There is a joke about
Netanyahu: What is the difference between Bibi and President Trump? Netanyahu
speaks good English.That is not a slight against the President, but more
the fact that Netanyahu’s English is so good, he could be mistaken for an
American.
He is polished to the tee.
While the evangelical world loves Netanyahu—who can forget his bold speech
before congress, attacking President Obama’s Iran Deal—he is the most
polarizing figure in Israel. Walk down any street in Israel and you will get
two responses to the elections.
1. Rak Bibi! Only Bibi2. Anyone but Bibi
But surprisingly Netanyahu
is polling well amongst young people. This has intrigued the experts. As a
53-year-old man, I forget that for many young people, Bibi is the only leader
they have ever known. While there are clearly domestic problems, no one can
deny that he has kept the country safe in the midst of ISIS, Hamas and Iran.
Maybe they are simply frightened of a new leader.
Think about it. Bibi has
been in power for 10 years. The left wing Prime Ministers before him served two
years (Barak), one year (Peres) and three years (Rabin). If Netanyahu wins in
today’s elections and makes it to July, he will surpass Ben Gurion, our first
prime minister, as the longest serving prime minster in Israel’s history.
Bibi History | Born in Tel Aviv to secular
parents, his mother a native-Israeli and his father an American immigrant,
Netanyahu enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces just after the Six Day War. He
served in an elite commando unit. He fought bravely on the front lines in the
wars between 67-73, once getting shot in the shoulder.
His brother, Yoni, is one of
the most famous of Israeli war heroes, as he led the raid on Entebbe, freeing
Jewish hostages taken by terrorists to Uganda. If you have time to read Shimon
Peres’ No Room for Small Dreams, his chapter on the Entebbe raid is
fascinating.
Bibi graduated from the illustrious
MIT. One of my Hebrew teachers at Tel Aviv university was not only one his
classmates, but part of his inner circle of friends. While she is a dyed in the
wool left-winger, she had nothing but praise for Bibi as a person.
Gulf War and CNN | The first Gulf War was the
first war fought on TV. Elana and I would stay up late at night watching CNN
and the latest developments. It was then, that a young, handsome Benjamin
Netanyahu won the hearts of Americans. The former Israeli Ambassador to the UN,
and present deputy foreign minister, spoke intelligently, with charisma, in
perfect English. Everyone knew he was destined for great things.
Then, Rabin was assassinated
in 94. Had Shimon Peres called for immediately elections, there is no doubt
that Peres would have crushed Netanyahu in the wake of public sympathy. But
Peres knew that would be manipulative; an abuse of Rabin’s memory. By the time
elections came a year later, Israelis had no faith in Arafat or the PLO and
were growing weary of terror. Bibi defeats Peres and becomes prime
minister.
He was the youngest prime
minister we have ever had and served until he lost to the arrogant Ehud Barak
in 1999. Barak was sure he could fix things. However, after he offered
everything to Arafat, including parts of Jerusalem, and still Arafat rebuffed
him, the public threw him out for Ariel Sharon.
Netanyahu bided his time for
the opportune moment to get back the premiership. In 2009 he came back to power
and has not let go. Despite leading a country of less than 10 million people,
he is one of the most recognized world leaders, right up there with Trump and
Putin. Love him or hate him, he is one of the most extraordinary figures in the
last 50 years. Over the past couple years, he has managed to build
relationships with some of our worst enemies like Saudi Arabia. Recently he was
received in the Muslim Majority nation of Oman.
Rocky Road | His life had not been
without bumps. He cheated on his first wife who promptly divorced him. He
married his non-Jewish mistress who converted to Judaism. However, they soon
divorced. Then he met a flight attendant on an El Al flight named Sara. She was
studying for her master’s degree in Psychology at the time.
Sara may be the most famous,
or infamous, wife of a Prime Minister that we have had. She has made bitter
enemies in the political world and has been accused of arrogance and living a
lavish lifestyle. She has been under police investigation for corruption for
the past few years. For that matter, Bibi was recently recommended for indictment
for taking bribes.
He will go before the court
in the next several months. If he is elected to a fifth term today, he will be
the first sitting Prime Minister under indictment. Bibi’s pitch: No one can
lead the country at this time like me.His main rival, Beni Gantz: Our
democracy hangs in the balance this election.
By the end of the day, it
will either be the end of the Netanyahu era or the next chapter. We will see.
WEDNESDAY: And the winner is Bibi!
Here is Ron's follow up Bibi wins unprecedented fifth term! Here is what it means.
WEDNESDAY: And the winner is Bibi!
Here is Ron's follow up Bibi wins unprecedented fifth term! Here is what it means.
MY NOTE: I love Netanyahu too - BUT this increases the
power of the ultra-Orthodox party (Shas) which has been getting worse and worse
about harassment and persecution of the Messianic Jewish believers in Jesus in
Israel. As Christians we can rejoice that Netanyahu will hold the line for
Israel but WE MUST begin to open our eyes to the religious persecution his win
imparts to those who actively seek to do harm to the believers in Israel. If
we don't make them OUR priority, we are failing the highest purposes of God for
Israel.
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Regardless of how the vote turns out today, I
am writing on 4/9, this one thing I know: whether it becomes more dangerous or
less dangerous for Israelis to share the faith of Yeshua with fellow Israelis,
the Gospel will go forth with signs and wonders following. That is why I positioned the first several
ministries at the top of this report because each one is emphasizing
evangelism. Not one of them is escaping persecution for their ministry of the
truth. Each one has experienced many times of religious harassment and
persecution because of their ministries, not just recently but going back many
years. Guess what. They are still out there spreading the Word because the
precious lives of Israelis are too valuable to waste because of fear.
First up is Asher Intrater of Revive Israel
writing a superb article on Indigenous
Evangelism that gives intercessors a
much greater grasp of how ministry in Israel differs from what they are used
to. He writes, " By 'indigenous' we mean
within the local culture. ...To do this in any culture often means discarding
ministry methods and structures that were successful in other countries but are
not bearing fruit among the native population. This is what Yeshua meant when He
said, “new wine must be poured into new
wineskins” (Matthew 9:17). BOOM!
Also from the Revive Israel letter this
week: Cody Archer's Preparing for Persecution, Roaring from Zion video with Paul Wilbur
& Cody, & Israel, the Church, and the Coming Revival
video of Asher teaching
Israel Pochtar, who leads the Ashdod Beit
Hallel congregation, has been getting a weekly write up in the Hebrew news
media summaries of the Caspari Media Review. Not always mentioned by name, but
certainly referencing what is going on from the religious opposers of his
ministry, Israel Pochtar receives what I consider high praise from one opposing rabbi, saying that Beit Hallel
is one of the "boldest missionary organizations in the country."
However, we need to understand that calling
someone a missionary in Israel triggers all kinds of negative response because
of bad Jewish historical experience with missionaries and forced conversions.
But the main point is, that Pochtar & the Voice of Judah outreaches are
ministering to new immigrants from Russia who are not as closed to traditional
forms of outreach. The religious anti-missionary activists are the ones with
the problem against their outreaches, like the Purim event Pochtar wrote about
last week. I hope that will cause you to up your prayers for Pochtar,
the congregation in Ashdod and all of the ministries, congregations and
outreaches connected with them.
In Israel Pochtar's current ministry letter,
they are getting ready for the Passover season and will have a great Passover
Seder meal in the dessert with over 300 families, believers and non-believers,
celebrating together. In fact, they have
3 Passover events they are hoping you will pray for and help support
financially. Watch these 3 videos on the events planned and see if you might
help: Watch: Beit
Hallel Seder Pesach | Watch: Beit Hallel YouthCamp 2018 | Watch: VOJ
Humanitarian Work. They also have an upcoming event in the Galilee
for 600 non-believers.
From Maoz Ministries comes this message: "Regardless of the outcome of these
elections, the vision of Maoz Israel remains: Reaching Israelis with the Gospel
of Messiah Yeshua and strengthening the body of believers in the Land. You,
too, have a crucial role to play in Israel's salvation!" One of the ways
they bring good news to their city, Tel Aviv, is by Project Feed Tel Aviv. Situated on the
border "between Tel Aviv’s booming financial center
and southern Tel Aviv, home to some of the poorest, most marginalized and needy
communities in the country," their hearts were touched by the dire straits
of those so near their congregation.
Read more by clicking article title.
Tiferet Yeshua, the congregation founded by Maoz, is also planning for
a congregational Passover
Outreach. But for "many Israelis who don’t
consider themselves religious, the holidays serve as a cultural
touchstone". This is a key time to reach family, friends and neighbors, in
the method that Asher Intrater and Rachel Netanel found to be the most natural
form of reaching Israelis: breaking bread and sharing your life and testimony."
There is a famous Jewish joke about Jewish holidays: " They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat!"
Fellowship and food is a key in sharing faith in Israel. Read more online
One of the ways the Shavei Tzion (Return to Zion) congregation in Haifa
ministers is through its Eagle
Project which ministers to young adults. Designed for spiritual growth it
is a discipleship program that incorporates journeys to and with those from
other nations. Their ministry trip this month will cost $25,000 and they write
the would be grateful for financial support and prayer.
