Over the last month, Israel has experienced a wide range of joy and sorrow, including the celebration of Passover and of its 75^th birthday, as well as observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day. Several terrorist attacks also occurred as the Muslim month of Ramadan ended. Yoav Gallant, who was fired by Netanyahu at the end of March, was recently reinstated as Defense Minister.

On the international front, Saudi Arabia normalized relations last month with Iran, as well as initiating talks with Syria’s Assad. Towards the end of April, delegations from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority visited Riyadh. Two high-profile Americans visited Israel as well.

Looking forward to May, the Knesset, which must focus on passing a budget proposal during May, has said that it will put judicial reform legislation on the back burner until June. This pause also gives the judicial reform negotiating teams from the government and opposition to come to a sustainable compromise. Meanwhile, many Israelis from both sides of the aisle continue to protest, and the country remains divided.

Two Israeli holidays will fall this year during May, Jerusalem Day (18-19.5), and Shavuot (24-25.5). Additionally, the traditional Jewish observance Lag b’Omer this year falls on May 9^th.

There is much to be in prayer for. We ask that you intercede on behalf of Israel and Hope for Israel throughout the month of May.

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR:

Civil Unrest

Despite the continued pause in the Netanyahu government’s judicial reform, many Israelis have continued to protest out of concern that the pause is a feint. The government has stated that no progress will be made towards passing the reform bills at least until June, citing the necessity of passing a national budget proposal.

Many Israelis continue to feel the damages wrought by the months of internal unrest. These include lowered trust in national institutions like the IDF, fallout in Israel’s international relationships, specifically with the US, and the economic consequences of the chaos.

That being said, the government and opposition are currently in talks to reach a compromise over the proposed judicial reform legislation which would satisfy the interests of both parties. Since the discussions are taking place behind closed doors, it is hard to know how much progress has been made, but many officials profess hopefulness.

Please continue to pray for:

• A successful, good-faith conclusion to the judicial reform compromise discussions taking place between government and opposition.
• Restoration of Israelis’ faith in their national institutions, including the IDF and the Supreme Court
• National unity and dialogue, based on humility and a desire to understand different perspectives

Israeli Security and Terror

There were several terror attacks during the month of April, which coincided with the Muslim month of Ramadan, but none more tragic than the murders of a mother and two of her daughters during Passover, on their way to a family holiday in the north of the country. A second attack in Tel Aviv, which killed an Italian tourist and injured several more, showed how indiscriminatory is.

An additional and outstanding security incident was the launching of over 40 rockets towards Israel during Passover from terrorist organizations in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Hamas later took responsibility for the attacks, which thankfully did not result in casualties.

The incidence of attacks from the northern border is rare and quite concerning. A Lebanese minister afterwards published a statement on the event, saying that the Lebanese government condemned attacks on innocent civilians; however, the fact remains that Lebanon allows terrorist organizations to operate on its southern border undisturbed.

The IDF responded with air strikes in Syria and Gaza, but many were surprised that the response was not more forceful.

Please pray for:

• Comfort and healing to the victims of terror and their families
• A de-escalation of the tense security situation
• Protection and alertness for Israel's security forces as they seek to execute justice and protect Israeli civilians through arrests, arms seizures, and day-to-day guarding duties.
• Wisdom for leaders and IDF top brass in responding to multi-front threats to Israel’s security.

Political Changes in the Middle East

In addition to concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, significant political changes are occurring in the Middle East. Their ramifications for Israel are unclear, but somewhat concerning. Last month, in a deal brokered by China, Iran renewed their diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia. Israel had previously seen Saudi Arabia as a possible partner in the Abraham Accords.

Saudi Arabia is now seeking reconciliation between Syria and other Arab states. Syria has been alienated from the region for over a decade as a result of their bloody and destructive civil war; however, at the end of April, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad hosted the Saudi foreign minister in Damascus. Syria has consistently been an enemy of Israel’s; today, terror groups are lodged in southern Syria.

The most concerning development is the possible normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Hamas, which sent a delegation to Riyadh this week. The Saudis also hosted a delegation from the Palestinian Authority.

Saudi Arabia’s desire to cultivate ties with known terrorist organizations is seriously concerning for Israel. It is unclear how this move towards Arab unity will affect Israel’s relationships with other Abraham Accords partners such as the UAE.

Please pray for:

• Continued wisdom for Israeli leadership as they pursue a policy of deterrence against the Iranian threat,
• International cooperation against Iran
• Wisdom for Israeli military leadership on when and how to respond to Iran
• Wisdom to counter Iranian proxies on Israel’s northern border, such as Hizballah
• Wisdom to handle the tricky political situation in the Middle East as many long-alienated Arab states seek reconciliation.

Israel’s International Relations

Following several months of tense relations with Washington DC, last month brought the separate visits of Senator Lindsey Graham and of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the latter with a bi-partisan delegation of house representatives. Senator Graham came to Israel after a similar visit to Saudi Arabia and met with several high-level Israeli officials.  Speaker McCarthy was the second US House Speaker in history to address the Knesset.

Despite the tensions between the two nations, the US has simultaneously insisted that it will continue to support Israel in matters of national security and defense. It is time for the US to take a public stand in support of Israel, and it is encouraging to see such prominent US politicians as Graham and McCarthy doing so.

Additionally, the Jewish State is still facing an appraisal by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of their presence in Judea and Samaria according to international law.

Finally, two UN-sponsored anti-Israel events took place on Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day, causing the Israeli ambassador to the UN to stage a walkout in protest.

Please pray for:

• Definitive American policy which actively supports Israel on the international stage and not just behind closed doors
• An accurate and unbiased legal assessment of the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria by the Hague commission

May Holidays

Two Jewish and Israeli holidays fall in May this year: Jerusalem Day, and Shavuot (known in some circles as Pentecost). Additionally, Lag b’Omer will be observed by religious Jews on May 9^th.

Lag b’Omer, which falls on May 9^th, is an observance that began in the Diaspora and marks a “half-way” point in the Counting of the Omer, which connects Passover to Shavuot. Today it is celebrated in Israel with bonfires and pilgrimages to the graves of several rabbis on Mt. Meron, where over 40 people were killed in a stampede in 2021 due to poor crowd control. Most Jewish believers choose not to celebrate Lag b’Omer, which it is extra-Biblical.

Jerusalem Day, celebrated this year on May 19^th, marks the day of the reunification of east and west Jerusalem during the Six-Day War! Israelis come from all other the country to march through their capital waving flags in a display of patriotic fervor. Historically, this Jerusalem Day parade can ignite controversy, since Palestinians still consider east Jerusalem the capital of a potential Palestinian state.

Shavuot (sometimes known as Pentecost) is one of the seven original feasts commanded by God in the Torah, and this year will be observed on May 25^th. In Biblical times, Shavuot was celebrated with a wave offering to God at the Temple, known as the “first fruits.” Shavuot also commemorates the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and for believers, Shavuot has even another layer of significance, since on Shavuot Yeshua’s disciples received the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for:

• Safety for those who travel to Mt. Meron on Lag b’Omer; that the focus of the day would be on the Lord and not on the rabbis themselves
• Fire safety as thousands of Israelis light backyard bonfires for Lag b’Omer
• A calm and joyous Jerusalem Day, which does not cause any security escalations
• For a revival among God’s people on Shavuot! Just as the Jewish people received the Torah on Shavuot and the disciples received the Holy Spirit, may many of God’s people be awakened to their Messiah this year.

HFI Prayer requests: