Tag: West Bank

Syrian Sanctions Lifted

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Not sure how this will play out, Syria is run by a former Al Qaeda terrorist. Israel and Syria seem to be trying to work out some sort of peace arrangement, and Trump is all in on the Syrian President. Hard to believe a leopard can change its spots. Trust but verify. Rh

Syrians are celebrating: Between Wednesday and Thursday night, the U.S. House of Representatives announced that it had approved the Defense Authorization Bill, which includes a provision lifting the sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act.

These sanctions were originally placed on the Assad regime for crimes against humanity committed during the civil war that erupted in the previous decade. The Senate is expected to approve the bill within the coming days, after which it will be sent to President Donald Trump for final signature.

The Caesar Act is named after the alias of a former Syrian military photographer who risked his life to smuggle out thousands of images documenting torture and executions of political prisoners by the Assad regime. Since fleeing Syria, he has devoted his life to seeking justice for the victims of Assad’s brutality.

Passed in late 2019, the Act enabled the United States to impose sweeping sanctions on the Assad regime for its crimes against humanity, including the use of chemical weapons and the torture of detainees. It also targeted individuals and entities that supported the regime, with the goal of weakening its economic capabilities.

The Defense Authorization Bill, which includes the repeal of the Caesar Act sanctions, is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026. However, in its current form, the bill grants the U.S. President the authority to impose new sanctions if circumstances require.

This marks a significant political victory for the government of Ahmad al-Shar’a. Despite the involvement of Islamist governing factions in mass atrocities against Alawites and Druze, al-Shar’a has continued to enjoy support from the Trump administration.

Following the de facto repeal of the Act, thousands of Syrians poured into the streets in celebration, as the sanctions had placed severe strain on the local economy. Celebrations were reported in Damascus’s Umayyad Square, as well as in Aleppo, Homs, and Latakia.

Syrian Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani stated that “the repeal of the Caesar Act is a historic turning point that corrects the path of international justice and opens wide horizons for the national economy.” Speaking to the state news agency, he added: “The tourism sector is still recovering. Lifting the restrictions will expand investment opportunities and ease the movement of tourism delegations. This will strengthen Syria’s position on both the regional and international tourism map.”

Syria’s Minister for Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Salh, also welcomed the development: “For the first time in decades, Syria is free of American sanctions. The repeal of the Caesar Act ends a long era of isolation and punitive measures for which Syrians paid twice – suffering under the crimes of the previous regime and then enduring the economic and institutional collapse that followed.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio – Remarks in Israel

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Headlines from the remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to the International Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat:

Although there are difficulties in implementing the ceasefire, there are reasons for optimism.

We are working to create a better life for the residents of Gaza without Hamas.

If Hamas refuses to disarm, this will be a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

We expect the complete disarmament of Hamas.

All parties have agreed that Hamas will have no future role in the Gaza Strip.

The international force to be deployed in Gaza should be composed of soldiers from countries with which Israel feels comfortable (this is in response to the question regarding the deployment of Turkish soldiers – West Bank).

Applying Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank threatens the peace process; I believe this will not happen.

UNRWA will not be able to play any role in Gaza – it belongs to Hamas.

Judea & Samaria

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Right now there are two different bills being pushed forward in the Israeli Knesset. Both dealing with Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Trump is once again dictating to Israel. This should be their decision. Covenant matters more than investments. Rh

Trump on applying Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria: It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab states. Israel will lose all support from the US if it happens.

Judea and Samaria are the heartland of the Jewish ancestral homeland.
It is here that the stories of the patriarchs unfolded – the very foundation of our faith and history.

Now ask yourself: what matters more – appeasing Arab states that opposed even the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, or standing firm for what is right according to biblical truth?

I’ll let you be the judge. Amir Tsarfati

Trump 21-point plan’ to end Gaza war presented to Arab states, Israel

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

The proposal includes the prompt release of the remaining hostages and the temporary transfer of power in the Strip to an Arab security force.

JNS STAFF

Sept. 27, 2025 / JNS)

Negotiations with Arab states and Israel regarding the future of Gaza are underway, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday night, speaking in the wake of reports of an ambitious 21-point peace plan put forth by Washington to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza,” Trump said via Truth Social.

