On Wednesday night at least 3 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli cities.  Early Thursday morning, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) responded with airstrikes on Hamas military training sites.  Though Omar Brigades, a group loyal to ISIS, claimed responsibility, Hamas blames Israel, stating “The Israeli escalation is in breach of the ceasefire terms, and the occupation is responsible.”  (Read this report from the Times of Israel.)

Are we seeing new escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?  Time will tell, but let’s be faithful to pray that cooler heads prevail.

We’re studying about the Palestinian Problem and Terrorism this week, and I want to encourage you to check back here tomorrow when I share an exciting resource that provides a unique insight into Hamas’s mindset.  Don’t miss it!

Also in this week’s news, we’re seeing evidence of the growing “BDS Movement.”  The BDS Movement is an anti-Semitic effort to encourage people and nations to “boycott, divest, and sanction” Israel.  Though seemingly complicated on first glance, it is really quite simple: this is a de-legitimization campaign against Israel.  When major companies (such as the large French telecom company, Orange) divest from Israel, the message is that business should not be conducted with them.  Thus, citizens are encouraged to boycott all Israeli products.  It is an “industry of lies.”

As for sanctions, the UN is notorious for leveling sanctions against Israel.  For example, in 2013, the UN issued 21 sanctions against Israel, and only 4 against the rest of the world!  Syria, who has taken over 120,000 civilian lives was sanctioned once!  Iran, North Korea and Myanmar received the other 3 sanctions.

In our world today, it is not simply Arab nations and other “traditional” enemies of Israel who are pushing for boycotts, divestment and sanctions upon Israel.  European nations are quickly jumping on the bandwagon.  Could the US be far behind?  Let’s hope not.  In fact, let’s PRAY not!

Thanks for stopping by…and come back tomorrow for a special insight!