US Embassy Move Ushers in New Era for Israel, Jerusalem and the Nations - CBN News Julie Stahl,Chris Mitchell

The US Embassy in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

US Embassy Move Ushers in New Era for Israel, Jerusalem and the Nations

05-14-2018

CBN News Julie Stahl,

Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel – Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan is heading the American delegation 

attending the ceremony in Jerusalem marking the US Embassy move from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital. 

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, President Trump's daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner,

US congressmen and American Jewish and Christian leaders are also part of the group.

President Trump is being hailed as courageous for implementing a 23-year-old law mandating the 

move. The long-awaited decision represents a significant turning point for the city and the 

Jewish people.

All this excitement comes 70 years to the day after US President Harry Truman became the first 

world leader to recognize the modern state of Israel.

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'The Hand of God': US Christian Leaders in Israel Say Trump's Jerusalem Embassy Move 

Is a Path to Blessing

"I think America is coming in alignment with biblical truth," said Family Research Council 

President Tony Perkins.

The Bible mentions Jerusalem and Zion almost 1,000 times, and Jerusalem has been the capital 

of the Jewish people for 3,000 years.

"This is the theme that's in our spiritual DNA and therefore when the president of the United States 

moves the US Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he is addressing 

something at the core of Jewish identity," former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations 

Dore Gold told CBN News.


Ambassador Dore Gold, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

President Trump is making history as he moves the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The story starts thousands of years ago when King David captured Jerusalem and made it his capital. 

Four hundred years later, the Jewish people are expelled to Babylon for 70 years, then return to 

rebuild the Second Temple with the help of Persia's King Cyrus.

Gold says Trump's embassy move might even compare to that of the biblical king.

"That was a huge charitable act on his part, which is in our historical memory and the fact that 

now President Trump is going to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem puts him in a special category 

and perhaps even the category with the ancient King Cyrus of Persia," he said.

Fast forward to 1967 and the Six-Day War when Israel reunites Jerusalem under its sovereignty. 

Then in 1980, Israel officially makes Jerusalem its capital and countries from all over the world 

move their embassies from the city in protest.

"The Christian Embassy was founded after 13 national embassies left Jerusalem and it provided

 a unique moment where the Jewish people were willing to accept our hand of friendship," said 

David Parsons, with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. As a lawyer, he helped draft 

the Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995, mandating the embassy move to Jerusalem.


International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

"Now, 22 years later after all these delays and waivers, it's back to our order. Trump has recognized 

Jerusalem," Parsons said. "The ambassador's going to be working here, and then they're going to 

start building the building so it's a moment of personal vindication for me," Parsons said.

Tony Perkins and Michele Bachmann serve on President Trump's Evangelical Advisory Council. 

They both said the move will be good for the US, other nations and Mideast peace.

"The scripture is pretty clear on that and that those who bless Israel will be blessed," Perkins said.

Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said Israel has always battled propaganda.

"Israel's enemies have always fought on the propaganda argument of words, the fact that Israel 

was illegitimate and had no right to this land," Bachman told CBN News. "President Trump, 

excuse the pun, played a trump card. He's taken the article off the table. He said, look we aren't 

even going to talk about this anymore – Jerusalem is or isn't Israel's, it is. We're making a decision. 

It is."

President Trump's decision effectively recognizes the western part of the city as Israel's capital. 

Most holy sites are in the eastern sector.

Gold says only in a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty would those sites be protected.

"Well Jerusalem's been the capital of the Jewish people, as I said, for 3,000 years. I don't see that 

changing. I think as long as we have freedom of worship, freedom of access guaranteed, I think 

that many in the Arab world will acquiesce to the idea that Jerusalem remains the undivided 

capital of Israel," he concluded.

