In Touch February-March 2010

IN TOUCH No.160 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2010

In th

isis

sue:

Renewing TheVision: Page 2

What Does It Mean To Be Friends?: Page 4

The KingdomSong: Page 6

Wisdom (2)

Hebrew WordStudy: Page 8

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

In Touchis the newsletter of

Christian Friends of Israel UK

CFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by means of practical and

moral support, and to serve the Church in teaching about

God’s purposes for Israeland the Hebraic roots

of our faith.CFI also produces a monthly

News Report, a monthly Prayer Letter and a Middle East Update tape/CD/MP3.Please send for full details

of the practical projects and also of the many teaching

resources available.As an educational charity,

we carry a variety ofresources relevant to our

purpose. We do notnecessarily endorse every

view expressed by ourguest writers or authors

of these resources.

Published by:CFI Communications

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Tel: 01323 410810Lo-call 0845 230 3067

Fax: 01323 410211Email: [email protected]

Websites: www.cfi.org.ukwww.isrelate.com

www.keshercourse.org.uk

Registered CharityNo. 1101899

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“Is the Church missing a generation?” This is the lead question posed by the Evangelical Alliance at the start of 2010.

For Christian ministries with an emphasis on our links with Israel it is a special challenge. How is it that some church streams, which largely omit the Israel dimension, are doing better at reaching the younger generation for Christ? Can we give younger people more responsibility and communicate in a way that reaches their age-group?

These are questions that Trustees of CFI-UK and other Christian organisations

in the UK have grappled with for years. Enclosed in this copy of In Touch is our best clue to the answer. In the autumn we brought together our young leadership and a young Christian worship leader and Bible teacher. They told us the questions that are important to the student generation about Israel and the Church. We invited them to make a series of video clips for the Internet with a younger approach to these issues.

If you have a DVD player or computer, watch this lively 12-minute introduction, and, even if you haven’t, pass it on to a son or daughter or grand-children or young people in your church. We want to double the outreach of the Isrelate community in the 14–30 age-group this month!

Is it expensive? No, the disc you hold cost less to produce than the postage to send it! We could have hired a studio for the morning at £3,500 and spent twice as much on post-production editing. But we did not. We went to B&Q and spent £46 on plumbing pipes and connectors, built a temporary framework along one wall of our Seminar Room, covered it in table-cloths from our bookstalls and hired studio lights for a day at £50.

Thus equipped we were ready to welcome Chip Kendall, who lived in Israel from age 11 to 19, the son of a well-known worship leader. Chip now lives in Britain as a Christian band-leader himself with a passion for the Lord and for Israel. He is fronting a series of events for the Bible Society and is willing to spend occasional days working with CFI to reach a lost generation.

The challenge for the future will be to hold together this new outreach to young people, with our established teaching ministry on the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith, a growing intercessory movement, and our support for practical projects to bless Israel. We are a family and we want to hold the generations together. We must renew in our times the prophetic vision “to restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers”.

I am also so glad that in this issue we can introduce to you the next Director of Christian Friends of Israel in the UK – Jacob Vince – who will take up the appointment in April/May 2010 (see Page 3). He needs all our prayers and support at this critical time in Israel’s history and in the growth of this Movement.

Geoffrey SmithCFI-UK Director

Renewing The Vision

2 Y February/March 2010 Y Christian Friends of Israel In Touch 160

In the June-July 2009 issue of In Touch (No.156), we asked the question: Who will sit in this chair?

On the retirement of our UK Director Geoffrey Smith, the Trustees of Christian Friends of Israel are delighted to announce the appointment of Jacob Vince as UK Director of the charity. Geoffrey has wonderfully contributed to the work of CFI since 1998, and together with his dear wife Margaret will be greatly missed. But

undoubtedly he will continue in close association with the work.

Jacob Vince experienced life on a kibbutz in Israel for a year and then assisted Lance Lambert in Jerusalem before developing a career as a chartered surveyor in England. He is an elected member of General Synod of the Church of England and a Church Commissioner. His wife Ellen and family share his heartfelt commitment to Israel.

Jacob will take up his new appointment in April/May 2010 on Geoffrey’s retirement from the directorship.

Please pray for them as they seek the Lord in these days of transition and also for the staff, as this new phase of the Lord’s work commences.

