Trump Rejects Iran’s 14-Point Proposal as Israel Boosts Air Power

Trump Rejects Iran's 14-Point Plan as Israel Expands Air Power | VFI News

Trump to Israeli Media: Iranian Proposal Is Unacceptable

Israel Approves Purchase of 2 More Squadrons of F-35I and F-15IA Fighter Jets from US

Hezbollah MP Vows Terror Group Will ‘Thwart’ Lebanon-Israel Talks as Clashes Persist

Somali Pirate and Houthi Alliance Targets $1 Trillion Oil Trade Route with Revived Hijack Tactic

Our Vision for Israel – Barry & Batya Segal

Israeli Chef Closes Berlin Restaurant Amid Constant Threats

President Herzog to Make Historic Official Visit to Panama and Costa Rica

Unemployment in Israel Surges to Post-COVID High as War with Iran Jolts Labor Market

Archaeologists Uncover Massive Artifact Depicting Pharaoh Thought to Have Challenged Moses in Exodus

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Trump Rejects Iran's 14-Point Plan as Israel Expands Air Power | VFI News . . . https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YcBvi-YGaLQ

Trump Rejects Iran's 14-Point Plan — calling it "unacceptable." Here's what Tehran demanded, why the US walked away, and what Israel's massive air power expansion tells us about what comes next.

Trump confirmed he reviewed Tehran's 14-point proposal — delivered via Pakistan — and rejected it outright. Iran was demanding sanctions relief, frozen asset releases, war reparations, US troop withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz controls, and guaranteed uranium enrichment rights. The gaps remain wide.

Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Ministry approved a fourth F-35I squadron and a second F-15IA squadron, the first major step in a 350 billion shekel (~$119 billion) long-term military buildup. Israel's F-35 fleet will eventually reach 100 aircraft. Since the war began on February 28, over 115,600 tons of US military equipment have arrived in Israel on 403 flights and 10 ships.

On Israel's northern border, Hezbollah is actively working to derail Lebanon-Israel talks, with rockets and drones still being fired at IDF troops despite the declared ceasefire. And in the Red Sea, a Somali pirate and Houthi alliance is threatening the $1 trillion oil trade route with coordinated maritime attacks.

We cover all of this today on VFI News — and close with prayer for Israel's leaders, soldiers, and the nations caught in the middle of this conflict.

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US President Donald Trump told Israeli media on Sunday, May 3, that the latest Iranian proposal to end the ongoing conflict is “not acceptable.” He confirmed that he had reviewed the 14-point plan delivered by Tehran via Pakistan and rejected it outright. Trump also said the broader US campaign against the Islamic Republic continues to advance.

The Iranian framework, set out earlier Sunday, calls for a permanent end to hostilities within 30 days, the lifting of decades of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets worth billions of dollars, and the payment of war reparations. Tehran is also demanding the withdrawal of US forces from areas surrounding Iran, an end to fighting in Lebanon, a new mechanism governing the Strait of Hormuz, and guaranteed rights to uranium enrichment as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. A ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but core gaps remain over Tehran’s nuclear program and navigation through the strait.

Trump also publicly urged President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that an Israeli leader during wartime must focus on the conflict rather than on legal proceedings. Iran has confirmed it received Washington’s response to its proposal and is reviewing it. Trump warned on Saturday that military action could resume if Tehran engages in further hostile activity, even as previous diplomatic efforts have stalled despite occasional reports of flexibility on both sides.

Dear Lord, we pray in Yeshua’s Name for wisdom and discernment for President Trump and every leader involved in negotiations with Iran. We ask that You frustrate every plan of those who seek to harm Israel and the West, and that You bring an end to this conflict in a way that secures lasting peace and removes the nuclear threat over the region. Strengthen Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to lead with courage and clarity, and grant our soldiers protection on every front. We trust You to be a shield around Your people and to confound the schemes of the wicked.

Israel will procure two additional squadrons of F-35I and F-15IA fighter jets from the United States, drawing on lessons from the recent war with Iran, the Defense Ministry announced on Sunday, May 3. Over the weekend, the Ministerial Committee on Procurement approved a fourth F-35I squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. The deals are valued at tens of billions of shekels and form the first major step in a 350 billion shekel (about $119 billion) long-term military buildup plan.

Currently, Israel operates 48 F-35I jets, with another 25 ordered in 2023 and expected to begin arriving in 2028; the new approval will eventually bring the fleet to 100. Israel ordered 25 F-15IA jets in 2024, with first deliveries projected for 2031, and the second squadron will double that figure to 50. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the recent campaign once again demonstrated the central role of the Israeli Air Force in protecting the country, and that the lessons of that war require continued investment to ensure air superiority for decades to come.

