VFI News May 6, 2022

Israelis bowed their heads at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, for a minute of silence as sirens sounded throughout the country in remembrance of the country’s fallen soldiers and terror victims.

Fifty-six soldiers died during their military service since Israel’s last Memorial Day. Another 84 disabled veterans died due to complications from injuries sustained during their service. The numbers brought the total of those who have died during service to the country since 1860 to 24,068.

The nationwide ceremonies for Israel’s Memorial Day, which began at sundown, started in the afternoon with a commemoration event at the Yad Lebanim memorial for fallen soldiers in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy took part in the ceremony, as well as top army brass and families of fallen soldiers. (TOI / VFI News)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. - Revelation 21:4

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.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for unity during a speech at Yad Labanim's Memorial Day ceremony in Jerusalem on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Bennett stressed that Israel has a strong military and security establishment, but warned that "if, God forbid, our solidarity is broken, or we allow anger and hatred to grip us, then at that moment our enemies will take advantage of it to harm us." The prime minister added that "our people carry on their bodies the scars of the gene of divisiveness from our ancestors."

The prime minister referenced the history of the Jewish people and the first two Jewish kingdoms, saying "our State of Israel is the third time that there is a sovereign Jewish state here in the Land of Israel. The previous two times, we did not succeed in reaching the eighth decade in peace."

The prime minister stressed that now "we have won a third chance," but added that "there will not be another chance."

"We are now in the eighth decade of the state, the decade we have not yet succeeded in as a united nation. We have been given an opportunity to correct the sin of our ancestral brotherly hatred and to get rid of the inclination of sectarianism that destroyed our people," said Bennett.

"On this day we all embrace the families who have lost the most precious to them of all," said Bennett. "Out of the sanctity of this day, out of longing for those who are not with us, we swear to protect this home, which was their home, the home they sacrificed their lives for. May the souls of our fallen brothers be bound up in the bundle of life." (JPost/ VFI News)

“God, we ask that You bring unity and peace to Your people and Your Land.”

Israel is leaning toward expanding its aid to Ukraine, including sending military assistance to the embattled country.

Israeli officials have said Jerusalem can send “plenty of items” to Kyiv that are more defensive, but air-defense systems, advanced weaponry, and attack systems would not be sent.

The increase in aid would be a substantial step compared with what Israel has already provided, and would be more symbolic and not include substantial quantities of supplies because of the aid already provided by the US and European countries.

Jerusalem has been trying to strike a balance between Russia and Ukraine, but the US and some European countries expect Israel to take a clearer stance regarding which side it is on and to back its decision with deeds and not just statements.

A meeting by defense officials is planned for the coming days to discuss what platforms or supplies can be provided to Ukraine. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, pray for the world leaders to walk in truth and justice in all decisions and actions.”

Israel is demanding an apology after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday, May 2, claimed that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots, calling the remarks "unforgivable and outrageous."

The comments, made during an interview with Italian television, prompted Israel to summon the Russian ambassador. Lavrov made the remarks when he was asked why Russia feels it needs to "denazify" Ukraine if the country's own president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish. Moscow has repeatedly used the claim to justify its invasion of the country.

"So when they say ‘How can Nazification exist if we’re Jewish?’ In my opinion, Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesn’t mean absolutely anything. For some time we have heard from the Jewish people that the biggest antisemites were Jewish," he said, speaking to the station in Russian, dubbed over by an Italian translation.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, whose grandfather died in the Holocaust, blasted Lavrov in a statement Monday.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov’s remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement, as well as a terrible historical error," he said. "The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of anti-Semitism."

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that "such lies are intended to accuse the Jews themselves of the most horrific crimes in history that were committed against them."

World War II, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people and helped defeat Nazi Germany, is a linchpin of Russia’s national identity. Repeatedly reaching for the historical narrative that places Russia as a savior against evil forces has helped the Kremlin rally Russians around the war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy has compared Russia’s invasion to the actions of Nazi Germany, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to carry out a "final solution" against Ukraine. (FOX/ VFI News)

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel. - Exodus 19:5-6

We donated shoes to 44 underprivileged children in Ashdod. Told that these gifts were especially for them—from people who loved them—their faces were filled with joy. Thank you for helping us bless these dear children, and for helping them in their walk with the Lord.

