SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 62

Jerusalem, Israel

MARCH 2013 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East

(Psalm 61:6-7; Jeremiah 30:17; Jeremiah 33:6)

The biggest impediment in Israel right now is the inability of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government. This means that new Knesset members can introduce bills but there is no way of furthering legislation. Everyone is in a waiting mode. Netanyahu has been given a two week extension to form a new government by Israeli President Shimon Peres, but after that, if no government is formed, Israel could end up with new elections.

There were past hurts between Netanyahu and Naphtali Bennett which caused un-forgiveness and resentment to enter the hearts of both men. When Bennett’s party (Bayit Yehudi) won 12 seats to become the fourth largest party in the Knesset, Netanyahu ignored him.  In fact, during the election campaign, Netanyahu’s Likud party ridiculed Bennett, even though both parties share the same political ideology. The rift between the two, and Netanyahu’s rejection of Bennett, caused Bennett to form a political pact with another party leader, Yair Lapid (with the Yesh Atid party).  As a result, these two men have blocked Netanyahu’s ability to form a strong and stable government.

·        There has been some reconciliation between Netanyahu and Bennett. Please pray that the Lord will bring these two men into His perfect plans for Israel. Pray that they would surrender their personal motives to the direction of His Holy Spirit; submit their lives to the Lord; and work towards the betterment of Israeli society, rather than focused on their own political agendas. 

·        A majority of Israelis are fed-up with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. This is causing a major division in Israeli society, and is the main sticking point in Netanyahu’s ability to form a new government. Secular Israelis feel that the haredi have squandered government money; and also do not share the burden of national military service because they sit and pray in yeshivas. Pray that all ungodly strongholds in the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) community will be broken. It’s time for all evil motives among the leading rabbis to surface and be dealt with in the name of the Messiah!

Pray that all racist attitudes within the secular population will be exposed and there will be repentance for wrong attitudes. Pray that all fears about the haredim will be overcome; and that Israelis will walk in love, forgiveness, and patience in all dealings with the haredi population.

·        Pray for the upcoming visit to Israel of U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. Pray that their hearts will be softened towards Israel, and that the Lord will implant in them a great love for His land and people. Pray that all plans that are not His will be thwarted. Pray that the Lord will protect and watch over Israel during that time, remembering His covenant with the Jewish People. Intercede for the Lord to put His words in the mouths of these men, and only His plans on their agendas.

·        As we have mentioned in previous Prayer Updates, anti-Semitism is on the rise, worldwide. This is especially true among leaders of nations. Pray, specifically, for Great Britain and Turkey. Pray that members of these governments that make anti-Semitic statements will be disciplined by the Lord. Pray that He will cause their political power to be diminished with every comment made against Israel and the Jewish People. Pray that Israel will find supernatural favor with leaders of nations, especially during this critical transitional period in government.

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 61

Jerusalem, Israel

FEBRUARY 2013 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Middle East

• Pray for God to give wisdom to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli leaders as they form the next government of Israel. Pray that backdoor deals and political maneuvering among Israel’s political parties will be overshadowed by a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to Israeli citizens by politicians who will lead the next coalition. Pray that the Lord raises-up leaders who have God’s sense of righteousness and justice in their hearts. Intercede for improved relations between the U.S. and Israel, especially between Netanyahu and Barack Obama.   (Psalm 33:5; Jeremiah 9:23-24).  

• Netanyahu has admitted that there has been enormous pressure on him during the past four years, with demands that Israel withdraws to the pre-1967 border; divides Jerusalem and stops building in the eastern part of the city. Most of these demands have come from the Palestinians, the UN, the EU, and the U.S. In America, the great concern among pro-Israel supporters is Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel for the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense. Hagel is a known critic of Israel.

• Pray that Israel’s next government will be strong and able to withstand U.S. and international pressure during the next four years. Pray that Israel’s sovereign rights, given to the Jewish People by the Lord, Himself, will be respected and honored, worldwide.  Pray that a greater love for the biblical scriptures, and greater revelation and understanding regarding Israel’s land covenant with God, will pierce men’s hearts who occupy high places in government within the nations. (Isaiah 51:4-6).

•  Israel’s military is on high alert on the border with Lebanon and Syria. On Wednesday, January 30^th, Israeli jet fighters struck at Syrian trucks headed for Hezbollah in Lebanon, containing SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles. The trucks were located near a Syrian military research center, which was also hit.  The research center has been a top national security threat to Israel since 2010 and is known for the development of biological and chemical weapons. Reportedly, several Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the area were killed.  Both Iran and Syria have threatened a surprise retaliation attack on Israel. Since the Israeli Air Force attack, Israeli jet fighters have stepped up their surveillance over Lebanon.

Also in late January, Israel deployed two Iron Dome missile batteries in the Haifa area due to the potential of future cross-border fighting between Israel and Syria. Israel and the United States have been concerned by the possible movements of non-conventional chemical and biological weapons from Syria’s large depots. Both governments have threatened Syria saying they will not tolerate a situation where chemical weapons end up in the hands of Sunni or Shiite radicals.  A Saudi Arabian newspaper reported that non-conventional weapons were already moved from Syria to Hezbollah in February-March 2012.  

