Inside Israel

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid Visits Bahrain

Yair Lapid inaugurates Israel’s embassy in Bahrain on Sept. 30, 2021. (Source: Yair Lapid/Twitter)

A few days ago, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid made a historic visit to Bahrain. He is the highest-level official Israel has sent to Bahrain since establishing ties with the country a year ago. During Lapid’s visit, he inaugurated the Israeli embassy and held talks with his Bahraini counterpart.  They signed important memorandums of understanding regarding transportation, agriculture, communication, and finance, as well as cooperation agreements between hospitals and water and power companies.

However, many Bahraini citizens do not support their country’s decision to recognize and partner with Israel. There were some protests during Lapid’s visit, and Bahrain’s government set extra security measures in place.

Please pray for the deepening of Israel’s friendship and ties with Bahrain—a key strategic partner in the Middle East.

Read more at YNet News…


Israel Participates in Dubai World Fair

Expo 2020 sign from 2019 (Source: Wikimedia Commons/Skv282)

Expo 2020 opened in Dubai last Friday, the first time the six-month world fair is taking place in the Middle East. Israel is among the dozens of countries hosting a pavilion at the event. Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed last September to normalize relations through the Abraham Accords at a historic meeting at the White House facilitated by President Trump. Joining other countries at the world fair in Dubai is a symbol of Israel’s open and trusting relationship with the United Arab Emirates.

Israel’s exhibit theme is “Toward Tomorrow,” which is displayed using both Hebrew and Arabic characters. The exhibit also features sand dunes (made of concrete and rubber) to highlight the similar topography of Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The last world fair was in Milan in 2015. The current fair was supposed to take place in 2020 but was postponed because of the pandemic.

Please pray for the safety of Israel and all the countries represented at the Dubai world fair and that many visitors will respond positively to Israel’s exhibit.

Read more at YNet News…


Angela Merkel Will Visit Israel

Angela Merkel (Source: Olaf Kosinsky/Wikimedia)

Angela Merkel, the outgoing chancellor of Germany, will make a farewell trip to Israel next week after canceling her previous plans in August. She will visit Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center with Prime Minister Bennett. The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa will award her an honorary doctorate. While in Israel, she will also meet with Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and President Herzog, and she will participate in a cabinet meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Merkel has been the leader of Germany for sixteen years, though she did not run in the last elections and will soon turn the position over to her successor. She has always made Israel’s security one of her country’s core national interests.

Please pray for her visit to Israel and for Germany’s continued strategic alliance with Israel.

Read more at Jerusalem Post…


Returning to Some Normalcy

Street scene in Jerusalem (Source: Levi Meir Clancy/Unsplash)

As Israel’s fourth intense wave of the coronavirus seems to be subsiding, please pray for the country’s safety and health as they try to move on and return to some normalcy. The high holidays are over, and school has started again. All Israeli schoolchildren must have a coronavirus home test before returning. Our Israeli staff are also able to resume more ministry activities, both in person and on social media, now that some places are opening up.

Please pray that our staff will glorify the Lord as they share the gospel with others and make disciples!