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By Arlene Bridges Samuels

A world of striking contrasts unfolds before us every day. Through instant global news and social media, people witness both inspiring acts of freedom and troubling ideologies almost simultaneously. As millions of international visitors experience the United States during the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations, they are discovering a nation that often looks very different from the one portrayed in much of today’s media.

When the FIFA World Cup concludes on July 19, more than three million fans from over 200 nations will return home carrying memories of American hospitality, generosity, and freedom. Many will become unofficial ambassadors, sharing firsthand experiences that challenge the overwhelmingly negative narratives so often presented about the United States.

That same media environment frequently portrays America’s closest ally, Israel, through a similarly distorted lens. Yet on July 5, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summarized the enduring partnership between the two democracies with these words:

“When America and Israel stand together, freedom stands stronger. Together we defend freedom. Together we defend our common civilization. Together, with God’s help, freedom will triumph over tyranny. Happy birthday, happy Independence Day, America.”

America’s 250th anniversary did not begin this year. Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2016 to prepare for this historic milestone, while President Trump strongly supported America’s successful effort to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Long before the tournament began, however, anti-Israel activists sought to politicize the event. Palestinian organizations and several United Nations human rights experts urged FIFA to ban Israel from international competition. The U.S. State Department made clear that it opposed such efforts, and FIFA rightly rejected those demands.

Ironically, Israel is not competing in this year’s World Cup simply because it did not qualify during the 2025 playoff rounds. Even so, controversy emerged when security personnel confiscated an Israeli flag displayed by a spectator during the Iran-New Zealand match in Los Angeles while allowing Palestinian flags to remain. The fan described the action as antisemitic and an example of uneven enforcement. The incident sparked widespread criticism, particularly because Israel was not even participating in the tournament.

Despite these controversies, FIFA continues promoting its vision of football as “a force for unity, peace and hope.”

Beyond the headlines, millions of visitors are experiencing a different America than they expected.

At Kansas City International Airport, approximately 500 residents welcomed Algeria’s national team with enthusiastic cheers while a local high school band performed Algeria’s national anthem. A British visitor posted a lighthearted video marveling that he could buy car parts, a flat-screen television, and a hunting rifle under one roof at Walmart. A Scottish visitor admitted she had arrived expecting tension after watching news coverage about America’s political climate and immigration enforcement. Instead, she discovered warm hospitality and concluded that her experience could not have been more different from what she had anticipated.

America’s 250th anniversary celebrations likewise created unforgettable memories.

Although severe thunderstorms delayed the Independence Day festivities on the National Mall and required thousands of visitors to shelter inside nearby federal buildings and museums, the weather did little to dampen the celebration. If anything, it strengthened the sense of community. Veterans, musicians, journalists, and visitors spontaneously gathered together, while hundreds inside the Department of Agriculture building joined in an impromptu rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

President Trump reassured the nation on Truth Social, writing, “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting!”

When the skies finally cleared, spectacular fireworks illuminated the nation’s capital.

During his remarks, President Trump highlighted several historic American flags displayed on stage, including an original 1777 flag and the flag that draped President Abraham Lincoln’s coffin. He invited Medal of Honor recipients and distinguished veterans to stand beside these treasured symbols of American history.

Among the most moving moments was the presentation of a remarkable American flag sewn together in 1944 by a Belgian mother and daughter during the Nazi occupation. Hidden from German forces until Allied troops liberated Belgium, the handmade flag was presented to Private First-Class William Key by grateful Belgian citizens.

This Independence Day, Army Major Kyle Key, William Key’s grandson, carried that same eighty-two-year-old flag onto the National Mall stage. His family’s story also carries another remarkable connection to American history. Their ancestor, Francis Scott Key, penned the poem that eventually became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In one unforgettable moment, Major Key’s salute connected generations of sacrifice, liberty, and courage stretching from the American Revolution to World War II and into the present day. His family’s story reminds us that freedom is never merely inherited. It is defended, preserved, and passed from one generation to the next.

The closing words of our national anthem continue to capture that enduring truth:

“O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

America’s freedoms also include the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Throughout the America 250 celebrations, numerous demonstrations and public gatherings took place across the country, reflecting the freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. The ability to express differing viewpoints peacefully remains one of the defining characteristics of a free society.

As followers of Christ, our ultimate confidence does not rest in governments or public opinion but in the Lord Himself.

Psalm 100:5 reminds us: “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week.

Prayer Points

• Pray with gratitude for the hospitality Americans have shown to international visitors.
• Pray that millions of World Cup fans will return home with a deeper appreciation for America’s freedoms and values.
• Pray for President Trump, his administration, and the America 250 leadership as they continue commemorating this historic anniversary.
• Pray for wisdom, strength, and continued cooperation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu as they work together to defend freedom and strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The Israel Defense Forces recently uncovered a fortress-like underground complex beneath the streets of southern Lebanon containing eight tons of explosives, fifty drones capable of flying 150 miles, and facilities designed to house hundreds of terrorists. Hidden from view for years, it functioned as a subterranean drone airport where Hezbollah pilots prepared attacks against Israel. It was a carefully engineered center of terror constructed directly beneath civilian communities.

Hezbollah has long operated as a state within a state inside Lebanon, functioning largely independent of the country’s central government. Established more than forty years ago by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it has grown into one of the Middle East’s most heavily armed militant organizations and remains one of Israel’s greatest security threats.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant once warned that Hezbollah was ten times stronger than Hamas. American journalist Lisa Daftari has described Hezbollah as the crown jewel of Iran’s forward defense strategy, noting that Tehran invested billions of dollars to build an enormous missile and drone arsenal aimed directly at Israel’s heart.

Yet Iran’s crown jewel has suffered significant setbacks. On June 26, representatives of Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a Trilateral Framework Agreement at the U.S. State Department, an agreement that until recently would have seemed almost unimaginable.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio presided over the ceremony. The agreement was signed by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, U.S. Counselor Dan Holler, and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh.

The signing followed a month marked by extraordinary military developments. While negotiations advanced diplomatically, the IDF continued exposing Hezbollah’s extensive military infrastructure while taking considerable measures to minimize harm to civilian populations, including Lebanese Christian communities.