• Some Bible scholars think that Isaiah Chapter 17 is on the verge of being fulfilled. We should be praying for the current trauma in Syria where 60,000 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing civil war. Pray, also, that no WMD’s will get into the hands of Islamic radicals that would try to use the weapons against Israel. Pray that He who watches Israel will neither slumber nor sleep, but put His hand of protection on the Jewish State.  No weapon formed against Israel can prosper!  (Isaiah 121:4; Isaiah 54:17).

• Israelis are not the best at long-term planning. They operate best in an immediate crisis, or in coming up with short-term goals. The flawed political system makes it easier for governments to fall, or new elections to be called. In the last 15 years, Israel has had 14 finance ministers, 11 transportation ministers, and 10 housing and construction ministers. This constant turn-over makes it difficult for plans to go through in any logical order.

• Pray that reforms in Israel’s political system will allow for long-term strategic planning. Pray that Israelis, themselves, will persevere with great organizational ability. Pray that they can take a project through to its end in a way that advances the purposes and goals of God that benefit Israeli society.  (Isaiah 62:2-3; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1).

• With the presence of Al-Qaeda, Salafists, and jihadists near its borders, especially in Syria, the Sinai, and Gaza, Israel has been building walls and fences to keep infiltrators out.  Netanyahu hopes this will decrease terror attacks originating from Islamic Sunni extremists. An IDF soldier, Brig.-Gen. Eran Ofir, made a recent comment to Netanyahu: “Just as the Iron Dome defends Israel’s skies, the fence is an iron wall defending Israel’s border.”         (J. Post, January 2, 2013).

• Declare Psalm 20:7-8 over Israel, recognizing that it is not walls and fences or the might of the IDF that will help Israel, but God, Himself:  “Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.”

• Nations, people groups, and human rights organizations are increasingly becoming more vocal in their anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist stand against Israel and the Jewish People.It has been reported that last year, leaders in Egypt, Iran, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Ukraine, Brazil, and Norway, made strong anti-Semitic remarks against the Jews and Israel. Anti-Semitism is now finding a voice among prominent leaders in Arab and European countries, who are more than willing to share their increased hatred towards the Jewish State. Media leaders are also contributors to the recent rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Pro-Israel supporters should watch the European Union closely. Leaders in the EU are expected to speak out more vocally against Israel after the next government is formed. European hatred for Israeli settlement building has caused leaders to falsely accuse Jerusalem of setting up obstacles to peace in the region. And, EU leaders have already decided that Jerusalem must be divided.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians have been encouraged by their leaders to start a third Intifada against Israel, perhaps beginning in Hebron.

• Declare Israel’s redemptive purpose which is to be a light to the nations.  (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 60:3). Proclaim into the heavenlies that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. He who touches Israel touches the Apple of God’s Eye! (Genesis 12:3; Zechariah 2:8; Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8). Intercede that nations, people groups, and human rights organizations – those that falsely accuse Israel on a daily basis -- will line up with God’s eternal covenant purposes for Israel. (Genesis 35:12; Leviticus 26:42; Judges 2:1; Isaiah 55:3).  

• Prayer can change the global strategic balance of power that has become shaky since the Arab Revolution that started in 2011. The revolution has swept aside four heads of state. But, the “kings” in the Middle East are surviving, especially the King of Jordan and of Saudi Arabia. However, the Jordanian king (King Abdullah) has been weakened by protests in his nation. The Jordanian elections in January led to the creation of Jordan’s first parliamentary government. Abdullah now must consult the Parliament when appointing members to his government; and, he has conceded to Islamists that his son will not inherit the monarchy. Jordanian opposition forces, mostly headed-up by the Moslem Brotherhood, are demanding that Abdullah relinquish his constitutional powers that allow him to form governments. But, so far, he has refused to do so, and the Brotherhood does not have enough power to successfully overthrow him. Jordan is ruled by a majority of tribal factions from rural areas who are loyal to King Abdullah.

• Pray according to Romans 13:1:  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Intercede for the King of Jordan and other kings, that they would have a discerning heart in governing their people and distinguishing between right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:9). Pray for royal governments to establish God’s Kingdom work on the earth according to His timetable (Daniel 2:21; Psalm 75:7).

• As Israel faces great challenges this year from enemies on its borders, it is important to remember the IDF (Israel’s Defense Forces) and the IAF (Israel’s Air Force) in our prayers. 

Please intercede for Israeli soldiers according to this prayer that observant Jews say on a daily basis:  “May He who blessed our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, bless the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces who keep guard over our country and the cities of our Lord. May the Holy One, blessed be He, preserve our soldiers and save them from all sorrow and peril, from danger and illness.”  And, may He bring them home safely!

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 60

Jerusalem, Israel

ISRAEL'S RELATIONS WITH EGYPT -- FUTURE CHALLENGES

One of the key focuses of the new Israeli government, formed after the January 22nd national election, will be Jerusalem’s relationship with Cairo.  Egypt is considered to be the leading nation of the Arab world.  Egypt’s new President Mohammed Morsi is consolidating his power, standing alongside the Moslem Brotherhood that has a majority rule in Egypt’s Parliament.

