For Israelis, Iran is personal
The streets of Jerusalem on a quiet morning
The other day my wife and I discussed plans for our annual trip. Every year when the kids are off for summer break, we travel back to the U.S. to spend time with family and friends we left behind when we moved to Israel.
This year, when I thought about our trip, I could not escape the thought that there’s a very real possibility that by summer Israel might be at war with Iran. No one – probably not even the Israeli government – knows this with certainty. Yet, when we pay attention to what Israeli leaders have been saying, it’s entirely plausible. In light of Israel’s assessment that we don’t have another year before Iran reaches a breakthrough in their nuclear program, it’s likely that a strike, if it happens, will happen sooner rather than later.
On the streets of Israel — in cafés, pubs, markets, restaurants — there is much talk about an Israeli strike against Iran. It’s not that we’re hysterical about it, but it’s clear that there’s real concern we could be involved in an all-out war. The concerns hit close to home. Due to shortages, half the country, including my family and I, does not have gas masks. I have clocked the amount of time it takes to run to the nearest bomb shelter (30 seconds), but with kids, and the possibility of having to awake in middle of the night to head for shelter, I think it would take closer to three minutes. I’m all too aware that sometimes seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
Still, Iran poses an existential threat against the Jewish State. Israelis know that — and they know that the price of going to war now is small in comparison to facing off with a nuclear Iran.
It is said that God helps those that help themselves. Well, I pray to God that if it comes to war with Iran, Israel will be guided by the hand of…
Read More » Comments (27) »Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at 2:58 PM | Amichai Farkas
Prayer alert
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
Iran is preparing to move forward with the execution of a Christian pastor for the crime of apostasy. Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani admits that he was born into a Muslim family and was taught some of the precepts of the faith, but says he never accepted them. Nadarkhani converted to Christianity – illegal in Iran – at 19. The now-34 year old was arrested two years ago for apostasy and evangelizing and, since that time, has been separated from his family for refusing to recant his faith.
The Obama administration and many in Congress have condemned Iran’s actions and called for Nadarkhani’s release. We hope you will join us in praying for Pastor Nadarkhani’s freedom and for the freedom of all Iranians to enjoy the liberty to follow their own consciences.
Comments (27) »Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at 12:21 PM | Stand for Israel
Iranian scientist’s goal “the annihilation of Israel”
Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan
Speaking to the Iranian news outlet FARS, the wife of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan Behdast, the Iranian nuclear scientist who was assassinated in Tehran in January, proudly confessed that her husband sought the annihilation of the Zionist regime. “Mostafa’s ultimate goal was the annihilation of Israel,” Fatemeh Bolouri Kashani told reporters on Tuesday.
Mostafa was the fifth Iranian scientist assassinated in recent years. Many have pointed fingers at the U.S. and Israel, accusing the nations of being responsible for the attacks. The U.S. strongly denied any involvement in Mostafa’s death and even went as far as to condemn his assassination. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. Iran, meanwhile, has already made up its mind, declaring that Mostafa was “assassinated by Mossad agents.”
Targeted assassinations are widely “officially” condemned, not just by the U.S., but by many in the international community. But take a moment to consider Israel’s position. She is faced with a rogue nation, Iran, that ignores the world’s calls to cease pursuit of nuclear capabilities. Iran has repeatedly and publicly called for Israel’s destruction. Given these sobering facts, and the clear and present danger Israel is in, if Israel were indeed responsible for the death of an Iranian nuclear scientist whose highest aspiration was to destroy the Jewish state, perhaps the world could understand why.
Comments (13) »
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 8:38 AM | Amichai Farkas
An important juncture in U.S.-Israel relations
Netanyahu and Obama (photo: Reuters)
It was officially announced today that U.S. President Obama will meet Israeli P.M. Netanyahu during his upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. in March. Netanyahu will be traveling to the U.S. capitol to address the AIPAC conference, and he will likely use this forum to gather support against a nuclear Iran, which Israel views as the greatest threat facing the world.
Although the Israeli and American governments insist that relations between the two ally countries are good, their underlying tension is felt throughout the world over disagreements on a number of issues, including how to deal with a nuclear Iran and the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. In Israel, we recognize the American government as a friend and ally to Israel, and we hope that the partnership will be strengthened in the coming months as the prospect of war with both Iran and Israel’s enemy neighbors grows greater.
There has not been a meeting between Obama and Netanyahu for more than six months, and the upcoming meeting will likely be the final one between the two leaders before Israel makes her final decision of how to deal with the threat of a nuclear Iran. The meeting will likely be full of tension and disagreement, being that Obama believes in the power of sanctions and Netanyahu seems to think that a military strike is becoming inevitable.
The nuclear Iran issue is pressing and time sensitive, and although Netanyahu has given the world the luxury of time to deal with this international threat, sanctions have proven nearly ineffective and much of the world’s leaders are vetoing the crippling sanctions that could actually make a difference. Obama knows that Israel is watching the ticking clock on the ability to stop Iran from possession of nuclear weapons, and this will be a main point of discussion during the leaders’ upcoming talks in March.
The Palestinian-Israeli peace talks have broken down, and by the time Obama and Netanyahu meet in March, the direction that the Palestinian Authority has chosen will be crystal clear for the world…
Read More » Comments (11) »Monday, February 20th, 2012 at 4:21 PM | Amichai Farkas
Iranian attacks abroad continue
Thai police investigate site of bombing in Bangkok (photo: Reuters)
A day after a car bombing injured an Israeli diplomat’s wife in New Delhi and another attack against an Israeli target was thwarted in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, an explosion set off by an Iranian man injured four in Bangkok. Another Iranian suspected of involvement in the attack was arrested at an airport in Thailand.
Commenting on the latest attacks against Israeli targets abroad, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated that “the Iranians and Hezbollah are determined to sabotage Israeli daily life and are operating against Israelis all over the world.”
It is not yet clear if the attack today in Bangkok was aimed at an Israeli target. Yet, considering the recent pattern of attacks, it seems reasonable to assume all are linked.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated yesterday that the attacks in New Delhi and Georgia were carried out on the behest of Iran and Hezbollah. Although Iran denied any connection to the bombings, and even claimed that Israel bombed itself, today’s attack in Thailand, which was clearly carried out by Iranians, only bolster’s the Israeli PM’s claim.
Comments (3) »
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at 2:56 PM | Amichai Farkas
"informing, equipping and mobilizing individuals and churches to support the
State of Israel"
State of Israel"
Recent Posts
Paratroopers at the Western Wall, 45 years later
Iranian official: Iran still committed to "full annihilation" of Israel
Indivisible Jerusalem — An interactive, panoramic view of the Holy City
Jerusalem Day Quiz
Photo Friday celebrates Yom Yerushalayim
