Watching Over Zion" (The weekly News Report & Prayer Update)
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01323 410810
E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk
~ Thursday 17th December 2009 ~

# PLEASE NOTE: This will be the last News Report of 2009. The next report will be out on 7th January 2010 #

The Word: 'Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength... Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill...' (Psalm 43:1-30)

Then Yeshua spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)

Pointers for prayer: In the midst of many troubles within the Middles East it is our task as Christians, not just to cry out for justice and peace, but also to be active in service. To do this, we need to live the message of peace by allowing justice and peace to reign in our own hearts by the power of "God’s love, which has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). However, our peaceful stand, should always fall in line with the Scriptures, there is no room here for being 'politically correct'. As the carols sing out "Silent Night" may we be spiritually awake to continue in standing with the nation and people of Israel in our prayers.

As you read through this Report, please continue to lift the Jewish nation before the LORD God. Pray that the whole Nation, from the Politicians, through the IDF, to every woman and son, would look to the Lord their God to renew their vision. May the nation of Israel turn to the LORD God of Israel to wait upon Him and seek His face. 'But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.' (Isaiah 40:31)

As a British judge issues an arrest warrant against Israel’s Tzipi Livni for her role in the IDF’s offensive in Gaza last winter, and as the Guardian's Michael White makes an outrageous statement live on BBC Radio, pray that the Church within Britain would cry out to God that He would have mercy upon our land, and break this hard heart that Britain has against Israel. Pray that all who oppose God's nation Israel would fall to their knees in repentance.

Pray that Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria & the Golan Heights would remain in Jewish hands, now and until the Messiah returns. But pray too, that the Arab communities would recognise and receive their blessing in wanting to live in harmony with Israel.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth

At this busy season, the majority of people will spend, spend, spend. The roads become chaotic, as do the shops as mankind is driven by what can only be described as 'an obsessive nature' to mark the one day of the year that demands our attention. Sadly, for many, the very One whom we should consider, will get neglected as even the Believers within the Church will get wrapped up in Christmas, and forget the "Christ" part of this festival. And before the emails starts pouring in, I'm not saying that we should ban Christmas... nor am I saying that we can't get something out of this special time of the year if we choose to do so. Sometimes I do feel however, that I'm walking on 'eggshells' regarding the whole subject of Christmas, as the gulf between the "gentile" church and the "Messianic" church is often very wide. However... as you well know... I'm not "politically correct", and I'm happy to join with tradition and worship the Lord at this time of the year.

For me, Christmas day is special. My family and I will rise early on the morning, and after an early cup of tea, we sit in our living room around a small table with our candles lit, reading the Scriptures and praying before we break bread and share communion ~ doing the very thing that Yeshua reminds us to do (1 Corinthians 11:26). Only then will we open the presents that we have bought for each other. To me it doesn't matter whether Yeshua was born on this day or not. I personally feel He was born during Tabernacles (see last weeks report), however I'm not going to change 2000 years of church history and tradition because of my "opinions". And so, let us keep peace with one another, remembering that the worship of the LORD God Almighty, and loving one another, is the most important thing. ("...if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Romans 13:9). If only we, the Church, would stop our "in house" quarrelling, and allow the Lord to still our hearts and minds at this time of the year, maybe we might have a bigger impact on society and allow God to "send out His light and truth".

Letting your light shine by taking action

There is no doubt that this is a busy season... but may we consider for a moment the One who was born in the Jewish town of Bethlehem; who gave up everything that we should know salvation, a cost that none of us can grasp. Then let us consider the needs around us, and especially within Israel today. May we also consider two urgent requests: Israel needs all of our help to maximise the impact of our lobby of Parliament on January 20th by getting much support on the day that both the Zionist Federation, and Christian Friends of Israel come together to speak up for the people and nation of Israel. The main focus of our lobby will be on two matters: (1) the imminent nuclear threat from Iran, and (2) the threat of arrest against up to 1000 Israeli politicians and generals e.g. the warrant this week against Tzipi Livni. If you can come to the lobby, please contact Christian Friends of Israel on 01323 410810 or email CFI at info@cfi.org.uk

Christian Friends of Israel is also sponsoring a petition in response to the ongoing threat posed by the Iranian Government, who have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel. We believe that a nuclear–armed Iran is a real threat to Israel, to the Middle East and the entire Western world. If you are concerned regarding this, then you can either Click here to sign the online petition, or Click here to download, print and sign the petition. You may want to ask others to sign too (before the deadline below). Please return completed forms before 18th January 2010 to: CFI Communications, PO Box 2687, Eastbourne, BN22 7LZ

