Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Shalom from the cool and beautiful Jezreel Valley! When you look around, especially at the fertile farmland below where I live, it’s not hard to figure out why the Israelites called this nation a land of milk and honey.
Before we get into the MidEast news, I feel that I need to take a moment to clarify what it is that I do with this newsletter, with the online updates, and with my Telegram posts. First, did you know that Behold Israel began as a news service? My whole goal was to share with the world what was taking place in the Middle East region, and, when possible, to filter it through the lens of Scripture. As time went on, the ministry expanded. Many of my teachings from around the globe went online. We provided materials, led tours, and began to publish written resources, including books. But through it all, Behold Israel never left its roots as a purveyor of Israel-related news.
Unfortunately, the news part of the ministry has sometimes gotten me into trouble with people who are only connecting with Behold Israel for the Bible teaching. “Amir, quit talking about politics and ‘left and right’ and just teach the Word.” If you only tune in to Behold Israel for my messages, then fantastic! It’s wonderful to have you as part of the family! But you also need to realize that there is this other side of the ministry – the news side – that I am called by God to carry out.
The election of Donald Trump has been especially trying for this news/bible tension. Everyone has an opinion about the returning president, and not all those opinions are favorable. This dichotomy of views extends within the church. Recently, there has been a diaspora of followers from various Behold Israel medias. Some say that I’m too pro-Trump. Others say that I’m not pro-Trump enough.
Wouldn’t it be easier to simply not report about the U.S. president? Absolutely not. In fact, it would be impossible. How could I discuss Israel and Gaza without referencing Trump’s policies? The nuclear program in Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, the relationship with Saudi Arabia, our future with Turkey, Israel’s tension with Russia, our connections to the Lebanese, the Kurds, the Druze, the Jordanians, the United Nations, Western Europe – when it comes to Israel, every one of these issues is tied to the United States, some to a great degree and others less so.
At the moment, if it comes across like I am strongly pro-Trump, it is simply because right now Trump is strongly pro-Israel. It’s true that I said a lot of negative things about the previous administration, but that was because many of their policies were strongly anti-Israel. When their decisions were good for my nation, I was quick to point that out.
The great Reverend Clarence Larkin once said that “Bible prophecy has nothing to say about the nations as such in their affairs with one another, but rather in their relations to Israel – the people and the land.” That is how I try to report the news. My focus is on Israel. Right now, the White House is very closely tied in with Israeli affairs, so it is often mentioned in my Telegram updates. When I think good things are being done that will positively affect my nation, I’ll praise them. When I think decisions are being made that could be deleterious to Israel, I’ll call those out and condemn them. It’s the actions that count to me, not the party. I am not a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent. I’m an Israeli, and it is from that perspective that I report the news.
MidEast and Global Update
If you’re more of an auditory learner, let me direct you to my Breaking News Update from Sunday and my MidEast Update from Tuesday. In both videos, you’ll find a ton of important information about what is happening with many of the stories below. Also, be sure to subscribe to my Telegram channel to get the latest news as it happens.
What’s Next for Gaza
Phase One of the ceasefire is done. Thirty-eight hostages were returned, of whom eight were already dead. Gaza is saying, “Okay, it’s time for Phase Two.” Israel is responding, “Not so fast.” With the way that Hamas is interpreting the second phase of the deal, Israel must completely clear out of Gaza and the terrorist group will stay in power. For Israel, that’s a non-starter.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attempted to extend the first phase of the deal while others tried to work out new plans. In Witkoff’s proposal, the ceasefire would extend 45 days and Israel would receive 30 hostages – 12 who are alive and 18 who are dead. To no one’s surprise, Hamas rejected it. Meanwhile, the Arab gathering in Cairo proposed a $50 billion Gaza reconstruction deal. However, it neglected to mention who would front the money and it does not stipulate to the removal of Hamas. Once again, Hamas rejected it. But Israel and the U.S. also eschewed the plan, as they will any proposal that keeps Hamas in Gaza.
So, what do we do with this stalemate? If you’re Israel, you take action. First, you confirm Hamas’s rejection of the Witkoff proposal. If the terrorists truly say no, then Israel will block all humanitarian aid to Gaza. By the way, the Houthis of Yemen say that if Israel blocks this aid, they will ban all Israeli ships from the Red Sea. That could lead to some major fireworks.
If Hamas still refuses to move forward and return the remaining hostages, Israel will cut the 19% of Gaza’s water that it supplies. If Hamas still refuses, Israel will cut electricity to Gaza’s desalination plants so that they cannot purify their own water. If Hamas still refuses, Israel will resume air attacks. If Hamas still refuses, Israel will resume a ground war. To this final end, Israel’s government approved a call-up of 400,000 reserves. That’s 100,000 more than were called up after October 7. In other words, Israel is not playing around.
Just yesterday, Israel installed Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir as the new Chief of Staff of the IDF. He is a fighter with an excellent strategic head on his shoulders. If the war in Gaza turns hot once again, he’s the man to lead Israel to victory.
How Will You Celebrate Ramadan?
Saturday marked the first day of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Muslim calendar. Each day, observers are called to fast from dawn to sunset. Then, once the sun is down, the iftar feast begins with people celebrating and making up culinarily for lost time.
So, how will you celebrate? If you are in Gaza, you will join at one of the many great feast tables where plentiful food is spread out for all to enjoy. In fact, it’s truly amazing just how much bread and meats and fruit and desserts are available for a people who, according to the media, are being genocidally starved to death by the Israeli people. If that’s what it means to be wasted away by a heartless regime, then pass me the naan and the lamb. I’m in!
