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.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer praised President-elect Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (Reuters photo)
Israeli Ambassador Praises President-elect Trump's Plan to Move U.S. Embassy
During the presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trump befuddled the liberal media and the Washington, D.C., political establishment when he pledged—if elected—to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
They claimed it would destabilize the region.
They claimed it would dismantle the ongoing "peace process" between Israel and the Palestinians.
They claimed it would lead to war.
Those, of course, are all the Palestinian talking points, but what they didn't do was ask those who have the most at stake—the Israelis—what they thought. Had they bothered to do so, it would've changed the narrative completely.
This week, during the Israeli Embassy's annual Hanukkah party, Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer said he fully endorsed moving the American embassy to Jerusalem. Not only did he think it was a good idea, but he said it would boost the chances of peace in the Middle East.
The reasons for doing so are "pretty clear," he added.
"The first thing, it would send a strong message against the de-legitimization of Israel and of Jerusalem," he said. "The second reason why I think the embassy should be moved to our capital is that it would be a great step forward to peace. That's right. A great step forward to peace."
Dermer didn't elaborate on the second point. Palestinian officials, however, have said such a move would effectively end the peace process.
The U.S. maintains a consulate in Jerusalem.
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Earlier this year, when he spoke at AIPAC, President-elect Donald Trump pledged to stand with Israel. He made good on that promise Thursday. (Reuters photo)
President Barack Obama planned to stab Israel in the back Thursday at the United Nations. But President-elect Donald Trump had other plans, and with some bipartisan support, a dangerous Egyptian resolution has been tabled.
According to NBC News, the resolution Egypt circulated during the late-night hours Wednesday, and which was due for a vote in a special session of the U.N. Security Council Thursday afternoon, was not going to be vetoed by the Obama Administration. Rather, the U.S. planned to abstain, which meant the measure could pass, but without official American support.
As Israel applied pressure to both Egypt and the U.S., Trump offered a sharp rebuke of the resolution, which would have stated the U.N.:
Reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution.
Reiterates its demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
Stresses that the cessation of all Israeli settlement activities is essential for salvaging the two-state solution and calls for affirmative steps to be taken immediately to reverse the negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-state solution.
Underlines that it will not recognize any changes to the June 4, 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.
Calls upon all states to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.
Calls for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and destruction; calls for accountability in this regard and calls for compliance with obligations under international law for the strengthening of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, including through existing security coordination and to clearly condemn all acts of terrorism; and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.
Palestinians have been circulating a version of their own, which reportedly is much more strident in its anti-Israeli language. Had the vote taken place, it would have marked a wide departure from long-standing U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel, and it would have been in conflict with a Senate resolution that called for direct negotiations without preconditions.
The author of that resolution, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), has been a very vocal supporter of Obama in the past. He was outraged, however, about the news reports Thursday morning:
"The draft United Nations resolution directly contradicts the Senate resolution I authored—and passed unanimously last year—condemning Palestinian terrorism and calling on all parties to return to the negotiating table immediately and without preconditions. Direct discussions remain the best avenue to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
A petition offered by the American Center for Law & Justice, which called upon Obama and the U.N. to reject the resolution, has drawn more than a quarter of a million signatures in just a matter of hours. The group issued the following statement that accompanies the petition:
President Obama is poised to betray Israel in his final days in office.
There are reports that the administration is plotting to use the U.N. Security Council against Israel.
It's a renewed attempt to abandon Israel, slash its borders, leave it defenseless and force our greatest ally in the Middle East to make dangerous concessions to terrorists before negotiations even begin.
Palestinian terrorists have launched over 300 attacks on Israelis—literally stabbing women and children in the back—murdering Israeli civilians and American citizens.
We must not force Israel into talks with terrorists.
We're mobilizing our office in Jerusalem. We're preparing critical legal letters, documents and filings at the U.N., in Congress and with the Obama administration. Add your name today.
Christians United for Israel issued its own statement about the matter: "While nations and organization may attack and de-legitimize the state of Israel and the Jewish people, let it be known that the defender of Israel is greater than all those who stand against Israel. He is the one that scattered Pharaoh's armies and allowed Israeli to be reborn against overwhelming odds."
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Go deeper!
