SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 113

 Jerusalem, Israel

DECEMBER 2016-JANUARY 2017 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

ISAIAH 59:19:  "SO SHALL THEY FEAR THE NAME OF THE LORD, FROM THE WEST, AND HIS GLORY FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN. WHEN THE ENEMY SHALL COME IN LIKE A FLOOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM."

URGENT CALL TO PRAYER FOR ISRAEL!

This is a fervent call to prayer, on behalf of Israel, to all faithful intercessors, from now until the transition of power of the US presidency on January 20, 2017:

Beyond the recent anti-Israel UN resolution of December 23, 2016, is a behind-the-scenes attempt to further isolate Israel and usurp Israel's sovereignty over its land. There are plans to internationally legitimize a "solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; one that would be imposed on Israel through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

It appears that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has been advising current U.S. President Barack Obama on how to find this international "solution", in a way that will be difficult to undo by the incoming Trump Administration.

Here is the plot which has been openly reported by international news sources:

(1) Secretary of State John Kerry has recently given a speech that comes against the Israeli Netanyahu government and the Israel settlement movement. It defines U.S. parameters for an internationally recognized two-state solution. In this, the United States is signaling138 other nations who have already recognized a legitimate Palestinian State. While Kerry said that he and U.S. President Barack Obama will not bring these parameters to the United Nations Security Council for a vote, government leaders in Israel are not so sure. They are watching U.S. actions, closely, to see if Obama will try and encourage other UNSC members to bring forward another anti-Israel resolution before January 20, 2017.

(2) In January, Sweden takes over the rotating presidency of the UNSC. In the past, Sweden's Foreign Minister, Margot Wallstrom, has made inflammatory remarks about Israel and is not known to be a friend of the Jewish State. The Israeli government recently snubbed her when she came into the country because of her perceived anti-Israel bias. As of January, her country will have the power to sway votes against Israel at the UNSC.

(3) On January 15, 2017, Kerry plans to fly to France to be a part of the French Initiative... a peace conference that Israel is virulently opposed to. At that peace conference, representatives of the Quartet are expected to come together (the UN, U.S., EU, and Russia). Reportedly, they could define, and refine a UN resolution that UNSC permanent member states may try to force through the UNSC between January 15-19, 2017. That resolution could basically consist of Kerry's Middle East plan, legitimized in a UN Security vote, during that time period, before Trump comes into office.

Backgrounder on the December 23 resolution that was passed:

The recent anti-settlement UN resolution 2334 has given international legitimacy to the global community to condemn Israeli settlements as being "illegal".

This now challenges previous UN resolutions 224 and 338, which gave some legitimacy to the settlements as "disputed" territory. Israeli legal experts could argue, in the past, that the territory was "disputed" not "occupied". 

However, UN resolution 2334 now refers to all territory in Judea and Samaria, along with East Jerusalem, as "occupied" Palestinian territory! Therefore, as Israeli PM Netanyahu said, recently, while lighting a Hanukah candle at the Western Wall, the Temple Mount where Israel's two temples stood, is now considered by the UNSC as "occupied" Palestinian land!  Jews with homes in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem would now be considered living there illegally on Palestinian property!

PRAYER POINTS:

(1) Pray that there will be STORMS of DELAY between now and January 20, 2017, that will prevent any further action to isolate Israel among the nations. And, that all plots being hatched will be brought to nothing, declared null and void, in Yeshua's name!

(2) Pray, specifically, for a weakening of anti-Semitic power in the UN, which has been manifested through the permanent and temporary UNSC member states; and in UN institutions like UNESCO; and in UN Human Rights organizations.

(3) Netanyahu has been declaring his outrage at every possible forum in Israel. He is angry with the Obama Administration for its secret dealings behind the scenes that hatched the plot before the December 23, 2016 UNSC vote. He is warning the pro-Israel global community about what is still to come from Obama. Netanyahu has been demonstrating leadership, persistence and determination. He has called Israel's ambassadors home from New Zealand and Senagal (two of four nations that brought the resolution before the UN after Egypt withdrew it). He has called ambassadors into his office from all nations that voted for the anti-Israel resolution. He has cancelled plans to meet the PM of the Ukraine in Jerusalem, and cancelled all diplomatic plans with New Zealand. He is putting every country on-notice that voted in favor of the anti-settlement resolution. He has declared that the Obama Administration has more anti-Israel plans coming soon.

Pray that ALL of Israel (including ALL Members of the Knesset; ALL political parties; and ALL the people of Israel) will unite to protest actions that are anti-Israel at the UNSC. Pray that God gives the Israeli government continued tenacity; continued wisdom; continued knowledge ahead of time of the plans of the enemy; and, an ability to communicate in a way that ALL Jews and Christians, worldwide, will unite with Israel against these evil plots.

(4) Netanyahu has asked the incoming Trump Administration for help. His trusted Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, is in charge of being the "bridge" between Netanyahu and Trump's staff. At this point, the "leverage" being considered is a threat by President-Elect Trump towards any nation that votes against Israel at the UNSC. That threat would be economic in nature. In other words, if you want to do business with the U.S. and Israel in the future, do not vote against Israel at the UN. Pray for Trump's ability to effectively work behind the scenes on Israel's behalf to stop this fire from igniting against America's trusted ally!

(5) The American Congress wants to reduce or suspend funds to the UN after the passing of this unfair UN resolution 2334. Good idea! But, how slow in coming? Pray that members of Congress will act quickly, as Israel has done. Netanyahu has already authorized cutting funds to UN organizations, and plans to do more.

The next few weeks are critical for prayer and fasting, especially praying fervently, that no more damage will be done to Israel, diplomatically, before the change of power is able to be implemented in the U.S. on January 20, 2017!

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 112

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL HITS BACK AT ISIS-LINKED TERRORISTS & FORTIFIES ITS BORDERS

Israeli Air Force jet fighters struck Syrian targets on November 27, 2016, following the first attack inside Israeli territory by ISIS-linked terrorists on the Golan Heights. Early Sunday morning, militant gunmen fired small arms and mortar shells at IDF forces on the Heights and the IDF returned fire. Four of the terrorists were killed. It was the first direct clash that Israel has had with ISIS cells, and has been seen as a worrisome escalation of enemy forces against Israeli sovereign territory.

As residents and farmers evacuated the area near the border during the incident, Nitzan Nuriel, head of Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau, spoke to journalists on a conference call with the foreign media. He gave a short backgrounder on Israel’s policy since the Second Lebanon War of 2006. Nuriel explained that the moment the Lebanon War started, Israeli forces took action in what Israel calls, the gray area. 

According to Nuriel, “It is a special area of the border between us and our neighbors.”

Nuriel went on to say that while the fence along the border is monitored, in the beginning of the Lebanon War, Hezbollah used the gray area to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Nuriel stated that Israel will take action based on intelligence in order to avoid giving any terrorists an option of kidnapping IDF forces now or in the future.

“The enemy will not be able to build-up infrastructure to attack Israeli soldiers.”

In the incident on November 27^th, Nuriel told reporters that it was probably a field commander who directed the action against Israel, not some directive from ISIS operatives.

“I believe the decision to open fire against the soldiers was a local decision.”

Claiming that the IDF’s response was a strong retaliation against the enemy in order to send a clear message that Israel will not tolerate a cross-border incident, Nuriel stated:  “You cannot open fire against us. If you do, you will pay the price.”

Nuriel assured journalists that if ISIS really wanted to open a front against Israel, they would announce it with much fanfare. He then warned ISIS not to try Israel’s patience.

The attack on Sunday did not appear to be a cooperative effort between Syrian President Bashir Assad’s forces and jihadi forces operating out of Syria. 

Nuriel’s concern, however, was that Hezbollah could try and use a future chaotic situation like this one to act against the IDF in the north. According to Nuriel, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, could mistakenly assume that Russia would back him up if he struck Israel. Nuriel warned that would be a huge miscalculation on Nasrallah’s part.

The rush by Israel’s military to speak to the foreign media was a clear indication that the IDF wanted to send a formidable threat to any terrorist group that dared to wage war against the Jewish State. This being the first clash between Israel and ISIS-linked terrorist cells, Israel’s air force hit back hard, destroying the terrorists in their vehicle, using a precise air force missile. 

Apparently, over the past few days, there have been other attempts by Israel’s enemies to attack the IDF on the northern border. On November 28^th, another incident happened against the Israeli Golani Reconnaissance Battalion operating along the Syrian border. The IDF responded with strong force attacking an ISIS-linked terror cell located in the south of the Syrian Golan Heights. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman made statements on Monday, warning ISIS and other terrorist groups operating inside Syria that Israel has a “zero tolerance” policy. 

It is now unclear if these are two isolated incidents or a new ISIS-directed policy to disrupt Israeli life on the Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, Defense News reports that Israel is preparing its borders with Syria and Lebanon for what could be a full assault in the future by Syrian militant forces or Hezbollah and its allies. (It is possible that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards could be involved). Israel has created extreme terrain and man-made cliffs on its northern border so that enemy forces will have a difficult time trying to invade Israel’s military bases or civilian areas. 

The Israeli government’s homeland security plans are to evacuate thousands of citizens in Israel’s northern communities and use their homes to fight enemy forces. Part of the defense operations Israel is currently working on have to do with securing above and below ground surveillance capabilities; the use of early warning systems; and the deployment of rapid-reaction and response forces that can effectively respond to threats against Israeli sovereignty. 

Israel has set up command and control networks along its borders, including high concrete walls and 16 foot-high fences. Reportedly, Israel is securing at least 360-400 miles of its borders along the Syrian, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian fronts. Along Israel’s border with Egypt in the Sinai, Israel has deployed 130 miles of border re-enforcements to keep ISIS and other terrorist groups from operating against the Jewish State. Israel’s company, Elbit, working alongside other companies, is providing an advanced multi-sensor command and control network for the IDF to guard the Egyptian border with high-level surveillance equipment.

Israel’s most vulnerable attack to its sovereignty remains underground in the form of enemy tunnels.  The lack of preparedness to confront Hamas militants operating underground during the 2014 Gaza War was a wake-up call to the IDF and the Israeli government. Gaza terrorists used tunnels to invade Israeli territory. Responding to fearful citizens, the IDF paid a heavy price in destroying 32 of the tunnels. Dozens of Israeli soldiers lost their lives in Gaza ground operations. 

Since that war, Israel has invested millions of dollars researching and preparing for operations in the subterranean environment. U.S. Pentagon officials have been helping Israel with counter-tunnel technologies, meeting twice a year to chart their progress in extended cooperation. In the research and development tunnel projects, the U.S. and Israeli teams detect, map, and plan operations underneath the ground. 

As Israel faces the possibility of confronting Hezbollah and Shiite militants, and radical Islamic Sunni forces, along its northern and southern borders, the IDF is preparing for several possible scenarios. Israel has contingency plans not only for its soldiers, but also for its civilians in what is now becoming an increasingly unpredictable and volatile situation that threatens the Jewish homeland and its citizens.

2 Samuel 22:3-4: “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. My shield and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold and my refuge. My Savior. You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”