HIGH ALERT
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
Psalm 122:6-8
I have just been out for a walk in the forest overlooking the outskirts of Jerusalem. There was an almost eerie hush on the streets today, and the forest paths unusually empty of people. It may be partly the weather, which is cool and windy, but I rather feel that many people are resting up in preparation for the week ahead which promises to be a difficult one - the lull before the storm, so to speak.
This past week has also been a tense one. A few weeks ago, on the 9th April, Israel attacked an Iranian base in Syria killing some 7 Iranian military personnel. Since then Iran has been threatening to retaliate. On Tuesday US President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Obama Agreement with Iran and to re-impose sanctions. As we watched his speech on TV, news came in that orders had been received to open public bomb shelters in the Golan, because 'unusual activity' had been spotted at a missile launching site in Syria. As the evening drew on the sound of fighter jets overhead made it clear, even here in Jerusalem, that something was happening. Later we heard that 'someone' had attacked the Iranian missile launching site at Kisweh, south of Damascus, and destroyed it. At first Israel did not respond to accusations that it was responsible but yesterday Israel did. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 15 militants were killed in this attack, including 8 Iranians (1).
The next day life resumed as normal in the Golan and even the schools were open. In the evening, however, code red sirens sent residents in the Golan into their shelters. The roar of jets once more filled the air here, but it was much quieter than the previous night so I went to bed and slept peacefully. It wasn't until the morning, when I opened my computer, that I discovered that shortly after midnight 20 Grad missiles and Fadjr-5 rockets, had been fired towards Israel by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds force from positions in Syria. Four of those missiles were shot down by our Iron Dome anti-missile defense system and the other 16 fell short in Syrian territory (!!!). In response, Israel attacked and destroyed some 50 Iranian military installations in Syria, killing 27 militants, including 11 from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. There were no Israeli casualties nor damage to property.
Prior to that attack, on Wednesday morning, Israel's PM Trump met with Russian President Putin and Russia apparently agreed not to interfere in the current confrontation between Iran and Israel. Russia is playing something of a double game in Syria. They want the Iranians there to do the 'dirty work' of getting rid of all the rebels so that the Assad regime can consolidate, but they do not want war between Israel and Iran, nor do they want the Iranian army entrenched there. Russia also announced this week that it would back out of their earlier deal to sell advanced, long-range S-300 missiles to Iran. The USA, the UK and other countries have expressed disapproval of Iran's actions in attacking Israel, and supported Israel's right to defend herself.
Israel has, again and again, made it very clear that it will not tolerate the entrenchment of Iranian troops and the build-up of Iranian missile sites in Syria, especially along our border area. The only reason these installations are there is to attack Israel, and we will not wait for that to happen. Iran is constantly proclaiming its intention to totally destroy Israel.
According to Israel's Defense Minister, Avigdor Liberman, Israel "has hit almost all of Iran's Infrastructure in Syria" (2). This is undoubtedly a set back for the Iranians but no one here thinks that this is end of the story. We may have won this battle but it is only the beginning of the war. Already Iran is threatening to demolish Tel Aviv and Haifa in retaliation. I think most of us think it is only a matter of time before Iran tries a new attack. In the meantime, the IDF and all Israelis remain in a state of high alert.
Having said that, I believe that war is not inevitable and could still be prevented should the world unite against Iran. Sadly many, especially in Europe, seem blissfully unaware of the threat, not only to Israel but to themselves and the world as a whole. The situation is very similar to that preceding the outbreak of World War II. I couldn't help but wonder if the exchange of fire on Wednesday night will prove to constitute the opening shots of World War III. It is interesting that that evening, the 8th May, was the anniversary of the signing of the surrender of Germany to the Allies at the end of WWII.
Civilian life in Israel continues as normal but most people are very aware of the situation. It is certainly not true that Israelis are fleeing the country by the thousands as is being erroneously reported by Arab media who are waging now a propaganda war against us. The reverse is actually true. Thousands of tourists, mostly Christian believers, continue to flood in, undeterred by the risk of war, to celebrate with us the 70th Anniversary of the State.
This evening marks the beginning of Jerusalem Day, during which we celebrate the 51st anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem following the '67 War. Around 50 public events will take place in the streets of the city and its suburbs, the largest being the March of Flags, in which tens of thousands are expected to participate and which begins at 4PM tomorrow (Sunday).
On Monday the opening ceremony of the American Embassy in Jerusalem will be held. Around 800 dignitaries have been invited to participate. The timing of this event, sandwiched between Jerusalem Day and Nakba Day, increases the potential for violence. It is probably a good thing that Trump will not be coming.
On Tuesday the Palestinians mark Nakba Day, commemorating the displacement of thousands of Arabs preceding and during Israel's war of Independence in 1948. It is a day of anger and bitterness, and is usually marked by riots and violence. The unrest is expected to be especially serious this year, in view of the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem and the concurrence of other events such as the beginning of the Muslim month of Ramadan on Tuesday.
The violence at the Gaza border is continuing unabated. All week there have been riots and attempts to penetrate the border into Israel. Last week the Gazans began using a new weapon against us - kites carrying incendiary devices. The prevailing westerly winds carry the kites into Israeli territory and they have set on fire many acres of ripe wheat and other crops, and large areas of forest land. For some days we had no answer for this weapon but to fight the fires. Today, however, the army began to use model airplanes to cut down the strings of the kites with good success.
Today Hamas militants set fire to the Kerem Shalom border crossing and ignited the gas pipeline that brings gasoline into Gaza from Israel, causing at least 30 million shekels worth of damage. Kerem Shalom is the main border crossing through which most of the humanitarian aid and supplies pass from Israel into the Gaza Strip. This is a clear example of Hamas once more shooting itself in the foot! No doubt they will blame Israel when the gas pipes run empty and the lights go out! The border crossing has had to be closed until repairs can be made. This could take some time.
Hamas is calling for a million Gazans to storm the border and invade Israel this week their so-called "Great March of Return" reaches its climax. Over the last weeks, the number of people participating in the 'March' has been dwindling, but we are expecting an increase this week as we approach Nakba Day and the start of Ramadan. As I write reports are coming in that in response to the Keren Shalom attack the Israeli Airforce is attacking targets in Gaza, including a tunnel built by Hamas into Israel.
Friday is the first Friday of Ramadan and thousands of Muslims are expected to go up onto the Temple Mount to pray, yet another potential flash point this week.
The concurrence of all these events will ensure that this week is a tense and 'interesting' one. We are all bracing ourselves for whatever will happen. I do know one thing however, God IS still in control and he IS still watching over Israel. I also know it is imperative that all who follow Him are praying into the situation. It is sometimes difficult to know how to pray but I think we can do no better than echo Jesus' prayer:
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Matthew 6: 10
On a happier note, next Monday is the last of the annual cycle of Jewish feast days, Shavuot or Pentecost, a time of great celebration.
Tonight most Israelis are glued to their television sets as the final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place. Israel's representative, Netta Barzilai, is one of the most likely contestants to win. Her original style of music, dress and singing has captured the hearts of us all and her lively, warm and fun personality has won her favor not just in Israel but all over the world. As she herself said in an interview today, whether she wins the contest or not it doesn't matter, because she has already won in that she has broken many stereotypes and has represented her country with honor. If she does win, Israel will get to host the competition next year, which would be marvelous.
Well, I must go and watch her sing too. God bless you all and keep praying - especially this week. May we all get through somehow and assign all victory to the LORD who surely is watching over us.
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