On a diplomatic level, Israeli leaders have failed in their attempts to deal directly with Morsi and other political Islamists running Egypt’s government.  Israeli officials are worried that Morsi and the Moslem Brotherhood will attempt to re-open and re-examine the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty once their political power has stabilized. 

Israel is watching on the sidelines as Sunni Egypt forms an alliance with Shiite Iran. Reaching across the “Sunni-Shiite divide”, Morsi and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are shaking hands, with the mutual goal of seeing Israel and the West weakened. But, analysts predict that in 2013, Morsi will seem more like a “moderate” to the global world as he needs financial support in order to get Egypt out of poverty so it can eventually become an economically viable nation.

Morsi has been offered a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if he commits himself to following through with suggested austerity measures. But, instability continues in Egypt, as protesters demonstrate against Morsi and the Moslem Brotherhood. Egypt’s constitution is considered too Islamic by a majority of the secular Egyptian population who do not trust the government. They believe the Brotherhood conducted an illegal campaign to persuade Egyptians to accept a new constitution. The aim of the Brotherhood is to impose Sharia Law on all Egyptians.

Egypt’s general public has become more anti-Semitic as the Moslem Brotherhood has gained influence in Egyptian society.    Since the creation of the Brotherhood in 1928, they have targeted Jews. In the 1940’s, known for their anti-Semitism, the Brotherhood conducted pogroms in the Old Jewish Quarter of Cairo.  During WWII, the Brotherhood’s founder, Hassan al- Banna, was reportedly corresponding with Adolph Hitler. Today, Egyptian clerics in Cairo rant against the Jews from their mosque pulpits, and the media fuels the society with hatred towards Israel and the Jewish People. What keeps the persecution against Egypt’s Jews prevailing is a sense from radical Islamists that they now have the support of Morsi and his government.

Meanwhile, to protect his rule, Morsi wants to build a strong army militia that is loyal to him and independent of the current Egyptian armed forces. Though a type of Moslem Brotherhood militia has existed for a long time, it is unclear how many weapons they have and how powerful they are. In 2007, the Brotherhood’s youth “deterrence forces” marched on Cairo’s   al-Azhar University campus, dressed in black militia-type uniforms, parading like an army. 

Former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt, Zvi Mazel, remembers that incident. “It made a big noise at the time. (Former President Hosni) Mubarak was not happy nor was the public. The Brotherhood wanted to show Egypt that they are a strong force to be reckoned with.”

When Egypt’s 2011 “Arab Spring” revolution was in full swing, the Moslem Brotherhood incited Egyptians to demonstrate (burning police stations, government buildings, and a building next to the Egyptian museum in Cairo), all the while defending and protecting the protestors. Mazel claims that during the revolution it was difficult for those outside of Egypt to accept how a group of unorganized Egyptians could, effectively, extend their protests throughout the country. “Now, we understand that some were pushed by the Moslem Brotherhood and their militia at that time.”

Recently, the Brotherhood claimed that when the revolution’s famous camel demonstration took place in February 2011, they were “protecting” the people in Tahrir Square. Reports indicate the Brotherhood may have shot at Egyptian security forces at the time, while using its Militia 95 against the Egyptian demonstrators.  

In 2012, some of Morsi’s advisors resigned, including his vice president, after he extended his own powers and became dictatorial, in order to push through the newly unpopular Egyptian constitution.

This month, in a violent demonstration against the constitution, Egyptian protestors were subject to another crackdown. Reportedly, some “thugs” came near the Presidential Palace and started to shoot at the demonstrators, throwing Molotov cocktails at them.  At least 15 Egyptians were wounded.  According to Mazel, the “thugs” were part of the Moslem Brotherhood militia. “They came and fought to scare the people.”

Despite the fact that these radicals have risen to power in Egypt, Mazel says that something positive has occurred. Egyptians are no longer afraid to protest against their government. They are ready to go into the streets, demonstrate and fight. “From this point of view, the Moslem Brotherhood reached power a little bit too late.”  In Mazel’s opinion, the Brotherhood has tried to take control, militarily, while not gaining the respect of Egyptian society. “And, one can say Morsi is no longer a legitimate president even though he was elected. All the political opposition is against him.”

Despite Morsi’s mishaps, Mazel does not believe that he will fall from power. He thinks Morsi will continue to be protected by the rising Moslem Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has gained not only a foothold in Egyptian society, but throughout the Middle East.  What was once the Shiite Crescent is now becoming the Sunni Crescent with the Moslem Brotherhood leading the way for political Islamists to take over regional governments.

As Israelis go to vote, they are keenly aware of the changes taking place with their southern neighbor.  Just how well the new Israeli government fares in its diplomatic dealings with political Islamists in Egypt, could determine the challenges Israel will face in its dealings with the rest of the Arab world.

“The burden against Egypt:  Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt. The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.”      Isaiah 19:1