“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1
Living in Israel, we mostly experience relative peace that enables Israel to develop and grow. However, this peace is periodically interrupted by terror attacks and even wars. Even in times of apparent peace, Israel’s enemies are in a constant level of warfare.
Recently in the south, the Israeli army uncovered yet another “terror tunnel” stretching from Gaza into Israel. Hamas in Gaza never stops building tunnels. Fortunately, the Israeli army has been able to destroy or seal dozens of them over the years.
President Obama – a Legacy of Enablement of Israel’s Enemies
In Gaza’s early phase of tunnel-building, Israel restricted the importation of building materials that could be used for tunnels. But the Obama administration blocked Israel’s restrictive measures, believing the materials were used for housing, schools, and buildings.
Inevitably, Hamas did use hundreds of thousands of tons of cement to build a maze of underground tunnels, bunkers, command posts, and shelters for its leaders, fighters, and rockets. Now Israel has to suffer and deal with the consequences of the Obama administration’s error.
Obama also forced Israel to accept a 10-month freeze on any building of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria (known as the West Bank) to encourage the Palestinians to negotiate. The Palestinians never did after all.
Under the Obama administration, Vice President Joe Biden objected vehemently to Israel’s plans to build in a religious neighborhood of Jerusalem. Israel claimed that it has the right to build anywhere in its capital.
President Obama insisted that Israel accept moving back to the “1967 borders.” This would endanger Israel’s security, eliminate defensible borders, and put Israel’s security in the hands of the United Nations and Israel’s Arab enemies. Furthermore, Obama allowed the U.N. Security Council to pass its infamous Resolution 2334—opposed by almost every Democratic senator—which encourages a boycott against any Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria.
On the northern Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollah has transformed itself, from a minor terror organization into a full-scale army, and is now a major threat. With Iranian backing, Hezbollah has accumulated an estimated 150,000 missiles. The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) has conducted recently a massive military exercises with both regular troops and reservists, involving the air force, navy, and ground forces, as well as the intelligence, technology, and logistics, teleprocessing, and cyber defense directorates in order to deal with the Hezbollah threat.
In 2006, in response to international criticism and pressure, Israel stopped acting against Hezbollah. Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council promises to keep southern Lebanon out of the terrorists’ control were never kept. This is a recurring cycle – Israel defends itself, the world protests and Israel relents in exchange for empty promises.
Obama gave Iran in the “deal” billions of dollars that were ultimately used to support terrorists throughout the Middle East, and in effect hindered Israeli defense against Iranian targets. Under Obama, Israeli attacks against Iranian proxies in Syria which threatened Israel’s security were off-limits. He wouldn’t compromise his Iran Nuclear Deal.
President Trump – a True Friend
Contrary to Obama, President Trump went to work on behalf of Israel immediately. He recognized the unified city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, opening the door for other countries to follow suit. Israel’s sovereignty over the Western Wall and Temple Mount is now more secure than ever.
Next, President Trump announced recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the strategically vital territory of the Golan Heights, ensuring that it will not fall into the hands of Iranian proxies.
The Trump administration has also clearly stated that Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, so-called settlements, are not illegal and are part of Israel’s Jewish heritage.
Under President Trump, Israel has launched numerous uninterrupted attacks against Iranian proxies in Syria. A series of unexplained explosions at Iranian nuclear and industrial facilities, attributed to Israel, have significantly hindered Iran’s weaponry program.
Just recently, President Trump coordinated with PM Netanyahu the historically successful Middle East peace effort called “The Abraham Accords”, opening formal relations between Israel and Arab Muslim Gulf States, and even with the former enemy African state of Sudan, which now prefers relations with Israel than with Iran. These normalizations with former enemy nations are truly amazing, which PM Netanyahu calls, “Peace for Peace” instead of “Land for Peace.”
Many left-wing leaders, including President Obama, were convinced that Israel could never achieve peace with Arab states without giving away vital territory to the Palestinians. Trump and Netanyahu have proven that Israel need not give away land or expel Jews from their homes to achieve peace.
All those achievements have made President Trump a great leader in favor of Israel and its security. During the Obama years, Israel was under constant diplomatic attack from the European Union with many expecting Israel to become isolated. This perception gave way to an international rise of the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions – solely against Israel) and anti-Israel protests around the globe. Now, thanks to US President Trump working closely with Israel’s PM Netanyahu, Israel is being sought after by many counties who shunned it just a short time ago.
President Trump and PM Netanyahu have produced a historic period that has transformed Israel’s international position and increased its state security. No wonder most Israelis favor Trump over Obama’s former vice-president Biden. Indeed, all of Trump’s initiatives, from recognizing Jerusalem to “The Abraham Accords” have had overwhelming support from politicians of all major Israeli parties.
Israelis fear Biden becoming president and undoing Trump’s accomplishments. They don’t want to go back to Obama’s days.
Pray … Pray … Pray
The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership (I Timothy 2:1-4). This includes those who are contending to become leaders.
According to Scripture, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you in your prayers of intercession for the United States. As believers, may we have faith to believe that our votes do make a difference. The United States of America was founded on the basis of voting for a candidate with a Godly reputation, according to what is best for the nation. Much prayer is needed for this critical process. Pray for discernment and clarity between truth and falsehood. Pray for physical protection for the candidates and their families, a hedge of protection around the different states, and the whole nation during this time of elections.
Let us focus our hearts on the Kingdom of God. Pray that the purposes of God be accomplished in the U.S. elections. Pray that the results of the elections will please the Lord and release His blessing.