The Countdown Begins: What to Know About the Opening of America's Embassy in Jerusalem - Julie Stahl,Chris Mitchell

The Countdown Begins: What to Know About the Opening of America's Embassy 

in Jerusalem

05-11-2018

Julie Stahl,

Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel – The Israeli police are coordinating with American security services ahead 

of the US Embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, scheduled for May 14, Israel Police spokesman 

Micky Rosenfeld said.

"Extensive security measures will be implemented throughout that period and at the same time 

Israeli police will be carrying out security measures, not just in the area of Jerusalem where we 

are now but also in the perimeter areas in order to prevent any incidents from taking place," 

Rosenfeld told CBN News.


USA Square in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff
Related

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Path to Blessing


Did You Know the Czech Republic Is Moving Its Embassy to Jerusalem Too?


Large US Delegation to Attend Jerusalem Embassy Opening

President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital last December, and in February 

he announced the embassy would move in May. On Monday, the White House released the names

of its official delegation. While President Trump will not be attending the opening ceremonies, 

his son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner and his daughter, Ivanka, are among the delegates 

who will represent the United States.

According to Politico, members of Congress will also be part of the delegation.

"A senior-level delegation from Washington, including members of Congress, will attend the 

May 14 dedication ceremony. The Department will be represented by the deputy secretary, as 

well as NEA [Near Eastern Affairs] and [Administration] bureau leadership," Politico quoted 

the State Department.

The historic move is taking place the day after Israelis celebrate Jerusalem Day, marking the 

reuniting of the capital under Israeli sovereignty 51 years ago, a result of the Six-Day War. 

According to the Gregorian calendar, Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948 – 

70 years ago.

"As the president stated in December, for the United States, recognition of Jerusalem as the 

capital of Israel is a recognition of reality," Politico quoted the State Department. "Seventy years 

ago President Truman recognized the State of Israel. Ever since then, Jerusalem has been the 

seat of the modern Israeli government."

Speaking at a press teleconference Friday, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said of 

the move, "In the long run, we're convinced that this decision creates an opportunity and a 

platform to proceed with a peace process on the basis of realities rather than fantasies, and 

we're fairly optimistic that this decision will ultimately create greater stability rather than less."

The temporary site chosen for the new embassy is in fact the American Citizen Services Unit 

of US Consulate General Jerusalem, housed in a new facility in the capital's Arnona neighborhood. 

Completed in 2010, it is the newest American government facility in the city (much newer than 

the actual consulate building, built about 1855).


Getting ready for the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

According to an American source, the building needed some security upgrades, but they were 

"relatively modest."

Following attacks on US embassies in Africa in 1998 and US government facilities in Benghazi,

 Libya, in 2012, the US government implemented new security measures. Most of those measures

 were already in place at the Arnona facility.

Indeed, there are very few changes to the building's exterior. Fortified and brighter street lamps 

were installed last month and an additional road leading to the consulate added.

Those who peer through or over the fence can see some other changes.

"In one day they have now paved the road, put in a tent for guards and millions of flowers," 

one neighbor said.

"It is busy here – trucks and bulldozers and people, even Israeli police, came to interview us as to 

who is here and who will be here on the 14th," she added.


The 'Big Apple' in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

"There's full coordination with American security both in terms of upgrading the security in the area, 

whether its CCTV cameras for patrol units," Rosenfeld told CBN in an interview just outside the 

current consulate.

"There are extra security guards at both areas, which has already been implemented more than 

two weeks before the move and the opening of the American Embassy, but as far as we're concerned 

our main emphasis will not just be around the date where the American Embassy opens but the 

next couple weeks," said Rosenfeld, referencing Ramadan.

The night after the embassy moves, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins. Historically 

it can be a time of high tension and increased likelihood of terror attacks.

"So the Israeli national police are implementing security both in Jerusalem as well as other areas 

of the country and we'll have enough units, in fact hundreds of officers, who will patrol the different 

areas throughout that sensitive week," he said.

Rosenfeld said that security would be at its highest level as it is along the beachfront in Tel Aviv 

where the US Embassy currently resides.

