Ezekiel - Chapters 8 & 9

April 2, 2025

Scripture: Ezeiel 8-9

Ezekiel begins predicting that God's judgment was going to last and would become worse, and the reason that it would last and become worse was that the people's sin was lasting and becoming worse. They refused to repent as they saw God's judgments coming.

Ézéchiel Chapitres 8 Et 9

En Hébreu, Ézéchiel veut dire « par la force de Dieu ». Son ministère était tel qu’il ne pouvait s’accomplir que par la force de Dieu. Les noms des prophètes dépeignaient presque toujours la nature du ministère auquel Dieu les appelaient.

La captivité babylonienne prophétisée par Ésaïe et Jérémie a débuté aux jours d’Ézéchiel. Bien qu’il soit clair qu’il s’agissait du jugement de Dieu, le peuple reniait cette réalité. Tout s’écroulait mais le peuple continuait de croire qu’il était triomphant. C’est ce que nous retrouvons aujourd’hui, par exemple, dans des livres tel que « L’Église Invincible » (« The Unstoppable Church » ? il serait plus approprié de dire « La Mosquée Invincible »…) Nous retrouvons un autre aspect de cette mentalité lorque des gens physiquement malades déclarent que leur corps leur ment. Plusieurs refusent de regarder les faits en face.

Ézéchiel prédit que le jugement de Dieu va demeurer, qu’il ira de pire en pire dans la même mesure que le peuple continue de pécher et qu’il s’y enlise. Le peuple refusait de se repentir. Nous retrouvons ce scénario dans l’Apocalypse : bien que les jugements de Dieu augmentent en fréquence et en intensité, il est écrit que les hommes endurcissent leur cœur, blasphèment Dieu et continuer de pécher. Il en était ainsi aux jours d’Ézéchiel; il en sera ainsi dans les derniers jours. Le livre d’Ézéchiel et celui de l’Apocalyse sont en bonne partie similaires.

Ézéchiel 9 :4 dit ceci : « L'Éternel lui dit: Passe au milieu de la ville, au milieu de Jérusalem, et fais une marque sur le front des hommes qui soupirent et qui gémissent à cause de toutes les abominations qui s'y commettent. » Certaines personnes étaient témoins des abominations qui se commettaient dans la cité de Dieu et la maison de Dieu. Avant que le jugement commence, Dieu a dit de faire une marque sur ceux qui Lui appartiennent vraiment; sur ceux qui voient le mal, le reconnaissent et qui en sont chagrinés.

Apocalypse 7:2?3 “Et je vis un autre ange, qui montait du côté du soleil levant, et qui tenait le sceau du Dieu vivant; il cria d’une voix forte aux quatre anges à qui il avait été donné de faire du mal à la terre et à la mer, et il dit : Ne faites point de mal à la terre, ni à la mer, ni aux arbres, jusqu’à ce que nous ayons marqué du sceau le front des serviteurs de notre Dieu. » En lisant jusqu’au 13e chapitre de l’Apocalypse,

? qui parle de la marque de la bête ? nous voyons que le sceau du Seigneur et la marque de la bête sont mutuellement exclusifs. Nous savons d’après l’histoire et l’archéologie, que la marque du sceau dans Ézéchiel était la lettre hébraïque tov. Aujourd’hui, cette même lettre est écrite un peu comme un « H », avec un pied. Toutefois, aux jours précédant la captivité d’Israël, elle s’écrivait comme une croix un peu penchée. Probablement qu’à l’origine, elle s’écrivait sous la forme d’une croix droite. Ainsi, la marque du sceau de Dieu aux jours d’Ézéchiel était la marque de la croix.

Apocalypse 9 :4 « Il leur fut dit de ne point faire de mal à l’herbe de la terre, ni à aucune verdure, ni à aucun arbre, mais seulement aux hommes qui n’avaient pas le sceau de Dieu sur le front. » Encore une fois, ceux qui appartiennent à Dieu sont scellés avant que Son jugement tombe. L’Église entre dans la Tribulation mais est délivrée du pire. Le temps qu’elle y est, elle est scellée par le Seigneur et protégée. Les 144,000 qui font le ministère ont évidemment aussi le sceau du Seigneur. Les enfants d’Israël ont passé à travers la majeure partie des jugements en Égypte; les mêmes jugements de l’Égypte, mentionnés dans Exode, reviennent de façon eschatologique et c’est ce que nous voyons se produire dans l’Apocalypse: les ténèbres, les eaux changées, etc. Les Hébreux en ont traversé une partie mais ils ont été délivrés du pire. Il en sera ainsi dans les derniers jours. Le peuple de Dieu sera scellé.

Ce principe du sceau de Dieu ne commence pas dans l’Apocalypse, ni dans Ézéchiel mais dans la Torah, au livre d’Exode. Exode 13 :9 « Ce sera pour toi comme un signe sur ta main et comme un souvenir entre tes yeux, afin que la loi de l’Éternel soit dans ta bouche; car c’est par Sa main puissante que l’Éternel t’a fait sortir d’Égypte. »

Retournons à Ézéchiel. Avant que tombe le jugement de Dieu, ceux dont le cœur Lui appartiennent vraiment ? qui voient les abominations, les méchancetés et qui gémissent ? sont scellés par la marque d’une croix.

Au temps d’Ézéchiel, bien que la captivité soit en route, le peuple disait : « c’est temporaire. » Cependant, Nébucadnetsar a envahi Juda à quatre reprises et les résultats empiraient à chaque fois. Comme les vagues du mal déferlent une après l’autre, chacune pire que la précédente, il en sera ainsi des jugements de Dieu.

Une grande partie de la vision d’Ézéchiel concerne le Temple. Ézéchiel 47 est une vision du millénium dans laquelle il voit l’arrière?plan de ce que nous appelons en Hébreu Simchat beit Ha Shoyivah; le rituel du déversement de l’eau sur le Mont du Temple comme étant la célébration de la Fête des Tabernacles

? Hag Succoth ?.

