Monthly Archives: May 2009

WILL AHMADINEJAD STAY?

May 30, 2009 By in Epicenter
Keep your eye on June 12th.

Keep your eye on June 12th.

FLASH: Week-long Israeli homeland security preparedness exercises to begin on Sunday. Hezbollah on high alert. Lebanese Army and UNFIL forces to deploy 25,000 fighters near Israeli border. Tensions running high.

FLASH: ‘Israelis must ready for missile attack’

UPDATED: Keep your eyes on Iran on June 12th. That’s the date Iranian voters go to the polls to “choose” their next leaders. “Choose” is putting the best face on it. The elections are effectively rigged by the forces of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The man the Supreme Leader wants to be president will be “elected” president. Period. End of sentence. The question is whether Khamenei wants Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to remain in office. If so, Ahmadinejad should remain in power and the nuclear showdown with Israel and the U.S. will intensify dramatically. Thus far, it would appear on the surface that Khamenei agrees completely with Ahmadinejad’s eschatology, or End Times theology. The Supreme Leader has occassionally reined in the President on social or economic issues, but never in Ahmadinejad’s outspoken view that the end of the world is near, the Islamic Messiah known as the Mahdi is coming, and the way to hasten the Mahdi’s coming is to annihilate Israel and the U.S. Last August, Khamenei appeared to endorse Ahmadinejad for re-election. This week, 211 members of the 295-seat Iranian parliament endorsed Ahmadinejad for re-election. But in the labyrinthian world of Radical Islamic politics in Iran, nothing is certain. The Iranian economy is a basket case — worse given the steep fall of the price of oil from its highs last year of nearly $150 a barrel. Unemployment in Iran is high. Poverty is growing. Drug and alcohol abuse rates are high and rising. Rank-and-file Iranians can’t stand Ahmadinejad or his End of the World-brand of clerical advisors. Personally, I’m praying that the God of the Bible removes both Khamenei and Ahmadinejad from power, along with their kindred spirits. If they’re replaced with even semi-rational actors (ie, those not part of an apocalyptic, genocidal death cult), diplomacy could work and some measure of peace in the region might be a bit more likely. But should the Lord allow these two to stay in power for the next few years, then an apocalyptic war might truly be coming.

Worth noting: Newsweek’s Fareed Zakaria writes a bizarre cover story this week in which he asserts that Iran’s apocalyptic, genocidal leaders have no interest in building nukes when even the Obama administration’s top military expert says Iran most certainly is pursuing nuclear weapons. Excerpts: “Everything you know about Iran is wrong, or at least more complicated than you think. Take the bomb. The regime wants to be a nuclear power but could well be happy with a peaceful civilian program (which could make the challenge it poses more complex). What’s the evidence? Well, over the last five years, senior Iranian officials at every level have repeatedly asserted that they do not intend to build nuclear weapons. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has quoted the regime’s founding father, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who asserted that such weapons were ‘un-Islamic.’ The country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a fatwa in 2004 describing the use of nuclear weapons as immoral. In a subsequent sermon, he declared that ‘developing, producing or stockpiling nuclear weapons is forbidden under Islam.’ Last year Khamenei reiterated all these points after meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei. Now, of course, they could all be lying.”

Exactly, Fareed. They’re lying. Like they were lying about not having secret nuclear research facilities until 2002 when an Iranian dissident group exposed those lies at a press conference in Washington and we discovered two advanced and dangerous facilities Western intelligence agencies hadn’t known existed until then. As I described in Inside The Revolution, Ahmadinejad and other top Iranian leaders have been crystal clear about their intentions. I quote them in detail and at length from their speeches and interviews. Why is it so hard for “experts” like Fareed and others to see the danger that such men pose not just to Israel but to Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it?

P.S. — I’m in (rainy!) San Diego today, looking forward to speaking at Dr. David Jeremiah’s congregation at Shadow Mountain Community Church. Saturday service begins at 5pm. Sunday morning at 9am and 10:45am. The Sunday night service will be part of a Bible prophecy series. It begins at 6pm. If you’re in the area, I hope you can join us.

>> Inside The Revolution hits #3 on the Christian Booksellers Association best-seller list for June 2009, after spending 8 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.

>> Will you help us build a global alliance of 1 million true friends of Israel? Click here to sign up for Flash Traffic email alerts to get the latest news and analysis on Israel and the epicenter.

STORIES TO TRACK:

OBAMA HEADED TO EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA: Plans to skip Israel

May 27, 2009 By in Epicenter

>> Joel will be speaking this weekend at Shadow Mountain Community Church, the congregation that Dr. David Jeremiah leads in San Diego. He’ll be talking about a biblical understanding of Israel and her neighbors and End Times prophecy. Please join us if you can.

>> Flash: Russia fears Korea conflict could go nuclear

HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    NORTH KOREA TESTS A NUCLEAR WEAPON: How close is Iran?

    May 25, 2009 By in Epicenter

    >> UPDATE: 74% of Israelis do not believe Obama administration’s efforts with stop Iran from building or acquiring nuclear weapons — and 51% now say they back immediate, preemptive military strikes against Iran

    With North Korea testing a second nuclear warhead (just weeks after testing a long-range ICBM) — and Iran feverishly trying to develop its own nuclear weapons — Israel’s deputy defense minister said today Israelis need to prepare for all out war. A massive, full-country war readiness exercise will commence in Israel on May 31, designed to test the nation’s emergency preparedness for thousands of missiles coming in from all directions.

    One concern is that Iran may be secretly funding North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program, and receiving the test data. If that is the case, military commanders and engineers in Tehran may be far closer to testing — or using — their own nuclear warheads than is currently believed in the West to be the case. The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said over the weekend that Iran is between one and three years away from having operational nuclear weapons. That could be right, but what if it’s sooner? This very question is what has Prime Minister Netanyahu so concerned, and why he is actively considering the possibility of a preemptive strike against Iran if international efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program doesn’t bear fruit fast.

    Meanwhile, one cannot rule out the possibility of nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, or Pyongyang providing nuclear weapons to terrorist groups planning to target the United States. This, of course, was the fictional scenario I laid out in my last political thriller, Dead Heat. Let’s be praying none of it comes to pass.

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    DESPITE REPORTS, WHITE HOUSE DENIES JUNE 4th SPEECH WILL DISCUSS DIVIDING JERUSALEM: But France now pushing to divide Holy City

    May 23, 2009 By in Epicenter

    >> Will you help us build a global alliance of 1 million true friends of Israel? Click here to sign up for Flash Traffic.

    NEW POLL: WHEN IT COMES TO THE IRAN NUCLEAR THREAT, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE “GET IT” MORE THAN WASHINGTON

    May 21, 2009 By in Epicenter

    >> Netanyahu: Jerusalem will never be divided

    A fascinating new poll by McLaughlin & Associates finds Americans are deeply and overwhelming concerned about the rising Iranian nuclear threat both to the U.S. and to Israel, and deeply concerned about the potential for Radical Islamic terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons from Iran. The poll also suggests the Obama administration’s apparent strategy of backing away from a full-fledged alliance with Israel — and strategy to pressure Israel to make unwise territorial concessions and potentially not defend herself from the Iran threat — could backfire politically, both for the White House and for Members of Congress who sign on to the President’s approach. Excerpts:

    • Nine in ten voters (91%) say that Iran supplying a nuclear umbrella for terrorists is a serious threat to the United States
    • Seven in ten voters (71%) say the United States will not be safe with a nuclear Iran
    • Eight in ten voters (80%) say it is likely that Iran will launch a missile attack on Israel
    • Three in four voters (77%) say it is likely that Iran will use the threat of nuclear attack to provide a shield for Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists to attack Israel
    • The majority of voters approves of taking several specific actions to discourage the  proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran

    To read the full poll results, click here.

    >> Will you help us build a global alliance of 1 million true friends of Israel? Click here to sign up for Flash Traffic.

    >> Will you help us provide humanitarian relief for the poor and needy in the epicenter, and stockpile supplies ahead of the next war? Click here to learn more about The Joshua Fund and make a secure, on-line, tax-deductible donation.

    >> Would you like to join the next Joshua Fund prayer & vision trip to Israel — November 5-17, 2009. Please click here for more information.

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    OBAMA TO SAY IT IS TIME TO DIVIDE JERUSALEM: No, Mr. President, it’s not.

    May 20, 2009 By in Epicenter

    westernwallI’m horrified by reports this morning that in his June 4th speech in Cairo, President Obama will say it is time to divide Jerusalem and make the holy city the capital of a Palestinian state.

    No, Mr. President, it is not.

    Jerusalem is and should be the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Dividing Jerusalem will not make peace. Rather, it would send a message to every Radical Islamic jihadist around the world that Israel is weak, that the Jews won’t even defend the sovereignty of their own capital, that there is “blood in the water,” and that it is time to strike Israel and wipe her off the map. Dividing Jerusalem would trigger an apocalyptic war in the Middle East the likes of which the region has never seen. Already, the Radicals believe Israel is doomed to destruction. Hearing that the American President is now ready to apply intense pressure against the Israelis to divide their capital will only embolden the Radicals and convince them further that Allah is on their side, the wind is at their back, and they will soon triumph over the Jews and Christians.

    While I am not surprised by where the President is headed, I am horrified nonetheless. Right at the moment when the U.S. and Israel need to be working with Arab states in unity against the Iranian nuclear threat, this White House is systematically turning against Israel. Despite all the smiles and boilerplate rhetoric from senior administration officials over the last few days that Prime Minister Netanyahu has been in town — promising to stand with Israel and maintain her security — what the administration is actually advancing in terms of policy is dangerous and destabilizing. They are playing with fire, and they must be publicly and peaceably challenged and resisted.

    I am committed to doing everything I possibly can to educate people — and particularly U.S. and Canadian evangelical Christians — to the threats facing Israel and the West due to Radical Islam, and to the biblical responsibility we have to show unconditional love and unwavering support to Israel and the Jewish people. We’ll use radio, TV, the internet, emails and other media to get the word out. But we can’t do it alone. We want and need your help.

    One idea: let’s build an alliance of one million true friends of Israel — people who love Israel, are committed to blessing her in real and practical ways, are absolutely opposed to dividing Jerusalem, and will pray faithfully for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of all the people of the epicenter. Currently, we have 100,000 subscribers to our Flash Traffic email updates who are committed to this cause. If each of us recruited just 10 new friends to sign up for Flash Traffic and be part of this alliance, we would be able to communicate new information, new projects, and new prayer requests to them instantly. We would be able to mobilize people for pro-Israel events. We would be able to mobilize people to write to President Obama and their Congressional leaders to stand with Israel, not against her. We would be able to work together to stockpile food, clothing, medical supplies and other aid in Israel ahead of the next war. We would be able to encourage one another with the knowledge that we are not alone in this important fight. And we can work with other like-minded organizations — including One Jerusalem, founded by my friend, Natan Sharansky — to defend the holy city and bless the people of Israel.

    Let me be clear: I love the Israeli people. I also love the Palestinians. I want the Israelis to be able — by God’s grace — to live in safety, security and peace. At the same time, I want the Palestinians to be able to govern themselves and to live in autonomy and peace. But I strongly oppose dividing Jerusalem. I strongly oppose the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state that would endanger the very existence of Israel. I am not convinced that Mahmoud Abbas is a partner for peace. I know for certain that Hamas will never make peace; they are committed only to terror, bloodshed and the annihilation of Israel. What’s more, I submit that the last three “land for peace” offers that Israel has made to her neighbors — at Camp David in 2000 when Israel offered half of Jerusalem, 93% of the West Bank, and all of Gaza; in 2000 when Israel unilaterally withdrew from southern Lebanon; and in 2005 when Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza — have been absolute disasters for the Jewish State. All three initiatives triggered more war, not peace. They triggered waves of suicide bombers and tens of thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars against Israel. Why in the world would we think continuing down the same road with the same strategies will produce different and better results?

    The Bible says in Zechariah 1:14-18, “So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. But I am very angry with the nations who are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster.” Therefore thus says the LORD, ‘I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the LORD of hosts, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”‘ Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”‘”

    This is good news. The God of Israel will neither sleep nor slumber. He is jealous for Jerusalem. He will defend His country, His city, and His people. But He expects us to do our part. And He promises in Genesis 12:1-3 that if we bless Israel, He will bless us.

    >> Will you help us build a global alliance of 1 million true friends of Israel? Click here to sign up for Flash Traffic.

    >> Will you help us provide humanitarian relief for the poor and needy in the epicenter, and stockpile supplies ahead of the next war? Click here to learn more about The Joshua Fund and make a secure, on-line, tax-deductible donation.

    >> Would you like to join the next Joshua Fund prayer & vision trip to Israel — November 5-17, 2009. Please click here for more information.

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    NETANYAHU CONCLUDES VISIT AFTER TALKS WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

    May 19, 2009 By in Epicenter
    Israeli PM Netanyahu met today with Congressional leaders to discuss the Iran nuclear threat and the future of the epicenter.

    Israeli PM Netanyahu met today with Congressional leaders to discuss the Iran nuclear threat and the future of the epicenter.

    PM Netanyahu also met today with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the Iran issue.

    PM Netanyahu also met today with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the Iran issue.

    It’s 6:43pm eastern and I just got back from Maryland, where this morning I addressed some 500 evangelical pastors and ministry leaders on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit, the Iran nuclear threat, and how followers of Jesus Christ can and should bless Israel and her neighbors at this critical moment. Tomorrow, I’ll write more about that, as well as offer some analysis of the Prime Minister’s visit.

    In the meantime, you might want to take a look at the YouTube clips below from the Glenn Beck show yesterday. The guest I was paired with was a former CIA analyst — head of the Bin Laden hunting unit — who actually suggested on air that he would see no problem if Israel ceased to exist as a country. It’s an outrageous and deeply offensive moment. But let’s not kid ourselves — it’s just the beginning. Anti-Israel sentiment is growing view around the world, and even in Washington, and we must combat and speak the truth to a world that seems increasingly blind.

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    TWO HOURS AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Was progress made?

    May 18, 2009 By in Epicenter

    In public, all smiles. The question is: Do serious policy differences remain?

    In public, all smiles. The question is: Do serious policy differences remain?

    President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu met in the Oval Office to discuss Iran and the peace process.

    President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu met in the Oval Office to discuss Iran and the peace process.

    > UPDATE: On Monday, I’m scheduled to be on Janet Parshall’s nationally syndicated radio show from 3pm to 3:45pm to discuss the Netanyahu visit. I’m also scheduled to be on Glenn Beck’s TV show on Fox to discuss the Obama-Netanyahu meeting at 5:30pm eastern.

    > To join nearly 100,000 people receiving Joel’s email alerts on events in Israel and the Islamic world — and Joshua Fund project and prayer updates — please click here

    UPDATE AT 2:30pm eastern: President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu just completed two hours of meetings at the White House. The major topics, as expected, were Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel and the Western world, and the future of the peace process with the Palestinians.

    The President unsuccessfully pressed Netanyahu to commit to a “two state solution.” Netanyahu reiterated that Israel does not want to govern the Palestinians but would not commit to agreeing that they have full sovereignty, something that would allow the Palestinians to build strategic military alliances with Iran, Syria and other dangerous regimes, as well as build an air force and navy, all of which would endanger the Jewish States.

    The President did not commit to putting to put a time limit on diplomacy with Iran. He did say he wants to see a positive response from Iran by the end of the year, but did not define what progress would look like.  “Obama said he expects a positive response from his diplomatic outreach to Iran on stopping its nuclear program by the end of the year,” reported the Associated Press. “The president said the United States wanted to bring Iran into the world community, but declared ‘we’re not going to have talks forever.'”

    Reuters is also reporting that “Obama said after the meeting he saw no reasons to set an artificial deadline for diplomacy with Iran, but the United States would like to see progress with Tehran by the end of the year.”

    “The two were intended to meet in private for an hour and then be joined by their advisors, though the tête-à-tête was extended by half an hour,” reported the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. “Afterwards Netanyahu was joined by top aide Ron Dermer and his National Security Advisor, Uzi Arad. Obama was joined by the US National Security Advisor, James Jones.” It was General Jones who publicly criticized Israels’ “preoccuption” with the Iranian nuclear threat and recently told European diplomats that “we’re not going to throw Israel in front of a bus, but…” — but we’re going to pressure Israel to accept American dictates on Middle East policy vis-a-vis Iran and the Palestinians.

    ORIGINAL POST: Please carve time out of your schedules today to pray that the God of Israel would bless the meetings today, tomorrow and Wednesday between  Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, Defense Secretary Gates, and Congressional leaders. Given the high stakes in the epicenter, please pray that the Lord’s will would be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

    Yes, it appears a diplomatic train wreck is coming between the U.S. and Israel in the not-too-distant future given that Netanyahu understands Iran’s leaders are part of an apocalyptic, genocidal death cult and believe it is their God-given mission to annihilate Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it, and the American President and his team clearly do not. [Example: Gen. James Jones, President Obama’s national security advisor — appearing on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopolous” last week — referred to “Israel’s preoccupation with Iran as an existential threat.” That’s a curious choice of words to the rise of a Nazi-esque regime in Iran.] That disconnect, of course, could change. Change is the mantra, after all. The Lord in His grace and power could change the hearts and minds of our government leaders so that they would: 1) understand the evil nature of the Iranian regime and be united with Israel in doing everything possible to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons; and 2) stop pressuring Israel to make unwise concessions to their enemies. The question I’m asking is not whether the Lord can change the hearts of our leaders, but whether He will choose to do so.