CFI-UK News

INTRODUCING ISRELATE.COM DVDEnclosed with single copies of this edition of In Touch should be a copy of the new DVD introducing our young adults website Isrelate.com

The DVD has three short video clips by Chip Kendall in conversation with our Media Assistant, Sam Hailes. They discuss key issues and questions being asked by young adults today. These clips can also be seen online (along with several others) on the “Start Here” tab/link at Isrelate.com

Please view this and then pass it on to any young adults that you know in your family and/or church, or encourage them to visit the website...and even comment on YouTube (go to: www.youtube.com/isrelate).

In Touch 160 Christian Friends of Israel Y February/March 2010 Y 3

2010 is the 25th anniversary of the founding of Christian Friends of Israel. So what was Israel like in 1985? What did being friends mean then? Is it any different today?

In 1985 only 18.5% of the Jewish population of Israel were Israeli born. That means four out of five Israelis were Jewish immigrants – on average two came from Europe and America, one from Africa and one from Asia/Russia. Each Israeli-born Jew supported the absorption of four others who had come home: learning a new language, building houses and infrastructure, hospitals and schools, and creating new jobs.

Israel was not then a prosperous country. In 1984 inflation reached 35% a month! The value of money disappeared overnight. Labour and Likud Parties had broadly equal representation in the Knesset and a National Unity Government was formed to deal with the crisis. Shimon Peres as Prime Minister negotiated a tough Economic Stabilisation programme with the Histradut (Trade Unions) bringing inflation down to 1.5% a month.

In February 1986 Anatoly Scharansky, an outstanding Russian dissident, was released from imprisonment and hard labour to return to Israel. Only 914 of his Russian compatriots made it that year, but in 1989 this rose to 58,000 and then to 200,000 the following year.

Being a friend of Israel in those years meant offering practical help for the tide of immigrants returning to the land. Many came with only a suitcase of belongings but their return was a fulfilment of Biblical prophecy. CFI was able to offer clothing, pots and pans, and practical assistance as gifts from Christians in the nations.

Being a friend of Israel today still means supporting projects to help the needy, new immigrants, Holocaust survivors, and victims of terror. It means being a friend to Christians, Jews and Arabs in the land.

The poor are still with us and it is often the poor in counties like Britain who are the most sacrificial givers. The Israeli economy is the most dynamic in the Middle East but many are still left behind. What is different now is that more Jewish organisations have established soup kitchens, clothing stores and vocational training. Alongside them, the work of Christian Friends of Israel and CFI volunteers is a welcome expression of the Father’s love in unexpected ways.

Just as important to Israel is the work of Christian friends in Britain to counter the campaigns of boycott, delegitimisation and sanctions...the rising tide of anti-Semitism. This year our Lobby of Parliament focussed on the politically-motivated use of arrest warrants to harass Israeli visitors to the UK. We also delivered petitions with thousands of signatures calling on the government to block nuclear development in Iran as a threat to Israel and regional peace.

The front-line for Israel now runs through our churches, supermarkets, universities, trade unions, Parliament and the Media. In the churches there is a need for good teaching on the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith countering the view that the Old Testament is just a collection of stories and illustrations. Being a friend to Israel today involves prayer, teaching, giving and relationships to mobilise support in this country (and in Europe) as well as in Israel.

Surveys suggest that 17% of people in the UK support Israel and 27% are opposed, leaving the majority undecided. There is much ignorance and apathy, but this large proportion of the undecided provides a big challenge for the future.

What Does It Mean To Be Friends?Im

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Our largest pro-Israel Lobby of Parliament took place on January 20th addressed by leading members of all three political parties. Seventy-three MPs were seen on a one-to-one basis and showed overwhelming support for the State of Israel and its search for peace despite evident provocation and terrorist threats.

In addition to the meetings of MPs with constituents, briefings continued throughout the day in both Methodist Central Hall, Westminster and in Committee Room 14 (The Gladstone Room) in the House organised by Christian Friends of Israel and the Zionist Federation. Among those who addressed the group as a whole were, David Burrowes MP, Louise Ellman MP, Lee Scott MP, Alistair Burt MP, Sir Alan Beith MP, Andrew Dismore MP, Daniel Kawczynski MP, Barry Gardiner MP, and Dr. Stephen Ladyman MP.

“This year Israel has needed its friends more than ever” said Shadow Minister of Justice, David Burrowes MP, and Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, added that “Israel has more friends in this house than you may think.”

Over 250 people attended the Lobby, more than ever before, and there was standing room only in the largest committee room in the House of Commons. The two main themes of the day were the concern over the issue of arrest warrants for Israeli politicians and military leaders, and the threats from a nuclear Iran.

Geoffrey Smith of CFI-UK chaired the meetings jointly with Professor Eric Moonman, Co-President of the Zionist Federation.

WE MADE OUR VOICES HEARDMorning briefing at Wesminster Methodist Central Hall

Assembled group in the Gladstone Room, Westminster


All images © 2010 Adrian Korsner/JazzPics

When it comes to the life of Jesus of Nazareth few subjects are more important – or more challenging to interpret – than the Master’s teachings on the Kingdom

of Heaven. Is the Kingdom here or is it in the hereafter, in heaven? Is it now or is it not yet but coming? Is it presently advancing in our midst or will it appear suddenly, with apocalyptic disclosure, when the Son of Man returns to judge the earth?

The multiple witnesses of the four Gospels speak about the Kingdom in diverse and seemingly competing ways. We can get a reliable window on Jesus’ worldview, however, if we return to his original historical setting within Second Temple Judaism and the theological framework of Israel’s pious sages.

This seems a logical thing to do given that Jesus’ terminology “Kingdom of Heaven” – Malkhut Shamayim in Hebrew – is not found in the Tanakh (Old Testament), nor in the Apocrypha, the Pseudipigrapha or even the Dead Sea Scrolls. We find it in two ancient Jewish sources: the Gospels (yes, they are Jewish documents!) and the literature of the Sages.

Jesus does not invent novel terminology to describe his mission. He builds upon, personalises and radicalises the foundational Jewish concept of Malkhut Shamayim (Kingdom of Heaven, with “Heaven” understood as a circumlocution for “God”) as taught by Israel’s learned men. What can we learn from them?

First, the original proclamation of the Kingdom of God is found not in Genesis, with the Creation, but in Exodus, beginning with Moses’ Song at the Sea and Israel’s receiving of the Torah at Sinai.

The fact that God is our Creator and ultimate Judge is inescapable and unconditional. By contrast, entering the Kingdom and submitting to God’s authority is volitional and conditional. It requires the assent of our wills and the commensurate responsibility of our obedience of faith.

Second, where the Kingdom is present God’s redemptive, saving acts are manifest. In Exodus the mighty God redeems the children of Israel from Egyptian enslavement and then rescues them from Pharaoh’s menacing army by casting horse and rider into the Sea. In response, Moses and the children of Israel break into the prophetic song called Shirat ha-Yam (Song at the Sea) and acknowledge the Kingship of God in the memorable words: “Adonai yimlokh le’olam va’ed” – “The Lord shall reign (be King) forever and ever!” (Exodus 15:18)

Third, for the Kingdom to advance, redemption must be joined to revelation and mutual responsibility. From Egypt God brings Israel to Sinai. There atop the mountain He gives the Jewish nation Instruction (Torah) about walking with Him in holiness. Like a bride pledging her betrothal to her beloved, Israel reciprocates God’s grace by pledging, “Na’asei v’nishma” – “We will hear and do” all that you say (Exodus 24:7). They voluntarily take on the “yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven,” and God – the Creator of all nations – now becomes uniquely the King of one nation, Israel.

These interwoven themes of redemption, revelation and (especially) responsibility form the backdrop to Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom. He declares that the Kingdom consists of those who do the will of his Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). He teaches that when we pray for the Kingdom (God’s rule) to “come” ever more so in the earth, we must reciprocally pledge that our heavenly Father’s will “be done” in our lives (Matthew 6:10).

Jesus prioritises the Kingdom, not as a place, but as God’s redemptive power breaking in upon people doing the will of the King in order to sanctify His name.

This present and expanding reign of God will come to its promised fullness in the Last Day with the Advent of the Son of Man. Then the Kingdom will be consummated, not in heaven, but in Zion!

Here the “dwelling of God” forever will be with men (Revelation 21:3). Here, Jew and Gentile, together with one voice, will “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus” (Romans 15:6). And what shall they sing? To the God of Israel, now King over all the nations, they will sing the “Song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:3): Adonai yimlokh le’olam va’ed!

© 2010 Dwight A. Pryor and The Centre for Judaic–Christian Studies. All rights reserved.

The Kingdom Song


Why not explore this theme further with one of the following resources...In this inspiring and informative 12-part series (on 4 DVDs and accompanying study workbook), Dwight draws upon more than twenty years of research with Jewish and Christian scholars in Israel to unveil for you the Jewish backgrounds and dynamic spiritual dimensions of the inbreaking Kingdom of Heaven.

