Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Shalom from the Beautiful West Coast of the USA –
I’ve been away from home now for nearly a month, so it suffices to say that I’m eager to return to my beloved Israel. However, after taking a nearly year-long sabbatical from international speaking engagements, it’s been very refreshing to once again witness God bring forth fruit in various ways in multiple places. From Florida to the Caribbean to Tennessee and on to California, the Lord anointed, enabled, equipped, and protected. If this speaking tour is indicative of what God has in store for the year, to say I’m excited would be a significant understatement.
Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
I can’t thank you enough for your incredible and unwavering support for the ministry through prayer, encouraging words, and faithful financial gifts. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you by our side. Having you as our co-laborer is not only a tremendous blessing, but a great honor. Before I present some key updates pertaining to Israel and the region, allow me to highlight some important ministry happenings for your general awareness.
My Next Speaking Tour: To my friends in Denmark and the region, I’ll see you at the end of March! I’ll visit Kolding for an Evening of Bible Prophecy on Wednesday, March 26. And I’ll conclude my time in Copenhagen on Saturday, March 29. Both of these events require registration. You can learn more by following the links.
Public Reading of Scripture: If you’re not regularly a part of this, why not tune in this Thursday at 6:00 PM PST? Hearing the word of God simply read aloud is encouraging and refreshing for the soul. Invite a friend and join us!
Weekly Prayer Meetings: Every Friday. One hour. People from all over the world gather for this recurring prayer meeting on Zoom that enables the Behold Israel Team to pray collectively with you, our co-laborers. Join us. Pray with us. Let’s watch God answer prayer together.
Live Online Events: With BI CONNECT now in full force, we’re continuing to increase not only the variety of online events we’re producing, but also the frequency. Be sure to make good use of the provided link to stay up to speed regarding all of our weekly broadcasts. And stay tuned – some exciting changes are on the horizon!
2025 Bible Experience Tours: Our Bible Experience Tours are open for registration! Spots are filling up fast but we still have a few available. I cannot communicate just how excited my team is to start getting people back to the beautiful land of the Bible after such a long, tragic season. Join us for one of these unforgettable journeys!
Resources in the Behold Israel Shop: We have a vast array of resources available in online shop right now! Books, study guides, Bible stuffers, clothing, accessories, and more – including bundle options that allow you to receive the best possible price on your order. Currently, you can get the first three Nir Tavor fiction thrillers for just $12.00! Head over to our shop to see what’s available for your next personal and/or group study.
Highlights From the Middle East & Beyond
FIRST THINGS FIRST: You need to download the Telegram Messenger app for your device – phone, tablet, iPad, etc. The online URL is proving very inconsistent and it’s completely out of our control. So again, the Telegram Messenger app is the most reliable way to stay in touch with my real-time updates pertaining to Israel, the region, and the rest of the world, as well as ministry event information. The following is a timeline of this week’s news highlights – and brace for impact. It was a historic week in the news!
Thursday, January 30
– Agam Berger (20) was freed from Hamas after nearly 1.5 years in captivity. She could be seen in an IDF helicopter holding a sign that read, “Am Yisrael chai!” – “The people of Israel live!” It was a beautiful sight to see her reunited with her family.
– Arbel Yehud (29), Gadi Moses (80), and five Thai workers were also freed from the hands of Hamas. Arbel & Gadi were nearly killed in the process of the release as the people of Gaza closed in on them.
– After a three-hour delay, multiple Hamas terrorists were released in the exchange.
– As the conflict rages on in Gaza, the IDF remain active in the West Bank, as another Israeli airstrike took place in Jenin, Samaria.
Friday, January 31
– Yarden Bibas (35), Ofer Calderon (54), and Keith Siegel (65), announced as the next three hostage to be released on Saturday.
– The IDF continued operations in Jenin, Samaria, in an attempt to prevent terror activity.
– Emily Damari, who was released from Hamas just days ago, revealed that she was held captive in a UNRWA facility and denied medical assistance after Hamas shot her twice.
– Egyptians rallied near the Rafah border crossing to oppose Trump’s plan to relocate the Palestinians. They were likely sent by the Egyptian president as a spectacle.
– The Trump Administration announced tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico.
