VFI News Israel’s Enemies Find Opportunity in Its Internal Crisis

Iranian and Hamas officials meet to discuss Israel's societal upheaval, a Lebanese military analyst's warning of war preparedness, Israeli nuclear scientists' protest against judicial reform, IDF's arrests in Jenin, and more.

Stay informed with VFI News on Israel, the Middle East, and Jewish issues. Join us in prayer for peace and stability.

#IsraelSecurity #MiddleEastTensions #israelnews

Top Iranian security officials and the Hamas terror group held a closed-door three-hour meeting last week to discuss a response to the societal upheaval in Israel sparked by the government’s judicial overhaul, according to a report on Tuesday, July 25.

The meeting was attended by a senior commander from Iran’s Quds Force, a part of the Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guards Corps that is responsible for extraterritorial operations, and two other Iranian security officials and officials from Hamas, according to British media.

The two sides agreed that the judicial crisis has already damaged Israel, but that they should not make any “direct interference” to exploit the situation because getting involved could allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deflect blame outward, to foreign enemies, the report said.

A Hamas source told the British media outlet that Hamas, Iran, and the Quds Force were holding discussions “over the whole situation,” but would not discuss the meeting about the judicial overhaul. There was no immediate comment from official Iranian sources.

Iran backs Israeli enemies including the Gaza-based Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror organization. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, also gloated on Tuesday that Israel was on the “path to disappearance.” (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we pray that You protect us from enemy forces that convene as soon as there is a hint of turbulence in our country. We ask that regardless of our internal conflicts we will be prepared and prevent other nations’ malevolent plans, all the while enhancing our national spirit.”

The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.

A Lebanese military analyst recently said on local television that the Lebanese army and Hezbollah are prepared for war with Israel. The analyst, Abdul Rahman Chehaitli, said that Israel should not underestimate the Lebanese army, because even though it has inadequate weapons, it has some of the most qualified servicemen, who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the country even if they have low salaries.

Chehaitli added that the Lebanese military has Hezbollah’s 100,000 fighters and an arsenal of 150,000 rockets to back it up. He made the comments in an interview that aired on July 11 on OTV and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

"If the army commander orders these 60,000 soldiers to go to the border, all 60,000 will go there, even without a salary. I am not exaggerating. I am telling you how it is."

Hezbollah has been provoking Israel lately. On Sunday, July 30, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting with defense officials, regarding the security situation in the North, Hezbollah operatives were recording themselves violating the border and waving the terrorist organization’s flag.

The previous day, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader said that the entire Middle East will not rest until the "cancerous gland" that is Israel is removed. Nasrallah further warned that Palestinians today "believe more than ever in the resistance and on the axis of resistance." He also reaffirmed that Hezbollah "stands by the Palestinians with everything we possess." (INN / VFI News)

“When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” - Proverbs 10:25

Senior nuclear scientists in the Israel Atomic Energy Commission are considering resigning in protest against the government's judicial reform plan, Israeli media reported on Tuesday, July 25.

The groups of scientists, dozens as per the report, are still discussing whether or not to resign. These scientists are reportedly targeted across the globe due to the nature of their occupation and have had security detail attached following Iranian threats on their lives.

The report continues, adding that any decision is unlikely to be taken as a united group, but rather as individuals.

Meanwhile, a poll showed that the majority of Israelis (58%) fear civil war. The poll, conducted by Lazar Research, showed that just 38% of Israelis are not afraid that there will be a civil war, and 4% said they do not know. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that our people can come together and create a unified front in the international arena so that no foreign nation can take advantage of this turmoil and start discriminating against Israeli or Jewish people.”

The IDF, the Shin Bet, and border police made arrests in Jenin overnight between Sunday and Monday, July 30-31, for the first time since the massive Jenin operation in early July.

Although only two Hamas terrorists were arrested in the raid, the raid was significant because, for the past few weeks, the IDF has unofficially stayed out of Jenin to allow the Palestinian Authority to reassert its authority.

The Israeli media state that the IDF has been concerned about acting too much in Jenin, which could undermine the PA's legitimacy there, by making them look like they are working directly with the IDF. At the same time, the IDF has been adamant that it would continue to act anywhere that the PA failed to act.

Besides in Jenin, the IDF arrested 10 others in raids across Judea and Samaria. Arrests were made in Naalin, el-Muir, Shiyuch, Izaria, and the al-Arouv refugee camp. In Mizra-al-sharkia and Beit Kahil, the IDF seized terror funds and weapons.