Kehilat Hamaayan (Congregation of the Wellspring ) led by Tony and Orna
Sperandeo in Kfar Saba post their ministry letter online
here
Arni and Yonit Klien of Emmaus Way write about their passion for
worship, and the 37th group they welcome at the end of the week for a time of
unplanned, unrestricted worship. Then, "the next
gathering is designated for German speakers and will be from May 16-26. Please
pray about joining as there are a number of places yet to be filled." They
also write about their "ten-session course entitled 'Israel Revealed.' There
has been some wonderful feedback from groups going through the course in the
US, the UK, and Australia."
Daniel Juster writes in his personal ministry
letter, Restoration from Zion, about
how he is continuing to minister during his 8 months in Israel, then 4 months
in the USA (plus world travel). Dan not only breaks down his responsibilities
to the Tikkun ministries in Israel and the US, but also how the donations from
his personal ministry are applied, and also the donations of the Tikkun ministries
are applied. They have precise designations that pay for the travel costs for
the equipping ministry he does, as well as travel to minister in foreign
nations, and as part of unity movements.
If you want a lesson in how to order your life, read this in the Weekly
Summary!
I was tickled to see that Dan is currently
writing a book "aimed particularly at Millennials on the subject of social
justice, based on what the Bible says about social justice and slicing through
and refuting the almost Marxist ideas of social justice in our western
culture." I believe the great challenge Israel loving Christians have
before them is the departure of their children - believer and unbeliever - from
biblical values through social justice peer pressure. If you love your young
people, I would advise buying a stack of these to bless Millennials with. We
must see a turnaround!
Avi Tekel, who leads the Tents of Mercy, or
Ohalai Rachamim congregation in the Kiryat Yam, writes about their planned
Passover Outreach: "This year we are gearing up to help 800 families in
our local community celebrate the Passover with a bag of food and household
items worth more than $80. Among the recipients are single parent families, new
immigrants, Holocaust survivors, families in financial difficulty and lone
soldiers (soldiers without family in Israel) and pensioners." Would you
consider a special gift PARTNER
for PASSOVER (choose "Humanitarian Needs" in the
drop-down box)
Joel Jelski writes about the next Katzir youth
camp coming up in a few days, and Passover. Pray for Joel as he is the director
of this camp for the first time. The camp will take place in the Golan Heights
and will be focused on Bible Meditation. They are delighted to be in the Golan
right after the unexpected and unprecedented recognition of Israel sovereignty
over the Golan. Joel and family have a prayer request which I am going to leave
unnamed in public forum - but which I know you would be happy to pray over them
for no complications and a quick, good report from the deciders.
Barry and Batya Segal of Vision for Israel are
also delivering humanitarian aid to needy Israelis for Passover. They hope to reach 1,000 families at $150 for
Passover food. Donate here
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the
tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry
leaders and believers with urgent health needs
CONTINUED
FERVENT PRAYER for EDDIE SANTORO A troubling update does
not stop us from believing for total healing in our brother /see update above;
and Elisheva's good report last week
for Jacob Damkani's rehab | Ronit
Bender is home from the hospital and being watched for more definitive
evidence of the leaking heart valve. Please pray that no weapon formed against
all three of these shall prosper & that miracles of healing will flow. Ruth Nessim has several health issues, one of
the most critical is her EYES which has sent her to the hospital many times.
Please pray for Ruth in Nahariya| Olga
Bikas’s health condition that seems
to have become chronic, with no hope from the doctors for any improvement in
the future. This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional and physical burden on
our family. Please pray for her acute back pain. | Albert a
Messianic leader from southern Israel, has had a successful surgery and an
amazing recovery but keep praying for total restoration | Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of
restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing. | In the Acco congregation: Prayer for 5 year old Leon is still
very much needed.
Elisheva update on Jacob Damkani Beloved friends out there, Grace and peace be with you. For a long time I didn't write, there wasn't much new... Today it has been nine months since that surgery - July 9, 2018.
Nine months after his brain suffered from
a lack of oxygen - carelessness maybe but surely not out of God's control. And
my God promised that everything (!) will have to serve for our best!
Nine months of many hopes and doubts,
faith and desperation, great support and people that burdened me.
Nine months in which we saw friends
disappearing while others came very close to our hearts.
And nine months in which many days God was
closer to me than I was to myself and other days He seemed to be so far away,
out of reach...
And here we are today...With great hope
and with unsolved questions. With great accomplishments and with many problems
that have to be sorted out. With good plans for the future and issues I don't
know how to even approach them....
(Read in full on Facebook here or in the Weekly Summary, if you are a subscriber)
Praying the Headlines | Israeli News You Can
Trust
No news articles collection this week.
No news articles collection this week.
Donna
Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Please note change in PayPal donations:
paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
Or by postal mail make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
I do not have tax exempt status.
No comments:
Post a Comment