September 2023 Personal Letter

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Greetings from the Holy Land. The Bible lays out significant details about what must happen before the Lord’s Second Coming. Several prophesied events have not yet happened. These include the war of Gog and Magog, a Third Temple being built on Mount Zion, the seven-year agreement between Israel and the antiChrist, and the abomination of desolation. While some events are yet to come, the Bible clearly instructs us believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah to be sober and know the times of the Lord because we do not live in nor belong to the darkness (1 Thess. 5:4–10).

Growing Division

The events that have unfolded in Israel for the past few years can be viewed with the End Times timeline in mind. Israel has just experienced over four years of political turmoil. This began with the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for corruption. The unrest included five elections in less than four years. As these elections wore on, divisions in our nation grew larger. In November 2022, the right-wing parties finally achieved a stable majority of 64 parliament seats (out of 120) led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

In early January 2023, the minister of justice, Yariv Levin, rolled out an elaborate plan that included over 20 far-reaching new laws that, if passed, would reform Israel’s judicial system. These included a law to abolish the “reasonableness clause,” which would significantly reduce the Supreme Court’s power to overturn laws made by parliament. Because Israel does not have a constitution, the only defense of human rights is up to the judges and the courts.

Planned Changes and Public Response

By passing the new laws, the government could roll out changes that they had publicly promised, including:

• Appointing convicted criminals to be ministers
• Canceling Netanyahu’s corruption trials (and ensuring that he and others could never be indicted for crimes committed while in office)
• Changing the system of electing Supreme Court judges so that government legislators control it Passing any law without regard to human rights
• Ensuring that Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) Jewish men never have to serve in the army or study basic subjects like English, math, or science
• Abolishing some of the freedom of the press
• Abolishing the lawyers’ lobby
• Actively reducing women’s rights
• Increasing Orthodox religious studies even in secular schools
• Giving more power to the rabbinical courts over the daily lives of all Israelis (not just the religious)

These new laws would effectively give majority party leaders the power to curtail the rights of minorities. The potential for abusing authority has triggered more and more people (primarily those of a secular and/or liberal mindset) to call for a “separation of the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah.” They think there should be a Judean kingdom of religious Jews in Jerusalem. This would be separate from a kingdom of Israel in secular Tel Aviv with its own laws and freedoms (like gay rights, for example). As someone who believes the Bible, I was very surprised to hear secular Israelis mention Biblical references of this type regarding the situation in modern Israel.

Several days after Levin’s remarks, Chief Justice Esther Hayut responded with a statement. She stated that passing these laws would effectively weaken the court’s authority, which would imperil democracy in Israel. Hayut’s remarks triggered major reactions from centrist and left-wing voters, who began protesting against the planned reform.

Protests and Violence

Protests in the streets began in January and haven’t stopped. This is the longest public protest in our modern history. While the government anticipated the protests, they did not expect that high-ranking military personnel, especially fighter pilots, would threaten to quit if the reforms passed. This raised the stakes as more demonstrators took to the streets. If pilots won’t fly, Israel would be in a precarious situation. This would weaken our military’s ability to defend our borders against Iran’s and Hezbollah’s actions in Syria and Lebanon. It would also hinder our ability to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat.

On March 9, the head of police in the Tel Aviv District was fired for not being tough enough on demonstrators. On March 26, after repeatedly warning Netanyahu about the developing dangers, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s minister of defense, went public with his concerns and was told he would be fired. That night, a massive protest erupted. Similar demonstrations have occurred for weeks and months — every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night.

The coalition led by Netanyahu finally succumbed to pressures of the demonstrators. Legislators agreed to postpone passing the judicial reform, including a law that would give parliament the power to dismiss any Supreme Court decision. The ruling coalition also began negotiations with the opposition parties.

But after these talks broke down, the coalition pledged to pass the first law of the reform: abolishing the reasonableness clause, thereby dictating that the Supreme Court can no longer overturn a law passed by parliament by claiming that it is not reasonable.

On July 22, two days before the scheduled passing of the law, some 250,000 people marched throughout Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. As the protests increased, the very fabric of unity in Israeli society broke down. Coalition members called for imprisoning pilots who refused to fly, and more army reservists (over 10,000 in one day) announced they would stop serving if the law passed. But it was to no avail. On July 24, the law passed. That night, violence broke out between police and protestors.

Temple Destruction

The timing of these recent events could not have been more significant — they happened during the week of Tisha B’av (the 9^th of Av). On this day of mourning and fasting, Jewish people remember the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. According to tradition, both tragedies happened around this date. Demonstrators noted that this day is the beginning of the “third house collapsing,” referring to Israeli society as the Third Temple that was now being destroyed.

The Israeli public is more divided than ever before. Netanyahu’s supporters say that the reforms are necessary. They claim that the courts have too much power, noting that laws like death sentences for terrorists, crackdowns on Arab “illegal” building, curbing the ability to bring accusations of corruption against acting ministers, and such can’t be passed because the courts are blocking them against the wishes of “the majority.” They say that allowing the reform laws they want to pass is true democracy, since this is defined by majority rule.

Protestors argue that a governing majority’s right to pass laws does not give them the right to change the system, which would destroy the delicate checks and balances between lawmakers and courts. These protestors add that if these reforms are made, there will no longer be any group to protect or defend the minority from the tyranny of the majority.

Signs of the End?

As I watch these heartbreaking events unfold, I have grave concern and pain in my heart for what is happening to my country. These laws and the reform of the judicial system are some of the markers lining up the End-Times events noted in the Books of Revelation and Daniel. For the first time, we can chart the practical steps that will see a Third Temple built in Jerusalem and the restoration of daily sacrifices. It is fully plausible that if Israel no longer has a free judicial system, it will lose the support of the Western world that has helped to sustain it as a modern nation in a hostile neighborhood.

The situation in Israel is very difficult, yet God is in control. I encourage you to read Ezekiel chapter 36. The New International Version of the Bible appropriately titles this chapter, “Hope for the Mountains of Israel.” This chapter is a critical guideline for understanding God’s plan for Israel in the End Times. It is therefore a significant tool for you to use in your prayers for Israel. The chapter ends with this hopeful promise: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep. … So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord’” (Ezekiel 36:37–38).

Thank you for praying for us. Im Tirdefu — Press on to know Him!

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —
“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT),

   
Sarah Liberman

P.S. Please generously support ZLM as our teaching becomes even more vital with the ongoing fulfillment of Bible prophecy. ✡

: Two New Additions

We’ve got a wonderful bonus for you when you tour with us. Starting in 2024, Joshua and Caleb Colson will join our study tours! Joshua and Caleb now teach on Our Jewish Roots (OJR). However, they’ve taught on our social media channels (as the Bearded Bible Brothers) for the past five years and have been involved with Zola Levitt Presents and OJR for 17 years.

Joshua and Caleb are Messianic Believers. Their Biblical and Jewish insights will greatly enhance your journey of a lifetime. These brothers have the same zeal and love for Israel as our beloved founder Zola!

Our tour manager, Sandra, will walk you through the steps of enrollment. You can contact her at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or levitt.com/tours. She can help you prepare for your journey of a lifetime!

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Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),

David & Kirsten

P.S. Asking ZLMers like you to give is necessary. Does the Lord provide for us? Yes! Do we show a lack of faith by having to ask for donations? No! He works through you. Though pastors trust that the Lord will provide for their churches, they still receive offerings. Sometimes we Believers need reminding about the importance of our giving and Whose riches we are stewarding. Thank you for your prayers and your financial support. Shalom. ✡