Greetings from beautiful Israel! It has been an incredibly hectic, very fruitful couple weeks here, and I couldn’t be more ready for this weekend. These next few days in particular will be special because I am going with my CONNECT team for some group bonding time. Despite having been together in one form or another for more than a year now, we’ve never had time to stop the busyness, relax together, and get to know one another better. Despite it only being a short time that we’ll be away, I have no doubt that it will greatly benefit us all and bind us together in ways even deeper than the day-to-day flurry of activity allows.
One very exciting event that occurred on Tuesday was the release of the devotional I wrote with Pastor Barry Stagner called Until He Comes. In this book, you’ll find 365 days of short teachings and applications centered on God, His plan for the future, and the coming end times. Not only is the content compelling, but it will help set your mind each day on things above. Pick up a copy for yourself and one as a Christmas gift for someone you love.
The day before the book launch day, I launched a different sort of teaching – a video. Entitled “EXPOSED: The Truth About ‘America First’ or ‘Israel First,’” this eight-minute discussion breaks down the fallacy that one needs to choose between putting their loyalty to either America or Israel ahead of the other. Ultimately, we are about God first, and when we put Him as our number one the conundrum of which is more important flies out the window. When U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reposted the video on X, he wrote, “America First or Israel First? Uninformed & ‘fact-less’ voices don’t want you to know the REAL story. This documented video by Amir Tsarfati turns on the lights.” I’d encourage you to watch this very important video and to forward it on to others.
The final item that has made this such a wild and wonderful week is that today marks the beginning of our December Bible Experience Tour! Folks from around the world flew in yesterday, and today they are beginning their nine-day journey through the Holy Land with stops in Jaffa, Caesarea, and Mt. Carmel, before ultimately ending up tonight here at CONNECT. I’m so excited for them and the experiences they are about to have. If you have never had the opportunity to come see Israel, begin praying that the Lord will open the door for you to join us here someday soon.
MidEast & Beyond
As always, what you find in this newsletter is a summary of my online posts and my video updates. If you want to check out these resources live, they are easily accessible. The latest MidEast & Beyond Update that I shot with Pastor Barry Stagner can be found on YouTube. And for updates throughout the day, I would recommend subscribing to my Telegram channel.
The Bloodiest Ceasefire Continues
In the Palestinian dictionary, I believe the word “ceasefire” is defined as “an agreed to position in which your enemy must halt all hostilities while you are able to continue plotting and attacking while receiving global accolades for your restraint.” Case in point, yesterday several terrorists emerged from a tunnel hideout, and fired an RPG and some small arms at IDF soldiers. Five soldiers were injured, one severely. The Israeli military is currently ensuring that those terrorists and any friends who happened to be nearby are permanently removed from the playing field. This is just one incident in a series of Hamas attacks. Just last week, IDF soldiers in Gaza uncovered a fully loaded five-barrel rocket launcher that was intended to be shot across the border into Israel. This cannot go on forever. The IDF is having success in weeding out the remnants of Hamas. This includes removing all the terrorists who were left in Rafah through surrender or elimination.
Despicable Games Played with the Dead
As of the time of this writing, Hamas is still holding the remains of two hostages. On Tuesday, they said they had found “small remains, pieces” of one of the victims and delivered those. When it was discovered that whatever had been sent had nothing to do with either hostage, the terrorists just shrugged, then snickered behind closed doors. Wednesday, the day I’m writing this, it’s the same thing. With much fanfare broadcast on Qatar’s Al Jazeera network, in violation of the ceasefire agreement, more remains were passed on to the Red Cross for transfer to Israel. This time they’re sure they got it right (winky, winky). I’ll update below with a Breaking News if this truly is one of the missing two.