One of the most remarkable discoveries was a 656-foot tunnel beneath the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, just six miles from Israel’s border, where Hezbollah operatives lived while posing as ordinary villagers.

Inside, the IDF discovered an underground drone base capable of storing and launching dozens of Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles. The site contained fifty explosive drones, a complete UAV workshop, launch systems, vehicles, and approximately eight tons of explosives, all positioned near homes, a school, and a mosque. Just two days after the Trilateral Framework Agreement was signed, the IDF demolished the entire tunnel complex.

Earlier in June, Israeli forces made another major discovery near the historic Beaufort Castle. There, they uncovered an extensive underground command and control center capable of housing hundreds of Hezbollah operatives. The facility contained multiple underground levels supplied with electricity, running water, communications systems, medical facilities, kitchens, showers, and living quarters.

The military infrastructure included anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft weapons, grenades, ammunition, combat equipment, and numerous storage rooms. Built over nearly a decade with Iranian funding, one tunnel stretched more than 3,200 feet. Six separate access shafts connected the underground network, allowing Hezbollah fighters to mobilize rapidly during wartime.

The IDF later demolished the entire complex and now maintains operational control of the surrounding area, marking another significant military achievement. These discoveries reinforce an important reality: neither Israel nor Lebanon can fully rebuild while Hezbollah maintains its vast terrorist infrastructure.

Although Iran’s regional influence has weakened in recent years, Hezbollah remains its most powerful proxy. Closely aligned with both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Islamist movements throughout the region, Hezbollah continues pursuing its long-standing objective of destabilizing neighboring countries while expanding Iranian influence. Its ideology has not changed, and the Trilateral Framework Agreement reflects that reality.

The agreement reportedly includes a classified security annex affirming Israel’s continued freedom of action inside southern Lebanon. Any future redeployment will depend upon conditions on the ground rather than predetermined timelines. The removal of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure remains non-negotiable, and Israel retains the right to act if Hezbollah attempts to rebuild or resume attacks.

The agreement also calls for an expanded Lebanese Army presence in areas previously dominated by Hezbollah. Following additional training and vetting, Lebanese forces are expected to deploy in selected pilot zones while participating in a monitored process aimed at reducing Hezbollah’s military footprint.

One point deserves particular emphasis: Israel is not seeking to occupy Lebanon. Its objective is to dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure so Israeli citizens can live securely along the northern border, and Lebanon can once again exercise full sovereignty over its own territory. The agreement places significant restrictions on Hezbollah while preserving Israel’s ability to respond militarily if necessary.

Predictably, Hezbollah immediately rejected the framework, with its leaders insisting they retained the “right to defend” Lebanon. In Beirut, groups of Hezbollah supporters rode motorcycles through the streets, shouted threats, and blocked roads while Lebanese security forces attempted to maintain order.

The path ahead will not be easy. Decades of Iranian investment have transformed Hezbollah into one of the world’s most heavily armed non-state organizations, leaving Lebanon’s government with the enormous challenge of restoring national authority over territory long dominated by the terrorist group.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir described the agreement as both historic and significant. He emphasized that Israel’s military successes created the conditions necessary for such an accord while affirming that Israel would continue acting decisively against Hezbollah’s entrenched presence.

Ultimately, the framework offers more than a security arrangement. It presents a potential pathway toward a more stable future between Israel and Lebanon, provided Hezbollah’s grip can finally be broken. Iran will not surrender its crown jewel willingly. Yet, for the first time in many years, meaningful progress toward a more secure future for both Israel and Lebanon appears possible.

King David declared in Psalm 18:34 that God “trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Scripture also reminds us through Ezekiel 33:11 that God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”

Governments have the responsibility to restrain evil and protect innocent lives. Even so, God’s ultimate desire is repentance, redemption, and peace.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week. As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, may God continue to bless America, Israel, and all those who labor for justice and peace.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the successful implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement.
• Pray for the safety, freedom, and protection of innocent Lebanese civilians.
• Pray for wisdom and effective cooperation between the IDF and the Lebanese Armed Forces as they work to eliminate Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.
• Pray for wisdom, discernment, and protection for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels 

Trauma is a word we hear often in today’s world. It describes distress, pain, shock, and suffering caused by countless circumstances. Yet war produces unique layers of trauma that affect the mind, body, and spirit. Left unresolved, these wounds often extend into future generations. Research involving Holocaust survivors, as well as populations in Cambodia, Rwanda, and Nigeria, demonstrates that severe trauma can shape families and societies for decades.

Israel is living that reality today. According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, since Hamas launched its murderous assault on October 7, 2023, one in three Israelis has experienced trauma-related distress, and many require professional mental health care. The combination of massacre, ongoing war, hostage uncertainty, and relentless missile attacks has created a level of sustained national trauma unlike anything most countries have experienced.

Despite this enormous emotional burden, compassion for Israel is often in short supply. One reason is that for decades, much of the world’s media has portrayed Israel almost exclusively through the lens of conflict, terrorism, military operations, and political controversy. Those images often overshadow another reality: a nation filled with innovation, compassion, resilience, and an enduring desire for peace. The humanity of ordinary Israelis is too often buried beneath misinformation and distorted narratives.

Modern warfare has also changed the nature of trauma itself. Advanced weapons, nonstop media coverage, and social media have created new psychological burdens for civilians and soldiers alike. Understanding these differences helps explain Israel’s unique situation.

The United States provides an important comparison.

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring thousands more. The attacks produced profound national grief, fear of flying, a heightened sense of vulnerability, and years of psychological recovery. America’s subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq claimed 6,887 military lives and left more than 52,000 service members wounded.

The trauma of September 11 was devastating, but it was fundamentally an acute event. Although its emotional effects lasted for years, Americans eventually returned to daily life because the attacks themselves were not repeated every day.

Israel faces a different reality. For decades, Iran’s Islamic Regime and its proxies have subjected Israeli civilians to ongoing threats. Rockets, missiles, drones, terror attacks, hostage crises, cyber warfare, and repeated military conflicts have become part of everyday life.

The same Iranian regime also supplied Iraq with explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, during the Iraq War. These sophisticated roadside bombs killed hundreds of American service members and permanently wounded thousands more. Today, Iran continues to threaten not only Israel but also its own citizens and the broader international community.

