Make It Count 

Warning: unconventional “Israel Watch” column straight ahead.

In a dozen years, I’ve recommended resources from time to time. Not often. My background in publishing still compels me to make suggestions from time to time for those who are pro Israel. I do believe one of our weaknesses is lack of education.

I just noticed this week—if I can be frank—that another pro Israel confab by Christian leadership was held…to the waste of everyone’s time.

For 25 years I’ve advocated for Israel in one form or another. In my opinion, much of Christian Zionist leadership mismanages money and resources in almost obscene ways. In this way, they run parallel to the more openly outlandish and useless ministries, such as faith healers and personal brand builders like Andy Stanley.

My experience tells me that worthy beneficiaries of the rank-and-file’s hard-earned donation money are few and far between. The lion’s share is obtained by either outright scammers, or those who waste resources.

In other words, those who are doing the best work advocating for Israel are doing so on an old, rotting, threadbare shoestring.

It makes me angry.

I know too many organizations and big names that work to simply perpetuate their own brand. Sort of like a politician that cares nothing for constituents, but everything about salary, pension, benefits.

There are heads of pro Israel ministries that jet set around the world, blog, host conferences, and generally tread water. They are as valuable to the cause as a tireless getaway car is to a bank-robber.

Yet they continue with their large annual budgets and at the end of the year, their genuine accomplishments for Israel would fit into the front pocket of an old work shirt.

Then there are individuals like Brian Schrauger. Brian is a friend, an American who now lives in Israel. His Jerusalem Journal and Chaim Report are superb. Brian actually reports what’s happening on the ground. He is right there. No support staff, no $100K website. No lunches with evangelical bigs who just want to be seen.

But he is the best Israel correspondent I know about, seriously. In short, he thinks like us and keeps us informed.

One of my favorite moments came last year when we lunched at Mamilla Mall, overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City.

If you’d like to donate to Brian’s critically important work, email him directly at Brian@JerusalemJournal.net. Or, you can send support online at https://www.jerusalemjournal.net/donate.

He explains what he’s doing with the Chaim Report:

“Inspired by the Drudge Report, the Chaim Report (a publication of the Jerusalem Journal) is a 24/7 aggregation of Israel-related news from publications here in Israel — and from around the world.

“The Chaim Report is the only website dedicated to bringing viewers the best selection of news from the best sources of news—and all from Israeli perspectives.

“The idea is to give you an up-to-date and top-quality collection of stories every day of the year.”

This will be the only resource I recommend for at least the next year. I believe in it that much, and I’m mindful of your resources, believe me. We’re all in this together.

As you look forward to Christmas and time with your family, and focusing on our Savior, if you are also looking for a place to send monthly support that will bless Israel and you, remember Brian.

Thank you!

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

 

Hamas Threatens Tel Aviv

 (This week marks my 12^th year having the privilege of writing in this space. I love Todd and Terry, my brothers, and thank them for the opportunity! I consider my readers to be family, truly. I believe we are living in the last days, so let’s go through this period together, looking forward with joy to our Great Hope! Thank you all!)

We live in a time in which a U.S. congressman has now threatened to use nukes on American citizens who do not turn in their guns.

A Michigan college has cancelled a presentation of the infamous “Vagina Monologues,” because, it is said, not all women have vaginas.

Think that through.

New Testament prophecies are coming so sharply into focus, one tends to reflexively flinch or duck.

But as usual, watch Israel for the clearest signs that we are in the last of the last days. The international community’s increasing pressure on Israel is the sign.

Last week, almost 500 Hamas rockets hit southern Israel; one person was killed and significant property damage occurred. The Iron Dome intercepted 100 of the rockets. A “ceasefire” brokered by Egypt in effect handed a PR and “moral” victory to the terrorists. From a Times of Israel report:

“Hamas’s leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar on Friday warned Israel ‘not to test us again,’ saying the next rocket barrage from the territory would target Tel Aviv and other central cities with a potency that would “surprise” Israel.

“Yahya Sinwa brandishes handgun with silencer he says was taken from Israeli special forces; warns next time IDF troops enter Strip, they’ll return only for ‘thousands of prisoners.’”

Israel’s decision to stand-down caused some political turmoil, with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman resigning (it’s almost shocking to realize that Bibi Netanyahu has been PM for almost a decade, this go-around!).

A particularly odious Hamas leader made the following comment:

“Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh cheered Liberman’s resignation Wednesday, saying it marked an ‘admission of defeat’ by Israel. Haniyeh also boasted that Hamas ‘achieved a military victory against this odious occupier in less than a week.’”

One wonders if this vermin is making a thinly veiled reference to Israel’s epic Six-Day War victory 50 years ago. As usual, the Palestinians envy is showing.

My friend Ruthie Blum, a terrific writer and analyst, this week posted her thoughts on the Hamas dustup. She offers a clue as to Netanyahu’s thinking in backing-off of destroying Hamas:

“He is clearly far more concerned with the looming, existential threat along Israel’s northern border. It is a threat owed largely to the U.N.-brokered ceasefire agreement that sealed the 2006 Second Lebanon War, leaving the field wide open for Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, to amass enormous quantities of weapons with which to destroy the Jewish state at a later date.”

(I encourage you to follow Ruthie’s writing. Her book, To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the ‘Arab Spring’ is sensational, and explains so much.)

 And if one takes both a macro and micro view of terrorism, we see that Israel is under existential threat in the north, and the international community—insulated from reality—does not see its own impending doom at the hands of jihadists. Consider this report from the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center:

 “Syrian army soldiers and Iranian Revolutionary Guards operatives (probably operatives of the Shiite militias) reportedly started to plant mines along the west bank of the Euphrates River, for fear of SIS operatives infiltrating into the west bank of the river. The mines were planted about 20 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor (Furat Post Facebook page, November 9,2018).”

Then this:

“The spread of ISIS and Al-Qaeda to new countries: According to the head of the FSB, ISIS is sending its branches around the world, including to countries that used to be protected from terrorism. ‘At the moment most of the militants have been driven out of their bases in populated areas. They have been dealt a hard blow in terms of resources, they have been forced to change their methods of operation, and therefore they are searching for new opportunities, [new] ways and methods, to continue their terrorist activity.’ Bortnikov added: ‘After abandoning the strategy of military invasion and taking over territory, the Islamic State, the Al-Nusra Front, and other terrorist organizations decided on an operating method of expansion to countries that were once safe from terrorism.’”

I guess my point is, none of us have any real idea what a head-of-state deals with in these dangerous times. It’s easy to criticize Netanyahu, but he’s looking at threats to Tel Aviv from the south, from Hezbollah and actual Iranian operatives in the north. All the while, the UN threatens Israel politically.

Last week, the UN voted on nine resolutions critical of Israel, including the Jewish state’s control of the Golan Heights (a must-have for defense).

“’The UN’s planned assault on Israel with a torrent of one-sided resolutions is surreal,’ said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the UN Watch monitor group.”

So, Hamas is just one part of the puzzle.

Personally, I believe in God. The God who spoke to the Jewish nation at Sinai, and the same One that went ahead of their Six-Day War victory. He alone decides outcomes. It is our job and our privilege to pray for our Jewish friends the world over, and the do what we can to protect them physically.

It is our sacred duty.

Hamas does not know what awaits.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com