The insights in Unveiling the Kingdom of Heaven will help you to put into practice the Master’s priority: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 6:33).

“Few if any of the teachings of Jesus are more central to his mission than the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet few if any of his teachings are less understood or emphasised. In his work Unveiling the Kingdom, Dwight Pryor has taken a significant step in better understanding this most Jewish of Jesus’ teachings. I highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to better understand the nature of the Kingdom Jesus proclaimed and who desires

to more passionately experience the reign of God in their own lives. This is a transformational work. I use it and recommend it constantly. It even resonates with my Jewish friends!” Ray Vander Laan (That The World May Know Ministries, USA)

PAL DVD Set + 1 Study Workbook: £57.50 (incl. UK p&p)

In this exciting 12-part visual curriculum (on 6 DVDs plus accompanying study workbook), Dwight presents in-depth teaching on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Filmed with professional production values “Behold the Man!” has many features including: twelve in-depth study 40-minute sessions examining key biblical texts from the Gospels. Each set of DVDs comes complete with a companion study textbook (with group discounts on additional books).

PAL DVD Set + 1 Study Workbook: £77.50 (incl. UK p&p)

If exploring the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and the place of Israel in God’s purposes today is something new to you, then why not consider investing in the Kesher Course produced by Christian Friends of Israel (UK). This 10-part series on 5 DVDs (with accompanying Leader’s Guide + 1 sample copy of the Student Guide) is being used by individuals, cell/small groups and church fellowships throughout the UK to study these important issues.

“I do want to say how much I appreciated and valued the Kesher Course in Eastbourne. Having just started to read the OT in Hebrew with an Interlinear version, I found the introductory Hebrew lessons in the Course were very helpful. They were expertly given, and with an amazing amount of content. The Course itself was enlightening. I learnt many new things which are very valuable to me, both in my own Christian life and in my ministry. I also found that I had not known the extent of the anti-Jewish bias in the Christian Church down through the centuries. I did know of the persecutions that arose from time to time. But I had not known the full extent of the bias. This needs to be made public knowledge as much as possible because so many Christians today harbour these sorts of feelings without knowing why we have them, or where they come from. They are the

result of centuries of biased teaching and erroneous opinions that have no Scriptural basis whatsoever. Personally I found in my heart a great love for the Jews replacing some feelings of bias against them. This was a wonderful surprise and a direct result of the sessions in the Kesher course.” D.H., Polgate

PAL Boxed DVD Set + 1 Leader’s Guide & 1 Student Guide: £60.00 (incl. UK p&p)

Instalment Purchase Plans are available for all of these sets – contact CFI-UK for further details


“...in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God... insight, understanding and wisdom... were found in him” (Daniel 5:11)

In the first part of this study we noted that the Biblical concept of ‘wisdom’ has a much wider application than the English term. Biblical wisdom is not limited to philosophy; it encompasses all aspects of life.

The Hebrew word most commonly translated as ‘wisdom’, hm'k.x' chokhmah, incorporates two key elements: (1) understanding, insight, and knowledge; and (2) skill and ability. The first element relates to the gaining of wisdom, which can be done, for example, by listening to others older or wiser than ourselves, or reading their biographies; by increasing our knowledge through study; and by learning from our own life experiences, whether mistakes to avoid, or successes to build upon. All of these things help to prepare us for wise action. The second element of chokhmah is the ability to apply skillfully and effectively the wisdom we’ve gained.

Whereas the Greek/Western mindset tends towards obsessive dissection, separation and compartmentalisation, the Hebrew mindset prefers to hold things together in balance. This includes the twin aspects of wisdom. Understanding, insight and knowledge (learning wisdom) are good and wholesome, but not in isolation; their value is only realised if translated into skilful action and speech (applying wisdom). Whom does Yeshua say is like a wise man (Matthew 7:24)? “Everyone who hears these words/sayings of Mine and does them” (NKJ) or “acts on them” (CJB, NAS, NJB, NRS) or “puts them into practice” (NIV). Wisdom is most effective when it incorporates both hearing and doing—a partnership embodied in the Hebrew word shama (see In Touch No:153), meaning ‘to listen/obey’.

