It was quiet today until.....

Today was the quietest it's been in weeks.  We actually sat at work all day without hearing the sirens, and there were no attacks.  Amazing - since yesterday was so violent.  And then....

About 4 pm today at Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem a security guard was escorting a family into the Old City as he was about to be attacked with a knife by an arab terrorist.  Police forces nearby saw the man with the knife about to stab the security guard, and shot the terrorist before he could injure anyone.


http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-killed-during-attempted-stabbing-attack-in-jerusalem/

Then about 2 hours later.....remember this picture we posted on a recent blog?  It is on Jaffa Street about 100 feet from our CFI office.

Well, that's where the next stabbing attack occurred this evening - only 30 minutes after we were standing at this same spot leaving our office.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201895


A man with a knife attacked a Jewish woman as she got off the bus, then he tried to get on the bus.  He was shot.

Immediately following the attack, IDF soldiers quickly searched inside the Central Bus Station for possible accomplices.  Shoppers had no idea what was transpiring.  Video below:

As we were watching the 8:00 news tonight (Israeli time), it was interrupted by a speech by Palestinian President Abbas addressing the Palestinians.  He said nothing to try to dispel the violence, in fact, he actually incited the situation, saying now is the time, we will not give up, we are proud of our martyrs, who are heroes.  We shall see what we experience now that their leader has given his stamp of approval on this violence.  

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Abbas-accuses-Israel-of-aggressive-offensive-despite-day-of-Palestinian-terror-attacks-424969

If you have any interest in watching the news in English, live from Israel, here's the link.  We are 7 hours ahead of EST in the United States.

http://www.i24news.tv/en/tv/live

From Arutz Sheva News:  Soon after the attack, "Dozens of passersby defiantly sing 'Hatikva' outside the Jerusalem central bus station, following latest stabbing attack.

"Dozens of defiant Jerusalemites and Israeli commuters united in defiance of Arab terrorism outside Jerusalem's central bus station Wednesday night, following the latest stabbing attack in the capital which left an elderly woman seriously injured.

"The crowd - made up of religious and secular, young and old - spontaneously gathered to sing Israel's national anthem, Hatikvah ("The Hope") in an inspiring show of unity in the face of the ongoing wave of terrorism."  

If you can't watch this on your phone, I suggest you take the time to watch it on a computer.  Video below:

Hatikvah 

(lyrics)

As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart,

With eyes turned toward the East, looking toward Zion,

Then our hope - the two-thousand-year-old hope - will not be lost:

To be a free people in our land,

The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

5th update...why???

It's not slowing down.  So far today there have been  4 stabbing attacks.  Praise God, some were not successful.  However, some were wounded seriously, and in life threatening condition.  If you wish to learn more, please click the links.

This morning began with an attempted stabbing of a police officer at the Lion Gate of the Old City in Jerusalem.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/attacker-killed-after-stabbing-attempt-in-jerusalem-old-city/

Next, was a stabbing attack at Ammunition Hill just north of the Old City.  The officer stabbed was 20 years old, and the terrorist was an 18 year old female.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201763

The third attack was the worst of the day, in Pisgat Ze'ev - where we have had the Aharai race each year that we've written about in the blog.  It is in the most northern neighborhood of Jerusalem, and the Light Rail train ends in this town.  A 20 (or 25) year old and a 13 year old were critically injured by two terrorists - 13 years old and 15 (or 17) years old.  Yes, children terrorists.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/20176

Most recently, this evening, an attack was thwarted in Tel Aviv by a taxi driver as he saw his female passenger jump out with a knife trying to stab people.  Praise God he was able to stop her until police came.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201776


If you wish to see the reality of what is occurring, here is a 30 second video of an attack on border police from two days ago.

Once again, this does not include the many other attacks to day - trying to infiltrate the borders, rock attack, riots, etc.

During all this chaos, we go on with our normal work.  Today we received (and unloaded) a shipment of clothing from the United States (1400 banana boxes).  In the past month we received 151 Jewish families from the Nations who have made aliyah (immigrated to Israel).  Also today, Jim met with an IDF preparatory school to see how CFI can help.  With much to do, we continue to build relationships. 

Psalm 83New King James Version (NKJV)

Prayer to Frustrate Conspiracy Against Israel

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.

83 Do not keep silent, O God!
Do not hold Your peace,
And do not be still, O God!
2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. Selah

9 Deal with them as with Midian,
As with Sisera,
As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon,
10 Who perished at En Dor,
Who became as refuse on the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb,
Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves
The pastures of God for a possession.”

