Friday, November 7, 2025

What You Need to Know:

Israel’s current coalition government, consisting of six right wing parties, will complete its third year on December 29. It is considered the most nationalistic and right-leaning government in the history of the modern State of Israel. It lost six seats when United Torah Judaism withdrew from the coalition in July this year, leaving PM Netanyahu with 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The government has weathered significant challenges over the past three years, including protests over judicial reform, the unprecedented tragedy of October 7 and the longest war in Israel’s history. The government, which is currently undergoing some division within its ranks, will remain in power until after the next elections, which are scheduled for October 2026.

In addition to PM Netanyahu, there are a number of significant Israeli leaders to cover in prayer. This week, we would like to introduce Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Born in Tel Aviv, Sa’ar has been active in Israeli politics since 2003. He has held many ministerial positions, and for the past year has served as Israel’s top diplomat. In his role, he implements foreign policy and promotes economic, cultural and scientific relations with other countries. One of his most important tasks involves hasbarah, which is the Hebrew word for “explanation.” In light of growing antisemitism and criticism of Israel, Sa’ar heads efforts to promote a positive image.

Dig Deeper:

Foreign Minister Sa’ar—Palestinian State Will Not Happen

Sa’ar Warns German FM of Serious Implications if Hezbollah Rearms

Finance Minister Smotrich Threatens to Halt Coalition Voting

What You Need to Know:

Although there is a tentative ceasefire in Gaza, Israel continues to encounter terror activities on its borders as well as within the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria.

Lebanon/Hezbollah: Intelligence officers, speaking before a Knesset committee, said Hezbollah is strengthening at a faster rate than the IDF manages to strike it. The US continues to pressure the Lebanese government, which has been ineffective in disarming Hezbollah, although it agreed to do so under the ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, the IDF continues to strike weapons depots and production sites in an ongoing effort to keep the terror army from rebuilding arsenal on Israel’s northern border.

Judea/Samaria: The IDF remains active in Israel’s biblical heartland as Hamas operatives are making great efforts to carry out attacks in the area. Special forces arrested a suspect wanted for questioning about shooting attacks against Israeli towns in Samaria. Another terrorist was eliminated after throwing an explosive device at troops near Jenin.

Egyptian border: This week, IDF soldiers intercepted a drone which was smuggling weapons from Egypt into Israel. Defense Minister Katz recently declared the area along the Israel–Egypt border a closed military zone due to increased drone activity.

Iran: Evidence has emerged that Iran is working to rebuild missile stocks depleted during the 12-day conflict in June. Large shipments of sodium perchlorate, used to produce propellant for missiles, are arriving from China.

Dig Deeper:

IDF Intercepts Drone Smuggling Guns into Israel   

Iran Rebuilding Ballistic Weapons Program with China’s Help

As Hezbollah Rebuilds, Israel Weighs Military Response

What You Need to Know:

One of the greatest strengths of the State of Israel is that it has provided a safe haven for Jewish people, formerly at the mercy of those nations where they lived. If the government was friendly, they thrived. If not, they suffered economically and physically. Many were even killed. As a homeland for the Jewish people, Israel, with the IDF, ensured physical safety and security for all Jews. However, recent developments may indicate an eroding of Israel’s ability to make its own security-related decisions.

On October 17, as part of the Trump Peace Plan, the US established the Civil Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat. Its purpose is to coordinate the flow of commercial goods and international aid, monitor the ceasefire implementation and support Gaza’s stabilization efforts. On the surface it sounds good, but this may also entail that Israel’s hands are being tied with the CMCC monitoring minute-by-minute developments in Gaza itself. The bottom line is that such oversight may prevent Israel from responding to blatant Hamas violations of the ceasefire.

In addition to American troops at the CMCC, there are also forces from countries that have been critical of Israel’s operations, including France and Spain. This is a developing story. There is the possibility that Israel will be forced into the untenable position of trusting its security to others who do not have the best interests of the Jewish people in mind.

Dig Deeper:

PM Netanyahu Visits CMCC in Kiryat Gat  

How the US Command Center Operates—and Why It Worries Jerusalem

What You Need to Know:

IDF soldiers are actively serving on at least three fronts: Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Gaza has the most soldiers present. The coastal enclave suffers near-constant Hamas-violations of the ceasefire as the IDF continues to clear tunnels in areas under their control. Thankfully, it has been two weeks since any Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. Currently, there are known to be approximately 200 terrorists in such tunnels for whom Hamas is seeking immunity and safe passage out of the Israeli-controlled area.

Serving in Judea and Samaria takes on a different look than the other fronts. Here, Arab communities are interspersed with Jewish ones. Soldiers man the checkpoints, which sadly have been the scenes of various terror attacks in the past. Other activities include raids by special forces units who operate under cover.

This week, the IDF announced that it would be releasing thousands of reservists from active duty, signaling a shift from major combat to “enhanced border security.” Many of these soldiers have been away from their homes for up to four months in the past year.

Dig Deeper:

Netanyahu: IDF Eliminating Hamas Holdouts in Israeli-Controlled Gaza

Hamas Demands Immunity for Terrorists in Tunnels beyond Yellow Line

Israel Begins Mass Demobilization of Reservists  

Undercover in the West Bank: Police Arrest Suspect in Nablus

What You Need to Know:

This week, we’ll once again focus on a specific group of Israelis: those involved with the tourism industry. Before the war, tourism accounted for about 2% of Israel’s economy, with 200,000 people directly employed in some way in the industry. Seven thousand licensed tour guides have spent the last two years without work in their chosen profession. The “Comfort Zion” tour organized by BFP Canada and the United States was one of the earliest groups to return recently. This group toured the Land from October 23–November 2. Mira, our tour guide, was occasionally overcome with emotion and could not find the words to express her gratitude that she was able to share her beloved country with us. Israel’s travel industry says the return of “regular tourists” could take six months or longer.

Although not directly a prayer for the people of Israel, we do need to pray for rain. Typically, the winter rains should begin around the end of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), which occurred on October 13 this year. Instead, the month of November has begun with unseasonably hot and dry weather. Israel is experiencing the worst drought in 100 years. The desalination plants do keep us from complete disaster, but God intended Israel to be a land which depended on Him for the blessing of rain.

Dig Deeper:

Winds of War Begin to Calm but Tourists Unlikely to Rush Back Immediately

Mass Prayer for Rain Said at Sea of Galilee  

What You Need to Know:

You don’t have to look far to find examples of rising antisemitism and Jew-hatred around the world. There is, however, some positive stories out there too. Last summer, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, a Muslim imam from the Bronx, learned that NY mayoral candidate (and ultimate victor) Zohran Mamdani said he would refuse to travel to Israel. This answer disturbed Drammeh, who works to build bridges between Jews, Muslims and Christians in the Bronx. In response, Drammeh decided to organize a group of Muslim leaders to travel to Israel on Mamdani’s behalf. In late October, with the help of Jewish NGO Sharaka, eight imams and other Muslim leaders from New York came to Israel in the fulfillment of Drammeh’s vow.

Although the Muslim delegation to Israel offers a ray of hope, there were other, less-hopeful happenings. A young Israeli woman was abruptly denied a job in Australia and accused of being complicit in genocide. The business owner sent this message: “Unfortunately, the position has been filled by someone who has a semblance of humanity and who cares for plants, animals, and the environment. Good luck on your journey and I hope you leave Melbourne soon!”

The Netherlands does not have a large Jewish population, but for the past 30 years, political parties have joined a debate aimed at convincing Dutch Jews of their support for the local community and for Israel. This year, major venues refused to host the debate because of potential violence. Moreover, several of the leading parties boycotted the event. It was held in the suburbs in a Jewish-affiliated building, which demonstrated that support for Israel exists only in “bubbles and enclaves.”

Dig Deeper:

A Dutch-Jewish Election Event Exposes Growing Isolation  

Muslim Leaders Visit Israel after Mamdani Refusal   

Woman Denied Melbourne Job for Being Israeli

What You Need to Know:

Mendel Vile served as an IDF combat engineer in Gaza and was severely wounded just two months after the conflict began. His body torn apart with shrapnel, he was airlifted to Sheba Medical Center in critical condition. Although doctors told him he might never walk again, Mendel determined to run a marathon. Ten months later, he did just that. In his words, “It’s a miracle I’m alive, and I thank God for it. He decided it wasn’t my time to go yet, and I’m going to make the most of every day I have.” As a motivational speaker, Mendel hopes to remind Jewish people they are resilient and strong.

It should not come as a surprise that tiny Israel, a nation that is battling storms of its own, was quick to respond with humanitarian aid when Hurricane Melissa devastated the island nations of the Caribbean last week. IsraAID, which has responded to more than 100 humanitarian emergencies in more than 65 countries since its founding in 2001, sent a six-member team which focused on water sanitation and hygiene and also brought mental health experts to the field. SmartAID, another Israeli organization sent 10 pallets with batteries and solar power units to help in the recovery efforts. The local Chabad family stationed in Jamaica, who weathered the storm themselves, was also instrumental in the relief efforts.

Dig Deeper:

Running for His Life   

Jewish and Israeli Groups Rush to Provide Aid to Hurricane-ravaged Jamaica