’s desire to prop up Bashar Assad, and secure control over a small state for him in Syria, has the potential of causing a conflagration with Western forces in the region. Russian air strikes against rebels in Syria also risk a potential conflict with Israel. The close presence of Russian advanced weapons and fighter jets, Russian military operatives, and Iranian Revolutionary Guards is worrisome for the Netanyahu government. Recently, foreign correspondents reported that Israeli jets struck a Syrian convoy of weapons destined for Hezbollah. The IDF is concerned that Iranian troops will try and retaliate against Israeli forces on the Golan Heights.  

Proclaim that the Lord, the “shomer” (guard) over Israel, is watching her borders day and night.   

Declare, over the nation,  Isaiah 59:19:  “...When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”

·        The U.S. is legitimizing the Iranian regime by encouraging Iranian officials to join talks in Syria regarding the future of that nation. Accepting Iran as a “partner” in these Syrian diplomatic gatherings gives Iranian ayatollah’s a greater advantage in their quest to manipulate global powers. It also increases Russia’s leverage over Western military ambitions in the region. America is showing weakness by allowing the Syrian-Iranian-Russian axis to dominate the diplomatic agenda. 

God has His own agenda! (Psalm 37:9).

·        ISIS is turning its attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ISIS forces in Syria are reportedly no more than 10 miles from the Israeli border. ISIS in the Sinai Peninsula, reportedly, possesses advanced Russian arms which they hope to use against Israel. In September 2015, the Sinai branch of ISIS released a video calling Sinai the “southern gates to Jerusalem”, and “an opening to fight a war against the Jews.” ISIS in Egypt is growing in strength. In October 2015, ISIS posted a video in Hebrew, stating that, “not a single Jew will remain in Jerusalem.” ISIS also threatened to attack the Jewish ramparts. The intent of the radical Muslim group is to threaten the Jewish State while encouraging incitement against Israel. There are no known ISIS operatives on the ground in Israel, but there are ISIS sympathizers. An estimated 40 Israeli Arabs have joined the movement in Syria and Iraq.  

Pray that God holds back ISIS forces from trying to form terrorist cells in Israel. 

Declare Psalm 91:10-11 over the land, and by God’s Spirit push back the enemy lines in Jesus name!

·        Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been one of the instigators of the current Palestinian Uprising. He wants more international involvement to challenge Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria. He is especially focused on re-writing the historical narrative so that the international community will be convinced of Palestinian sovereignty over Israel’s holy sites. Abbas is creating a crisis in the land through incitement, violence, and blatant lies.  

Pray that God will deal with Abbas; that the Lord will expose his motives and reveal the truth of his plans.  (Proverbs 26:23-38).

          Reports indicate that most of the Palestinian attackers of Jews in this current Uprising are teenagers. These young people do not listen or respect their elders; they are often “lone wolves” committing violent actions on their own; and they are encouraged by incitement on Facebook and other social networks.  

Pray that the Lord will discipline these youth; bring order into their lives; and stop Facebook and other media from helping to encourage acts of violence against Israelis.

·        Police officers from throughout the country have been brought to Jerusalem to crack down on the recent wave of violence. This has weakened Israeli law enforcement outside of the capital. Israel’s security forces are providing intelligence to police units in east Jerusalem, enabling them to identify terrorists who are on their way to attack Israeli civilians. Every night, security officials risk their lives to make arrests based on real-time intelligence. They also break-up terrorist cells that are potential threats to the Jewish State.  

Pray for the IDF, the Israeli Police, the Shin Bet, internal public security personnel, and all those who protect the Jewish State from terrorism. Pray for God’s angels to reinforce security outside Jerusalem’s boundaries. Declare Psalm 121 over the brave and courageous Israelis who are focused on guarding the nation day and night, under the mighty power of the God of Israel!

·        Citizens are also helping to protect their cities and towns. Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, recently said: “Israeli citizens are on the front, together with the police and emergency services. I walk around and see the help of citizens in stopping terrorists and aiding the injured. Everywhere the terrorists go, the police and civilians immediately go to defend their brothers.”  This is a special phenomenon in Israel, as there is a natural incliniation to help one another, with most of the country trained in mandatory military service.  

Thank God for the loving care that so many citizens of Israel have for one another. They are walking out John 15:13 without realizing it!

·        Tourism in Israel is down because of the 2014 Gaza War, and because of the recent Palestinian Uprising. Tourism in Israel decreases in the aftermath of major conflicts, and affects Israel’s economy.  

Pray for intercessors to flood Israel during these tense times, as a witness of God’s goodness, and to bless the land with His Presence.  Messiah in you, the Hope of Glory for Israel!                (Colossians 1:27).

·        Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is the most powerful country that stands in the breach of a collapsing region. But, while Netanyahu speaks the truth to the nations, and clearly understands what is happening in the Middle East, he has lost the confidence of many Israeli citizens at home, in the way he has handled the Palestinian Uprising. Unfortunately, Israelis are looking to him and not to the Lord for their safety and security.  

Proclaim Psalm 91:1-2 over the Israeli population, believing that they will begin to seek the Lord as their refuge and fortress, the God in whom they trust! Pray that Netanyahu will be guided by the Holy Spirit, seeking greater wisdom in how to crackdown on terrorists; and that his efforts will stop the violence quickly and completely in Yeshua’s name!

·        The United States government has threatened Israel on settlement construction. While Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon have proclaimed that Israel has not frozen building plans in Judea and Samaria, the fact remains that there has been no final government approval to build in the heartland of Israel in many months. American President Barack Obama has forbidden it. This plays into the hands of Palestinians who want to exert their sovereignty over the land in diplomatic talks, and in their demands in regard to any future peace negotiations with Israel. Israelis should be allowed to build in their cities and towns, especially for natural growth, without ultimatums from the White House or U.S. State Department.  

Pray and declare, according to Ezekiel 36:9-11, that God will fill the land with His people... now and forevermore! Pray that the Lord will convict Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry in their insistence and false assumptions that settlements are the cause of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Pray that truth, justice, and righteousness -- in regard to Israel’s biblical right to the land -- will reign in diplomatic deliberations on this issue of Israeli settlement construction and expansion.

·        French Jews are worried about the possibility that terrorists will try and carry out violent attacks like those that have been launched against Jews in Israel over the past two months. Last year, France experienced a 101% increase in anti-Semitic incidents over the previous year. Synagogues were firebombed, and individuals were targeted and beaten.  

Declare Isaiah 54:17 over the Jewish Community of France.

·        Germany remains the main focus for tens of thousands of Syrian migrants. This has caused a concern among Germany’s Jewish Community as they consider a potential rise in anti-Semitism, because so many of the migrants are Muslims. Many harbor radical Islamic ideology.  

Pray that wisdom will rule among European nations who are bent on allowing all these migrants to flood their countries. Ask the Lord to thwart the wicked plans of the enemy that is intent on propagating radical Islam throughout Europe. 

·        Recently, there was a lengthy service at the Western Wall, where the silver trumpets were blown, as in Temple times, to alert and warn the people. The municipal Chief Rabbi of Safed, Shmuel Eliyahu, said that “the power of the Jewish People is the power of prayer.”

               We believe that the power of prayer upholds God’s people in times of distress. We call upon our  intercessors, and prayer partners throughout the world, to unite in fervent prayer over the Jewish State of Israel, reminding the Lord that these are His Chosen People, the Apple of God’s Eye!   (Psalm 17:8;  Deuteronomy 7:6).