"Security in Jerusalem is more sensitive taking into consideration the nearby neighborhoods that 

can be problematic in certain periods throughout the year," said Rosenfeld.

Jabel Mukaber and Sur Baher, two Arab areas in Jerusalem, are each less than two miles from 

the Arnona facility.

Rosenfeld said it was "tremendously" important and significant that the embassy is moving to 

Jerusalem – a move that should have happened years ago.

"The Israeli police will protect the area, will protect the neighborhoods. Jerusalem is calm and 

quiet and we're continuing to make sure that it stays that way," he said.

State Department officials say the've already begun the process of selecting a permanent 

embassy, adding it's yet to be determined what it will cost.

"We are looking at all sites we currently lease or own, including the Arnona property," Politico 

quoted the State Department. "We expect site selection, design, planning and permitting, and 

construction of a permanent Embassy Jerusalem to take seven to 10 years. It is too early to assess 

the likely cost of a permanent Embassy in Jerusalem. We need to determine our needs, select a 

site, and start the design process."

Meanwhile, the State Department says the United States Geological Survey is updating its 

maps to reflect Jerusalem's newly recognized status.

"We are updating USG maps to show Jerusalem denoted with a star, in line with our designation 

of other capital cities," the agency said, according to Politico.

MUST SEE: This year marks 70 years since the reestablishment of Israel as a modern nation. 

CLICK HERE for more about CBN's new movie, "To Life," on the positive global impact of Israel.

Watch video here: US Embassy Move in Jerusalem

US Embassy Move Ushers in New Era for Israel, Jerusalem and the Nations - CBN News Julie Stahl, Chris Mitchell

The US Embassy in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

US Embassy Move Ushers in New Era for Israel, Jerusalem and the Nations

05-09-2018

CBN News Julie Stahl,

Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel – Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan is heading the American delegation 

attending the ceremony in Jerusalem marking the US Embassy move from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital. 

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, President Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and husband, 

Jared Kushner, as well as US congressmen and American Jewish and Christian leaders are also 

part of the group.

President Trump is being hailed as courageous for implementing a 23-year-old law mandating the

 move. The long-awaited decision represents a significant turning point for the city and the 

Jewish people.

All this excitement comes 70 years to the day after US President Harry Truman became the first 

world leader to recognize the State of Israel.

Related


Jerusalem Steps Up Security Ahead of US Embassy Move


'The Hand of God': US Christian Leaders in Israel Say Trump's Jerusalem Embassy Move Is a 

Path to Blessing


Did You Know the Czech Republic Is Moving Its Embassy to Jerusalem Too?

"I think America is coming in alignment with biblical truth," said Family Research Council 

President Tony Perkins.

The Bible mentions Jerusalem and Zion almost 1,000 times, and Jerusalem has been the capital of 

the Jewish people for 3,000 years.

"This is the theme that's in our spiritual DNA and therefore when the president of the United States 

moves the US Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he is addressing 

something at the core of Jewish identity," former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations 

Dore Gold told CBN News.


Ambassador Dore Gold, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

President Trump is making history as he moves the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The story starts thousands of years ago when King David captured Jerusalem and made it his capital. 

Four hundred years later, the Jewish people are expelled to Babylon for 70 years, then return to 

rebuild the Second Temple with the help of Persia's King Cyrus.

Gold says Trump's embassy move might even compare to that of the biblical king.

"That was a huge charitable act on his part, which is in our historical memory and the fact that 

now President Trump is going to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem puts him in a special 

category and perhaps even the category with the ancient King Cyrus of Persia," he said.

Fast forward to 1967 and the Six-Day War when Israel reunites Jerusalem under its sovereignty. 

Then in 1980, Israel officially makes Jerusalem its capital and countries from all over the world 

move their embassies from the city in protest.

