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Israel's War, Rosh HaShanah and Upcoming Events

Dear Friends,

The first anniversary of the horrific events of October 7th, 2023 is just one week away. As you know, Israel has been at war against Hamas ever since last October for the stated purposes of 1) the destruction of Hamas' ability to ever again be able to carry out repeat attacks like those of October 7th and 2) the rescue of all hostages taken on that terrible day.  

Israel has recently announced the defeat of Hamas as an organized military organization because all but one of its fighting units has been destroyed. However, there are still active terrorists operating within Gaza and approximately 100 of the 250 + hostages taken on October 7th are still held captive. It is estimated that about half of those 100 people are still alive and are constantly subjected to unimaginable deprivation and torture. Therefore, Israeli forces remain active in Gaza to 1) finish the elimination of Hamas capabilities and 2) rescue all remaining hostages.

In his speech at the United Nations on Friday, September 27th, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will not rest until all the hostages are returned from Gaza because it is Israel's sacred mission to bring them home. He also declared that the war in Gaza could end immediately if Hamas would lay down its arms and releases the hostages. In other words, the only thing standing in the way of ending the war in Gaza is Hamas!

In addition to the Gaza front, Israel has effectively been at war in the north with Hezbollah in Lebanon. On October 8, 2023 - one day after Hamas attacked Israel in the south - Hezbollah began a barrage of rocket attacks on northern Israel that continues until today. Last October, Israel immediately evacuated over 80,000 civilians from their homes in the north because of imminent danger from rocket attacks and the concern that Hezbollah would carry out the same kind of invasion Hamas executed on October 7th. As a result, these evacuees have been refugees in their own country for a year and many of the homes, farms and businesses they were forced to leave have been damaged or destroyed.

Recently, as the intensity of the war with Hamas has decreased, Israel has been able to focus more resources on taking out the capabilities of Hezbollah. Rendering Hezbollah impotent is essential because only then can Israeli civilians safely return and rebuild their homes, farms and businesses.

In the last couple of weeks, there have been a number of significant victories for Israel in its war with Hezbollah, which like Hamas, is an Iranian proxy whose stated purpose is the destruction of the Jewish State. The consequences of these victories cannot be overstated, because they represent essential steps in Israel's pursuit of peace and security for its citizens.

Less than two weeks ago, all Hezbollah leaders who were considered important enough to be kept in constant contact through the use of pagers and radios had their devices explode in their hands or their pockets. These coordinated explosions caused a significant number of deaths, debilitating injuries and the interruption of strategic communications. As a result, the leadership of Hezbollah was left in disarray and confusion.

This past Friday, September 27th, Israel eliminated Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, and at least twenty other leaders - including high-ranking officers from Iran - in their underground bunker in Beirut. This strike, combined with other attacks in recent days, has completely destroyed the top leadership of Hezbollah. This means that, not only has the chain of command been totally disrupted, but a wealth of expertise and strategy has been obliterated as well.

It is interesting to note - in the light of certain media and governmental critique of Israel's elimination of Nasrallah - that many Muslims joined Jewish Israelis in celebrating his death because, in addition to the threat he posed to Israel and western civilization, he was responsible for the death of many Sunni Muslims who did not align with his Shiite version of Islam.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu has said since his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 27th, Israel is winning! 

However, there are still serious battles ahead for the Jewish State. As of this writing, Israel has begun limited ground operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah posts. Israel has stated that the IDF will continue to do what it needs to do to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, including the targeting of Hezbollah facilities in Beirut.

In spite of the ongoing dangers, and because of the successful degradation of Hamas' capabilities in the south and Hezbollah's in the north, there is cause for thankfulness as the Hebrew New Year begins this Wednesday evening with the celebration of Rosh HaShanah!

Rosh HaShanah is the beginning of the biblical High Holy Days, which culminate with Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. The ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are a period of self-examination and repentance. Five days after the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiday of Sukkot, or Tabernacles, begins. Tabernacles (booths) recalls the time the Israelites lived in booths on their way from Egypt to the land of Israel. The observance of these three holidays is detailed in Leviticus 23:23-44.

In recognition of the significance of the High Holy Days ahead, CAMERA's Partnership of Christians and Jews wishes all our Jewish friends a very good and sweet new year! 

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SHANAH TOVAH U'METUKAH!

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Practical ways to stand with Israel NOW!
 

On October 7th in Washington DC, CAMERA, along with many other organizations, is co-sponsoring a remembrance and solidarity event on the National Mall, hosted by the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) and the Philos Project. This will be a meaningful time of Christians and Jews coming together to stand with Israel on the first anniversary of October 7th. For more information and registration, click here.

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You can also let your voice be heard by signing
TWO important and timely statements.

 

American Christian Leaders for Israel, an umbrella network representing tens of millions of American Christians by providing a unified voice of truth in support of Israel and the Jewish people, is collecting signatures on a letter to be presented to both presidential candidates outlining positions the next administration should uphold in relation to critical issues concerning Israel. Go HERE to read the letter in its entirety and add your name!

Eagles' Wings, under the leadership of Bishop Robert Stearns, has issued The Bonhoeffer Declaration, which offers you the opportunity to declare your commitment to reject all forms of antisemitism. The Declaration states that, "In the spirit of Dietrich Bonhoeffer...we believe that combating antisemitism requires more than pious phrases: it requires serious commitments." To read more about those commitments and to sign the Declaration, go HERE.


 

And for those of you in SW Florida!!
 

SAVE the DATE for a unique opportunity to learn about another form of warfare against Israel from Rev. Malcolm Hedding, an internationally recognized leader and teacher on Israel and the church. This event will inform you about South Africa's lawfare against the Jewish State and equip you to be an even more effective advocate for Israel and against Jew-hatred.
 

Join us in Naples FL on Monday, November 18 at 7:00 PM
 

REGISTER HERE​​

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