Flights in and out are scarce

  • US airlines cancel direct flights
  • About a third of Tel Aviv flights cancelled Monday
  • Regulators urge caution but have not closed Israeli airspace

Oct 9 (Reuters) – Major international air carriers suspended or scaled back flights to or from Tel Aviv, while Russia banned night flights to Israel, after a surprise attack by Hamas militants over the weekend and a threat of escalating conflict raised safety concerns.

About 50% of scheduled Tel Aviv flights did not operate on Sunday and a third were cancelled on Monday as of Monday evening in Israel, according to Flightradar24, a flight tracking website.

https://www.reuters.com/world/several-airlines-suspend-tel-aviv-flights-until-conditions-improve-2023-10-08/

New Jersey native Lauri Bader says on Friday, she was enjoying lunch outdoors with her daughter.

“Yesterday was the perfect day here in Israel. Everything was fine and calm and beautiful and busy and vibrant, normal. And then this morning, we were woken up to a siren at 7:30 and we had to go to a safe room, which is like a bomb shelter,” she said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/americans-in-israel-hamas-attacks/

New Jersey tourist describes fleeing Israel

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was packed with passengers eager to flee, filled with uncertainty.

“It took four hours to get to the gate. It was a madhouse,” tourist Alan Goldfarb told CBS New York.

Goldfarb arrived from New Jersey on Thursday and was supposed to start a two-week tour on Sunday. Instead, he and his sister found themselves in a bomb shelter in their hotel. Outside, the city looked like a ghost town.

He spent $2,000 for one of the last seats open on a flight back home.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/americans-in-israel-hamas-attacks/

Pray for our work in troubled times.

The War of October 2023

8 Oct 2023, Samaria: 50 solar years to the day after the surprise attack of the Yom Kippur War, Arabs mounted a surprise attack on the last day of Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles.

Pray as we continue the work.

"The inferno in the south," Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023. Featuring the scene of the youth from the all-night party fleeing towards their cars in the morning while Arabs shot them in the back causing a massacre.
“The inferno in the south,” Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023. Featuring the scene of the youth from the all-night outdoor dance party as they fled towards their cars in the morning while Arabs shot them in the back causing a massacre.

 

Tzohar app notification of rocket attacks against israel, 7 October 2023, by 8:23 in the morning.
Tzohar app notification of rocket attacks against Israel, 7 October 2023, by 8:23 in the morning.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

Tzohar app notification of rocket attacks against Israel that landed near the airport, 7 October 2023, by 9:40 in the morning.
Tzohar app notification of rocket attacks against Israel that landed near the airport, 7 October 2023, by 9:40 in the morning.

 

Tzohar and Red Alert applications notified of more rocket attacks this morning.
Tzohar and Red Alert applications notified of more rocket attacks this morning.

 

Channel 12 news people speaking about approximately 300 Israelis dead, 1,800 injured.
Channel 12 news people speaking about approximately 300 Israelis dead, 1,800 injured.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 8 Oct 2023, pg 1.

 

"Day of Blood," Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.
“Day of Blood,” Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.

 

"50 years and we didn't learn a thing," Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.
“50 years and we didn’t learn a thing,” Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.

 

Scenes from the town of Yachini, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.
Scenes from the town of Yachini, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.

 

 

Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.
Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023.

 

"Neglect '73, Neglect '23," Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023. Featuring the scene of the bulldozer from Gaza opening up the final barrier that had blocked the terrorist from entering by vehicle and by foot.
“Neglect ’73, Neglect ’23,” Front page, Israel HaYom, 8 Oct 2023. Featuring the scene of the bulldozer from Gaza opening up the final barrier that had blocked the terrorist from entering by vehicle and by foot.

 

 

Pray as we continue the work.

Israeli Border Police wounded in Tulkarm

6 Oct 2023, Samaria:  The IDF and the Border Police each give a different version of the story.  The Border Police used a grenade against the terrorists, one version said that the grenade bounced off a fence back towards the Police, the other version says that the terrorists acted quickly and threw it back.  The difference may be either a desire to avoid embarrassment, or a lack of accurate information in a high-speed event.  Either way, no testimony is made available from the officers involved.

 

"Five border policemen wounded in Tulkarm clash; troops hit by own grenade; Main terrorist suspect flees;" Jerusalem Post, 6 Oct 2023, pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 6 Oct 2023, pg 1.

While the main terrorist fled successfully thus far, another terrorist opened fire on the police and was then hit by return fire from the police.

Pray for our work in a challenging land.

Related:

Holiday efforts against terror attacks in Samaria and Judea

Holiday efforts against terror attacks in Samaria and Judea

6 Oct, 2023, Samaria:  This week I was invited to direct a group visiting from overseas that wanted to visit Joseph’s Tomb and the ancient site of the Tabernacle at Shilo.

 

IDF wounds Palestinian gunmen in Nablus firefight [near Joseph's Tomb]; Terrrorists shoot at israeli on scooter, IDF fires back; Israelis targeted in attempted attack in Huwara," Jerusalem Post, 6 Oct 2023, pg 2.

I cautioned them that because of the situation currently, we would not be able to visit the tomb where Joseph’s bones were laid after Israel brought the bones up from Egypt. We would however need to drive through the general area near the tomb.

We could visit Shilo but since it’s along Route 60 we need to do so with someone who knows the area well, to avoid the risks from amongst the Arab settlements along the route.

While we were in Shilo, they had red heifers on display!

Red Heifer cows on display in Shilo.
Red Heifer cows on display in Shilo.

>>> 16 Jan 2024 Update on Red Heifers – Hamas says they caused this war! <<<

Now we see that in two days since, there have been several attacks, both at Joseph’s Tomb, and also along Route 60. There was also attacks in Huwara, and as reported on page 1, a clash in Tulkarm where a handful of Border Police officers were harmed.

Pray for our work in a difficult situation.

Saudis make deal progress, Iran issues threats; violence averted inside Israel

2 Oct 2023, Samaria: Joining forces against the possibility of a nuclear-powered Iran, the Saudis and Israelis work towards a deal and are making progress.

To the surprise of no one, Iran responded by threatening to blow everyone up; thus legitimizing the need for a Saudi deal in the first place.  Also – Iran thus confirmed Netanyahu’s warnings about Iranian nukes over the years, while the world tried to believe Iran’s lies that it was only for civilian use.

Meanwhile, last night, a car bomb explosion in Re’em Junction was partially interrupted by secret police, and an Arab gun workshop near Ramallah was destroyed by the IDF.

Raisi is president in Iran; Gallant is Israel’s Minister of Defense:

"Raisi attacks Israel-Saudi deal, Gallant invited to US: 'Iran can make fissile material for bomb in two weeks,'" Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.

 

This gun workshop with lathes and machinery for making guns, basically a gun factory, had its machinery destroyed and the IDF exploded bombs in the space.  Arabs tried to prevent this by attacking the soldiers beforehand:

"IDF razes another Arab gun workshop," Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.

 

It appears that Israeli Secret Police were following criminals on the way to a crime scene, when the criminals successfully exploded a car, killing two. The police apprehended the criminals and a gunfight ensued, injuring one criminal and killing the other.

"Two dead, two wounded in car explosion," Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 2 Oct 2023 pg 1.

 

 

PRAY for our work in a troubled land.

“Ask ye the peace of Jerusalem, At rest are those loving thee.” (Psalm 122:6; Young’s Literal Translation).

Prayer as political protest

27 Sept 2023, Samaria:  Seculars protested against Security Minister’s religious stance with a provocative open-air mixed prayer on Yom Kippur; Ben-Gvir plans some sort of provocative counter prayer gathering in response.  I observed on TV that the secular argument was like, “You pray in the synagogues with your own traditions, why block us from praying outside, in our own way?” The religious argument was, “Seculars, reform, and orthodox prayed with us in my synagogue in Jerusalem and had no problem following our traditions. Why do you provoke us by doing that out in the open like that?”  Complicated.

"Ben-Gvir plans protest prayer after Kippur clashes; Herzog: Pouring oil on flames threatens unity; Coalition MKs oppose security minister's move," Jerusalem Post, 27 Sept 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 27 Sept 2023 pg 1.

“Ben-Gvir plans protest prayer after Kippur clashes; Herzog: Pouring oil on flames threatens unity; Coalition MKs oppose security minister’s move,” and “US furious over ‘premature’ announcement on visa waiver,” Jerusalem Post, 27 Sept 2023 pg 1.

Pray for our work in the Land.

Yom Kippur 2023

26 Sept, 2023, Samaria: Fighting at the Gaza border, fighting among residents in Tel Aviv, and comic relief.

“After attacks on troops, IDF UAVs strike Hamas positions in Yom Kippur,” Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.

During Yom Kippur, militant Arabs in Gaza did not break from their 11-day assault on Israeli soldiers at the border fence.  The IDF responded by attacking Hamas positions.  Hamas is the democratically elected political leading party in Gaza.

"After attacks on troops, IDF UAVs strike Hamas positions in Yom Kippur," Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.

 

While the battle raged on the Gaza border, citizens fought against one another in Tel Aviv.

“Fights break out in TA over gender-segregated Yom Kippur prayers,” Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.

In traditional Judaism, women and men are located in separated sections in the synagogue or during prayers.  Tel Aviv, being largely secular, has residents who oppose such traditional thoughts.

"Fights break out in TA over gender-segregated Yom Kippur prayers," Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post, 26 Sept 2023 pg 1.

 

And then a funny social media photo showing the contrast between secular and religious in Israel:

A comical picture of a religious guy breaking the fast after Yom Kippur having just rollerbladed home as quickly as possible from the synagogue.
A joke picture from social media.

A comical picture of a religious guy breaking the fast after Yom Kippur having just rollerbladed home as quickly as possible from the synagogue. This is so humorous, since only seculars would use rollerblades or bicycles during Yom Kippur, and seculars would not dress in white.  Religious would dress in white, but go only by foot. As for automobiles, driving is actually against the law during Yom Kippur.  Also, traditionally, the fast is broken with sugary drinks and cake.  Seculars rarely even fast during Yom Kippur.

 

Pray our work will continue among a complicated mix of people.

 

Israel Gaza border and Jenin

20 Sept 2023, Samaria: During the High Holy Days, why would attacks and clashes be heating up now? Also: Palestinians fight against IDF in Jenin.  The complicated picture includes: If in prior months, Hamas prevented PIJ from fighting against the IDF near the border, why would Hamas suddenly allow what they formerly blocked?  Do the High Holy Days have something to do with it?  Do the Arabs know that Israel is not interested in fighting during the Feast days – and taking advantage of them?

"Why is the Israel-Gaza border heating up now? 2 Palestinians killed in Jenin clashes with IDF," Jerusalem Post 20 Sept 2023 pg 1.
Jerusalem Post 20 Sept 2023 pg 1.

 

"Why is the Israel-Gaza border heating up now?," Jerusalem Post 20 Sept 2023 pg 1 & 7
Jerusalem Post 20 Sept 2023 pg 7.

 

Pray for our work in a complicated situation.