    Perhaps, the Lord is going to allow the U.S. to abandon Israel at this moment in history. The Obama administration is  certainly doing everything it can to curry favor with the Muslim world and clearly views Israel as the problem in the region, not our best strategic ally in the epicenter. Only 31% of Israelis now see President Obama as “pro-Israel,” down from more than 80% of Israelis who saw President George W. Bush that way. Perhaps the season of American love and steadfast support for the Jewish State is coming to a close. I hope not. I pray not. But we must realize that Scripturally we know that the entire world will eventually turn against Israel in the “last days.” The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob won’t abandon Israel. Indeed, the Lord will use the nations turning against Israel to show His unconditional love and unwavering support for the Jews. That He is their only friend. Their only hope. God is jealous for the Jewish people. He wants to draw them to Himself, to protect them, to care for them, to save them. He does not want them to trust in anyone or anything but Him. Perhaps the Lord is beginning to show His people that He is the only one they can truly trust to love them and care for them.

    The good news is that the Bible gives us hope — that the God of Israel can change the situation dramatically if He so chooses; and He can and will bless Israel even if the United States does not, because He loves the Jewish people and has a great plan for their lives. Consider the following verses as  you pray for U.S. and Israeli leaders today:

    • “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37).
    • “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the and of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1)
    • “Behold, He who keeps Israel will  neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)
    • “O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield….The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel.” (Psalm 115:9,12)
    • “Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 125:1-2)
    • “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her  provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.” (Psalm 132:13-16)
    • “I know that You [Lord] can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)

    So let us pray, but not be worried. God has everything in His control, and we need to put our full trust in Him, especially as the return of Jesus Christ approaches. As Jesus told us in John 14:1-3, “Let your heart not be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

    > INTERVIEW: On Friday, I was interviewed on CBN News to preview the Netanyahu visit. To watch, please click here

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    PREVIEW OF NETANYAHU’S MEETING WITH OBAMA

    May 15, 2009 By in Epicenter
    Prime Minister Netanyahu mets with Pope Benedict in Nazareth.

    Prime Minister Netanyahu mets with Pope Benedict in Nazareth.

    Netanyahu met Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh

    Netanyahu met Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh

    Netanyahu met with King Abdullah II in Amman.

    Netanyahu met with King Abdullah II in Amman.

    >> UPDATE: On Monday, I’m scheduled to be on Glenn Beck’s TV show on Fox and Janet Parshall’s radio show to discuss the Netanyahu visit.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to arrive in Washington on Sunday for several days of high-level meetings with American officials, including a critical one with President Obama on Monday or Tuesday.  I was interviewed by CBN News on Thursday about what to expect — you can watch the interview here. This is a summary of what I said:

