SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 104

Jerusalem, Israel

A CALL FOR IMMEDIATE INTERCESSION – APRIL 12, 2016

After a period of what has appeared to be a waning of terrorism in Israel, especially in Jerusalem, the Palestinians have begun a new campaign of incitement. Palestinian Mufti Mohamed Hussein has just “warned” against plans by Jews to storm Al-Aksa Mosque during the upcoming Jewish holidays. This is a set-up to try and thwart any visits by Jews or Christians to the Temple Mount before and during Passover.

It is also an excuse to repeat the Palestinian violence that began in September 2015, with false accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is trying to change the status quo up on the Mount.

It appears to be part of a grand diplomatic agenda by PA President Mahmoud Abbas who plans to speak at the UN Security Council on April 22 (which will be the eve of Passover in Israel). Though the Palestinians have denied recent media reports, analysts think that Abbas will try and pass a resolution condemning the Jewish State for settlement building. A UN resolution by the Palestinians at this time could also outline the parameters of a Palestinian state, as well as, mark Jerusalem (including the Temple Mount) as part of the Palestinian capital.  American President Barak Obama has not guaranteed that the U.S. will use its veto power to stop a pro-Palestinian resolution that hurts the state of Israel. He could allow such a resolution to pass. This would encourage the French contingency to then call for an international conference to pressure the Netanyahu government into conceding land for peace with a specific timetable imposed on Israel.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Jordanians had originally agreed to install security cameras up on the Temple Mount in negotiations with Israel after the previous violence on the Temple Mount during the 2015 High Holy Days. But, protests by the Palestinian leadership have delayed the Jordanian security initiative until after Passover 2016. This means that any attempt by the Palestinians to smuggle firecrackers, firebombs, Molotov cocktails, and other weapons into the Al Aksa Mosque will not be seen on Jordanian security cameras at this time.

Meanwhile, a recent report indicates that Netanyahu may have made a series of concessions in past talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah, to limit a Jewish presence up on the Temple Mount. This includes preventing Israeli Members of the Knesset from visiting the area, and allowing all Muslims to go up on the Mount (with no age restrictions), even during Jewish holidays when tensions are high. The problem is that the Jordanian WAQF remains in control of who can ascend the Temple Mount, and the WAQF could report false information to Arab authorities that Israel is changing the status quo.

The Israeli leadership should be putting into place a plan to counter the false accusations coming from the Palestinian mufti. They should already be garnering support from the diplomatic community based on the warning of new incitement to violence by the Palestinian Authority to trap Israel into a web of international condemnation.

In a partial effort to pre-empt such incitement, in early April 2016 Netanyahu did call for the jailing of Islamic extremist Raed Salah, the head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement. Netanyahu hoped to thwart Salah’s explosive declarations that could foment violence in the Old City as Jews flock to pray on-site at the Western Wall during Passover Week. But, more should be done to stop any attempt by the Muslims to find a reason to riot on the Temple Mount.

While the Palestinian leadership continues to look for ways to divide Jerusalem so that it can claim east Jerusalem (with its holy sites) as its international capital, a majority of Israeli Jews seem to be apathetic about such plans.

A poll in early March 2016, by the Israeli Democracy Institute, shows that 61% of Jewish Israelis think that Jerusalem is already divided into a western and eastern city. Encouragement for the division of Jerusalem is coming from Israeli Opposition leader Isaac Herzog. He believes that Arab neighborhoods in the capital should be under the control of the Palestinian Authority, which he proposes will improve overall security. This plays into the hands of Mahmoud Abbas. If Abbas can convince the international community that Israel is failing to preserve the peace in the Old City, he can then encourage a series of UN resolutions that would place east Jerusalem under international rule, with the Palestinians obtaining control of the Temple Mount.

PRAYER POINTS:

(1)   Establish in the Spirit an inner prayer wall around key spots in the Old City, especially the Western Wall and Temple Mount. Close any gaps in the walls of Jerusalem through intercession. Proclaim God’s protection over His Holy City according to Psalm 48:12-13; Psalm 51:18; Psalm 121:3-4; Psalm 122;  Isaiah 49:16; Isaiah 62:1; Isaiah 62:6-7. 

(2)   Intercede before the Lord that no weapon that is formed against the Jewish State will prosper; And that every tongue that accuses Israel in judgment He will condemn, according to Isaiah 54:17.

(3)   Because of possible compromises that have been implemented due to fear of an international uprising over violence on the Temple Mount, go before the Lord in repentance on behalf of the Israeli government. Ask the Lord to have mercy and forgive the lack of faith, courage and boldness on the part of the Israeli Prime Minister and his coalition. If greater spiritual dominion and oversight has been given over to the Jordanian leadership and Muslim WAQF because of this fear, proclaim God’s overall Kingdom authority over Jerusalem, Zion, and the Old City, declaring the Lord’s future destiny for the New Jerusalem. Speak Ezekiel 43:10-12 over the leadership of Israel, that God would open their eyes and expand their vision to understand His divine plan for the future Temple that will be built in His Holy City.

(4)   Proclaim that the plans of the Palestinian Authority will be thwarted and Abbas will not be allowed to speak anything negative about Israel at the UN. Declare that all evil plots against the state of Israel will become null and void, and that no anti-Israel resolutions will be forthcoming. Petition the Lord for only blessings to come forth out of the mouth of Abbas, the U.S. Administration, and those in the international community regarding Israel. Ask the Angel of the Lord to take His stand and change any curses against Israel into blessings. (See Numbers 22:22-35; Numbers 23:11).

(5)   Declare Isaiah 45:23-25 over the whole Household of Israel and over every nation -- that every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance to the Lord. Proclaim that they will say of Him, 'Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him will be put to shame. Stand in agreement with the scriptural promise that “In the Lord all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory."

(6)   Declare the awakening of the Jewish People and their future destiny, according to Romans 11:15; Romans 11:26-27; Isaiah 46:13; and Isaiah 60.