When Lori and I stepped off the plane in Israel this past September there was a feeling which swept over us that is difficult to describe. I felt a familiar feeling of home, sincere awe and excitement! Lori had never been to Israel before and it had been her heart’s desire for many years. She too felt this indescribable emotion of being home. The scriptures clung to our hearts as we both took in a deep breath of air. We both knew that this visit was God’s doing and absolutely His timing. Continue reading
Category Archives: Israel
U.S. Government Reveals Israel’s Top Secret Nuclear Program
The Pentagon has declassified a Defense Department document that reveals the extend of the Israeli nuclear program.
The release breaches an agreement between the two nations to not reveal Israel’s nuclear ability.
The move is seen as retribution by the administration toward Israel for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress. The document revealed Israel’s capabilities while blocking out the sections on the document related to France, Italy, West Germany and NATO nations.
The report states that Israel is “developing the kind of codes which will enable them to make hydrogen bombs. That is, codes which detail fission and fusion processes on a microscopic and macroscopic level.”
The document says that Israel’s ability is “an almost exact parallel of the capability currently existing at our [American] National Laboratories.”
The release is the first time the United States has confirmed that Israel is a nuclear power.
Netanyahu Scores Big Election Victory
Many news outlets proclaimed that it was a race that was too close to call. The evening was filled with commentators speculating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be struggling to put together a coalition government.
Weeks of uncertainty. A possible path for Netanyahu’s main rival Isaac Herzog to become PM.
In the end, it wasn’t even that close.
With 99 percent of the vote counted, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party scored a decisive victory over his leftist counterpart’s party giving Netanyahu his fourth term as PM. Likud is in line for 29 or 30 seats in the Knesset with Herzog’s ZIonist Union at 24 seats. This means that Netanyahu will be able to quickly put together a ruling coalition and get a new government in place.
The result was stunning for many observers who had been showing polls of Netanyahu behind by as many as 4 to 5 seats at the lowest point. Pundits said that even if Netanyahu somehow pulled out a victory he would be weakened politically both internationally and within Israel.
No one saw this strong a win coming for Likud. By comparison, the last election had Likud teaming up with another party to gain 36 seats. Likud gets 30 alone in this election.
“I am proud of the Israeli people that, in the moment of truth, knew how to separate between what’s important or what’s not and to stand up for what’s important,” Netanyahu told enthusiastic supporters at Likud’s election party at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. “For the most important thing for all of us, which is real security, social economy and strong leadership.”
Likud minister Silvan Shalom said that it would be likely a coalition of “63 to 64 seats” would be formed in the coming days behind Prime Minister Netanyahu.
“Israel said today a very clear ‘yes’ to Prime Minister Netanyahu and to the Likud to continue leading the State of Israel,” Shalom told reporters. “We’ll do it with our allies. We’ll have a strong coalition that is able to deal with all the important issues.”
Analysts say that Netanyahu’s push to the right in the last days of the campaign, including his change in position refusing to back a two-state solution, helped fuel the unexpected victory as it drew voters from other conservative parties.
Netanyahu Delivers Strong Warning To Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, looking and sounding like a strong, firm leader of a nation, delivered a strong warning to members of Congress concerning negotiations with Iran over nuclear weapons.
“We have been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well this is a bad deal. It is a very bad deal. We are better off without it,” Netanyahu said. “We are being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That is just not true. The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal.”
Over 50 Democratic Party lawmakers, including Vice President Biden, boycotted the speech.
The speech drew multiple standing ovations from the combined houses of Congress and many of the legislators could be seen shaking heads in agreement with virtually all of the Prime Minister’s speech.
“The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said.
“That is exactly what could happen if the deal being negotiated is accepted by Iran. That deal would not prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. It would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them.”
Netanyahu Warns Iran Deal Could Threaten Israel’s Existence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a very hard warning Monday to the members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The nuclear deal the United States is planning with Iran could threaten the very existence of the nation of Israel.
“As prime minister of Israel, I have a moral obligation to speak up in the face of these dangers while there’s still time to avert them,” Netanyahu told a cheering audience.
Netanyahu downplayed conflicts between the White House and Israel.
“My speech (to Congress) is not intended to show disrespect for President Obama and the office that he holds,” Netanyahu said. “I deeply appreciate all that President Obama has done for Israel.”
The White House tried to sound a conciliatory tone after Netanyahu’s speech, saying the U.S. and Israel are united in the goal of a non-nuclear Iran.
Netanyahu Turns Down Private Meeting With Senate Democrats
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats during his visit next week to Washington.
Netanyahu said that holding the meeting would “compound the misperception of partisanship” regarding his trip. The White House has accused Republican leaders in Congress with inviting Netanyahu in an attempt to undermine their negotiations with Iran.
Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Monday invited Netanyahu to meet in a closed-door session with Democrats during his visit.
“I regret that the invitation to address the special joint session of Congress has been perceived by some to be political or partisan,” Netanyahu wrote. “I can assure you that my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel’s grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country.”
More than a half dozen House and Senate Democrats said they will skip the joint session of Congress out of loyalty to President Obama. Vice President Biden has also said he will not attend the joint session of Congress.
Falling in Love with Israel
You’ve probably heard me say that when I am in Israel, I never want to leave. It’s hard to explain that feeling, but I know others who love Jesus and come to Israel feel that way too. I love Israel because Jesus loves Israel, and I love Jesus! When Jesus is in you, you can’t help but feel as He feels!
I always feel at home in Israel. When you come over the top of the mountains and see the city of Jerusalem before you, it’s magnificent and unforgettable, more so than any other city of the world. But, as Jesus looked out over the city, he wept because of what would happen to Jerusalem and its people in the future. Luke 19:41 Continue reading