The comparison is striking. The United States experienced a national trauma on one terrible day in September 2001. Israel has lived with the equivalent of 9/11-level fear for years, often with no meaningful pause and no geographical buffer separating its civilians from hostile neighbors.

Israeli psychologists increasingly describe this condition not as post-traumatic stress disorder, but as continuous traumatic stress. PTSD assumes the traumatic event has ended. Continuous traumatic stress recognizes that the danger never truly stops. The nervous system remains on constant alert because new threats can emerge at any moment.

Recognizing this growing need, CBN Israel opened its Community Support and Resilience Center in Jerusalem last year. The center serves as both a sanctuary and a source of hope. Christian and Messianic Jewish therapists provide professional outpatient counseling grounded in compassion and inspired by Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The center connects individuals and families with a broad network of mental health professionals and serves all Israelis, including secular Jews, Christians, Israeli Arabs, Jewish believers in Jesus, hostage families, and those who may not qualify for government-funded therapy.

Director Yonatan Almeida, a clinical psychologist and pastor, explains that “the need for trauma care has skyrocketed.” Israelis carry “layers of grief, fear, and shock.”

Director of Programs and Initiatives Arik Pelled adds that “every Israeli is connected to someone who was murdered, kidnapped, or displaced.”

Few families have escaped untouched. Jews, Israeli Arabs, Druze, Christians, active-duty soldiers, reservists, and civilians alike continue to bear enormous emotional burdens. The Resilience Center functions as a faith-based mental health hub, carefully matching everyone with counselors best equipped to meet their specific needs.

Continuous trauma can be difficult for outsiders to understand because most nations experience tragedy in isolated episodes such as Pearl Harbor, September 11, natural disasters, or major wars. Israel’s experience is cumulative.

Centuries of antisemitism, the Holocaust, the expulsion of Jewish communities from Arab lands after 1948, repeated Arab-Israeli wars, decades of terrorism, and the attacks that culminated on October 7 have layered one generation’s pain upon another.

Daily life has become even more challenging since October 7, 2023. Rocket fire threatens communities from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Terror attacks continue in Judea and Samaria. Air raid sirens interrupt work, school, meals, and sleep. Entire towns have been evacuated. Cyberattacks add another layer of uncertainty. Families constantly wonder whether loved ones are safe.

Israel’s trauma is not one catastrophic event followed by recovery. It is an ongoing national condition without a predictable end. Yet Israelis continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience. They raise families, operate businesses, educate children, celebrate holidays, and serve their communities despite living under continual threat.

Their perseverance is remarkable. Their suffering is real. Israel is fighting physical, emotional, and spiritual battles simultaneously. CBN Israel’s Community Support and Resilience Center exists to help shoulder those burdens by offering professional care, compassionate support, and lasting hope to those living with continuous traumatic stress.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week. Thank you for standing with Israel and for asking God to bring comfort, healing, and renewed hope to His people.

Prayer Points

• Pray that CBN Israel’s Community Support and Resilience Center will continue to expand its ministry and reach more Israelis in need of healing.
• Pray for strength, wisdom, and endurance for the counselors, therapists, and staff serving those affected by trauma.
• Pray that every Israeli who enters the center will experience comfort, hope, and the shalom of God.
• Pray Psalm 34:18 over Israel: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels 

President Trump declared on Monday that “the deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” While Islamist leaders may celebrate what they view as a diplomatic victory, Christians in Lebanon, Jews in northern Israel, and millions of ordinary Iranian citizens are not celebrating. They are bracing themselves.

On paper, the agreement may appear to reduce tensions. Yet many remain concerned that it could embolden a regime with nearly five decades of oppression, violence, and support for terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East. The same ideology that fuels Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups continues to threaten not only Israel, but also neighboring nations and vulnerable populations across the region.

For Israelis and Lebanese alike, relations between their countries remain fragile. Yet both face a common enemy. Hezbollah, whose name means “Party of God,” functions as Iran’s most powerful proxy in Lebanon. In many ways, Hezbollah has created an unofficial alliance of survival between Lebanese Christians and Israeli Jews, both of whom bear the consequences of its actions.

A useful analogy is the Russian matryoshka nesting doll. Each smaller figure fits inside a larger one. Hezbollah is the largest doll, dominating the structure. Hidden within are smaller, vulnerable communities, including Christians in southern Lebanon and Jewish civilians in northern Israel, who live under constant threat.

The treatment of civilians by Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces could hardly be more different.

Since the 1980s, Hezbollah has entrenched itself across southern Lebanon and in significant portions of Beirut and its suburbs. According to Open Doors World Watch List, approximately 1.9 million Christians live in Lebanon, representing nearly one-third of the country’s population. These include historic Maronite and Greek Orthodox communities, along with evangelical churches represented by the Supreme Council of Evangelicals.

Many Christian leaders speak candidly about the reality they face.

Maronite priest Father Nagib Al Amil describes Christians in southern Lebanon as “eternal hostages.” Catholic priest Father Charbel Eid speaks of the devastating consequences: “Our village is destroyed. Our people have lost everything. We are paying the price for a war we did not choose.”

Maronite priest Mazen Najjar, who works with Catholic humanitarian projects, states plainly, “Israel is not targeting our churches. The danger comes from those who fire rockets from our fields.”

In Beirut, Resurrection Church Pastor Assaad Bechara echoes a similar perspective, saying that many Christians do not view Israel as their enemy. Across denominational lines, Christian leaders increasingly agree that Hezbollah is devastating Lebanon, that ordinary Christians desire peace rather than war, and that the Church must continue speaking truth despite significant risks.

The story of Nabil, a resident of the Christian village of Qlayaa, illustrates these realities.

His family has lived there for generations. Known for their independence, villagers have repeatedly opposed Hezbollah’s attempts to operate within their community. On one occasion, Hezbollah fighters sought to establish a rocket-launching position on Christian-owned land. Nabil and several local men confronted them directly.

The fighters insisted they had the right to operate there “for the resistance.” After a tense confrontation, Hezbollah withdrew but relocated the launch site just beyond the village boundaries.