"The Christian Embassy was founded after 13 national embassies left Jerusalem and it provided 

a unique moment where the Jewish people were willing to accept our hand of friendship," said 

David Parsons, with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. As a lawyer, he helped draft 

the Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by Congress in 1995, mandating the embassy move to Jerusalem.


International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

"Now, 22 years later after all these delays and waivers, it's back to our order. Trump has recognized 

Jerusalem," Parsons said. "The ambassador's going to be working here, and then they're going to 

start building the building so it's a moment of personal vindication for me," Parsons said.

Tony Perkins and Michele Bachmann serve on President Trump's Evangelical Advisory Council. 

They both said the move will be good for the US, other nations and Mideast peace.

"The scripture is pretty clear on that and that those who bless Israel will be blessed," Perkins said.

Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said Israel has always battled propaganda.

"Israel's enemies have always fought on the propaganda argument of words, the fact that Israel 

was illegitimate and had no right to this land," Bachman told CBN News. "President Trump, 

excuse the pun, played a trump card. He's taken the article off the table. He said, look we aren't 

even going to talk about this anymore – Jerusalem is or isn't Israel's, it is. We're making a decision. 

It is."

President Trump's decision effectively recognizes the western part of the city as Israel's capital. 

Most holy sites are in the eastern sector.

Gold says only in a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty would those sites be protected.

"Well Jerusalem's been the capital of the Jewish people, as I said, for 3,000 years. I don't see that 

changing. I think as long as we have freedom of worship, freedom of access guaranteed, I think 

that many in the Arab world will acquiesce to the idea that Jerusalem remains the undivided capital 

of Israel," he concluded.

Hidden Script Discovered in New Look at Dead Sea Scroll Fragments - CBN News Julie Stahl

Oren Ableman examines ink traces, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

Hidden Script Discovered in New Look at Dead Sea Scroll Fragments

05-04-2018

CBN News Julie Stahl

JERUSALEM, Israel – As Israel marks the 70th anniversary of its re-birth, it's also marking the 

70th anniversary of one of the most amazing biblical archaeological discoveries of all time – 

the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The scrolls are the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, and 70 years later they are still 

revealing new facts, telling the story of their ancient past.


A fragment of Deuteronomy after IR imaging at the scroll lab, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

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"In our storeroom we have a lot of boxes of fragments that, as far as I could tell, had never been sorted, 

never been investigated," said Oren Ableman of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

As part of the IAA's project to digitize the scrolls, some of these fragments were pulled out and 

examined by Ableman, who chose a box from "Cave 11" of the Qumran Caves where the scrolls 

were discovered.


Conservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

"At first this looked like it was garbage," Ableman told CBN News. "It didn't look like anything was 

here. You couldn't really see anything with your own eyes."

But with the help of advanced imaging technology developed just for the scrolls, Ableman was able 

to find script that was previously hidden.


Dead Sea Scroll Fragment, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

"I worked on comparing the handwriting on these fragments that I found to other manuscripts to 

Cave 11… and I very quickly started finding matches between the handwriting of the scribes," he said.

Ableman examined 82 fragments. Two examples stood out.


Dead Sea Scroll fragments, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

"Probably the best example that I had…where the word that I read there is 'zamra' in Hebrew, 

which means a song," he explained. "And this in the Hebrew Bible is actually a very rare word."

He continued. "Based on the handwriting of the scribe, I could tell that this fragment belonged to 

what's called The Great Psalms Scroll, which is actually one of the largest scrolls we've found," 

he continued.

The scroll is a collection of different Psalms and the word is rare in the Bible. This fragment belongs 

to Psalm 147:1, he said.

Another fragment indicated there must have been an additional scroll that has not been identified 

previously in that cave, Ableman added.


Pnina Shor, curator and director of the Dead Sea Scrolls project, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

Pnina Shor, head of the IAA's Dead Sea Scrolls project, told CBN News there was a great deal 

of symbolism in the discovery of the scrolls at the same time that the State of Israel was being 

re-established.


