Sunday night through Monday marked a very special celebration for Israel. Yom Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem Day, has been an annual event for the past 57 years, marking the reunification of Israel following the Six-Day War of 1967. Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq had been preparing to launch a massive invasion into Israel when, on June 5, 1967, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and the government decided to launch a preemptive strike. Over the next five days, the fighting was fierce, but Israel drove the Arab armies out of Jerusalem and out of Israel. For the first time in nearly two millennia, Jerusalem was united and under Jewish control!
Because of this momentous occasion, there is dancing, celebrating, and the waving of flags all over Israel, and particularly in our capital city. Unfortunately, all this joy causes great consternation amongst our enemies. In 2023, just months before the October 7 massacre, Hamas called for a “day of rage” against those marching in celebration parades. Even Israel’s own leftist politicians and media pacifiers condemned the festivities, essentially because they hate Netanyahu’s government more than they love the Israeli people. This year, if you look at the global media coverage, you’d think that there a bunch of brown shirts goose-stepping through Jerusalem with the only difference between them and the Nazis being that, instead of a swastika on their armbands, they’d have a Star of David. The truth is that if you walked through the masses of celebrators, your ears would pick up the sounds of love for Israel rather than hatred for the Arabs. Undoubtedly, amongst the huge mass of people there were a handful of obnoxious rabble-rousers spewing venom, but extremists will be found in any large group of people. Not surprisingly, though, it is this tiny minority that the global media puts forth as the representatives of Israeli sentiment. What else can you expect from the Medianites?
For those of us who understand Scripture and God’s great plan for Israel and the church, the reunification of Israel is one more tick on God’s end times list. We rejoice because the Lord has fulfilled His promise to His people to bring them back into the land. And we anxiously await the day when He will take the church to be with Him, then return following Jacob’s trouble to an Israel that will finally be waiting to receive Him as their Messiah and Lord!
Hamas is Running Out of Excuses
First, it was that the Israelis were slaughtering innocents in Gaza. But then Hamas had to completely recalculate their numbers, showing that the innocent Palestinian casualties were stunningly low. In fact, never before in modern urban warfare has there been such a small percentage of civilians harmed. Of course, this doesn’t keep foreign governments, especially those “enlightened” compassionate souls in Europe, from ignoring the facts for their own “genocidal Israeli” narrative.
Then came the accusation that Israel was not negotiating in good faith. But more and more people are coming to the realization that the Palestinians are doing what they always do: they are demanding all or nothing. The rejection of the recent Witkoff plan, which would release half the living hostages and half the dead hostages in return for a 45-day ceasefire, was clear evidence. The Hamas demand is that only ten hostages total be released, five at a time, that a permanent ceasefire is implemented, and that they get to keep all of their arms. Ridiculous demands for a defeated enemy force to put forth.
Just today, a new proposal was put forth by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The demand is for 10 live hostages and 18 bodies of dead hostages to be released in two waves, which is one less live hostage than the previous deal. In return, there would be a 60-day ceasefire, aid would begin again through the UN and not the American companies, and more than 1200 Gazan prisoners would be released. This is a terrible deal, and one that I pray that neither Israel nor Hamas will accept. It is simply another delay tactic allowing for Hamas to regroup and for Israeli opponents of Netanyahu to kick him out of office.
The third excuse was that Israel was starving the Gazan people by withholding humanitarian aid. But now Operation Gideon’s Chariots has gone into force. While the Israeli military is pushing through the north and central regions of Gaza, four safe humanitarian zones have been opened for civilians seeking to escape the harsh hand of Hamas. Using leaflets, phone calls, texts, and social media, Israel warned the citizenry of the Israel Defense Forces’ intention of pushing through Gaza and eliminating the last vestiges of Hamas and invited the people to find refuge in the safe zones. Many thousands of people have taken the IDF up on this invitation and they are finding all the humanitarian aid they could ever want, all distributed with the assistance of private American firms. This has made Hamas apoplectic, because they have lost control of the humanitarian aid, which they had been stealing and selling for profit. They are demanding that people reject the Israeli aid mechanism, and have even stooped to criticizing the plentiful food because some of it is manufactured in Israel.
With the confirmed death of Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas is essentially leaderless. It’s time for them to lay down arms, free the Gazan citizens from their tyrannical reign, and accept their fate. But it won’t happen. These brainwashed terrorists are determined to fight to the last man. Sadly, that means sacrificing the lives of everyday civilians who just want a chance to emigrate to a place where they can find a better, more free life.
Mourning for Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim
At the beginning of this week, Sarah Milgrim was laid to rest outside of Kansas City, Missouri, while her beloved Yaron Lischinsky was placed in the ground in Beit Zayit, just outside of Jerusalem. While their mortal shells remain thousands of miles apart, we take solace in knowing that as believers in the true Messiah, Yeshua, the soon-to-be-engaged couple are together with Him for eternity. Their murderer, a radical socialist and rabid supporter of Palestine whose name I will refrain from giving voice to, is in custody, where he will remain for the rest of his wasted life. If there is anything that can be gleaned from this evil act of cowardice, it is that the time is now for Jews around the world to return to their homeland. This world is becoming less and less safe every day. Quit ignoring the still, small voice in your heart and emigrate to the land of your ancestors while there is still time.
Gideon’s Chariots are Rolling
As I mentioned above, Operation Gideon’s Chariots is in full force. Currently, the IDF controls over 40% of Gaza. That is expected to rise to 75% over the next two weeks. Why not 100%? Because we know the hostages are still out there, and we must avoid those areas where they may be held in order to protect them. The progress of the military is slow due to its thoroughness. No longer are we simply taking over and clearing. We are there to stay, and that takes time. Eventually, Hamas will have to capitulate and give the hostages back. The Prime Minister and his cabinet are ignoring international calls to back off. Netanyahu knows that he has the Trump administration on his side, and that is enough for him to keep on track. The media is trying its best to drive a wedge between the prime minister and the president, but the two seem to have an understanding. The clearing of Gaza is a job that must and will be done.
The Miracle that is Israel
Yesterday marked a tragic anniversary for Israel. It was the six hundredth day since the beginning of the war against Hamas. As tragic as that number is, it can also be seen as a praiseworthy celebration. Over that time, nearly 35,000 rockets and missiles were launched towards Israel, not including mortars and anti-tank missiles. Of that number, 97% were intercepted by Israel’s defenses. And despite being at war, Israel’s economy is strong. Unemployment is low, the stock market is at an all-time high, and the country is thriving. Often, that kind of economic resurgence can come as the result of a victorious war. Just look at the United States in the 1950s. But, because of God’s incredible blessing, Israel is flourishing during war. That is the definition of a miracle. The Lord never takes His eyes off those who belong to Him, whether it be a nation or an individual.
Will the Houthis Ever Learn?
The Yemeni rebel Houthis fired two more rockets at Israel on Tuesday as part of their ridiculous plan to blockade Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. Their chance of success is equivalent to a three-year-old blocking a parent’s access to the refrigerator while armed with a toy sword. Misbehavior demands punishment, and Israel’s discipline of Yemen and their rebels has been strong. On Wednesday, the Israel Air Force destroyed the last remaining aircraft of Yemenia airlines, used by the Houthis to fly in and out of Sana’a International Airport. The destruction of the plane was one of four attacks on the airport that day, while earlier days have brought more retaliatory attacks against the Iranian-controlled rebel militia. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Wednesday, “We will continue to attack, but the Houthis are just the symptom. The main force behind them is Iran and it is responsible for the aggression coming from Yemen.”
The Iranian Camel in the Room
The Houthi story brings us to the big question facing Israel, the United States, and most clear-thinking western states. What is to be done about Iran? Something must take place to keep them from becoming a nuclear power. Most European nations are saying that negotiation is the way to go. Israel says that a military solution is the only option, because you can’t trust a word that comes out of Tehran. Until recently, it seemed that President Trump sided with Israel, but now that is in question. In fact, just yesterday, when he was asked whether he had warned Netanyahu about military action against Iran, Trump answered, “Yes, to tell you the truth, I warned him. It wasn’t exactly a warning, but I told him it wasn’t appropriate because we’re very close to a solution.”
I understand if President Trump believes that making a deal with Iran is better than militarily dismantling their nuclear program. I would side with him if I thought it was a possibility, but it’s not. Iran has made it clear over and over that they will not give up their centrifuges. “We will only use them for energy purposes,” they say. But everyone with half a brain knows that the moment people take their eyes off the ayatollahs, the centrifuges will start enriching uranium to weapons grade levels again. However, I also know the key to understanding the American president is by looking at his actions rather than just listening to his words. He is on Israel’s side, and when the time is ripe he will give America’s blessing, as well as military weaponry, toward the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program.
Russia Ramps Up Air Attack on Ukraine
Saturday night saw Russia’s largest air attack on Ukraine since the war began. Key military, air defense, logistics, and aerospace sites were hit across the nation. The regions of Kyiv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, and Donetsk all were targeted in this massive air assault. Thirteen people were killed and massive damage was caused. President Trump weighed in saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin is acting like he’s gone crazy. However, he also reserved criticism for Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that the Ukrainian president isn’t helping the situation any by talking the way he does. Sadly, it doesn’t look like there will be an end to hostilities anytime soon.