Soon afterward, rockets were fired toward Israel.

“The house shook like an earthquake,” Nabil recalled. His wife grabbed their children and rushed into the hallway as the launch blasts thundered nearby.

When Israel responded, the strikes targeted the launch positions without hitting village homes.

“They were careful,” Nabil said. “But the fear was real. Israel is not targeting Christian villages. The danger comes from those who hide among us.”

On the worst nights, Nabil rings the church bell, and villagers gather to pray for both spiritual and physical protection.

Stories like his are repeated across southern Lebanon. Many Christian families have quietly left their homes. Exact numbers are difficult to verify, but thousands are believed to have relocated due to the insecurity created by Hezbollah’s military activities.

Across the border, Israeli civilians face a parallel reality.

Since October 2023, more than 60,000 residents have been displaced from communities along Israel’s northern frontier. Towns such as Kiryat Shmona and Metula remain largely empty as families continue living elsewhere.

In recent months alone, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets and numerous drones toward civilian areas.

Yael, a mother of three from Kiryat Shmona, says her children sleep in their shoes because they have only seconds to reach shelter when sirens sound. Her youngest child refuses to fall asleep unless the safe-room door remains open.

Eitan, a farmer in Margaliot, describes harvesting his orchard between rocket alerts. Drones fly so low overhead that he can hear their metallic whine. Several explosive drones have damaged irrigation systems and destroyed crops.

Like Nabil in Lebanon, Eitan refuses to abandon his land.

In another northern community, neighbors regularly check on Rivka, an eighty-nine-year-old Holocaust survivor. A rocket blast shattered her windows, but she refuses to leave.

“I survived Europe,” she says. “I will survive this.”

Seventeen-year-old Daniel from Metula says his school has effectively become a bomb shelter. Classes are conducted online. Sports fields sit empty. Social gatherings take place underground.

He insists he is not afraid. His mother says he now sleeps with the light on.

The Cohen family fled Shlomi with little more than pajamas and toothbrushes. Months later, they continue living in a hotel.

“We’re safe,” they say, “but we’re not home.”

Just a short distance away sits Alma al-Shaab, a Lebanese Christian-majority village facing similar dangers. Residents there report that Hezbollah launches rockets and drones from nearby areas, leaving local civilians to suffer the consequences.

“Hezbollah fires from our fields, and we pay the price,” one resident explained.

These stories reveal a two-sided humanitarian crisis.

Lebanese Christians face intimidation, economic collapse, displacement, and the constant threat of retaliation should they openly oppose Hezbollah. Israeli civilians endure rocket attacks, displacement, trauma, and ongoing uncertainty along the northern border.

The human cost is immense. More than one hundred Israeli soldiers have been killed in cross-border attacks and military operations connected to the conflict. Thousands of civilians have required medical treatment for injuries sustained during the war.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s grip on southern Lebanon continues to deepen the suffering of the very people it claims to defend.

The unfolding situation resembles a set of increasingly troubling nesting dolls. Each layer reveals another consequence of Iran’s regional strategy, another community caught in the crossfire, and another reminder that civilians often bear the heaviest burden of war.

World leaders would do well to remember the timeless truth: “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer as we reflect on Ephesians 6:12:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Prayer Points:

• Pray for Lebanese Christians as they endure pressure, uncertainty, and the threat of Hezbollah’s influence.
• Pray for Lebanese pastors and church leaders to have wisdom, courage, and discernment.
• Pray for displaced Israeli families struggling with trauma, uncertainty, and separation from their homes.
• Pray for families grieving loved ones who have died while defending their nation.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The word “brotherhood” often reflects fellowship, loyalty, and shared purpose among men united by common goals, beliefs, or professions. In Christian communities, these can be constructive and welcome concepts. However, a dangerous version of brotherhood aimed at destructive goals has become deeply entrenched in the United States. It is the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a 1991 memorandum later uncovered during an FBI raid, the Muslim Brotherhood outlined its strategy to infiltrate America’s political, academic, and social institutions. One phrase from that document says it all: “The plan to take down democracy without firing a shot.” Keep that sentence in mind.

Since the Muslim Brotherhood’s arrival in the United States in the 1950s, its goals have expanded through schools, universities, chaotic demonstrations, media, and government institutions at the federal, state, and local levels. A 2025 study prepared for the Department of Homeland Security and Congress traced how the world’s oldest and most influential Islamist movement gained a foothold in the United States.

Congress is now actively considering legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Such a designation would criminalize material support, freeze assets, restrict visas and immigration, and increase federal scrutiny of affiliated organizations. The bipartisan bill introduced in 2025 is still moving through Congress, and President Trump has issued an executive order directing the U.S. Treasury and State Department to designate Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

A look at both history and current events should alert members of Congress and American citizens to the importance of understanding the Muslim Brotherhood and responding accordingly. Founded nearly one hundred years ago in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has influenced the Middle East, Israel, Iran, Europe, and the United States. It was established in 1928 by religious scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna, who believed Muslim religion and culture were under threat.

After World War I, Britain had gained strong colonial influence in Egypt, and in 1924 the Ottoman Empire was abolished. For four hundred years, that caliphate had exercised authority over vast territories, including Islam’s holiest cities of Mecca and Medina, while also claiming Jerusalem.

Al-Banna’s solution was to unite religion and state under Sharia, Islamic law, with the slogan, “Islam is the solution.” What began inconspicuously under one man has expanded into a global Islamist movement. Its quieter underbelly in the United States began under the cover of cultural and student organizations.

Understanding current facts about the Muslim Brotherhood helps Americans protect their homeland and stand wisely with Israel, our great ally.

In a recent podcast, Jonathan Feldstein, CEO of Genesis 123 Foundation, interviewed Emily Nielson Winkler, an expert on the Muslim Brotherhood. An Israeli American, Emily is CEO of VALOP, which stands for Vulnerability, Analysis, and Operations, a network of intelligence services working to expose and dismantle terrorist organizations. Her organization investigates how Islamist alliances organize, fund, recruit, and embed themselves inside Western systems. With exceptional intelligence and research skills, VALOP works to restore stability to communities damaged by radicalization and violence.