J’ai un jour parlé avec un « Chrétien » Nouvel Âgiste, Patrick Dixon. Il argumentait concernant des états de conscience altérée. Voici l’argument qu’il a utilisé pour dire que le phénomène de Toronto venait de Dieu. Il a cité la réaction de Pierre à la Transfiguration, en disant que son idée de vouloir monter des tentes à cet endroit était ridicule et irraisonnée. Je lui ai répondu qu’il n’y avait rien d’absurde à ce sujet puisque Pierre croyait que la Transfiguration était l’accomplissement messianique de la Fête des Tabernacles.. Moïse et Élie ont été transfigurés avec le Messie, alors Pierre a pensé que le Royaume du Millénium était arrivé. M. Dixon n’avait jamais pensé à cela. Dans son contexte, le comportement de Pierre était très rationnel. M. Dixon m’a ensuite mis au défi en disant : Comment savez?vous? Étiez?vous là? Avez?vous parlé avec Pierre? Je lui ai simplement répondu : « Je sais ce qu’était le symbolisme messianique de la Fête des Tabernacles dans la période du second Temple. » M. Dixon n’avait plus rien à dire. Toutefois, nous voyons que n’importe quel poison peut entrer aujourd’hui…

Les Temples d’Ézéchiel : Sur la cassette « La Typologie du Temple », nous enseignons qu’il existe au moins sept endroits où différents mots sont employés en grec et en hébreu pour désigner le « Temple »

? naos, oikos, hieron, beth mishkan, beth migdash, Ha Hekal sont tous utilisés dans des contextes variés en tant que types de l’Église. 1 Pierre 2 :5 « Et vous?mêmes, comme des pierres vivantes,.. » en est un exemple. Dans Corinthiens, l’Église est appelée le Temple et dans Éphésiens chapitres 2 et 4, le Temple est un portrait de l’Église. Rebâtir le tabernacle de David est mentionné dans le livre des Actes, avec une citation du prophète Amos : « Je (Dieu) rebâtirai le tabernacle de David ». Le Nouveau Testament révèle que l’accomplissement partiel de ceci est l’Église des Gentils. Sur les cassettes concernant l’Antichrist, nous parlons également de l’abomination de la désolation qui est élevée dans le Saint des Saints et mentionnée par Daniel. Ceci s’est accompli, en partie, dans différentes périodes de l’histoire et spécifiquement par Antioche Épiphane. Vous trouverez ceci sur la cassette de Hanukah.

Quoi qu’il en soit, bien que le Temple puisse être rebâti à Jérusalem et que l’abomination de la désolation y soit élevée, cet événement physique ne sera qu’un reflet de ce qui sera en place spirituellement. Lorsque Jésus est mort à la croix, le voile du Temple a été déchiré du haut en bas. Ce miracle physique n’était pas ce qui était primordial. Le plus important est la signification de cet événement. Dans ce cas, cela représentait que l’homme pécheur n’était plus séparé d’un Dieu Saint à cause de Yeshua ? Jésus ? notre grand prêtre. Je n’argumente pas le fait qu’un Temple physique soit reconstruit ayant une abomination de la désolation à l’intérieur. Je dis simplement que ce qui est physique est symbolique du spirituel : l’Antichrist qui veut être adoré dans la maison de Dieu. Nous traitons de ce sujet sur la cassette intitulée l’Antichrist, où nous expliquons la signification araméenne de l’expression « abomination de la désolation ».

Ézéchiel voit des abominations dans la maison du Seigneur. Lisons Ézéchiel 8 à partir du verset 1 : « La sixième année, le cinquième jour du sixième mois, comme j’étais assis dans ma maison, et que les anciens de Juda étaient assis devant moi, la main du Seigneur, de l’Éternel, tomba sur moi. Je regardai, et voici, c’était une figure ayant l’aspect d’un homme; depuis ses reins en bas, c’était du feu, et depuis ses reins en haut, c’était quelque chose d’éclatant, comme de l’airain poli. Il étendit une forme de main, et me saisit par les cheveux de la tête. L’esprit m’enleva entre la terre et le ciel, et me transporta, dans des visions divines, à Jérusalem, à l’entrée de la porte intérieure, du côté du septentrion, où était l’idole de la jalousie, qui excite la jalousie de l’Éternel. Et voici, la gloire du Dieu d’Israël était là, telle que je l’avais vue en vision dans la vallée. Il me dit : Fils de l’homme, lève les yeux du côté du septentrion! Je levai les yeux du côté du septentrion; et voici, cette idole de la jalousie était au septentrion de la porte de l’autel, à l’entrée. » (le trouble vient toujours du nord). « Fils de l’homme » est un titre eschatologique. Ici, Ézéchiel, comme tous les autres prophètes, préfigure Jésus d’une certaine façon.

Jésus n’est jamais appelé le Fils de Dieu dans le contexte eschatologique; lorsque la Bible parle de Son retour, Il est appelé le Fils de l’homme qui vient.

Ézéchiel 8 :6 « Alors il me dit : Fils de l’homme, vois?tu ce que font ces gens, les grandes abominations que commet ici la maison d’Israël, pour m’éloigner de mon sanctuaire? Mais tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations. » Encore une fois, ceci pointe vers une ultime abomination de désolation.

Ézéchiel 8 :7?16 « Alors il me conduisit à l'entrée du parvis. Je regardai, et voici, il y avait un trou dans le mur. Et il me dit: Fils de l'homme, perce la muraille! Je perçai la muraille, et voici, il y avait une porte. Et

il me dit: Entre, et vois les méchantes abominations qu'ils commettent ici! J'entrai, et je regardai; et voici, il y avait toutes sortes de figures de reptiles et de bêtes abominables, et toutes les idoles de la maison d'Israël, peintes sur la muraille tout autour. Soixante?dix hommes des anciens de la maison d'Israël, au milieu desquels était Jaazania, fils de Schaphan, se tenaient devant ces idoles, chacun l'encensoir à la main, et il s'élevait une épaisse nuée d'encens. Et il me dit: Fils de l'homme, vois?tu ce que font dans les ténèbres les anciens de la maison d'Israël, chacun dans sa chambre pleine de figures? Car ils disent: L'Éternel ne nous voit pas, l'Éternel a abandonné le pays. Et il me dit: Tu verras encore d'autres grandes abominations qu'ils commettent. Et il me conduisit à l'entrée de la porte de la maison de l'Éternel, du côté du septentrion. Et voici, il y avait là des femmes assises, qui pleuraient Thammuz. Et il me dit: Vois?tu, fils de l'homme? Tu verras encore d'autres abominations plus grandes que celles?là. Et il me fit entrer dans le parvis intérieur de la maison de l’Éternel; » ? dans l’Ancien Testament, plus on avance à l’intérieur du temple de Dieu, plus l’endroit est saint.

Ézéchiel 8 :16?18 « Et il me conduisit dans le parvis intérieur de la maison de l'Éternel. Et voici, à l'entrée du temple de l'Éternel, entre le portique et l'autel, il y avait environ vingt?cinq hommes, tournant le dos au temple de l'Éternel et le visage vers l'orient; et ils se prosternaient à l'orient devant le soleil. Et il me dit: Vois?tu, fils de l'homme? Est?ce trop peu pour la maison de Juda de commettre les abominations qu'ils commettent ici? Faut?il encore qu'ils remplissent le pays de violence, et qu'ils ne cessent de m'irriter? Voici, ils approchent le rameau de leur nez. Moi aussi, j'agirai avec fureur; mon oeil sera sans pitié, et je n'aurai point de miséricorde; quand ils crieront à haute voix à mes oreilles, je ne les écouterai pas. »

É zéchiel 9 :1?2 « …près de l’autel d’airain. » ? l’autel d’airain est un type de la croix ?. La gloire du Dieu d'Israël s'éleva du chérubin sur lequel elle était, et se dirigea vers le seuil de la maison; et il appela l'homme vêtu de lin, et portant une écritoire à la ceinture. L'Éternel lui dit: Passe au milieu de la ville, au milieu de Jérusalem, et fais une marque sur le front des hommes qui soupirent et qui gémissent à cause de toutes les abominations qui s'y commettent. Et, à mes oreilles, il dit aux autres: Passez après lui dans la ville, et frappez; que votre oeil soit sans pitié, et n'ayez point de miséricorde! » Cependant, Dieu ne leur permet pas de faire du mal à Son peuple; Il commande que premièrement les Siens soient scellés, ensuite le reste sera frappé. Dans Apocalypse, Il ordonne qu’il ne soit pas fait de mal aux arbres ? « les arbres des champs taperont des mains » ? ceci représente Son peuple. C’est ce qui arrive dans Ézéchiel.

Dieu prend Ézéchiel et lui montre une abomination après l’autre. C’est de mal en pire. Regardons la première qu’il voit : l’idole de la jalousie. L’idolâtrie dans la maison du Seigneur. Le terme Hébreu pour « adorer » est hishtakvya, l’infinitif, La Histachavot, « se prosterner. » Lorsque vous voyez quelqu’un se prosterner devant une statue ou une image, c’est un acte d’idolâtrie. Nous retrouvons ces actions dans le Catholicisme romain.

Dieu prend donc Ézéchiel, l’amène entre le ciel et la terre et lui dit : Regarde; maintenant tu vois ce que Je vois, du ciel. Vois?tu ce qu’ils font dans Ma demeure, dans Mon sanctuaire, là où Je suis supposé les rencontrer? Ézéchiel regarde et il est en état de choc. Et Dieu lui dit : cependant, tu verras de plus grandes abominations que celles?ci, fils de l’homme. Et là, Dieu conduit Ézéchiel toujours plus loin dans

l’enceinte du temple; toute sorte de figures de reptiles et toutes les idoles de la maison d’Israël sont peintes tout alentour sur la muraille. Le terme Hébreu est shektzim, d’où découle le mot shikseh, pour une femme faisant partie des Gentils. Dans le livre d’Apocalypse, Satan a deux modes d’opération : le serpent et le dragon. Le dragon est Satan le persécuteur et le serpent est Satan le séducteur. Ces figures de reptiles s’appellent shektzim, qui veut dire « reptiles visqueux. » Elles sont des portraits de démons venant de sectes de l’Orient et de l’Inde, là où les serpents et autres sont adorés. L’abomination de la désolation tire son origine de cela. Des démons sont dans la maison de Dieu. Nous voyons la progression

: de l’idolâtrie à l’adoration de démons.

A partir d’ici, Dieu dit à Ézéchiel : « Tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations dans Ma maison » et Il lui montre les anciens ? leurs pasteurs, les Lévites ou « cohenim » ? et ils sont nommés, ici et ailleurs. Il décrit parmi eux Joazania, fils de Shaphan. Des personnes qui ne devraient pas être là; des gens dont vous n’auriez jamais soupçonné être là ? sont là, leur encensoir à la main. L’encens représente les prières des saints, mais ces prières ne sont pas offertes au vrai Dieu. Ces gens n’adorent pas le vrai Dieu. Jérémie, Paul et Jean ont publiquement dénoncé ces dirigeants qui persistaient à conduire le peuple loin de Dieu. Les apôtres et les prophètes les nommaient sans hésiter.

Nous voyons donc dans le texte d’Ézéchiel l’idolâtrie, l’adoration de démons et maintenant les dirigeants conduire le peuple dans ces activités.

« Tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations. » Et Dieu montre à Ézéchiel l’adoration de Thammuz. Thammuz est un enfant?dieu, tenu dans les bras de sa mère, la Madonne. L’image, chez les Catholiques, de la Madonne avec son enfant est une forme d’adoration de Thammuz. Rien de moins. Dans Jérémie 44, nous voyons des femmes faire des gâteaux pour la Reine du Ciel. Ceci est un parallèle de l’adoration de Marie. Chez les Catholiques, Jésus est dépeint comme un enfant sans défense, alors que sa mère est l’adulte qui est fort. Ils déclarent que Marie est co?rédemptrice, co?médiatrice et co?sauveur. Marie est la plus grande femme de l’histoire, mais elle a déclaré elle?même son besoin du Sauveur.

« Tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations » dit l’Éternel.

« Fils de l’homme, vois?tu ce qu’ils font? » Premièrement l’idolâtrie, ensuite les démons, ensuite les dirigeants qui adorent les démons, qui conduisent le peuple de Dieu à faire ces choses et les éloignent de Dieu, puis l’adoration de Thammuz. Quoi d’autre encore?

Dieu conduit Ézéchiel dans le parvis intérieur, entre le portique et l’autel. Et là, les gens adorent le soleil; ils prient ouvertement d’autres dieux. Les religions babyloniennes impliquaient d’autres éléments que l’adoration, tel que l’immoralité. L’immoralité et l’idolâtrie vont ensemble. Dans la Grèce antique, il s’agissait de prostituées, de la corruption du sexe dans l’adoration. Toute initiation satanique comprend un rituel à connotation sexuelle.

C’est de pire en pire. Les jugements prédits par Dieu via Ésaïe et Jérémie s’accomplissaient et les gens les ignoraient. Ils continuaient dans leurs péchés. Entretemps, les dirigeants disaient : L’Éternel n’est pas concerné par ces choses; c’est un jeu. Ce n’est que notre travail. Nous avons tellement de gens à temps

plein dans le ministère ? certains Évangéliques parmi eux ? pour qui cela n’est qu’une carrière. Pour eux, le ministère n’est qu’un travail et non un appel, une passion, que Dieu leur a donné comme vocation.

Finalement, Dieu dit « Scelle ceux qui M’appartiennent vraiment. » Il n’y a plus d’espoir. Dieu n’aura aucune compassion, excepté pour ceux qui voient et qui gémissent. Dieu conduit Ézéchiel et lui dit : Regarde Mon sanctuaire et Ézéchiel est horrifié. Dieu dit : d’autres voient ce que tu vois et sont horrifiés. Ils gémissent en voyant les abominations commises dans Ma maison : l’idolâtrie, l’immoralité et le fait que les dirigeants conduisent Mon peuple à participer à ces péchés. Ceux qui gémissent seront scellés et Mon jugement viendra.

Une sorcière de magie blanche a été le premier aumonier choisi dans une université britannique. « Susan Ladourne a pris ce poste à l’Université Leeds pour conseiller les étudiants qui croient à l’occultisme. Cette sorcière de 29 ans guidera les étudiants dans la magie, les rituels païens et l’adoration. » « Mais tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations. » Que peuvent?elles être?

Les prêtres ? ceux qui devaient mieux savoir ? ont participé à l’immoralité et à l’occulte. Écoutez ceci : « L’aumonier senior Anglican de l’université, le Révérend Simon Robinson, accepte que la sorcière ait un rôle à jouer. Il déclare : « Nous avons déjà des aumoniers de différentes religions. » Les prêtres se tiennent debout avec leur encensoir, pendant que se déroulent l’abomination et l’idolâtrie; leurs propres dirigeants les approuvent. C’est ce que nous retrouvons dans Ézéchiel. « Dieu ne voit pas », disent les cohenim; « Dieu ne voit pas », disent les Lévites. Et c’est exactement ce que dit le clergé de l’Église de l’Angleterre aujourd’hui.

« Tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations dans Ma maison, dit l’Éternel ». « Vivre ensemble n’est plus un péché », selon le journal Yorkshire Evening Post. L’Église d’Angleterre change son attitude sur les valeurs familiales. « Vivre dans le péché n’est plus un péché », a?t?elle annoncé.

Je vivais dans le péché lorsque Jésus est entré dans ma vie. Je vivais avec une italo?américaine, en face des Nations Unies à New York. J’ai pris le reste de mes drogues et les ai jetées par la fenêtre. Le leader de « Juifs pour Jésus » en ce temps?là, me dit : « Tu te maries ou tu te sépares. Même si vous ne couchez pas ensemble, ta situation a l’apparence du péché et compromet ton témoignage. » J’ai conduit cette femme à Christ et, désirant suivre le Seigneur, je lui ai dit de se trouver un autre logement.

Je me suis fait dire au début de ma vie chrétienne que je ne pouvais vivre ainsi. « Que le lit conjugal soit gardé de toute souillure. » Je me suis fait dire que bien que je ne couchais plus avec elle, cela avait quand même l’apparence de péché. Mes voisins, devant qui je me devais d’avoir un bon témoignage, ne m’auraient pas cru! Mais maintenant, selon l’Église d’Angleterre, ce n’est plus un péché. J’ai téléphoné au Lambert Palace, la résidence officielle de l’archevêque George Carey qui, dit?on, est un Évangélique charismatique. J’ai demandé qu’on me rappelle. J’ai reçu un coup de téléphone me demandant la raison de mon appel et je leur ai répondu : « Je lis dans le Nouveau Testament que le lit conjugal doit être gardé de toute souillure; l’archevêque peut?il m’expliquer comment je peux le garder de toute souillure s’il n’y a pas de mariage? » Je n’ai jamais reçu d’autre appel.

« Tu verras encore de plus grandes abominations dans Ma maison, dit l’Éternel. » Le terme Grec demonoi et le terme Hébreu shedim sont utilisés dans le Deutéronome et 1 Corinthiens pour déclarer que d’autres dieux sont des démons. Ézéchiel a vu des shedim ? des figures rampantes, des démons ? être vénérées dans la maison de Dieu, dans Son sanctuaire. Allez à la Cathédrale de Canterbury et regardez?y l’adoration multi?confessionnelle. Visitez la chapelle Anselm. Vous y verrez des bouddhistes, des musulmans, des hindouistes, des sikh adorer leurs dieux et les « chrétiens » y participent.

Don't bit ethe hand that feeds you - Irish hypocrisy towards Israel

By David Passmore • August 21, 2026
Don't bite the hand that feeds you - Irish hypocrisy towards Israel Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM Amongst European nations, Ireland in recent years has gained the reputation as being the leading anti-Zionist country. The Irish Republic has never been favourably inclined to Israel. It only established an Embassy in Tel Aviv in 1996. In poll after poll the vast majority of the Irish public have indicated hostility towards Zionism and strong support for Palestinian Statehood. The curious aberration to this is that in British Ruled Northern Ireland support is demarcated along sectarian lines. Catholic Republican areas predictably tend to ardently support the Palestinian cause, while Protestant Unionist communities are overwhelmingly pro-Israel. Perhaps some credence can be given to sentiments of traditional Catholic antisemitism hardwired into the Irish psyche as contributing towards this disposition. It was certainly odd that the Irish government promptly sent a delegation to the Nazi German Ambassador in Dublin to convey condolences after news of Hitler's suicide broke at the end of WW2. But more concretely if you were to ask the average Irish protester on a pro-Palestine march the basis of their empathy for the Palestinian cause, they would point to the ostensible parallels between the Irish experience of fighting for independence from British colonial oppression to the plight of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Further remonstrations on a diplomatic level concern the actions of the IDF interreacting with Irish Peace Keepers in Southern Lebanon that have caused the deaths of several Irish Peace Keepers over the decades in friendly fire incidents. Ireland has contributed the most peace keepers to this mission per capita and the government has condemned Israel for these deaths that they view as avoidable. This animosity towards Israel is unbalanced. There are reasons to consider that Ireland and Israel have a shared experience of national liberation. Both countries fought the British in the pursuit of independence. Both countries made great efforts to resurrect their ancient languages for modern wide scale use. Both the Irish and Jews form major diaspora communities in New York. Despite all this Ireland ranks as Israel's second largest export market after the US. The preponderance of Israeli exports to Ireland comprises electronic integrated circuits, micro-assemblies, and tech manufacturing components. American multinational colossal tech corporations like Intel are substantially engrossed in this trade through the chain of supply. Ireland and Israel are hubs for design and manufacture of high-tech hardware components for US corporations. So, due to the nature of the most prosperous and competitive sectors of their respective economies, Israel and Ireland are inextricably bound in bilateral trade ties. Resolutions from the Irish government to impose sanctions on West Bank originating produce is merely perfunctory rhetoric. Such actions amount to a drop in the bucket in terms of impact to overall trade. The stark reliance of Ireland on advanced Israeli aviation equipment recently caused a spectacle when Ireland's new government jet struggled to land in heavy fog due to it being ordered without an advanced Israeli made navigation system. This was directly due to a short-sighted government decision not to buy Israeli military technology. There is a marked disparity between the official position of the Irish government designed for domestic public consumption and the economic policies that it actually pursues towards Israel. The government is acutely aware that the US is massively invested in the Irish economy and they don't want to do anything to jeopardise this. Washington demands that their enterprises in Dublin are intertwined with operations in Israel. The Irish government dare not even prevent US military supply flights refuelling at Shannon Airport on their way to Tel Aviv. The Irish government knows that times change and now the gripping social issue is the anti-immigrant/anti-Islam popular street protests. Soon the anti-Israel protests could become a mere side show only really promoted by Sinn Fein given the pressing ramifications of mass migration. So, in the meantime certain politicians will rile against the occupation, purported genocide and pass paltry sanctions against insignificant produce from the West Bank. All the while making hand over fist in money with the Israelis where it really matters in tech.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

The tide has Changed

By David Passmore • July 31, 2026
The Tide Has Changed Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The America that Netanyahu touched down on is a changed America. The death of Lindsey Graham represents a changing of the guard. Graham was a staunch Israeli ally who will most probably become an increasingly rare breed in Washington. Sixty percent of Americans now hold a unfavourable view of Israel which politicians are finding difficult to ignore. It was once unthinkable to believe that New York City with such a strong Jewish electoral base and influence on all sectors of economic and cultural life would have a mayor that is so hostile to Israel to such an extent that he is calling for the arrest of its Prime Minister. From all accounts Netanyahu was cordially welcomed at the White House. The official press release stated that the talks were constructive. What is more telling is what was left unsaid particularly concerning the proposed sale of F35's to Israel's new regional adversary -Turkey. Trump is keen to find a swift resolution to the Iran War, while Netanyahu is opposed to a premature departure. When the US and Israel initiated their attacks on Iran over five months ago, Trump and Netanyahu appeared united in the War's goals and purpose. But as the protracted conflict has staggered to topple the Iranian regime fractures have emerged. Much has been said about the imminent political realities both leaders face. The Republicans could take a big hit in the November midterm elections should the war continue and global energy markets be negatively impacted. Netanyahu is anxious to demonstrate a big win to the Israeli public with the upcoming October election. In Israel, the Iran War is not viewed in isolation, but rather as an extension of the response to the colossal disaster of the October 7th massacre. Netanyahu must rehabilitate his reputation as a competent steward of national security having had the greatest loss of civilian life in an attack happening under his watch. Aside from the Iran issue, Trump is being pressured by Erdogan to insist upon Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory pre-emptively seized by Israel following the toppling of Assad. Trump has also indicated disapproval of the extent of continuing Israeli measures against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, questioning the proportionality employed. Netanyahu is not in an envious position. Throughout his tenure and political career, he lauded his ability to engage successfully with the American public by zealously advocating Israel's position. Yet under his government Israel's reputation has plummeted in the US. Trump may be the last US President to extend such overwhelming bilateral support to Israel. The days of politicians like Lindsey Graham are fast ending. While John Fetteman and Marco Rubio appear to be remaining more solid, even some of the most warmly inclined leading Republican and Democrat voices like Donald Trump and Rahm Emanuel have nuanced their support for Israel. The tide has shifted and will at best level off if not continuing to shift further.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

The Saudi Nuclear Deal: An attempt to alter the Regional Balance of Power

By David Passmore • July 24, 2026
The Saudi Nuclear Deal: An attempt to alter the Regional Balance of Power Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The initiative to develop a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia with US assistance isn't new. There were concrete plans discussed towards these ends during the first Trump Administration. The recent announcement to actualize this deal follows the geo-political regional tumult in the wake of the Iran War. Several dimensions of motivation underlie the US decision. An overarching US strategic agenda is to keep the Saudis firmly in the American sphere of influence. Washington knows all too well that the Chinese and Russians are eager to offer their nuclear technical assistance to the Saudis in order to draw them closer to their camp. On a personal note, the nuclear agreement is a significant achievement for Bin Salaman. The Saudis have long had designs to diversify their energy supplies. Having a civilian nuclear program also adds prestige to Saudi Arabia as an emerging market economy. For the US, a monopoly on contracting companies for the requisite construction offers lucrative economic opportunities. Although the Civilian Nuclear deal does not allow the enrichment of Uranium, the Saudis will be in a position to do so if Washington gives the green light. This will act as a counterbalanced threat hanging over the Iranians. After the recent flare up of renewed fighting with Iran due to their lack of adherence to the moratorium of understanding, something had to budge in Trump's estimation. A reconfiguration of the power balance in the Gulf by introducing the potential of Saudi Arabia to be able to acquire nuclear weapons shifts the dynamic and places further pressure on Iran to strictly abstain from nuclear proliferation. Despite Israeli concerns about the agreement, Trump sought to assuage their alarm by making it contingent upon Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with them. Given the inherently unstable nature of an autocratic Saudi regime Israel views a diplomatic relationship with the Saudis as being on precarious footing in the long term. Israel is already forced to contend with the implications of one nuclear armed Muslim state - Pakistan and it will further weaken its own deterrent capability if another similarly capable hostile neighbour were to emerge in the future. The roles of Turkey and Qatar in all this foray are a wild card. Officially Turkey is served under the NATO nuclear umbrella for defence that is subject to US control. However, its civilian nuclear program remains in its infancy. Now with the Saudi deal, Erdogan may be inclined to exert pressure on the US to help accelerate his own nuclear program. Just as Erdogan's efforts to acquire F35 fighter jets from the US greatly disturbed Israeli military planners, a heightened Turkish nuclear ability will intensify this fear. Qatar views itself as pursuing its own independent foreign policy that has managed to remain rather neutral during the current war, thereby escaping the ire of Iran's strikes on US regional assets. Overall, the Qatari government has grown closer to the Turkish vision for the region and so likely isn't particularly amiable to the Saudi agreement. Ultimately the Saudi deal is a gamble. Many will see it as throwing more fuel on the fire which will further imperil the tinder box region and heighten tensions. But Trump finds himself at a continuing impasse with a stubborn regime in Tehran that is leveraging their geographic hold on the straits of Hormuz to inflict damage on the global energy markets. Iranian strikes upon US Arab regional allies have underscored the de facto alliance between Israel and the Arabs against Iran and its Shia proxies. The US hopes to use the Saudi nuclear deal as a means of making this alliance official by having Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords as a pre-condition.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

Circling the Wagons

By David Passmore • July 14, 2026
Circling the wagons Ruben Rothler LLB, LLM Israel is a society riddled with tension and division. It is sociologically, if not politically miraculous that a country drawing Jews from all over the world is able to exist at all. The army affords a degree of integration as a melting pot. But this is only a marginal source of national unity in the overall scheme of things. More so are the myriads of external threats that face this small country. In the former generation the Ashkenazi (Jews of European descent) - Sephardic (Jews of Oriental descent) divide was far more pronounced. The dominant Ashkenazi establishment held the reins of political and economic power which was resented by the Sephardim. However, due to a combination of inter-marriage and political accommodation much of the chasm that separated these distinct groups was forged. Menachem Begin (an Ashkenazi politician) in 1970 successfully ran on the Likud Party ticket with a campaign that brought Sephardic Jews under his conservative political umbrella. Later the immigration of Russian Jews following the end of Communism would add a whole new dimension to the Israeli demographic milieu. The younger generation of these immigrants tended to adapt well to Israeli society and contributed much to the economy. The wider division in Israeli society that crosses ethnic lines concerns that between religious and secular Jews. This can be further bifurcated to the clash between the secular and specifically ultra-orthodox Jews (Haredim) as distinguished from the national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Secular and the Religious generally part on what they envisage a Jewish State to entail. Religious Jews desire the State to strictly adhere to the stipulations of Jewish Law (Halacha), while at present Halakhic influence is largely limited to certain areas of Family Law concerning Jewish citizens. Wider considerations of promoting a socially conservative political agenda would also be forefront amongst the religious mindset broadly. Secular Jews view the imposition of such proposed measures as a serious infringement of their civil rights. With regard to the Haredim, the bone of contention looms larger, in that this group is fundamentally opposed to participating in society at large. This is acutely manifested in diminished contribution to the work force and a refusal to be conscripted into the army. The 2023 judicial reform protests posed a significant threat to social civil order. The nation appeared to be bitterly divided into two opposing camps. This split reflected broader divisions concerning visions of how the country should be governed. The judicial reforms would have weakened the Supreme Court's ability to render the Executive branch accountable. However, the Supreme Court was also accused of using its considerable powers to promote a socially liberal agenda. Left wing secular Israelis tended to oppose the proposed reforms while those on the right (which included the majority of Religious Jews) supported the reforms. Every weekend droves of protesters were brought onto the streets causing major disturbances to traffic. The polarising nature of this impasse threatened the future of Israeli democracy. It was the October 7th attack that brought a swift end to this public debate and civil strife. The nation instinctually united in response to this common existential threat. The judicial reforms were shelved for a future point when the urgent security threats subsided. However, as the war dragged on the enduring issue of Haredi refusal to conscript into the army became more pronounced. Mounting casualties combined with ever increasing manpower demands to field troops on the multiple theatres of action on which the IDF is engaged has depleted the ranks, and the army is now in much need of fresh conscripts. Haredi belligerent refusal to participate in the pressing national defence has escalated from being a political debate to a matter of very practical vital importance. Overall we can observe that the challenges to national unity in successive generations since the establishment of Israel has recurrently been ameliorated by the common necessity of defence towards outside threats. Most recently we can see this happening with regard to the global anti Semitism and anti-Zionism that has been raging since the October 7th atrocities. These hostile attitudes have paradoxically acted as a force which promotes nationalism and a sense of national cohesion in Israel that otherwise might not functionally exist.  (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

A Divided Nation

By David Passmore • July 8, 2026
A Divided Nation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The Haredi community has had a complicated, paradoxical relationship with the State since its founding. Rooted in a Talmudic precept that the Jews are forbidden to resettle the land of Israel en masse by force before the coming of the Messiah, the secular democratic State of Israel presents itself as blasphemous by its mere existence. Yet due to practical considerations such as the need to obtain funding for its religious academies the Haredi leadership reached a settlement with the State's founders that exempted Haredi men from being conscripted for military service. This was at a time when the Haredi population in Israel was relatively small. Over the past decades this demographic ballooned until the point that soon the majority of Jewish children in Israel will be born into Haredi families. Such a situation is clearly unsustainable. Recently the Knesset's (Parliament's) Haredi parties have pressured their coalition partners in government to codify Torah Study as part of the Country's Basic Laws. This was purposefully done to elevate the status of their institutions to be on parity with service in the IDF. Israel is yet to promulgate a written Constitution, so legislation classed as a Basic Law holds Constitutional status for all intents and purposes. These moves by the religious parties represent a back door power grab to enshrine in law very significant hurdles to prevent the enlistment of Haredi men. The burden of Israel's defence is comparatively massive for a country its size and it is vastly disproportionately shouldered by the secular population. Until now there have been political initiatives to conscript the Haredim. But given the huge manpower shortages emerging in the wake of near continual conflict on multiple fronts since the events of October 7th this matter has become urgent and not merely a theoretical discussion of what is fair and equitable. It is important to draw a distinction between the Haredim and national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Haredim adhere to a lifestyle entirely committed to observance of Jewish Law and Talmudic study. This is embraced to the exclusion of gainful employment and participation in wider society. They are either outrightly opposed to Zionism or consider themselves non-Zionist. Conversely, followers of the national religious movement in Israel although being observant of Jewish law and learning would alongside this pursue secular professions. Furthermore, they are ardently Zionist and disproportionately serve in IDF combat units. This is often done within the framework of a program called Hesder Yeshiva that combines religious learning with military service. Efforts to cater a similar model for accommodating Haredi participation in the IDF have so far failed to make substantial gains. Such measures designed to override Haredi objections to service based upon modesty concerns by strict segregation of the sexes in these specially formed units have failed to appease the Haredi leadership. For them, any form of military service is considered a dereliction of their duty to fully devote themselves to a Torah lifestyle. They argue that their Talmudic learning and prayers are in itself a form of national service and act to protect the Jewish people spiritually from enemy attack. It is as if two parallel societies exist within Israel. And the trajectory of separation between the two is only growing. The Haredim are cloistered away in their Yeshivas, immersed in lives devoted to adhering to the stipulations of Jewish law. While the particulars of actually running the State is left to the Secular. The Haredim desire all the benefits of subsidizing their lifestyle without contributing to society. What we really have going on here at source is two profoundly different and opposing ideological visions of what is important in life and what is the purpose of a Jewish State. At the State's founding these divergent perspectives were more manageable. Ben Gurion only had to contend with one religious party –the National Religious Party. Later in 1970 Begin aligned with the NRP to form a coalition government that also brought Sephardic Jews under the Likud umbrella which had the effect of bringing unity to the country by bridging the Ashkenazi-Sephardi divide. However, over time Israeli politics has seen a proliferation of religious parties, gaining further leverage as king brokers in forming governments due to the proportionate representation voting system which secular Israelis not uncommonly view as political blackmail. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

Why Is It Always Israel? | Zechariah 12 Is Happening Before Our Eyes

By David Passmore • June 29, 2026
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Pray for South Africa!

By Mea Fredrickson • June 23, 2026
New Paragraph

Disclosure - A Christian response

By David Passmore • June 22, 2026
THE CAPTION AT THE HEAD OF THE POSTER IMAGE FOR THE MOVIE ‘DISCLOSURE DAY’ BOLDLY DECLARES ‘WE DESERVE TO KNOW’ Indeed, we do need to know the truth. But will we find it in Stephen Spielberg’s new movie ‘Disclosure Day’? Could it just as well be entitled ‘DECEPTION DAY’? In an interview with USA Today Spielberg says that evidence of non-human contact has become “overwhelming” to him. He has suggested that his film could raise significant theological questions for Christians. But will it? For us Christians - No, not on our watch! The movie raises no questions for those who accept the proven accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible. The film, which is capturing the imagination of the public, only confirms exactly what scripture tells us about what are in fact extra-dimensional beings. ALIENS OR FALLEN ANGELS? God inhabits the heavenly realm along with a vast array of angels. Because Lucifer, a created angel, wanted to usurp God as ruler of the universe, he was expelled to another realm outside of our time and space, along with one third of the angels who rebelled with him. These fallen angels manifest themselves as demons who can appear on earth and disappear at will. Spiritual hosts of wickedness exist in heavenly places, wherever this realm is, it is not the place where God dwells. ARE ALIENS BENEVOLENT? In the movie, the ‘aliens’ are portrayed as friendly beings who want to help mankind in a time of crisis. If the aliens are really demons, not visitors from outer space, this is a dangerous delusion. Whitley Striber in his book ‘Communion’ writes on encountering ‘aliens’; ‘I felt an indescribable sense of menace. Whatever was there seemed so monstrously ugly, so filthy, so dark and sinister. Of course they were demons. They have to be.’ Many others have reported similar malevolent experiences. During the movie, Daniel claims to have had an encounter with extra-terrestrials during which he received a special gift of empathy, which is regarded by him as the ultimate superpower. However, there is only One who completely understands our human frailty. We read this concerning Jesus: ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.’ (Hebrews 4 v 15). Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11 v 28) END TIMES DECEPTION Before he was crucified, Jesus warned his disciples about these last days in which we are living. The first words he used in this context were: “Watch no one deceives you. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Deception was top of the list! Later, the Apostle Paul wrote about these days: ‘The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.’ (2 Thessalonians 2 v 9) Have you received the love of the truth? Have you received Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life? If not, you are in great danger. Perilous times are here and they are only going to get worse as man turns more and more away from his maker. Things will only change when Jesus returns soon to establish his own Kingdom on earth, where justice and peace will rule. JESUS, OUR ONLY HOPE! The Bible says all human beings are sinners. The message of Jesus is simple; repent and believe the good news, that God wants humanity, his highest creation, to be reestablished in relationship with him. His plan was simple: to give his life in unconditional love for every human being that has and ever will live, by shedding his blood on a Roman cross. In doing this, we can receive forgiveness of sins. Our old life will then be buried with him, giving us new life with the hope of an eternal future of true peace, love and joy, with freedom from pain and tears. Why ignore such a great gift of salvation? If you do, your fate will be sealed for eternity in hell, which is a real place without God, and thus without love, to face only eternal consequences of punishment. We condemn ourselves to such a fate. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Jesus loves you and asks that you repent and believe in him. It would be the best and safest decision of your life! If you commit your life to him, he will give you a new heart, you will be a new person inside. You will also gain a new desire for all that is right and true. And his Holy Spirit will give you an ability to discern the lies of the age we are living in. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) FINALLY, A RECOMMENDATION  All that is described in this leaflet has been open, in the light for millennia. On the other hand, the theory of extra-terrestrial life has been hidden in darkness, awaiting ‘Disclosure Day’. Which would you prefer to believe, the Word of God, or the word of Stephen Spielberg? I made my choice years ago, and have never regretted it! If this message has spoken to you, just call upon Jesus in a short prayer. Confess to him that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Ask him in sincerity to forgive you and to fill you with his Holy Spirit. You will then become what the Bible describes as being ‘born again’. (John 3 v 7) Then you need to seek a Bible believing church where you can be baptised and become part of a group of believers who can help you get to know Jesus more and more fully. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8 v 32)

Prayer request for Teerth Sond

By David Passmore • June 20, 2026
Prayer request for Teerth Sond Petitioned Prayer-Supplication/Personal Prayer/ Collective Prayer/Thanks Giving Prayer Our Dear brethren in Yeshua, my family & myself Teerth request your prayers in The Spirit that the latest drugs Ramicirumab & Pacilitaxel will destroy the cancer cell in the Authority Of The Lord Yeshua in The Power of The Holy Spirit. Targeted Petition: Please stand with us in prayer & fasting; The Lord will target the 2cm legion & that it will be cast out of my Liver in the love (agape), compassion, kindness, grace, mercy of God. I do not deserve it because of me- but By His Stripes we are healed for His Glory. This will allow the main operation to go ahead (which should have been done 18 months ago). Step by Step in the leading of The Holy Spirit and the in the Lord Step by Step, as our beautiful sister Beryl said, has worked on my Spiritual man- thank you Lord for waking me up. Lord raise me up for your glory forever because of your love to me, the family & fellowship- an unworthy sinner saved by your grace & love. Email sent to my Oncologist & my Local MP: Greetings Natasha & Dr Mano Joseph Hope All Is Well Thank you for our meeting today. At our meeting we discussed my MRI & CT scans which were done in May 2026. We discussed the operation on my oesophagus which I believe is the best option. (This should have been done 18 months ago). My Kidney operation will be done- non evasive- Lord willing within the next month. Will you be talking to Mr Chacravaty about this? The liver must be targeted first- this is wisdom and the latest radiotherapy treatments available- proton therapy-radiotherapy atezolizumab and bevacizumab sorafenib lenvatinib regorafenib cabozantinib durvalumab and tremelimumab At the meeting we discussed the next CT & MRI scans to be held end off July. Wouldn't it be to better to have them in August so by then I've had 4 full treatments on the latest medication. Also we have Zolbetuximab on compassionate usage- all glory to The Lord. After all the past wrongs I have no doubt now Dr Joseph you will pursue the best for me and family. Dear brethren- King Manasseh, David, Hannah, The Church For Peter, James, The Lord Jesus Christ for example made petitions onto the Lord. We pray as one body to cast off the illness in the Power of The Holy & The Authority Of Yeshua. The Great Physician who came for the ill. To lay out raised hands 🙌🏽 upon the head of our Lord. ABBA/Daddy/Lord in your mercy have mercy on us. Love you all in Yeshua our Lord & God. Teerth, Family & Fellowship

The End of an Extended Honeymoon – Are Trump and Netanyahu Parting Ways?

By David Passmore • June 19, 2026
The End of an Extended Honeymoon – Are Trump and Netanyahu Parting Ways? Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM  The Israeli public had high hopes for Trump. Unlike his predecessors, he consistently endorsed Israeli measures of self-defence in the different theatres of conflict in which it had to contend. Further to these ends Trump shared in Netanyahu’s determined agenda of preventing the Iranians from pursuing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During Trump's first term he tore up Obama's negotiated settlement with the Iranians concerning enriched Uranium, echoing Netanyahu’s position that it didn't go far enough. Now in his second term Trump partnered with Israel in a war with Iran that turned out to lack clearly defined goals. The campaign required resolve on the part of America that it wasn't willing to commit. After an initial lightning blitzkrieg that decapitated the Iranian leadership, the Persians dug in and the conflict became a protracted war of attrition hinging on Iran's stranglehold on the straits of Hormuz that could only be realistically lifted by placing boots on the ground or an intensified air war directed against Iranian coastal positions and the destruction of Kharg island, or at least the viable threat to obliterate Kharg island if Iran did not acquiesce. It transpired that Trump and Netanyahu underestimated the resilience of the Iranian regime, thinking that it had already received a near mortal blow during the prior popular demonstrations. So now we are left with a situation where Trump is exasperated with this protracted endeavour and appears to be aiming his frustration towards Netenyahu. A sticking point is Israel's continued occupation of Southern Lebanon. Iran is insistent that Israel withdraw its forces from there as a precursor to fully committing itself to a final status agreement with the U.S. to put an end to its nuclear aspirations. With the midterm elections looming Trump seems to be desperate for an exit strategy from this war. From Israel's perspective the fight against Hizbollah is an inextricable part of the Iranian equation. The IDF has invested massive resources and personnel in the hopes of quashing the Iranian proxy once and for all. Netanyahu is determined to build on the momentum achieved after the spectacular pager attack in 2024. After the catastrophic Hamas massacres of October 7th, the majority of the Israeli public is unwilling to tolerate a capable hostile force on its borders. Trump's proposed solution to this dilemma unrealistically suggests that Syria should take on the role of disarming and removing Hizbollah from Lebanon. In the ultimate reckoning of international relations, America doesn't have iron clad allies, but rather interests like any other nation. If, (as appears to be occurring now) U.S. and Israeli interests fail to align the two countries will cease to act in unison and there may be a rupture in relations on the not-too-distant horizon. Trump has indicated that Israel owes him big time. He has asserted that were it not for his decisive actions they would have been obliterated by Iran's missiles. This is nothing to say of the robust diplomatic support Trump has lent Israel in such forums as the United Nations Security Council and sanctioning officials of the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu is acutely aware of what may be next after Trump. The way public opinion is turning against Israel it is unlikely that the next administration is going to be any way near as friendly as Trump has been thus far to Israel. Trump too of course is mindful of this turning tide opposing Israel. The Iran war has been unpopular to his domestic audience, and the President has been caricatured as Netanyahu’s stooge doing Israel's bidding. Another major consideration for Trump is the colossal impact that the war has had on his other major regional allies: the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. They have received the brunt of the Iranian backlash that has effectively targeted their energy infrastructure and trading routes. They, along with the Europeans have been exerting pressure on Trump to end the conflict and reopen the Straits of Hormuz regardless of whether the most favourable terms of Iranian capitulation are achieved. Israel, however important a strategic asset and technological powerhouse will not override these broader concerns that are endangering global energy markets. An unspoken factor is Trump's propensity for a belligerent severing of his relationship with allies in the political sphere. His public displays of hostility with former political allies such Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Ron Santos and Elon Musk demonstrate a temperament that the same kind of falling out could invoke with strategic allies as well as those political. Both Trump and Netanyahu are approaching the sunset of their political careers and are naturally inclined to deeply consider the legacies they will leave behind. In the international sphere Trump projected himself as a peacemaker from a position of strength. But as many commentators have pointed out, the war with Iran demonstrated the limits of U.S. power. Trump appraised Iran as low hanging fruit that could be swiftly toppled like Venezuela. However, when push came to shove and the only prospect of landing a decisive blow demanded a massive ground offensive on the scale of the Iraq war, he bottled out and sued for a premature peace that will leave Netanyahu in the cold. Netanyahu is anxious to rehabilitate the injury inflicted on his reputation of the greatest disaster to have occurred in Israel's history having happened on his watch. Eliminating Iran as the great regional adversary pulling the strings of its proxies would have done much in this regard. Neither leader is able to craft their legacies as they would have wanted. Trump is choosing the perceived option of mitigating the damage done to his legacy in foreign affairs. He is trying hard to sell his Iran deal as being more than what Obama bargained in terms of guaranteeing a nuclear free Iran. But as further details of his proposal are leaked this is becoming a tall order. Netanyahu is faced with October elections and he may decide to stay the course in Lebanon as otherwise he will seem weak to most voters. Should this happen, we will be in uncharted waters as it will thwart Trump's designs for an immediate end to this affair.