Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Shalom from beautiful southern California! Now, I can already hear some of you calling out to me, “But, Amir, you promised that 2024 was going to be a year of no speaking engagements!” You’re right! And I can promise you that I am not out here to speak. In fact, let me tell you of a humorous experience I had. On Sunday morning, I visited Calvary Central OC to listen to my dear friend, Pastor Barry Stagner preach. As I sat there, I realized that this was the first time I had ever been in his church when I didn’t have any responsibilities except to enjoy the great message. Then I noticed that some of the people around me were obviously a little perplexed by my presence. I could see them looking my way, like they were wondering, “When is Pastor Barry going to call you up?” Then, when the service ended, they were even more confused wondering if Barry had forgotten I was there! Let me assure you, he hadn’t! I was just blessed to enjoy worshipping God with you.
It’s been a very beneficial trip with plenty of time to clear my head and work on all that we have planned for CONNECT. These next few days will be spent with some of my team as we plan out 2025. Please pray that God gives us wisdom as we strive to discern where it is that He wants us to go.
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
The Middle East
As I begin, let me remind you to subscribe to my Telegram channel if you haven’t already. This newsletter is just a snapshot of some of the events of this past week. The Telegram format allows me to take you on a deep dive of what’s happening around the world.
Assassination Attempt of President Trump
The world quite literally dodged a bullet when former president Donald Trump turned his head at precisely the right moment, causing the projectile that had been fired at him to take away part of his ear rather than pass through his skull. If you think mayhem has ensued since this failed attempt, imagine what would be taking place in America and around the world if it had succeeded. There is no doubt that we have God to thank that the former office holder and current Republican candidate for president was not killed or more severely wounded.
By saying that, do not read into it that I am formally endorsing Donald Trump. I am an Israeli. I don’t have a vote. After the insanity of the 2020 elections, I promised myself and my staff that I would not get too deep into U.S. politics again, except as it relates to Israel. That is why I will limit myself right now to saying that I highly doubt that there will be prayers from the stage at the DNC in Chicago for the safe return of the October 7 hostages as there have been at the RNC in Milwaukee. One more truth that I know – both Donald Trump and J. D. Vance are great friends of Israel.
There is a serious investigation taking place into how the shooter was able to get such a clear shot on the former president from such an obvious perch. The leadership of the head of the secret service, Kimberly Cheatle, has come under serious scrutiny for her commitment to equality over competency. There is one thing that we have apparently learned from the higher-ups in the organization – slopey roofs are kryptonite to secret service agents.
Gaza
It’s been 9 months since the war in Gaza began. Let’s look at some statistics. Half of Hamas’s military leadership has been eliminated. More than 14,000 terrorists have been killed or apprehended. There have been 37,000 targets struck from the air and 137,297 buildings destroyed, leaving 40 million tons of rubble that will need to be cleared at a cost of $500-600 million. Was all that on your Bingo card, Hamas, as you planned out your attack?
And speaking of planning the October 7 attack, Muhammad Deif, head of Ezzedeen al-Qassam, the military wing of Hamas, and the architect of the massacre, was eliminated on Saturday. Like a very patient game of Whac-A-Mole, Israel waited for Deif to pop up out of the tunnels in Gaza. When he finally did last week, they bopped him on the head with some very large bombs and now he’s gone. This is a huge blow for the terrorist group. U.S. Intelligence officials still believe that Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas in Gaza, is hiding in the tunnels beneath Khan Younis. Let’s hope that he peeks his head out, also. We have a large mallet waiting with his name on it, too.
For those who may think I’m being a little harsh on these terrorists, please look back and remind yourself of what they did. Actually, you don’t have to look back, because the effects of October 7 are still being felt today. On Tuesday, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre snapped mentally. Taking an axe, she killed her six-year-old, then walked to a mall where she attacked a security guard. Seeing her walking along the street with a huge smile and her son’s blood on her face and on the axe is a vision I won’t soon get out of my mind. There are so many wounded survivors. Many have committed suicide, while others have lost their minds.
One last story related to the Palestinian conflict. Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, presented a formal request to come visit Israel. That request was immediately denied. Why? Because on May 28, Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state. Sorry, Norway, we’ll happily accept your fish exports, but you can keep your politicians.
