Netanyahu

Netanyahu

By Jim Fletcher

Below is a powerful tribute to a roaring lion for the nation of Israel. Some love him, most hate or despise him. He and Trump, (IMO) are much alike. Raised for such a time as this, together they have proved a valiant and resolute pair of compatriots against the evils of the day in the Middle East, especially there firm conviction that Iran must be de-clawed. Never count either one out. Cheers and God’s best to them both. Rh

I well remember asking a new Israeli friend in 1996 how to pronounce the name of a rising politician, one running for prime minister of Israel against the old lion, Shimon Peres.

The new lion would do quite well for himself.

Benjamin Netanyahu, against all odds, beat Peres in 1996 and though he lost to the hapless Ehud Barak three years later, he re-emerged later to become Israel’s longest-serving PM. 

(When I say “hapless,” I mean that Barak was as a politician. As a commander within the IDF’s elite counter-terrorism unit, Barak was truly elite. Israel’s fighters-turned-politicians often do maddening things once in office. Netanyahu himself has bucked that trend and has served with distinction.)

Netanyahu was hated from the beginning, although he’s always had a strong base within the Likud Party (somewhat akin to our Republicans). Raised on a strong diet of Zionism from Benzion and Cela, he and his brothers have been devoted lions for the state of Israel. I remember in Bibi’s book, A Durable Peace, he described a training maneuver that took his unit through the Negev Desert, emerging at Masada one night. Sweating, breathing hard as he looked at the ancient fortress, Netanyahu felt a real link to his ancestors. This is the essence of Zionism and has served him well as he navigated evil leaders like Arafat, Clinton, and all UN chiefs. 

This week, I thought he got a nice tribute via X, as @liberallikudnik wrote:

“Begin grew old and weary and handed over all of Sinai to Egypt. Rabin grew old and weary and brought armed terrorists into the heart of the country. Sharon grew old and weary and turned Gaza into Judenrein and a terrorist state. Netanyahu in their age, a hero like a lion, full of vigor, building in Judea and Samaria, leading the IDF back to Gaza, to Lebanon and Syria, and eliminating the regime of evil in Iran. May he be healthy.”

True enough. Although I take exception to the partial description of Menachem Begin, a truly elite PM for Israel. As the winner of the premiership in 1977, leading Likud, Begin has arguably been Israel’s most religious prime minister. He was a great man. Yes, he tired at the end, but his mind and body were spent fighting as a Zionist. May his memory be a blessing.

I would say Yitzhak Rabin, as perhaps Israel’s least religious leader, made some fundamental diplomatic errors, yet. Sharon inexplicably emptied Gaza of Jews, but I suspect that had a lot to do with intense pressure from the George Bush gang. Among the weakest Israeli PMs—if you can call Naftali Bennett’s and Yair Lapid’s five minutes in office actual leaders—are those two, ideological foes that still came together in their hatred of Netanyahu.

New Israeli elections will emerge this fall and as usual, like clockwork, Netanyahu’s political obituary is being polished up as we speak. It can be added to the dozens more than have come before. It’s a bit like Oklahoma and Texas, or vice versa, not having a chance against the other in the Cotton Bowl. Then…the inevitable upset.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been criticized, heavily, by literally everyone. He has a polarizing personality, but I would argue not of his own making. I haven’t always liked his decisions, but everyone does that. I will go to my grave believing that he is much more the young man that sat around the family dinner table in the Old Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. As I’ve written before, I knew the old man the last decade he lived, and a couple times walked a few blocks over to gaze on the sublime scene of Jerusalem’s Old City in the moonlight. My wonderful conversations with Benzion make it clear to me all three Netanyahu boys will take Zion into their hearts for the duration. All three served in the same unit, Sayeret Matkal. 

At present, there is no one fit to tie Netanyahu’s shoelaces among their political echelon. 

Here’s to King Bibi!

Boot Prints on Kharg Island??

To the casual observer of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran it seems we are on the verge of destroying Iran and declaring total victory.  In one sense that is a factual statement.  On the other hand there are still outstanding objectives.  