The problem for Israel is that we have shown our hand to the terrorists. We love each other more than we love our own lives. In contrast, they hate us more than they love each other or themselves. When that strength of love and hate meet head on, it is hate that typically gains the most immediate and most graphic of victories. Love’s successes often come to fruition in the long-term and, ultimately, in the eternal. This is why Israel is so vulnerable to the hate-filled enemies who surround them. In Lebanon, Hezbollah is rapidly rearming, and in Syria, Houthis are being smuggled in by Iran. Both of these terrorist groups, along with all the weakened but still active Iranian proxy militias, are currently planning October 7 type attacks because they know that if they can take Israeli hostages, then they will be in the catbird’s seat. This is the reality today in Israel, and the IDF is doing what they can to either prepare for the coming onslaught or to rise up and kill their enemies before they have a chance to attack us.
Breaking News: The remains returned today are that of Thai hostage Susthisak Rinthalak, 42. He was working in agriculture at Kibbutz Be’eri when he was murdered by Hamas on October 7. We join Mr. Rinthalak’s parents and his brother in mourning the loss of this hero. Now, we await the return of the remains of the final hostage, 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili. He was killed the day before his 25th birthday defending Kibbutz Alumim, despite the fact that he was on medical leave at the time. It’s time the terrorists live up to their end of the agreement and complete the return of our hostages.
Cigars, Champagne, and the Persecution of a Prime Minister
When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political enemies cooked up a scheme to bring his career down through the “improper” receiving of some cigars and bottles of champagne, they thought they had him dead to rights. Nothing left for him to do but to resign and slink away into political ignominy. Instead, Bibi said, “You want a fight? Let’s fight.” Thus began this judicial lawfare fiasco that is currently taking place in Israel.
Unfortunately for the prosecution, the already weak case is now deteriorating by the day. Everyone in the country sees it for what it is, but there are still enough Netanyahu haters amongst the citizens and the power-drunk judicial branch of the government to keep the court case going. Thus, in the midst of a seven-front war, the Prime Minister is forced to spend three days a week in court defending himself against politically motivated drivel. The Left would actually love to see a quick end to the case with a guilty verdict because they see the tide is rapidly turning against them. Too much longer and they’ll be left with nothing.
Netanyahu agrees with them in that he, too, would like to see a quick conclusion to the case. That is why he has requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, which in Israel is essentially an end-of-trial request. His entreaty was preceded by both verbal and written requests to Herzog by President Trump calling for an end to what the American president called a “witch hunt.” Even though ending this legal farce would be the best thing for our country-at-war, it is likely that Herzog will deny it. The president is contemplating his own political comeback and can’t allow himself to let Netanyahu off the hook.
Lebanon’s Approaching Deadline
Lebanon was given to the end of December to disarm Hezbollah. Instead, we see an impotent government unable to stop the terrorist group, and Hezbollah being rearmed by Iran faster than Israel can destroy the incoming weapons. This is a growing powder keg with the potential to blow apart the country like a warehouse full of ammonium nitrate in the Port of Beirut. Last week, Pope Leo XIV was in country trying to mediate for peace with little success. US envoy Morgan Ortagus met in Beirut with President Joseph Aoun yesterday, a day after sitting down to talk with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Her goal was to try to make the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon more ceasefirey. Israel’s attitude is, “Yeah, we’re good with no more shooting as long as you can get Hezbollah to quit rearming and building up military infrastructure with the intention of using it on us.” I’d tell you the response of Hezbollah’s leadership, but I don’t speak Persian. As I mentioned above, Iran has not given up its desire to wipe Israel off the map, and they are surreptitiously gaining ground. Israel sees what is going on and will act when it becomes necessary, despite what Lebanon, Syria, the UN, or the US have to say about it.
Iran’s Downward Slide
Speaking of our friends in Tehran, it seems like there could be a confusion amongst the ayatollahs of where their priorities should lie. Their people are seeing the 41% inflation reported by Iran’s Central Bank last year, although it was likely much higher. They are trying to breathe amidst the massive amount of pollution that’s earned Tehran the title of World’s Most Polluted City. They are frustrated that they can’t turn on their lights because the Karaj Dam has gone off grid due to a huge drop in its water level, a crisis that will soon lead to a halt in the flow of tapwater. Meanwhile, the ayatollahs are saying, “Sure, there are a few problems, but did you see that ballistic missile we just fired into Iraqi Kurdistan? We heard that the Mossad might operate there sometimes. Besides, we’ve got all those proxy militia mouths to feed and guns to load, so how about just taking one for the team?” For the Iranian leadership, destroying Israel and America is far more important than providing basic necessities to their own people. A time is coming when the Islamists will be ousted from their positions of leadership. I’m just afraid that it likely won’t happen until after their military is destroyed in the Ezekiel 38 war.
