ISRAEL UPDATE – JUNE 2010

Dear Salem First Family,
Could I take just a few minutes and give you an important update on what happened this week concerning Israel and the Flotilla encounter? As you know, Israel has found itself once again in the crosshairs of the world, especially the Muslim world. The Flotilla Crisis – which has been presented as an insensitive attack by Israel – has once again not been reported accurately, nor will it. Jer and I had the privilege of being on a conference call with Pastor John Hagee on Thursday, and we had the opportunity to hear first hand from Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Ayalore. Here are some of the facts that he presented, which are not making the news:
- This was a planned event. There is an agenda against Israel that targets raising the levels of hatred toward it. Behind this “humanitarian effort” is the workings of Hamas and other Muslim Radical groups
- The Flotilla is listed as the IHH – which is a non government agency in Turkey that has ties to Hamas and Hezbollah. Turkey is where the flotilla began.
- Their mission was to break the inspection blockade that keeps just any vessel from getting into Gaza, because this blockade is intended to prevent further terrorism.
- Israel not only has communicated continually with everyone that they will help facilitate any aid that needs to get to Gaza, but they have remained committed to actually make sure it does get there.
- Israel has ensured a corridor for humanitarian efforts to pass into Gaza.
- 5 of the 6 ships in the Flotilla allowed the Israeli government to inspect them. Ship #6 had prepared an ambush – any peace activists were put below deck.
- On deck there were about 80 violent people, armed with knives, pipes, protection vests and gas masks. They refused to let the IDF onboard.
- As the IDF forced themselves on board, they were attacked.
- Thousands upon thousands of dollars were found in envelopes that were in the pockets of the mercenaries.
- The goal was to embarrass Israel and make Israel look like the bad guy to the world.
- On Thursday another ship headed to Gaza, which was from Ireland. It was contacted by Israel and told that it would escort the ship to Gaza and help assure its cargo was handled appropriately. All they asked was to be able to inspect the ship. There was no response of any kind from the Irish ship.
- All to say, Israel was targeted, presented in an untruthful, bad light. A variety of its soldiers were beaten and injured. What appeared to be a “humanitarian peace effort” evidenced itself for what it was – a puppet of Hamas, and played the perfect victim role.
- The State of Israel approached the organizers of the flotilla - prior to their departure and, even while at sea - and invited them to dock at the Port of Ashdod for the sake of transferring their cargo to Gaza, subject to security inspection. The organizers of the flotilla intentionally ignored repeated warnings - including messages from the European Union—and rejected offers by Israel and Egypt to transfer humanitarian goods.
People are not starving in Gaza. In fact, Israel has delivered 2/3 of a ton of supplies to every man, woman and child in Gaza this year alone. The need for the blockade comes from the terrorist nature of Hamas, which allows and has encouraged terrorists to use Gaza as a launching pad for sending rockets towards Israeli civilians.

Israel has expressed and continues to express its desire for peace and continues to extend its hand to all those who are willing to participate in moving forward to true peace. Israel's actions are aimed at blocking arms and explosives shipments to Hamas, which is at war with the Jewish state. Since Israel gave up all of Gaza in 2005 with hopes for peace, Hamas and other terrorists operating from Gaza have fired more than 7,000 rockets and mortar shells aimed at Israeli civilians. Why wouldanyone wantto allow Iran-backed Hamas to re-arm with more rockets?

To read the international press or listen to certain world leaders, you would think that Israel attacked the LOVE BOAT. As the Prime Minister of Israel pointed out, this was not a love boat - this was a boat of hatred. Israel's soldiers were attacked with metal bars, baseball bats, chairs, knives, machetes and even their own captured guns. So, there you have it in a nutshell. But it’s not over.

Friends, I think you’ll agree, this is a critical time for us to stand with Israel. This is a great time for us to be lifting Israel in our prayers. Pray that God will reveal Himself through this crisis so that the World will see God fights for Israel. Pray that God will use this event to open the eyes of His people to their Messiah. Pray, as the scripture tells us, “for the peace of Jerusalem.” Yesterday, the Foreign Affairs Minister couldn’t thank us (and you) enough for our love and support. He appealed to us to help get the truth out, and to continue to hold forth support for his country.

Jer and I determined this week that she will be there in Washington D.C. in July for the Christians United For Israel gathering. She, along with others, will speak to the leaders on Capital Hill regarding the Nation’s ongoing support for Israel. We believe this voice certainly needs to be heard in Washington. Thanks for your prayers for Israel. They do make a difference. When you have a bit of time, get alone and read through Isaiah 62. The call is that we not be silent. This is where we need to stand.