This weekly update is being written in Singapore, where I am speaking and ministering about Jerusalem. I have been speaking about the recent report issued by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague – the international legal capital of the world - saying she probably considers that Israeli policy allowing Jews to live in Samaria, Judea and the Old City of Jerusalem are war crimes under international law.
 
In the eyes of the world, Jews have no place in the land to which God is calling them. I believe this is a sign of the times we are living in. We are witnessing the gradual fulfilment of the prophecies of Zechariah – that Jerusalem will become an “immovable rock” for the nations. 
 
The restoration of Jerusalem is one of the miracles of our age. Another is the spreading of the gospel into the nations. I have been many times in this part of the world, but each time I am amazed how the Lord is raising up a body of Christians who are vitally aware of the times we are living in, and dedicating their lives to living out their faith in the soon coming of Jesus Christ. This too is a sign of the end times – when the gospel of the kingdom will go into the nations prior to the coming of Messiah (Luke 19 and Matthew 24). 
 
May we be encouraged by these signs of the times, and look up to heaven because our redemption is nigh. 
 
Maranatha. 

Turkey, Iran and Iraq
 
Amir Tsafarti reports that Turkey has signed an agreement with the United Nations-recognized government in Libya. “Make no mistake, the true purpose of this agreement is to block the waters of the Mediterranean, not allowing Israel, Cyprus, or Egypt to have direct access to Greece or Italy. Due to this, it is only becoming more obvious that gas and oil are the motives for the next regional war. The Palestinian issue is off the table completely, and now the masks are off. They all want what Israel has. These miserable countries around us simply envy the young, vibrant, and prosperous democracy called Israel.” 
 
Tsafarti also reports: “While hundreds of Muslims are executed by Iranian militias in Iran and Iraq, Europe is once again the scene of brutal antisemitic attacks from Muslim migrants towards Jewish people. Europe is afraid to deal with this demon. Who would imagine that 75 years after the holocaust, France & Germany would once again be this dangerous for Jews.” 
Watch update..
 
 
International Criminal Court considers prosecuting Israeli leaders for war crimes
 
On 5^th December 2019 the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its annual Report on Preliminary Examination Activities 2019. In this report, the Prosecutor, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, gave a summary of the status of the twelve “situations” under examination by her office.
 
The OTP has indicated strongly that it intends to move forward soon to officially investigate Israeli leaders for war crimes and possibly also crimes against humanity relating to the “situation in Palestine”.
 
According to The Hague Initiative for International Cooperation, “the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC is making a grave mistake in moving towards prosecution of Israeli leaders for war crimes in relation to alleged settlement activities”.
Read the Prosecutor’s report here..
 
 
Dutch decision to stop Palestinian financing is unfortunately an exception in Europe 
 
Alain Destexhe reports at Gatestone Institute: “The European Union has, over the years, become increasingly hostile towards Israel. That attitude was confirmed in early November when the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that food products made in the so-called settlements of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights must be labeled as such and may not carry the generic label "Made in Israel."”
 
On the bright side, the Dutch parliament passed a motion on November 19, objecting to providing funding to the Palestinian Authority when some of its budget is earmarked for Palestinian terrorists imprisoned by Israel. By doing so, it not only saved some of Europe's honor, it also sets an example for other European countries.
Read article..

Shabbat shalom, 
 
Andrew Tucker
Editor-in-Chief - Israel & Christians Today
 

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