Britain issue arrest warrant on Livni

As mentioned above, a British judge has indeed issued an arrest warrant against Israel’s former foreign minister and current Opposition leader Tzipi Livni for her role in the IDF’s (Israel Defence Force) offensive in Gaza last winter, a move which was strongly denounced by Israeli officials on Tuesday. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that a warrant had been issued on Livni at the request of a pro-Palestinian organization, a decision which Jerusalem warned could harm British-Israeli relations and hamper Britain's ability to play a role in Mideast diplomacy. "If Israeli leaders cannot visit Britain in a dignified manner, it will naturally be a real obstacle to Britain's desire to have an active role in the peace process in the Middle East," a Foreign Ministry statement read. It called for "an end to this absurd situation, which would have seemed a comedy of errors were it not so serious". However, in defence of our government, the British Foreign Minister David Miliband did phone Tzipi Livni on Tuesday and expressed “shock” at the arrest warrant that was issued against her by a British court. Yet surely... doesn't the British court come under the jurisdiction of the British government?

Livni reportedly told David Miliband that she does not see the matter as personal but as something that concerns the entire state of Israel, and the ability to continue to act against threats that Israel and Britain face together. Livni said that the problem of British arrest warrants against Israeli officials needs to be solved in the manner which the two countries agreed upon when she was Foreign Minister. “The time that goes by without a proper solution is time that is not being utilised well,” she said. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also held talks with Miliband on Tuesday. Miliband told his Israeli counterpart that he finds the matter of the arrest warrant “unacceptable” and so do the other members of Britain's cabinet. He said that solutions need to be found so that such events do not recur. Britain's relationship with Israel is important, he said, and the dialogue between the countries should continue. Lieberman also voiced "disappointment" with Britain's position regarding the Goldstone report, as well as the decision to mark imported products manufactured by Jews in Judea and Samaria, and the British stand regarding the Swedish draft resolution which came up at the European Union conference, regarding the status of Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke out against the attempt to issue an arrest warrant in Great Britain against Tzipi Livni. Netanyahu said on Tuesday, "We will not agree to a situation in which Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak and Tzipi Livni will be summoned to the defendant's bench. We will not agree that IDF commanders and soldiers, who - heroically and in a moral fashion - defended our citizens against a brutal and criminal enemy, will be condemned as war criminals. We reject this absurdity outright."

Serious and baseless accusations by Guardian's Michael White

As you will have seen on national news this week, the Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi was hit in the face and knocked to the ground by a man who, according to reports, appeared to throw a punch whilst holding a miniature metal souvenir of Milan's cathedral, the Duomo. Berlusconi, 73, had been signing autographs and shaking hands with the public minutes after addressing thousands of people at a rally for his People of Freedom party in front of the city's Duomo, when he was hit in the mouth. The prime minister fell to the ground and was quickly ushered into a car by aides, but he repeatedly tried to get out again to show his bloodied face to the crowds and cameras in the square.

Following this, Berlusconi was taken to Milan's San Raffaele hospital, where an x-ray showed he had suffered a small fracture to his nose, damage to two teeth and cuts to his lip. Medical staff said he would be kept under observation there for 48 hours. Now you may be wondering why I'm reporting this and what has it got to do with Israel or the Middle East. Well in reply perhaps I should ask you this question, "what does the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) have to do with this assault on the Italian Prime Minister Sylvio Berlusconi? The answer of course is absolutely nothing. Yet that didn't stop the Guardian's Associate Editor Michael White from making an outrageous statement during a discussion on BBC Radio London's Breakfast Show concerning the physical vulnerability of political leaders: Michael White of the Guardian stated, "In Israel they murder each other a great deal. The Israeli Defence Forces murder people because they don't like their political style and what they've got to say and it only means that people more extreme come in and take their place." To hear this comment on BBC Radio London's Breakfast Show click here: http://www.humyo.com/F/8292457-2279342827

Needless to say, and rightly so, HonestReporting.com (http://www.honestreporting.com/) was soon on the case. HonestReporting.com state, "These are extremely serious and baseless accusations and perhaps offer a disturbing insight into the mindsets of The Guardian's senior staff as well as those BBC presenters who simply grunted in agreement. Does the IDF target terrorists and their leadership in order to defend Israeli citizens from terror attacks? Certainly. Does the IDF engage in deliberate murder in order to silence dissent in the same style as a police state or dictatorship? Certainly not. Accusing the IDF of murdering people because they disagree with their "political style" is an absolutely outrageous slander. How can the paper's Associate Editor represent The Guardian on a public platform, spreading slanderous accusations while expected to produce reliable and credible material in a mainstream newspaper?"

These comments from the Guardian's Associate Editor Michael White are truly a disgrace, and something needs to be done about this. HonestReporting.com suggest that we should all make a stand by sending a complaint to The Guardian's readers' editor Siobhain Butterworth - reader@guardian.co.uk - and demand that The Guardian takes action against Michael White who is "unfit for the task of Associate Editor if he publicizes such ridiculous untruths." However, despite Michael White's language, if you do write, please remember to be civil when addressing your complaint. You can also send a complaint to the BBC, which appear to have allowed such a slur to go unchallenged, through the BBC Complaints website - www.bbc.co.uk/complaints - remembering to include the full details of the BBC radio show in question. For detailed instructions on how to navigate the BBC Complaints website, click here.

Time is not on our side

As already mentioned, Christian Friends of Israel is sponsoring a petition in response to the ongoing threat posed by Iranian Government, who have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel. We believe that a nuclear–armed Iran is a real threat to Israel, to the Middle East and the entire Western world. This week, paying a visit to Tehran on Tuesday, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal warned that his terror militia would join with Iran in retaliating if it was attacked by Israel. "All of the Islamic groups will take a united front with Iran against Israel," he told reporters. "We're all parts of the same body, we need to fight against the common enemy." Mashaal went on to say that armed resistance was the only way of dealing with Israel, which he insisted was not serious about peace. He also thanked Iran for backing the Palestinian cause, but declined to comment about whether that support included the supply of weapons.

Meanwhile, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) Chief Ali Akbar Salehi said in Iran's state TV channel on Tuesday that "all main tests of Bushehr nuclear power plant have been accomplished successfully," adding another test will be carried out within the next month so that they can include nuclear fuel into the power plant's cycle. He also expressed hope the power plant will be up and running within the next few months. Iran's former ambassador to the IAEA called the West's concern on Iran's access to nuclear energy "political" and said, "the important issue is that Iran has got access to the required knowledge for employment of peaceful nuclear energy, although the West and particularly the US feared from Iran's access to the technology." Meanwhile he blamed the US and the West's double standards on global issues and said, they regard themselves as an authority to distinguish right from wrong and they oppose wherever their interests are not served. He also added, "Massacre has no place in Islamic Republic of Iran's doctrine and we do not want production of nuclear weapons."

Israel are taking these comments with a copious measure of scepticism however, and three of the IDF's top commanders delivered sobering warnings of the country's vulnerability to attack in public lectures and Chanukah ceremonies. Maj-Gen Yoav Galant, Head of Southern Command, said in a conference at Ben Gurion University that the recent quiet period on the southern military front would probably prove temporary. Galant stated, "Whether it is a matter of months or years, we see the ill-boding clouds in more than one place. We need to utilize the time that we now have in order to prepare – for war or for smaller threats.” Another commander, Maj-Gen Amos Yadlin said on Tuesday at a conference held by the Institute for National Security Studies that “Syria, Iran and Hezbollah have the ability to threaten the Tel Aviv area. Our enemies do not rest for a moment." He added, however, that a peace treaty with Syria would trigger a positive change in the region. “Taking Damascus out of the circle of hostility and ending its support for terror will reduce the threat on Israel,” he explained. To do that though would mean Israel giving up the Golan Heights... something I personally feel would be a grave mistake.

Egypt plans to build a wall

What is one of the greatest criticisms that Israel has come under in the past few years? Defending itself from terrorists by building a fence/wall. So guess what Egypt are about to do? They are about to spend a small fortune erecting a 30 metre deep wall. "Why" you might ask? It is in an attempt to stop the Palestinian Terrorists smuggling activity from Egypt into Gaza? Will a fence going down 30 metres stop the smuggling? Well consider this: A Palestinian man receives goods from Egypt through a tunnel, which is dug 35 metres underneath the border in Rafah. It takes a few days to construct a tunnel, some are connected to other tunnels leading from it, if one is shut down or is falling apart, the others remain operational. Can a tunnel really be dug as deep as 35 metres? Well you can read the fact for yourself on a Palestinian free voice blog website here: http://palestinefreevoice.blogspot.com/2008/08/rafah-smuggling-tunnels-l...