Has God called you to be a leader? Ministry Today magazine is the source that Christian leaders who want to serve with passion and purpose turn to. Subscribe now and receive a free leadership book.
"Where's the Line to See Jesus?" While at the mall a few years ago, Becky's then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?
Becky's sister mentioned this to her father, Steve Haupt, who immediately became inspired and jotted some words down to the song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick home recording, he received a great response from friends. Her father asked if Becky wanted to record the song to see what could happen with it. Becky listened to the song, made a few changes and headed to Shock City Studios.
It was at the studio where Chris Loesch, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goosebumps and emotions high, they all felt like they had something special and recorded the demo in just under 2 hours. 2 weeks before Christmas last year, her cousins decided to do a quick video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube.
The first day it had 3000 hits and it soared to a million from there! Becky received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over over the world asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, a full version, anything... they had nothing.
After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, the team got serious. They headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here it is today. Getting everything set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. Becky is most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share her music with you.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Interesting facts: * A portion of the procedes of CD sales will go to Christian Family Services in St. Louis and the good work they do finding homes for children in need! • The man playing piano in the video is Becky's father Steve who is also the main writer of the song and is the pianist on both recordings! * Gloria Estefan's bassist, Jorge Casas, is the basist on this recording!
Recording credits: Performed by: Becky Kelley Written by: Steve Haupt & Chris Loesch Produced by: Chris Loesch Recorded at: Shock City Studios, St. Louis, MO
Video credits: Directed by: Chris Benson Cinematography: Chris Benson Edited by: Gabriel Reed and Chris Benson Produced by: Carlyn Graumenz, Chris Benson (Lamplight Films) and Chris Loesch for Shock City Producitons Cameras and Lights: Heroic Age
Many times in history, the enemies of the Jewish people eagerly awaited the day when the Jews would finally meet their ultimate demise. Alas, their plans have always been divinely foiled. This verse reflects the hatred that Israel’s enemies, both historical and contemporary, have always felt towards her. Less than one month ago, those who despise Israel took to the mountains and forests and set the country ablaze. Approximately 4,900 acres of land, including more than 500 homes in Haifa, were completely decimated, leaving behind only embers. Education Minister Naftali Bennet stated the fires could only be set by "someone who this land this does not belong to." Weeks later, hundreds of families are still picking up the pieces, trying to put their lives back together, and rebuild the world that was destroyed.
The devastating fires which swept through Israel at the end of last month might very well be God's punishment upon the Israeli government for planning to dismantle several Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
Don't wait for the new year to order your 2017 calendar. You'll fall in love with our Biblical Israel Calendar, with it's 12 full-page color photographs, Biblical connections, Jewish holiday guide and Jewish and secular holidays.
The shocking damage caused to homes from the massive forest fires that plagues the Land of Israel throughout the last week of November is truly devastating. Gone are the homes where families once thrived, and in their place is nothing but ash.
If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel.
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“Stunning Pictures of Israel and the Thoughtful Bible Verse That Go With Them”
It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).
Dear Rabbi Tuly, Thank you for the emails each day which contain many stunning pictures of Israel, and the thoughtful Bible verses that go with them. Would you please add to them, though, the location, since without that information many of them could be anywhere in the world. Some of them of course are obvious, like shots of Jerusalem and the 'Western Wall', but it is a shame that many others cannot be identified. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours through God's grace, Colin Wooden
Israeli officials on Thursday thanked US President-elect Donald Trump for saving the Jewish state from one final jab from a spiteful President Barack Obama.
Earlier in the day, Egypt tabled a resolution at the UN Security Council demanding Israel halt all Jewish settlement activity in the so-called West Bank, including the eastern side of Jerusalem.
Obama had signaled that he would take the unusual step of not using American’s veto in the Council to squash the resolution.
“All the signs show that this was a [diplomatic] hit by Obama against [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and the settlements,” a government source told Israel’s Channel 2 News.
Knowing it could not rely on Obama, Israel turned to Trump. And Trump delivered.
Egypt suddenly pulled the resolution just hours before the vote. What changed their minds? A phone call from Trump to Egypt President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, expressed the Jewish state’s “deep appreciation” for Trump’s efforts.
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