This is the third time I have seen a major escalation of the military in the Middle East.  I remember Bush Sr. stopping troops on their way to Baghdad.  Bush Jr. wanted to spread democracy in the Middle East.  Air superiority is wonderful, but to really conquer a country in today’s stealth environment of terror proxies, it will probably take boots on the ground.

After being of draft age during Viet Nam, that statement of ground troops is chilling to me.  Limited in and out scenarios work best for the American people, and let’s be real, all war and actions militarily need the support of the citizens back home.  Every politician looks at polls and the ever changing attitudes of the American people.

With that being said I fully expect troops to be deployed over Kharg Island, and also possible in Isfahan where the supposed nuclear material was secretly stashed by Iran.  Some at 60% enrichment, far above any civilian use. When you throw in the Strait of Hormuz, vitally important, these are the choke points that cause Iran to think they can hold out.  remember as Trump has said, “they are great negotiators”.  Their great negotiation positions come from not caring about their people and the willingness to sacrifice everything to hang on to power. Plus they lie and stall while waiting out their adversaries.

With all that said, we must finish the job or this happens again.  Do what it takes to effect regime change and give the Iranians a chance at a real life.  Ground troops are all that I foresee to be the answer.  Holding Kharg Island and clearing the Strait, makes Iran’s ability to hang on dissipate quickly.

One final note: expect to see something dramatic, (ground troops?) after the present halt for negotiations.  We aren’t ready yet to go in, but to me, knowing I am not a military expert or one who served, but one that follows the experts who analyze, it seems to be the likely scenario.

My prayer is that this can be done without boots on the ground and that negotiations would cause Iran to give up.  Well the devil never gives up, neither does his allies.  Iran is noted for their lying and the ability to camouflage their intentions.  They are master negotiators only because the western mind doesn’t understand their tribal religious mindset.  Western governments have aided and abetted Iran too long, including our previous Presidents.  Obama and Biden left a total mess for Trump.  Probably their intention.  

We are at a tipping point.  America’s future and the future of regional geopolitics in the Middle East rely on what happens next. I can’t wait to see how this all plays out. What a time to be alive.  

We are “Living in Prophetic Times”.  Pray for our troops and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Maranatha!  Rh

Iran: Head Of the Snake Has Been Cut Off

An old story about a man who found a snake on the top of a mountain range cold and about to die.  The man took the snake into his home and warmed him, after the snake was active he bit the man.  The man was incredulous, why did you do that?  I saved your life.  The snake replied, I am a snake, that’s what I do, you knew what I was when you took me home and warmed me.

The moral of the story is that American Presidents and diplomats have treated Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah the same way. We infuse life while we forget the danger they permeate.  From Bush to Obama we have given cash and agreed to bad one sided deals with a country that lives off lies and subterfuge. That kind of  behavior only feeds a deadly snake whose head needs to be cut off. Remember the pallets of cash sent to Iran from Obama?  I do.  So all you democrats sit this one out, we are only having to clean up your mess.  

Iran is defenseless, air superiority is with the US and Israeli military.  Missiles and drones fired are being intercepted at an amazing success rate.  However the regional partners and some allies of Iran are feeling the rabid dog approach of indiscriminately firing at their country and hoping to cause damage. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and even Cyprus are on high alerts.  Greece is sending air support.  The rabid dog is cornered, and they are still most dangerous when wounded and fighting for their life.

Much more needs to be done, but I feel confident between Trump and Netanyahu it will be finished in Iran and a new government will eventually take over, and hopefully more friendly than what we have seen since 1979.  I remember the debacle  of the Carter administration, another democrat that enabled the radicals.  Only time will tell, but this action had to happen.  A world of Iranian terror networks becoming nuclear could never happen.  

All of you so-called American first numbskulls that think America should isolate itself, you aren’t living in the real world.  Evil people exist, and they need a deterrent, and rightly or wrongly that is 🇺🇸 America.

