Dispatch from Jerusalem

The Iranian Threat Expands

To Turkey

{image_1} “If any threat is staged against Iran, we will target NATO’s missile shield in Turkey and will then attack other targets…The Turkish people are aware [of everything]…We are sure that the Muslim people of Turkey will promptly cut these systems into pieces under threatening conditions.”

—Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh

Israel’s Legal Right to Exist

The saga of Israel’s standing under international law began long before the United Nations was a player on the global scene. As early as the turn of the 20th century, a number of Bible-believing statesmen and politicians, many of them British, were adamant in their support of the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland in fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

The Whole Word of God

{image_1} Often in my travels, I encounter churches and Christians who talk about being “New Testament” believers. At first this sounds wonderful, but upon further reflection, this phrase can be a repudiation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which Christians call the Old Testament and Jews call the Tanach. Many who view the Hebrew Scriptures as no longer valid use allegory to explain Scriptures, ascribing a meaning other than the plain one. As you can imagine, this can significantly change the interpretation.

Getting to the Bottom of the Middle East Conflict

{image_2} On September 21, 2011, US President Obama proclaimed at the UN General Assembly, “There is one issue that stands as…a test for American foreign policy, and that is the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.” President Obama assumes that the Palestinian issue is a root cause of Middle Eastern turbulence, the crown jewel of Arab policy-making, and the crux of the Arab–Israeli conflict. Is it?

A Tribute to BFP’s Founder

{image_1} In 1976, Bridges for Peace was birthed from the vision of Dr. G. Douglas Young, an extraordinary man who made such an impact on Jerusalem—after only 15 years as a resident—that he was awarded one of Israel’s highest honors in 1978 by the city’s famed mayor Teddy Kollek. Yakir Yerushalym, “Worthy of Jerusalem,” was normally given only to Jewish people over 70, but he was 68 and a gentile.

Him Who Dwells—Shekinah

{image_1}It is almost impossible for our modern minds to imagine what it must have been like to actually see the manifest presence of God as His glory rested on the Tabernacle or filled the Temple. When His manifest presence appeared on Mount Sinai, it is described in the book of Exodus as fire, cloud, and thick darkness accompanied by earthquakes, thunder, and lightening. Exodus 24:17 calls the sight of Him a “devouring fire” in the eyes of the Children of Israel.

The European Enigma

{image_1}Israel’s relationship with Europe is complex to say the least. Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and Israel is routinely assailed by pro-Palestinian activists on the continent. At the same time, Germany has sold multiple nuclear submarines to Israel, and the British finally changed a law that results in less legal harassment for Israeli officials visiting the country. Two of Israel’s closer friends have recently been forced out of power, but one of their stronger critics was too. So, is the relationship getting better, worse, or staying the same? It depends on where you look.

3,000-year-old House Preserved

{image_1}Can you imagine the thrill of uncovering a house from the time of Israel’s Golden Age when King David and King Solomon reigned over Israel 3,000 years ago? That’s what Dr. Shay Bar and Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa experienced when they headed an excavation team at Tel Shikmona near Haifa.

Islamic-era Roman Bathhouse Found

{image_1}Perched atop a small promontory overlooking a Mediterranean beach, a local Don Juan appears to have built a Roman-era style bathhouse atop his fortress. Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University say that their dig at the Yavneh-Yam site, located between the current day cities of Tel Aviv–Jaffa and Ashdod, revealed a beautiful bathhouse with duplex floors, a water-heating system, and underground ducts, all in the classic Roman style.

Iran Threatens to Send Navy near US Borders

{image_1}With ongoing tensions with the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program in the background, Tehran announced [in October] the intention to send a naval presence near US territory. According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted as saying, “Like the arrogant powers that are present near our marine borders, we will also have a powerful presence close to the American marine borders.”