Jerusalem, Israel
DECEMBER 2017 PRAYER UPDATE
Israel and the
Nations
DID TRUMP GO FAR ENOUGH?
The Israeli government and many of its Jewish citizens are
rejoicing in the recent statement of U.S. President Donald Trump. On Wednesday,
December 6, he declared, several times, in a White House speech, that Jerusalem
is Israel’s capital. He also announced plans to move the U.S. embassy to
Jerusalem. Israelis braced for the Palestinian and Arab rage that would follow.
Nations lined up for and against the declaration.
While thousands of Jews celebrated at the Western Wall, with
the good news that the greatest superpower in the world finally acknowledged
that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, others expressed concern as to whether
Trump’s statement was simply symbolic, or would have real lasting results.
From the Palestinian point of view, it expressed Jewish
identity in Jerusalem, and hurt the Palestinian narrative of what they perceive
is their rights over this holy city. But, Israel’s sovereign authority over Jerusalem
has reached deep into the evangelical community surrounding Trump, with the
biblical point of view that Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish
homeland of Israel for more than 3,000 years.
THE DELAY AND THE SIGNING OF THE WAIVER
Trump is still delaying the move of the U.S. embassy to
Jerusalem. This move of the U.S. embassy became an act of Congress 22 years
ago, with a provision that the U.S. President could delay the move by six
months when signing a waiver. Every U.S. President has signed the waiver since
that time.
Trump signed the waver, according to his aides, for
financial reasons, because the U.S. government would be obligated to set aside
and use monies, within a short period of time, which would be allocated toward
the embassy move. Trump wanted more time to find property and construct a new
embassy in Jerusalem… maybe, even a few years. He did not want to hold up State
Department allocated funds.
On a conference call with Israeli Deputy Minister Michael
Oren, he was asked in a question posed by this writer, why one of the buildings
already in use as an American consulate in Jerusalem could not house American
embassy officials. His response was that the buildings were not large enough
for U.S. embassy staff. However, as one analyst later expressed, all the United
States needs to do is put their U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Freidman, in
an office in one of the consulates in Jerusalem, and this begins official
American representation in Israel’s capital!
THE OFFICIAL LINE OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT
The State Department held a briefing on Friday, December 8,
stating that there would be no change in consular services. Anyone born in
Jerusalem, in the past or currently, would not be able to change their
passports from their birthplace being “Jerusalem”, to “Jerusalem, Israel”.
These Israeli citizens would still be “stateless”. For the State Department,
even though the Trump White House was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s
capital, it didn’t mean that the State Department was recognizing that
Jerusalem was actually in the state of Israel! This must be sorted out between
the members of the Trump Administration so that everyone is on-board with the
declaration.
WHAT DOES THE TRUMP STATEMENT MEAN?
There was no mention in Trump’s speech about Jerusalem being
the “united” and “undivided” capital of Israel, a mantra declared by several of
Israel’s leaders, past and present. This is a key point where clarity must be
brought forth.
Russia and the Czech Republic are interested in locating
their embassies to “West” Jerusalem. The Palestinians will continue to fight
for “East” Jerusalem as their capital. Leaders in Saudi Arabia, apparently,
don’t mind Trump stating the fact that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, as long
as that doesn’t include any change in the status quo regarding the Temple Mount
and the Al-Aksa Mosque. This is still considered Moslem property to the Arab
nations; still controlled by the Jordanian WAQF; still in dispute with Israel
as to who governs this, and who has the authority to make changes in the
eastern part of Jerusalem.
Without Trump stating that Jerusalem will be “united” under
Israel authority; without him stating that Jerusalem will be “undivided” under
Israel authority, the United States is still opening the door for part of
Jerusalem’s sovereignty to be contested in the future.
Respecting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a good “first
start”, but it should not end there. Oren stated that it has been 70 years
since the U.S. Truman Administration recognized Israel’s independence.
The question is, will it take another 70 years before the
United States recognizes Israel as the Jewish State of the Jewish People with
authority over all of Jerusalem, a capital that will never, again, be
divided?
This is something to consider!
PRAYER POINTS:
*Pray for the
protection of Israelis at this time as the Palestinians rage and commit violent
acts because of Trump’s declaration. Pray for all Jews throughout the world,
especially Europe, as anti-Semitic attacks have already begun.
* In a few days, American
Vice President Mike Pence will be in the Middle East, meeting with Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, and others in the
region. He could firm up U.S. support for the peace process, and echo Trump’s
proclamation that a two-state solution is possible if the Israelis and
Palestinians agree to it. Dividing the land is not the solution! Pray for wisdom
for Pence as he travels here, especially that he brings biblical principles
into meetings with Israeli and regional leaders. He also needs an extra measure
of protection because of the anti-American sentiments that are being expressed
by Arabs on the streets in the Middle East.
*Pray for the Lord to
fortify Israel’s borders from any cross-border confrontation in the north or
south by Israel’s enemies who are threatening to retaliate against the Jewish
State because of Trump’s declaration.
*Declare scriptures
about Jerusalem and Zion as you intercede for Israel and the nations: (Psalm
2:6; Psalm 48:2; Psalm 122; Psalm 132:13-14; Psalm 135:21; Psalm 147:12-15; Zechariah 12:3; Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 60:14; Jeremiah
17:25; and many more!)