Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
“For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 (The Israel Bible™)
A tornado hit East Jerusalem on Saturday, and it received very little media coverage – possibly because it was East Jerusalem, Mississippi, and not its more famous namesake. Yet as the world argues over the fate of East Jerusalem in Israel, it seems that the fates of the two cities, with identical names on opposite sides of the globe, are remarkably intertwined.
Over the weekend, a massive hurricane in the American south created a tornado which ripped through Hattiesburg, Mississippi, killing four and ravaging East Jerusalem, a small Hattiesburg neighborhood with a peculiar name whose history is oddly connected to its Jerusalem cousin.
Like its American counterpart, Israel’s East Jerusalem was also recently a target. Just a few weeks ago, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution declaring it illegal for Jews to live there. But this is not the first time the two were simultaneously targeted: four years ago, in February of 2013, another tornado in Hattiesburg coincided with another anti-Israel UN resolution, which called for Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria to be immediately withdrawn without preconditions.
“For thus saith Hashem of hosts who sent me after glory unto the nations which spoiled you: ‘Surely he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” Zechariah 2:12 (The Israel Bible™)
In what should have been an all-out Israel hate-fest with possibly disastrous consequences for the Jewish state, 70 nations gathered in Paris for a “peace” conference on Sunday – but at the end of the day, the results were lackluster and failed to accomplish anything significant against Israel.
The conference in Paris, set forward one year ago by former French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, was expected to have dire repercussions for Israel. Fabius envisioned it as a way of forcing Israel to accept the two-state solution. His original proposal called for France and the other nations at the conference to recognize a Palestinian state inside Israel’s borders if an agreement was not signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The present incarnation of the conference was markedly toned down by the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault. At a conference in Paris last June setting the parameters for Sunday’s conference, the threat of recognizing a Palestinian state was removed.
Thirty-five years ago, a small group of Jews set out on a difficult and dangerous mission: to prove that the Biblical account of a cave in Hebron was true. One of those men tells of what they found: a secret chamber under the site, evidence that refutes the United Nations version of history supported by most of the nations of the world.
Of all the holy sites in Israel, the Machpela (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron has special significance as being the oldest. A burial site for the three patriarchs and three of the matriarchs – Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah – it marks the origins of all three Abrahamic religions.
Dominated by a large, aboveground stone structure, visitors to Hebron are left wondering about the cave described in the Bible. A cave does exist, and even though its entrance is in plain sight, very few people have ever been inside.
Noam Arnon, spokesman for the Jewish community in Hebron, has been studying the Machpela for decades. His passion for the site began about 35 years ago when, risking imprisonment and the ire of the Muslims, he pried open the stone covering the entrance to the burial site and ventured into the chambers underneath the building.
“And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Yisrael and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.” Ezekiel 37:22 (The Israel Bible™)
In the wake of deteriorating relations between Israel and the US culminating in the disastrous UN vote last Friday, Tommy Waller, a Christian from Tennessee, is bringing a delegation of Israeli Knesset members to Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th.
A spiritual Christian, Waller describes himself as deeply connected to the land and agriculture of his native Tennessee. When he came to Israel 13 years ago and saw the vineyards bearing fruit in Mount Bracha near Shechem, he realized he was witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy right in front of his eyes.
Again shalt thou plant vineyards upon the mountains of Shomron; the planters shall plant, and shall have the use thereof. Jeremiah 31:4
Waller did not set out to make a political statement when he founded HaYovel, a non-profit organization that brings Christian volunteers to Israel to experience the wonder of the Holy Land for themselves. However, he realized that even his religious project would include unavoidable political implications, and accepted it as part of the process.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 (The Israel Bible™)
In a remarkable World War II story that almost went untold, a devoutly Christian US Army sergeant refused to turn over his Jewish soldiers to the Nazis, even after a gun was placed to his head. Now, 30 years after his death, the Jewish people are showing their appreciation for his bravery.
Roddie Edmonds was a humble man and didn’t speak about his experiences in World War II, even when his children inquired. When he passed away over 30 years ago, his widow gave his wartime diaries to their son, Baptist Pastor Chris Edmonds, in Maryville, Tennessee.
