THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL UPDATE
A Note from Jonathan Bernis
Shalom, my friend!
As a partner of Jewish Voice who loves Israel and the Jewish people, I’m sure you’ve seen the latest attack in Jerusalem. It’s no exaggeration to write that God’s Chosen People are surrounded by enemies who want nothing more than to destroy the Israel and the Jewish people.
That’s why I hope you’ll take a minute now to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
The truth is...against such hatred, violence and death, that’s the only thing you and I can do — the only thing we can control.
Even in your own walk of faith, I encourage you not to feel overwhelmed by the darkness or the enemy today. Don’t give in to dismay. Turn to God. Trust His Word.
Reach out to Him now — on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. But also with whatever challenge or heartbreak you might be facing right now. And God will give you peace.
Thank you for standing with us through your partnership.
To the Jew first and also to the Nations,
Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice Ministries International
Headline News
Jerusalem Bombings: Teenager Killed, 19 Others Injured
The Jerusalem Post reports that at least one person was killed and 19 wounded in two explosions in bus stops at separate entrances to Jerusalem last week, in what police are treating as a coordinated double terror attack.
Both explosions, one at the entrance to the city near the Central Bus Station and the other in the Ramot neighborhood, occurred at bus stops during rush hour.
The bombs were detonated remotely and were reportedly packed with nails and bolts to maximum casualties. One bus near the scene of the first attack was riddled with holes, showing the dispersion of shrapnel.
Following an initial investigation at both scenes, Israeli police are treating the two explosions as a coordinated joint attack and made efforts to uncover additional explosive devices across the city.
Though no group has taken responsibility for the attack, Hamas praised it with its spokesperson, Abd al-Latif al-Qanua, saying that it was “in response to the occupation and its settlers' crimes against our people and Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Updates from the Middle East
Synagogues in New York City on High Alert After Foiled Attack
New York City’s Jewish community is heaving a sigh of relief after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and New York Police Department (NYPD) announced they had stopped “a developing threat to the Jewish community.” But some, while grateful to law enforcement, are worried other threats could be lurking around the corner. Two suspects were arrested at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. NYPD officers seized weapons, including an illegal firearm and a large hunting knife; ammunition and a Nazi armband apparently belonging to the suspects, according to reports.
UN Exhibit on Display Showing Jewish Expulsion from Iran and Arab Countries
UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan launched an exhibit at the Manhattan UN headquarters on Tuesday that will be on display for one week. According to a quote from Erdan in The Jerusalem Post, he launched the exhibition “to fight in every way the false narrative that the Palestinians spread at the UN.” The exhibit includes documents illustrating the lives and history of Jewish people in Arab countries as well as Iran. According to The Jerusalem Post, a UN Partition Plan, in which a Jewish and an Arab state were voted upon on November 29, 1947, led to Israel's war of independence half a year later on May 15, 1948.
Pray with Us This Week
Please pray with me for:
- God to continue to protect innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia
- God to bring comfort to individuals and families affected by the recent terrorist attack in Jerusalem
- God to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies
- Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
- The Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah
