I&CT October 2018
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INTERNATIONAL October 2018 www.c4israel.org [email protected] 9 9 Christians for Israel have worked tirelessly to enable 7000 Olim to return home to Israel this year, the Anniversary of 70 years Israel. It is wonderful and heartwarming to see all of these happy faces waving their new passports! 3 12 Highlights... Editorial Pg 2 Refugees Forever? Pg 8 Yom HaAliyah - Immigration Day Pg 3 Rami Sherman’s Role at Entebbe Pg 9 People of the Book, People of the Land Pg 4 ‘River of Tears’ Going to Europe Pg 9 View the Bible through a Lens Pg 5 I’m Not Alone Campaign Growing Pg 11 4 5 Beyond the Ideal of the Kibbutz Pg 6 A Small Exodus from Ukraine Pg 12 Israel & Christians Today is the premier publication of Christians for Israel Editorial October 2018 02 Tishrei - Cheshvan - Kislev 5779 Prayer Points Is Israel an ‘Apartheid’ State? By Pieter Bénard By Andrew Tucker, International Editor, Christians for Israel International Christians for Israel Prayer The Bible states that the Lord Photo Credit: flickr Coordinator will bring the Jewish people back to the land and re-establish them as a nation in the ‘last days’ (Micah 4:1-7). We are surely seeing the fulfilment of that promise over the last 150 years. ISRAEL The Jewish people are commanded to Ÿ Intercede for the inhabitants of the reclaim and resettle the wastelands, south of Israel because of the serious making them fruitful. But they no doubt threat from Gaza: missiles, mortars, also have a Biblical obligation to look after thousands of protestors who try to cross the other inhabitants of the land. The the border to kidnap or to kill Jews. purpose of the return to the land is to give Israeli villages are only a few kilometres them a ‘new heart’ and put a ‘new Spirit’ in from the border. Pray for the children, them – so that they will follow His decrees many of whom know no other reality Druze community in Israel – who support are definitely treated as second- or even and sometimes have to spend days on and keep His laws (Ezekiel 36). This surely the self-determination of the Jewish third-class citizens. includes compassion for the ‘strangers’ in end in bomb shelters. people, serve in the IDF and have Criticism of the Israeli government is fine, the land (see, e.g. Deut. 14:28-29). Ÿ Pray for the cooperation between contributed a lot to the establishment and and the Nation-State Law is not immune Israel and Islamic countries, particularly Reconciling these demands – possession growth of the State of Israel. from that. But we should also affirm the in the following areas: technological of the land, and compassion to others – The preparation of the law was chaotic right of the Jewish people to exist as a developments, inventions, and in the puts the Jewish people in a difficult and its enactment a public relations nation in Israel, and appreciate the fight against terrorism. This increases position. Especially when having to nightmare. It is a great pity the amazing contributions the Jewish people the chance of diplomatic relationships. defend themselves against those who are government did not get the support of the have made while fulfilling their difficult trying to annihilate them. Ÿ There are dozens of promises about Druze and other minorities prior to the task of settling the land, and looking after the restoration and salvation of Israel in The controversial Nation-State Law law’s enactment. And, from a diplomatic the strangers in their midst. Jeremiah 30 and 31. Give thanks for the recently passed by the Israeli Knesset has perspective, it may have been wise to have Let us pray the Jewish people will look only promises of the return to the land, and a brought to the surface deep-lying included– as many had suggested - at least to the Lord for guidance and that He will new covenant that the Lord will make differences of views within Israeli society a symbolic re-affirmation of Israel’s give them a ‘new heart’ and a ‘new Spirit’ – with them. itself about the spirit of Zionism and the commitment to democratic principles and as He has promised. Then His Name will nature of the Jewish State of Israel. At the equal rights of all citizens. be glorified in the midst of the nations. INTERCESSION same time, it has ignited hostile reactions But while the law may have its Ÿ Praying for Israel is not always easy from both Jews and non-Jews who object shortcomings, Israel is definitely not an because of the grave situation in the Christians for Israel to the idea of an exclusively ‘Jewish’ State. ‘apartheid’ state. Israel ranks consistently Middle East. We can be encouraged by The law – a ‘Basic Law’ which has semi- Philippians 4:4a, 6a,7: “Rejoice in the Lord as one of the most open and democratic Mission Statement constitutional status – goes a little beyond countries