I’m writing this (or at least starting to write it) on Israel’s “border” with the Gaza Strip.
Everybody calls it a border as if, like Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, Gaza is one of the sovereign states adjacent to Israel. Probably it’s because people know the power of words – how you can make fiction into reality simply by repeating a non-truth over and over again.
Like Sky News Sunrise host Eamonn Holmes, who in a television interview with Israeli President Shimon Peres last Wednesday spoke repeatedly and quite matter-of-factly about Israel’s military operation in “this country of Palestine”
I would have thought a news anchor for an award-winning organization with a global reach like Sky would have a handle on something as basic as the names of the recognized nations of the world.
Of course, Holmes is not ignorant of the truth. He is a wishful thinker who also knows full well the power of propaganda. He wants to see a country of Palestine created in the historic homeland of the Jewish people, and intends to speak out its existence until it comes into being.
It works the other way too. Like if you don’t call something what it is then people will quickly come to accept that it isn’t that thing.
Take “terrorist” - a term used quite comfortably by British broadcasters and print journalists to describe IRA bombers, but eschewed by those same reporters when it comes to Islamic killers in Mumbai and Rafah.
But I digress. Or do I?
Swirling mist wreathed Jerusalem as my companions and I left the capital early in the morning, and headed towards the coastal plain. We needed just 90 minutes to reach Sderot – the small town that for eight years has been the favorite target of the terrorists in nearby Gaza.
Hamas – and the other Arab groups in the Strip – have fired thousands of rockets at this town of 20,000 and, more recently, at other Israeli population centers further and further away from Gaza, massively increasing its attacks after Israel abandoned the area in compliance with international insistence that it give the Palestinian Arabs a homeland here.
As they slammed into and around these cities day after day, most of the people on the planet were oblivious to the untiring effort to kill more Jews. Why? Because it wasn’t news. And if it’s not reported, as far as we’re all concerned, it isn’t happening.
By contrast, most everyone everywhere knows that Israel has been fighting against those Arab rocket and mortar launchers for the last two weeks – first from the air, and since last Saturday evening, also on the ground.
Those same reporters who grew tired of – or just didn’t care about – the suffering and terror deliberately inflicted on Israel’s civilians, have been falling over themselves to highlight and communicate to the world the suffering that Gaza’s civilians have unavoidably, and against the wishes of the Israelis, been caught up in.
Early as we were to leave Jerusalem, the day’s dose of rockets from Gaza had already begun to fly. Beer Sheva, Ashkelon, and four other towns in southern Israel had been hit. Stopping to greet a friend on duty at a Border Police unit near the Erez Crossing, we watched an unmanned IDF drone and two attack helicopters prowling the cloudy skies.
A few minutes later we were in Sderot where, less than an hour after we arrived, a “Color Red” alert sent us ducking for shelter together with a dozen or so teenagers who were part of a group set to leave for the resort town of Eilat on a sponsored three-day break from the tension and danger pervading their lives.
“The girls all look anorexic,” an associate said to me, quietly. I had already noticed the spindly legs and arms of virtually all the young women in the group. The boys were goofing off, appearing to behave much like teenage boys everywhere. But we’ve heard numerous reports of the damaged emotions and post-traumatic stress disorders suffered by so many of Sderot’s youth.
I’m not crazy about driving into war zones, or even into close proximity to such places. A father of five – momentarily to be six – children, I long ago relinquished the thrill of racing into dangerous areas the way I sometimes did as a cub reporter in my old homeland. How these children and their parents can still even be sane after living this Russian Roulette routine day after day for years is beyond me.
There’s another good friend here I’ve come to meet.
Karel Sedlacek, a Czech Christian Zionist, just flew to Israel from Prague and headed almost immediately for this besieged town. Moving into a small bedroom, he plans to spend two weeks here, visiting with the Israelis and getting to know and encourage some of them as he lives in solidarity with a people who are hated so much in this world. He is “settling in,” this grandfather who could so easily be enjoying the peaceful existence of a Czech Winter, tells me with a smile. His wife gave him her blessing to come. They are living out their faith in Israel’s God. In the coming days I hope to interview Karel about his experiences and insights here.
Hillocks dot the outskirts of Sderot. On one of them, a tree stands over the carved steel statue of a horse. Clusters of media vehicles are drawn up on the side: Foreign journalists – angered by the “nerve” of the IDF that has denied them entry into the closed military zone of Gaza – stand with their backs to Gaza City and rely on their long lenses and ingrained prejudices to deliver their “coverage” of the war to the world.
I am on a different hilltop, looking out across no-man’s land at the distant high rise buildings and listening to the deep and drawn-out brrrack-brrrack-brrrack of the 70 mm machine guns on the Apache helicopters firing from high overhead at - to me – invisible terrorists in the streets over there.
Without warning, three F-16 fighter jets come crashing through the air low and to our right, releasing white-hot counter-measures against possible surface-to-air missiles as they drop down over Gaza City. We wonder what they are doing – no bombs are let go or missiles fired, and within seconds they are north of Gaza – again over Israel proper.
A plastic chair stands perched on the hillside. Next to it is a packet of popcorn, still fresh. A local tells me some of the town’s young people come up at night to watch the “show” - as the night sky is lit up by the explosions that shake the ground even here. It’s been said that a man can get used to living in almost any situation. My guess is that for the stubborn, brave people of this town, who have refused to be driven from their homes in terror despite eight years of their enemies’ efforts to make them leave, are simply underscoring that statement: This is our land, these are our homes, we will not live in fear and we will not run.
Black smoke billows from two targets in Gaza City as we drive away, heading back up the Judean lowlands towards Jerusalem. The ‘Cup o’Joes’ we stop at is still within range, though less so. The plasma-screens tell us it’s been a busy morning. A number of rockets have been fired from Lebanon, one crashing through the roof of a care home, and penetrating a bedroom vacated by its elderly resident just minutes before. A gas station right outside the Jerusalem-satellite community of Maaleh Adummim has been targeted by a would-be bomber – the police shot him dead.
In some ways we’re out of reach in Jerusalem – at least from the rockets, I think.
Then I see the latest map showing how the capital is not really out of range of the longer-range rockets the “Palestinians” have been smuggling into Gaza.
Just a few months ago we heard they would be targeting Beer Sheva, and we didn’t want to believe it.
How long before our feeling of relative security here in Jerusalem is ruptured too?
And what will Israel do then?
We fight in prayers for the peace of Yeshua in the hearts of people who don’t know Him. We proclaim the Word of God over His land, His people and over Jerusalem. We will not be silent! We went to our government in a Peacemission for the peace of Israel and we organise informationevenings so that people know what is really going on with Gods people. They need our support. So do you Stan. May the Lord bless you and your family on His way.
Shalom,
Ingrid
O dear God! I remember the weeping of Yeshua at the tomb of Lazarus. Even though He knew He would call Lazarus out immediately - still He wept; for the heartache and anguish that the death of a loved one brings; for all the suffering brought by evil into people’s lives. And today, as I read your post, His tears run down my face. And I weep with Him at the suffering of His people Israel and also the suffering of the Arabs. Because, among the lunatics, there must surely be some sane ones - mothers who are not so twisted as to welcome the death of their babies; women and children who don’t consider it an honour to be a human shield for evil men. Surely? And for them we must also weep, as we let our hearts break for every Israeli child and young person robbed of life - physically, emotionally, in every way. And for Jewish mothers who have been and will yet be burying their young soldier sons. And so we pray: Even so, come LORD Yeshua - Sar Shalom.
Stan, Praying for your safety as you go, and for the safety of your family. Thank you for this account. It is so refreshing to hear the “truth” Take care my friend. The Lord cover your going and coming. Rick
Yes indeed, Stan, how long?
Nevertheless, we should not give in to the despair that is so tempting. We know the END of the story.
Yesterday I was moved to create a graphic on the subject. Please take a look:
http://reflecting-his-glory-artworks.blogspot.com/2008/03/messiah-of-israel.html
Thank you for your update. I am praying for my brothers and sisters in Israel for protection, for miracles, and for wisdom. I know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob watches over them closely. The lack of casualties is proof that HaShems hand is over His people. In the Name of Yeshua, I bless you Israel!!
Oh Almighty G-d, my prayer is for Israel at this time and all those citizens that have had to endure years of bombing. Enfold them with your peace and love. Also be with Stan and keep him safe from any Palestinian rockets. Father how much longer do your people have to suffer this betrayal, the lies and accusations by a deceived and G-d hating world and media?
“2 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
3 and many peoples shall come, and say:
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.
For out of Zion shall go the law (Torah),
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.”
Isaiah 2:2-4
Come soon Lord…we await your return in anticipation. Bless Israel and remove her shame, that she can take her rightful place in your coming Kingdom.
Toda rabba Stan.
Well written, as usual.
Thanks for the insights into mainstream media’s propaganda. It’s running rampant in the USA too.
May YHVH never slumber nor sleep, but keep watch and protect Israel’s civilians and give wisdom to IDF soldiers.
B’Shem Yeshua haMashiach,
Amein.
STAN, MY ANGER IS TO THE NATIONS THAT ARE SO BLIND TO THE THINGS YHAT ARE HAPPENING TO THE PEOPLE IN ISRAEL AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHAKE SOME SENSE IN THEM, BUT THERE IS NONE SO BLIND AS THOSE THAT WILL NOT SEE. FATHER IN HEAVEN, PLEASE FORGIVE US ALL.
Shalom Stan,
Once again you have nailed it, the use of words in media reporting is a strong propaganda tool the enemy has been using for decades. Now even the dictionaries and encyclopedias are printing the revisionism brought about by years of misuse of terminology when referring to issues related to the Middle East.
At Builders of Zion and the Maccabean Resistance we make every attempt to correct the dialog, even refusing to print any reference to the Arabs who are trying to take over Israel, the so-called “palestinians,” without lower casing the p and placing the term in quotation marks so that the reader realizes that this is not the correct term. We are fighting the war of words, a war just as serious and important as the war on the ground in Gaza today.
Thank you for your faithfulness in reporting the truth in Israel.
Ed Warmoth
Builders of Zion
Maccabean Resistance
Wow! Thanks for another great report. You and Israel are in my prayers.
I find it interesting that some of the Israeli youth would find this entertaining enough to watch like a show only because of the perception of flippancy it may portray. I can understand it but I would hate for the liberal reporters who already get everything wrong, to report this as “see Israel isn’t under any real attack if their citizen watch this or view this as entertainment.” I have seen and read many reports of most who suffer in Sderot, as you say, if not physical harm, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. As we all pray, be safe and well. Congratulations on number six!
We continue to pray for Israel and that God will turn the minds of our leaders here in the United States to stand resolute and steadfast with Israel against those who seek to destroy her.
http://www.texascornersbiblechurch.org
http://www.sermonaudio.com/tcbc
Stan…thanks for the reality…keep safe for our sake…I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the wariors of the Lord……who send His mighty angels before them…as always. Let us too sit back with the youth of Israel, eat popcorn, and watch the Mighty Hand of God do great and mighty things in this day.
Thank you Stan from this “old Woman” here in the U.S. I have seen the use of words and posturings of those that are using such things. I have no way of changing such things but Prayers can work wonders. And I do have contact with my Heavenly Father. I sometimes wonder why He leaves me here but if and as He does I will stand with Israel. I also Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I have been praying about this “palistianian”state that has no right to steal Any of th land of Israel. Also the stand that our country has taken. What a big Job ahead of the next administration. This “Peace Plan” has been tried and failed too long. Only My Father knows how it will go. Thanks again for your news. M.J.
Greetings Stan from “Down Under”. A well written article. How one wishes the world wasn’t brainwashed and blind but God is still in control and we must continue to trust for His will to be down. Planning to visit Israel in March God willing.
Stan. Thank you for your eyewitness reporting.
I’ve stopped watching the news on TV and have gone global via the internet. Biased is the (major news network) news here in the states and there is no end in sight. Did you get to meet Joe Wurzelbacher ? He is our new no-nonsense reporter for the Gaza conflict. Hope it works out for him.
And what will Israel do then? Israel must “then’ and now trust completely in the Lord, he is their only hope and help! God is going to send two witnesses to help Israel see and understand His truth (which is His word) that was made flesh to dwell among us in bodily form through the womb of Mary!. As soon as the church age is over, these two witness will be sent to you! I would like you see the truth in these scriptures , just like they did Jesus, the world will not receive them, but call them” prophets of torment”, simply because they are proclaiming the truth that Jesus the only Begotten Son of God!……… Rev.11 Verses3,7-11. [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
[7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
[9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
[11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Lord I pray, come quickly and deliver us from evil, let it soon be upon this earth as it is in heaven, NO EVIL !! Amen
Thank you Stan for once more pointing the finger in the right direction, It gets so tedious reading and listening to tv reports on Gaza where there is so much bias that you wonder if they are reporting the same battle that you know is going on. The way the UN organiser was so sure in his report that there were NO Hamas opperatives outside his school only to be proved wrong, but who was listening to the rebuttle?? Propaganda by Hamas on how many children THEY have killed by exposing them to be sheilds for them to hide behind. Why haven’t the world gone for the Cowards that they are, hiding behind women and children? After all, it is an offence according to the Geneva convention. But then is Hashem trying to get the Israeli’s attention to be on HIM and not on their Army? “Look up unto the hills from whence your help comes from”. It comes from the L-ORD not from man. I look each day for your latest Watchman report after reading your Prayer scriptures, keep them coming Stan, may god bless you and your family.
Amen to all the above…
I too am from Australia, and have been sending in letters and articles of truth to newspapers and radio…hoping some may see the real and only truth, not propaganda. I am praying hard.
There will always be an Israel and always Jews, praise the Lord…but the world is decieved by the father of lies, and he wants Gods land, because he wants to be as God….but we all have read the book, and the end is beautiful.
Gos bless you Stan you are Gods man.
All glory to God, and He is protecting the Jewish people.
Praise God Stan
You take good care of your self as you report the truth, i wish you could report for Fox News here in America at least we would get some truth. Israel has got to stay the course they need not give in to any other country……. There isn’t one country that would put up with the crap that the Israeli people have put up with… It’s time for the Israeli army to comeplety clean the strip of the garabage that has been not only keeping Israeli children awake at night but also the children of gaza .
My prayer is that the mighty God of Israel will finally be called upon for He Can & Will Deliver Them……………….
Praying For The Peace Of Jerusalem
Don
Well on South African news stations (SABC), I was shocked to hear the reporter say that she was in Gaza a few months ago and she physically saw how they were smuggling basic necessities, foodstuffs, medical supplies, clothing etc. through the tunnels which Israel is now bombing, because the poor people of Gaza were suffering without these “basic necessities”. No doubt staged especially for the journalist. But yeah the South African government and the majority of the people feel they can relate to the poor Palestinians because of apartheid. It’s crazy how they’ve made Israel out to be the big monster. How can the world be so blind ???
Shalom,
We pray for the safety of the people of Israel, that you will be kept from harm. I am reminded that the Word of God says this, “No hand raised against you shall prosper”. Be strong and courageous for the Lord our God is with you!
Num 6:24- 26 The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM.
In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.
Phyllis and Len Pearson
New Zealand.
Shalom Stan,
I hope they will continue to search out and destroy God’s enemies just as they are doing in Gaza. Trust in God ,O Israel, and he will go before you, and after you!
Isaiah 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
Shalom Jeremy
Grace and peace to you Stan and the apple of Gods eye, whom i love, may God give you the peace that surpasses all understanding, that your hearts and minds are guarded through Christ Jesus
Stan,
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with accurate portayals of what is happening in Eretz Israel. Know, too, that believers in Yeshua are earnestly seeking God’s favor in this and that our Jewish brethren will know victory and we are yearning for the day when He makes Jerusalem a praise!
Shalom!
Carrie
israel is the apple of Elohims eye and always will be, i pray for you and your protection as the scriptures are fulfilled by the min. Be assured and encouraged by the prayers of christians all over the world.. God does not sleep nor slumber and His wrath will soon be poured out on the nations of this world, those who curse israel. Be assured of Messiah love and protection
Shalom
Wynand, South Africa
DEATH TO ISRAEL!!!!!!!! DEATH TO CHRISTIAN ZIONIST!!!!!!
This is so heartbreaking for all. Jew, Muslim,Arab.
Let’s pray God uses the media to show the truth of His matter.
Let’s ALL pray for the salvation of Jew, Muslim,Arab and lukewarm Christians.
The world is finally paying attention. Oprah thinks its cool to thank God for her body. People are accepting and embracing all views on life. Maybe people will listen with a willing heart.
Lets All pray that God will speak through His children in Israel, open everyone’s minds to His truth. He doesn’t want any to perish.
It seems these days no one will be able to plead ignorance with God. In the name of tolerance all have become involved and more knowledgeable as to what they believe.
Let’s pray during this awful time God and His people benefit from the World’s need to exploit and manipulate, to suit their own agenda.
Let’s pray God’s truth is spoken during all interviews concerning the middle east.
We’ll Pray for you too, Ronald.
I have been watching the president elect to see what he would have to say about the Israel-Gaza war. I heard him say in an interview with Katie Couric of CBS news that the solution lies in a two state solution…..a state for the palestinians. Here we go again, the same old blind “solution” to peace in the middle east. Yes, when will it ever end? The blindness, the lack of courage. How does our American government keep making the same mistakes over and over again?
TIME magazine just came in. On the cover is written “Why Israel Can’t Win”. I haven’t read the article yet. Underneath the title is this comment: “The siege of Gaza may punish Hamas, but it won’t make Israel safe. Why it is in peril like never before”. I don’t understand many of God’s ways, but perhaps He is showing Israel that with the whole world against them, their only hope is in their God. Only He can do the impossible. I pray for Israel and I pray for all the innocents in Gaza who are held hostage to this miserable situation. Please, God, come down and take charge through the Prince of Peace. I believe in Your plan….please give your children endurance. Please give Israel endurance.
Jeannette,
Its too bad Stan won’t ever let you read this, but in the wildest chance that he allows it, what would you have become of the poor slobs in Gaza? Would you have them uprooted again?
Doran, I did not call anyone a “poor slob in Gaza” You did. I spoke of the Innocent ones, the children and the women that are brought up to believe that Israel is the devil. I am not the one to say what should become of them. I am not a statesman, only a concerned follower of Jesus that hates to see the misery in this world. I have no power but that of prayer to my Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world. Satan is having his way now, but that will soon end, and he and his minions will be destroyed by God. It is up to God to decide who is righterous and who is not. It is up to God to keep His promise to Israel of the land that He gave to them long ago. Who are you, anyway? God knows your heart. I pray for you too.
In the Torah and beyond, there are several examples of people being eliminated for the Lord, ruthlessly, as if they are nothing, to make way for His people. Then Christians believe that Jesus descended as a peace offering from the Lord in a loving attempt to save ALL people. Who, other than the Lord (who thinks and judges not just the heart of every individual but also entire tribes, clans, family lines and cities) can understand what is just in this situation? I think in humility an awe we all wait to see what He will do. We trust in His Word, we lean not on our own understanding.