Arab Nations and Common Arab Interests

Several Arab nations met in Jordan on Wednesday and Thursday including Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.  They discussed important matters of common Arab interest that include regional stability, the role of ISIS in Syria, Iran’s growing influence in the region, the war in Yemen, and US involvement in the area (such as the moving of the US embassy to Jerusalem and the removal of troops from Syria).  The Palestinian situation seems not to have been part of the agenda.    

News Updates from Israel: Roseanne Bar visits Israel, the Israeli/Iranian conflict in Syria, and coming change in Palestinian Government

During a recent visit to Israel, American actress Roseanne Barr spoke about her support of Israel, Jews, and Judaism.  Although she has been the subject of controversy this past year in the United States, Roseanne revealed that she is Jewish and a strong supporter of the State of Israel.

As tensions continue to rise between Israel and Iran in Syria, Dan Coats, who is the Director of National Intelligence, told the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that Israel’s continued strikes against Iranian positions in Syria increase the possibility of regional war.  Israel has warned Iran that they will not allow the Iranians to establish permanent bases in that area.  Following an Israeli attack on targets last week in Syria, Iranian Brigadier General Hossein Salami said that, "if Israel takes any action to wage a war against us, it will definitely lead to its own elimination and the freeing of occupied (Palestinian) territories.”   

The Prime Minister of Palestine Rami Hamdallah is expected to resign from his post and a new Palestinian government will be elected in the next two weeks. 

City of David and City of Silwan

While visiting Jerusalem last summer, I made my way down Ma’alot Ir David Street south of the Temple Mount toward the ancient City of David and a little further to the present Palestinian City of Silwan.  Although I did not take a lot of pictures, I did capture several stills.  Surprisingly, I did not realize that underneath areas of the street on which I was walking Israeli archaeologists are excavating what they claim is an ancient Roman-era road that was used by ancient pilgrims making their way up to the Temple Mount.  The project is not without controversy however.  There are reports that the work is damaging some of the Palestinian homes in the area.  On a more positive note, I noticed that those living in Silwan have a love of horses.    

City of David sign pointing to the ancient city (Summer 2018/LFL)

If I remember correctly, this sign was pointing toward something important (Summer 2018/LFL)

Sign upon entry into Silwan (Summer 2018/LFL)

Summer 2018 (LFL)

Picture going down Ma'alot Ir David Street (Summer 2018/LFL)

Summer 2018 (LFL)

Hearing the Ten Words on the Temple Mount

I came across a pod cast from Rabbi Yishai Fleisher entitled “Hearing the Ten Commandments on the Temple Mount.”  While sharing about his recent visit to the holiest place on the mount, he and Rave Mike Feuer discuss portions of the Torah that address Jethro, the “advice-giving father-in-law” of Moses, and the revealing of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai as a guide for humanity.  I listened and found their Jewish perspectives on the commandments refreshing. 

Temple Mount (Summer 2017) LFL

Israel and Brazil

The State of Israel and Brazil have developed a close relationship with each other since the founding of modern Israel in 1948.  Brazil has promised to move its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.  Benjamin Netanyahu visited Brazil this week.  He is the first Israeli prime minister to visit the country.   While being there, Netanyahu attended the swearing in of Brazil’s new president Jair Bolsonaro, met with Christian Friends of Israel, and members of the Jewish community in the country.   A new stamp was presented to Netanyahu to commemorate the 70 year anniversary of the State of Israel and the good relationship that has developed between Brazil and Israel.  Some Evangelical Christians in Brazil, such as Ana Paula Bessa, believe they have a prophetic destiny with Israel.  In March 2018, a large delegation of Christian Evangelicals from Brazil marched through the streets of Jerusalem during the annual Jewish Feast of Tabernacles.  There even is a replica of The Temple Solomon in Sao Paulo, Brazil that was built by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKC).   

For a critical review of the UCKC, see here. 

For a video of Netanyahu’s meeting with Christian Friends of Israel in Brazil, see here.  The video contains Netanyahu's story of meeting Pope John Paul II who greeted the prime minister with “you are our older brothers” (see video 7:15-8:15).

 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Brazilian President Bolsonaro - Arte Pleno News

Netanyahu and Bolsonaro visit synagogue in Copacabana.  FERNANDO FRAZÃO - AGÊNCIA BRASIL

Brazilian Stamp with Netanyahu on one side (Photo: GPO) 

Hope for Bethlehem, Israel, and the Ends of the Earth

God’s Peace!  Do you believe in this peace?  Do I believe?  How do we envision this to take place?  Is it the hope of the many or desire of the few?  Or simply the desire of one?  

When I first visited Bethlehem in the summer of 2018, it was from a distant edge of the city, just inside the wall.  After taking pictures in and around The Walled off Hotel on Caritas Street, I made my way to a slope that overlooked downtown Bethlehem.   The first thing that occurred to me was I had just passed through an elaborate fenced off passage way that guided me through the Western Wall into the West Bank.  Later I thought about the significance and relationship of Bethlehem with Christmas.  Throughout the world many of us celebrate Christmas knowing that there is a link with Bethlehem.  We celebrate the birth of Christ, Mary and hear the words of peace, joy, and love.  However, when I was standing in Bethlehem, I saw the relationship from a different perspective.  How can we celebrate fully the joys of Christmas without there being godly peace in Jerusalem and Bethlehem?  What if the hope of heavenly peace was born anew in the land and in our hearts?  That is my new hope for Christmas.  Not a secular peace, nor a divided sense of peace.  Rather, a godly peace that is both human and divine that transcends our sense of time.  The market may crash and the dollar may fall, but let the hope of peace and justice like the cedars stand tall. 

Downtown Bethlehem in the Distance

The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, Westbank 

Closeup of the Western Wall near The Walled Off Hotel

Closeup of the Western Wall near The Walled Off Hotel

O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old,

from ancient days….

                

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth;             

and he shall be the one of peace (Mich 4:4-5).

Christians in Gaza

There are approximately 1000-3000 Christians living in Gaza.  Although many Christians around the world are allowed freedom to worship during Christmas, there are others who are not.  Such is the case for Christians in Gaza.   The Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades recently posted flyers warning residence of Gaza (both Christians and Moslems) that it is forbidden to celebrate Christmas.  However, Israel has worked to accommodate Palestinian Christians, including those who live in Gaza, in order to help them celebrate the holy day by allowing them to visit family members in the West Bank and to travel by air through Ben Gurion Airport.