So far, we would hopefully agree that there is great merit in learning and applying wisdom, whether it relates to major life decisions such as which career to pursue, whom to marry, or how to raise our children; or everyday issues such as prioritising our actions, how to answer a tricky question, or when to speak and when to refrain. This is what I term First Dimensional Wisdom. General wisdom of this nature can be found in many different worldviews and philosophies, and it is often the thing which attracts a person to follow a given ‘religion’. But if wisdom merely aids us in steering the best path from the cradle to the grave, then it is of no eternal value. Indeed the Adversary is only too pleased when false religion, cloaked in wise sayings, succeeds in trapping naïve minds and souls on a path to destruction.

To put it another way, wisdom which has no regard for the only true and Living God, is ultimately worthless. The Bible puts it this way: “The fool says to himself [literally, ‘says in his heart/mind’], ‘Elohim is not’” (Psalm 14:1 and 53:1). This final phrase—in Hebrew ~yhil{a/ !yae en Elohim—is usually translated, “there is no God”. Whilst this may be linguistically correct, it can convey the false impression that only atheists are fools, and that belief in any god is better than none. The reality, which is clear from the context (see Psalm 14:2), is that David is referring explicitly to the only true God, Yahweh.

So, I repeat the assertion that wisdom which has no regard for the only true and Living God, Yahweh, is ultimately worthless. Tragically, the media are overflowing with this kind of blinkered,

First Dimensional Wisdom. Open any newspaper, switch on the TV or radio, browse the Internet, and your mind will be bombarded with advice on how to get on better in life. There is ‘wisdom’ for every eventuality, from advice on improving your appearance or being more influential, to guidance on cooking tastier meals or getting more from your garden! But almost all of it is Godless.

Of infinitely greater value is wisdom about how to have your sins forgiven, how to get right with God, how to have your conscience cleansed, how to be set free from the power of the Enemy, how to gain genuine love, joy, peace... and eternal life! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our media included this type of wisdom?

So, I’ve hopefully convinced you that it is essential to move beyond mere cradle-to-grave, Godless wisdom, to what I term Second Dimensional Wisdom. This is the wisdom which acknowledges the One Who says, “I am Yahweh, there is no other; apart from Me there is no Elohim [God]” (Isaiah 45:5). It was this revelation which set Yisrael apart among the nations. Other peoples had their fair share of philosophers and wise men—the Egyptians, the Persians, the Greeks—but they lacked knowledge of the Creator God, the Lord of lords. It’s hardly surprising therefore that it is a king of Yisrael—Shlomo (Solomon)—who is hailed as being “greater than all the kings of the earth... in wisdom (chokhmah)” (I Kings 10:23 and II Chronicles 9:22). Shlomo’s proverbs are outstanding because they combine both First and Second Dimensional Wisdom: they make sense of life with reference to the Living God. Hence Shlomo declares that “the beginning of wisdom (chokhmah) is fear of Yahweh, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Yet, for all his wisdom, “Shlomo did evil in the eyes of Yahweh, and did not fully follow after Yahweh” (I Kings 11:4). You see, it’s not even enough to acknowledge and fear the Living God; “even the demons believe—and tremble!” ( James 2:19). Fear of God is a starting point, but we must go further. The highest form of wisdom—what I term Third Dimensional Wisdom—is also our highest calling, and the first and greatest commandment: to love Yahweh our God with all our heart/mind, with all our soul/life, and with all our strength/resources (Deuteronomy 6:5; see ‘Loving God’, In Touch No:154).

Whilst the wisdom of Shlomo has value, “One greater than Shlomo” has come (Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31), the Messianic Counsellor promised by the prophet Yesha’yahu (Isaiah 9:6 [Hebrew v.5]), our Saviour Yeshua. He confirmed the pre-eminence of loving God (Matthew 22:37-38 and Mark 12:29-30). But more than this, He is in fact the very Foundation upon which our loving, wholehearted service of God is to be built. Sha’ul (Paul) explains this to the Corinthian Believers: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. Some will use gold, silver or precious stones in building on this Foundation; while others will use wood, grass or straw. But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire—the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work someone has built on the Foundation survives, he will receive a reward; if it is burned up, he will have to bear the loss: he will still escape with his life, but it will be like escaping through a fire” (I Corinthians 3:11-15). So the wisest of all, are those who devote themselves most thoroughly and lovingly to the work and worship of God as servants of Messiah Yeshua.

John C.P. Smith

Wisdom - Part 2


A lively, enthusiastic Gregory (pictured left) started to talk about the group of Holocaust Survivors in Haifa. We have met him several times now. The first time, we introduced the CFI Holocaust Survivors’ Project (Forsake Them Not), and we promised to visit the sick and needy in Haifa. Gregory gave us a list of 30 survivors of World War II. We assured him that we would visit them all. So once a month we drive up to Haifa from Jerusalem.

