SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 120

Jerusalem, Israel

JULY 2017 PRAYER UPDATE

Israel and the Nations

The boiling pot in relations between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora community has gone from boiling over to simmering on the back burner. But, continued actions by the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel to sideline western Jewish religious leaders is doing major damage to this important and strategic relationship. The schism that is dividing Israel and Jewish communities, especially within the United States, is causing a major backlash. It could affect:  (1) Aliyah to Israel; (2) financial contributions to the Jewish State; (3) further assimilation within the global Jewish community by Jews who are not interested in Israeli citizenship that requires them to follow an Orthodox lifestyle, etc.

Prayer Points:   

                                                            

(Mark 3:25; James 3:13-17; Psalm 133:1)

(1)   Pray that any attempts to change the status quo by Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders, in a way that hurts relations with global Jewry, would cease in Yeshua’s name. Ask the Lord to bring revival into Jewish hearts that would cause them to seek Jesus as Lord, and embrace His true nature of walking in humility, care and kindness amongst one another. Pray for unity and a strengthening in relationships between Israel and international Jewish communities based on tolerance and not on an increase in political power and dominance. “A house divided cannot stand.” This current divided house becomes a threat to Israel’s security if hostile peoples perceive a weakness in the important strategic relationship of the whole House of Israel. 

(2)   Pray that this generation of Jewish young people will not turn against Israel, but long to immigrate to the country to help bring unity among its people. Seek the Lord in prayer for strategies that bring together healthy alliances, under God and His authority and Lordship, for the Jewish People who are in covenant with Him.

Recent statistics by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism indicate that Israel experienced its largest growth in tourism in recorded history between January and June 2017. According to reports, a record 1.74 million tourists visited the country during the first six months of this year, an increase of 26% from last year. Just in the month of June 2017, 303,000 tourists arrived in Israel, which was reported as a 28% increase for that month over the previous year. 

What is not being said by the Ministry of Tourism is that the June 2017 statistics include tens of thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender tourists who marched in Tel Aviv! The Tourism Ministry’s policies continue to promote Tel Aviv as the gay capital of the world, a marketing strategy that has proved successful, and is being encouraged by Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin. Some of the Tourism Ministry’s promotions brand Israel as the holy Promised Land, in an attempt to draw Jews and Christians to come on pilgrimage, especially to Jerusalem. But, Levin is also promoting “cultural and diversity” programs encouraging homosexual tourists to come and participate in gay pride parades throughout the country, with various city mayors pressured to support these efforts. 

Prayer Points:        

          

(Ecclesiastes 8:13; 2 Peter 3:7-9; Romans 2:6-10; Romans 13:11-14) 

(1)   Pray that the Israeli Ministry of Tourism will focus on true biblical and historical land sites within the country that encourage tourists to have a meaningful, prayerful journey in seeking the One and Only True God of Israel. 

(2)   Pray that efforts to promote the gay agenda, turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world, will cease in Jesus name! Declare that the Lord will rain on all future gay pride parades, causing a flood of repentance for ungodly lifestyles that God detests. Seek repentance and revival for Israel in your prayers, and for the Lord’s mercy to be poured out over His covenant nation for the sake of those righteous men and women who are standing in the gap for Israel’s salvation.

Despite the current de-escalation cease-fire, mostly concentrated on the Syrian southwest border with Jordan, Israel has warned that it will not tolerate any violation of its security along its border with Syria. A recent agreement reached between U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calls for other cease-fires within the country in an attempt to stop the six year Syrian war.

Israel retains the right to complete freedom of action on its border to protect its citizens. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed Putin, on more than one occasion, that Israel will not agree to a Hezbollah or Iranian presence on the Golan Heights, which is a red line for the Jewish State. Israel will continue to prevent any kind of weapons transfer from Iran to Hezbollah (through Syria) that would affect the balance of power and threaten Israel’s QME (Qualitative Military Edge).

Iran continues to try and increase its influence in the region with a long-term strategy of expanding its Shiite Crescent to include Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, among other nations. 

Prayer Points:                                                                                           

(sing Psalm Chapter 3) 

(1) Pray that cease-fires would expand and hold throughout Syrian, in an effort to finally end the Syrian war for the sake of millions of displaced Syrian people, and hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones. 

(2)   Pray for Divine intervention in stopping an unholy alliance of Shiite groups and nations that would give rise to Iranian hegemony in the region.  Pray that the Lord, Himself, arises and weakens this enemy force, in Yeshua's name!

The "process of peace" without actually "making peace" has been beneficial to Israel. It keeps the enemy at bay. It gives Israel time to build diplomatic relations with many nations, while also constraining the moves of the enemy. It gives Israel time to fortify its positions, militarily, as well. 

Never should Israel compromise land at any cost! Yet, when efforts are made to enter into the "process of peace" Israel should be able to take advantage of the "diplomatic game” by using wise tactics. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has sent his envoy Jason Greenblatt to the region, to try to move ahead in bringing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas together in direct negotiations; or, with the U.S. acting as a third party. Some Israeli leaders would rather by-pass negotiations with the Palestinians and go straight to a regional peace process with friendly Arab countries. But, Sunni nations, who now have business dealings with Israel and “unofficial” diplomatic relations, have not agreed to such a strategic regional plan.

Israel is in a stronger position, diplomatically, since the Trump Administration took over the White House, as Trump has been more favorable to Israel than former U.S. President Barack Obama. Furthermore, Iranian aggression in the Middle East has caused Sunni countries to draw closer to both the United States and Israel as a defense umbrella of protection and security.

However, the Palestinians continue to use UN agencies, like UNESCO, to question Israel’s biblical and historic sovereignty over its covenant land with God, causing confusion among the nations.

Prayer Points:                                                    

(Acts 13:47; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; James 3:18) 

(1)   Pray that the current favor Israel is experiencing in not only the Middle East, but in global diplomacy, will continue to expand; that Israel will fulfill its calling as a “light unto the nations.” 

(2)   Pray that the Sunni nations that are currently aligning with Israel in an “unofficial” way, will be bold and truly seek a lasting peace with the Jewish State. Pray that they will not try and attempt to bring forth a false peace that would harm Israel’s security, or hurt Israel’s ability to retain defensible borders. Intercede that all evil will be exposed in Arab diplomatic dealings with Israel. 

(3)   Declare that continued Palestinian attempts to weaken Israel’s sovereignty through negative resolutions in UN agencies will be blocked from this day forward! Intercede that the Lord will go before Israel on her behalf, and stop these diplomatic actions by every means possible. Ask the Lord to give pro-Israel supporters strategic victory plans and great influence in high places, which will supersede any plans of the wicked one.  Intercede that as UN nations bless Israel, they will be blessed in a true covenant relationship with the Household of Israel through the God of Israel, and His Son... Messiah Jesus. 

(4)   Pray that America will remain strong in the Middle East region, as a shield of God's protection over the Jewish State. (Declare Proverbs 18:24 for America and its relations with Israel). 

(5)   Entreat the Lord to give wisdom to Israel in its dealings with Russia. Israeli diplomats continue to take a neutral position regarding Russia, staying on the outside of the regional chess game between opponents. But, scripture shows that Russia is no friend of Israel (see Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39).

May God strengthen holy alliances under His Lordship; and may He weaken unholy alliances that try to usurp His authority!

THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE!! 

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- 119

Jerusalem, Israel

SUPPORT AT THE UN – NICKI HALEY’S VISIT TO ISRAEL

Nikki Haley, American ambassador to the United Nations, met with Israeli government leaders on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in Jerusalem, to discuss bilateral relations. In recent months, there has been a marked shift in tone towards Israel, signaling a change in Middle East foreign policy under U.S. President Donald Trump’s Administration. 

Speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haley said there was a turning of the tide in New York at the United Nations. “I think they know they can’t keep responding in the way they’ve been responding. They sense that the tone has changed.” 

Haley spoke in Geneva on the eve of June 6th, before embarking on her trip to Israel. She said that the UN agenda was discussed with ambassadors there. “It will be a new day at the Human Rights Council when it comes to Israel,” she declared.