Dead Sea Scroll Fragments, Photo, IAA, Shai Halevi

"On the eve of the 29th of November [1947], when they were voting at the UN for the Partition 

Plan [creating a Jewish and Arab state in Palestine], the son of Professor [Eleazar] Sukenik – 

who was then one of our first pilots and who was killed in the War of Independence – was counting 

the votes on the radio while Professor Sukenik was sitting with one of the scrolls and realized he 

was holding a scroll from Second Temple Times," Shor said.

"What could be more symbolic than as we're voting for the Partition Plan for the State of Israel to 

hold in [his] hands a manuscript 2,000 years old," she added.

MUST SEE: This year marks 70 years since the reestablishment of Israel as a modern nation. 

CLICK HERE for more about CBN’s new movie, “To Life,” on the positive global impact of Israel.

Israeli PM's Office Hires Jewish Believer for Social Media - CBN News Julie Stahl

Hananya Naftali with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli PM's Office Hires Jewish Believer for Social Media

04-25-2018

CBN News Julie Stahl

JERUSALEM, Israel – An Israeli believer in Jesus is making headlines here after Prime Minister 

Benjamin Netanyahu's office hired him as the new deputy social media adviser for the prime minister, 

a media report said.

Hananya Naftali is a popular social media figure, advocating on behalf of Israel on Facebook, 

YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. He has been sharing on social media for several years and 

has a following of more than 310,000 on Facebook and more than 26,000 on Twitter.

But at least the Jerusalem Post is taking issue with his beliefs.

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Gil Hoffman@Gil_Hoffman

Read about @netanyahu's new deputy social media adviser: A Jew who loves Jesus: http://m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/From-praising-Jesus-to-tweeting-Bibi-PMs-new-recruit-has-colorful-past-552612 


"PM's newest adviser: A Jew who loves Jesus" is the headline in Wednesday's print edition of the 

Jerusalem Post. Later the web version headlined, "From Praising Jesus to Tweeting Bibi, PM's 

New Recruit Has Colorful Past."

In the front page article, the Post noted that Naftali's parents are both Jewish but said he had called 

himself "a Christian" in one video.

According to the article, Netanyahu's social media advisor, Topaz Luk, hired him. He described 

Naftali as "a full Jew on both sides, who respects Christians, who loves Israel and do so much 

to strengthen Israel."

Luk was quoted as saying that Naftali was a "superstar" and he would help in running 

Netanyahu's social media networks. In an interview a year ago, Naftali asked Netanyahu for 

his advice on how to defend Israel on social media.

"It's easy to advocate for the State of Israel because all you have to do is advocate the truth," 

Netanyahu said. "That's my tip: just tell the truth."

Naftali, who was an IDF soldier and fought Hamas in Operation Protective Edge – Israel's 2014 

battle in the Gaza Strip – has produced numerous videos doing just that.

From the Gaza Strip, to the Syrian border to standing against the Israel is Apartheid claim, 

Naftali details the threats and disputes the accusations against Israel.

In one of his most popular videos, "How to Boycott Israel," a friendly Naftali lists all the things 

that Israel-haters should remove Intel Pentium chips from their computers and laptops as well as 

firewall and anti-virus programs; not to use Microsoft operating systems; and not to use SMS 

messaging on the cellphone.

'This Was Promised to Us By God': The Declaration of Independence that Changed the World - CBN News Julie Stahl,Scott Ross

'This Was Promised to Us By God': The Declaration of Independence that Changed the World

04-18-2018CBN News Julie Stahl, Scott Ross

TEL AVIV, Israel – 70 years ago in an art gallery in Tel Aviv, David Ben Gurion made a declaration that changed the world forever. On May 14, 1948 he declared the birth of the modern state of Israel. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people had a nation.

CBN's Scott Ross spoke with Isaac Dror, who heads education at the place where the declaration was made – now known Independence Hall.

"Ben Gurion chose the words 'we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel to be known as the State of Israel.' This was the birth of a Jewish state for all Jews," Dror told CBN News.

