The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem, all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” (Ps.128:5-6)
Dear Intercessors for Israel:
The worldwide Corona virus pandemic has continued to seriously affect Israel. This past week has seen a drastic spike in cases, averaging some 3,000 a day. This increase has forced Israel’s Corona virus’s “cabinet” to declare another nationwide “lockdown.” Thirty cities including Nazareth, Daliat Al Carmel, Beit Shemesh and the Old City of Jerusalem have been declared “red” zones and subject to mandatory restrictions on travel, assemblies, schools and retail shops closed and limited movement. All entry and exits from these cities are banned. Most of these communities are either Arab or Jewish towns where people live-in high-density buildings, or cluster together for weddings or celebrations. The head of the United Torah Judaism party Yaakov Litzman as well as other religious figures then vowed that they would not order the ultra-orthodox community to observe these restrictions, especially during the High Holy days, a normally joyous season where Succah’s are built and Synagogues are packed. The government then responded by announcing the IDF would be called out to help the police enforce this new edict (www.israelnationalnews.com)
Israel now has the highest rate of new coronavirus infections per capita in the world, according to figures aired by Israeli T.V. The figures, which used data from Johns Hopkins University, show that Israel averaged 199.3 new cases a day per 1 million residents in the week ending September 2. Rounding out the top five on the list are Brazil (188 new cases per day per million people), Spain (178), the United States (129) and France (80). (www.jpost.com) . And despite last week’s breakthrough relations with the United Arab Republic, and Saudi Arabia’s permission to let Israeli airlines fly over their country, the Corona virus pandemic has continued to block international travel. At this time, only four nations are open to Israelis: Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Slovenia.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Breakthrough
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of this disease in the world, with a less than 5% survival rate. Israeli scientists announced a potential breakthrough in the treatment against pancreatic cancer, which results in 90% of cancerous cells being eradicated in just two weeks. This new treatment only affects and destroys the infected cells. The research was led by Professor Cohen-Armon from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Golan from the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan (www.jpost.com).
A Brewing Tempest
The nation of Turkey, under its President Erdogan has been called the “bully of the Middle-East.” Now in a crisis which Turkey “manufactured,” Edogan has managed to upset Israel, Cyprus, the E.U., France, Germany, N.A.T.O. Russia, Egypt, and the U.S. Some months back, Edogan signed an economic Maritime Boundary Treaty … in order to establish an Exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean Sea. While Israel’s construction of the Leviathan oil project between Cyprus and Israel shores has been slowly progressing, Turkish regional ambitions now complicate this situation – particularly with regard to maritime sovereignty. Last week Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have clinched a six billion Euro gas pipeline deal as part of the EastMed energy project. The project aims to bypass Turkey – a self-proclaimed energy hub to eventually supply up to 10% of Europe’s natural gas. Turkey responded by claiming exclusive sea rights as well as a dedicated economic zone between it and Libya.
This zone also completely surrounds Cyprus (Turkey claims the whole island is part of its continental shelf). This maritime treaty ignores and interferes with Greek sovereignty over Crete and other Greek islands and disrupts Israel’s-Cyprus oil drilling-pipeline project. Turkey sent warships into this “zone” last week to escort a hydrographic research ship. France and the U.S. responded with their warships also. Russia is also involved in this crisis as well as it supports a Libyan rebel group.
Unprecedented High Temperatures
Jerusalem had a high of 41.4°C (106.5°F) this past Thursday (3rd September) according to the city weather station, the hottest temperature recorded in the capital since 1942. The network also says it is the highest temperature in the city during the month of September since 1902 and is expected to further rise over the next ten days.
LORD have mercy on your people! Break this heat wave and send in the cooling fall rains early.
Column Tops from David’s Kingdom found in Jerusalem:
Not far from the House of Peace is the Armon Hanatziv Promenade (Palace of the Prince). Recently in what has been heralded as a “once in a lifetime” discovery, three decorated limestone column tops or “capitals” were discovered during an archaeological dig at the park. These capitals were immaculately preserved and were estimated to be 2,700 years old and date from the time of David’s kingdom (www.jpost.com 3rd Sept 2020). Archaeologists have stated that its unique style/design is found in the royal and official buildings of the kingdom of Israel and Judea during the First Temple period and can be found today on NIS 5 (five shekel) coins and on signs pointing to archaeological sites in Israel.
Tulsa Visit
Marylois and I are in Tulsa on an extended visit to help care for her brother Joe. He fell earlier in the year and suffered a debilitating hematoma in his brain. Joe has been in need of constant care since his fall. Surgery to remove this hematoma is scheduled this morning September 4th. Please pray for his complete recovery, and for his wife Cheryl.
Shabbat Shalom,
Gene and Marylois/House of Peace
P.S. All went well with Joe’s surgery. The doctor removed a significant amount of fluid from the brain (hematoma) and said that the part of the brain under pressure popped back into place when it was removed. Now we wait and pray that he will recover all functions.
Thank you for your prayers!