A Plea to Powell and a Cry to Christians April 2002
Did he get the message? Did the Christians?
This edition contains two brief items. The first is an open letter to US Secretary of State Powell published in the Jerusalem Post on the eve of his visit to Israel and the Middle East. It is sponsored by three of our major Christian groups based in Jerusalem, who together represent a powerful ministry to Israel in behalf of the Bible believing world. It's very short. Israel is in indeed perilous times,and we trust it will not fall on deaf ears. We can and must pray.
The second is a touching plea for an awakening in the churches of America (and why not the rest of the globe?) by an Israeli believer, Eliahu ben Haim; he is joined by a long list of other Jewish believers who live in Israel. It's short as well, and we regard it as a must read. Would that the entire world that calls themselves Christian grasp the significance of the hour--not only for Israel, but for all of us.
Victor Schlatter, South Pacific Island Ministries
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AN OPEN LETTER TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL
The following letter appears in the Friday, April 12th edition of the Jerusalem Post. We encourage you to forward this to all friends of Israel.
Ray Sanders,
International Director of Christian Friends of Israel, Jerusalem Office
Dear Secretary Powell:
As Jerusalem-based ministries representing millions of Christians from many lands, we commend the manner in which America has opened up its storehouse of goodness and military might to help the world stand against the menace of global terrorism. President Bush has done well in making this battle the number one priority of his Administration and in declaring, "either you are with us or you are against us."
And yet, as you arrive in a land battered by this very same scourge of terror, you have ordered the closest of allies, Israel, to stand down and retreat from the battle.
The tentacles of Palestinian terrorism run from Teheran to Ramallah to Islamic charities on American soil. Its depravity knows no bounds, invading the sanctity of Christian and Jewish holy places and observances, and demanding even the sacrifice of innocent children. And as has been exposed for all to see, it thrives under the rule of PLO leader Yasser Arafat - the dean of all international terrorists.
Mr. Powell, the world needs America's advanced weaponry, intelligence assets and economic strength to wage the battle against global terrorism. But most of all it needs Washington's clear moral leadership.
Many leaders in Europe and elsewhere sadly appear to have lost their way, unable to discern the true evil nature of Palestinian terrorism and to respond appropriately.
The Arab world is too blinded by hatred to concede that Arafat is the one responsible for deliberately enflaming the region and bringing it to the precipice of disaster.
Ordinary Palestinians have never been offered a real chance to rid themselves of the greatest source of their suffering - Arafat's corrupt and callous regime.
And Israelis have been unjustly forced to show restraint in the face of a brutal terror campaign and to act according to a standard required of no other nation on earth.
This is an open and urgent appeal for the Bush Administration to provide the moral leadership which is so badly needed in this world today, lest the march of suicide bombers spreads outward and the anti-Semitic rage now loosed in streets far and wide sweep us toward another tragedy for the Jewish people.
Defend Israel's right and duty to combat and crush terrorism - to not only save the lives of its own citizens, but also as part of a broader effort to deliver the Palestinian people from the clutches of an irredeemable ruler. The Arabs will benefit, America will benefit, the whole world will benefit.
BRIDGES FOR PEACE
Tel: 972-2-624-5004
mailto:
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL
Tel: 972-2-626-4172
mailto:
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM
Tel: 972-2-5399700
mailto:
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And from theSOS-PRAYERNET 13 April 2002
Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Intercessors for Israel
Appeal for help for Israel
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tuesday was Holocaust Rememberance Day. As the Church was silent 60 years ago, most of the church is silent today.
We are in a fight for our lives and with each passing day the world comes against us with more venom and hatred. There is a lying spirit at work in the world and in your nation that is demonizing Israel and perversly calling Palestinian terrorists innocent victims. We are fighting not only demonized flesh but powers and principalities, the father of lies.
The world is much more concerned with Yasser Arafat's welfare than with the 130 innocent victims of suicide bombers in March alone. We are bleeding and yet we are accused of being the evil ones.
In the way that you express love to us, pray for us and give to Israel and the Body, you have shown your friendship to us. You have repented for your people's sins against the Jewish people 60 years ago and over the past 2000 years, but what are you doing practically today to help us in this life and death battle?
We thank you for your prayers, however prayer and kind words are not enough in the desperate situation we are in today.
We need you not only to pray but to stand up, speak up and make your voices heard in your nation.
There is an initiative in Germany for the spiritual leaders of that nation to publish a full page letter of support for Israel and calling on their government to stand with Israel in it's hour of need. We would recommend this initiative to your nation as well.
In the USA there will be a march of support for Israel in Washington DC on Monday, this too is a good way to demonstrate to your government and your people where you stand.
We need your help TODAY.
At the start of our present military campaign, 31,000 reservist received what is called a "Zav Shmone". This an emergency mobilization order. It does not give the reservist a week to get his house in order, but hours to report for duty in a life and death struggle.
We cannot issue you a Zav Shmone, but it is our heart's cry to you, and we believe it is the Lord's as well.
Colin Powell is on his way here to break Arafat out of his isolation and bring in International "peace keepers" to Israel. We need your help now!
Also, as a witness to the People of Israel, they need to know that there is a people called Christians who do not hate us but are willing to stand with us in this dark hour.
Please take this appeal to heart and to the Lord. If He bears witness to it, do something NOW.
Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Intercessors for Israel
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[THIS WEB PAGE WILL REMAIN POSTED LONG AFTER THE ABOVE CRISIS IS PAST. BUT NEW CRISES WILL CONTINUE TO SURFACE. SENDING A LETTER, EMAIL OR FAX DOES HELP. PASSING ON A MESSAGE TO OTHERS IN THE BODY HELPS JUST AS WELL. AND OF COURSE—NOT TO NEGLECT OUR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FIRST TWO—PRAYER IS TALKING TO THE ONE AT THE VERY TOP. FOR SURE DON’T NEGLECT THAT RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD HIS CHOSEN FAMILY. VS ]
FAX OR EMAIL CONTACT FOR USA DEPARTMENTS:
State Department, Colin Powell: 202-261-8577
President G.W. Bush: 202-456-2461
V.P. Cheney: 202-456-7044
Condoleeza Rice: 202-456-2883