– 67 people died aboard the fatal helicopter and plane collision that took place over Washington DC.
– The Russia/Ukraine war continues to expand as bombings continued in Odesa
Saturday, February 1
– Yarden Bibas (35), Ofer Calderon (54), and Keith Siegel (65) were released and returned to Israel! Sadly, Israel had to release more Nazi terrorists in exchange. It was announced that more hostages are expected to be released on the Saturdays ahead. Tragically, we know of at least eight that are dead, and more than 60 are believed to be remaining in Hamas’ hands.
– Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan voiced strong opposition to Trump’s plans to relocate the Palestinians to these respective countries. They, too, don’t want to have to deal with them.
– IDF operations in Judea & Samaria continued as it looks to eliminate more terror cells.
– It was revealed that President Trump will host PM Netanyahu this coming Tuesday – the first international delegate to visit the new US administration.
– The Trump administration killed a number of ISIS terrorists in Somalia.
Sunday, February 2
– The IDF carried out a strike on a car in Gaza City, which resulted in a casualty.
– The counter-terror operation “Iron Wall” in Jenin, Samaria, continues to destroy terror cells proactively.
– 14 European countries called for the UN to discard UNRWA as a UN agency following the unveiling of its widespread ties to Hamas and poor treatment of Israeli hostages.
– PM Netanyahu landed in the US at Andrews Air Force Base.
Monday, February 3
– Iran is continuing its nuclear pursuit and it’s closer than ever. Currently, the world’s number one sponsor of terror is developing nuclear missiles that can reach as far as 3,000km, allowing Iran to reach as far as Europe.
– Unlike the reluctancy of the Biden Administration, the Trump Administration moved for Congress to approve a $1 billion arms sale to Israel in order to help reinforce America’s greatest ally in the Middle East.
– The Trump Administration cut all funding to the UNRWA and withdrew the US from the UN Human Rights Council due to its utter failures and hypocrisy.
Tuesday, February 4
– Terrorists carried out an attack in Northern Samaria targeting the IDF. A terrorist was killed and eight IDF personnel were injured, two of whom eventually died.
– President Trump called on Ukraine to start paying for its aid with resources.
– The IDF continues to eliminate targets in Southern Lebanon.
– The historic meeting between PM Netanyahu & President Trump took place at the White House.
– Trump is interested in rebuilding Gaza through a regional deal with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu will not go against Trump.
– President Trump signed an executive order instructing his Secretary of Treasury to impose ‘maximum economic pressure’ on Iran.
– It was revealed that both PM Netanyahu and President Trump believe Hamas cannot remain in power after a permanent ceasefire.
– Perhaps the four most iconic statements from the president on Tuesday: 1) “Palestinians have no choice but to leave Gaza.” 2) “All of Gaza must be evacuated from ALL Palestinians!” 3) “Netanyahu is a great leader, the two of us individually, a winning team…I’m talking about the displacement of all the Gazans. They won’t come back after they leave.” And 4) Regarding a two-state solution he said, “We can’t keep repeating the same failed approach over and over.”
– Trump also vowed that America would eventually “own” Gaza and allow people from all over the world to live there.
– In what was a very profound statement, President Trump said, “During the next four weeks we will publish our plan regarding the annexation of Judea and Samaria by Israel.”
– Learn more in my most recent MidEast Update! You can also check out my breaking news segment that followed the historic meeting between the two leaders!
Wednesday, February 5
– Reports surfaced indicating that Jordan is prepared to go to war against Israel in order to prevent Palestinian immigration into Jordan.
– Hypocrisy at its finest: Jordan and Saudi Arabia made it very clear they support a Palestinian state yet they refuse to allow Palestinian immigration into their respective countries. The same goes for Egypt.
– PM Netanyahu made a visit to the Pentagon and was received by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
The times in which we’re living are not only historic – they’re profoundly prophetic! As Christians, we can see the Day drawing near. The prophecies of the Bible are on the horizon as we look at the world around us through the lens of Scripture. And over the course of the last decade, things have taken shape at an unprecedented rate.
Let us hold fast to what’s been delivered to us. Let us finish the race strong. Let us fulfill the ministry that’s been entrusted to us.
2 Timothy 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsarfati
Photo credit: Netanyahu Facebook
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.