Related

---

'A Fulfillment of That Great Prophecy': Israel Turns 70, a Light to the Nations

Israel Then and Now: Prophecy Fulfilled

---

"Ben Gurion was standing here as the voice of 11 million Jews around the world who had no voice, who had no address and nowhere to go to," Dror said. 

"This was promised to us by God," he said. "We are the only people in the history of the world that live on the same land, speak in the same language and believe in the same God more than 3,000 years."

It was Friday afternoon and the ceremony needed to be finished in time for the guests to get home before sundown when the eve of the Sabbath began. The ceremony lasted just 32 minutes. 

The British, who had ruled mandatory Palestine for about 30 years, left and reborn Israel was invaded by five Arab armies.

"The civil war that was launched upon us six months before the declaration was still going on. Jerusalem was besieged and struggling, not very far away from here," Dror said. 

"It's like when you mix the happiest day for the Jewish people, one of the greatest moments for our nation in modern times with one of the most dangerous and sad days when Israel was that close to a complete annihilation," he added.

Dror said the building had been chosen because it was the "safest auditorium" in Tel Aviv. Most of the guests, too, were from Tel Aviv because the "country" was divided up and Jerusalem disconnected. 

"Only 350 of them were lucky enough to be squeezed in the room with no air conditioning," he said.

One of those people was Yael Sharett, the daughter of Moshe Sharett, the second prime minister of Israel. 

"Her father was on the stage here, Moshe Sharrett. He was the right hand of Ben Gurion and the, kind of, foreign minister of the provisional government of Israel," explained Dror.

"When they came to the ceremony, they came with an invitation. It was issued on the 13th of May, which is 24 hours before the event. And it says, 'we are honored to invite you to the ceremony of independence.' And then it goes 'we ask you to keep it as a secret.'

"You don't want thousands of people to swarm the street when you expect an air raid later that day. And then it says the invitation is 'personal,' like come alone.

"And here, you have Mr. Moshe Sharrett who brought his daughter with him. And not only his daughter, but his sister as well and the guy at the door said 'what are you doing? This is just for one person.' And Moshe Sharrett said, 'they will share the same chair.'

Ross met Yael Sharett Medini at her home in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. On the wall, is a photo of the ceremony. Using a toothpick, Yael pointed out where she and her aunt had been sitting.

"Here's my aunt and this is my forehead and we shared a chair there – next to the wall," Yael told Ross.

Just a day earlier her father had dictated to her a draft of the Declaration of Independence. A copy of that draft is also hanging on the wall in Yael's home.

"This is the document. This is my father's version of the declaration – the one that he dictated to me. This is my handwriting," Yael said.

"And this took you how long?" Ross asked.

"I think that I sat there about three-quarters of an hour to an hour," she said. 

Despite her participation in such a momentous event, Yael referred to herself as simply "a handmaiden of history." She told us her story.

At age 17, she said, she wasn't so interested in the declaration ceremony.

"I knew that this was going to happen from the age of zero. That we are going to have a state. And, we are rightfully here," she said.

Yael and her family were living in New York at the time where her father was busy at the United Nations, convincing countries to support the soon to be born Jewish state. When they returned on May 11th for the declaration of statehood she stayed in Tel Aviv with her aunt.

"So, my father came to his sister's apartment place to dictate this to me, right. When he finished, he said, 'tomorrow there is going to be a ceremony declaring the state, ok. Now I'm going to pick you up at 3:30, you and your aunt. Be ready, get dressed, comb your hair, and be presentable.' And, I obey orders," she said.

"Do you remember the event itself? When Ben Gurion stood up and read?" Ross asked.

"Yes, this I remember," she said. "It's really epic. It's poetry actually." Nevertheless, it was an ancient Jewish prayer that touched her most.

"The only time I was really moved I must say was when the Rabbi Levine made the old age Jewish blessing: shehecheyanu, v'kiyimanu, v'higiyanu la'z'man ha'zeh," she said.

That prayer is recited on momentous occasions and thanks God "who has given us life, sustained us and allowed us to reach this day." 

"We are not religious, I am not religious. But, this blessing has an echo of generations," she said.

At the end they stood and sang the national anthem, HaTikvah, The Hope.

The next day was the Sabbath. US President Harry Truman became the first world leader to recognize the re-born state. But Yael wasn't so interested.

"I had to get in touch with my friends who were already mobilized, while I was not yet because I was in America. And, I was very eager to join with them – to be mobilized, to be part of the fighting call. That was on my mind," she said.

According to Dror, Truman's top advisors were opposed to the US recognition of Israel.

"The Pentagon and the State Department truly believed that Ben Gurion, the leader of Israel, is leading the world into a new catastrophe," Dror said.

"(Truman) understood something that most of his top advisors and ministers failed to see. This is truly prophecy being realized," Dror said.

Against all odds the fledgling state not only survived but thrived.70 years later it's clear Truman was right.

"We are faster, better, prettier than ever today," Dror said. 

"The economy in Israel is doing wonderfully well and Israel is, you know, innovation country, a start-up country. 

"More and more countries around the world realize that what Israel spoke about for so many years now is a reality. Suddenly, people understand why we are here," he said.

Watch here: Promised Land

 

How the Jewish Agency Is Fulfilling God's Purposes for Israel - CBN NEWS/JULIE STAHL

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How the Jewish Agency Is Fulfilling God's Purposes for Israel

 4/10/2018 CBN NEWS/JULIE STAHL

The Jewish Agency is known for helping Jews immigrate to Israel. (YouTube/The Jewish Agency for People)

The Jewish Agency. It's a simple name but a powerful organization used to re-establish the state of Israel and help the Jewish people return to their homeland.

Founded in 1929, the Jewish Agency pre-dated the modern State of Israel by 19 years. Some say it's an organization created by God that uses men to fulfill his purposes.

Alan Hoffmann, CEO and director general of the Jewish Agency, is one of those men. Hoffmann, who immigrated to Israel from South Africa in 1967, has been credited with the "strategic refocusing" of the work of the Jewish Agency.

In a recent letter to Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, Hoffmann said his team had helped to "refocus the mission, restructure the organization and recruit outstanding staff, while working closely with our constituent partners and with the government of Israel."

Pat Robertson will talk with Alan Hoffmann about his work with the Jewish Agency on Tuesday's 700 Club.

Today, one of the main missions of the Jewish Agency is to bring Jewish people back to the land of Israel. And seeing Jewish people return is like watching Bible prophecy unfolding. The biblical prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all speak of the Jewish return to the land.

Hoffman pointed out that immigration to Israel had grown as well the number of Israeli emissaries sent abroad.

As a result of the work of the Jewish Agency, some 3.5 million Jewish people have been brought to live in Israel over the past nine decades.

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Sharansky told new immigrants at an arrival ceremony recently that they had fulfilled the dream of generations.

"Only think for a moment about your fathers, your grandfathers, your great-grandfathers—all those generations of your families—who were dreaming and praying, 'next year in Jerusalem' and you did it," Sharansky said.

In his letter to Sharansky, published in part by the Jerusalem Post, Hoffmann noted that reaching young people is a growing priority.

"The connection of young Israelis to the Jewish people has emerged as a new priority and the agency has significantly expanded its repertoire in partnerships and in working with the vulnerable in Israel," he was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying in his letter.

In 2000, Hoffmann became the director general of the Jewish Agency's education department. In that capacity, he was responsible for two programs: MASA, which brings young people from around the world to Israel for long-term study and volunteer programs; and MAKOM, which is the Jewish Agency's "central resource" for educating Jewish communities around the world about Israel.

Hoffmann is due to retire from the Jewish Agency by the end of the year. 

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