“All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,” he continued.

“Everyone is excited to put this period of Death and Darkness behind them. It is an Honor to be a part of this Negotiation. We must get the Hostages back, and get a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE!”

On Tuesday, the Trump administration presented a 21-point plan to Arab leaders on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly annual general debate in New York, which would see a prompt release of all the remaining hostages, the transfer of power in the Strip to an intermediary Arab-led government, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian enclave, according to CNN.

Saudi-based broadcaster Al Arabiya said it obtained a copy of the plan, citing several clauses from it on Friday.

These include:

  • An immediate end to the war in Gaza.
  • The unconditional release of all hostages.
  • The release of thousands of Palestinian terrorists, including 100 to 200 prisoners with blood on their hands.
  • The resumption of unrestricted aid delivered into Gaza by international organizations and the U.N., including the closure of the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
  • The disarmament of Hamas by an international, Arab security force within a time-bound framework. Hamas terrorists who agree to these terms will receive safe passage to exit the Strip.
  • The international force will temporarily administer civilian issues in Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority eventually taking over.
  • The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip over a five-year time span, led by an international and Arab consortium.
  • The United States will have guarantees in place that Israel does not apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, with both Israeli and Palestinians agreeing to resume negotiations over a peace agreement that would end the decades-old conflict.

The Washington Post also reported that it obtained a copy of the plan, providing additional details in its Saturday article. These include the destruction of all Hamas’s offensive weaponry, the release within 48 hours of all 20 living hostages and the bodies of the more than two dozen captives believed dead, and the freezing of “battle lines in place.”

According to the Post, the plan states: “Once all the hostages have been released, Israel will release 250 prisoners serving life sentences plus 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.”

Further details include an Israeli promise to launch “no further attacks on Qatar.” The plan acknowledges “the important role Qatar has played as a mediator in this conflict,” noting that it was Washington and Jerusalem that first asked Doha to host Hamas negotiators.

Other reports stated that the plan would move ahead even if Hamas rejects its terms, with the majority of the 21 points proceeding in terror-free zones conquered by the Israel Defense Forces.

The plan moreover reportedly emphasizes the de-radicalization of the Palestinian population, with the Palestinian Authority undergoing significant reform.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday that “We had a very productive session,” referring to a meeting of an American delegation with Arab leaders in New York, according to CNN.

“We presented what we call the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast, in Gaza,” Witkoff added.

“I think it addresses Israeli concerns, as well as the concerns of all the neighbors in the region,” he continued. “And we’re hopeful, and I might say even confident, that in the coming days, we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”

Netanyahu is slated to visit the White House on Monday. Discussions on the plan are expected to be high on the agenda.

Reprinted from JNS by permission

The Monday meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is of vital importance to both countries. Israel’s sovereignty and America’s continued blessings from God. Rh

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED

ARE WE LOOKING AT ANOTHER BLACK MONDAY?

Good – BBB passed

Bad – Saudi Arabia: secret meetings 

Ugly – Judea & Samaria

Good: budget deal

Legislative Breakdown: What’s in the Big Bill

  • Tax Cuts Extended: The Trump-era tax reductions that were set to expire are now locked in, benefitting individuals and small businesses.
  • Tipped Wage Tax Eliminated: A major win for restaurant and service workers — and a clear political nod to working-class Americans.
  • Border Security Surge: Billions in new resources for the southern border — fencing, surveillance, and detention capabilities.
  • Regulatory Rollbacks: Additional deregulatory provisions aimed at streamlining federal red tape across sectors.
  • Planned Parenthoods lose $1 Billion close 200 facilities

Bad: Secret meetings 

Will this Monday be a “black Monday”, will Israel be sold out and told to accept a deal that is not in their best interest?  A few weeks ago Prime Minister Netanyahu flew from Europe to get Trump’s blessing to attack the nuclear facilities in Iran.  Trump told him to stand down and allow the US to broker a deal with Iran.  No deal was reached and the attacks happened anyway.  My fear is the same for this Monday, Israel needs to be in on all talks that concern peace in the Middle East. They are our long-time partners.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman secretly met with President Donald Trump and other key officials in the White House on Thursday to discuss de-escalation efforts with Iran, multiple sources confirmed with Fox News.

