(Galilee, Israel) — This is a very critical point in Israel’s history. My country is facing the deepest political and judicial crisis since its formation.
In the next 3-4 weeks, the very left-leaning Israeli Supreme Court will convene to discuss two issues that are far beyond its mandate. Depending on what they decide, the country could be sent reeling. First, it will discuss canceling the ability for a parliament vote to change a Basic Law. As a country without a constitution, it is the Basic Laws that are the foundation for the way our government conducts business. In the past, these Basic Laws have always been under the purview of the Knesset. The Supreme Court is looking to steal this power for themselves.
Second, the court will determine whether to allow a process that will declare Netanyahu as unfit for office, thereby nullifying the recent vote of a majority of the Israelis. For those of you in America, think of when Congress tried to do the same thing to Donald Trump when he was president, and what your court system is trying to do to him now. If Netanyahu is removed from office, the typically quiet conservatives will go ballistic. I don’t know what to expect then.
But even amid these crises in our own countries and abroad, the Lord’s church must not give in to the deception, chaos, and lawlessness that we see all around us. To do so often leads to anger, despair, and depression. We must remember that God is in control. We must keep one eye on the world, but the other squarely focused on the Word of God. It is from the latter that we may experience comfort, hope, and peace during society’s insanity.
In Your Inbox
I am determined in 2024 to help you keep your proper focus by giving you the news from Israel, the Middle East, and the world, but to do it through the lens of Scripture. Behold Israel CONNECT will be the hub from which we are able to reach around the globe with God’s truth and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for us as we seek to bring this vision into reality.
Israeli Secret Service Proves Iran Complicit in Smuggling of Explosives Bound for Israel
Shin Bet, Israel’s secret service, announced on Thursday the arrest of four Arab-Israelis for smuggling Iranian-made explosives into central Israel. The deadly devices were smuggled from Iran via Hezbollah and across the border. “This affair once again illustrates the efforts of terrorist elements from Hezbollah and Iran to exploit the Arab citizens of Israel for security activities against the state,” said a Shin Bet senior official in a statement.
Terrorist Incidents in Israel
A stabbing attack left one man injured and a terrorist dead. The incident took place at a light rail station in Jerusalem last night. The terrorist, who was shot by a Border Police officer, was identified as a 14-year-old boy from a Jerusalem neighborhood. Now the Palestinians are sacificing their children to murder innocent civilians! A few hours later, an explosive device intended for a bus full of Jewish worshippers detonated by an IDF military vehicle outside Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack which wounded three soldiers. Then, earlier today, Thursday, a Palestinian truck driver purposely rammed four off-duty Israeli soldiers, killing one and injuring the other three. The truck driver was shot dead after a pursuit.
Israel to Roll Out Laser Defenses
In one year, Israel is expected to become the first country in the world to have partial laser protection against missiles, rockets, and other flying weapons. In two years, the hope is that there will be total protection. Not only will this be highly effective, but it will also operate at a negligible cost compared to the $50,000 per shell Iron Dome. The low-level battle with Iran through Syria and Lebanon continues. On Monday, an Israeli sea strike hit Iranian targets at the Aleppo airport in Syria. That same day, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the UN Secretary General, “The potential for a violent escalation on Israel’s northern border is growing, as a result of flagrant violations by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.” Iran is pushing hard for Hezbollah to act against Israel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah pretends to be on the defense. Also on Monday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said, “For any Israeli assassination against a Lebanese, Palestinian, Iranian person or anyone else, that is carried out on Lebanese territory — there will be a severe reaction and we will not be silent about it.” Maybe if you quietly stayed on your side of the border, you and your crew wouldn’t have to worry about it.
Israel’s Soaring GDP
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Israel’s economy just keeps going up. Currently, the country’s GDP per capita is $55,540, well ahead of most of Western Europe, as well as Japan. Two decades ago, it was only $12,000. The Lord has brought His people back into the land and has caused them to flourish! God is good!
Libyan Foreign Minister Meets with Israeli Counterpart and Reaps the Whirlwind
It’s a tale that only works in the Middle East and with Israel being involved. Last week, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush spent time with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at a meeting hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. What a wonderful occurrence between two countries who are at such odds, right? Not if you are Libyan. Mass protests filled the streets, and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah quickly suspended al-Mangoush. As the protests grew, the foreign minister hopped a private plane and fled to Turkey. On Monday, the prime minister fired al-Mangoush, but it doesn’t look like she is going quietly. The now former foreign minister claims that, in fact, it was the prime minister who requested she meet with Foreign Minister Cohen, and she says she has proof. This should be fun to watch!
Airplane Full of Israelis Allowed to Make Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
An Air Seychelles flight carrying 128 Israelis was forced to make an emergency landing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday. In days past, this would have led to a very tense situation. Instead, the passengers were welcomed and given rooms at an airport hotel. The next day, a replacement aircraft carried everyone home to Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recorded a video after the incident in which he said, “I greatly appreciate the good neighborliness.” Just one more reason we in Israel are so thankful for the Abraham Accords of the previous US administration.
Saudi Arabia Using China as Pawn in US Nuclear Negotiations
How do you get the boy to ask you to the school dance? You start flirting with his biggest enemy. Saudi Arabia has been trying to include US backing of their nuclear development, including the building of a nuclear power station into the negotiations over normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But the Washington has been dragging its feet, instead focusing on forcing Palestinian issues. So, on Friday, Riyadh announced that it is considering an offer from China to build the power station, later adding that they are also entertaining bids from Russia and France. In an extremely shrewd move, they are also offering significant financial assistance to the Palestinians. Not only will this potentially lead to the US backing off on some of the measures they are insisting upon, it may also help relations with the Palestinians and the Arab world if Saudi Arabia leaves them out of the three-way negotiations with the US and Israel.
Ukraine Breaks Through Russian Line of Defense
Chair of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, announced that Ukrainian troops have broken through Russia’s first main line of defense. Said Milley, “It is still too early to judge the success or failure of the attack…. It is clear that so far partial success has been achieved.” Tuesday night saw an extensive Ukrainian drone attack on six areas in Russia. Four IL-76 transport planes were damaged at the airbase in Pskov. On the Russian side, they continued their beatdown of Kiev, launching their largest ever air attack on the city using drones and cruise missiles.
Another Coup in Africa
Moments after it was announced that Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a 14-year incumbent, had been reelected, soldiers appeared on the television screen and announced the cancellation of the elections and the dissolution of the government. Bongo was placed under house arrest, and an interim military junta led by General Brice Oligui Nguema was established in his place. Three countries north of Gabon, the military junta in Niger has ordered the ambassadors of Nigeria, Germany, the US, Côte d’Ivoire, and France to leave the country immediately. The situation is still fluid and very dangerous in that unstable country. In good African news, Sierra Leone announced that it is willing to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
Dozens Arrested for Arson in Greece’s Wildfire Conflagration
As deadly wildfires rage across the nation of Greece, Greek authorities have arrested 79 people on arson-related charges. More than 1.3 billion square meters have burned so far, making it the largest ever in an EU country, and the death toll from the flames is nearing two dozen.