13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust,
Like the chaff before the wind!
14 As the fire burns the woods,
And as the flame sets the mountains on fire,
15 So pursue them with Your tempest,
And frighten them with Your storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame,
That they may seek Your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever;
Yes, let them be put to shame and perish,
18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth.

4th update.....

Not really sure what to say.  Honestly, don't even want to write another blog about this - at least 7 more serious attacks since the last update.  If we knew that what is going on in Israel was being reported in America and other parts of the world, we probably wouldn't even send out another update.  But it's not - at least not with the truth of the situation.  Watched a Fox News video about the attacks here, and for at least half of the report, on the bottom of the screen it said, "Israeli stabs 4 Palestinians."  While that horrible attack did take place last week, somehow it was a more important point to convey than the other dozen or more attacks by Palestinians against Jews.  This phrase in the picture below can be seen in a few places around Jerusalem.  Quite profound!

The chart below lists many of the attacks that happened over just 4 days.  This does not include the attacks from our first blog, when which we told about four people who were killed.

Put out by the IDF.

Teen terrorist right before he stabbed a Jewish man
walking home from praying at the Western Wall on Friday.
You can see the knife in his hand.

One of the survivors of a stabbing attack.

The above chart doesn't include the many, many rock attacks.  And people need to realize, we are not talking about stones.  These are big rocks (and sometimes cinder blocks) that can kill.  A soldier was injured recently when a rioter used a sling shot and a marble and hit him in the throat.  There was also a stabbing attack with a vegetable peeler recently.  It's anything they can get their hands on.

Nor does the chart tell of the riots all over the country - or the rocket attacks from last night coming into Israel from Hamas in Gaza.

It also doesn't mention the hundreds of Hamas members from Gaza that rushed the border fence (between Gaza and Israel) even though the IDF warned them to go back.  Due to the measures the army had to take against this attack, 6 people died, and many were injured.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinians-killed-in-clash-with-idf-along-gaza-border/

Also since the chart was created, a suicide bomb attempt was thwarted by a traffic policeman.  He pulled over a car on Highway #1 driving from Jericho towards Jerusalem.  The car was heading up the mountain to the checkpoint, but was driving in the wrong lane - the one for buses and public transportation - so he pulled her over for suspicions.  Yes. Her.  When the officer approached the car, a woman got out, shouted Allahu Akbar, and detonated the bomb in the car.  The officer was "mildly" injured, and the terrorist was seriously injured.  Both were taken to a hospital in Jerusalem.  We give praise to God that this attack was thwarted before it reached its intended destination in the city where more people would have been injured.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/bombing-attempt-outside-jerusalem-wounds-police-officer/

Traffic policeman - HERO - stopped terrorist out of suspicions.

Here's a link to watch an interview with the policeman.  It's translated into English.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201711

Even now, as we are ready to send out this update (it's all written and ready to go), another stabbing just occurred near Hadera (north of Tel Aviv, south of Haifa).  Four Israelis injured, one terrorist was apprehended, one escaped.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201726

Prime Minister Netanyahu has called up extra reserves of Border Police to patrol in Jerusalem and Judea & Samaria.  Many believe he is not doing enough.  More security is great, but something needs to be done to deter the attacks.  What the answer is, we don't know.

Border Police meeting on the steps at the Western Wall plaza.

Just as the mayor of Jerusalem did, Friday Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon also called on the public who have gun permits to carry their weapons.  What's necessary to realize is that most people in Israel with gun permits are former IDF soldiers, and most likely also in the reserves.  They are well trained in how and when to handle a weapon.  It's kind of like an unofficial call-up of reserves.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Yaalon-urges-licensed-civilians-to-carry-firearms-Riots-reported-in-Arab-towns-421456

The public is really taking a lot of responsibility to be alert and ready.  Many are arming themselves with whatever self defense weapons they can.  Self defense courses are really popular right now as well.  You may remember that a few years ago we took an Israeli self defense class called Krav Maga.  Wish we could say we remembered more of it, but we have been talking about what to do in a situation if we find ourselves in one.

We have also discussed how we find each other, and how we communicate in an emergency.  Being mentally prepared (as much as one can...) is a good start.  We certainly don't intend to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but this has spread all over the country, not just "certain neighborhoods."  This article below also gave a lot of good tips, many which we are already doing:  Being alert at bus & train stops, don't be so engrossed in your phone, check out everyone around you, if possible have a wall behind you at a bus or train platform, etc.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-buy-pepper-spray-sign-up-to-self-defense-courses-as-stabbing-attacks-surge/

So how are we?  Fearful? No.  Mourning for those wounded & those who lost loved ones.  Angry.... Frustrated.... Every time we hear the sirens and helicopters now, we have to wonder if there's been another attack, or if our soldiers and police are in harms way yet again.  We mentioned in the last update that we were going to meet with a commander this week.  He has now contacted us to say it's not possible, as his unit has been deployed to areas in need of patrol (areas we cannot visit at this time).