Defense Ministry director general Amir Baram instructed the ministry’s mission to the United States to finalize the agreements with American counterparts in the coming period, calling Operation Roaring Lion a confirmation of how essential advanced air power and the US-Israel strategic relationship remain. Last week, two cargo ships and several planes carrying 6,500 tons of US military equipment, including thousands of munitions and JLTV combat mobility vehicles, arrived in Israel and were distributed to bases nationwide. Since the start of the war on February 28, more than 115,600 tons of military equipment have arrived on 403 flights and 10 ships.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7

A Hezbollah lawmaker declared on Sunday, May 3, that the terror group will be able to “thwart” any direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, even as the Iranian proxy fired several rockets and drones at IDF troops operating across the border in defiance of a declared ceasefire. Speaking at an event honoring killed Hezbollah operatives, Hassan Fadlallah told supporters that the talks and any results they produce do not concern the group, which will refuse to implement them. He claimed Hezbollah’s resistance is capable of derailing every objective of the negotiations and is fueling sharper division within Lebanon.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States have held two meetings in Washington in recent weeks, the first such direct contacts in decades. Hezbollah and Israel have continued to exchange fire since US President Donald Trump first announced a ceasefire on April 16, which has now largely unraveled, though fighting remains at a lower level than during the open war. Several rockets and explosive drones were launched at Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon overnight Saturday and on Sunday, exploding near the forces but causing no injuries.

On Sunday, an IDF interceptor missile was fired at a suspected Hezbollah drone over an area where troops were deployed, with results still under review. The IDF also razed an 80-meter Hezbollah tunnel in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon, which contained several rooms used by operatives, and combat engineers destroyed the underground site after scanning it. Footage was published showing strikes on Hezbollah gunmen spotted near Israeli troops in recent days. Lebanese army commander Gen. Rudolf Haykal met on Saturday with US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, who heads the committee monitoring the ceasefire, to discuss support for Lebanon’s armed forces during the current phase.

Heavenly Father, we lift up the soldiers stationed along Israel’s northern border and ask in Yeshua’s Name that You shield them from every rocket, drone, and act of aggression launched by Hezbollah. We pray for the leaders of Lebanon to find the courage to stand against the Iranian proxies that have hijacked their country, and for the negotiations with Israel to bear fruit that brings real and lasting peace. Soften hearts that have been hardened by hatred, and break every plan of the enemy to disrupt these talks. May the Lebanese people one day know freedom from the terror groups operating in their midst.

A surge in Somali piracy is fueling fears of a Red Sea security vacuum across the region, with analysts warning that the revived maritime crime playbook is now linked to the Iran-backed Houthis. The warning followed a May 2 report from Yemen’s coast guard that armed men had hijacked an oil tanker off Shabwa and steered it toward the Gulf of Aden; the vessel has since been located, with recovery efforts underway. Ido Shalev, chief operating officer at RTCOM Defense and a former Israeli naval officer, described a fundamental shift in the regional maritime balance and a new phase of instability at sea.

Shalev explained that Somali and Houthi-linked groups are coordinating attacks using skiffs and new technology in a way not seen in roughly a decade, while Saudi crude rerouted from the Strait of Hormuz has created a target-rich environment. Once a vessel is hijacked, pirates take it to a secure anchorage such as Qandala or Garacad and demand a ransom for the entire package: ship, oil cargo worth tens of millions of dollars, and crew. At least three vessels were hijacked within days, beginning with a Somali-flagged fishing boat on April 21, followed by the Palau-flagged tanker Honour 25 and, by April 26, a general cargo ship redirected to Garacad.

With international navies preoccupied with missile threats from the Houthis, a security gap has opened that allows pirates to travel vast distances in skiffs to board vulnerable commercial vessels. The Red Sea carries 12 to 15 percent of global trade and roughly 30 percent of container traffic, moving more than $1 trillion in goods annually, including oil and liquefied natural gas. Shalev warned that the current crisis cannot be solved by patrols alone and that threats must be detected before they ever reach a ship.

“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” – Psalm 107:23-24

Vision for Israel co-founders Barry & Batya Segal sit down to talk about their work of blessing and mercy in the land of Israel—thanks to the unshakeable support of all who believe in the restorative power of Yeshua’s love.

Gila & Nancy, the Berlin outpost of a Tel Aviv club created by celebrity Israeli chef Eyal Shani and his restaurant group, has shut its doors permanently after months of pro-Palestinian protests and threats against diners and staff. The restaurant, which first opened in September 2025 after several failed attempts to launch over the previous summer, was the target of an aggressive online campaign led by anti-Israel organizations and activists. The Berlin branch is now listed as permanently closed.

Demonstrations outside the restaurant initially focused on Shani’s partner, restaurateur Shahar Segal, who at the time was volunteering as a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Segal eventually resigned from the GHF, but Shani continued to describe a campaign of intimidation directed at the restaurant amid the new reality facing Jewish and Israeli business owners across Europe. He said death threats were sprayed on neighborhood trash bins, tomatoes were smashed against the windows, and direct threats were made against his life and his employees.

