The Israeli Elections are Upon Us
by Dan Juster, Restoration from Zion Also online here
by Dan Juster, Restoration from Zion Also online here
For Whom will Messianic Jews Vote? | Elections on Tuesday April 9 | As you
get this article, the Israeli elections will just be upon us. I want to write
concerning the difficult position of the Messianic Jewish community in Israel
in trying to decide for whom to vote.
Among the many parties in
Israel, there are two blocks of parties that seem like they will need to join
together: a right wing block and a
centrist block now called Blue and White. There is little desire on the part of
the Israeli public for a left-wing government. All the parties that have a real
chance to be in the government are, in my view, for free enterprise and for
strong security. Though Prime Minister Netanyahu may accuse the centrists of
being leftist, the joined list of former General Benny Gantz’s Resilience Party
and Yair Lapid’s There is a Future Party (Yesh Atid), is not truly leftist
Comparing and Contrasting Right and Centrist | A vote for Likkud under Benjamin
Netanyahu is a vote for the continued policies of a strong national defense and
managing the situation with the Palestinians without a real solution until
there is a change and a true desire for peace on their part. This could be many
years away. My guess is that the Gantz-Lapid coalition would enforce the same
policies on security that we have seen in recent years. A Blue and White
Coalition would probably do more for domestic issues, especially the terribly
high prices in Israel.
The difficult position of
the Messianic Jewish community in this election, is really in regard to
religious policy, which is crucial. The rightist coalition would probably keep
the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic Shas party in control of the Interior Department.
They persecute Messianic Jews, seek to remove our citizenship, and seek to keep
some Ethiopian Jews, who converted under pressure to Christianity, from coming
to Israel though that has been approved by the Knesset… and more. They seek to
prevent those qualified by law for citizenship in Israel from coming, if they
are followers of Yeshua. In addition, ultra Orthodox parties in the coalition
will continue to support large welfare payments for men who will not work or do
national service, but only study Talmud and other religious texts all day. (The centrist coalition will not join with
these parties who themselves are committed to not be in a government with Yair
Lapide.)
The centrist parties support
civil marriage which would give hundreds of thousands of mixed-marriage Jews
the chance to have an official wedding in Israel, currently denied by the
rabbis for those who are considered not legally Jewish! However, the centrist parties support gay
marriage as well.
A Coalition Compromise | The Blue and White centrist party says they would be in a coalition
with the right (Likkud) if it is not led by Netanyahu who is under indictment
for bribery. That could point to a coalition between the right and the center
minimizing inordinate influence of the ultra-Orthodox.
The right and the
responsibility we have not only to vote but to vote well, places us in a
difficult moral dilemma. Messianic Jews are mutually empathetic but, as you
know, here in Israel we do not always agree on a number of things. You can take
it from me that the Messianic Jewish block is not all going to vote the same
way.
So the question remains: for
whom will Messianic Jews vote when the time comes? Pray for us and for the
country that we will get the government we need and not necessarily the
government the country deserves!
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
Israel has been in the news because of the
elections and the ongoing, yearlong violent protests every Friday at the Gaza
border. Asher Intrater of Revive Israel sheds light on the missile lobbing in
Why Missile Attacks from Gaza? Asher
shares the perspective of a Gaza Arab friend who reveals it is Hamas way of
diverting the growing dissatisfaction of Gazans with them and trying to
re-focus them on Israel instead. There is also news speculation that Iran is
attempting to further its own agenda against Israel by pushing the terrorists
they support in Gaza to escalate. Also there are political
"narratives" about it. Bottom line: Asher says it's the people of Gaza who are
suffering horribly. Pray accordingly.
Dov Bikas of the Aviv ministry outreach to addicts & sexual abuse
on the mean streets of Tel Aviv says they are seeing a breakthrough in their
rehab work and ministry in Tel Aviv. They served 2000 meals a day in February
and more people are responding to the call to start rehab. They have a special
need for a minivan as theirs is on its last legs. Vehicles are wildly expensive
in Israel, so donations would be greatly appreciated for this vital tool in the
ministry. See more of the good reports from Dov by connecting with them
directly or read the filing if you are subscribed to my Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries. Please
continue to pray for Olga Bikas for the chronic severe back pain she has been
enduring.
Shira Sorko-Ram writes about the April 9
elections Who
will be Israel's new Prime Minister?
Also the Maoz Israel Report is out with features on Eliezer Ben Yehuda's Destiny | Two Steps Forward,
One Step Back, Reaching Israelis with the Gospel - in Hebrew!,
Rebuilding Israel (Because They are Still Coming) about the Aliyah Return Center and Representing Israel at the 2019 President's Prayer
Breakfast (Ari goes to Washington)
To be a blessing is the mandate of the HaTikva
Project led by Evan Glasser and it is not only as an outreach to those who
don't know the LORD in Israel, but a great measure is to be a blessing to the
body of Messiah in Israel who are in need of blessing also. That's why their
dental clinics are such a great blessing to everyone. Dental is not covered by
Israel's socialized medicine, so it is a huge blessing that the HaTikva clinics
are run to give dental care at much lower prices for believers, Holocaust
survivors and others in need. It only takes $25 a month to put a smile on
Israeli faces through HaTikva. Follow HaTikva on Facebook
The Arad Hasdey Yeshua congregation reflects
on the meaning of Purim: The question
is…. Will we make ourselves available? With
high stress levels due to the violence in the land, we have to remember this is
a spiritual battle. They ask prayers that "God will raise
up many like Mordecai and Esther from among our children and youth." Also
for prayers over their outreach to the Bedouin - to keep both the ministers and
those being reached protected from harm. They ask continued prayer for Hussain,
a Bedouin to be rooted and grounded in his faith, and for their door to door
evangelism outreach.
There is a wealth of prayer points and scripture
verses to pray over in the last Friday
Prayer Points from the Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem - far too many
to go into in this brief but you read more in the Weekly Summary if you are a subscriber, or by connecting with IFI
directly to receive this email. One item they are calling all the "Jews in
exile" to make aliyah. It is crystal clear that the "hunters"
are emerging around the world, so it is time for Jews to get to the Land of
Promise.
Israel Pochtar of the Beit Hallel congregation
gives a report on their regional Next Level Youth Conference which you can
watch some highlights from here: Video Moments . There are
some great testimonies from the kids in his report too. Also the Purim gift
hampers for children of new Jewish immigrants were a great blessing to many
children that Israel writes "have known hardship and displacement."
What a delight to bring gifts, music and smiles to the faces of needy children.
This ministry does much outreach within the Russian immigrants in their area.
Please consider helping them bless others in the name of the LORD.
Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem addresses the
elections including this: "As Messianic Believers we must honestly say
that we do not at this time see before us a clear and obvious choice. We are in
need of Divine insight. One doesn’t necessarily vote for the party containing
one’s choice for Prime Minister—it can be just as important to support another
party which would be strong enough to enter the coalition and bring balance to
the government."
Martin also asks prayers for Brazil's President
Yair Bolsonaro: "Because Brazil is the largest producer of beef approved
for Muslim use in the world, he has been under strong pressure from Muslim nations
not to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by moving Brazil’s
embassy there." (Last report I received on this is that Brazil will open a
"diplomatic office" or a "trade mission" in Israel rather
than an Embassy.)
Ronit Bender whose heart issues we have been
praying over sends a wonderful ministry
letter about a forgiving opportunity she had recently and it is a good word
because we ALL have forgiving opportunities, don't we! She also had opportunities to just be a
blessing to several whose paths she crossed last month. On her heart, she is waiting for a mid-June
appt for her next heart check up. She has some short windedness but her doctor
has cleared her for travel, so she is planning a ministry visit to Perth in
October.
