INTERNATIONAL

December 2018

www.c4israel.org [email protected]

“Bring my sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 43:6

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3 11 Highlights... Editorial Pg 2 Iran Behind Latest Gaza Crisis Pg 9 70 Years of Aliyah Pg 3 Christian Media Summit 2018 Pg 10 Christians for Israel’s Brazilian Tour Pg 4 Meals for the Poor in Jerusalem Pg 11 Israel - 70 Years of Opportunity Pg 6 First Home in the Homeland News Pg 11 4 6 Festival of Lights Pg 8 Poverty Amongst Jews in Ukraine Pg 12

Israel & Christians Today is the premier publication of Christians for Israel Editorial December 2018 02 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Prayer Points “Look at the Fig Tree” By Pieter Bénard By Andrew Tucker, International Editor, Christians for Israel International Christians for Israel Prayer “Look at the fig tree and all the Coordinator trees” (Luke 21:29) When Jesus was teaching His disciples about the signs of His coming and the ‘end of the age’, He explained that many difficult things would happen in the world and the church before He comes ISRAEL again. Amongst other things, ‘nations will Ÿ Pray for the protection of Israel’s rise against nations’ and ‘kingdoms coastline. The marine commandos are against kingdoms’. It is remarkable how responsible for security on the often Jesus refers to the nations when beaches and monitor all boats describing the last days in Luke 21 and approaching or leaving Israel. Matthew 24. It seems He wanted to Ÿ Pray for protection for the Jewish emphasise the prominent role the nations residents of Judea and Samaria. Pray will take in the last days. for talks and peace with the In Luke’s account of this conversation, in Palestinian Authority and for a Luke 21, he records that Jesus told His solution to the current impasse on disciples to “look at the fig tree and all the who can live where. Pray that the trees”. In the Old Testament, trees were Biblical promises will be fulfilled. Nauru and Samoa, and in the Middle East, clearly being set for a “strong man” to symbolic of the nations. Jesus was saying emerge, who will use these new global Ÿ Give thanks for the miracle of the that the greatest sign of His coming will Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. State of Israel’s founding and continued be the trees sprouting their leaves – Most importantly, the League of Nations structures and systems to unite the existence. The hostility is unbelievably nations coming to life and bearing fruit laid the foundation for the creation, in dominant religions and ideologies in the fierce, both visible and invisible. We can after the long winter months. 1948, of the Jewish State of Israel. In 1920, promise of establishing a new world order. see the hand of our heavenly Father in At the centre of all of this is the this miracle every day. At the end of days, the fig tree miraculous revival of the fig tree – the re- Ÿ Give thanks for the Word of God. emergence of the Jewish nation, their The return of the Jewish people to the that withered and was cursed restoration to the land and the Promised Land is like a prophetic establishment of the city of Jerusalem. stone thrown into a global river. The will come to life. ripples that it causes touch every country, reach the ends of the earth, This suggests a period in which the the nations adopted the Balfour Christians for Israel and are undeniable! nations of the world come to life and Declaration, which spoke of the become mature. reconstitution of the Jewish homeland - Mission Statement INTERCESSION AND thereby fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy about THANKSGIVING The most important tree, however, will be Our mission is to bring Biblical the fig tree. understanding in the Church and among the Ÿ Pray for the elderly Jews in Ukraine the fig tree that will become tender and nations concerning God's purposes for Israel Before that decision could be properly who often live in loneliness in small spread its leaves. The fig tree symbolised and to promote comfort of Israel through villages, especially now winter is the national identity of Israel. The fig tree executed, however, one final attempt was prayer and action. coming, and they are barely able to coming to life, therefore, represented the made to destroy the fig tree completely. It leave their houses. Give thanks that nation of Israel being restored. Jesus’ nearly succeeded, as over half the Jewish we are able to visit them and have the words no doubt reminded His disciples of population of Europe was brutally Jewish Festivals opportunity to encourage them by His prophetic act earlier in the week, extinguished in the Shoah. Sigd - Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 distributing food parcels. when he encountered a fig tree that did days after Yom Kippur After WWII, it was time to create real and Ÿ not bear fruit and declared: “May you 7 November 2018 Give thanks that we can look for lasting peace between the nations. The never bear fruit again!” (Matthew 21:19). the coming/return of the Messiah and next few years saw the birth of the United Hanukkah - The Jewish festival of all that goes along with it together At the end of days, the fig tree that rededication (Festival of Lights) Nations, and the emergence of many new with the Jewish people (Isaiah 2:1-5, withered and was cursed, will come to life. 3-10 December 2018 nations from the colonial regimes of the Revelation 22:1-5). We are living in the generation that sees European powers in Africa, Asia and the Rosh Chodesh - Beginning of new Hebrew Ÿ Pray for the Christian the nations coming to life. It is exactly 100 Americas. There were 51 member states of month of Kislev 8 December 2018 denominations in all of their diversity years since World War I ended - a war in the UN on its founding in 1945; the vast for perspective when it comes to which millions of young soldiers were majority of the current 193 member states Asara B'Tevet - Fast commemorating the Israel. Pray that the Church will killed in the trenches in Europe and the of the United Nations were created siege of Jerusalem understand that although the 18 December 2018 Middle East. Many more were injured, and during the last 70 years. Holocaust sped things up, the State of societies were destroyed. In many ways Israel came into being as the These nations are organised as sovereign WWI was a watershed, that ushered in a fulfilment of God’s prophetic Word states under international law. The new and bloody era in world history. But CHRISTIANS FOR ISRAEL modern nation-state, however, was it also laid the foundations for the modern essentially a European idea intended to Ÿ Please pray for the staff and community of nations as we know them, achieve the balance of powers between volunteers of Christians for Israel as well as the revival of the fig tree. around the world. ‘Whatever you do, competing kingdoms in the 17th and 18th News Team | Contact Details work at it with all your heart, as The Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, centuries. It is not necessarily the most Italy, United States and Japan) had taken appropriate way of organising infant INTERNATIONAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF working for the Lord, not for human Andrew Tucker | [email protected] masters, since you know that you will over control of the whole of the Middle nations. Many states today are marked by receive an inheritance from the Lord East, southern Europe and northern a lack of democratic institutions, as well MANAGING EDITOR as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you Cathy Coldicutt Africa following the collapse of the as internal chaos and external conflicts Ph: +64 21 277 9198 | [email protected] are serving.’ (Colossians 3:23,24). Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Turkish with their neighbours. Over recent Ÿ Ottoman Empires. At the Paris Peace decades certain religions and ideologies INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM Please pray for the bi-monthly Andrew Tucker, Cathy Coldicutt, Ian Worby, newspaper ‘Israel and Christians Today’ Conference, they decided to establish the have sought to impose their ideological or Bryce Turner, Marloes van Westing, Rita Quartel, and the websites of Christians for Israel. League of Nations, and help the nations military will on the minority. Many are Marijke Terlouw and Marie-Louise Weissenböck Pray that news about Israel will be that had been under foreign occupation to now rejecting the notions of sovereignty INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER clearly explained in the context of the achieve self-determination. This resulted and nationalism as outdated, to be Marloes van Westing | [email protected] Bible and vice versa: the Bible explained ultimately in the creation during the replaced by multilateral structures in the Scripture references: THE HOLY BIBLE, in the context of current events. course of the 20th century of modern hope that this will lead to peace and NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® For daily Prayer Points, go to our states in Africa such as Rwanda and security. This is of course an illusion, for it Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® website: www.c4israel.org Cameroon, in the Pacific Islands such as ignores man’s fallen nature. The stage is Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. December 2018 Israel 70 Years 03 Kislev - Tevet 5779 70 Years of Aliyah Short News By Danielle Mor, Vice President, Israel and Global Philanthropy. The Jewish Agency for Israel Tourism Judea and The rows in the auditorium built with Ÿ 50 leaders of Christians for Israel, a Jewish Agency dedicated emissaries on the Samaria is Growing Jerusalem stone, slowly began filling worldwide Christian organisation ground serving with the Christians for If there is one thing that cannot be with guests, their excited faces and representing over 100,000 Christians who Israel team in Ukraine, we are able to care argued is the growth of tourism in hushed voices demonstrating that to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and give for those people so desperately in need of Judea and Samaria (West Bank). The from their typically modest income to safety. Once the olim arrive here in Israel, growth is the result of a stable security them, this was no ordinary event. provide the Jewish people with practical the Agency provides them with Hebrew situation. Not only tourism is growing, They took their seats and waited with and much-needed support; education, mentoring, and a warm home but the economy is also growing as anticipation for the evening to begin. Ÿ 80 Israeli friends and partners of for the first months and years of their well. In 2017 Judea and Samaria were All those present knew that the deep Christians for Israel, including leaders of new lives in Israel. placed fourth worldwide as fastest meaning of this evening’s celebration, the various Israeli organisations including Very moving were the words of Tatiana growing tourist destinations. entire reason for it to take place, with The Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Neslevich, a young wife and mother and a Catching Plastic such diverse guests coming together in Hayesod (UIA) who together with new olim from Ukraine who came on the friendship, could only be truly understood Christians for Israel, hosted the event; First Home in the Homeland programme Waste through the eyes of faith. And for those Ÿ and lives in the Hinanit Community in SodaStream is an Israeli company that who viewed it that way, it was quite And most importantly, over 70 new Samaria: sells appliances to enable you to simply a miracle. olim, new Israelis. Olim who had arrived in Israel for the most part in recent weeks “Just after landing in Ben-Gurion airport produce your own carbonated soft The evening was about to celebrate Israel: and even just a few days earlier. The new our lives changed forever; of course we drinks in reusable bottles. The 70 years of Independence and 70 years of pioneers, who like Abraham millennia were afraid of these drastic changes. We company announced in October 2018 Aliyah. Years in which the small, scattered ago, left everything known to them went through wonderful and exciting that it would start cleaning up plastic and weak Jewish people who just three behind to come to this new land. Their times as well as through tough and tragic waste in the ocean off the coast of years earlier suffered the Holocaust, the Aliyah to Israel is a blessing to them as moments. But all the time we felt the Honduras. The company is going to worst human catastrophe that the Jewish well as a blessing to Israel. These 70 olim support and prayers of Christians for Israel. ‘catch’ the plastic waste with a special people, the world, has ever known, were symbolic of the 70 years of Israel and We want to express our deepest gratitude dragnet tied between two ships. returned to their ancient homeland to be in fact, represented the nearly 30,000 to all the people who supported us in their established as a modern state, the state of olim who through the Jewish Agency, deeds and prayers and who have such a Egypt Urges Hamas the Jewish people. found their way home in the past year, big heart for Israel. I truly believe that our With all the struggles, wars and ongoing coming from nearly 40 countries around decision to make Aliyah will be a blessing security threats, it is innovation, growth the world. The evening was to honour, for our children and us. Making Aliyah on and a pioneering spirit that has prevailed encourage and bless them. Israel’s 70 birthday is even more special as in Israel for the past 70 years. Many will Many of these olim came home our dream is to be part of building Israel’s agree that the greatest blessing of all is the specifically thanks to the direct support of future in the next 70 years! ingathering of the exiles, the return of Christians for Israel. Indeed, together, we Thanks to you, dear friends from over 3 million Jews back home. Jews are are bringing the Jewish people back home. Christians for Israel and your support of speaking over 30 languages and coming And while for some Aliyah is the the Jewish Agency’s First Home in the from over 100 countries in all four corners fulfilment of a dream, for others, it is like Homeland programme. This dream can of the earth. Coming home to a state that waking up from a nightmare. For all, it is now come true.” Egypt is fed up with Hamas’s weekly is proudly saying: Never Again! Never will starting a new life in Israel. As Tatiana so beautifully said, the special protests at the Gaza border. The a Jewish person be persecuted, need to As we were singing and celebrating, all friendship of Christians and Jews has been country told Hamas to back down to seek refuge, or wish to return home and those present deeply understood that a blessing to her. How can this be believed avoid an escalation with Israel. Egypt the doors will be closed. The doors will Aliyah doesn’t just happen. It requires when for nearly 2000 years there was is concrete in its advice: maintain a always remain open. Jewish education, encouragement, hardly any friendship, just fear, hate and distance of at least 500m from the And so, though the auditorium can guidance, preparation and of course a wars? But as people of faith, we know we border. Furthermore, they need to typically welcome only some 200 guests, promise that with all the difficulties, life are living in special times, and it is thanks leave a space for the UN to provide this evening it welcomed nearly 400. Who in Israel will be good, and the olim might to organisations and people such as humanitarian aid. The protests occur were they? be assuredly planted in this land. Christians for Israel that this friendship every Friday and have continued every week since March 2018. | Photo: Flash90 Ÿ 200 singers and leaders of the Christians for Israel are working with us and with it the blessings, can come true. magnificent Holland Choir, who travelled at the Jewish Agency every step of the With all the challenges and difficulties, Embassy Moving? from the Netherlands to raise their voices way! Support, which is given through we are together, praying for the next 70 in songs of prayer and praise and to give Keren Hayesod, is directed to many global years, the next 3 million olim we must The Australian Prime Minister has encouragement. The choir was joined by efforts. In Ukraine this includes operating help and the blessings yet to come. For it stated his intention to consider having the inspiring world-class Jewish prayer summer camps, and holding day and is for such a time as this, that we have the Australian embassy moved from leader, the Chazan Simon Cohen; weekend Aliyah seminars. Also, with been waiting for. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. A decision will need to be made by the Australian government. It is not clear as to when this issue will be debated by the Australian Parliament.