Continued prayer for safety for the military and civilians caught up in this terror of war.  Wisdom for those in charge and a quick end to this operation.  Kudos to those in charge of planning this operation on both sides, Israel and the US.  Awesome job, let’s just make sure we finished it this time.  IMO

UPDATES

News and Updates On Iran

Below are excerpts from Amir Tsarfati Telegram page. Most reliable information I have found. When Iran begins to attack even their neighbors, one can understand the evil they were. The world will be a safer place because of the strength of the U.S. and Israeli military and their intelligence. Prayers for safety and wisdom to the coalition. Rh

An important clarification:

President Trump decided to join Israel’s already planned preemptive strike. In early October 2025, Prime Minister Netanyahu received indications that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs were being restored and moved underground. The IDF and Mossad were immediately ordered to prepare for another strike.

In late December, Netanyahu arrived at Mar-a-Lago to inform President Trump of these developments and received the green light to proceed. Then came early January, when the regime massacred tens of thousands of unarmed young Iranians. President Trump concluded that intervention was necessary to bring an end to the current regime. He promised that help was on the way and immediately ordered the U.S. military to join the IDF’s efforts to gather intelligence and amass forces.

The Iranians began positioning their missiles toward Israel and U.S. bases and were about to decide on launching a strike. That very meeting of Iran’s top military and political leadership became the golden moment. The Israeli Air Force launched its largest-ever sortie, deploying over 250 fighter jets in a massive opening blow that eliminated the supreme leader, members of his family, and his top advisors.

About 30 senior officials were eliminated in just 30 seconds in yesterday’s Israeli opening strike

IDF Spokesperson: We eliminated 40 commanders and senior officials of the regime in the opening strike – within one minute.

The Iranian Regime’s Plan for the Destruction of Israel: A Sharp Acceleration in the Regime’s Missile Production Capabilities

Currently, the regime produces dozens of ballistic missiles per month with a clear acceleration in its recovery pace—an attempt to produce ~8,000 missiles by 2027.

In addition, the regime is investing significant efforts in fortifying its underground production infrastructure.

The possession of missiles by a regime that has declared its intent to destroy Israel constitutes an existential threat.

Prophetic News – Turkey & Netanyahu 

2/12 Middle East

Turkey Update: Erdogan’s Siege on Israel Begins!

While the world’s eyes are on Iran, a new coalition is forming in the shadows. Our latest map reveals how President Erdogan is rapidly uniting the Sunni world-turning former rivals into allies to encircle the Jewish State.

🤝 The Diplomatic Blitz Erdogan has launched a massive reconciliation effort, signing defense and energy pacts with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and solidifying alliances with Jordan. The goal? To replace the “Iranian Ring of Fire” with a united Sunni diplomatic wall around Jerusalem.

🌍 The “Shadow War” in Africa Away from the cameras, a strategic battle is raging. From Libya to Sudan and Somalia, Turkish and Egyptian intelligence are coordinating to block rival influences and restrict Israel’s strategic access to the Red Sea.

📉 The Strategy: This isn’t just diplomacy; it is containment. The region is shifting from a “Moderate Sunni Camp” to a grand Islamic coalition designed to isolate Israel diplomatically and economically.

Prime Minister Netanyahu before boarding the plane back home: “The conditions President Trump sets for an agreement with Iran could lead to achieving a good deal. I do not hide my skepticism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.”

His full remarks:

“I have just completed a short but important visit to Washington, during which I spoke with our great friend, President Trump. We have a close, genuine, and open relationship. The talks covered several topics but focused mainly on the negotiations with Iran. The President believes that the Iranians already understand who they are dealing with. I think the conditions he sets, combined with their understanding that they erred last time by not reaching an agreement, could lead them to agree to terms that allow for a good deal. I want to say clearly: I do not hide my general skepticism about the possibility of reaching any agreement with Iran. However, I made it clear that if an agreement is reached – it must include the important components for us, the State of Israel, and in my opinion, also for the entire international community: not only the nuclear issue but also ballistic missiles and Iranian proxies in the region. It was an excellent conversation. Of course, we also touched on Gaza, the entire region, and other general issues. In any case, this is another conversation with a great friend of the State of Israel – a president like no other. Thank you very much.”

                                  Amir Tsarfati 

Prophetic Warning

Don’t divide the land!  God is watching. Joel 2:1-2.

So it seems that the Trump administration, even after pushing for rebellion and protest in Iran and promising to be on the way, have washed  their hands of the Iranian protesters. Multiple tens of thousands killed or imprisoned for only wanting freedom.

US Vice President Vance: “If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that is a decision for the Iranian people. What we are focusing on right now is that Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”

Cutting a deal with Iran, regardless of what is promised to the United States will never work out. The Iranian regime is a mastermind in the art of manipulation, especially when it comes to Western powers who seem to think that they can believe whatever agreed to by the Iranian dictators.  

Prophetically, we are standing on very dangerous and shaky ground. America may be at a crossroads. Do we support our only friend in the region, or do we continue to play footsie with terrorists and Islamic terrorism. 

Interesting to me that Netanyahu flew to D.C. to have direct talks with the president. 

  • I don’t think Bibi trust Witkoff
  • Bibi has intelligence that is extremely concerning to Israel and the IDF
  • A division could be becoming soon between what Trump wants (deals) and what is best for Israel and their security

Just a few weeks ago, Trump assured Qatar and Saudi Arabia that Israel would not put settlements in the West Bank. For those that don’t know the West Bank is what is called Judea and Samaria. Biblical names and Israel’s biblical land. Many Biblical events happened there.

Choosing Qatar and Saudi Arabia over Israel would be a profound mistake. God does not look favorably on nations who attempt to divide the land of Israel or who turned their back on Israel.

Choosing to treat Israel as a vessel state, and dictate to them, their own security might just be the thing that causes God to lift his hand and allow judgment to come to America. My concern in all of this is that God has blessed America beyond measure even in the times that we have sinned against him. But to turn your back on Israel with the November midterms coming up, could be disastrous.

This is not the time for panic or rhetoric.  It is a time to see clearly, speak carefully and pray earnestly!

Pray, Engage, Impact

The Allure Of Peace

The allure of peace in the Middle East has caused many politicians to take sides, most of the time they’re on the wrong side of history.  Diplomacy as the western governments know it will never work in the Middle East. As a pastor and Bible teacher, I firmly stand on the inerrancy of the word of God. It tells me that there will never be true peace in the Middle East until the prince of peace makes his appearance. And that my friends, is many battles and much pain and sorrow away from happening.

What started off as a grandiose design by President Trump hailed as the beginning of the golden age, has moved from our shores to the world stage. Now we see the Trump administration mired in the same quagmire that has hit every US president since the Arab all embargo in the 70s.

What to do about Israel, the Arabs, and now the radical Islamic Jihadist. Trump is fond of talking about peace through strength. That truly is all the radical terrorists and anarchists in the Middle East understand. They have lived through tribal wars, ancient rivalries, and also ancient hatred of one another. Ancient rivalries infused with blood oaths as well. It’s inbreed. 

If one understands the Bible prophecy, we understand it will be a great shaking and falling away from the Christian faith. We also understand that Jerusalem will be a problem to all the nations of the world. “Zechariah12:2” There is a division happening right now of nations being sifted and taking side for and against Israel. 

We also understand some sort of world, religion, and world government will take authority over the entirety of the world. We see this played out in revelation 13. Our technology and surveillance systems have made it possible that every person on the face of the Earth can be tracked and their whereabouts, spending habits and even what they are writing and saying on social media can be tracked. And to think when we were booting those computers up every morning on dial up that it would come to something like this.

My opinion is that Trump and those around him have absolutely no clue to what they’re doing, so scratch off the typical left-wing lunatics who think that Trump is the antichrist. I don’t see how it could be. Is it possible, of course anything is possible. God is in control and he is sovereign. But I do believe that the Trump administration with their focus on peace in the Middle East and with his grandiose board of peace, which smacks of a New World order, which is exactly what Trump has been railing against. Funny how that works isn’t it?

The apparatus for the soon to be declared antichrist, the man of sin, the one who will step in and declare that he has the keys and the ability to make peace is now here. I do believe the steps that are being taken today, the push for the 

The AI revolution is a part of the foreshadowing that will come right before the antichrist is revealed.

Bible prophecy tells us the time is not right for the antichrist to appear at this present moment. In fact, I believe there are two events that will happen before this, revealing. The rapture of the church which I believe is a pre-tribulation rapture of the saints of God taken out of this world by the Blessed hope that they have in Christ Jesus. Also believe that shortly after that because of that chaos Ezekiel 38 a contingency of nations which primarily include Russia, Turkey, and Iran will lead an attack against the nation of Israel. This attack will happen at a time of peace and safety, as the Bible declares. When will that be, and what is the true definition of peace and safety, no one really knows.

Let’s get back to this board of peace. I believe it’s a for runner, I believe it is man’s way of trying to put money and dollars and investments, and bring about prosperity and peace in the Middle East. Which has been tried before, which has been bandied about as the solution. Remember, when Obama said if these Islamist just had a good job, they would lay down their arms? They’re not laying down their arms. They’re going to fight to the death because that’s who they are, that’s what they do and that’s who controls them, the spirit of death and destruction. Rh

Below is an excerpt from an article written by Jim Fletcher, an outstanding Christian activist, specializing in Bible prophecy, and Christian apologetics.

Here too we see the prophetic outlines. The full isolation of Israel, globally, is one of the linchpins of Bible prophecy in the very end times. I will say this: while Trump has done many good things, and seems to have genuine love for America, it also appears that he does not have a real biblical worldview. He has recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, but his team is full of Arabists that have been in Washington for a century. They will not allow full Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

The recent opportunities to decapitate Tehran, Beirut, and the Gaza Strip have come and gone, it appears. This will cost many more lives down the road.

But if we do hold to those marvelous predictions the Lord provided for us in His Word, we should not expect/count on real peace to break out. That is not His plan.

This Board of Peace will not be that. Instead, it is a bizarre and puzzling self-inflicted wound. It is like a child running toward danger, rather than fleeing it. Hard to believe so many smart people can be so wrong about building blocks for peace, at least short-term. Can you imagine what the world would have been like if the Ayatollah and his demon horde had been overthrown? At the very least, many lives internationally would have been saved from this terror nest.

We trust our Lord, though. And we wait.

I Stand Corrected

the following is forwarded from Amir Tsarfati who has deep intelligence concerning Israel and the Middle East. I previously posted an eminent strike against Iran, but I think i should stand corrected, this scenario makes much more sense. Iran is not out of the woods just yet. Enjoy the read. Rh

Both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu understood that if the ayatollahs believed the end was near, they would go all in – launching as many ballistic and cruise missiles, along with explosive drones, as possible. At that moment, neither U.S. bases nor Israel’s home front were prepared to absorb such an attack on such short notice.

President Trump is a highly calculated leader. He believes you either act when you are fully ready and achieve overwhelming success – or you do not act at all.

The events of the past few days were designed to make Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey believe their efforts had borne fruit, while at the same time buying critical time to prepare for any potential Iranian retaliatory action.

In other words – no U.S. carrier was ordered to turn around or head home. An enormous volume of military equipment is moving toward the Middle East. Why? Because a strike is not a matter of if, but of when.

Help may be on the way – but not in the coming hours. Preparation comes first. Then comes the blow. Forwarded from Amir Tsarfati

Trump’s effusive praise for PM part of strategy to keep disagreements private — sources

December 31, 2025

Source: The Times of Israel

US President Donald Trump is intent on avoiding a public spat with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even when there are gaps between the pair on key policies regarding the Middle East, a US official and a Republican source familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel on Tuesday.

Trump currently believes that public disagreements with Netanyahu will serve neither his political nor strategic interests, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where he aims to announce a transition to phase two of his peace plan within weeks, the two sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“While some of us working for the president have gotten frustrated with Bibi and feel he has been dragging his feet on phase two of the Gaza deal, the president has intentionally been shielded from those conversations,” the US official said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

For full article: The Times of Israel