The Joseph Project, which is the largest
importer of humanitarian aid to Israel, continues in its efforts to provide for
needy Israeli s through reputable organizations and professionals. For
instance, the make "survival kits" with toys, games, and activities
for children that are pre-stored in community bomb shelters and help
considerably to alleviate the anxiety, fear, and boredom that results in these
bomb-shelter stays. This has been much needed as recent news indicates (at
least recent news IN Israel, since not much emphasis is placed on that in
international news reports).
They write, "this month has been full of
transition and restructuring. As Joseph Project continues to expand the Blue
& White Initiative (in which we a receive surplus goods from domestic,
Israeli businesses and organizations who wish to donate), we have been
overwhelmed, literally and figuratively by the volume of donations coming
through our warehouse!" If you or anyone you know is interested in
volunteering, please let us know! You can contact our staff by email at
info@josephproject.org.il.
Ron Cantor is staying on top of the news with
many reports on Facebook and
emailings. Here are just a few recent but important: Israel
remains on high alert at Gaza border and With
national elections next week: Bedouin village backs Netanyahu; Fake news
plagues candidates.
Ron also has big news about Tours of the Holy Land, he writes, "Now,
we are not only doing our own tours, but helping churches and congregations put
together their own Israel experience with our special touch, as Messianic
Jewish Israelis. Imagine spending time with Messianic leaders here in Israel,
hearing the testimonies of Israeli believers and meeting soldiers in the IDF. I
know of no tour company that specializes in connecting YOU with the believing
community here. We don't just specialize in it...it is our mission! Of course,
you will see all the great sites as well, from Jerusalem to the Galilee, from
the Mount of Olives to the Dead Sea. Here are two coming up: Dec 2019 | May
2020
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| Please
continue to pray for Olga Bikas' for
the chronic severe back pain she has been enduring.
This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional
and physical burden on the 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.
Praying the Headlines | Israeli News You Can Trust
It is impossible to keep up with all the news that matters, but
it is important that we do not close a blind eye to what is happening in our
world. We need to be vigilant.
Please
pray over these issues as you read the summaries, or the
articles.
Teaching Articles
This week I've chosen a sampling of 17
of the broad spectrum of probably 100 news articles that
caught my eye over the past few weeks. Short summary & links to the
articles at IsraelWatcher.
Teaching Articles
by Dan Juster, Tikkun
Why does it seem so hard to agree on the place of Israel in the plan of
God? Though the issue is so central to the prophets, some Bible Believers give
little thought to the issue. Why?
Recently, we documented the hopeful signs of the advance of the Gospel
in the Southern Hemisphere of our globe. It is a faith in Yeshua that is
vibrant, growing and akin to New Testament supernaturalism. Yet I also sounded
an alarm concerning the failure of this emerging church movement to recognize
the importance of Israel and world Jewry. There are wonderful exceptions to
this in Southern Hemisphere leaders such as the Anglican Archbishop in Kenya
and Ram Zango, an important apostle in Burkina Faso, Africa. Even so,
replacement theology, though repudiated by many denominations including the
Roman Catholic Church, is making a comeback.
As I travel the world, I encounter such a divergence of viewpoints on
Israel. Though most Israelis do not walk in God's ways, Christians Zionists,
mostly in America, encourage Israel to stand firm on the basis of Biblical
promise and take all the land now! They are more Zionist than some Israeli
prime ministers and were angry at them for leaving Gaza or offering huge
"land for peace" deals. Some encourage all Jews to make aliyah (move
to Israel) so that they might be safe in the last days. Then we hear of two
Messianic Jews who were encouraging Jews to leave Israel. They argue that the
people are very sinful. Therefore the land must spew them out again. On the one
hand we are told that Jews need to believe in Yeshua to be saved. On the other
hand we hear that God's covenant with our people is so absolute that only a
full renunciation of the covenant of God with Israel will lead to a Jewish
person being lost. No wonder Christians are confused!
Reading the Whole Bible with Care continues
online
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.