Emily’s insights were both authoritative and invaluable. She explained that the Muslim Brotherhood’s first major foothold in the United States was the Muslim Students Association, founded in 1963 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Brotherhood intentionally focused on college students, as it continues to do today, to recruit educated activists and shape political discourse.

She also emphasized that the Muslim Brotherhood is not a local or regional group. It is a large global entity that poses a global threat. It does not respect national borders, and sovereign nations are irrelevant to its mission. The Brotherhood is primarily a network of highly educated scholars, numbering in the hundreds of thousands worldwide, who believe the fall of the Ottoman Empire must be reversed.

Emily reminded listeners that several prominent Arab nations have designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization or severely restricted it. Egypt has expelled or outlawed the movement multiple times. Jordan has moved to seize Muslim Brotherhood assets. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have strictly outlawed the Brotherhood. One of Winkler’s most striking observations is that the Muslim Brotherhood has become one of the Middle East’s biggest exports into Western nations. Expelled or restricted in many Arab countries, its members often relocate to the West.

Emily also clarified an essential distinction between Muslims and Islamists. Muslims are followers of the religion of Islam. Islamists, by contrast, follow a political ideology that seeks to replace existing governments with Islamist rule. Although Iran’s Islamic Regime is not organizationally part of the Muslim Brotherhood, it is an important example of a regime that seeks to impose Sharia wherever possible and destroy those who stand in its way.

Emily described Jews as the canary in the coal mine, warning that rising antisemitism often signals the early stages of broader societal takeover. “Once Jews have left, there’s nothing standing between the Muslim Brotherhood and you,” she warned.

Ephesians 5:11 is instructive here: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

VALOP describes the Brotherhood’s tactics in the United States and other Western nations as six steps of escalation: educational indoctrination, organized mobilization, legalized harassment, criminal activity, terrorism, and finally societal capture.

Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, is not alone in facing the consequences of Islamist ideology. Several Arab states are also under threat. Muslim Brotherhood ideology has destabilized the region for decades. Hamas is directly tied to the Brotherhood’s Palestinian branch. Hezbollah is an Iran backed Shia militia in Lebanon. The Houthis are funded, armed, and trained by Iran. The Islamic Regime’s 1979 revolution was shaped in part by Islamist ideology, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cooperates with Brotherhood linked groups such as Hamas in strategic alliances.

How can everyday citizens respond? Emily suggests that Americans begin by asking questions of local and state leaders. Is the Muslim Brotherhood present in my community? Are local institutions receiving funds or influence from organizations connected to Islamist networks? Are schools, universities, or civic groups being used for indoctrination or recruitment?

Florida and Texas have already issued state level actions designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist threat. Although these do not carry the same weight as a federal designation, states can block Brotherhood connected individuals or entities from receiving state contracts, funds, or partnerships. Such actions can also trigger further legal and political scrutiny.

This broader context helps explain Israel’s daily reality. For Americans and citizens of other Western nations, Israel serves as an early warning signal. The Brotherhood’s long-term strategy seeks to reshape free societies from within. Ignoring that reality is dangerous. Heeding it is a matter of national vigilance and moral clarity.

Begin by asking questions in your town and state.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for Christians to question local and state officials about the Muslim Brotherhood.
• Pray for awareness and vigilance among citizens regarding Islamist movements.
• Pray for cooperative wisdom for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
• Pray for the IDF as its soldiers bravely protect their small nation.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Although antisemitism has reached alarming levels around the world, Judeo-Christian alliances continue to grow in strength and purpose. On the eve of the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, we remember how the Israel Defense Forces reunified ancient Jerusalem and restored the city as Israel’s capital. For the first time since the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in A.D. 70, the Jewish people regained sovereign control of the Old City and restored free access to their holiest site, the Western Wall.

That victory became a modern foundation stone for Jewish civilization. As an IDF chaplain sounded the shofar, Israeli paratroopers stood before the Western Wall overcome with emotion, reverently touching the ancient stones. In the years that followed, new opportunities for friendship and cooperation between Christians and Jews emerged. Christian pilgrims from around the world began visiting the Western Wall freely, knowing they were walking where Jesus Himself once walked in Jerusalem.

The term Judeo-Christian first emerged during the 1930s and 1940s through theologians such as Reinhold Niebuhr and Paul Tillich. It gained prominence as a response to rising fascism and antisemitism. In 1952, President Dwight D. Eisenhower further popularized the phrase shortly before his inauguration when he declared, “Our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith. With us, of course, it is the Judeo-Christian concept.”

Today, that concept remains highly relevant. The question is how it has evolved in response to the barbarity of October 7, 2023, and the unprecedented rise in antisemitism that followed.

One answer was visible last Sunday during the annual Israel Day on Fifth Avenue parade in New York City, which drew its largest turnout since 2014. Under the themes “Proud Americans, Proud Zionists” and “Am Yisrael Chai, United in Strength,” more than 50,000 participants marched while tens of thousands lined Fifth Avenue.

American and Israeli flags waved side by side as marchers sang, danced, and celebrated peacefully. Their banners proclaimed messages such as “Light Will Overcome Darkness,” “Jews and Christians Stand Together,” “Protect Jewish Students,” and “Never Again Is Now.”

These messages reflected enduring principles of freedom, moral responsibility, and human dignity. They stood in sharp contrast to the anti-Israel rhetoric that has become increasingly common in recent years, including slogans such as “Hamas, We Love You,” “Globalize the Intifada,” and “Gas the Jews.” The contrast could not have been clearer.

Thanks to extensive security efforts, New York police prevented anti-Israel demonstrators from disrupting the parade or harming participants. Among the many organizations represented was Eagles’ Wings, a prominent Christian Zionist ministry that has participated for years.

Bishop Robert Stearns summarized the spirit of the day: “At a time when antisemitism is rising around the world, we are proud to stand with moral clarity. Hatred will never have the final word. To our Jewish brothers and sisters: You are not alone.”

Stearns noted that Eagles’ Wings brought its largest Christian delegation ever. In many ways, the gathering illustrated how Eisenhower’s Judeo-Christian concept continues to mature into a broader defense of Judeo-Christian civilization.

Another example of this growing alliance appeared through the participation of the newly formed Judeo-Christian Zionist Congress. Established in February 2026, the organization includes Jewish, Christian, and Arab leaders committed to strengthening the Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization and advocating for Israel as the world’s only Jewish state.

The evidence continues to mount that, since October 7, 2023, the world has been confronted with a civilizational choice. This is more than a political disagreement or cultural dispute. It is a contest between the moral foundations of Judeo-Christian civilization and the jihadist ideology advanced by the Islamic Regime and its proxies.

For Christians, the response should be clear. We must renew our commitment to the biblical values that shaped Western civilization and continue to provide a foundation for truth, freedom, justice, and human dignity.

Meanwhile, another remarkable development recently took place in Jerusalem. Christian leaders from thirty-eight nations gathered for the tenth Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, bringing together spiritual, political, and cultural leaders from around the world. During the event, Shomron Regional Council leader Yossi Dagan bestowed honorary citizenship in Judea and Samaria upon the assembled Christian Zionist leaders.

Orthodox Rabbi Tuly Weis, founder of Israel365, welcomed the gesture. Through his work building bridges between Jews and Christians, Weis emphasized that both the leadership and residents of Judea and Samaria recognize and deeply value Christian support for Israel and its biblical heartland.

Recognition of Judeo-Christian civilization is also spreading internationally. The Portugal-based International Observatory of Human Rights recently made history by honoring Jews, Christians, and Jerusalem for their contributions to modern civilization.

Its president, Dr. Luis Andrade, observed: “Judeo-Christian civilization reminds us that Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and the spiritual homeland of Jews and Christians worldwide, remains a shared cultural and religious foundation linking both the West and Eurasia.”

At its core, Judeo-Christian civilization represents the historical, cultural, and moral framework that emerges from the Old and New Testaments. The biblical principles of justice, compassion, human dignity, personal responsibility, and the rule of law have profoundly shaped the Western world.

As antisemitism rises and moral confusion spreads, now is not the time for silence. Let us recommit ourselves to the biblical foundations that have sustained freedom for generations and continue to serve as a beacon of hope for the future.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week.

Prayer Points:

• Pray with gratitude for the growing partnerships between Christians and Jews.
• Pray for wisdom, effectiveness, and continued growth for organizations advancing Judeo-Christian civilization.
• Pray that Christians will increasingly combine prayer with action in support of Israel and the Jewish people.
• Pray for the safety of Israelis in northern Israel as Hezbollah continues its attacks from Lebanon.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Israel’s Knesset has spent the past two years advancing legislation that could reshape the modern debate over sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The proposed Heritage Authority bill has reignited international tensions, drawing criticism from many of Israel’s detractors and even from some allies. Though the legislation is not yet finalized, the Knesset continues moving steadily toward formal approval.

A May 12 Knesset press release outlined the bill following its first reading, after which it advanced for further review and debate. The legislation would place responsibility for antiquities, archaeology, and heritage sites in Judea and Samaria directly under Israeli oversight. It also proposes establishing a Judea and Samaria Heritage Authority, a civilian agency tasked with excavation, preservation, land acquisition, enforcement, and the protection of archaeological evidence.

To understand why this legislation matters so deeply to Israelis, it is important to revisit the historical background.

The modern dispute stretches back nearly eight decades. In 1947, Jewish leaders accepted the United Nations Partition Plan, Resolution 181, which proposed dividing the land into Jewish and Arab states. Arab leaders rejected the proposal outright. On May 14, 1948, only hours after David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel’s independence, surrounding Arab nations launched war against the newborn Jewish state.

Ironically, the United Nations plan had already allocated much of the biblical heartland’s fertile agricultural land and key water resources to the proposed Arab state. Yet even that was not enough to satisfy Arab leadership. As war unfolded, the geographical terminology itself began changing. Judea and Samaria, the historic biblical heartland west of the Jordan River, increasingly became known internationally as the “West Bank.” Over time, this terminology hardened into a diplomatic framework that often ignores Israel’s historical and legal claims to the land.

Biblically, however, the Jewish connection to the land stretches back thousands of years. Modern Israel is not merely a seventy-eight-year-old state. Its history, culture, and spiritual identity trace back more than 3,400 years to God’s covenant with Abraham recorded in Genesis 12.

The Bible itself stands apart among ancient texts for its remarkable preservation, historical continuity, and global influence. Written over approximately fifteen centuries by forty authors across three continents and in three languages, Scripture presents a unified narrative regarding the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

Exodus 19:5 records God’s declaration: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”

Jeremiah 31:35-36 further emphasizes God’s enduring covenant with Israel: “This is what the LORD says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night … the LORD Almighty is His name: ‘Only if these decrees vanish from My sight, declares the Lord, will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.’”

Beyond biblical conviction, Israeli leaders also point to urgent operational concerns behind the Heritage Authority legislation.

The Israel Antiquities Authority and international archaeological organizations have documented widespread antiquities theft, site destruction, black market smuggling, and organized looting networks operating throughout Judea and Samaria. Ancient Jewish burial caves, Byzantine churches, Roman fortresses, and biblical sites have suffered irreversible damage.

The Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit warns that archaeological layers preserving thousands of years of history are being destroyed at an unprecedented rate. For Christians as well as Jews, this loss is significant. These sites offer tangible connections to biblical history and to the land where the events of Scripture unfolded.

The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen Israel’s ability to preserve and protect those historical treasures.

International reaction, however, has been swift and critical. The European Union continues to describe Judea and Samaria as “occupied Palestinian territory,” labels Jewish communities there as “settlements,” and insists such communities violate international law. European officials have demanded that Israel reverse course.

Yet the Heritage Authority bill continues advancing through Israel’s legislative process. Alongside it, another major development emerged in 2025 when the Knesset approved a preliminary reading extending Israeli sovereignty to Ma’ale Adumim, one of the largest Jewish cities in Judea and Samaria with approximately 40,000 residents. Many Israelis consider it a suburb of Jerusalem.

For supporters of Israel, these developments are about far more than politics. They represent questions of identity, heritage, historical truth, and biblical conviction.

As global tensions intensify and the debate surrounding Israel grows increasingly polarized, believers are challenged to stand with courage, wisdom, and conviction. In a confused and often hostile world, truth still matters.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for wisdom and determination among Knesset leaders as they continue deliberations on the Heritage Authority bill.
• Pray that the Knesset’s diverse members, including Jews, Arabs, and Druze, will seek decisions that protect Israel’s history and future.
• Pray for the safety and security of Jewish communities throughout Judea and Samaria amid growing threats and tensions.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Shavuot is one of Judaism’s three major pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Sukkot, when the Israelites were commanded to journey to Jerusalem. This year, the two-day celebration begins at sundown on May 21 in Israel and in synagogues around the world.

The word Shavuot means “weeks.” The festival arrives after a seven-week countdown that begins at Passover and culminates fifty days later with the Feast of Weeks, a joyful harvest celebration that also commemorates God giving the Torah and the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai more than three thousand years ago. The counting of days creates a sense of expectation and spiritual preparation. Christians know this same season as Pentecost, which falls on May 24 this year.

Acts 2 records that approximately fifteen hundred years after the giving of the Torah, another historic event unfolded in Jerusalem during Shavuot. Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended in the Upper Room as Jewish worshippers from many nations filled the city for the festival. What began at Sinai with the written law expanded into a spiritual harvest as the Gospel began spreading outward from Jerusalem to the nations.

The timing is deeply significant. Jewish pilgrims from across the ancient world traveled to Jerusalem for Passover and often remained through the fifty-day count leading to Shavuot, also called Bikkurim, or First Fruits. First century historian Josephus estimated that millions filled Jerusalem during these festival seasons. Acts 2:9-11 lists many of the places represented among the worshippers, including regions that correspond to modern nations such as Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Crete.

Whether people personally witnessed the events described in Acts or heard reports spreading rapidly through Jerusalem, the impact was extraordinary. Pilgrims eventually returned home carrying news of what had happened. In this way, the Gospel spread geographically through Jewish worshippers who became witnesses. The earliest believers, including the disciples and the Apostle Paul, were Jewish followers of Jesus. The Good News was born in the Holy Land and then opened outward to the Gentile world.

For thousands of years, Jewish festivals have tied generations together through remembrance, worship, and endurance. No matter where Jews lived or what hardships surrounded them, Shabbat and the biblical festivals remained central to Jewish identity.

That determination was vividly displayed again in 1948 during Israel’s War of Independence.

Only weeks after David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the modern State of Israel on May 14, 1948, five Arab armies invaded the newborn nation. The Jewish population had barely emerged from the horrors of the Holocaust. Jerusalem faced severe food shortages. Weapons were scarce. Bombings and battles threatened civilians daily.

Yet even amid war, Israelis chose to keep Shavuot.

That year, Shavuot fell on June 12 and became the first major biblical festival celebrated once again in a restored Jewish homeland. The circumstances were overwhelming. The Israel Defense Forces had only just been formed. Electricity was intermittent. Food was rationed. Enemies surrounded the country.

Many wondered whether anyone would survive long enough to celebrate.

Still, communities across Israel refused to abandon the festival.

One kibbutz, Ein Harod, explained its decision simply: “It felt impossible to abandon this holiday. It is so deeply woven into our lives.”

Moshe Erem, a fighter from Kibbutz Beit Alfa near the Syrian border, wrote in his diary, “After night patrol, we danced the hora at dawn. The Syrians shelled the valley, but we danced anyway. This is our answer.”

At Kibbutz Yifat near Nazareth, children carried baskets to fathers and brothers guarding the perimeter. Some baskets held bread or eggs. One six-year-old girl quietly explained, “We brought fruit and bullets.”

David Ben-Gurion wrote in his diary, “Shavuot. The Cabinet met. We must ensure that the people celebrate, even as war rages.”

Golda Meir later reflected, “We had no milk or cheese, but we read the book of Ruth, a story of loyalty, like our soldiers’.”

In Letters from Jerusalem 1947-1948, underground fighter Zippy Porath described the arrival of desperately needed supplies during the siege: “A small convoy of jeeps bearing blessed arms, ammunition, and food came via the hills.” She added, “They’ve broken the siege and lifted our morale high.”

These moments reveal something profound about Israel’s history. Jewish festivals are not merely rituals or traditions. They are declarations of survival, identity, faith, and hope.

Today, wars and threats against Israel continue. Jewish communities worldwide still face rising hatred and violence. Yet Israel continues to observe Shabbat and celebrate the biblical festivals with determination and joy.

Christians may not fully understand God’s prophetic timetable, but Scripture reminds us of His enduring covenant. Zechariah 2:8 declares, “For whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye.” In Hebrew thought, the phrase refers to the pupil of the eye, the most sensitive and fiercely protected part of the body. The image reflects God’s vigilant care over His people.

As Shavuot approaches, let us honor God by standing with Israel in meaningful ways and by recognizing the extraordinary endurance of the Jewish people across generations.

Our CBN Israel team invites you to pray with us this week.

Prayer Points:

• Pray with gratitude for Israel’s endurance and resilience through every generation.
• Pray that Shavuot 2026 will be filled with encouragement, protection, and miracles for Israel.
• Pray for wisdom for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu as they make critical decisions.
• Pray for the safety and freedom of the Iranian people who continue to suffer under oppression.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

Mainstream media coverage often leans toward negative narratives, leaving little room for stories of unity and cooperation. Yet a growing movement is taking shape across the United States, driven by rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders who are standing together in support of Israel.

In a time marked by uncertainty and division, many faith communities are seeking reliable information and meaningful ways to respond. Interfaith advocacy is emerging as a fact based and action-oriented effort that combines informed engagement, prayer, and hope. This collaboration reflects a renewed commitment to shared values rooted in Judeo Christian traditions.

A significant example of this momentum was seen recently in Washington, D.C., where 500 rabbis, pastors, and faith leaders from more than 37 states gathered for Israel Advocacy Day. Their presence in the halls of Congress demonstrated a unified voice and a growing commitment to constructive engagement.

This effort brought together a wide range of organizations. Christian participants included the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA, American Christian Leaders for Israel, Eagles’ Wings, Israel Christian Nexus, and the Israel Allies Foundation. Jewish organizations included the Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America, and the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition.

