JTOD – Jerusalem Tabernacle Of David
Join Elohim’s Plan for Amos 9:11
Catch a glimpse of what goes on day by day in the cultural and political landscape of Israel.
🎗️Ran Gvili’s body is still not home. Another Hanukkah has come and gone, and still his family cannot have a proper burial. He died defending Kibbutz Alumim, and Gazans stole his dead body. I still wear the yellow ribbon.
🗞️ The Draft: Haredi Ultra-Orthodox Jewish young men protest the High Court ruling that they must be drafted like everyone else.
📸 Video – when I got caught in a protest last week on my way home from a Bible study in Jerusalem.
📸 Photo: article clip.
80,000 of the Orthodox are currently eligible to serve; the Army desperately needs 12,000 right now. Last thurs, riding buses home from Bible study in Jerusalem, I got caught in this demonstration near Bnei Brak. Evidently there were demonstrations that night in Jerusalem, and last night as well, however my bus routes last night home from Bible study did not go thru that area, thankfully.
Certain (centrist) party leaders quoted in the article accuse Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition of currying votes from the Orthodox by failing to enforce the draft as written in law and affirmed by the High Court.
The slogans claim that the Orthodox would rather die protesting the draft than to serve alongside non-religious fighters under command from a non-religious government.
Note: Even though the government gives them a free pass, it’s still “not religious enough” for them.
2025-12-23 Orthodox Draft Situation
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Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/haredim-block-traffic-on-route-4-in-protest-of-arrests-of-draft-dodgers/
A very worthwhile conversation: Former CIA agent Andrew Bustamante debunks the Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories as he evaluates Israel’s existential threats:
Source:
David Harris, Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) executive vice chair, on his new book published on Oxford Press, wrote:
“Trying to put first-aid cream on skin cancer doesn’t begin to address the problem Jews today face.” ¹
The problem–the skin cancer–is, of course, antisemitism, otherwise known as Jew-hatred and often disguised as anti-Zionism: The sole Jewish state is uniquely NOT qualified to exist, despite all the horrors done by other states whose very existence is never openly challenged.
“Finally, the fight against antisemitism in the 21st century is not only a fight for Jewish safety and security. In reality, it is every bit as much a struggle for liberal democracy.”
Source: ¹ https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-879849 ² https://lessons.myjli.com/survival/index.php/2017/03/26/land-ownership-in-palestine-1880-1948/ ² https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/myths-and-facts-the-mandatory-period ² https://ismi.emory.edu/documents/stein-publications/website%20docs%202011-2004/website%20docs%202000%20and%20earlier/JNF-Stein1984.pdf ² https://badil.org/publications/al-majdal/issues/items/409.html ² https://search.brave.com/search?q=jews+paid+arabs+for+land&source=desktop&summary=1&conversation=d387155fcd4826265fc7a6 --
Three American military men (including one contracted civilian translator) were killed by Islamic State terror organization in Syria, an enemy of Al Qaida and of the USA.
The USA;’s response: Cooperate with Jordan to attack 70 targets in Syria one week later.
“The guardsmen killed in Syria last Saturday were Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Ayad Mansoor Sakat, of Macomb, Michigan, a US civilian working as an interpreter, was also killed.
The shooting near Palmyra also wounded three other US troops as well as members of Syria’s security forces, and the gunman was killed. The assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and was recently reassigned because of suspicions that he might be affiliated with ISIS, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba has said.
The man [the Syrian attacker] stormed a meeting between US and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards.”
ISIS did not even formally take credit for killing the Americans. No need to be careful, evidently, enough is known about it.
Let’s contrast this with Israel. Thousands murdered and injured in one day, including elderly, Shoah survivors, children, pregnant women, and Israel was immediately blamed as if “the Jews deserve what they got.” But the attack was unprovoked, and as for taking credit, those terrorists bragged about it. One Gazan man called his mother to brag how he himself had killed 10 Jews.
It was as if he had full assurance that his parents would be very proud that he had killed ten Jews. No doubt in his mind. He appeared to be bragging to his parents about it.
So how exactly is the Jewish state condemned for taking violent action to quell such threats?
What ISIS just did against American servicemen is not an existential threat to the USA. It’s an insult and as such deserves to be punished. But how much greater would the punishment be if it was an existential threat to the USA?
Israel suffered an existential threat on Oct 7.
Iran is currently rebuilding its missile capabilities; Iran continues to be an existential threat to Israel.
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Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-launches-operation-against-isis-in-syria-after-deadly-attack-on-americans/
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“Several social media accounts around the world tried to discredit al-Ahmed, claiming variously that he was a Lebanese Maronite Christian or a Jewish man. Some even tried to give him a completely different name for a while. These claims were debunked when [Australian Prime Minister] Albanese confirmed his identity on Monday.” (1)
People were confused about the identity of Ahmed Al Ahmed, the hero who disarmed a gunman during the Bondi Beach attack, primarily due to widespread misidentification of him as a fruit seller from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, a detail that circulated rapidly in early reports and social media. This misinformation led well-wishers to mistakenly direct messages of support to a fruit business named Sutherland Best Fresh, which quickly clarified it had no connection to Al Ahmed. Despite the correction, the initial misidentification persisted in some media and online spaces, contributing to confusion about his background.
Ahmed Al Ahmed is not a fruit seller, as initially reported; (3) he is the owner of a tobacco and specialty convenience store in Sydney, which he has operated since 2021.
The confusion arose shortly after the attack on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when viral footage of his heroic actions spread globally, prompting rapid but inaccurate speculation about his identity.
Some online accounts falsely claimed he was a Jewish man,(2) a Lebanese Maronite Christian, or even a different person entirely, but these claims were debunked when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed his identity as a 43-year-old Syrian-born Muslim citizen.
The misidentification and subsequent online debate over his faith highlighted a broader tendency to politicize and rebrand heroes based on ideological narratives, rather than focusing on the moral significance of his actions. (4)
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Sources: (1) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/16/what-we-know-about-ahmed-al-ahmed-hero-who-disarmed-bondi-attacker (2) https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2025/12/15/no-bondi-hero-was-not-a-jew-who-is-brave-muslim-ahmed-al-ahmed-the-fruit-seller-who-disarmed-the-shooter-in-australia.html (3) https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sydney-beach-shooting-bondi-beach-shooting-ahmed-al-ahmed-new-detail-about-sydney-hero-who-tackled-gunman-he-is-not-a-fruit-seller-9813228 (4) https://www.jta.org/2025/12/16/ideas/ahmed-al-ahmeds-bravery-at-bondi-beach-captivates-us-because-it-reminds-us-of-our-own-humanity
Genocide in Gaza? Yeah… riiiiiight.
“Civilian suffering in war is not proof of genocide.” (1)
“…reporters framed the IAGS conclusion as if the world’s genocide scholars had reached a unanimous determination…” (1)
IAGS is International Association of Genocide Scholars. Their vote regarding Gaza had none of the required debate, and collected votes from only 30% of its members to reach that conclusion.
Norman Goda, Indiana U:
“Israel, unlike other states, has been charged with genocide throughout its existence.” (2)
In a dissenting opinion, Professor Kenneth Roth (Princeton) is flat-out wrong, in that he stated:
“…But it [Israel] is trying to kill enough Palestinians and deprive them with enough severity that they are forced to flee into Egypt. Genocide with an intent to destroy a group in part is what’s really going on here…” (3)
No, Professor Roth, Israel’s intent is to disarm Hamas and remove Hamas from power, not to drive civilians into Egypt thru killing. Ken Roth’s idea is contradicted by Israel’s restoration of water lines and import of food and supplies:
“The Israeli government recently announced a new budget of $473 million for Gaza humanitarian aid – while cutting 3% of Israel’s budget for education, healthcare and the environment…” (1)
War Scholar John Spencer addressed Omer Bartov’s dissenting opinion:
“…Bartov claims that five statements by Israeli leaders prove genocidal intent…” –Excerpt from “I’m a War Scholar. There Is No Genocide in Gaza,” John Spencer. (4)
“Everyone has a role to play in pushing back against the false genocide smear and standing up for Jewish safety.