    • Netanyahu understands the Iranian threat. He understands that the current Iranian leadership — not the people, but the leaders — are members of apocalyptic, genocidal death cult who believe it is their Allah-given mission to destroy Israel and the U.S. and end Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it.
    • Clearly, Obama, Clinton and the senior U.S. foreign policy team do not understand this. Thus, they do not understand the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the moment.
    • Netanyahu’s task is two-fold: 1) to build a personal relationship with the President of the United States and his team and establish trust; and 2) to help Washington understand who these Iranian leaders really are at their core, why direct negotiations are unlikely to produce the hoped for results, and why the Iran nuclear issue is far more important to address effectively right now than striking a “peace” deal with a Palestinian leadership that is weak, ineffective, and increasingly dominated by Hamas terrorists. This is not going to be an easy task, to say the least.
    • (By the way, Netanyahu has a third mission as well, though I didn’t mention this in the interview. He needs to reach out to the American people through as many media interviews as possible. He needs to talk directly about the common threat we face from Iran and Radical Islamic terrorist states and organizations acquiring nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. He needs to mobilize tens of millions of Americans to pressure Congress and the White House to maintain a close relationship with Israel, to stop pressuring Israel to make a bad deal with the Palestinians, and to support Israel if the Jewish State has to go to war with Iran. The Obama team is sensitive to public opinion, and I believe Americans generally “get it” with regard to Iran and the Radicals more than Washington does at the moment.)
    • Netanyahu is coming to Washington straight from three high-level meetings in the epicenter where he has been working hard to build a regional alliance against Iran.
    • The first stop was Egypt where Netanyahu met with President Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak gets it. He doesn’t love Israel, but frankly he hates Iran and is determined to stop Iran from getting The Bomb and dominating the region.
    • The second stop was a surprise visit the other day to Amman where Netanyahu had private meetings with Jordanian King Abdullah II. The King also gets it. He sees the seriousness of the Iran threat and does not want to see Shia Radicals get The Bomb and take over the region. But he also has rising Radical sentiments inside his own kingdom and has to be very careful. The King is warning Netanyahu that unless there’s a peace deal with the Palestinians, there will be another major war in the region in the next 12 to 18 months. Let’s pray he’s wrong, but he very well may be right.
    • The third key meeting was with Pope Benedict. Netanyahu appealed to the Pope to understand the enemies Israel is facing and to speak out against the genocidal, apocalyptic threats emanating from Iran. He also appealed to Benedict to support Jerusalem remaining an undivided city. We’ll see where this goes. I told CBN that I have respect for the Pope, but I was disappointed to see him make a political statement in support of a Palestinian state. The Pope should stick to teaching the Bible and preaching the gospel as the only way of eternal salvation and spiritual freedom for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles, not wade into a geopolitical conflict like this. Especially when the Bible teaches that God has given the Holy Land to the Jewish people to be their homeland, as well as to be a blessing to their neighbors and help them to be a light to the nations.
    • I am praying that the Netanyahu-Obama meeting goes well and that the Lord changes the President’s heart to start truly supporting and defending the Jewish State. But I’m not sure the Lord’s answer will be “yes.” I anticipate several days of diplomatic niceties in D.C. next week, but the truth is a train wreck is most likely coming between the U.S. and Israel over the Iran issue and the so-called “peace process.” The Obama administration is applying enormous pressure on Israel to not strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, and instead to focus on allowing the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state that could endanger the very existence of the State of Israel. Examples:
    • Vice President Biden last week went to AIPAC and essentially demanded that Israel divide Jerusalem, give away the strategic Jordan Valley, and allow for the creation of a Palestinian state despite the disastrous results for Israel of the “land for peace” formula since 2000. “Israel has to work for a two state-solution,” the VP insisted. “You’re not going to like my saying this, but not build more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement.”
    • CIA Director Leon Panetta just made a secret trip to Israel to warn Netanyahu not to even consider launching a preemptive attack on Iran without U.S. notification and approval.
    • General Jim Jones, the U.S. national security advisor, is telling European leaders that President Obama will be “forceful” with Israel. In fact, what he really said was even more telling and concerning: “The new administration will convince Israel to compromise on the Palestinian question. We will not push Israel under the wheels of a bus, but we will be more forceful toward Israel than we have been under Bush.”
    • The Obama administration stunned Jerusalem last week by publicly pressuring Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), undermining the long-standing agreement between the U.S. and Israel not to discuss whether Israel has or does not have nuclear weapons.

    This weekend, I’m in Syracuse, New York, where I’m addressing three different forums of Central New York pastors, ministry leaders, and evangelical Christian lay leaders about the Iran threat, the vital importance of blessing Israel, and the historic openness in the epicenter — and particularly among Muslims — to the good news of Christ’s love and forgiveness. Next week, I’ll be speaking to about 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders in Maryland on the same issues.

    Please be praying for our leaders, for Israel’s leaders, and for the leaders and peoples of the epicenter. Pray for peace. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Pray for courage. And pray that the Lord’s message of hope and forgiveness can truly be advanced during this time of war and rumors of war. Thanks and God bless you.

    >> To join nearly 100,000 people receiving Joel’s email updates, please click here

    HEADLINES TO TRACK:

    IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER HINTS: VOTE FOR AHMADINEJAD

    May 13, 2009 By in Epicenter

    Some Iran watchers believe Supreme Leader Khamenei selected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be President in April 2005 and is backing him again today precisely for his apocalyptic views.

    Some Iran watchers believe Supreme Leader Khamenei selected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be President in April 2005 and is backing him again today precisely for his apocalyptic views.

    “Iran’s spiritual supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday offered his implicit support to incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the June presidential election,” reports Agence France Presse and Ynet News.

    “We should elect those who have popular support and who live in a simple and modest way… are pained by the pain of the people,” Khamenei said in a speech in Sanandaj in the western province of Kordestan in an apparent reference to hardline Ahmadinejad who is known for his modest style of living.

    “I think these are important features,” said Khamenei.

    According to the report, “in August last year, Khamenei, in a speech to the government of Ahmadinejad, said that it must make ‘plans for the next five years.'”

    HEADLINES TO TRACK: