Each year it’s the same and it’s predictable. During the Jewish celebration of Passover and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, it seems logical that tensions would subside as Jews look to their most sacred history and Muslims commit to their high holy days of prayer and fasting.

But no. Logic seems to be absent each year during this time, and Israel is unfairly blamed for violence that breaks out in and around Jerusalem, particularly on Temple Mount. So, let’s recount a few of the actions that have taken place in the past few week:

• Mid-March: A knife-wielding Arab man took the lives of 4 Israelis and injured two more in an attack in Beersheva. The attacker was shot and killed by bystanders who were approached by the attacker.
• Late-March: A 26-year-old Palestinian went on a shooting spree, killing 5 people, including two young fathers and a Christian Arab police officer who valiantly entered the fray, killing the attacker, but losing his own life in the process.
• Early-April: A 28-year-old terrorist out of Jenin (in the West Bank) terrorized Tel Aviv, killing 3 and injuring 10. This, after a Jenin terrorist cell was busted as they plotted another terrorist attack. Following an all-night manhunt, Israel police killed the attacker in a shootout. Later, the IDF conducted military operations in Jenin (a terrorist haven in the West Bank).
• April 15 (Passover): As Muslims gathered to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque (on Temple Mount), radicals began pelting Israeli police with rocks stockpiled inside the mosque. Violence and chaos ensued on Temple Mount.
• April 17: A bus carrying Jews to Temple Mount was attacked by rock-throwers, injuring 5.
• April 18: Gaza fires a rocket into Israel, after which Israel responds by destroying a weapons manufacturing facility in Gaza.
• April 19: Palestinians are seen throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows of Al-Aqsa mosque at Israeli police and Jewish people (there during times allotted for them to be there). In doing so, they also set the mosque on fire, creating great media propaganda about Jews trying to burn down a Muslim holy site.

That is only a short list of provocation brought by Arabs and Palestinians against the IDF and Jewish people in general. So, what was the response from others?

• Jordan summons the Israeli ambassador and Abraham Accords partners condemn Israel.
• ISIS calls on supporters in Israel to launch additional attacks against the Jewish state.
• UN Security Council holds emergency session on Jerusalem violence at request of UAE.

Then, if Israel wasn’t hit hard enough by her enemies, fearful of further incidents, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett capitulated to the terrorists by shutting down Temple Mount to all Jewish worshippers until the end of Ramadan. Fear breeds insecurity, and Israelis will soon feel it.

All eyes are currently on Israel, and the stage continues to be set for conflicts involving Israel. Remain alert, my friends, but do not fear. Our Great God knows the end from the beginning, and He will do all His good pleasure! Israel will not be defeated! (Not because they are so strong, but because our Lord God stands as their defender.)

Eyes open and look up, fellow believers! Our redemption draws near. (Luke 21:28)

If interested, here is Amir Tsarfati’s brief update from yesterday. He will have a full update later today.