THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL UPDATE
A Note from Jonathan Bernis
Shalom, my friend.
The Scriptures promise us that God has good intentions for His people.
No matter what we face or are forced to endure or the circumstances around us and the world – we can trust God’s plan.
We can believe in the future He’s written. And we can lean on the hope He supplies.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
We may not be able to understand the tension and turmoil happening in Israel or around the world . . . but we can rest in the hope that God has a plan. And our responsibility is to simply trust Him.
As you pray your own prayer of trust today, I hope you’ll also pray for this work of ministry that we share at Jewish Voice – for God to open more doors to share the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with the Jewish people.
Thank you for your partnership in this work of ministry.
To the Jew first and also to the Nations,
Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice Ministries International
Headline News
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Suspends Controversial Judicial Reform
According to The Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last week that he was temporarily freezing the bill that would alter the makeup of the Judicial Appointments Committee.
As part of the announcement, he affirmed that he was willing to give a “real opportunity to real dialogue” over the government's judicial reforms, which have thrown the country into turmoil and unprecedented civil unrest.
The Prime Minister said that the country was on a “dangerous path” and that he would not allow it to descend into civil war.
The statement came after hours of tense negotiations as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to quit the government if the legislation did not proceed on schedule and as tens of thousands of judicial reform opponents protested outside the Knesset.
If Ben-Gvir leaves the government and quits the coalition, the coalition will no longer have a majority, and the government could fall.
“Stopping the legislation is the right thing,” wrote Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, in a statement following Netanyahu's announcement. “This is the time to start an honest, serious and responsible conversation that will quickly calm [tensions] and lower the flames. For the sake of our unity and for the future of our children, we need to start talking here and now.”
Updates from the Middle East
Prime Minister Netanyahu Assures No Law Against Christians After Missionary Bill Outrage
After a bill that would punish Christian missionaries with prison time for any type of proselytization caused a furor among pro-Israel Evangelicals, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly assured that the State of Israel would not pass legislation targeting Christians. The bill, now indefinitely put on hold, would amend preexisting proselytization provisions in the 1977 Penal Code, which forbids missionary action through material enticement, persuading minors to convert or holding conversion ceremonies without the consent of parents. The amendment would change the crime to apply to all conversion attempts "directly, digitally, by direct mail or online.” The maximum prison sentence would be a year for conversion attempts of an adult and proselytizing against minors would be increased to two years.
Israel Launches New Spy Satellite
Israel put a new version of its Ofek spy satellite into orbit late last week, with the Defense Ministry saying it would enhance around-the-clock regional monitoring as the country braces for a possible showdown with Iran. The satellite was launched on a Shavit missile over the Mediterranean Sea, a westward trajectory Israel usually opts for as a precaution against sensitive technology falling into the hands of hostile Middle East neighbors should there be a malfunction.
Pray with Us This Week
Please pray 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 surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies
- The Lord to continue to bless JVMI’s ministry partners doing work on the ground.
- God to give wisdom and insight to Israel’s leaders to make wise decisions and for there to be unity among the Jewish people in Israel
- Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
- The Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah
