~ Thursday 8th July 2010 ~
Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663 E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

The Word: Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One… The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." (Psalm 2:1-6)

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion... If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth-- if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:1-6)

• Pointers for prayer: As we continue to stand with Israel, please pray that we would have ears to hear, and hearts open to the areas the Lord wants us to be effective in. Standing for Israel will never be an easy task. During the early '90's, I remember thinking the work I did to help dying children in Romania was really hard. Yet show the world a dying child and the help quickly comes... telling the world you stand with Israel brings a completely different response. Today Israel need the "workers in the field". We need men and women of God who are not afraid of the battle that rages. For all the ministries involved with Israel, please continue to stand in the gap and uphold us all in your prayers. One of the roles of CFI is to be pro-active rather than re-active. Pray that as we all take action where it is needed, we would remember ultimately, the Battle belongs to the LORD.

• Pray for wisdom for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to stand strong against international threats and pressure to divide Jerusalem! "Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid." (Psalm 35:1-2) Pray that God will be merciful and assist on Netanyahu to make the right strategic decision for Israel at this historic, crucial time!

• As the family of Gilad Shalit and their supporters are continuing on their protest march for the release of the captive Israeli soldier, please pray for a miracle. Please pray that Hamas would have a "change of heart" and that they would allow this young Israeli to return to his family, and in good health.

• 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. Please continue to pray also for the Arab people struggling under the heavy restraints of Islamic oppression. Pray that they may find freedom in following the Lord God.

Zionism equals Nazism? Zion is a term that most often refers to Israel's capital City ~ Jerusalem and by extension, the Biblical land of Israel. The word is found in texts dating back almost three millennia. The word can also be used when referring to the specific mountain in Jerusalem ~ Mount Zion. Throughout the past 25 years, I have heard many things connected to the term ‘Zion’ and ‘Zionist’, however, to link this word with Nazism could never happen… could it?

Another issue I’ve become familiar with over the past 25 years is the incredible ability by many theologians, humanists, and pro-Palestinian sympathizers, to somehow view history and the Scriptures (the Bible) through some kind of distortion… i.e. the picture or scene is there, however the truth appears hidden. In Isaiah 51:16 we read, "And I have put My Words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of Mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art My people." By the Holy Spirit anointing, Isaiah declared that Zion is God's people. So does that make God a Zionist?

At this point, it might be worth reading Psalm 48. The psalm begins typically for a psalm of praise to God by declaring the Lord as great and most worthy of praise. But the greatness of the Lord is going to be praised in regards to Zion, the city of our God, his holy mountain. To the Israeli’s, especially during the times of the psalms, Zion was definitively understood to be the city of Jerusalem. Thus, as we read this psalm we need to consider how Israel is depicting God’s love to Jerusalem. By stating that Zion is the city of the Great King, we understand why Israel considered the city so lofty. It is not because of its physical grandeur that Zion is lofty. Rather, it is because God is in the city that gives Zion its greatness.

To those who would choose to ignore the Word of God, and indeed those who scorn anything connected with Zion/Zionism might need to rethink their standing, as they could find themselves opposing the LORD God Himself, for as the Living Bible translates Psalm 2, “What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord…” If you go on any internet web search, one is quickly aware that we have many who oppose us. One such group have now set up a Facebook group. They state, "This group recognizes that Zionism and Nazism are eerily similar in many respects, given that they are both movements that harbour a desire for national identity at the expense of indigenous populations, as well as "self-determination", and "freedom" from those who might be called "troublemakers", that 'freedom' being achieved by genocide, ethnic cleansing and ethnic displacement. They are BOTH philosophies of imagined racial superiority and purity, which have rationalized all of their actions in the name of some greater good".

The site continues," The Zionists progress has been to the detriment of millions of innocent people. We all know what the Nazi party were responsible for – not all of us, however, know to what extent the disease that is Zionism, has mirrored the evil of the Reich… even to this day… This group is for those who stand up in defiance against those who run the theocratic, terrorist state that is Israel – at the expense of millions of native Palestinians!” One such member of the group states, “This is a guide to Israel's stooges and agents of influence in British politics and society, from the three main political parties to the church, the media and education. Of all the mysteries, contradictions and irrationalities in international relations, one stark fact stands out: the unconditional support given by the United States and Britain to Israel, a criminal, racist, rogue state. It is unique in that there is no other example of rational states behaving so irrationally. On the surface of it, it makes no sense whatsoever, politically, strategically, economically or morally. Politically, US and British support for Israel is an open, festering sore in their relations with the Arab world. In the case of Britain, support for Israel also generates resentment within, and contributes to the alienation of, its large Muslim community… By supporting Israel, London and Washington are in fact sanctioning a criminal, racist, rogue aggressor-state that is committing war crimes, illegally occupying others' territories and illegally colonizing occupied territories, contrary to international law.”

With front page stories like this mornings (Wednesday) Independent newspaper, one feels the battle is increasing. The Independent newspaper’s leading article states: "Exposed: The truth about Israel's land grab in the West Bank" http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/exposed-the-truth-ab... Catrina Stewart in Jerusalem and David Usborne write, "Jewish settlers, who claim a divine right to the whole of Israel, now control more than 42 per cent of the occupied West Bank, representing a powerful obstacle to the creation of a Palestinian state, a new report has revealed." They go on to state, "The settlement enterprise has been characterised, since its inception, by an instrumental, cynical, and even criminal approach to international law, local legislation, Israeli military orders, and Israeli law, which has enabled the continuous pilfering of land from Palestinians in the West Bank... At the same time, Israel has built bypass roads, erected new checkpoints, and taken control of scarce water resources to the benefit of the settlers. The measures have effectively created Palestinian enclaves within the West Bank."

In many ways, I feel the battle has just gone up a gear... and we certainly need the Intercessors at the moment. And while this battle takes front page precedence, another ~ unreported battle also moves up a gear. Take a few minutes to watch what is happening on our streets in Britain. You'll realise then that this war isn’t just fought with those who choose to take on the fight. The truth is, we are all involved, and we need to realize how costly it is to stand for TRUTH... and the need for us all to battle on. Click here to view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h2XBZz88VE

Who will listen to the protest march for Gilad Shalit? As the Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes his way to the United States, the family of Gilad Shalit and their supporters are continuing on their protest march for the release of captive Israeli soldier. As I was listening to the Israel National News via satellite, by 7:30 am on Tuesday, some 1,500 activists gathered at the southbound side of Ayalon Highway. When they reached Route 1, their numbers had already reached over 4,000 people. Needless to say, traffic in the area was very slow. The 11-day “Freedom March” for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier continued to wind its through Israel over the weekend, causing heavy traffic jams and road closings in the Tel Aviv area on Monday.

Joining Tuesday's section of the march are about 100 hearing-impaired and deaf people from The Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Peoples in Israel. During the event at Beit Dagan, pieces written by children about Gilad were being read aloud and translated into sign language. "It is important for us to show that the deaf and hearing-impaired community is taking an active role in the struggle," said Yael Kakun, executive director of the institute. "You always hear about them when speaking about rights, about the difficulties of integrating into society. But this time we are mobilizing for a joint cause that unifies everyone, deaf and hearing people as one. Our participation in this journey is not a political statement, but support in the face of the Shalit family's pain."

Obama a menace to Israel? As mentioned, US President Barack Obama is meeting the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington as I write. They are expected to discuss a range of issues, including Iran's nuclear programme and efforts to start direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Do pray for wisdom for Netanyahu and his government to stand strong against these international threats and pressure to divide Jerusalem. Whether this meeting lasts longer than their last one remains to be seen. The start of indirect negotiations in March this year was halted after Israeli municipal authorities approved plans for the construction of new homes in Jerusalem, an area which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state. When the Israeli premier last visited the White House in March, he was snubbed by President Obama, who refused even to allow a photo of their meeting to be released.

However, Dr. Rubinstein, author of "Jihad and Genocide" (Harvard PhD, Yale fellow, & "Distinguished Professor of the Year"), states that President Obama's intention is to "correct the historical mistake of the creation of the state of Israel." Dr. Rubinstein states that Obama is extremely pro-Muslim due to his family heritage - to the point of "wanting to see the destruction of Israel." Speaking in an interview at the New English Review, Dr. Richard L. Rubinstein stated, "Obama is a menace to Israel, to Western Europe, and to the whole of the Western World. Obama is really a revolutionary. That doesn't mean he's looking to stir up violent trouble but I believe he is trying to transform both the American political system and economic system and America's relationship to the world. I also believe that he has decided that America must make its peace with Iran. I believe that he is a man who is highly intelligent, knows what he's doing and in spite of the fact that he has attracted liberal Jewish supporters, some with great wealth, his intention is to 'correct the historical mistake' of the creation of the state of Israel."

Rubinstein continues, "Given Obama's background, the fact that his family was, on his father's side was Muslim, that his sister is a Muslim, that his half brother is a Muslim, there is no doubt that he heard a great deal about Islam and Israel from them before he took office and though he was not candid about it at first, he has by his decisions and his symbolic actions made it clear where his sympathies are. And he has made some interesting symbolic moves with, for example, bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia since King Abdullah is the keeper of the two holiest shrines of Islam, Mecca and Medina, one wonders why he did this. But when a head of state, which is what Obama is, makes a symbolic statement like that you know he is trying to convey a message, and it’s not one which we in western civilization are willing to accept." Watch the whole interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8WfSMek-bQ

"Methodist Friends of Israel" We are currently in the countdown to the 9th (Tisha) of Av, the date when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice on the very same day in history. I also believe it was the date when the first fires in the Gas Chambers in the Holocaust were fired up. The date for Tisha B'Av in 2010 is 19th July. This week, I read a note from Christine Darg (http://www.christinedarg.com/) who wrote, "Watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem know that throughout history in an uncanny way, there have been many calamities during this three-week period and especially on the ill-fated 9th (Tisha) of Av. The Book of Lamentations is traditionally read on Tisha B'Av, and in Sephardic communities, it is also customary to read the Book of Job. But remember, the Book of Job has a happy ending and he receives double blessings! This three-week countdown has for generations been repeatedly a time of sorrows, pogroms, holocausts, one woe after the other. Yet we are in the days of the restoration of all things (Acts 3: 21). Expect change therefore! Amazingly, Zechariah 8: 19 predicts, "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace." I have determined, Lord willing, always to be in Jerusalem on the 9th of Av, because I firmly expect God to fulfill Zechariah 8: 19. Something wonderful will happen to reverse the fortunes of God's people! Let's believe for a sign and a wonder "to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3).

Well, following what I wrote in last week's News Report regarding the Methodist Church Conference, it would appear that things were going from bad to worse. There certainly wasn't anything "wonderful" happening there to reverse the fortunes of God's people. As I wrote last week, the Methodist Church of Britain is on a collision course with Jewish community leaders after accepting a document at their conference, which is accused of being bias against Israel. Each of the 11 resolutions in the document titled “Justice for Palestine and Israel,” were passed last week, despite the report being accused of “historical distortions and bias” by Jon Benhamin, the chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

However, the protests haven't stopped at the Jewish community leaders. Many within the Methodist Church itself have also complained to the Methodist Church Conference leaders. Indeed, Pam Smith, CFI Rep for the Monmouth area has gone one step further. She has since formed the "Methodist Friends of Israel". Writing to the Methodist Recorder, Pam Smith states, "Last week I watched the "debate" at conference re Israel. To have a true debate at least two opinions, sets of accurate facts and information are needed so that those voting can discuss the issue, assess the facts and then make up their minds as to the truth of the matter and their response to it. This was not the case at conference. It was a totally one sided tirade against Israel with numerous inaccuracies drawn solely (as far as I could see) from individuals, books and organizations who at best are blinkered about, and at worst hate, Israel".

Following a list of areas the Methodist Church Conference opted not to speak on, i.e. Palestinian homicide bombers; attacks on Sderot; Israel's surrendered "land for peace" in Gaza; the large amounts of aid and money sent to Gaza, by Israel and the world, that have been misappropriated over the years... Pam Smith writes, "There has been no mention of the fact that the boycott they want will hurt the very people they say they are concerned for as many of them are employed by those who grow or produce these goods and so stand the risk of losing their jobs if the boycott becomes widespread; nothing about the fact that the Palestinians have repeatedly said that the whole of the land is theirs and that Israel should be destroyed and are teaching their children this, even in TV cartoons... I could go on with the many injustices and inaccuracies of this report as I have only scratched the surface."

Pam Smith continues, "Anti Semitic attacks in the UK rose from 112 in 2008 to 374 in 2009. Around the world the number of Anti Semitic attacks doubled in the same period. Our Jewish friends are frightened. They can see in people's attitudes today the same that prevailed in the 1930s that led to the Holocaust. At that time the church either closed its eyes and ears to the plight of the Jews, or believed and went along with the lies and propaganda of the time. In this resolution the Methodist Church is guilty of exactly the same attitude. As a lifelong Methodist, a preacher of 34 years standing and a minister's wife I totally deplore the conference resolution. I do not always agree with what Israel does, it is an unrighteous nation, just as every nation is unrighteous, and so makes mistakes, but it is still the nation chosen by God through which to reveal Himself to the world. Israel is the land He chose for Himself. Abraham, and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob, are the ones He covenanted to live in and look after the land and Jerusalem (Zion) is the city He chose as His dwelling place, the city of the Great King, the place He loves. Either God keeps His covenants or He doesn't. If He does then His covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and therefore Israel, still stand, if He breaks His covenants then we cannot be sure His covenant with us in Jesus still holds true so our salvation is not assured. You can't have it both ways!"

This letter to the Methodist Recorder doesn't end there though. As a way of practical support, Pam Smith is now forming the "Methodist Friends of Israel" as she knows there are many Methodists, ministerial and lay, who feel exactly as she does. If anyone would like to be a part of this then please contact Pam Smith at barry@monmanse.freeserve.co.uk To all her Jewish friends, Pam has a message... "You are not alone!" And that is our message too. Israel, and the Jewish Community of the UK... we stand with you.

David Soakell

Sources: Unless otherwise stated: Personal sources throughout Israel along with the Jerusalem Post, Arutz-7 News & Israel Radio