Tunnel Discovered

The Jewish Agency awarded Christians for Israel a certificate of honour The 70 new olim receive a memento for their Aliyah to Israel celebrating the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel and 70 years Aliyah

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the State of discovered a tunnel dug by Hamas that NOW Israel 70 Years Israel. After ages of diaspora, the Jewish state underpasses the Gaza strip about two was reborn in 1948. A true miracle. hundred metres into Israeli territory. One-Time Edition | Collector’s Item This limited commemorative edition magazine The IDF succeeded in tracking down AVAILABLE€ Magazine 112 pages, full colour celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the State of and destructing fifteen tunnels in the 9,95 Israel. It is beautifully illustrated, with in-depth articles, inspiring interviews, photos, facts, last year. This last tunnel was fitted Order your copy today! time-lines and much more. A 'must have' for with electricity and communication Order online www.c4israel.org or complete coupon on back page everyone who loves to know more about Israel. equipment. | Photo: Flash90 04 Christians for Israel Happenings December 2018 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Christian for Israel’s Brazilian Tour By Rev Cornelis Kant, Executive Director, Christians for Israel International

The Christians for Israel Team in Mendes da Silva. He expressed his Brazil launched a tour through the personal faith in the Lord and quoted North East of Brazil under the from the Bible. He emphasised his leadership of Pastor Val Nogueira. willingness to be part of Christians for Israel and to cooperate with us. It was a There were eight meetings in total, heartwarming experience to listen to a which took almost eight months to speech from a politician that was so full of organise. The meetings were faith and belief. wonderful and very blessed. Alongside these meetings with an official At the office of the National Bible Society character, there were also meetings in of Brazil in Recife, we held a meeting with several churches in the North East. It was pastors. The leader of the Bible Society wonderful to see how many young people was so impressed by the mission of attended these meetings about Israel. In Christians for Israel that he offered the the city of Senhor do Bonfim more than Brazilian team full cooperation for future 200 young people attended a meeting on meetings with pastors. a Saturday evening. The next morning The Christians for Israel Brazil National before the start of the church service they Forum was held in the State Department were invited to ask questions of the building in the city of Natal. The Israeli Christians for Israel speakers. More than Ambassador, Mr Yossi Avraham Shelley 40 young people seized the opportunity to do so. Even a delay in starting the church attended the meeting. Being From left to right: Cornelis Kant (C4I International), Conrado Lumahan (C4I Philippines), overwhelmed by the message and the service did not stop us answering all their Reginaldo S Balduino Melo (Northeast Pastor), Fábio Vincente da Silva (City Assembly President), attitude of friendship and love from the questions. It was amazing to witness such Yossi Avram Shelley (Israel Ambassador to Brazil), Joaz Mendes de Oliveira (Mayor of Extremoz-RN), an interest in Israel by so many young Pr Vincent Neto (Director of Northeast), Pr Ejon Torquato (Northeast), Pr Gilson Melo (C4I Brazil treasurer), Christians for Israel team the Ambassador Pr Marione Melo (C4I Brazil, Director of Development & Relations) offered to be present and speak at people. whatever conference Christians for Israel Christians for Israel speakers at all those blessed this wonderful tour and opened a lovely and dedicated people around her. is going to organise in Brazil. Also State meetings were Pastor Val Nogueira, Pastor lot of doors in Brazil for Christians for May the Lord bless Val and her team and Congress member, Dr Albert Dickson and Vincent, Conrado Lumahan and myself. Israel. all the people who heard the message his wife Dr Carla Dickson attended the about God’s everlasting faith to Israel and It was a wonderful and heartwarming A lot of work and follow up lies ahead of Forum and spoke beautiful words. the Jewish people. experience to meet so many Brazilian the Christians for Israel team in Brazil. In the city hall of Extremoz, we had a Christians and to see their enthusiastic But the team is in good hands. I admire meeting with the mayor, Mr Joaz Oliviera reception of the message. God has really Pastor Val Nogueira and the team with Israel & the Church Congress: Berlin By Joachim Kudlek, Editor Israel & Christians Today Germany

From 8 to 10 November 2018 more only something spiritual but also has an of Kings but also the King of the Jews, as it an evening commemorating the 80th than 1200 people participated in the external dimension for Israel with a was written on the cross: ‘Jesus of anniversary of the Reichspogromnacht (a 3rd Israel and the Church Congress in Jewish perspective. Nazareth, the King of Jews’. But pogrom against Jews throughout Nazi Christianity left this title ‘on the cross’ Berlin. The theme chosen was “Your This clearly emerges from Acts 1, where it Germany on 9–10 November 1938), short instead of elevating it to an honorary title. Kingdom come. Israel and the Church is reported that Jesus taught the disciples presentations of Israel organisations and Regarding all efforts promoting the unity as light for the nations”. about the Kingdom of God for 40 days times of worship. 40 organisations had of the Church, Sister Joela stated: “It must and that they finally asked Him when He information booths in the foyer. In his introduction, Harald Eckert, be said: We belong to the God of Israel!” will restore the kingdom to Israel (1,6). So, The Congress had been organised by the Chairman of Christians for Israel according to Harald Eckert, an inner and An act of repentance, addressing the guilt Christian Forum for Israel (CFFI), an Germany, emphasised that the Lord’s an outer dimension belong to the of the German and Christian Church umbrella organisation of more than 20 Prayer, ‘Your kingdom come’ is a ‘deeply Kingdom of God, both of which are towards the Jewish people, was led by Israel organisations in Germany, Jewish prayer request’. It requests that the closely connected. Harald Eckert, Sister Joela and other including Christians for Israel Germany. Son of David comes to the city of David - speakers. | Photos: Jason Terschüren Jerusalem - sits on the throne of David Joela Krüger, Sister of Mary, emphasised and establishes the Kingdom of Peace of the close connection between Christians The programme included further lectures, God. Thus, the Kingdom of God is not and Jews: Jesus Christ is not only the King reports on Aliyah, a Shabbat celebration,

Harald Eckert, Chairman of Christians for Israel Germany View of the hall where the ‘3rd Israel and the Church Congress’ took place, where approximately delivering his opening speech 40 Israel-organisations set up their information booths December 2018 The Biblical Heartland 05 Kislev - Tevet 5779 View the Bible through a Lens Short News By Rev Henk Poot, Christians for Israel Netherlands Israel Supports In this article, Rev Henk Poot of father Jacob and the tomb of Joseph are tomb has been destroyed. This happened a Trump continues his journey through Judea located in Shechem. few years ago when Arabs turned a A survey has been conducted amongst sanctuary into a donkey stable. A salient the Israeli population about what they and Samaria - the Biblical Heartland. And there is more to tell: about detail of this unpleasant situation was the think of the President of The United Abimelech for instance, the son of Gideon memories it evoked to a story from the States. President Trump finds favour in >> Shechem who settled in Shechem and led a reign of Bible. The son of the king, Shechem, once the eyes of 69 per cent of the Israeli terror over Israel from there. He killed all We started our journey through the raped Dinah the daughter of Jacob, after population. But that doesn’t make his brothers, but one of them, Jotham, Biblical heartland in the north, at Itamar, which Levi and Simeon killed all the men Trump the most popular American escaped. In Judges 9 the story is told how where the mountains of Ephraim pass of Shechem. The name of that king, mind President ever in the eyes of the Israeli he stood on Mt Gerizim addressing the into the mountains of Menashe. To the you, was: Chamor (donkey!). people. Obama could count on the citizens of Shechem with his notorious west of the enormous valley, lie the approval of 71 per cent of the fable: When the trees were once searching mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, with the >> Son of Joseph population and George W. Bush on for a king, no one wanted to have the city of Shechem nestled between them. 83 per cent. position. Not the fig tree nor the olive I often visit near the site of Joseph’s tomb, Nowadays it is an Arabic city called tree. Neither of them wanted to give up in the so-called ‘soldiers café’, where Nablus. There is a big refugee camp that is Religion Makes their oil or their sweetness to hover over soldiers sit in front of the television with still artificially maintained by the coke after their patrol of the Happy Palestinian Authority because with money the other trees. In the end, they chose the thorn bush: Abimelech. neighbourhood. I stand outside the café from the UN a whole new neighbourhood and l look around thinking: this is where has been built in the city - but that is a Jesus was. Close to the field of Joseph He >> Joseph’s Tomb different story. had that special encounter with the In Shechem, the kingdom of Israel was Samaritan woman, at Jacob’s well. She >> Famous or indeed divided, in the time of Jeroboam pointed him to the sanctuary of her people Infamous and Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. It at the Gerizim and Jesus revealed who He was a terrible low in the history of God’s was. His disciples were buying bread and In the Bible, Shechem is famous or more people. The ten tribes of the Northern heard that the fields were ripe for harvest accurately: infamous. In the Talmud Kingdom would even wage war against (John 4). It is an encounter that is so you can read the following: ‘Shechem was Judah and Benjamin until they were taken reminiscent of the history of Joseph: the A religious upbringing seems to a place for evil; in Shechem, Dinah was into exile by Assyria and from there would bread, the fields of grain, the well, the attribute to a person’s happiness in a raped; Joseph was sold by his brothers in be scattered among the nations. revelation: It is me! Jesus, the Son of Joseph, positive way. This was shown by a walked here and I never imagined the Shechem, and in Shechem, the kingdom In Shechem, the tomb of Joseph is located. survey published in the American surroundings looked like this: the of the house of Israel was divided’ This explains why devout Jews built their Journal of Epidemiology. The mountains, the hills and the valley where (Sanhedrin 102a). Others add that the sons villages here. Praying at a tomb can only be researchers found that children that the farmers are still growing their grain. of Jacob while travelling from Haran, done at certain times with an army escort. grow up with religious customs have a buried their idols there and that the well And sometimes not at all, because the better physical and mental health when they age and stand less change of depression and the use of tobacco and drugs. | Photo: Flash90 Looted Art on Display Works of art stolen during the Holocaust by the Nazis from their Jewish owners will be on display in a unique exhibition. For the first time there is an exhibition of looted art in Israel. According to MK and Minister of Social Equality Gila Gamliel the subject is of major importance. “It is the first step and an important phase The tomb of Joseph (the building with the dome) is nowadays located Aerial photo of modern Nablus, showing how the valley is positioned between in returning the works of art to their in between modern buildings. | Photo: CC4.0 Wikimedia Commons Ebal (left) and Gerizim (right). | Photo: ramixz/CC3.0 Wikimedia Commons Jewish owners. It is the heritage of the Fields with yellow grain near Shechem Jewish people.” Minister Gamliel hopes | Photo: Mrbrefast/CC3.0 Wikimedia Commons that in this way the owners of the works of art can be traced. Fuel for Gaza

