I was angry this week. Angry and sad at the same time. There was also a feeling of helplessness, as if there was nothing me or anyone else could do to fix the situation. I suspect many of you felt the same way.
Two brothers, Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, aged 19 and 21, were gunned down in their car while driving through the Arab village of Huwarrah. There have been fourteen Jews killed in terrorist attacks already in 2023, but this one hit closer to home than ever before.
The brothers were from Har Bracha, the same Jewish community where our organization is based. The Yaniv family were essentially our neighbors. Some of our staff had met the brothers, and we worked with their father from time to time.
Not only that, but Huwarrah is a village that our staff drives through every day. My wife and children drive through this town. Hundreds of Jewish Israeli citizens drive through Huwarrah on a daily basis to get from the communities of Har Bracha, Yitzhar, Itamar, and Elon Moreh to virtually anywhere else in Israel. Many commute to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem on a daily basis. Highway 60, the Road of the Patriarchs, goes directly through the Arab village of Huwarrah, which, because parts of it are in Area B, is open to both Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews to travel together.
Hillel and Yaniv were on their way to yeshiva to study Torah on Sunday afternoon, February 26th. When an Arab vehicle caused their car to crash into the median, a terrorist stepped out and executed them at point blank range, before they even had a chance to get out of their vehicle or try to get away. It was a particularly brutal and barbaric murder.
The next day, many of our staff and volunteers attended the funeral for the brothers at the military cemetery at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. I’ve never experienced a more emotional event in my life. Thousands and thousands of people gathered to weep and mourn for their brothers who had perished at the prime of life. I’ll never forget standing amongst my Jewish brothers and sisters, weeping alongside them as Hillel and Yaniv’s siblings and parents eulogized them.
When will there be enough Jewish blood spilled for the world to be satisfied??
Unfortunately, Yaniv and Hillel’s crime was simply existing as Jews in the land promised to them by God Himself. Nothing else.
I’ve been working in Israel for the last fifteen years. Never have I felt more angry, helpless, and discouraged.
I’m angry that two Jewish brothers in their prime of life were gunned down in a brutal act of terrorism.
I’m angry that instead of responding in love and support, the world chose to focus on a few acts of vandalism committed by a small minority group of Jewish youth who were driven to retaliate because they have lost faith in their country to keep them safe.
I’m angry that parts of the pro-Israel community chose to focus on condemning these small group of vandals and the Israeli-left even went so far as to raise a million shekels for the Palestinians who were supposedly affected by vandalism.
(We do not support any acts of violence or vandalism against anyone. The real story of what happened, however, is far different than what the media chose to report.)
I’m also angry, or perhaps I’m more sad, that the Christian community who claims to support Israel has not taken action to unequivocally and unconditionally support Israel’s right to be sovereign in their biblical Heartland.
There are millions of pro-Israel Christians all over the world. If those millions rose up with one unified voice and gave Israel the strength they need to live and thrive in their homeland, I’m convinced that Israel’s government would begin advancing the issue of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
If you’re reading this, I can assume that you are also angry at the events that have transpired in Israel this week and that you support Israel’s right to be sovereign in their Heartland.
What can you do? There are three ways you can take action to support Israel today, listed in order of priority (in my estimation):
- Come to Judea and Samaria.
- Support the Heartland financially.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Everyone can pray for Israel (and should). Many can support Israel financially. Coming to Israel, and especially Israel’s Heartland however, is a big commitment, and takes great effort on your part.
It might be scary, especially if you follow the media when it comes to what is happening here. (Statistically, by the way, you’re still at more risk driving to the airport to catch a flight to Israel than you are when you’re here during your trip.)
Coming to Judea and Samaria and planting your feet on Israel’s mountains makes a statement to Israel and the world that you believe in the promise God gave to Abraham, that He would give this land to him and his descendants forever.
Yes, we are angry at the needless loss of life in Israel this week. Let’s turn that righteous anger into actionable steps as together, we stand with Israel.
I have a challenge for you. Make plans to come to Israel this year, and when you do, make Israel’s Biblical Heartland a part of those plans.
P.S. If you want to put your feet on the ground in Israel’s Heartland, check out our volunteer programs at https://serveisrael.com/volunteer/. If you’d like to support the work of The Israel Guys, visit https://theisraelguys.com/donate/.
AM Yisrael Chai!! Ode Avinu Chai!!
My heart breaks for those two young men and their families. I stand with you for 100% Israeli sovereignty in the heartland. I was with HaYovel in October and it was amazing. I have not stopped telling others snd asking them all to join me on a return trip. Prayers are needed around the world.
As a Christian pastor in the U.S., I join you in your anger. I am enormously frustrated by what the world and church allows to happen so ignominiously (as if under the radar). Tis an abhorrent thing to waste young, productive, faithful lives only to satisfy blood lust.
I understand the helplessness that you experience. We face different situations in our countries but the same problem: the vast majority of humanity are listening to the father of lies (cf. John 8) rather than to he who is the Truth. For the most part, the world and media have swallowed–hook, line, and sinker–the lie of a poor, persecuted and innocent minority of Palestinians always under attack by Israel. We must pray and work toward changing the preference for the lies and darkness into the a love for the revelation of Truth.
I’ve been to Har Bracha/Gerizim, to Ebal and the vineyards. A country and places awesomely blessed by El Shaddai. I encourage everyone to visit–it will change your life. Were I of better health and ambulation, I’d be back in a heartbeat. Nevertheless, I covenant to pray for and support y’all. Pax Christi, jim+
I was in Israel for 10 days in Feb. I discovered The Israeli Guys blog while there and I truly appreciate reading the truth from honest people on the ground there. Keep up your extraordinarily work.
My wife and I visited Israel in 1975 and it was the most wonderful seven (7) weeks of my life, – the places we saw, the people we met was absolutely wonderful. I pray daily for Israel, its leadership and its people. The murder of those two brothers is sickening. Regretfully, at age 90 coming back to visit Israel is not on.
The Labor party raising funds for victims of vandalism rather then victims of murder shows just how irrelevant they have become and why they didn’t get enough votes for even one MK.
If l were younger l would do as you ask. Come and visit Samaria and Judea. But as an older person l might not be able to do that. I always pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and will always continue to do that.
Yes The God of Abraham Isaac and Israel is true to His Promise, Seed, Land, and Blessing!
He said it! He will do it! Yes Judea and Samaria is His!
Can Israeli citizens not carry guns? Seems like they could at least defend themself if being attacked!
Thanks for your care. Yes, indeed Israelis can carry guns after getting a permit. On of the brothers just completed his military service in the Navy and the other one was about to enter a special combat unit. However, if you are stuck in a traffic jam, artificial or real, you don’t expect to be shot at point blank. That’s what happened here. Next day a Israeli/American young man was killed by a terrorist in a drive by shooting on the main road from North to South. While driving you cannot defend yourself in any way. He also had been serving in the Israeli army a few years back. Soldiers in battles against terrorists mostly get out unhurt. The recent spell of terror attacks has been by lonely gunners, even as young as 13! The incitement they are exposed to does it all.
Israel is a beautiful land and the birthright of the Jewish people. We just spent 10 days touring in Judea and Samaria. I always felt safe and we were welcomed warmly by everyone, Muslim, Jew, Christian and non-religious. Don’t let a few political extremists color your view of this wonderful country.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!