If you are in Germany, though, you might want to prepare yourself for the holy month by stabbing a person in front of Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, as one 19-year-old Syrian refugee did a week-and-a-half ago. Or, you may want to ram your car into people at a bus stop on Friday wounding 14, including one 17-year-old girl who later died of her injuries. That’s how a Palestinian from Jenin celebrated in Israel. Or, you could attack a fellow Muslim in Haifa on Monday as one Druze did to an Israeli Arab, stabbing him to death before being eliminated himself. Isn’t it amazing to see how the religion of peace celebrates their holy days? Happy Ramadan everyone!
Deeper into Syria
Israel is taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the new regime in Syria. As the HTS government is trying to sort itself out with its numerous ISIS, Al Qaeda, and other factions vying for influence, the IDF is entrenching itself on Mount Hermon and doing what it can to be patrons to the Druze community of southern Syria. The goal of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government is to create a new independent county in southern Syria for the Druze. To this end, the prime minister has already declared that everything south of Damascus must be demilitarized.
Netanyahu has also established a roadblock in the Syrian town of El Mal, located between the capital city and the Israeli border, where the IDF can ensure that no weapons are being smuggled along that route from the Islamist regime in Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Any places that Israel discovers are militarized in the south are being wiped out, and the Netanyahu government is making it clear that Turkey has no place in the new Syria. Meanwhile, business as usual is returning to northern Israel. People are finally returning to their homes, and the ski resorts on Mount Hermon are back open for the first time since before the war began.
New Voices in Lebanon
When asked about signing a peace agreement with Israel, the Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar said, “Lebanon’s best interest lies in neutrality and peace.” Did you get that? A member of the Lebanese government just spoke of Israel not in terms of enemy or destruction or eternal fires. Instead, they referenced the word “peace”. Pardon me while I pick myself up off the floor. This is amazing!
Nassar is not alone. New politicians and media are agreeing with him, saying, “Peace with Israel.” Israel would love this. But, as the old Russian proverb goes, “Trust but verify.” The IDF will be keeping their five positions inside of Lebanon to protect the border. They will also continue to kill the enemies who need killing, as they did Tuesday when they took out with an airstrike Khadir Sa’id Hashem, commander of the Naval Unit of Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces.
European Crisis
Last week, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with United States President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Let’s just say that it didn’t go quite as the Ukrainian leader had planned. Words were exchanged with Zelenskyy being the recipient of most of them. Then, the Ukrainian slunk out of the White House and flew back to Europe. Once he landed, all the European leaders were there to give him hugs and happy words.
I don’t want to get into the ins and outs of minerals and treaties and the like. I’m mostly interested in this from an end times perspective. The divide of the Atlantic Ocean was never so apparent as it was following this incident. The European leaders were quick to condemn Trump, with some even throwing out the idea of creating a new NATO-type organization without the United States. Apparently, they would fund it using all the money they’ve collected in their change jars over the years, since the U.S. has been the primary financial supporter of NATO since its inception.
With Europe looking for a new leader from their own stock, it puts me in mind of Daniel 9 which points to the antichrist rising from that continent. America is not mentioned as a player in the Ezekiel 38 war nor in the tribulation, and I believe that it is very possible that’s because the U.S. is the one country that will be most devastated by the rapture. Europe must be ready to step into the gap opened by an America-less geopolitical landscape. I’m not saying that this is definitively what is taking place. However, the pieces all do fit into place.
Iran and the Bomb
Seventy-seven retired U.S. generals and admirals have warned President Trump that Iran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear power. They are urging him to back any potential Israeli military action against Iran. These military leaders are not wrong. U.S. Intelligence sources say that Iran is enriching uranium at 80% purity at the Fordow Enrichment Plant. Russia is saying, “Wait, let’s sit, pour some tea, and talk first.” But many in the United States are done talking. As Senator Lindsey Graham put it, “There is no chance of there being a nuclear agreement. The Nazi ayatollahs want to destroy Israel. President Trump should give Israel the tools to destroy the Iranian nuclear program.” To Senator Graham, I say, “Hear, hear!”
Ministry Update
Yesterday, I sat down with Nizar and Rana Francis, a Christian Arab couple from my Messianic congregation in Israel, for “Let’s CONNECT: United in the Messiah”. During this special time, Nizar and Rana discussed their life as Arabs in Israel, their marriage, and their journeys to Jesus. They even treated us to a little music. Please check it out!
Now more than ever, it’s crucial to remind ourselves and, even more importantly, those around us of the unbreakable and unshakable covenant that God has with the people of Israel and the land He bestowed upon them. I just finished writing The Israel Decree, a small and affordable book that highlights the most important aspects of this topic. Please pre-order now so we can get the attention of the big stores to have it on their shelves!
We are excited to remind you about our upcoming events and invite you to join us as we explore Israel, Bible prophecy, and current events through the lens of the Bible. With gatherings scheduled around the world, we encourage you to see if we’re coming to your region and register (if necessary) while there’s still space!
We’re finding ourselves in a digital war, and it’s not just us. The enemies are targeting conservatives and Christians the world over. But we are not unarmed in this battle. We have four weapons at our disposal. First, we have the like button. Second, we have the ability to comment. Third, we can subscribe to a channel. Fourth, we can share. These weapons can be used on YouTube, Telegram, Facebook, X, Instagram, and any other place that you find Behold Israel material. Believe it or not, you using these four weapons carries huge weight in the algorithms that determine what content will be disseminated and what will be suppressed. It’s a small-time commitment that reaps major rewards. Thanks for partnering with us in this way!
And, finally, thank you for partnering with us in prayer and in financial giving. It is your constant and faithful backing of this ministry that allows us to function. May God bless you!
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsarfati
Amir Tsarfati, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.
The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Black Community News.
Photo credit: GPO