Most of the ambassadors on the Human Rights Council heard from Haley about Agenda Item Seven which is fraught with condemnation of Israel when it’s brought before the nations. Under this item, the council is mandated to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at every session. There is no similar mandate demanded of other nations, especially those who are currently committing human atrocities in Iran, Syria, and North Korea. 

Haley has demanded reform, speaking to UN leaders about the need to stop unfairly accusing Israel of human rights violations.  “Some of them, they were embarrassed by it. You know, they acknowledge the fact that it just makes no sense. You can’t sit there, and of all countries, Israel?”

Haley has proven, over and over again, her pro-Israel support, taking the UNHRC and other UN groups to task for their anti-Israel bias. The US has threatened to remove its financial and diplomatic support for these organizations. Haley has demanded that there be no separate agenda item on Israel than for any other country being addressed at the UN.

At the Israeli President’s Residence, Haley thanked President Reuven Rivlin for his support, but said, “I feel somewhat guilty because all I did at the United Nations was tell the truth. I have never taken kindly to bullies, and the UN has bullied Israel for a very long time; and, we are not going to let that happen anymore. It is a new day for Israel in the United Nations.”

Professor Gabriela Shalev, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN, spoke briefly to journalists on a Jerusalem conference call about Haley’s visit. She mentioned that Haley was a great friend of Israel, who has identified with Israelis and Jews living in the Middle East. “I can only attest to my short experience, representing Israel for 2 years, 2008-2010, as Israeli ambassador to the UN. Being the U.S. ambassador to the UN is not an easy task… We, the Israeli mission to the UN, always work in cooperation and friendship with all the American ambassadors.”

Shalev, who was at the United Nations during a challenging time for Israel, said that on many important issues, Israel and the U.S. stand together. For example, on the issue of terrorist operations conducted by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. She also addressed the problems with the UN leadership. “The UN is today, I can say, the global center of efforts to delegitimize Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself. And, therefore, the support of the United States, which was always there since the days of Harry Truman, and the establishment of the state of Israel, is a given.”

But, Shalev also mentioned that she is a very concerned citizen of the world and Israel, especially when it comes to how Israel is judged unfairly. “Everybody, that represents Israel and the U.S., in this noble arena, is very aware of the double standards against Israel.”

Disappointing to many Israelis was the lack of a US veto, under the Obama Administration, in the UN Security Council decision regarding Resolution 2334. It will take some time for the Trump Administration to reverse that decision, which unfairly judged Israel regarding its sovereignty over settlements in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), and over its capital city, Jerusalem. 

Some Israelis have been critical of Trump’s recent decision to initiate a six month presidential waver, resulting in no current effort to support the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which compels the U.S. State Department to move its embassy to Jerusalem.  However, even though unsatisfied by Trump’s decision, a majority of Israelis continue to show increased support for his policies concerning the Jewish State.

Shalev addressed a question from this writer about the fact that the American embassy will not be moved at this time.  “The person who really dictates the policy is the president. I am sure that Nikki Haley is going to address it because people here are very concerned about the politics of Trump.”

Shalev mentioned the promise Trump made during the U.S. elections last year to move the embassy. She explained that many promises during campaigns are not fulfilled when the U.S. president comes into the White House and sees the reality. According to Shalev, Israelis saw Trump’s promise as symbolic.  She mentioned other areas where America has backed Israel and will continue to uphold Israel’s requests: “We can be assured of the support of the United States. We will get the support regarding Israeli building inside the settlements, and also the embassy will, in some time, move. I think they are concerned by repercussions, and only cautious in attitude.” 

Only time will tell how true to Israel the United States will be, in terms of long-term policy changes both at the UN and in dialogue with Israeli government leaders, especially concerning crucial issues connected to Israel’s capital, and the disputed territories. 

Regardless, Nicki Haley seems to stand out more than any other in the U.S. government, as a true friend of Israel, who isn’t afraid to speak out against old habits of Israel-bashing at the UN. That kind of friendship commitment goes a long way in gaining favor with the people of Israel.

Genesis 22:17-18:

"Indeed, I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and, your seed shall possess the gates of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."