Northern Conflict
At least 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona Monday night. Most were intercepted, but some made it through and hit the ground. There were no injuries. In response, fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force hit Hezbollah targets in Houla, Kafr Kila, and Bani Haiyyan. Preparations are still being made on both sides of the border for a potential invasion south into Israel. For now, it seems like the most likely way to avert an all-out war in the north is for the Lebanese people to find a way to take away the power Hezbollah has over their country.
Houthis
The Houthi rebels of Yemen continue their piratical tyranny in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. On Monday, the Greek owned Chios Lion was struck on the port side by an unmanned water vessel. This opened up a leak in the oil tanker which has left a 220 km long slick near the coast of Egypt. The attack on the Chios Lion was the second of the day. Earlier, two manned and one unmanned craft attacked the Israeli-owned MT Bently I near Yemen. The ship was able to fight off the Houthis who eventually abandoned the attack.
United States
I know we discussed the United States earlier, but that was centered around the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. However, I could not let this newsletter pass without addressing a bill that was signed here in the state which I am now visiting. On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1955, a bill which prohibits California school districts from informing parents if their child claims to have changed their gender identity. This outrageous infringement on parental rights denies parents the knowledge that would allow them to address any struggles of this sort that their child may be going through. Billionaire Elon Musk went so far as to say that this bill was the final straw causing him to move SpaceX from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas. My call to Americans throughout the nation is that you please don’t forget this when Newsom’s name potentially shows up on the presidential ballot in 2028.
Next Monday will see Prime Minister Netanyahu meeting one-on-one with President Joe Biden at the White House. With the DNC coming in August and questions about the president’s health, it is likely that he will keep the prime minister at arm’s length. Then, two days later on July 24, Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress. It will be interesting to watch the reaction of some of the more antisemitic members of the United States government.
France
Turmoil continues to roil through the government of France. Since the divided parliamentary elections of July 7, there is no leading candidate for prime minister. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister, and his government resigned on Tuesday leaving all the key ministerial roles leaderless. President Emmanuel Macron has the authority to appoint the new prime minister, but there is no clear majority party or bloc. With the ethnic turmoil and governmental confusion, it will be very interesting to watch what happens with the Olympics when they begin in Paris a week from tomorrow.
Ministry
Keep your eyes open for next week’s newsletter when we celebrate our 10th anniversary as a ministry. I am both humbled and amazed as I see what God has created from a vision He placed in my mind more than a decade ago. He is good, and His plans are incredible!
If you missed The Anchor Podcast that was released on YouTube yesterday, please be sure to tune in. Sitting down with my two good friends from the UK, Jeff Cuozo and Tommy Fretwell, we discussed the question, “Is There a Genocide in Gaza?” Challenging and inspiring, be sure to check it out.
A new religion is emerging and it is spreading fast. Its arms are open wide and people from many faiths are buying into it. There is only one group that it rejects – the followers of Jesus Christ. Join me Friday, July 19, at 12:00 PM PDT, for my teaching “The Rise of the One World Religion”. In it we’ll see how this new system will eventually unite all people under one man – the antichrist.
I’m looking forward to Monday, July 22, because I will be having a CONNECT Q&A with Pastor Barry Stagner where I will actually get to be with Pastor Barry Stagner! Tune in at 9:00 AM PDT for what is always a good time.
I know that there are many people who are very concerned about what the future holds. I can’t say that I blame them. In a sense, World War 3 began on October 7. This fight that we are now in is different than those of the past. This is a religious, cultural, and, above all, a spiritual war. Iran is central to much that is happening. They had big plans with Hezbollah and Hamas, but that isn’t going how they intended. Once those two terrorist organizations are defeated, Iran will be forced to look for new allies. That is when they will join a new coalition led by Russia. This will lead to the Big War.
If this frightens you, let me encourage you to read Ezekiel 38. Actually, read Ezekiel 36-39 because in those chapters you will see God’s great plan from bringing Israel back to the land up until the time He brings the Jews back to Himself. Again, if you are just looking at the news, I understand your fear. However, if you are reading it through the lens of the Holy Scriptures, then you will quickly realize that you have no reason to worry. God is in control, and He will work out His plans.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed and supported this ministry over the past decade. Behold Israel would not be what it is without you. May God bless you all.
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: Soman, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link