The IDF mapped out the homes of the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack in Ariel and arrested twelve others on Saturday night, April 30.

On Sunday morning, the IDF and Border Police forces were deployed in various locations throughout Judea and Samaria to arrest suspects involved in terrorist activity. The Israeli forces also confiscated illegal weapons, including in the villages of Kravat Bnei Hassan, Gilzon, Mircha, and Sanor.

Soldiers examined the blueprints of the homes of terrorists Yahya Marai and Yusuf Assi, who executed the security guard, 23-year-old security guard Vyacheslav Golev at the entrance to the city of Ariel. The IDF also arrested a suspect aiding the terrorists who committed the attack.

During the operation, violent riots erupted in the Jilzon village in the Binyamin area. During the clashes, dozens of rioters hurled stones at the forces, who responded by dispersing demonstrators with tear gas.

Five other suspected terrorists were arrested. Handguns, a shotgun, and a Carlo-style weapon were confiscated.

No casualties to IDF forces were reported. (i365/ VFI News)

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

European officials are preparing to make a fresh push to salvage a nuclear deal with Iran, offering to send a top European Union negotiator to Tehran in an effort to break a stalemate in talks. Enrique Mora, the European Union coordinator of the negotiations, has told Iranian counterparts he is ready to return to Tehran to open a pathway through the deadlock. So far, Iran hasn’t responded with an invitation.

Iran has gradually scaled back its compliance with the 2015 deal, in response to former US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement in May of 2018, but has held several rounds of indirect talks with current US leaders on a return to the agreement.

Negotiations nearly reached completion in March before Moscow demanded that its trade with Iran be exempted from Western sanctions over Ukraine, throwing the process into disarray. The deal has also run into trouble in recent weeks over Iranian demands that the US lift its designation of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Western diplomats say they want to put the onus back on Iran, making it clear the talks could end unless Iran offers a way through the standoff. The opening for the talks came during an April 23 call between Iran’s foreign minister and his EU counterpart. Mora will try to persuade Iran to sign off on a final text of the agreement without the foreign terrorist designation and leave that issue to a future point, diplomats said.

The diplomats added that if Iran comes back with a demand for a US concession on another issue, Washington will consider that. However, the diplomats also said there can be no broad renegotiation of the deal.

“God, we ask that You protect the world from terrorism and stop Iran’s aggressive actions.”

As terrorism continues to take the lives of innocent Israelis, Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s paramedic and Red Cross service, on Monday, May 2, dedicated the world’s first subterranean, shielded national blood services center in Ramla, Israel, in the presence of President Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White), Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), United States Ambassador to Israel Thomas R. Nides, and 500 VIPs and American donors.

“I am so delighted to join you in inaugurating the Marcus National Blood Services Center, which embodies the most moving essence of our shared humanity,” Pres. Herzog said. “To receive a blood transfusion – the irreplaceable gift of life – from complete strangers is a stark reminder that we are one living, breathing tapestry of humanity, now safeguarded in this impressive new center.”

The Marcus National Blood Services Center is designed to protect Israel’s strategic blood reserves from missile, chemical, and biological attacks, as well as earthquakes. Three of the building’s six floors are built underground in successively more secure levels. (INN / VFI News)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statement Tuesday evening, May 3, marking Israeli Memorial Day.

DeSantis vowed to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel", and recognized "those who have lost their lives in defense of the beacon of democracy and liberty in the Middle East, our ally, the State of Israel."

"Every casualty on the battlefield or loss of life in an act of terror is a tragedy. Your presence here to remember those who have passed and honor their legacies reminds us that the flourishing of the Jewish state today is rooted in the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives over the past three-quarters of a century."

DeSantis also touted his pro-Israel credentials, citing his record as a member of Congress, and his efforts against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement while serving as governor of Florida. (INN/ VFI News)

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:13

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

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