In some of the arrests in the various villages, there were rock and molotov cocktail throwings by some of the Palestinians. The IDF used non-lethal crowd dispersal methods to facilitate the arrests and there were no IDF injuries reported. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we thank You for enabling our defense forces to shield us from terror and arrest known terrorists before they have the chance to wreak havoc again. We pray that You will protect our soldiers during these high-risk operations and that they will be able to return safely to their families.”

Celebrate Tu B’Av (August 2), which is known as Yom Ahava in Israel, by joining VFI in their humanitarian aid efforts. This video highlights the heartwarming work that VFI does to help those in need, spreading the love and kindness of Yeshua. This rendition of 'All You Need is Love' was recorded by Barry & Batya Segal at Abbey Road Studios. Enjoy!

On the 75th anniversary of the Nakba (the “catastrophe” that Palestinians call the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948), the Palestinian public sees the Judea and Samaria-Gaza Strip split as the most damaging development that has happened since 1948, followed by the (Israeli) “occupation” of Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip in 1967.

The results of the second quarter of 2023 also indicate a decline in the popularity of Fatah and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in both Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, accompanied by a decline in satisfaction with the president’s performance.

The increased dissatisfaction led to greater demand for Abbas’s resignation, reaching 80%.

The PA’s standing is also worsening, with the percentage of those who believe that its continued existence is in Israel’s interest increasing by six percentage points in three months, while half of the public said that the collapse or dissolution of the PA serves the Palestinian interest. (JPost / VFI News)

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ” - Mark 3:24

The United Nations has a terrorism problem. Last month, its Security Council refused to designate as a global terrorist the architect behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 170 people.

Just over two weeks ago, the UN’s Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has previously appeared on a Hezbollah-affiliated channel, issued a report that was praised by the terrorist group Hamas.

Until today, the UN has actively failed to define terrorism, affording terrorists impunity daily. Not only does the UN have a problem identifying terrorism when it is right in front of it, but in some cases the UN has even partnered with terrorism-affiliated groups.

Over the last year, four United Nations agencies have partnered with and accepted $7 million from the terrorism-affiliated NGO Qatar Charity.

According to the Counter Extremism Project (that maintains databases on extremist groups, their ideology, leaders, history, financing, violent activities, tactics, and rhetoric), the Qatar Charity is a member charity of the Union of Good network.

Furthermore, in 2021, UN Watch exposed 100 UNRWA employees for inciting violence and antisemitism online. UNRWA child educators have reportedly glorified Hitler and terrorism, while UNRWA textbooks have glorified violent jihad and characterized Jews as enemies of Islam. (JPost /VFI News)

“A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” - Proverbs 11:18

A Swedish woman who had been granted permission to burn a Hebrew Bible outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm on Friday, July 28, decided against the act. Instead, the 50-year-old woman burned a blank sheet of paper and stated it was a “symbol of the Swedish system that is empty of content.”

This marks the second time in two weeks that a planned burning of a Hebrew Bible was eventually abandoned. The previous activist who made such a request backed down and did not go through with the Torah burning, saying the real reason for the protest was to draw attention to the difference between freedom of speech and offending other ethnic groups.

Israeli authorities on Thursday had denounced the granting of permission to burn a Hebrew Bible for a second time in Stockholm. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said, “I’m appalled by another threat to burn a Torah in Sweden. Threats to harm holy books and Torahs must stop.”

Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer criticized the plans as well, saying, “I strongly condemn the intention to burn the Torah, which is so holy to the Jewish people. This is a shameful event that cheapens the sacred value of the book and critically harms the Jews in the entire world.” (INN / VFI News)

“Therefore I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of Your name.” - Psalm 18:41

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Thursday, July 27, signed a framework agreement with Ivory Coast in the fields of agriculture, water, and technology, Israeli media reported.

He also met with the country’s Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Prime Minister Patrick Achi, and Foreign Minister Kandia Camara.

“Both of our countries face the threat of terrorism, especially the spread of Hezbollah, Iran's terrorist arm. In my talks with senior government officials in the Ivory Coast, we agreed to share Israeli knowledge on legal, financial, and intelligence issues,” Cohen said.

“We also operate in the field of international aid, with Israel providing the latest of our knowledge in the fields of agriculture for the benefit of the people of the Ivory Coast. The economic forum that I opened with the Israeli business delegation will greatly contribute to increasing trade between the two countries,” he added.

Cohen had led a business delegation of a variety of Israeli companies in the fields of cyber, agriculture, and energy to the Israel-Ivory Coast Economic Forum. On Wednesday, he visited Ghana, where he met with President Nana Akufo-Addo and opened the first Israel-Ghana business forum. (INN / VFI News)

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

Want to see more from VFI? Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionforisrael and hit “like” if you like us!