For months terrorists from Gaza have scorched the Israeli border with arson attacks. But Israel wouldn’t be Israel if it didn’t recognise the difficult circumstances the Gazans are in through Hamas. Electricity is available only a few hours a day. Therefore Israel supplies fuel to Gaza again, paid for by Qatar. | Photo: Flash90 Israel 70 Years December 2018 06 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Israel - 70 Years of Opportunity By Kasa Bainesay-Harbor, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel in New Zealand

The nights in Ethiopia are that the People of Israel are returning unimaginably dark. In the small home to the Holy Land? This past year, village where I was born, we had only more and more Jews have returned home the light from the moon and stars to to Israel as we are celebrating 70 years of independence in a strong, vibrant and illuminate our nights - yet that never innovative country of our own. deterred my grandfather from his holy obligations. A place where every Jew can feel confident that no matter where they live, I remember sitting next to him one they are safe from the pogroms, attacks evening when I was a young girl while he and discrimination that have followed us prayed in front of our ‘Gojo’ (house). I throughout the generations in exile. asked him “What are you saying?” and he responded “L’amlak aIsrael,” – God of As we celebrate 70 years since the Israel, “Redeem and take us back home to reestablishment of the State of Israel in Jerusalem.” My childhood had been ripe our ancestral homeland, we reflect on the with stories about our holy city of struggles, tragedies and challenges that Jerusalem, so I raised my hands and joined have come with rebuilding our home and my father in silent prayer, “Amlak aIsrael.” the contributions that we have made towards making the world a better place. It is hard to believe that I am writing these Whether it be in creating new life-saving words as a diplomat of the State of Israel. medical technology, revolutionary God Bless You and Yours this upcoming on sponsoring Jews living in Ethiopia I could not be more proud. I was only ten applications and hardware that have holiday season, and from your friends in to make aliyah to Israel. years old when my family made Aliyah to changed how we compute and Israel. The experience of landing in a Israel, we hope to see you all soon. communicate or even how we engage in Over 200 people welcomed dignitaries, country that you had been dreaming of Kasa Bainesay-Harbor (pictured agriculture or conservation, Israeli including the Israeli Ambassador to for your entire existence was life-altering, above) was recently a guest speaker innovation has become a fundamental New Zealand, Dr Itzhak Gerberg, and to say the least. The Jews of Beta Yisrael part of almost every person’s life on planet at the ‘Israel70’ event held in (the House of Israel) had left Israel during the Deputy Chief of Mission Kasa earth, whether they are aware of it or not. Auckland, New Zealand. the time of the First Temple, so there was Bainesay-Harbor. In a remarkable much to catch up on as you can imagine. All of this could not be possible without Led by Christians for Israel NZ, an display of solidarity, the VIP guests the help and support from our friends all organising committee representing included a group of Parliamentarians “I will gather you from the peoples, around the world. Thanks to assemble you from the countries where organisations such as Christians for Israel many of New Zealand’s pro-Israel led by the Hon. Alfred Ngaro, Leader you have been scattered, and I will give New Zealand, Israel has not only survived groups, partnered with Keren Hayesod of the Parliamentary Friends of Israel. you the land of Israel.” (Ezekiel 11:17) but continues to thrive and give back in of Israel in a fundraising effort to The event was a huge success, sending How fortunate are we to live in the days every way possible. Thank you for all your celebrate Israel’s 70th Anniversary of a clear message to Israel; that they when God’s promises are coming true and friendship and unwavering support. May Independence. The project focussed have many friends in New Zealand. Jews Returning Home Sources: Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Jewish Agency, jewishvirtuallibrary.org

stream of hundreds of thousands of Jews An exact count is just impossible. Take The following infographic shows how >> Massive Return? many Jews live around the world to Israel. The communist regime had Ukraine for example. According to ‘official according to official figures. It also There were times when Jews from around forbidden them for years to emigrate, and figures’ the country still has 53,000 Jews. contains an overview of how many the world went to the Promised Land in now their long-cherished wish could If 7,000 return on a yearly basis, it would finally be fulfilled. The influx of new mean that after 2025 there will be no Jews Jews went to Israel in the past great numbers. One such time was shortly after the establishment of the State of immigrants in the last ten years may seem left. However, the Jews in Ukraine suspect decade. Israel. Jews living in Arab countries no a bit meagre compared to those times. that there are more ‘hidden Jews’ in the For 2017 we specified the number of longer felt safe to remain after the Arab country. Many Ukrainians and their Jews leaving from certain countries. world turned against Israel and numerous >> Official Figures Jewish ancestors, hid their origin or even These figures do need some Jewish communities in Arab lands. The forgot it in fear of pogroms, or in fear of explanation. collapse of the Soviet Union led to a Official figures are always controversial. the communist regime which forbade any form of religion. >> Twelve Tribes Then there are the twelve tribes, known as the ‘Jews’. They descend mainly from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi, EUROPE & THE FORMER SOVIET UNION who formed the kingdom of Judah in the NORTH AMERICA 1,359,100 Jews 6,090,000 Jews Bible. The kingdom of Israel however, was led into exile in the time of the kings. The tribes of the former kingdom of Israel are ISRAEL known as the ‘ten lost tribes’. However 6,589,000 Jews Number of Jews who ASIA recently there is convincing evidence that returned to Israel in: 19,600 Jews descendants of at least one such tribe, 2008 13,701 Jews AFRICA Bnei Menashe, have been located in 2009 14,575 Jews 74,000 Jews Northern India. Many of those 2010 16,635 Jews SOUTH AMERICA descendants are now making aliyah back 2011 16,893 Jews 380,600 Jews to Israel. Evidence is emerging that 2012 16,560 Jews descendants of other tribes of Israel have 2013 16,929 Jews OCEANIA been identified in various places around Number of Jews who returned in 2017 from: 2014 24,120 Jews 120,800 Jews the world. Whoever reads the biblical 2015 27,908 Jews UKRAINE 7,046 Jews U.S.A. 2,567 Jews promises, understands that the Lord will 2016 25,977 Jews RUSSIA 7,135 Jews UK 468 Jews bring all twelve tribes back to the 2017 26,357 Jews FRANCE 3,157 Jews Promised Land. We are not there yet. But it does create anticipation. December 2018 XII Theses 07 Kislev - Tevet 5779

th 5 Thesis: God is Faithful Short News By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church Exports from UK to In this article, we continue our God reject His people? By no means!” And mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I Israel on the Rise discussion of the ‘Twelve Theses of at the end of his impressive dealing with will confess to You among the Gentiles, Exports from the UK to Israel have Faith on Israel’ published by the mystery Paul succinctly exclaims: “For And sing to Your name.” And again he increased considerably in the first half Christians for Israel. God’s gifts and His calling are irrevocable.” says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His of 2018. That puts Israel in second people!” And again: “Praise the Lord, all place as the most important export Thesis 5: We believe that the Lord will be Often people in the churches give the partner worldwide. Only the USA impression that all the promises made to you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”’ faithful to all the Covenants He made exceeds the UK. Exports mainly Israel have been fulfilled in Christ, with Israel, as well as to all the promises comprise of mineral products, referring to Paul: “For all the promises of >> Reflection by He gave to the Church. machinery and electric appliances. God in him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to Kees de Vreugd Elaboration: We confess that the Lord is the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians Rental Bikes in faithful to all of His Covenants with 1:20). What Paul means, however, is that First of all, thesis 5 is a confession of Jerusalem Israel. God did not reject His people, nor the Lord Jesus is the guarantee that we can praise to God. We rejoice in God’s did He temporarily put them aside. Israel trust the promises of God. faithfulness, as we experience His remains to be the axis in God’s plans of salvation for the world. Not all of the What a great Saviour we have. promises have yet been fulfilled in Christ, but He is the sure guarantee for their In Him, God’s faithfulness has future and final fulfilment. Clarification: In various translations it is taken flesh and blood. written as a caption above chapter 11 of the In Romans 15:8-11, Paul quite vividly goodness both in the life of Israel and in Epistle to the Romans: ‘National Israel is expresses this point, in order that the our personal lives. We glorify God for His Soon you will be able to rent a bicycle temporarily set aside but not cast away nations shall also worship and praise the mercy. in Jerusalem too, at one of the shelters permanently’. Captions – of course – do God of Israel: ‘Now I say that Jesus Christ And as God is faithful, Christ is faithful, in the city. There will be fifty shelters not appear in the original Greek text of has become a servant to the circumcision too. Even ‘if we are faithless, He remains with room for 500 bicycles. Tel Aviv has the New Testament, as they are added for the truth of God, to confirm the faithful, for He cannot deny himself’ had facilities for renting a bicycle for later by the editor. In reality, the text says promises made to the fathers, and that (2 Timothy 2:13). What a great Saviour we quite some time. Several companies are the opposite! Romans 11:1: “I ask then: Did the Gentiles might glorify God for His have. In Him, God’s faithfulness has taken trying to get their share of the demand flesh and blood. for bicycle transport. In Jerusalem only one company will be permitted to hire The explanation of thesis 5 makes an out bicycles. | Photo: Flash90 important point: ‘not all of the promises have yet been fulfilled in Christ, but He is BDS Not Very the sure guarantee for their future and Meaningful final fulfilment.’ This echoes the saying of Paul in Romans 15:8: ‘Christ has become a The activists really go for it: BDS – servant to the circumcision on behalf of Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel. the truth of God to confirm the promises The media regularly expatiate about it. given to the fathers’. Paul does not just say Still, the economic consequences of that Christ has come to fulfil the BDS for Israeli companies prove to be promises. Of course, He comes as the small. The economic journal Globes fulfilment of the Scriptures. conducted a seven year survey amongst hundreds of large Israeli However, His coming does not make the companies from all sectors. Only 0.75 promises obsolete. Rather, the promises per cent of the companies were remain promises. Twofold is Christ’s effected by a boycott. The damage ministry in Paul’s words, revolving around suffered was about ten per cent of the the ‘truth of God’. Christ confirms the turnover, and that was in 2014. In the promises to the fathers. He will restore remaining years most companies Twelve Theses of Faith on Israel the people of Israel to its promised land, experienced no damage at all. and He will restore the kingship of David. 1. We believe that Israel was created and chosen by God to bless the nations. That is one part of His mission. The other Tulips Instead of 2. We believe that the Church and the nations should bless Israel. part is that He brings the Gentiles to Rockets 3. We believe that the Church has not replaced Israel. By faith in Jesus Christ we also glorify God for His mercy. Christ brings have become ‘children of Abraham’, the father of all who believe. the nations to join Israel in praise of her 4. We believe that all the Covenants since Abraham have been made with Israel. God. 5. We believe that the Lord will be faithful to all the Covenants He made with Israel, So in Romans 15, as in many parts of the as well as to all the promises He gave to the Church. Bible, it is about Israel and the nations. What about the church? 6. We believe that there is the mystery of the hardening in part of Israel for our sake, but that there is also the blindness of the Church for Israel, and a veil over the nations Could it be that the church is that unique with regard to Israel. and promising community, where believers of the nations already join in with Israel in 7. We believe that the Church should repent for all deeds of anti-Semitism committed in glorifying God? Maybe, the church is really her name, and should show her true repentance in acts of love and solidarity with something of the future. The promises Teams of volunteers from the Israel and the Jewish people. given to the Church could be summed up Netherlands handed out thousands of 8. We believe that the restoration of the Jewish people to the Promised Land of Israel is in just one promise: the blessing of the tulip bulbs in Israel at the end of the beginning of ultimate redemption. We believe that the nations carry a Holy Spirit. This is the indwelling of the November on behalf of the Dutch responsibility to help the Jews return. Divine Presence, or in other words, the branch of Christians for Israel. 9. We believe that the City of Jerusalem is the place where the Lord again will make His orientation towards Jerusalem. Every other Southern Israel has been in the grip of Holy Name dwell. promise is first and foremost preserved for violence. Terror from Gaza increased: Israel, even – I believe – the promise of rockets land on villages and cities 10. We believe that one day, Messiah will come to establish His worldwide Kingdom, (resulting in many casualties), fire governing the nations. Then the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead will take place and they will reign balloons destroy thousands of acres of with Christ in His Kingdom on earth. We therefore pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Faithful to His covenants, the Lord farmland. In the northern part of 11. We believe that the Son of man will sit in judgment over the nations when the renews His covenant with Israel. The Israel, it is not quiet either. Especially Kingdom comes and will ask them how they have treated Israel and the Jewish people. nations pick the fruits of that renewal: at the places where not many visitors they, too, receive the promise, the blessing come, tulips were distributed. In a few 12. We believe that ultimately and finally the renewal of all things will take place. of the Holy Spirit. Because God renews months, the tulips which were planted Creation will be delivered from its bondage to decay and be brought into the glorious the covenant with Israel, Israel reaches its will blossom as a reminder of their freedom of the children of God. And God will be all and in all. destiny, and the nations receive blessing. friends in the Netherlands! 08 Theology December 2018 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Festival of Lights By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church

On the streets in Jerusalem, in Jewish circumcision and study of the Torah were homes, and even in many cities forbidden. worldwide, Hanukkah lights are The elite in Jerusalem, among which kindled, the first night one light, the many priests, had already adopted Greek second night two, and so on, until on culture. But the people in the land the last night eight candles are burning. resisted. A clan of priest-farmers in the city of Modi’in, the Maccabees, started a The ritual is simple. At the lighting of the revolt against the Greeks. Under the candle, a blessing is said commemorating leadership of Judas Maccabeus, the Jewish the miracle of Hanukkah. Usually, the people succeeded in taking over Jerusalem hymn Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati (‘Solid Rock of and expelling the Greeks from the city. my Salvation’) is sung. And it has become The temple was purified from idolatry, a custom to eat sufganiyot, a sort of and on the same date as it was desecrated, doughnut baked in oil, referring to the the 25th of Kislew, the altar was miracle of the oil. rededicated. The celebration of the rededication took eight days, just like the >> History eight days of the feast of tabernacles, and Hannukah celebrates the (re)dedication of like the original dedication of the first temple. The temple was ornamented with the temple. The history is described in the small jar of ritually pure oil, just enough dedicating oneself to a life by God’s Word. books of the Maccabees. It happened in crowns and bosses of gold and was abundantly lit. From then on, the feast of for one day. However, a miracle occurred: It is a Jewish thought that every human 167 BC. The Greek king Antioch IV being is supposed to make of himself a the dedication has been celebrated yearly. the Menorah burnt for eight days on this Epiphanes, who ruled over Israel, placed temple, a sanctuary by learning the values Jesus, too, celebrated the Feast of the small amount. And this was long enough an ‘abomination of desolation’ (1 Macc. of God’s Word. In this way, he spreads Dedication in the temple (John 10:22). to produce new pure oil. 1:54, Daniel 9:27) in the temple in light into the world. That is how Israel Jerusalem: a statue for the Greek deity The Talmud relates the story that, when >> Dedication understands her own being in the world. Zeus. He also had pigs sacrificed on the they entered the temple and wanted to This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from altar. In an unparalleled attempt to light the Menorah (the seven-branched The word Hanukkah means dedication. Sunday evening 2 December till Monday assimilate the Jewish people into the candelabra), no oil was ritually fit for the Hanukkah is not just about lighting evening 10 December. | Photo: Gershon Greek-Hellenistic culture, Sabbath, Menorah. Finally, however, they found a candles. It is about dedicating and re- Elinson/Flash90 Happy Hanukkah and Christmas By Rev Willem JJ Glashouwer, President Christians for Israel International

any reference to God or the Judeo- of Hellenism once clashed powerfully with Christian traditions and values that have the God of Israel as you can read in the shaped and formed and put their stamp article about Hanukkah above. on Europe for centuries. It is new enterprise in the name of Man. We have >> Celebrating had the benefits and blessings of the Judeo-Christian way of thinking, but Hanukkah and people don’t want it anymore. Christmas Together So secularisation, materialism and a Christians and Jews celebrate their unique decline of churches and Christian faith Feast of Light. Why not celebrate and ethics are in progress. Hanukkah together? We are facing a common enemy. The Kingdom of Man >> Rebellion over and against the Kingdom of God. Man is a fallen creature. Rebellion against Babylon versus Jerusalem. Christians and God runs through our veins and the Jews should stand together, side by side forces of darkness stand ready to lead us against a wave of spiritual darkness This Menorah, shaped in the form of the Star of David, was built in 2013 by Christians for Israel Netherlands. setting upon planet earth and mankind. It is a landmark that illustrates the light that Israel and the Jewish people are to the world, and it symbolises on. With Satan as the grand master in the beautifully universal values such as friendship, tolerance and appreciation. background. But the downfall in the end Together we should be a new spiritual will be terrible. resistance movement against new A new Europe is on the rise. A new past century with two World Wars. With a occupying forces. Maybe eventually forced Babylon. A new Empire in the name of new spirit. A new kind of humanism is on The new spirit of humanism looks underground. But victorious in the end! Man. Like a new phoenix, a shining the rise – combined even with a new kind suspiciously like that of ancient Hellenism, Babylon will fall and Jerusalem will come firebird, a breath-taking ‘Brave New of religious awareness. Not even the Pope which had spread throughout the world by down from heaven to earth. World’ is arising from the ashes of the was able to prevent Europe’s new the Greeks, and especially by Alexander unimaginable world conflagrations of the constitution in progress from omitting the Great and his descendants. That spirit The Menorah on the Mountain Courtesy of Bill Slott, the Times of Israel

Kibbutz Ketura, in the south of Israel, is With Ketura and its neighboring Each night of Hanukkah, a different a small, quiet agricultural settlement, kibbutzim laid out in crisp panoramic child from Ketura’s bar mitzvah class with a rich tradition of community detail, one might easily miss the ascends the mountain at sunset, celebration. Behind the kibbutz looms a seemingly irrelevant series of nine large accompanied by a parent, and lights the stately limestone cliff. The view from the ash cans that stand along the edge of the menorah. Moving with simple grace top is stunning, particularly at sunset, cliff like silent, rusted sentinels. But they through the darkness, the child lights the when the red mountains of Jordan on are one of the most important cultural appropriate ash cans. Below in the the opposite side of the Arava Valley turn icons of this little kibbutz. This is the kibbutz, families gather outside, staring radiant shades of pink and purple. community’s Hanukkah menorah. up at the menorah that has just been lit. December 2018 Analysis 09 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Iran Behind Latest Gaza Crisis By Yochanan Visser, Israel Today

Recently released information and effort to drive Iran out of Syria but comments made by Israeli Prime Minister acknowledged that this effort would Benyamin Netanyahu during an address to require the help of a third country. His the Israeli public on Sunday 18 November remarks immediately led to speculation shed new light on the mini-war between that Israel could be this third country. the Palestinian terror groups in Gaza and During his address to the Israeli nation, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in mid- Netanyahu hinted at a very large military November and the Israeli decision not to operation which would demand “sacrifice”. launch a ground offensive. The Israeli military and government are Netanyahu said during his address to the very concerned about Iran’s activities in nation, which was meant to save his Lebanon where Iran is helping Hezbollah coalition after Defence Minister Avigdor with converting crude rockets into guided Liberman resigned on 14 November, that missiles which can reach all of Israel and as leader of Israel he sometimes had “to about the continuing Iranian hide crucial considerations that must be entrenchment in Syria. concealed from the enemy” and hinted The Quds Force of the Iranian that there were plans for a military Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has operation in the future. “I cannot founded the so-called Golan Liberation elaborate on our plans for the future, but Iran's President Hassan Rouhani addresses the 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly at the Brigade. The Brigade comprises 80,000 UN headquarters, in New York, USA we will determine the right conditions men and has been formed as an umbrella and the right times for the State of Israel, by the Palestinian terror groups in Gaza. acted on orders from Iran. organisation of various Shiite militia those which are optimal for the security The anti-tank missile destroyed a bus which have recently been fighting in Iraq Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been very of our citizens,” the Israeli PM earlier told which had just transferred and unloaded a and Syria. It is commanded by Qassem open about who is calling the shots in Gaza. participants in a state memorial service group of 50 IDF soldiers to the border Soleimani, the shrewd commander of the commemorating the 45th anniversary of with Gaza, an action which was filmed by During an interview with al-Mayadeen TV Quds Force. the passing away of former Israeli PM Hamas and which was clearly taken out of in Lebanon on 21 May 2018, Sinwar said David Ben Gurion. Until recently the Israeli air force (IAF) Hezbollah’s playbook for wars. Hamas and Hezbollah are working in used to frustrate the Iranian military tandem in the war against Israel “almost Some understood this as a hint to a future Shortly after the Kornet missile was build-up in Syria by carrying out airstrikes on a daily basis” and claimed the ground operation against the terror launched Hamas and Islamic Jihad started on weapon convoys and military facilities, relationship between the two terror organisations in Gaza after Netanyahu to pound southern Israel with roughly but the delivery of the Russian S-300 anti- groups is “excellent and evolving” while he decided to enter into a ceasefire with 460 rockets while the IAF destroyed 150 aircraft missile shield has limited the also said they are conducting joint them the previous week, provoking terror-related targets in Gaza in response. operational capabilities of the IAF. operations. The Hamas leader boasted Liberman’s resignation. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah openly The Iranian-led pro-Assad coalition is about the “strong powerful and warm ties” However, from a briefing after the cease- admitted his organisation had supplied currently setting its sights on the Israeli with Soleimani and said Iran had provided fire to the Knesset Committee for Foreign the Palestinian terror groups in Gaza with Golan Heights and recently threatened the Islamist Sunni terror group with “large Affairs and Defence, it became clear the Kornet missile, according to the Meir Israel with the war over what it calls the amounts of cash, ‘equipment’ and Netanyahu’s statement was related to Amit Center. ‘illegal Zionist occupation’ of the expertise.” Sinwar told the Lebanese TV Iran’s continuing preparations for a three- mountainous plateau. During a meeting Islamic Jihad, furthermore, reported it had station that Hamas had “greatly developed front war with Israel. of the fourth committee of the General used a new missile with a large warhead to its capabilities” thanks to friends, “first The three fronts are Syria, where the IDF Assembly of the United Nations Dr Bashar destroy a complete building in the coastal and foremost the Islamic Republic of Iran” has succeeded in preventing Iran from al-Jaafari, the Syrian ambassador to the city of Ashkelon in southern Israel. and said that with Allah’s help “the establishing a foothold on the Syrian UN, said: “we will reclaim Golan by peace, The short-range missile was a copy of the resisters will stand on a united front”. His Golan Heights according to Gaby or by war.” Al-Jaafari’s statement indicated Iranian Falaq-2 rocket and was assembled remarks led to an IDF statement that read Eisenkot the Chief of Staff of the IDF, that Syria and Iran are looking for a casus in Gaza. The missile onslaught in “Hamas is Iran, Iran is Hamas”. Lebanon and Gaza. belli to start the anticipated three-front- southern Israel was furthermore This week the radical Hamas leader Netanyahu said during the Knesset briefing war against Israel after the Iranians most conducted in waves, an indication the intended to pay a visit to Tehran, but he that Israeli “spy-planes continue to fly and likely tested the Israeli military via the Iranian-backed terror groups in Gaza was barred from flying to Iran by the wanted to test the limitations of the Iron collect information” on the movements of mini-missile-war last week in Gaza. Egyptian authorities. | Photo: Amir Levy, Flash90 Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria and the The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Dome anti-missile shield of the IDF. Iranian military build-up in Syria. Information Center in Israel revealed mid- All this shows that the actions of Hamas This article was originally published The Israeli PM and new Defence Minister November that Iran – via Hezbollah - had and Islamic Jihad bore the hallmarks of a on 21 November 2018 by Israel Today. also revealed he had tried to enlist delivered the Kornet missile which was Hezbollah operation and that the Reproduced with permission of Israel Russian President Vladimir Putin for the used to open the offensive against Israel Palestinian terror groups in the Gaza Strip Today and the author. Israel: Iran Continues Nuclear Quest By Ryan Jones, Israel Today

Israeli experts continue to caution an That’s right - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was where the international community he simply has better style. erroneously placated West that Iran’s new not, as many have wrongly come to would have no choice but to accept it as a Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu president will press forward with his believe, the originator of Iran’s defiant fact of life, as had previously happened sought to remind everyone that Rohani had nation’s nuclear arms programme. His nuclear programme. In fact, none of these with Pakistan. only won the election because the track record proves as much. politicians are more than advisers when it “Rohani is a dyed-in-the-wool Khomeinist ayatollahs of the Guardian Council had From the US to Europe to Russia, the comes to such important matters of state. and part of the consensus on Iranian allowed him to, meaning Rohani must, like international community has breathed a Iran’s nuclear programme, and even who nuclear energy, which is a code word for Ahmadinejad before him, hold views that collective sigh of relief over the election of gets elected as president, is all ultimately nuclear weapons,” explained Ze’ev fall in line with the ayatollahs’ agenda. under the control Supreme Leader Hasan Rohani as Iran’s new president, Maghen, an Iran scholar at the Begin- “We are not deluding ourselves,” Ayatollah Ali Khameini and his Guardian hailing the cleric as a ‘moderate’ leader. Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, in an Netanyahu said at Sunday’s cabinet Council. But few seem to remember that Rohani interview with the Times of Israel. Nor is meeting in Jerusalem. “We need to previously served as Iran’s chief nuclear What that means is that Iran’s nuclear Rohani necessarily any friendlier toward remember that the Iranian ruler at the negotiator during the term of former programme will continue if Khameini says Israel than his predecessor. In his first outset disqualified candidates who were President Mohammed Khatami. It’s true it will, and Rohani has no power to stop it, public address since winning the election, not in line with his extreme world view, that between 2003-2005 Rohani halted assuming he even wanted to. And that is a Rohani asserted that international and from among those whom he did Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, pretty big assumption to make, considering sanctions against Iran had been imposed allow, the one seen as least identified with but it's also true that he started it right the man’s past remarks and actions. in service to Israel. the regime was elected. But we are still back up again once the immediate threat In 2004, Rohani advocated accelerating According to Maghen, Rohani is every bit speaking about someone who calls Israel of US military intervention had passed. Iran’s nuclear programme to the point as hostile toward Israel as Ahmadinejad, the ‘great Zionist Satan.’” 10 Theology December 2018 Kislev - Tevet 5779

Dreadfully Direct Psalm 2, Part 4b © Johannes Gerloff, Theologian, Journalist, Lecturer and Author

This is the fifth instalment of a If Jesus had been executed by Jews in a longer article written by German Jewish way, he would have died by theologian and journalist Johannes stoning, such as Stephen (Acts 7:45). Gerlofff on Psalm 2. The full text of Luther reveals in this context how biased the article, including extensive his interpretation of Scripture is by his footnotes, can be found at anti-Jewish perspective. He concludes www.c4israel.org/teaching-articles/ here in verse 5, “But the Jews, when they were devastated and slain by the Romans, “Then He shall speak to them in His He terrified them by the onset of fear wrath. In his fury He will terrify eternally.” The German reformer thought them.” Psalm 2:5 he had to remind his readers at this point: “Now see the register of horrible While the Jewish interpreters of Scripture punishments prepared for the murderers have no problem understanding the of Christ.” To conclude then: “No meaning of these words, Martin Luther i creature, not even God Himself, is gets tangled up at this point. Obviously, inclined to them.” the reformer pushes his limits with the one-dimensional Christian interpretation But back to our text. Being emotionally charged in such a way, what does God say? of Psalm 2, focusing exclusively on the trees: “All the trees of the field shall know “sets the boundaries of the peoples” suffering, crucifixion, death, and What is His message to the nations? “I have set My king on Zion, the mountain of My that I am the Lord: I humiliate the lofty (Deuteronomy 32:8). | Photo: Lightstock resurrection of Jesus Christ. He asks, “But tree. I raise up the humble tree. I cause the when did He speak to them in His anger, holiness.” (Psalm 2:6). The British scholar Footnotes: fresh tree to wither and the dry tree to i or in what did His anger express itself?” Derek Kidner sees at this point, “this is the For the following compare Johann Georg Walch (hg.), neglected voice that has the final say.”ii flourish. I, the Lord, speak and do it.” Dr. Martin Luthers Sämtliche Schriften. Vierter Band. Luther considered that these words could Auslegung des Alten Testaments (Fortsetzung). have been said: “about the Roman army.” First of all, Psalm 2:6 states: God is the Even before the Babylonian exile, the God Auslegung über die Psalmen (Groß Oesingen: Verlag der But then he completely misses out the One who appoints the rulers of this world of Israel had emerged as the actual engine Lutherischen Buchhandlung Heinrich Harms, 2. Auflage, of all ethnic migrations. He had the 1880-1910), 265-267. possibility that the Romans or their vassal and removes them. This was recognised ii Prophet Amos (9:7) aligned: “Are you not Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72. An Introduction & king Herod could have drawn the wrath by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar Commentary, TOTC (Leicester/England and Downers of God upon themselves for having who confessed to the Jewish Prophet like the sons of the Cushites, you sons of Grove, Illinois/USA: Inter-Varsity, 1973), 51. executed Jesus. It was actually the Roman Daniel: “Your God is a God over all gods Israel? Did not I bring Israel up out of the occupiers who were responsible for the and a Lord over all kings” (Daniel 2:47). At land of Egypt, just like the Philistines Johannes Gerloff (1963) is a German sentencing of Jesus. And they executed in the same time, the Prophet Ezekiel (17:24) from Kaftor and the Syrians from Kir?” theologian, journalist and Bible a way typical for the Roman judicial testifies in his rich pictorial language, Moses already knew that “the Most High teacher who has lived in Jerusalem system, namely as crucifixion. portraying the power of the world as gives the nations their inheritance,” and for over 20 years. Christian Media Summit 2018 By Mandy Worby, Christians for Israel Australia

In October, the Israeli Government In his opening address to us, PM Little did he know, Jesus actually gave the We see the same thing in our own Press Office hosted the second ever Netanyahu said, “I think people have to answer to that very question the previous nations, and the reason the gap is so vast Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem. tell the truth. You are ambassadors of night, shortly before His arrest. He was is truth is now relative and preferential. truth. You’re not merely the greatest Just like last year’s inaugural Summit, praying for His disciples, and asked the The overall message from the Summit for ambassadors that Israel has around the it was a hugely significant and Father to: “Sanctify them in the truth; every Christian broadcaster present was world; you’re champions of truth. If important event for every Christian Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Of course, the necessity to return home and use our there’s one thing that I can ask you to do, we also know that if you know the truth, media resources, to tell the truth. It’s media person represented. it’s to tell the truth. Tell the truth about it’s going to set you free (John 8:32). patently clear that the majority of secular our history, tell the truth about our PM Benjamin Netanyahu officially media outlets are agenda driven, more present, tell the truth about who wants During the Summit we heard from men opened the event and welcomed us very often than not with an agenda that is peace, and who doesn’t want peace.” and women involved in high tech. We warmly and recognised that he was hostile to Israel. As Christians in the among friends. He acknowledged that heard from media personalities, the IDF, We live in a world that has redefined so media, we need to tell the truth of the many Christians around the world are politicians, religious leaders, the many things from marriage, social justice, reality of life on the ground in Israel to some of the best friends the nation of entertainment industry and even farmers morality, ethics and even whether a baby combat the litany of lies and falsehoods. Israel has and he also acknowledged just and educators. We saw demonstrated in the womb is worthy of life! Ultimately, how important our role is in presenting visually, the widening gap between those Truth is under attack, but truth will set at the heart of all these redefinitions is the truth. In fact, PM Netanyahu gave us on the left and right and the monumental people free, and that’s our commitment. the redefinition of truth. one main mission: the mission to tell the task of bringing understanding and truth. Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” balance between those two extremes.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu opening the Christian Media Summit 2018 Christian Media Summit attendees outside the Knesset December 2018 Our Projects 11 Kislev - Tevet 5779 ק Letters of the Aleph-bet: Qoph By Kees de Vreugd, Theologian, Christians for Israel International, and Editor of Israel and the Church