According to sources, the talks included discussions about de-escalation with Iran and getting to the negotiating table. The talks were also reportedly about ending the war in Gaza and negotiating the release of the remaining hostages – whether dead or alive – and about working toward peace in the Middle East. Although the talks were not exclusively about the possibility of normalization with Israel, sources said the conversation dealt with steps that needed to occur to get there.

The Saudis are in the process of finalizing a defense and trade deal with the U.S., and the message shared between the two allies, sources added, is that they see eye-to-eye on all issues.

  • Saudi Arabia – expansion of Abraham Accords
  • Likud Party deal to preserve Judea & Samaria
  • 60 day Hamas ceasefire
  • Who will rule Hamas?

Ugly: It’s all about the land.  

Remember James Carville ( insert crazy Cajun dialect) “It’s the economy stupid” to President Clinton on his re-election bid.  Well with Israel it is “all about the land.”

Fast forward to today: we are seeing signs of another round of Abraham Accord expansion, driven by geopolitical ambition and economic interests. Letters of warning have been sent to the White House by Pastors and Christian Conservatives, (myself included), but don’t yet know if they’ve reached President Trump’s desk. But the message remains the same

  • Genesis 15:18 (NKJV): On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
  • Joel 3:2 (NKJV): “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter judgment with them there on account of My people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: they have divided My land.”
  • Likud Party ministers in the Knesset demand that Netanyahu annex the West Bank (Biblical Judea and Samaria) before the end of the month.

Let us watch closely. Let us pray fervently. What are his faith advisors telling him?  

  • Are they speaking Biblical truth to Trump?
  • Do they understand the severity of dividing the land??
  • Or is Trump not listening to his counsel?
  • And let us speak truth boldly — that no campaign, no peace deal, and no political ambition is worth compromising the eternal covenant of the Lord.

Wrap up

  • Pray for discernment.  Someone needs to get into the President’s ear.
  • How badly does Trump want peace ?
  • Are financial deals more important?
  • Investments are great, but can two walk together???
  • Intercede because God frowns on division of the land of promise (covenant?)
  • Honoring God’s covenant with Israel is MAGA or America first.
  • Israel is the best friend we have in the world & in the most volatile area of  the world is Israel.

Sage words from Ambassador Mike Huckabee : “Hamas has “no future” in Gaza, it would be like the Nazis rebuilding Germany after WW2

Prayer points below:

  • Discernment for President Trump
  • No division of the land
  • No two state solution
  • Safety for IDF and citizens of Israel
  • Hostages returned first before a cease fire
  • Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

No One Wants the Palestinians

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Palestine was Jordan and Israel

Jordan controlled the West Bank until 1967 and no asked them for a Palestinian state.

Egypt controlled Gaza until 1967 and no one asked them for a Palestinian state.

When Egypt signed the peace treat with Israel , they said they wanted Sinai back but keep the Gaza.

Even now Egypt has closed its borders to the plight of the Palestinians.

In fact no Arab or Islamic country in the Middle East has any desire to take in or give up land for the Palestinians. Wonder why?

This whole desire to take land from Israel for the Palestinians, it nothing more than a power grab to take land away from Israel to weaken and eventually dissolve the ancient land of Israel. God gave the land to them as an eternal covenant. In fact God said as long as the sun rises and the moon shines I will not forget my covenant with Israel. Do until the world stands, enemies of Israel deal with it! Israel will never leave or lose their land. Take it to the bank.

The Hebrew word Hamas, means violence. According to the Hebrew lexicon, the Arabic cognate of the Hebrew word hamas means warlike valor (noun form) or to be active, brave, constant (verb form).

Peace will never be established between Israel and its Muslim neighbors until the Prince of Peace arrives at the end of the tribulation period. Try as diplomats will, it will never happen. Biblical prophecy attests to this fact.