Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Shalom from Galilee! It’s been an eventful week here for several reasons. First, two of Behold Israel’s three U.S.-based board members have been in Israel. Thankfully, they arrived several days before the Houthis managed to drop a missile in an empty field outside of Ben Gurion International Airport. That’s right, they somehow got a missile through our defense systems to do what they do best – kill Israeli soil. What is it about our dirt that makes them hate it so much? Our one board member, Mike Golay, has experienced bomb shelters in the past, but it was a first for our dear friends H.T. and Tara Novak. I’m so glad they got to enjoy the full “Israel Experience”!
It’s still pretty warm here, but the winds have died down. This has allowed the firefighters to deal with the crazy wildfires of last week. Thank you so much for your prayers! The calmer weather has also allowed us to happily welcome our first Bible Experience Tour since before the October 7 massacre. Yesterday, they arrived, and today they are visiting Jaffa, Caesarea, and Mt. Carmel before settling in Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We are so excited to finally be able to provide these life-changing opportunities for people from around the world to visit the Holy Land. Something new that we’ve added on our circuit is time in Re’im and at the site of the Nova Music Festival where so much of the October 7 slaughter took place. Sadly, this is now a part of who we are in Israel, and it is important for visitors to take the remembrance of that horrible day back home with them.
This week was special for another reason. The Israel Decree released on Tuesday! The days leading up to the drop date seemed to drag on, because I’ve been so excited about this book getting into your hands. In this short work, you’ll find everything you need to know about the historical, political, and, most importantly, spiritual connection that the people of Israel have with the land in which they reside. Also, you’ll discover absolute biblical proof that the Israelis you see today truly are the children of Abraham and the heirs of God’s promises. All of that we somehow packed into 116 pages in a way that will keep you riveted, challenged, and entertained. The Israel Decree is a must read for believers who want to make sure that their understanding of Israel fits perfectly with God’s word. Get your copies today!
MidEast & Beyond
I highly recommend subscribing to “It’s Noon in Israel”! It is a new newsletter from Israel’s leading and most well-informed journalist, Amit Segal. It will bring you the key news stories, insights, and commentary from the past 24 hours in Israel—helping you stay up to date on what happens and what truly matters.
Also, let me remind you to subscribe to my Telegram channel and my YouTube channel. On Telegram, you’ll be updated throughout the day with the latest news as it happens. On YouTube, you’ll find a variety of programs, including news content like Breaking News and the weekly MidEast & Beyond. When you subscribe, be sure to request notifications so that you never miss important information.
Operation Gideon’s Chariots
Not long ago, Israel launched Operation Strength and Sword against Gaza aimed at forcing Hamas to release our hostages through the withholding of aid. Unfortunately, Qatar stepped in to block it, so the mission was a failure. Currently, U.S. President Donald Trump is in the Middle East. Once he leaves, Israel will launch a new operation dubbed Gideon’s Chariots. In this new strategy, the IDF will reverse course and will now provide all needed humanitarian aid. However, they will be the ones to oversee its distribution.
In the past, Hamas stole all humanitarian aid as soon as it entered Gaza, took what they wanted, then sold the remainder for ridiculous prices. “No more,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His cabinet has designated four areas in the south of Gaza where aid will be distributed, and all people will be called to go there to receive what they need. Before they enter these humanitarian zones, the Gazans will be scanned to ensure no weapons are brought in. Once inside, they will be given the option of emigrating through the airport if they wish to get out of Gaza. If they choose to stay, they will be fed by private companies who are hired to fairly distribute the humanitarian aid that Israel provides. Hamas, UNRWA, or the UN will not be allowed to touch any of it.
It is possible that the 40,000 remaining Hamas soldiers will retaliate against the hostages or the Gazans fleeing south to freedom, but the IDF will be there to hunt them down and provide to them their deserved fate. By creating the Hamas-free humanitarian zone in the south, it will allow Israel to level the rest of Gaza, removing all the remaining terrorist hidey-holes and tunnels. If anyone thinks that the average Israelis don’t have the stomach for this kind of action, they just need to look at the latest call up for reservists. The IDF called 60,000 back to duty, and the IDF received a 102% response rate. That means that not only did all those called show up, but others who had not been summoned came also to see how they could help.
The Two Faces of Syria
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a rock star. At least you’d think so if you watched the way European leaders treat him. A “reformed” member of al-Qaeda and ISIS who now wears a business suit, al-Sharaa (who formerly carried the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani) represents the kind, gentle person that can be coaxed out of every AK-47 toting, suicide vest wearing terrorist if they just get a hug and some words of affirmation. But just how un-ISISed is al-Sharaa?
Much like Iran has their proxy militias throughout Syria and Iraq to do their dirty work, al-Sharaa has his own secret ISIS militias in his country. The new president has been lauded for driving out former President al-Assad, who was vilified for killing his own people using chemical weapons. Al-Sharaa, on the other hand, used his secret hit squads to torture and kill al-Assad’s people, the Alawites, along with many Christians. So, it seems the only differences between the two are their targets and methodology.
Now, al-Sharaa has pointed his militias’ guns toward the Druze. That was a mistake, because Israel has made it clear that this religious minority are under its protection. Several attacks have taken place against the Druze, which led to Israel conducting the most violent night they’ve ever leveled against Syria. Over fifty targets were hit, leading al-Sharaa to the point of almost fleeing his residence. Meanwhile, ISIS is bringing Sharia law to Damascus, which will only lead to more bloodshed against dissenters. Al-Sharaa is laying low when it comes to Israel. He knows that he is in no position to poke that bear, at least not in the open.
Those Crazy, Khat-Addicted Houthis
Somewhere along the line, the Houthis got it into their drug-addled minds that they were going to be the liberators of the Palestinians. Through their mighty power, they would drive Israel into the sea. To that end, they have attacked Israel 400 times from the air since the beginning of the Hamas war. Of those 400 projectiles, five have made it through Israel’s defenses, including the one that killed that poor field on Sunday. In retaliation for Sunday’s strike, Israel destroyed Sana’a International Airport in Yemen’s capital city, along with power plants, cement factories, and missile factories. Did Israel hit so hard because we really love our dirt? No, we did it because it was only by the grace of God and the incompetence of the Houthis that the missile overshot its intended target of Ben Gurion Airport. Yemen continues to be hit by Israel with the result that no plane can land in the country, nor can any ship go to port.
Until very recently, Israel would have had to be dodging U.S. fighter planes who were also destroying Yemen’s infrastructure due to the Houthis’ habit of attacking ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. But on Tuesday, President Trump announced that America would stop their attacks on Yemen because the terrorists promised to stop attacking U.S. boats. On the surface, that kind of leaves Israel in the lurch, as Houthi Supreme Political Council head recognized, saying, “To all Zionists from now on, stay in shelters or leave your countries immediately as your failed government will not be able to protect you after today.” It appears the IDF took that statement under advisement, then blew up another Houthi munition factory. Israel has fought alone before, and, according to Ezekiel, we will again. There are much greater dangers to our country than a bunch of crazy, khat-addicted terrorists.
Deal or No Deal?
The nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are not going well. Trump has said that Tehran must completely dismantle their nuclear program, including all their centrifuges. If Iran is telling the truth and they just want nuclear power, they don’t need centrifuges. At the low level that’s needed, they can just purchase their supply. Iran will never agree to that, though, so they are stalling in hopes that either something happens to Trump or that his time runs out in office.
Prime Minister Netanyahu agrees with the need for dismantlement. But it seems like he might be a little more proactive in his negotiations. Over the past weeks, mysterious fires have sparked in strategic locations, beginning with a port near Bandar Abbas where a massive supply of chemicals used for solid missile fuel went up in a red cloud. Since then, there have been numerous other blazes burning sites purported to be related to Iran’s nuclear program. Kind of a coincidence, don’t you think?
Are Trump and Netanyahu at Odds?
Israel seems to have a royal flush when it comes to the administration in Washington. Every key player in every key position is a huge supporter, and it seemed like that included Trump. But then that decision came about the Houthis and, suddenly, all the naysayers around the world are saying, “Look, it seems the love affair between Trump and Netanyahu is over.” Is this a breakup? Is it a “We just need some time apart”? Or is it something else?
What do we know about Donald Trump? He loves to negotiate, and he uses methods considered unorthodox for international diplomacy, including fomenting chaos and uncertainty. We know that he is proud and will not bend a knee to any other man. This includes Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, the Saudis, the Qataris, the Omanis, and, especially, the ayatollahs. With Trump, it should be assumed that whatever happens on the surface is for show, while the real action is happening far below.
A close look seems to prove that President Trump is still fully behind Israel. He is showing that by his ample supply of weapons for the strikes that the IDF is carrying out. However, he is creating a bit of distance, giving himself a “space of denial” that allows him the freedom to talk to the Houthis and Iran’s Islamic regime. It’s that same space of denial that will allow him the freedom to talk to the Saudis and others with the hopes of bringing them into the Abraham Accords. Trump is definitely “America first”, which he should be. But I still believe that he is “Israel second”, and if the time comes when he needs to show his hand to the table it will be an Israeli blue and white flush.
India vs. Pakistan
On April 22, Pakistani Muslim militants crossed into India and slaughtered more than two dozen Hindu tourists. That led to skirmishes back and forth across the border. Then, on Tuesday, India launched Operation Sindoor which saw fighter jets striking “terror camps” in Pakistan and killing 26 people. Three of India’s jets were shot down during the attack. The tensions between the two nuclear nations continue to rise. If it turns into full-blown war, the results could be catastrophic.
Ministry
As I mentioned above, The Israel Decree released Tuesday. Already people are reading their copies and posting their reviews on Amazon. If you want to find out more about the book, you can watch yesterday’s “Authors’ Corner: The Israel Decree”. In it, Steve Yohn and I talked about the creation of the book, its contents, and its purpose. You’ll also hear why I think this is the most significant and timely book that I’ve ever put out.
We have some great things coming out of CONNECT next week:
- CONNECT Q & A with Pastor Barry Stagner and me – Monday, May 12, 8:00 AM PDT
- MidEast & Beyond with Barry and me – Tuesday, May 13, 10:00 AM PDT
- Let’s CONNECT: A Trip Down Memory Lane – Wednesday, May 14, 10:00 AM PDT
O Canada! Registration for our four different Canada speaking engagements this summer is now available! Make sure to reserve your spot(s) soon by following the provided link.
I feel very optimistic as I look forward to the year ahead. Israel Tours are going again, I have a full teaching schedule, and the Lord keeps opening more and more doors for ministry at CONNECT. Thank you to all who continue to lift us up in prayer and who support Behold Israel. It’s going to be great when we get to next January and look back and see all that God has done in 2025.
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsafati
Amir, 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.
Photo credit: By Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages, CC BY-SA 3.0, link