You Asked for It, Europe
There’s nothing like a beautiful Christmas market in Europe. The smell of chestnuts roasting, the sound of bells jingling, the twinkle of shiny ornaments hanging in mistletoe trimmed kiosks, the pounding of drums drowning out Christmas carols, the waving of Palestinian flags knocking decades-old baubles from the traditionally adorned central square tree, the blare of “Free, Free Palestine” distorting through bullhorns. Ahh, such a festive time.
You asked for it, Europe, and now you’ve got it. In Toulouse, Vienna, London, Brussels, and many other cities throughout the continent, jihadist sympathizers have surrounded and infiltrated Christmas markets and celebrations with chanting, flag waving, and verbal and physical attacks. And for you in the United States, if it hasn’t come to your city yet, just wait. This is just a symptom of the growing antisemitism disease that I believe is going to lead to a massive aliyah, or immigration, to Israel in the coming years.
The Israeli government also sees this potential, along with the possibility that an event or series of events could lead to a very rapid large-scale immigration. To prepare for this, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, together with the National Emergency Authority, conducted a strategic exercise last week simulating just such a sudden influx. The winds of the world are once again blowing against the Jewish people. However, if you are at all a student of the Bible, this should come as no surprise to you.
The Ministry
My dear friends in Asia, I’m coming your way! In January, Pastor Barry Stagner and I will be touring through the Philippines and China with stops in Manila, Tacloban, Davao, and Hong Kong. Then, in April, I’ll be back again in Asia again, this time in Japan, with visits to Tokyo, Nagano, Hokkaido, and Osaka. If you want to see where we’ll be and when, check out the Behold Israel “Teaching Around the World” page. I hope to see you there!
On Monday, Pastor Barry and I had a great Q & A time answering your questions. Then, on Tuesday, I sat down for a special hour of “Let’s CONNECT” with my long-time friend Shmulik (Samuel) Smadja. We talked about the remarkable journey that’s brought him to a place where he is now playing a vital role in supporting and strengthening the Messianic community in Israel. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss any other great videos Behold Israel is putting out, go to our Behold Israel with Amir Tsarfati YouTube channel and subscribe.
If you’ve ever had the idea, “Someday I’d like to visit the Holy Land and see all those amazing places I’ve only read about in the Bible,” then let 2026 be the year you go. Our tours are filling up, but we still have room, particularly in February and December. We’d love to see you here. Check out the Behold Israel tour page for more information.
If you are into cruising, we’ve got some possibilities for you there, also. In July 2026, we’ll be up in Alaska again, where I’ll be joined by Pastor Barry Stagner, Pastor Bob Pearle, and Pastor Bob Kopeny for an on-the-water prophecy conference. Later in the year, Pastor Barry and I will be teaching Exploring Ezekiel in the fjords of Norway from September 27-October 4, 2026. Registration is currently open for both of these amazing excursions.
A couple days ago was Giving Tuesday. I want to thank all of you who so graciously took advantage of that opportunity to support this ministry. It is because of your gifts that we are able to go wherever God calls us without ever charging any church a single dollar or euro or yen or whatever currency there might be. And if you are still considering where God is calling you to send your gifts, let me encourage you to keep praying. If the Lord leads you our direction, we would be thankful. But if He leads you a different direction, we would be just as thankful. Our desire is joyful obedience amongst God’s people. We’ll let Him worry about the dollars and cents! The Lord’s people giving to the Lord’s work; that’s what’s called a win-win in the Kingdom of God!
Awaiting His Return,
Amir Tsarfati
Amir Tsarfati, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.
The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by CURE News and Clergy Blog.
