“Behold, a people! As a lioness it rises up and as a lion it lifts itself; it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey and drunk the blood of the slain.”
– Numbers 23:24
Last week, Israel and the world woke to a new reality with global implications. In a stunning operation dubbed Operation Rising Lion (recalling Numbers 23:24), Israel struck key Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military leaders, miraculously setting back Iran’s nuclear program and containing its ballistic missile threat – a challenge many once thought impossible. Iran has since responded with waves of drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli civilians. There have been 24 fatalities and over 500 wounded. Thousands have been made homeless.
“O Israel, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield.”
– Psalm 115:9
Israel’s actions come after decades of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, accompanied by threats to wipe Israel off the map, and sponsorship of terrorism, including the October 7 massacre. Despite years of attempted Western diplomacy, Iran’s radical Islamic regime continued its path to illegally enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. Now, faced with credible intelligence of violations, Israel was compelled to act in self-defence – to finally confront the ‘head of the snake’ behind the terror proxies and prevent another Holocaust in the making.
Israel is not only defending its people but standing on the front lines of protecting Western civilisation against the forces of evil. While some may condemn Israel today, history will remember this operation as it did Israel’s 1981 strike on Iraq’s Osirak reactor – a necessary stand against a genocidal regime’s nuclear ambitions.
ICEJ Australia, together with our global network, calls on all our supporters to pray for the protection and healing of the Israeli people, for wisdom and courage for their leaders, and for freedom for the Iranian people. We pray for a clear result of ending once-and for-all the Iranian nuclear threat over Israel and the entire Middle East.
Please help us provide practical emergency support to affected Israeli communities. The ICEJ Aid team has visited the sites of destroyed neighbourhoods in Bat Yam with the mayor and Yoav Gallant, the previous Defence Minister, to investigate the needs on the ground. They reported that the devastation is immense, with 2500 people homeless and 200 children affected. Twenty-two buildings are badly affected and will need to be demolished.
The Haifa Holocaust Home, supported by ICEJ, is also giving out about 400 meals a day to Holocaust survivors who live by themselves in the area. Many requests for a hot meal are being received through the call centre. MK Eli Cohen, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, came to visit the Haifa Home and thanked ICEJ for our incredible work.
Meanwhile, the residents of the Home spend much time in the bomb shelter. Yudit Setz ICEJ Team Leader at the Haifa Home reports on how they are coping with the constant wail of the sirens, the frightening sounds overhead and the tension of living through a war. Among the residents are several who were rescued from the Ukrainian – Russian war!
“They are amazing our residents!! It’s very difficult for them especially all the broken nights, but they are really incredibly strong even at their very old age. The fact that they are not alone and we continue doing all our activities so we can be together, gives them strength.”
As the situation escalates, Israel urgently needs help for post-war recovery and restoration. Together, we can help bring hope, security and comfort, as we are commanded to do (Isiaah 40:1). ICEJ is engaged on the ground, assessing the most urgent needs and offering direct support to families impacted by the attack.
Partner with us through the Israel Crisis Fund by making a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation to bring relief, restoration, and hope to those who need it most.
A gift in any amount
will help equip public shelters in the most vulnerable communities:
1. Food Assistance for Holocaust Survivors and Those in Need:
Food Package: $230 AUD
2. Emergency Support for Evacuated Families:
Basic Supplies: $900 AUD
3. Bomb Shelter Installations and Upgrades:
Full shelter $40,000 AUD
Your Voice for Israel in Australia
As Israel continues to fight for the security of her citizens on all fronts, the front of anti-Israel propaganda and bias through twisting of facts, ignorance and falsehood grows at alarming speed. ICEJ endeavours to be a voice that counters the condemnation and brings clarity into confusion, including direct written protest regarding governmental decisions. I encourage you to listen regularly to ICEJ’s webinars, which are always advertised in our fortnightly email, to hear up-to-date analysis and biblical teaching. We need to avail ourselves of the information that counters wrong and biased reports and be aware of ‘evil reports’ of God’s nation.
Please also follow us on social media to help spread the truth amid growing misinformation. If you would like to receive ICEJ’s excellent bi-monthly magazine, please write to connect@icej.org.au with your name and mailing address.
Ways You Can Follow Us Or Get In Touch
Special communication equipment donated last year by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem helped save the lives of over 3,000 local residents during the Hamas invasion and massacres, according to the area’s security chief. Not long before the surprise Israeli attack on Iran and the retaliations that followed, ICEJ provided more essential communication devices for the North, and more are needed. Your gift in the form of financial aid will help us better equip rescue responders.
100 Days Of Prayer And Fasting
ICEJ has designated 100 days from May 18th to August 24 (roughly the anniversary dates for Nicaean Council) to pray and fast over the unfortunate damage to Jewish-Christian relations which arose from Nicaea.
An invitation is extended to all who are able to join. Each Monday the ICEJ’s daily Global Prayer Gathering online is set aside to pray into the various outcomes of the Nicaean Council – both positive and negative.
STAY INFORMED
Join ICEJ Senior Vice President and Spokesman David Parsons for an insightful conversation on today’s pressing global issues, featuring expert analysis special guest IDF Major (Res.) Elliot Chodoff
JOIN US IN PRAYER
With the constant threat of attack, the rising witness of Antisemitism globally and the devastation left behind in the lives of so many across Israel – now is the time to gather in prayer and uplift the nation of Israel.
If you would like to be part of ICEJ’s global 24/7 prayer,
click below to join the Australian prayer watch each
Tuesday 2pm-3pm or Wednesday 7am-8am (AEDT).
Blessings,
Sarah Way
ICEJ Australia National Director