Gregory gladly started to tell about his next idea. He talked to the director of a high school and received help from young students with cleaning and shopping for the survivors. Then he asked for our involvement in an event for all the survivors on his list. We were invited for the celebration just one day after the

Jewish New Year. A local soup kitchen provided a wonderful meal and our team gave out food vouchers and a Book of Psalms to 125 survivors. I was impressed by their great joy and thankfulness for the gifts.

Meanwhile Gregory has had other ideas to help bring joy to the survivors. We hope and pray that with your support for the Forsake Them Not Project we can help him realise many of his dreams.

StoRIeS oF SURvIvAl In tHe CAMPSAfter she fled from two ghettos and two concentration camps Sonja (pictured right) was put in prison. She was the only one from her family who survived this horrifying time. Now she lives in the Ahavat Zion (Love for Zion) Street in Haifa.

Even when they made Aliyah in 1991, before they left, Genya (pictured left) and her family were beaten up in their home town. She survived World War II, because her father was able to sew a military uniform in one night for a German officer. When the family escaped they became active with the Partisans. After the war they had guests all the time. Their father received anyone, being so grateful for their survival. Genya remembers that her mother had prayed: “God, let us once gather as the family only” (without guests). It never happened. Genya also is very hospitable.

A German soldier caught the twelve-year-old-boy, Yaakov (pictured right), when he tried to sneak back into the camp after he had searched for food for his mother and sisters in the village. Yaakov had skipped work for that reason. While locked in a store room awaiting execution the next day, he asked the guard if he could go to the toilet and escaped the death penalty by hiding inside the latrines. He succeeded in escaping from the camp and hid in another village. But he never saw any of his family again. At age 15, Yaakov was alone in the world. Now he lives in Israel, and has preserved his family name.

Time is short to give relief and help to our survivors of the Holocaust. With all our heart we want to continue this work. We invite you to support the work for the survivors in Israel, while there is still time to bless the people who have been suffering their whole life because of the terrible nightmares of their youth. Your gift will make a difference!

Theo Breimer Forsake Them Not CoordinatorCFI Jerusalem

Visiting HolocaustSurvivors In Haifa

“The Lord will not reject his people: He will not abandon His own special possession” - Psalm 94:14


(Extracted from Beyond Images Briefing No: 230 ~ published on 19th January 2009 ~ used with permission)

Summary: Many Western commentators claim that Hamas has come round to the idea of Israel existing within the 1967 borders. This Briefing compiles statements by Hamas leaders in Arab language media where they admit that “acceptance” of Israel is a tactical ploy in their long-term strategy of “resistance”, leading to Israel’s eventual elimination. Many commentators claim that Hamas has abandoned its desire to see the elimination of Israel, and has come round to accepting a two-state solution. For instance:

“Hamas has no charter for the destruction of Israel in its political programme, and just wants the Israeli occupation to end...” ~ Sir Jeremy Greenstock, a former British ambassador to the UN, and director of the Ditchley Foundation, writing in The Guardian, 16th January 2009.

And this:

“Hamas has said many times that it would accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and has offered a long-term truce on that basis. That offer was repeated by the Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, to a group of 11 European Parliamentarians, in 8th November 2008...” ~ a letter in The Guardian, 16th January 2009 (the Haniyeh statement was widely reported in the international media at the time).

It is true that Hamas leaders have been making such statements for a long while to Western audiences. But what commentators choose to ignore completely is the admissions by Hamas leaders in Arab language media that while they are indeed prepared to accept Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 borders, this is a type of deception, an ‘interim solution’ and a basis for further armed ‘resistance’ to Israel. Needless to say, Hamas prefer that these statements be concealed from international attention.

Her are some key quotes:

ACCePtInG tHe 1967 BoRDeRS IS A ‘tRICK’ WItHIn tHe ReSIStAnCe PlAnS

“In the eyes of Hamas, tahdieh (calm – ie ceasefires, etc) is a trick within the resistance plans... I cannot be satisfied with the 1967 borders alone...” ~ Khaled Mashal, Damascus-based Hamas leader, stated at a convention hosted by Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, in April 2005, and reported by MEMRI, Report No: 894.

“We WAnt All oF PAleStIne...”

“We aim to liberate all the lands… if we have the option we will establish a state on every inch of land within our 1967 borders, but this does not by any means imply that we will relinquish our right to all the Palestinian lands. We want all of Palestine from the Mediterranean sea, to the Jordan river...” ~ Mahmoud al-Zahar, Hamas leader and ‘Foreign Minister’, quoted in London-based Al-Hayat, 12th October 2006.

tHe 1967 BoRDeRS ARe An ‘InteRIM SolUtIon’

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas Prime Minister, Gaza, said in the build-up to the Gaza elections of 2006: “Hamas supports the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 – as an interim solution...” ~ reported by the Gulf Daily News, Bahrain, 20th January 2006.

tAlKInG ABoUt tHe 1967 BoRDeRS IS A tACtIC FoR tHe PeRIoD tIll 2010

“Hamas has never proposed to change or amend its Charter. The platform [ for the 2006 election] presents a realistic view that reflects Hamas goals for the next four years. Had we spoken of eliminating and eradicating Israel within that period, we would have been deceiving our people and repeating false slogans. But this does not stand in contradiction to the fact that we place emphasis on the elimination and nonrecognition of Israel...” ~ Salah al-Baradawil, Hamas politician, quoted on www.islamonline.org, 14th January 2006.

‘Hamas has come round to the ideaof Israel within the 1967 borders...’


‘tHe 1967 BoRDeRS ARe An InteRIM SolUtIon…’

In an interview published in the German weekly newsmagazine Der Spiegel on 8th December 2003, the founder of Hamas Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was asked for his view on Israeli withdrawal to “roughly the 1967 borders and the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state.” He responded: “It would not work... It would only be an interim solution...”

Elsewhere in the interview, when asked whether there was a place at all for a Jewish state, he replied: “They could set up a state in Europe...”

The statements in this Briefing should be quoted back to Hamas spokespeople, and those who call for dialogue with them, every time they claim that Hamas accepts Israel. The question is: “Do you believe these statements or not?”

We ReFUSe to ReCoGnISe ISRAel, WHAteveR tHe PRICe We HAve to PAY...

“Israel is a vile entity that has been planted on our soil, and has no historical, religious or cultural legitimacy. We cannot normalise our relations with this entity. The history of this region has proven time and again that occupation is temporary. Thousands of years ago, the Romans occupied the land and eventually they left. The Persians, the Crusaders, and English [also] came and went. The Zionists have come, and they too will leave. [We say] no to recognising Israel, regardless of the price we have to pay [ for our refusal]...” ~ Mahmoud al-Zahar, quoted in Palestinian newspaper Al-Hayat, London, 12th October 2006.

KeY MeSSAGeS

These and many other statements by Hamas leaders are routinely ignored by Western media and politicians. Is it any surprise that so many do not understand the context for the challenge Israel faces with Hamas?

A Year On From the Gaza Conflict...Some people ask whether Israel’s action was necessary and justified? The graph below shows the build-up of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel (highlighting, as it does, the massive increase after the “Disengagement” in August 2005). The leader of the Palestinian Authority warned Hamas to stop the rockets...but they did not. The Foreign Minister of Egypt warned Hamas to stop the rockets...but they refused. Israel had no alternative but to defend its people from escalating attack. We need to bear this in mind amidst all the current Media reporting on this subject.


Brochure/booking forms for both of these conferences are available to download from theCFI-UK website (www.cfi.org.uk), or from the CFI-UK office (contact details on Page 2)

For your diary...

In CFI’s Silver Anniversary year, we are pleased to announce that the special guest speakers at our Annual Celebration in 2010 will be Lance Lambert and Dr. John Garr. The venue is Victoria Baptist Church, Eldon Road, Eastbourne, and the dates are October 15th and 16th. More details in future editions of In Touch – please mark the dates in your diary.

Dr. Garr has also accepted an invitation to be our guest speaker at an in-depth study conference over the weekend of October 22nd to 24th. The provisional title and subject for the weekend is: “Kingdom Living: Learning To Walk With God”, and the venue is Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Bungay, Suffolk (now part of the Christian Conference Trust group of centres). More details, including a booking form, will accompany the next In Touch magazine. Again please mark these dates in your diary and consider joining us.


