~ Thursday 27th May 2010 ~

Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01323 410810 E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

The Word: "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers ploughed on my back; They made their furrows long." The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. Let all those who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back. (Psalm 129:2-5)

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counsellors of peace have joy. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12:17-22)

• Pointers for prayer: As we once again approach the Throne of Grace, may we desire truth in our soul and seek wisdom in knowing how to pray regarding the issues in the Middle East. As Christians we need to come to a place of surrender and allow our devotion to the God of Israel to be a priority in our lives... only then can we intercede for those who trouble our souls. May our eyes be ever focused on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, as we bring to His throne, our perplexing and restless thoughts. In all things, even for those who oppose the God we serve, may we somehow find the love of God to melt our hearts so that we can pray for mercy.

• Lance Lambert recently stated, "I believe that divinely lead and empowered intercession is the only key to this dark situation. We need to know how to hide in Christ; to have the whole armour of God... and stand within His revealed purpose. May the Lord be with you all, and give us, in His mercy and loving kindness, the victory..." As the enemy presses in, pray for those who stand with Israel, and the people of Israel themselves, that they will not fear but put their trust in God! "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish." (Isaiah 41:10-11)

• Earnestly intercede for the Jewish people as they face much spiritual warfare aimed at thwarting their divine destiny. Pray for their protection and for their spiritual preparation as they continue to face a difficult future. Cry out too for the Arab people struggling under the heavy restraints of Islamic oppression. Pray that they may find freedom in following the Lord God.

• Please pray for all the children living under Islamic rule in Gaza. Pray for their safety and salvation. Yeshua said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14-15)

Checking our spirit before we react

Last month on the15th April 2010, I wrote in the "Watching Over Zion" News Report a warning about checking our spirit before we react. Often, speaking from experience, this is difficult, and we are not always in a place, physically, spiritually or emotionally where we can quickly apply grace. Yet ultimately we know God is a God of love, and it is this God we choose to serve. When we consider that this God of love exists by His Spirit in us then we must understand that that love must infuse our lives and emanate out. I know that this is often hard to grasp, let alone live out, but somehow that limitless love must at some stage, gradually begin to manifest through our limited love and out to others. It's just a shame we don't see much of it in our churches, and I'm speaking here about myself, first and foremost... I once read that we cannot be born again of the Spirit of God and not produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We must also come to a place of not only living by the Spirit but also keeping in step with Him. This, I know is often hard. Yet as Christians we need to come to a place of surrender and allow our devotion to the God of Israel to be a priority in our lives in order that Godliness, Christ-likeness and the fruit of the Holy Spirit is channelled into, through, and out of our lives.

There is obviously a point to the reason I'm including this here. And before I write, and indeed you read the article on Gaza, I need once again to make it clear that these News Reports are not written to stir up hatred or ill feelings against the Arab people. If that is all I succeed in doing, then I have failed. To deal correctly with these difficult issues, we must always examine our own heart and let compassion be our motive. The information here is solely that we might be equipped to understand today's situations in Israel better. This is paramount. CFI is after all, a Christian organisation... without love, we are nothing more than a "clanging bell" (1 Corinthians 13)." Yet in the midst of that, we also need to stand firm on the Biblical mandate that God is the One who has, and is working through the nation of Israel, and we must stand firm in our calling to the Jewish people. We also need to expose the lies that so easily deceive the world... and so, let Truth be seen, let Truth be told, but let love be evident to all as well.

Gaza...what is the truth?

This next article has been difficult to compile without allowing emotions to get in the way, however, I hope that by including this, I will have done justice to the sources, and written it as accurately as possible. Over the past few days, I have been in correspondence with some of my personal contacts in Israel over the situation in Gaza. Due to certain campaigns against Israel, I felt a certain investigation was needed. What is the “poor, neglected, warn torn” Gaza really like in comparison to the “rich, affluent” State of Israel? The results were staggering! Although under siege from constant terror attacks; the threats of potential nuclear war from Iran; an aggressive anti-Israel campaign from much of the world’s media, along with the UN, Israel continues to go about their business in a dynamic and inventive manner. As we have seen from the reports on the ‘war on Hamas’ in Gaza, Israel is often accused of acting 'disproportionately'. Yet one could say that when it comes to Israel's contributions to mankind this is absolutely true. Let’s face the facts; none of us would own a mobile phone or laptop without a piece of Israeli brain inside it.

Among my many contacts this week, I’ve also been in correspondence with Barry Shaw who lives in Netanya in Israel. Barry has been writing on the “alleged massive humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and exposing the lies behind much of what we hear in the media. Barry states that this issue is critical right now. His report is backed up with other reports out this week including The Jerusalem Post and Tom Gross, former Middle East correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph and the New York Daily News etc. According to the reports, there is a “flotilla of nine ships” sailing towards Gaza as you read this in the guise of an aids convoy. The propaganda machine will begin their work from Thursday. It will no doubt be in the news around the world this coming weekend. So just how do we expose this in order to head off the effect of the upcoming anti-Israel campaign which is based on lies and fraud?

Tom Gross states, “The BBC World Service led its world news broadcasts with this story at one point over the weekend. By the way, the BBC yesterday boasted that its global news audience has now risen to 220 million persons a week, making it by far the biggest news broadcaster in the world. Indeed the BBC and other prominent Western media regularly lead their viewers and readers astray with accounts of a non-existent "mass humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza. What they won't report are the fancy new restaurants in Gaza… or about the wind surfing competitions on Gaza beaches, or the Strip's crowded shops and markets. Many Palestinians in the “West Bank” and Gaza live a middle class (and in some cases an upper class) lifestyle that Western journalists refuse to report on because it doesn't fit with the simplistic story they were sent to write.” And if you would like proof of what Tom Gross shares here, I will happily share with you the photos Barry Shaw has passed on.

Here’s one to ponder on… Did you know, Gaza City recently opened an Olympic-sized swimming pool? Yet in Israel, Netanya does not have a municipal Olympic pool. Neither does Ashkelon, or Sderot. As you know, Gaza City is part of the Palestinian territory operated by the Islamic terror regime, Hamas. On the other side of the fence, Netanya in Israel has been hit by repeated Palestinian suicide attacks, car bombings, and terrorist gunmen that have left over fifty of its citizens dead and more than three hundred injured. We also know of the huge amount of trauma and damage that has been done to Sderot by Islamic rockets fired from Gaza. I have personally witnessed this. And yet while the Palestinians receive record amounts of international funding, the victims of Palestinian terror get nothing. Now please understand me… I’m not reporting this as some "tit-for-tat", and spitting out my dummy over this... and it's important to point out that we do not despise the Arab Palestinians in Gaza for having such luxuries. However, when the world's media claims that those in Gaza have nothing, and that they are living in poverty, and it's all Israel's fault, then something needs to be done. Let’s face it, one wonders how an area that claims to be starved of water and building materials and depends on humanitarian aid can build an Olympic size swimming pool and create a luxury lifestyle for some while others are forced to live in abject poverty as political pawn refugees?

Over recent years, the Palestinian have received not millions, but billions, of dollars of funding from the international community. It was rumoured that Yasser Arafat died with a personal fortune of more than one hundred and twenty million dollars. Sources also state that many of the current Palestinian leadership, and those close to them, have millions stashed in overseas accounts and other Palestinians live a wealthy lifestyle. It would appear that the Western media clearly services the Palestinian propaganda machine. They would have us believe that the Palestinians are suffering under one of the worst humanitarian crisis, desperate for their basic needs, and even deprived of building materials by a cruel Israel. As such, they formulate public opinion by the image given to them by the Palestinian information industry. Yet the BBC editors and journalists could easily sweep aside this deceit with a couple of clicks of their computer mouse, if they choose to do so. So what stops them?

Commenting on this, one of my readers emailed me stating the following: “The lies and hypocrisy of the West, especially the media, is unbelievable and all I now say to the unbelievers in my family is look around the world in places such as Zimbabwe, etc, see real poverty and the evil work of dictators such as Mugabe and frankly the West does nothing… Two heartbreaking documentaries I recently watched on Zimbabwe was about 90% of school children who were sent home because they are starving, poverty stricken and can barely feed themselves let alone pay two dollars a term school fees. I have yet to see starving children in Gaza.”

In fact, rather than starving, the opposite is seen… Barry Shaw writes, “Shops are stocked with clothing, food, provisions, toys, cakes, sweets, and all the trimmings. Everything you need for an enjoyable life. Go to the beach at Gaza and one witness’s wind-surfers. One can dine out at luxury restaurants and clubs serving the best cuisine in sophisticated surroundings. This is the miracle of life in the Palestinian territories. All this achieved with no access to building materials or basic humanitarian supplies, according to your national media. This is insane!”

There is no question that the donors to the Palestinian cause would better serve the interests of the Arab Palestinians, and the international community, if they would condition their funding on forcing the Palestinian leadership to conclude a binding solution to the Middle East conflict. Instead, they have allowed their money to be pumped into the Palestinian society with no political accountability or responsibility in accepting the two-state solution that has been on the table for decades ~ not that I agree with a two-state solution ~ there is already a Palestine ~ it’s called Jordan!

