“O that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad” (Ps. 53:6)
Dear Intercessors for Israel
This past week in Israel has been highlighted by the arrival of some 500 Ethiopian Jews making “Aliyah” (return). These descendants from the ancient tribe of Dan, came on two flights, arriving a day apart, in a special airlift from Gondar… The first flight contained 316 immigrants. The first passenger to emerge from the Ethiopian Airlines jet led a young girl with one hand and with his other blew a shofar, which in Jewish tradition is used to signal redemption. The rest of the new immigrants came down the steps of the aircraft, waving Israeli flags. Some of the passengers kissed the ground as soon as they reached the tarmac, another tradition for those arriving for their first time in the Holy Land. Many were dressed in traditional Ethiopian robes, and many women held babies in their arms.
The arrivals, some of whom have waited 15 years or more to emigrate and many of whom have family here, will not be able to be reunited with their relatives immediately, due to corona virus guidelines that require all arrivals to be quarantined for two weeks. They will spend their first three months in Israel at an absorption center in the north, where they will learn Hebrew. Israel’s Absorption and Immigration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, a naturalized Ethiopian accompanied the passengers. (www.timesofisrael.com). She originally arrived in Israel as a young girl in Operation Moses a 1984 airlift that brought 6,000 Ethiopian Jews to the country from Sudan.
The joyous arrival, was formally attended by several of Israel’s leaders, and marked the opening phase of a plan to bring some 2,000 members of the community to Israel from Ethiopia in what has been dubbed Operation Tzur Israel (Rock of Israel). During the arrival ceremony, Israeli songs were broadcast via loudspeakers on to the aircraft tarmac, including HaTikvah (The Hope), Israel’s national anthem.
The new arrivals were greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and other senior government figures at an emotional welcome ceremony, reminiscent of the celebrations surrounding airlifts of Ethiopian Jews in the 1980’s and 90’s. “I don’t remember having been so moved for many years in such a clear image of Zionism,” Netanyahu said. “I had tears in my eyes “and “This is the purpose of the Zionist story, the Jewish story,” he said. Netanyahu also declared that the story of the Ethiopian Aliyah to Israel, with all its lethal dangers and hardships, will be taught to all Israeli schoolchildren, referring to journeys made by some immigrants by foot across Sudan and Egypt to reach Israel. Critics have urged the government to speed the arrival of all 2,000, as well as thousands more community members estimated to be waiting to emigrate from the war-torn country. About 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel today, most of them from the Beta Israel community, and many are integrated across all levels of society, though accusations of racism persist.
Israel in 1991 also successfully carried out Operation Solomon an airlift which secretly transported 14,000 Ethiopian Jews in the space of a day and a half. The LORD God is still moving and fulfilling prophecy that in these last days, He would bring His people back from the ends of the earth, to dwell in Israel. And Jacob (the Jewish people), shall rejoice, and “Israel shall be glad.” (Ps. 53:6)
COVID Vaccine
Israel has been hit particularly hard during the world’s pandemic. With rising COVID cases, the government is moving towards the idea of a third lock-down during the Hanukkah season. Ben Gurion airport, the nation’s principle gateway to other nations is still closed, and the tourist trade has been non-existent since March. One new hope, to achieve some sense of normality is the projected arrival of some four million doses of corona virus vaccine manufactured by Pfizer. Israel is also contracting to receive Russian’s Sputnik anti Corona virus vaccine. Pfizer’s vaccine requires constant cooling at subzero temperatures, to remain effective until it is injected into you. Two doses may be required also to keep up a level of immunity. The Israel health ministry is hard at work training and preparing health workers to be able to inoculate some 80,000 Israelis every day. This goal would see about a fifth of Israel’s population inoculated by January.
The problem not discussed is whether these vaccines will actually give long term protection from the virus, or if there are any serious side effects. The presence of corona virus mutations also raises the prospect that more than one vaccine may be needed to offer some sort of protection.
Knesset Moves for Dismissal
Israel’s 26th Knesset voted this week in a preliminary reading to disband. The bill to be successful requires three readings and three majority votes. Israel’s unity government since its inception has been in dis-array, with constant infighting and lack of co-operation commonplace. The State budget still has not been approved. If the Government fails to gain approval from the Knesset by the 23rd of December, the Unity Coalition will fail, and new elections will be scheduled by March 23rd, 2021.
Pray for Israel
Please pray over these issues regarding Israel, that I have mentioned. Ask the Father God to continue fulfilling His Word, by causing His people to return to the land. Pray also that this world’s Corona virus pandemic be “arrested.” Pray that Israel would be able to open its borders once again to tourists. Pray for the Government of Israel. Pray that the State budget be passed. Pray for the safety of all of Israel’s citizens, from terrorism, and warfare. Pray that they would realize that it is God of Israel who keeps them. Pray that “the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion”, again!
Thank you
A special thank you for those who support the House of Peace. Your giving helps our Israel ministry continue. Thank you for helping support the “special projects” that need to be completed (plumbing repair, internet repair, to keep “the lights burning and the servants ready” for the Master’s return. If you feel led to give to the House of Peace, please either go to our Web site: www.globaloutpouring.com and make a donation, or mail an offering to Global Outpouring, P.O. Box 447 Jasper, AR 72641. Mark your offerings House of Peace. Your gifts become great blessings when you sow seed into this Ministry.
Shabbat Shalom,
Gene and Marylois/House of Peace