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In Touch No. 160 ~ February - March 2010 (UK)

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Code Title / Description - ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE & PACKING Price Qty TOTALFurther Study Resources - (See page 7)

S107 Unveiling The Kingdom Of Heaven - Dr. Dwight Pryor (DVD Set + 1 Study Workbook) £57.50

B373 Unveiling The Kingdom Of Heaven: Study Workbook - Dr. Dwight Pryor (paperback) £12.00

B408 Unveiling The Kingdom Of Heaven: Study Workbook - Dr. Dwight Pryor (5 or more - each) £8.40

S106 Behold The Man - Dr. Dwight Pryor (DVD Set + 1 Study Workbook) £77.50

B323 Behold The Man: Study Workbook - Dr. Dwight Pryor (paperback) £12.00

B407 Behold The Man: Study Workbook - Dr. Dwight Pryor (paperback - 5 or more - each) £8.40

S120 Kesher: Making The Connection - CFI-UK (DVD Set + 1 Leader’s & 1 Student Guide) £60.00

BT62 Kesher: Making The Connection - Student Guide - CFI-UK (booklet) £3.00

BT78 Kesher: Making The Connection - Student Guide - CFI-UK (booklet - 5 or more - each) £2.10

PLEASE NOTE: Instalment Purchase Plans Are Available For All 3 DVD Sets - Details on Request

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MY RESPONSE TO THIS EDITION

Charity RegistrationNo. 1101899

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In Touch No. 160 ~ February - March 2010 (EU & RoW)

Please use this form, included with your copy of “In Touch”, to: Provide contact details and/or a delivery address Notify change of address Indicate your Gift Aid preference (if appropriate) Make a Gift Aid Declaration (if appropriate) Donate to help support the work of CFI-UK Donate to a specifi ed CFI-supported project Payment form (overleaf )

I / We would like to give a donation towards HELP SUPPORT THE WORK OF CFI-UK

Donations can be made in one of three ways:1. By Cheque/Postal order (made payable to CFI Charitable Trust): £___________________

oR

2. By Credit/Debit Card: £__________________ Please complete your card details overleaf

oR

3. By Standing order ~ please tick the box We will send you a form to fi ll in and return

I / We would like to donate to:

THE FORSAKE THEM NOT PROJECT (See Page 9) :

_______________________________________________

THE CFI PROJECT I/WE SPECIFY BELOW: _______________________________________________

Donations can be made in one of two ways:1. By Cheque/Postal order (made payable to CFI Charitable Trust): £___________________

oR2. By Credit/Debit Card: £___________________ Please complete your card details overleaf

Please return this form to: CFI Communications, Po Box 2687, eastbourne, Bn22 7lZTel: 01323 410810 Fax: 01323 410211 Email: info@cfi .org.uk Websites: www.cfi .org.uk / www.isrelate.com

Contact details ~ PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Surname: ____________________________ (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Rev/Dr) Forename: ________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Postcode: _________________ Tel: ____________________ Email: ____________________________________

If this is a neW ADDReSS, please enter your OLD POSTCODE here: __________________________

GIFT AID PREFERENCE:

If you are Gift -aiding your donation, please tick one of the two boxes immediately below:

I am / We are happy for CFI-UK to retain the tax refund to help support the work of CFI-UK.

I / We want the tax refund added to the gift for the purposes specifi ed below.

GIFT AID DECLARATION:

Please tick here to treat this, and all previous donations made since 6th April 2000, as Gift Aided.

Please tick here to treat this, and all future donations made until further notice as Gift Aided.I certify that I am a United Kingdom tax payer. (You must pay an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to the tax

we reclaim on your donations - 28p for every £1.00 you give. Please only sign this declaration if you want us to claim the Gift Aid.)

Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________________

DEBIT / CREDIT CARD DETAILS: Visa [ ] Visa Debit [ ] MasterCard [ ] MasterCard Debit [ ] Maestro [ ]

Exp Date: / Issue No: From Date: /

Payment by Credit / Debit Card is accepted on donations over £2.50. Please fi ll in your card details CLEARLY below. Once this data has been processed and payment approved, your card details will be destroyed.

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CFI-UK: FEBRUARY—MARCH 2010

IMPORTANT: for customers outside of the UK, please orderonline (www.cfi .org.uk) or use our telephone ordering system

IMPORTANT: for postal savings on bulk purchases, please order online or bytelephone, where the cost is calculated on the collective weight of your items

Any other payments (e.g. subscription renewals with accompanying form):

TOTAL DONATION and/or (carried forward from other side):

(Please make sure you have given your address overleaf) GRAND TOTAL:

In Touch February-March 2010

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Transcript of In Touch February-March 2010