The September opening had taken place under police protection, with protesters continuing to gather outside and chant against the venue and its owners on opening night and in the months afterward. Shani was also targeted by menacing online messages, including one Instagram post that twisted his work in food into a violent accusation against him. The closure of Gila & Nancy reflects a broader pattern of antisemitic harassment confronting Israeli businesses operating in European capitals during the prolonged regional conflict.

Father in Heaven, we pray in Yeshua’s Name for the protection of Jewish and Israeli business owners around the world who are facing harassment, intimidation, and threats simply because of who they are. We ask that You comfort and strengthen Eyal Shani and his employees, and that You raise up courageous voices in Europe to confront the rising tide of antisemitism on the streets, in the media, and online. Bring justice against those who threaten innocent people, and turn the hearts of those filled with hatred toward repentance and truth. May the Jewish diaspora feel Your nearness, and may no weapon formed against Your people prosper.

President Isaac Herzog will depart on Wednesday, May 6, for a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica, two close friends and allies of the State of Israel. During the trip, the president will attend the inauguration of Costa Rica’s incoming leader, Laura Fernández Delgado, at the invitation of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. The visit to Panama will be the first ever by a sitting Israeli head of state.

Panama, currently a member of the UN Security Council, has consistently stood with Israel on the international stage. Herzog will meet with President José Raúl Mulino and members of his government to discuss deepening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation across multiple sectors. The trip follows a meeting between the two presidents at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where they agreed to continue strengthening the strategic relationship between Israel and Panama. Herzog will also meet with leaders and members of the local Jewish community in Panama City.

From Panama, Herzog will continue to Costa Rica to represent the State of Israel at Fernández Delgado’s inauguration. He will meet with the incoming president, attend a state dinner for visiting heads of state hosted by Chávez Robles, and hold additional diplomatic meetings with world leaders attending the event. He will also spend time with leaders and members of Costa Rica’s historic Jewish community. The President’s Residence said the visit reflects the importance of Israel’s ties across Latin America and the renewed momentum in relations with Central and South American nations.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1

Data from Israel’s Employment Service show a sharp deterioration in the labor market in March, as the number of job seekers climbed to roughly 396,000 — more than 2.5 times higher than the previous month — following the outbreak of the most recent war with Iran. By the end of the month, competition for jobs had intensified significantly, with about 10 job seekers vying for every three available positions, compared with a far more favorable ratio of nine vacancies per worker in February. The figures mark the steepest jump since the COVID-era downturn.

As in previous national crises, women bore the brunt of the impact, accounting for 58.3 percent of all job seekers. The surge in unemployment was broad-based, affecting cities and sectors across the country, with an average increase of about 182 percent in municipalities of more than 40,000 residents. The sharpest rises were recorded in occupations requiring outdoor activity or public gatherings — areas heavily restricted under Home Front Command directives during the conflict, which effectively halted parts of the economy for security reasons.

Employment Service Director General Inbal Mashash said the figures reflect the volatility experienced by the labor market during Operation Roaring Lion, with parents, women, and young people most affected. At the same time, she emphasized that Israel’s labor market remains resilient and that early data already point to the beginning of a recovery and a gradual return to routine. Officials are now monitoring whether the rebound holds as households absorb the financial toll of the campaign and businesses reopen following the lifting of restrictions.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a massive ancient statue believed to depict King Ramses II, the pharaoh long associated by historians with the Old Testament account of Moses and the Exodus. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the find on April 22, identifying the location as the Tel Pharaoh site in Husseiniya Center, Sharqia Governorate, in the Nile Delta northeast of Cairo. Officials called the piece “remarkable” in size, with the upper portion alone weighing between five and six tons and measuring more than seven feet in length.

The ministry described the statue as being in relatively poor condition, with its legs and base missing, but said the surviving features likely represent King Ramses II. Egyptian antiquities official Mohamed Abdel Badie noted that early analysis suggests the piece was originally created in the city of Pi-Ramesses and transported in antiquity to the Tel Pharaoh site, known in earlier eras as Imet, where it was reused within one of the local religious complexes. He framed the find as important evidence for understanding religious and royal life in the eastern Delta.

Ramses II, born in 1303 BC and considered one of ancient Egypt’s most influential New Kingdom rulers, is frequently identified by scholars as the pharaoh referenced in the Book of Exodus, which describes Moses confronting a king who refused to release the Israelites from bondage. Officials said the statue was immediately moved from the temple complex to a museum storage facility in the San El-Hagar area to begin precise restoration work. The discovery adds to a growing list of biblical-era finds recently announced across Egypt, including eight rare papyrus scrolls dating back nearly 3,000 years.

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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