- Speak out against the misuse of “genocide.” When you hear or see the term used against Israel, remind others what genocide really means and how it is being perverted for political aims. War tragedies are real, but they are not genocide.
- Share credible resources. Post articles, talking points or expert quotes that debunk the smear. Encourage your family, friends and colleagues to get facts from credible voices – not just recycled propaganda.
- Support Jewish communities under attack. Reach out to your local synagogue, Jewish community organization or campus group to ask how you can help. Show visible solidarity – it sends a powerful message.
- Contact your representatives. Urge elected officials to reject the false genocide label, demand Hamas release all hostages and speak clearly against antisemitism across America and around the world.” (1)
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Sources: (1) https://www.mercazusa.org/2025/09/focusfalsegenocideclaimsputjewsindanger090325/ (2) https://isca.indiana.edu/publication-research/research-paper-series/norman-jw-goda-research-paper.html (3) https://www.populismstudies.org/professor-roth-israel-exploits-antisemitism-allegations-to-silence-criticism-of-genocide-in-gaza/ (4) https://x.com/SpencerGuard/status/1948010761957052628
CHILLING WAKE-UP CALL FROM CHICAGO: Muslim declares on video:
“Islam did NOT come to co-exist. Islam is ALWAYS superior. Nothing is above Islam.
“It didn’t come to live with other religions… Islam came to CORRECT all that. To REMOVE the oppression of those religions. It’s the ONLY way to justice.”
https://x.com/gunthereagleman/status/1999858224715993318
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… news in Israel responds with a front page tribute:
15 Dec 2025, Jerusalem Post pg 1.
An thoughtful art piece depicting Hanukkah candles snuffed out, smoke rising from the wicks, as blood-colored wax drips down.
Below that, three articles; two which follow the straight news portion.
Later that same day, Jewish film director Rob Reiner was stabbed to death with his wife in his home in Los Angeles. [UPDATE: his son Nick has been taken into custody as a suspect – it’s likely this was a family dispute not an antisemitic attack]. (2)
Also in California, a Redlands home was shot up in a drive-by shooting. The home has Hanukkah decorations out front and the residents did not seem to personally know who the shooter was. (3)
“The Mossad has been warning Australia regularly for months about Iranian and other potential terror plots against Jews, The Jerusalem Post has learned, following the attack that murdered 11 at a Hannukkah event on Sunday.
“Already in August, the Mossad gave helpful warnings to Australia regarding terror threats from Iran.” (4)
15 Dec 2025, Jerusalem Post pg 1.
15 Dec 2025, Jerusalem Post pg 1.
Eyewitness Shmulik Scurin said that four armed police officers were present, and allowed the massacre to continue for 20 minutes:
https://x.com/jimfergusonuk/status/2000172420586430525
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Sources: (0) Father-son shooters, Muslims, owned ISIS flag: https://www.timesofisrael.com/shooters-in-sydney-attack-ided-as-father-and-son-isis-flag-said-found-in-their-car/ (1) Australian Muslim bystander disarms one shooter of the father-son Muslim pair: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-880282 (1) Bondi Beach is what a globalized intifada looks like: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880297 (1) Australia has failed its Jews again: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880263 (2) Rob Reiner, film director "Princes Bride, "Harry Met Sally," and "Spinal Tap" found murdered: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-880324 https://www.timesofisrael.com/legendary-director-actor-rob-reiner-found-dead-with-wife-homicide-suspected/ (3) Drive-by shooting of a home in California with Hanukkah decorations: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880301 https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/police-probe-possible-hate-crime-as-california-jewish-home-targeted-in-shooting/ (4) Mossad has warned Australia since August jof antisemitic attacks from Iran. Australia's local Bondi government denies this: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880283 https://x.com/jimfergusonuk/status/2000172420586430525