So what's the point of building a wall only 30 metres deep, and who benefits from the steel wall project? Well the Arab contractors who build the wall will certainly benefit, along with the Arab workers employed building the wall. The Palestinian smugglers will benefit too, as they can continue smuggling. And the Egyptian Government will benefit - because it can claim it is doing something really serious this time to stop the smuggling instead of carrying out activities that close down a few tunnels at a time but don't actually put a dent in the smuggling. And you know what? The EU, UN and the rest of the world will clap its hands, applauding the Egyptian Government for it's efforts in it's battle for peace in the Middle East... while still others will complain about the poor plight of the Gaza Palestinians, and somehow it will all be Israel's fault! Oy vey... happy Chanukah anyway...

In closing

I thought I'd end with a couple of emails I received this past week to cheer you up... after all it is Christmas... Former CFI Director Roy Thurley wrote the following little story about Chanukah. Roy states, "A few weeks ago I was visited by a Jewish man to discuss the programme for our joint Holocaust Memorial Day event in January. When we'd finished, I asked him whether the Jewish community were having a Chanukah party this year, as they did last (which we went to). I then asked him why they celebrated Chanukah, since it's not in their Bible. He looked surprised, thought about it, and said, "No, but it is in the Apocrypha". "True", I replied, "but it's not in your Bible. It is in ours, though." "It's not!", he exclaimed, so I showed him John 10:22, and said "We Christians have got more justification for celebrating Chanukah than you have, because it's in our Bibles!"" And this is the best bit... what was the Jewish man's response? He said, "You wait till I tell the rabbi!"

And finally...

I thought I'd end my News Reports for 2009 with this wonderful statement someone sent me. It is a look at the whole Bible... In Genesis - God is the breath of life. In Exodus - He is The passover lamb. In Leviticus - He is our High Priest. In Numbers - He is Fire by night. In Deuteronomy - He is Moses' voice. In Joshua - He is salvations choice. In Judges - He is Lawgiver. In Ruth - He is The kinsman-redeemer. In I & II Samuel - He is our trusted prophet. In Kings & Chronicles - He is sovereign. In Ezra - He is True and faithful scribe. In Nehemiah - He is the rebuilder of broken walls and lives. In Esther - He is Mordecai's courage. In Job - He is The timeless redeemer. In the Psalms - He is our morning song. In Proverbs - He is Wisdoms cry. In Ecclesiastes - He is The time and seasons. In the Song of Songs - He is the lovers dream. In Isaiah - He is the prince of peace. In Jeremiah - He is The weeping prophet. In Lamentations - He is The cry for Israel. In Ezekiel - He is the call from sin. In Daniel - He is The stranger in the fire. In Hosea - He is forever faithful. In Joel - He is the spirits power. In Amos - He is The arms that carry us. In Obadiah - He is the Lord our Saviour. In Jonah - He is the great missionary. In Micah - He is the promise of peace. In Nahum - He is our strength and our shield. In Habakkuk & Zephaniah - He is pleading for revival. In Haggai - He restores the lost heritage.
In Zechariah - He is our fountain. In Malachi - He is the Son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke & John - He is God, Man, Messiah. In the Book of Acts - He is fire from Heaven. In Romans - He is the grace of God. In Galatians - He is freedom from the curse of sin. In Ephesians - He is our glorious treasure. In Philippians - He is The servants heart. In Colossians - He is The God head trinity. In Thessalonians - He is Our coming King. In Timothy, Titus & Philemon - He is our mediator and our faithful pastor. In Hebrews - He is the everlasting covenant. In James (Jacob) - He is the one who heals the sick. In 1 & II Peter - He is our shepherd. In John & Jude - He is the lover coming for His bride. In Revelation - He is King of Kings, and LORD of Lords! He is the prince of peace, the Son of Man, the Lamb of God, the Great I AM. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Lord God our Saviour. He is Yeshua the Messiah... our Lord. And we can celebrate Him all year long! Amen.

David Soakell
(CFI Church Liaison Officer (UK)
CFI Area Representative (U.K. North East)
& Writer & Producer of the CFI News Report & Prayer Update)

CFI is a non-denominational Christian organization, seeking to lift up the Name of Jesus in all we do to bless His Jewish brethren and share the message of His love both for Israel and the Church. If you would like to receive our regular bi-monthly 'In Touch' Newsletter and Monthly Watchman's prayer letters through the post, please enter your details by clicking here: http://www.cfi.org.uk/contactus.php All information is for our records only and is stored in line with the Data Protection Act.

CFI UK Website: www.cfi.org.uk CFI Jerusalem Website: www.cfijerusalem.net CFI UK youth website: http://www.isrelate.com/