The cooperation between these groups reflects a shift from informal relationships to intentional partnerships. Faith leaders are working together to strengthen understanding, address misinformation, and support policies that reinforce stability and security.

The roots of Israel Advocacy Day can be traced to the aftermath of October 7, 2023, when faith leaders recognized the need for a coordinated response. In a short time, this initiative has developed into a structured platform that engages lawmakers from both major political parties. Participants meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss issues related to Israel, rising antisemitism, and the protection of religious communities.

Shelley Neese, president of The Jerusalem Connection and coordinator for American Christian Leaders for Israel, has observed this transformation firsthand. She notes that Jewish and Christian leaders are no longer simply acquainted. They are working as allies. This partnership has strengthened communication and encouraged greater clarity in how both communities express their support for Israel.

During Israel Advocacy Day on May 6, mixed delegations of rabbis and pastors held 115 meetings across Capitol Hill. These discussions reflected broader public sentiment, including polling data that shows strong support for Israel among American voters. Faith leaders are helping to ensure that this support remains visible and active in the policy arena.

The advocacy agenda focused on reinforcing bipartisan support for Israel, addressing the rise in antisemitic incidents both in the United States and globally, and strengthening protections for houses of worship and faith-based communities.

The gathering concluded with remarks from public officials and community leaders, including Representative Don Bacon, Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter, U.S. Special Envoy Yehuda Kaploun, and senior legal officials focused on civil rights. Their participation highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between faith communities and government leaders.

The evening before Advocacy Day, hundreds gathered for a gala that reflected both concern and hope. Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, described the period since October 7 as deeply challenging. Yet he also pointed to the visible unity between Jews and Christians as a source of encouragement. Religious leaders emphasized the importance of expanding these partnerships in the years ahead.

For many Christian organizations, this level of collaboration represents the fulfillment of long-standing efforts to build meaningful relationships with the Jewish community. The breadth of participation from Jewish organizations signals a shared commitment to future cooperation.

Dr. Susan Michael, president of ICEJ USA, emphasized that support for Israel extends beyond any single community. She noted that it matters to millions of Americans. Jordanna McMillan of the Israel Allies Foundation affirmed that Jewish communities are not alone. Bishop Robert Stearns of Eagles’ Wings Ministries added a clear call to action, stating that passive concern is no longer sufficient and that people of faith must respond with purpose and conviction.

In a time when misinformation spreads quickly, this growing alliance offers a different path. It demonstrates that unity, informed advocacy, and shared purpose can shape meaningful outcomes.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for each Christian organization involved in this effort.
• Pray for each Jewish organization participating in this growing partnership.
• Pray for continued unity and active advocacy among Christians and Jews.
• Pray for members of Congress to maintain strong and informed support for the United States and Israel relationship.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

In an age where deception can spread across social media in seconds, truth remains steady and enduring. While harmful narratives about the United States, Israel, and their alliance continue to multiply, there is another reality that deserves attention. Truth must be spoken clearly and confidently. As Isaiah 62:1 declares, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.”

Even as headlines focus on conflict with Iran, important developments are unfolding that highlight strengthening alliances and meaningful progress. Two such developments offer encouraging news for Israel and its global relationships.

The first is the emergence of the Isaac Accords. In 2025, Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, launched this initiative to deepen ties with Israel, following the framework established by the Abraham Accords. The agreement was formally signed in Jerusalem on April 19 by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Milei, marking a significant shift in Argentina’s foreign policy.

This moment stands in sharp contrast to Argentina’s past. In the years following World War II, the country provided refuge to thousands of Nazi war criminals, including Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele, both central figures in the Holocaust. Today, Argentina has taken a markedly different path. It is now home to the largest Jewish population in Latin America, where Jewish citizens play an active and influential role in society.

The Isaac Accords aim to strengthen cooperation across economic, security, cultural, and diplomatic areas between Israel and Latin American nations. Supported by the Genesis Prize Foundation and the nonprofit American Friends of the Isaac Accords, the initiative promotes shared democratic values and mutual interests.

At the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting the role of the United States in supporting free societies. President Milei’s leadership has been widely recognized, including his selection as a recipient of the Genesis Prize for his strong support of Israel.

Milei has also committed to relocating Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem and has reversed his country’s previous voting patterns at the United Nations to align more closely with Israel. He has prioritized investigations into past terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires, including the bombings of the Israeli embassy and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in the 1990s. These attacks, carried out by Iran-backed operatives, resulted in over one hundred deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Other countries in the region are following Argentina’s lead. Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Paraguay have designated Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organizations. Bolivia has restored diplomatic ties with Israel. Brazil has established a parliamentary caucus focused on strengthening relations with Israel, and Honduras and Chile are exploring similar steps.

These developments also highlight a broader concern. The influence of the Islamic Regime is not limited to the Middle East. Its presence in Latin America has been established over decades through diplomatic and cultural channels. Addressing this influence is increasingly seen as important for regional stability and security.

Another positive change comes from Switzerland. Traditionally known for its neutrality, Switzerland has taken several steps to address terrorism and financial misconduct. Last year, the Swiss parliament banned Hamas and related groups from operating within its borders and strengthened measures to combat terror financing.

These actions represent a shift from longstanding policies that allowed financial secrecy. For years, concerns have been raised about the misuse of funds intended for humanitarian purposes. New regulations aim to increase transparency and cooperation with international partners.

In another significant decision, Switzerland voted against recognizing a Palestinian state, citing the absence of the institutional criteria required for statehood. This position reflects a reassessment of long-standing diplomatic approaches.

Together, these developments from Argentina, Switzerland, and other nations suggest a changing landscape in international relations. They demonstrate that alliances can evolve and that policies can shift toward greater accountability and cooperation.

In a time when negative narratives often dominate, these examples offer a reminder that constructive partnerships and principled decisions are still taking place. Speaking truth with clarity and conviction remains essential.

Our CBN Israel team invites you to join us in prayer.

Prayer Points:

• Pray with gratitude for the development of new international partnerships supporting Israel.
• Pray for President Javier Milei for wisdom, protection, and continued leadership.
• Pray for efforts to counter terrorism and destabilizing influences in Latin America.
• Pray for wisdom and strength for leaders in the United States and Israel.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.