Here are some facts for you: Since last year's January cease fire, 133 million litres of fuel entered Gaza from Israel - That's more than enough fuel to fill the fuel tank of every car and truck in Israel! Since the ceasefire, well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel - That's almost a ton of aid for every man woman and child in Gaza. Israel transfers food, medicines, clothing and school-books for all Gazans, but Hamas demands concrete for its reinforced bunkers, from which they will be able to continue to fire rockets at Israeli schools and hospitals. Nevertheless, despite the need to restrict the supply of building materials for this reason, Israel has this week allowed 6 trucks loaded with 250 tons of cement, one truck loaded with 5 tons of iron and 15 trucks loaded with gravels to enter Gaza for building projects operated and executed by UNRWA.

According to reports, in 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. Humanitarian aid flows into Gaza daily, except when the crossings are rocketed by the Hamas regime. In 2009, 21,200 international organisation staff members entered the Gaza Strip, and some 4,883 tons of medical equipment and medicine were brought in. And, Israel is now coordinating the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren. Yep… it sure is hard to live in such a place as Gaza!

In the article by Tom Gross, he states, “Of course there is poverty in Gaza. There is poverty in parts of Israel too. When was the last time a foreign journalist based in Israel left the pampered lounge bars and restaurants of the King David and American Colony hotels in Jerusalem and went to check out the slum-like areas of southern Tel Aviv? Or the hard-hit Negev towns of Netivot or Rahat?” A full length version of Tom Gross’ article can be read here: www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001114.html )

So, to close this article, you too can experience life under a massive humanitarian crisis caused by the cruel Israeli blockade of Gaza that deprives its citizens of their most basic needs. Watch this video and prepared to be shocked by life in Gaza today. Oh, and by the way, the next time you see the Palestinian Solidarity group campaigning outside of Marks and Spencer, maybe you would like to point them to this video: http://www.rootsclub.ps/ Do also check out Barry Shaw’s web-blog, “The View from Israel” here http://israeltheviewfromhere.blogspot.com/

A word from the Israeli Prime Minister

I read an interesting article this week on Benjamin Netanyahu's website which stated that the proximity talks have kicked off, but it seems as though the Palestinian and the Israeli sides are only growing farther apart. Referring to the Palestinian boycott of West Bank settlement goods, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, "It is unacceptable that the Palestinians are waging an economic war against us with the sense that everything is allowed. We must show the world in which direction they are facing."

Netanyahu, who spoke during the Likud faction meeting in the Knesset, said, "The Palestinians have made efforts to block us from being accepted into the OECD despite the proximity talks and a number of gestures we have made towards them. Israel strives for economic peace. We have removed checkpoints; we have made life easier; we are always taking action to advance the Palestinian economy. Despite all this, the Palestinian side is opposed to economic peace and is taking steps that ultimately hurt them. This also refers to the economic boycott they are spearheading and the pollution of our water sources," said Netanyahu.
Terrorist attempt by a donkey?

Meanwhile, back in Gaza... An explosive device concealed on a donkey-drawn wagon exploded along the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip earlier Tuesday morning. The explosive device was hidden by a Palestinian terrorist. The device exploded as the donkey approached the security fence. No injuries or damage was caused (apart from the poor donkey) IDF forces stated. This incident is yet another attempt by terrorists to conceal their operations using agricultural activities for cover.

Another event in which livestock were used to mask terror operations occurred on 6th June, 2009 when an attempted terror attack occurred in the vicinity of the Nahal Oz crossing. Gunmen approached the Gaza security fence in the area with a number of trucks and five horses carrying explosive devices. A number of the gunmen were wearing explosive suicide belts.

Also on Tuesday, several hours later two mortar shells were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, hitting the Ashkelon Shore Regional Council, in the same area of the explosion. The IDF holds Hamas solely responsible for terror activities from the Gaza Strip. Naturally, I felt sorry for the donkey... after all, it got killed because of the terrorist attack... but would it wake up in Allah's presence with 70 virgin donkeys? I somehow don't think so (apologies to all donkey lovers for my bad humour).

David Soakell

Sources: Unless otherwise stated: Personal sources throughout Israel along with The Jerusalem Post, BBC News, Arutz-7 News, Israeli Embassy London, Independent Media Review and Analysis & Israel National Radio
CFI UK Website: www.cfi.org.uk CFI Jerusalem Website: www.cfijerusalem.org
CFI UK Young Adults website: http://www.isrelate.com/