Edmonds was a Master Sergeant with the 422nd Infantry Regiment in the US Army. On December 16, 1944, just a few months after arriving in Europe, Edmonds found himself fighting in the disastrous Battle of the Bulge. The last major German offensive campaign of World War II, it caught the Allied Forces by surprise, resulting in 89,000 casualties. On December 19, Edmonds and an estimated 23,000 other American soldiers were taken prisoner by the Germans.A few years ago, one of the pastor’s daughters read through the diaries for a college project and was amazed at what she found. Despite being taken prisoner of war shortly after arriving in Europe, her grandfather was a hero. He had saved hundreds of Jewish soldiers, motivated only by his Christian belief.
Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and set up Mine ensign to the peoples, and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 (The Israel Bible™)
In a practical realization of a Biblical prophecy, Christians are taking a leading role in bringing far-flung Jews back to Israel through the tireless efforts of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and his organization, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ).
After only two years of direct involvement in aliyah, IFCJ has ramped up its efforts. This year, The Fellowship is on track to bring over 4,500 Jews to Israel from 24 countries. This accounts for about 18 percent of the 24,000 Jews moving to Israel in 2016.
Yael Eckstein, Rabbi Eckstein’s daughter, is senior vice president of The Fellowship and has spent a lifetime immersed in this endeavor. Yael explained to Breaking Israel News how aliyah became one of their chief projects.
“Yerushalayim, that art builded as a city that is compact together… For there were set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim; may they prosper that love thee.” Psalms 122:3-6 (The Israel Bible™)
Citing security concerns, US President Barack Obama vetoed for final time the law to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In a memorandum to the Secretary of State John Kerry, Obama wrote:
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 7(a) of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-45) (the “Act”), I hereby determine that it is necessary, in order to protect the national security interests of the United States, to suspend for a period of 6 months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act.
You are authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the Congress, accompanied by a report in accordance withsection 7(a) of the Act, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register. This suspension shall take effect after transmission of this determination and report to the Congress.
This annual presidential custom dates back to 1995, when Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, for the purposes of initiating and funding the relocation of the Embassy of the United States in Israel to Jerusalem, no later than May 31, 1999. The act also called for Jerusalem to remain an undivided city and for it to be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel. The law allowed the president to veto for security considerations. Every six months since the law passed, every US president has done so, preventing the move from taking place.
“If a Shofar shall be blown in a city, can it be that the inhabitants will not be shaken?” Amos 3:6 (The Israel Bible™)
Two days before the Jewish holidays, a video of a strange cloud formation over Jerusalem accompanied by thunderous blasts from rams’ horns took the internet by storm, stunning millions in a pre-Judgement Day sight that seemed too good to be true. Unfortunately, it was.
The video showed a blue sky with a spectacular unbroken ring of glowing white clouds hanging low over the city. Filmed from a balcony, one man is seen from the back, staring at the amazing phenomenon, while another tells him in Hebrew to be quiet. The camera pans from side to side, filming the entire unbroken halo over Israel’s capital. The sound of many shofars (rams’ horns) is heard, the blasts rising and falling.
The location seen in the video is easily recognizable to those familiar with Jerusalem. Filmed from a balcony in the prominent Holy Land Apartment complex in south Jerusalem, Teddy Stadium, a major sports venue, is seen in the foreground.
The video quickly began to attract attention on social media.
“And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it.” Exodus 25:31 (The Israel Bible™)
A ritually pure oil has been carefully prepared by the nascent Sanhedrin so that the people of Israel will be ready to light the menorah should the Third Temple arrive by Hanukkah, which this year begins on December 24.
“The oil is ready, so if the government decided to permit it, we are ready to go up to the Temple Mount and light the menorah,” affirmed Rabbi Yaakov Savir, appointed by the Sanhedrin to oversee the complex oil-making process.
He explained that lighting the menorah is actually considered a ritual offering to God: “The oil is burned just like an animal sacrifice and is considered one of the daily Temple offerings.”
Ayal Kellman, manager of the Israel365 Store, noted that many non-Jews also purchase menorahs, either to participate in the mitzvah of lighting or simply to show love for Israel and the Jewish people. “In addition to being used for ritual observance, the menorah can also be a public display of support for Israel, as it is the official state emblem, and is often displayed in synagogues, homes and churches around the world,” Kellman told Breaking Israel News.
“I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Yehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there for My people and for My heritage Yisrael whom they have scattered among the nations and divided My land.” Joel 4:2 (The Israel Bible™)
Michael Pence, the Vice President-elect, is a long-time ardent supporter of Israel, but it turns out that his connection to the Holy Land goes deeper than even he knows: the Evangelical Christian from Indiana has Orthodox Jewish relatives, one of whom lives in the Golan Heights and is eager to meet his cousin.
The genealogical connection centers around Tamsen (Tammy) Socher, a Jewish grandmother living in West Los Angeles. She spent most of her life in the San Fernando Valley, but when she moved to Ohio, eight years ago, she felt a need to maintain a connection to her family and became interested in genealogy. Her search quickly led her to a relative, Richard Pence, an amateur genealogist. She was impressed by his work.
Mike Pence and Merrill Socher-Axelrod (Courtesy Merrill Socher-Axelrod)
“Some people just want to fill in the blanks, but Richard really worked hard at getting it right,” Tammy said in an interview with Breaking Israel News. Tammy realized that Pence was not a common name. “It doesn’t really come from England. It was one of those made-up Ellis Island names, so we are all connected. I haven’t met a ‘Pence’ yet who wasn’t a relative.”
Most of her family was from Indiana, so Tammy asked Richard if Michael Pence, then an Indiana congressman, was a relative. Richard, who is now deceased, answered that the Michael Pence was indeed her fourth cousin on her father’s side. Tammy tried to contact Pence at the time but was unsuccessful.
The Vice president-elect is aware of this family connection. When he was on the campaign trail, Tammy’s cousin Merrill Socher-Axelrod, an Israeli citizen living in Michigan, went to a campaign event. Michael Pence showed up late but Merrill hurried to be photographed with her famous relative. When she stood next to him, she told him quickly, “You have Orthodox Jewish cousins in Israel. Here is some family lineage. Your cousins are my cousins.”
She handed him a letter from Tammy describing the family connection. It noted that several of his relatives are religious Jews, and at least one lives in Israel. Included in the information was a personal invitation from Tammy’s son, Jesse, inviting his vice-presidential cousin to come visit him in his Golan home the next time Pence is in Israel.
Jesse Socher told Breaking Israel News that his invitation was sincere.
Jesse Socher and his son, in an IDF uniform. (Courtesy Jesse Socher)
“I know he probably won’t take me up on it, but I support him and he seems like a nice guy,” Socher said. “If he comes to Israel, I would love to get together.”
Jesse is realistic about the significance of this family connection. “When it comes to making political decisions, I doubt that it makes a difference to him that he has family in the Golan. But it does say a lot about how interconnected Israel and America are.”
Pence has visited Israel several times and has referred to Israel as “America’s most cherished ally.” In 2014, he headed a high-level business delegation from his state on a visit to Israel sponsored by Christians United for Israel.
In 2016, he signed into law a bill which would ban Indiana from having any commercial dealings with companies that boycotts Israel. Pence has also said that he opposes a Palestinian state. Quoted as saying he was “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order,” his support for Israel is more based on ideology than politics.
In an address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in 2009, Pence assured the audience, “Let me say emphatically, like the overwhelming majority of my constituents, my Christian faith compels me to cherish the State of Israel.”
“For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:10 (The Israel Bible™)
In a Facebook post on Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proudly announced that his wife, Sara, had spoken with the soon-to-be First Lady, Melania Trump.
“This evening my wife Sara spoke with Melania Trump, the wife of the president-elect of the United States,” Netanyahu wrote.”The conversation between them was heartfelt and warm. Mrs. Trump said that she looks forward to our visit at the first opportunity and that there will be wonderful relations between our countries and our families.
“Among other things, they discussed the great challenge of raising children under the spotlight that accompanies their fathers who were elected as world leaders. Additionally, they discussed the great importance of emphasizing family time as part of their role as mothers in order to enable their children to grow up in a normal way like all their friends,” the prime minister concluded.
Melania’s chat with Mrs. Netanyahu follows her visit to the White House on Thursday, when Mrs. Trump met with Michelle Obama, the woman she is about to replace as First Lady. That meeting, coming after a hotly contest campaign in which the president actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton, was described by some media sources to be awkward and even a bit tense. After Mrs. Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, she was accused of plagiarizing a speech Michelle Obama made in 2008.
The election of Donald Trump is expected to renew the warm relations between Israel and the United States. Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory last week, saying the Republican is “a true friend of the State of Israel.”
“The bond between the US and Israel is based on shared values, shared interests and a shared future. I am sure that President-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the special alliance between Israel and the US and we will bring them to new heights,” Netanyahu said.
“Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a prince and commander to the peoples.” Isaiah 55:4 (The Israel Bible™)
In the final days before election, Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has deepened his connection to Israel, personally and politically, in several significant moves.
On Wednesday, Trump signed on a letter presented by two major pro-Israel Christian organizations, which calls for moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. The letter, posted online as a petition and organized by the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), called for the following commitments:
Implement the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and relocate the US Embassy in Israel to its capital city of Jerusalem.
Renew and strengthen the US’s Memorandum of Understanding to fund Israel’s growing security needs.
Combat any efforts at the local, state, or federal level to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel.
Monitor Iran’s ongoing violations of sanctions and to toughen current sanctions as well as impose new ones as necessary.
Oppose any imposed solutions to the Palestinian conflict on Israel by outside parties, including the United Nations Security Council.
Since it was posted, approximately 650 Christian leaders have signed the letter, and over 40,000 people have signed the online petition.
According to ICEJ, Clinton has yet to respond to the letter.
A 16-point plan was posted on Wednesday on the Medium publishing platform by Trump’s Israel advisers, David Friedman and Jason Dov Greenblatt. The plan states a strong commitment to the friendship between Israel and the US, and promises that, if elected, Trump will move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, fight the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement on campus, oppose any imposed Palestinian-Israeli solution that are not a result of direct negotiations, oppose anti-Israel efforts in the UN, and prevent Iranian non-compliance with their nuclear agreements and their support of international terrorism.
Perhaps even more telling is his personal connection to the Holy Land and the God of Abraham. Last week, Trump sent a hand-written note via David Faiman, an adviser, who will place it in the Kotel (the Western Wall). His supplication for divine aid reportedly comes after consulting with his Jewish daughter, Ivanka. The note read:
“May you bless the United States, our armed forces and our allies. May your guiding hand protect and strengthen our great nation.”
“Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim; may they prosper that love thee.” (Psalm 122:6)
Ivanka did some grassroots campaigning for her father in Florida on Friday, assuring Jews that there was no greater friend to Israel.
While at speaking at the synagogue of Bal Harbour in Surfside, Florida, she told the Jewish Insider, “My father will be an unbelievable champion for Israel and for the Jewish people. You will not be disappointed.”
When asked about her father’s promise to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital by moving the US Embassy to the city, her reply was unequivocal.
“One hundred percent,” Ivanka responded. “One hundred percent, Jerusalem is the eternal capital, so 100 percent.”
This is a relatively recent development in his Israel policy since he refused to commit to to recognizing a unified Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, at the Republican Jewish Coalition in December, saying that to do so would compromise him as a peace broker.
Sending his daughter to a state with a substantial Jewish population was a savvy move for the Republican presidential candidate, since Ivanka converted to Judaism before marrying Jared Kushner in 2009. Ivanka revealed that her father, a Presbyterian, had a positive reaction to her conversion.
“I so respect the fact that he supported me from day one,” she said. “There was no question, there was no argument. He was very supportive.”
Asked how Judaism has inspired her to be what she is today, Ivanka said, “I feel like Judaism helps your moral compass,” adding, “It’s been a great blessing in my life.”
In comparison, Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, married Mark Mezvinsky, a Jewish investment banker in 2010, in an interfaith marriage officiated by a Reform rabbi and a Methodist pastor.
Clinton is reported to be leading in Florida by a seemingly insurmountable 43 points. This preference is only among non-religious Jews. In a poll conducted by Jim Gerstein from GBA Strategies66 percent of non-religious Jews prefer Clinton as compared to 22 percent who prefer Trump. Among Orthodox Jews, 77 percent prefer Trump while 22 percent prefer Clinton.
Florida is expected to be a hotly contested key state in the election and Jewish voters represent 3 to 6 percent of the electorate. Clinton is ahead by 3.3 percentage points in Florida, according to the RealClearPolitics average.
