Final Report Regarding our Recent Israel Trip

I want to share “Part 2” of our recent Israel trip, with lots of intriguing pictures and points of information. 
 
But first, I want to share with you that tonight’s guest on www.WorldPrayerNetwork.org (5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET) will be a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces, who has been in active reserves for the last 975 days (after serving the mandatory 3 years full time at age 18, followed by 20 years of reserve duty). He is with a team who specializes in finding “tunnels” and then trying to neutralize them. It is dangerous work.

Chaim Malespin speaking in Jerusalem a couple weeks ago.

His name is Chaim Malespin. “Chaim” is Hebrew for “life.” (By the way, that is the same first name, though spelled slightly differently, as Haym Salomon, the Jew who funded America’s Revolutionary War 250 years ago. Learn about him and get your 13 ½ inch tall statue of him here: (America 250 Gift).
 
Listen tonight as IDF soldier Chaim Malespin tells not only of the eight fronts of the war that Israel is fighting, but hear his teaching on “Aliyah,” and his thoughts on antisemitism and Zionism. 
 
Now, join me as I take you on a pictorial tour of Israel, Part 2. If you missed Part 1, click here: Israel Tour Part 1

Samaria. Elon Moreh - where God promised the land to Abraham and, through his “promise child” Isaac, to Abraham’s descendants.

Samaria. The five sisters who asked Moses for land in 1400 BC in Numbers 27 settled here.

Mahlah, Moah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were the daughters of Zelophehad. Because their father died without sons, they bravely approached Moses to request his share of the land so their family name would not die out. Moses consulted God, who ruled in their favor, permanently changing inheritance law in ancient Israel.

You can read the full account of their groundbreaking petition in Numbers 27:1-11 of the Bible.

To ensure the family land stayed within the designated tribe, the ruling was later updated to require that the sisters marry within their own tribe of Manasseh, as recorded in Joshua 17:3-6

Yossi Dagon is the Governor of Shomron. He is fearless. He is a combination of Rambo and Rocky. Unstoppable. Lives under horrific conditions. Has to withstand Arab Muslim violence and threats on a daily basis. Has to withstand the daily barrage of antisemitism from ill informed podcasters in America. Is unflappable. Long term good friend.

My favorite place (or at least in the top 3) in all of Israel is the 3,400 Joshua’s Altar, where the Children of Israel worshipped the Lord when they finally crossed over to the Promised Land. It was hidden from view, under the soil until Archaeologist Adam Zertal discovered it in the 1980s. It is in Samaria, “disputed” territory. Few Americans go there.

Rosemary, working with Lipkin Tours, arranged for us to have an IDF escort to and from the site. We used to have to walk a long distance up and down very steep hills, but now it is paved (though steep and one lane) so the bus can get us much closer.

And - this is big - it is now so much safer to go there. We are usually the only ones there, except for IDF soldiers. But today, they were bringing in 700 students! This they had tents, food, even a band for the students. It was stunning. The Jews are finally reclaiming the land that God originally gave them.

Mt. Ebal. As you recall from Scripture, Mt Gerizim was the mount of Blessings, while Mt Ebal was the mount of Curses. Yet Joshua’s 3,400 year old Altar (when Israel crossed into the Promised Land) was on the Mount of Curses.

Since there were no Jewish communities on Mount Ebal, Arab Muslims tried repeatedly to destroy the precious Joshua’s Altar.

However, a courageous group of young men have formed a new Jewish community on Mt. Ebal. It is difficult. The Palestinian Muslims shoot at them, pile rocks in their roads, and set fire to their hillsides. Someone in their community has to stay awake all night watching for terrorists from nearby Nablus (formerly called Shechem). Pray for these young men.

By the way, these are not called “settlements,” a term used to denigrate the rightful Jewish claim to this land. These are new Jewish “communities.”

What area are we talking about? The “West Bank?” No. Do not use that phrase. Use the biblical terms: “Samaria” (north of Jerusalem) and “Judea” (south of Jerusalem).

Here is why it is so complex: Israel declared its sovereignty on May 14, 1948. After waiting almost 2,000 years (from 70 AD), the Jews had been promised land in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, by the San Remo agreement of 1920, by the League of Nations (a precursor to the United Nations), and finally by a vote at the United Nations on November 29, 1947 (33 yes; 13 no; 10 abstentions). In this entire process, 72% of the land promised to Israel was carved away and the nation of Jordan was created. Israel ended up with a tiny piece of land. However, they were so happy to have that small tract of land.

One day after declaring their rightful sovereignty on May 14, 1948, Israel was attacked by five surrounding nations. Jordan then controlled Samaria and Judea from then until the Six Day War in June of 1967, a total of 19 years. By the way, during that 19 years, Jordan could have created a “Palestinian state” if it wanted to. But it did not. Why? Because Jordan – a Muslim nation – did not want a “Palestinian state.” Now that Israel has control of the land, the surrounding Muslim nations cry, “Create a Palestinian state.” They could have done it themselves, for almost two decades. But they did not.

At that time, June of 1967, Israel won the war, and the land. However (and this is important to note) Israel never formally declared their rightful “sovereignty” over Samaria and Judea. They should have, but they did not. Thus, the government of Israel does not have actual control over Judea and Samaria. The Israeli army does.

The Arabs and Jews got along fairly well, until…until President Bill Clinton created enormous complexity and turbulence by his 1993 “Oslo (Norway) Accords,” (Oslo II was in 1995) carving up the land into an incomprehensible Area A, Area B and Area C.
Area A comprises 18% of the land and is administered by Palestinians, although as we have said so many times, the is no such people group, ethnographically speaking, as “Palestinians.” That word was created by the Romans in 70 AD from the word “Philistines” simply to insult the Jews, since the Philistines (now extinct) had been the greatest threat to the Jews.

There are huge red signs throughout the area, declaring “Area A,” and warning Jews to not come into that area. For example, if a tour group goes to Bethlehem, it is quite normal for the Jewish guide and Jewish bus driver to not go, and for only an Arab bus driver and Arab guide to take one into the city of Bethlehem.

Area B is even more complex. It comprises 22% of the land, and is administered by the Palestinian Authority, with shared security control with Israel. And these “areas” are not drawn with nice straight lines. They are very difficult to understand.

Area C covers about 60% of the area, and is administered by Israel.

This complex patchwork has created a massive amount of problems. Most problematic is the fact that there are many Islamic terrorists in Area A, who if they are killed while killing a Jew, their family is rewarded money for the rest of their lives. In these small Arab communities, it is not uncommon to see these terrorists honored and memorialized, simply for killing a Jew. Imagine being a Jewish person in a Jewish community, which may be one half mile from an Arab Muslim community which honors those who kill Jews.

Huge city of Nablus. Ancient Shechem. Lots of high rises, for miles. Looks impressive, right?

But a high percentage of those buildings are empty. In fact all over Samaria, the Palestinians (Arab Muslims) have gigantic houses, often 4 or 5 stories. Some private homes are so large, you might think they are hotels. But even many of the finished homes are empty. Why? The United Nations gives billions of dollars (your tax dollars) to the “Palestinians.” (There really is no such person in ethnography as a “Palestinian.” The word was made up by the Roman armies in 70 AD from the word “Philistine” for the purpose of insulting the Jews.)

These gargantuan unoccupied homes are built because Europe and the United Nations keep pouring money to the Palestinians. They live elsewhere, and may come to visit.

One young Palestinian woman we met told us she and her family live in Jerusalem, but have three - not one, not two, but three - houses in the misnomered “West Bank” (Samaria). They don’t live in them. They don’t rent them out. They rarely go there. They just have them. These massive (sometimes 5 or even 6 story) homes are all over the so-called “West Bank” (Always call it by its correct name - either Samaria, north of Jerusalem, or Judea, south of Jerusalem.)

Are there Palestinians who suffer? Yes. But not because of the Jews, but because of the corrupt Palestinian leadership who skim off massive amounts of funds.

Jewish farmers - young couples - are moving into Samaria and beginning farming. They often begin with a small herd of sheep. This is dangerous. The Palestinian Muslims try to stop them, shooting at them, or trying to intimidate them any way they can.

The land has been abused by the Arabs for 2,000 years. Mismanagement and abuse of the land has allowed water and wind erosion to lose 15 feet of topsoil.

The Jewish farmers are coming in, treating the land properly, and beginning to bring it back to life.

This is a fulfillment of prophecies in Jeremiah 31, as well as Isaiah. Vineyards are returning, just as Jeremiah said they would 2,700 years ago. Cattle are being brought back, as Isaiah promised. The best “compost machine” is a cow. The cow manure (sorry to be so blunt) restores the soil. The land is being restored. The Bible prophecies are, not surprisingly, happening.

Lesson for the day:
Never ever say the phrase “West Bank.” “West Bank” is a four letter word! There is no such place. That was made up to try to rob the land of its biblical and Jewish heritage. Call it by its correct scriptural names: Judea and Samaria.

When we go into Samaria, they always put us on a school bus.

Why? Because the school buses are bomb proof and bullet proof. That is what the Jews have to do to protect their children from Islamic attacks!

“If God can replace Israel with the church, then he could replace the church with something else.” - quote from Salem Shalash (an Arab pastor in Israel), Founder & Pastor, Home of Jesus the King Church.

Israeli Defense Forces Reservist Chaim Malespin (after 20 years in the army, now in reserves for over 965 days) speaking in Jerusalem now regarding the “Eight Fronts of the War” (with media being the 8th).

IDF Army Reservist Chaim Malespin pointing out that those who hate Zionism have to deal with the reality that God loves Zion, as the word Zion appears in the Scripture 150 times.

Zionism believes that Jews have a right to exist, a right to their own land, the right to gather there, the right to defend themselves. The Bible has many Scriptures on “making Aliyah,” literally meaning “to go up” (to Jerusalem), that is, coming to Israel and making citizenship. Apparently, God is a Zionist. Hmmm.

We had a fantastic, energizing and fun conversation with Israeli President Issac Herzog in his office - presenting him the first ever Haym Salomon statue, designed by Sculptor Scott Stearman.

(Haym Salomon, who spoke 8 languages, was the Jewish man who funded George Washington’s Continental Army, then funded the Continental Congress, and provided no interest loans to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Hamilton - from 1781-1784 - possibly a total of 6-8 billion in today’s dollars. Tragically, our government never paid him back. He died penniless, as did his widow, as did his children. He is buried in an unmarked grave.)

Our meeting with the President was a totally delightful meeting. I wish you all could have been there with us. By the way, you can get your Haym Salomon statue for your home, and make a strong statement against antisemitism by telling the story: Click here.

When we were meeting with President Herzog (presenting him the statue at Haym Salomon), I also gave him a copy of my book The Executive Orders of President Donald Trump: A Biblical Perspective, and he gave me a copy of a massive book titled Living History, by his father, a former president of Israel, Chaim Herzog, who knew all the recent US Presidents.

Interviewed in Jerusalem by Chris Mitchel of CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network).

Speaking at the reception of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (founded by Albert Veksler) at the FOZ (Friends of Zion) Museum and Cultural Center (built by Mike Evans).

Presenting a statue of Haym Salomon (the Jewish man who funded General George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War) to former Congresswoman and now Dean of the Regent University School of Government, Michele Bachmann, for their newly established Israel Institute.

Giving a talk, historically tracing 2,000 years of antisemitism, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Jerusalem, at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast.

With Gideon Sa’ar - the Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs.

With Baruch Kvasnica, the President of Jerusalem Seminary. If you want to get a master’s or doctorate in Bible, Hebrew or Biblical Geography, check out www.jerusalemseminary.org

At one of the world’s most interesting places on the globe, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament), in Jerusalem, the Capital of the World.

We received a wonderful award from Mike Evans and Friends of Zion (FOZ) in Jerusalem. We were very shocked. And honored!

If you get to Israel, do not miss seeing the Friends of Zion Interactive Museum and Cultural Center. It is so creative. Engaging. I won’t tell you about the walls which, once you touch them, they begin talking to you. And holograms too. Phenomenal!

What a wonderful surprise to receive this medallion from Marnix Van Ede of ZAKA. ZAKA is a remarkable search and rescue organization in Israel.
ZAKA is an acronym for Zihuy Korbanot Ason, or "Identification of Victims of Disaster.” It is a prominent Israeli emergency response and humanitarian organization.

We connected with them when we came to the sites of the Nova Festival and the kibbutz that was attacked on Oct 7. They had the horrific task of picking up body parts, after unbearable torture. ZAKA is internationally respected, for good reason.

After speaking twice and doing an interview, we left Israel at 1am. Flew 15 hours.

(Headed to another country where Rosemary will speak at an event sponsored by the Israel Embassy there … and I will meet with some members of the Congress.)

But the key part of this story? On the long flight, our friend Mike Evans was sitting 10 rows ahead of us.

I had been in a deep sleep, when I woke up to a voice I recognized. There was 6 foot, 6 inch tall Mike Evans standing at my reclined seat, his tall frame towering over me. What did he want to know? He asked, “I came back here to check and see, how is your sanctification meter?”

(Note: For those of you who are not aware, on Facebook, when I am in stressful situations, I will frequently post things like, “It was so bad, my ‘sanctification meter’ hit 9.” These humorous references have been picked up by so many that I am now frequently asked, “How is your sanctification meter doing now?” Hilarious!

We hope you have enjoyed this whirlwind tour of Israel with us.

We invite you to come with us to Israel in October 2026. Click here for info.

Or join in May or October of 2027.

But above all, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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