in the world in Freedom House always... Do not be anxious about Our mission is to bring Biblical what is already contained in the Israeli anything... and the peace of God, which rankings. The law does nothing to limit understanding in the Church and among the Declaration of Independence and other transcends all understanding, will guard the civil rights of non-Jews. For Arabs to nations concerning God's purposes for Israel your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Basic Laws. It lays down an exclusive accuse Israel of apartheid is the height of and to promote comfort of Israel through relationship between the Jewish people, hypocrisy. prayer and action. Ÿ The number of Christians in the Gaza the State and the land of Israel: ‘The land Strip has dropped from 4,500 to just The nationalist language of the law and of of Israel is the historical homeland of the under one thousand since 2012. Pray for some Israeli leaders may seem Jewish people, in which the State of Israel Jewish Festivals our brothers and sisters, who, just like in provocative. But we should appreciate the was established’; ‘the State of Israel is the Shmini Atzeret - Eighth Day of Assembly other areas where Islam dominates, are context. The PLO, Hamas and many Arab national home of the Jewish people, in which 1 October 2018 treated as third-rate civilians. Pray that nations refuse to accept the right of the it fulfils its natural, cultural, religious and Christians from other countries can visit Jewish people to exist as a nation. Some Simchat Torah - Day of Celebrating the Torah historical right to self-determination’; and them to encourage them. intend to annihilate it. And a majority of 2 October 2018 ‘the right to exercise national self- Ÿ nations in the world want to force Israel Yom HaAliyah - Recognises Aliyah, Pray for the Jewish people. A determination in the State of Israel is unique into borders that are arguably indefensible immigration to the Jewish State of Israel newspaper can publish a hateful article. to the Jewish people’ An illustration can make fun of them. in such a hostile environment (the ‘1967 16 October 2018 In a similar vein, it declares that ‘the state lines’). It is hardly surprising that the Jews Their history can suddenly be rewritten. Sigd - Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 views the development of Jewish settlement It goes on and on. feel the need to assert themselves. days after Yom Kippur as a national value and will act to encourage The right of peoples (including the Jewish 7 November 2018 CHRISTIANS FOR ISRAEL and promote its establishment and people) to self-determination in a specific Ÿ Pray for the Christians for Israel consolidation.’ It also makes Hebrew the geographical territory, is an accepted teachers who will speak about Israel single official language, relegating Arabic principle of international law and a core again this coming season at events and to a ‘special status.’ value of the United Nations Charter. conferences, covering countless topics. The law has been attacked by many as (yet Without that principle, most states would Ÿ Please pray for the staff and the another) attempt by the Jews to assert not exist. And, with the exception of volunteers of Christians for Israel their supremacy over non-Jews in the Islamic/Arab countries, the international News Team | Contact Details around the world. “Whatever you do, land. Some say the law is further evidence community has always accepted the right of work at it with all your heart, as working that Israel is an ‘apartheid’ state. The head Israel to be a Jewish state (for example, the INTERNATIONAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrew Tucker | [email protected] for the Lord, not for human masters, since of the Israeli Arab Joint List group of UN Partition Plan of November 1947 proposed you know that you will receive an parties in the Knesset, Ayman Odeh, the creation of a ‘Jewish’ and an ‘Arab’ State). MANAGING EDITOR inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It denounced the law as ‘the death of our Cathy Coldicutt Every well-developed democracy struggles Ph: +64 21 277 9198 | [email protected] is the Lord Christ you are serving.” democracy’. According to Time Magazine, to manage the tension between (Colossians 3:23,24). ‘be it making room for differences within INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM promotion of the values that underlie the Andrew Tucker, Cathy Coldicutt, Ian Worby, Ÿ Judaism or making room for minorities, Pray that we as staff and volunteers do state, and the human rights of all Bryce Turner, Marloes van Westing, Rita Quartel, not grow weary of always going against Israel is looking a little less democratic by the individuals and minority groups to equal Marijke Terlouw and Marie-Louise Weissenböck the flow.