This isn't the same as the rocket attacks in last year's war.  It's more personal.  Now we don't run for shelter in a safe room.  Now each and every person needs to be alert and ready to thwart a possible attack.  And they are.  The public will fight this, as they already have been - until soldiers or police arrive to the scene (which they are always nearby).  The people of Israel, the Jewish people, are very resilient.  They will NOT allow terror to win.  They will go on with their lives as best as they can.  They won't let fear win.

Why do they continue to walk the same way to the Old City in Jerusalem as they always have, even if it now may be dangerous?  Because if they change, if they give in and go a different way, they are letting the terrorists win and get what they are wanting.  No, evil will not defeat this people, this Land.

Psalm 121

1             I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Another Day, more attacks....

Today was not any better than yesterday in Israel, with more attacks around the nation.  There have been 4 stabbing attacks, and much more violence than we can list - and also much of it doesn't make the headlines, even here in Israel.  If you haven't read the past two blogs, you may want to do so.  Please know our intent in sending out these updates are not to glorify the attacks, but rather to bring awareness to the reality of the times in which we live.

The first attack happened in Jerusalem at the Ammunition Hill Light Rail train stop.  The attacker stabbed a Yeshiva (Bible) student in the neck, and also stabbed a security guard.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-stabbing-attack-reported-in-northern-jerusalem/

The second attack occurred near the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.  The terrorist worked at a nearby construction site and attacked a female soldier and 4 other citizens, stabbing them with a screwdriver.


http://www.timesofisrael.com/four-injured-in-tel-aviv-stabbing-attacker-killed/

Screwdriver used by terrorist in Tel Aviv terror attack‏

Seeing the attack (the terrorist had stabbed the soldier, stole her weapon, and ran towards the mall) an Israeli Air Force soldier was able to shoot the terrorist, killing him.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201596

Air Force soldier who shot the terrorist.
Air Force soldiers are targets, so they don't show their face in media,
which is why he was interviewed from the back.

The third attack happened near the city of Hevron (where Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca and Jacob & Leah are buried).  He was stabbed in the back by a terrorist who fled the scene.  The IDF have a manhunt looking for him.  Details of what happened have not yet bet revealed.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-seriously-hurt-in-terror-attack-near-hebron/

A fourth stabbing attack just occurred.  One or Two Israelis are injured in the Northern town of Afula (just south of Nazareth).  Details are unclear as it just happened.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Initial-Report-Terror-stabbing-in-Afula-421355


The link below shows a video of Palestinian terrorists attacking an officer's truck.  He had gotten away, and the truck had smash-proof glass, but you can get an idea of what they are doing to many who are in their cars in the past few days.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201592#.VhZzhpvottQ


In the meantime, the Deputy Defense Minister calls for anyone with a gun and experience to be alert and prevent another attack.  The mayor of Jerusalem also calls on all citizens with gun permits to carry weapons.  This is Israel.  Not the United States. 

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201569

At the same time, metal detectors are being installed at many of the Jerusalem Old City Gates in attempt to thwart attacks.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201595

Next Tuesday, we have the opportunity to visit an IDF commander, and dear friend in the Golan Heights.  CFI has provided numerous items for this Golani battalion, and we're taking the opportunity to continue the connection and encourage these brave warriors.

We'd like to ask you to please remember the Israel Defense Force soldiers, Israeli Border Police, and security personnel (along with the public) in prayer, as they are the biggest target of many of the ongoing daily attacks - especially those that DON'T make the news.

Two of our brave Border Policemen on the Jerusalem Light Rail train today when we were out.

Psalm 10New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Confidence in God’s Triumph over Evil

10 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.

5 His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
6 He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
9 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;
He lies in wait to catch the poor;
He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 So he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his strength.
11 He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see.”

12 Arise, O Lord!
O God, lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the humble.
13 Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
“You will not require an account.”

14 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

Terror Continues...

We're sorry to say that the terrorist attacks that we wrote of in the last blog a few days ago are continuing.  Today has not been a very good day in this respect.  We realize that some of you check the news in Israel and keep up with what's going on here, so none of this is new for you.  However, many on our mailing list do not see the Israeli news, and so we wanted to share a few updates from today.

You can click on the links, and the blue words (which are also links) to read more about the story.

10:59 am

This morning, south of Jerusalem, just outside of Bethlehem, a gang of about 50 masked arab youth blocked the road from traffic getting through.  They approached a woman's car, smashed the windshield with rocks, and tried to drag her from the car while kicking her.  She managed to drive away, call police then get to the hospital.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201525


Palestinian rioters attempted to ambush an Israeli motorist stuck in traffic outside the West Bank town of Beit Sahour, east of Bethlehem on Wednesday. Police reported that the rioters had erected a barrier of stones and threw rocks at motorists, including the Israeli woman whom they tried to forcefully pull from her vehicle. Another person was hurt and seven other vehicles sustained damage during the incident, according to police.

Israelis on the scene shot at the mob of terrorists attacking the woman's car.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/settlers-shoot-wound-palestinian-teen-in-clash/


11:08 am

An Israeli man shot a knife-wielding female terrorist after being stabbed from behind at Jerusalem’s Lion’s Gate in the Old City. The man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transferred to an area hospital, he said. The terrorist, who is in serious-to-critical condition, has also been hospitalized.

Both victim and terrorist were taken to the Western Wall plaza
 to be treated by Magen David Adom before being taken to the hospital.

This terrorist was an 18 year old arab female who stabbed a 36 year old male in the back near the Lion's Gate of the Old City in Jerusalem (close to where the stabbing attack occurred last Saturday). The victim was able to shoot the terrorist with his own gun.  Police found them both lying in the street near each other.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-woman-stabs-israelis-in-jerusalem-is-shot/

Terrorist who stabbed the man at Lion's Gate.
She wrote on her Facebook page that she was going to be a martyr today,
 that her greatest desire was to die for Allah.

13:42 

A suspected terrorist stabbed an IDF soldier before snatching his gun in the southern city of Kiryat Gat, initial reports say. A police spokesman said that, upon initial investigation, the suspect approached an armed IDF soldier after stepping off of a bus and attempted to snatch his weapon. The soldier resisted his assailant and as a result of the struggle sustained a light stabbing wound to his head. The suspect continued with the snatched weapon to an adjacent residential building, where he took refuge until being confronted and shot down by police forces minutes later.

Next, the terrorist forced his way into a woman's home and attacked her:

"I thought my life was over," said Kiryat Gat woman recalling the moment a terrorist charged into her house after he stabbed an IDF soldier.

Liat Ohana after fighting a terrorist in Kiryat Gat in her home.

16:40 

A police officer sustained a head injury after rocks were thrown at Israel Police and Border Police at Hospice Junction in the Old City of Jerusalem. Police arrested two suspects, who are minors, in relation to the attack.

18:45 

A suspected terrorist stabbed and moderately wounded one person in Petah Tikva. The suspect was shot and apprehended.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/one-seriously-injured-in-stabbing-attack-outside-tel-aviv/

In this 3rd stabbing attack in one day, the terrorist was from Hevron, and was apprehended by civilians.

19:11

Riot police and Jerusalem Border Police noticed an young man behaving suspiciously on Wednesday night while operating in Abu Tur in Jerusalem.  The 15-year-old resident of Abu Tor pulled out a knife from his hip pocket and was immediately apprehended by the police forces who disarmed the boy and placed him under arrest.   

20:48

Attempted Attack near Maale Adumim:  Initial reports indicate that there was an attempted car ploughing terror attack near the city of Adumim. Soldiers apparently shot and neutralized the terrorist behind the wheel of the car.

There are many rock attacks and fire bombs on cars, Border Police and IDF soldiers all over the country, along with riots and demonstrations popping up everywhere.

Police in one major city have encouraged citizens with gun permits to carry their weapons on their person to increase security.  Prime Minister Netanyahu is urging Israelis to be resilient.

The Rabbis in Israel called for a public prayer service at the Kotel (Western Wall) today to pray about the security situation, and for strength for the government and all of Israel.

All the while, Palestinian Authority President Abbas claims it's all Israel's fault....

http://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-israel-to-blame-for-violence-not-palestinians/

There is so much happening so very quickly, it's hard to keep up with.  For practical purposes, we can say that most things are normal - riding the bus and train, shopping etc.  It's obvious there is a great increase in security.

On a positive note, large amounts of oil were discovered in the Golan in Northern Israel, and we received our first real rainfall today.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/major-oil-reserve-said-found-on-golan/

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/201514

Please, please continue to pray for 

the Peace of Jerusalem 

and all of Israel!!