Qoph is the nineteenth letter of the We have seen it before. They related the The numerical value of qoph is hundred. so their years are, says the Midrash. That aleph-beit. It is usually represented by qoph to the next letter, the resh. The In Genesis 23:1 we read in the Hebrew refers to Sarah. When she was hundred the letter q, although in older texts, you qoph represents qadosh – holy, while the text literally that the years of the life of (the letter qoph) years old, she was like will find the c as well. An example is the resh represents rasha – the wicked. ‘Why Sarah were ‘hundred years, and twenty somebody who is twenty (the letter name Jacob, which in Hebrew is written is the face of the qoph averted from the years, and seven years’. The Midrash, the kaph) years old with regards to sin. In with the qoph in the middle. Our letter resh? The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Jewish interpretation, asks why this is other words, she was such a blameless q goes back to the same ancient sign as if he repents, I will bind a crown on him said in this way. Each word has a person of whom the psalm speaks. the qoph, by the way. like Mine. And why is the foot of the meaning. What is really said here? We Finally, when you count all the daily In the Talmud (Jewish tradition) it is told qoph not joined to the rest of the letter? can find an explanation in Psalm 37: prayers together, a pious Jew says (at that children came to the study house to To show that if he repents, he can enter ‘The Lord knows the days of the least) hundred Berachot (thanksgivings) learn the aleph-beit. To do so, they gave and be brought into God’s favour blameless, and their inheritance will be a day. a symbolic meaning to each letter. through this opening.’ forever’ (verse 18). As they are blameless, First Home in the Homeland News By Orly Wolshtein, First Home in the Homeland, Project Manager Jewish Agency for Israel

>> Black as Ashes, flora and fauna of the Eshkol region, you necessities ready in the fridge of their new to the shelter”, says Evgeni Tkachenko. never know where the burning tale of the home. While still in Ukraine the families Evgeni made Aliyah from Ukraine two White as a Flower kite will land. As a result, while driving got a call and then a visit from one of the months ago to Ein Hashlosha. His family though the Eshkol region near the Gaza Christians for Israel team, so that they felt came to Israel to fulfil the dream of their strip, instead of green fields and forests supported in their decision to make Aliyah. grandparents, as they had a very difficult one sees only black, charred spaces. The life in Ukraine and no way to make picture over the last few weeks, however, >> Life at the Border Aliyah. is astonishing – the lonely, black, burned fields are now covered with white “Our children teach us to react properly Please support First Home in the blossoms – of many, many Drimia flowers! on sirens because this is what they learn Homeland. You can donate by filling at kindergarten and school. They know out the coupon on the back page. >> Newcomers that they must not panic, and they know exactly how many seconds we have to get This summer twelve families made Aliyah to Eshkol via First Home in the Homeland. Despite the security situation, they chose this region for their new start in Israel. The youngest newcomer's name is Platon. He comes from Omsk, Russia, and now Drimia (pictured above) is an lives in kibbutz Ein Hashlosha. . inconspicuous plant. One sees just a stalk Unfortunately, at just 3 kilometres from with small, gentle, white or rose flowers, the border with Gaza, this kibbutz nothing special to most people –but not constantly appears in the newspapers in ,in Hebrew Israel. There are two more kibbutzim חצב for Israelis. Drimia, or (read Chatzav), is a symbol of new however, that welcomed newcomers in beginning. The first Drimia flowers August 2018 – Tzeelm and Gvulot. usually pop up in February and March – Every family, even if they arrived in the it's a certain sign that spring is coming. middle of the night, was welcomed by a Fire kites that fly over the border with volunteer, with a greeting card, to a clean Gaza every day destroy the agriculture, and cosy kibbutz apartment, with the basic Dmitri and Aneta, with their two children Tamara (15) and Sergey (17), made Aliyah from Ufa to kibbutz Gvulot Meals for the Poor in Jerusalem By Christians for Israel International

Contrary to other countries in the Poverty often passes from At the Hineni Soup Kitchen in Jerusalem and help world, Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, generation to generation. Decades people in need can come for a daily hot carry their is not the richest, but the poorest ago, families often came to Israel meal. The vast majority of visitors are burdens. city of the country. Numerous without a penny; now they still have elderly. Among the visitors are those who People come minorities live in Jerusalem. no money to spend. fled the former Soviet Union years ago and out of their now have financial problems because they social isolation because do not have a pension. By offering them a they can interact with others. And there meal, these people have money for their are opportunities to speak about faith. medication. Other visitors include war Our goal at Hineni is not only to help veterans, homeless people, and Holocaust these people in their need, but also bring survivors. Everyone who can show they them closer to the Eternal One. Together are in financial need receives help. with Bible-believing friends, Jews and non-Jews, we want to walk the talk: ‘Love >> Food for the Soul your neighbour as yourself’” The meals at Hineni are fresh and Hineni provides approximately 300 nutritious, but they are not only intended meals per day for the poorest and to satisfy the hunger. These meals nourish most needy citizens. Support the work the spirit in several ways. Benjamin Philip of Hineni in Jerusalem! A hot meal (the Hineni Director) explains: “Through costs  5. You can donate by filling out giving meals, you show love to a person the coupon on the back page. 12 Our Projects December 2018 Kislev - Tevet 5779 Poverty Amongst Jews in Ukraine By Koen Carlier, Christians for Israel Ukraine

“Your visit gives me proof that there are still good people out there”, says 82-year-old Did you know that 300,000 Jewish people Katia (pictured below), when she opens the door of her creaky house. This Jewish lady still live in Ukraine? Among them, the One food parcel contains: lives a lonely life in the vast countryside of Ukraine. “I prayed for your coming. Thank elderly and survivors of the Holocaust, but you for looking after me. I can’t cook because I am half blind and can’t lift anything. also families with young children. 1kg flour Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Many Jews in Ukraine live in great 1kg rice For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you poverty. The demand for food parcels is constantly growing, especially during the 1kg sugar gave me something to drink. Matthew 25:35 severe Ukrainian winter when we receive 2kg macaroni help requests from all over the country. 1kg grits With our limited resources we try to help as many people as possible. 1kg porridge In recent years much has changed in 1 tin of peas Ukraine, unfortunately in a negative way. 1 tin of corn There is the continuous threat of war in 1 tin of fish the east, causing many people to flee. 1 tin of chicken The country is in a deep economic crisis. There is not much work, while prices are 500g oats rising and the value of the Grivna 1L cooking oil (Ukranian currency) dropped 70g coffee significantly. Life seems hopeless for a lot 1 pack of tea of people, especially in the countryside. Our goal this winter is to distribute more than 30,000 food parcels to poor Jewish Will you help? One food parcel costs people in Ukraine. During our visits, we  10. We buy the products for a good always tell them about God’s faithfulness price because wholesalers know that to His people and the promises in the Bible we use the products for charity. - Promises of hope and the return of the Jewish people to Israel. | Photos: Jaco Klamer You can donate by filling out the coupon below. Thank you in advance for your support on behalf of the Jewish community!

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