News from Israel certainly has its fair share of ups and downs, and some weeks it can seem like there are more downs than ups. But here at the Israel Guys, we want to make sure that we don’t lose sight of all the good things God is doing in the land of Israel.
Ready to hear about ten good things that happened in Israel this week?
Here we go:
1) The last of Israel’s entry restrictions have been removed
Israel supporters and would-be-visitors around the world rejoice! 27 months of international travel restrictions came to an end just a few days ago when Israel’s government announced that tourists and volunteers from abroad are welcome to enter Israel and all COVID-19 requirements are lifted. Visitors entering Israel are welcome regardless of vaccination or recovery status (in effect since March 1, 2022) and now they are no longer required to complete pre-flight testing, post-flight testing, or self-isolation upon arrival (in effect since May 20, 2022).
If you’ve been waiting to make a trip to Israel, now is the time! Several major airlines are opening up new flights to Tel Aviv and airfare prices are down significantly right now compared to several months ago. If you’re interested in making an off-the-beaten path trip to Israel, be sure to check out our upcoming volunteer trips. On average, our trips cost 50% less than a typical Israel tour. Not only that, but you’ll have an opportunity to visit places you wouldn’t get to see otherwise, meet the locals, build relationships, and make a lasting impact through volunteering. Click here to learn more.
2) Immigration to Israel smashes 20-year record
Israel just celebrated their 74th Independence Day this month. It’s truly a miracle to consider what has become of the fledgling nation in 1948 that many feared would never survive its first year. God undoubtedly has a plan for Israel and is bringing it about in a miraculous way!
There is a promise that God gave to the nation of Israel some 2,700 years ago in Isaiah chapter 43:
“I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”
A new report just published from the Jewish Agency confirmed that over 38,000 new Jewish immigrants celebrated their first Independence Day as Israeli citizens this year. This breaks the previous annual immigration record that was set 20 years ago.
The Jewish people are coming home from the north, south, east, and west to the land that God promised them!
3) Production resumes for an amazing new film about Israel
The award-winning motion picture I Am Israel has been touching hearts and connecting people to Israel all over the world since it was released in 2017.
Written and directed by David Kiern and narrated by John Rhys-Davies, this epic film takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the Land of the Bible, following the stories of Jewish men and women who were are part of the restoration of the nation of Israel.
Right now, a new sequel to this powerful film is underway! Production was delayed during 2020 and 2021, but David Kiern and his team are back in Israel this week and are working on this incredible project that will help connect Christians from around the world to the land of Israel and to the heart of God.
Be sure to follow David on Facebook or Instagram for previews of the upcoming sequel and updates on when the film will be released.
4) Mike Pompeo and David Friedman launch new project to connect Christians to Judea and Samaria
Speaking of film projects, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and former ambassador to Israel David Friedman are in Israel right now working on making a new documentary (together with TBN) called “Route 60 – The Biblical Highway.”
(photo credit – Caylan Crouch, TBN)
Their goal is to teach Christians and Jews about the locations in Israel where Bible stories took place. The documentary begins in Nazareth and ends in Beersheba, including stops along the way such as the place where Joshua’s altar stands on Mt. Ebal, where Jacob had his dream in Bethel, and where the tomb of the patriarchs still stands in Hebron.
The documentary, they said, is not political and will not delve into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “You won’t hear anything in the documentary about two states or one state,” Friedman said. “This isn’t a political argument; it’s just the reality. There wasn’t a lot of biblical lore coming out of Tel Aviv or Haifa. The biblical heartland of Israel is in Judea and Samaria. That’s why we thought it made sense to do it . . . and to show Route 60 is the spine of biblical Israel.”
5) Shin Bet foils assassination plot
This week, Israeli security forces discovered and stopped a plot for a series of attacks being planned by a Hamas operative living in Jerusalem. The heinous plans included the assassination of a Member of Knesset and a bombing attack on the Jerusalem light rail using a drone. Thank God that the plans were exposed and no one was injured or killed!
6) 40,000 people attend a “Celebrate Israel” parade in New York City
This bit of good news didn’t actually happen inside Israel, but it certainly had to do with Israel. Known as the world’s largest expression of solidarity with the Jewish state, the Celebrate Israel parade was held this past Sunday in New York City. From yeshiva students to bikers and from musical performers to government officials, over 40,000 people attended the parade to show their passion for the State of Israel and love for the Jewish community.
7) Jerusalem court rules it is permissible to say the Shema on the Temple Mount
The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court handed down a ruling this week that it is permissible for Jews to recite the “Shema Yisrael” prayer and to bow on the Temple Mount. The ruling came after a court appeal from several young men who were recently arrested by Israeli police for saying the Shema.
The judge ruled that “It is not possible to say that bowing and reciting the Shema holds a reasonable suspicion of conduct that may lead to a breach of peace, as required by law. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which shouting ‘Shema Yisrael’ on the Temple Mount would constitute a criminal offense.”
We applaud this ruling that allows Jewish people to have the freedom of reverent expression towards God on the Temple Mount! Unsurprisingly, Israel is receiving harsh condemnation from the Jordanians and Palestinians and efforts are being made to overturn the ruling.
8) Operation “Chariots of Fire” is underway
The ready and well-trained IDF is about to be even more ready and well-trained. The largest military drill in Israel’s history is underway right now. Dubbed Operation: Chariots of Fire, the intense 4-week drill involves thousands of active-duty and reserve-duty soldiers from every part of the military, including the air force and navy. The drill aims to improve Israel’s readiness and capability to defend their borders from any threat by enemy forces, whether by air, sea, land, or cyber front.
(photo credit – Israel Defense Forces)
9) Despite pressure, Jerusalem Day march is still scheduled
Jerusalem Day will be celebrated across Israel this coming Sunday. Every year, a planned celebration march is held where participants wave Israeli flags and walk together through the streets of Jerusalem. The route begins on Jaffa Street, proceeds through the Old City, and concludes at the Western Wall.
As they did last year, Palestinian and Hamas leaders are pressuring for the march to be canceled or the route to be changed. They are warning Jewish people “not to commit such a crime” and vowing that they will not permit such “thuggery in the streets of Jerusalem.”
Thankfully, both the public security minister and police chief are so far standing firm on the subject and defending the right of marchers to hold the event and continue with the route as planned.
10) International volunteers are back in Israel
This month, for the first time in a long time, we hosted a team of awesome volunteers from around the world who came to experience the land of Israel and bless the people of Israel.
The group just left and flew back home after spending several weeks meeting the locals, making friends, working hard at volunteer projects, and making lifelong memories. While they were here, they volunteered on an organic farm, helped with forestry management and taking care of young saplings, restored and beautified the site of an ancient well in Hebron, worked on an archaeological dig site in Shiloh, and lots more!
(May 2022)
The locals here in Israel that we work with on a day-to-day basis are both encouraged and empowered to know that people from the nations are willing to stand with them and make an investment in their families, their communities, and their homeland.
Great News, it is wonderful to hear good news, about the Chozen People.