To all those readers and old friends who have emailed and called us since Thursday out of concern for the plight of Christians in the Holy Land and for those who want further clarification, thank you for reaching out.

I know the news that does eventually make its way to your parts of the world comes piecemeal at best, and at worst, with twisted narratives. In the past two weeks there have been several different slanders, accusations and confusing stories from Judaea and Samaria (West Bank) and from Gaza. Of course, the international community seems to get involved before having all the facts, so once again….here we go.

First, leading newspapers around the world have headlined with dramatic photos of starving babies…the humanitarian aid crisis and mass starvation of the Gazan people. The above photograph appeared on the front pages of the NYT, the UK’s Daily Express, and was picked up by Sky News, BBC, CNN and other media outlets. The young boy, Mohammad alMatouq suffers from a rare genetic condition and muscle disorders unrelated to starvation according to independent investigative journalist, David Collier. Mohammad’s mother as well as his younger brothers, who was photoshopped out of the picture is healthy. This is not to diminish the immense tragedy, but to give context. There is an undeniable humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

But not for the reasons you’ve been told. This is a story that goes way back. I have covered it numerous times. No one wants to see people in a famine – especially innocent children. They deserve dignity as human beings, not suffering for political gain. Since the beginning of the war, there have been continual attempts made to get food, medicine and supplies into Gaza.

Unfortunately, the situation is a complete balagan or crazed mess. Hamas still rules Gaza. Despite Israeli attempts to get desperately needed supplies to the people, Hamas operatives dressed as civilians storm the trucks, kill the drivers and commandeer the goods. They pirate it for themselves and then sell it off at inflated prices to those willing to pay. It’s basic extortion. What was meant to be given away as free assistance is being sold on the black market at exorbitant rates. Also, Hamas operatives have been using the food as incentives for people to join up with them. Basically, you help us, and we’ll let you have food. Tragically, death and suffering are part of the terror group’s modus operendi. Victimizing the innocent civilians helps the cause of Hamas by provoking the outrage of the world. The truth, however, is essential.

The United States has subcontracted with the GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Fund) to set up heavily guarded independent aid centers at different marked locations throughout the Strip. Although it was reported falsely that IDF soldiers were firing on people waiting in line to receive their donations, it was actually Hamas operatives. So far 13 American contractors have been killed while attempting to distribute goods. Still, the endeavor is ongoing and seems to be helping many people who are in distress.

The UN is also involved. There are currently 1046 trucks piled high with assistance (food, hygiene products, baby formula and bottles, water, tents, medicine, sunscreen, diapers) millions of tons of supplies all waiting inside Gaza. Not outside. Inside the border of Gaza. It’s owned by the United Nations (UNICEF, UNaid, UNHumanitarian Relief) But they will not allow it to pass through to the people. Why?

The UN is following the orders of Hamas. They are using starvation as a negotiating tool with Israel. Israel has allowed the trucks in after inspection for weapons and contraband. The US has implored the United Nations to let it pass through to the people, but the UN has flatly refused. Hamas has insisted the UN escort the aid. Even Egypt has told the Washington Post that Hamas is stealing the cargo.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee traveled to Gaza last Friday to assess the situation for himself. He surveyed the area, saw the drone footage of the pallets and trucks in the parking lots and saw for himself the rotting produce.

Israel has started parachuting aid packages directly into the tent cities and neighborhoods in which civilians are known to be residing. Whether that will fall into nefarious hands or not remains to be seen, but Israel and the U.S. are doing the absolute best they can to mitigate the dire circumstances. The global communities are imploring Israel (not Hamas) to sign a ceasefire agreement.

There is no ceasefire because Hamas will not acquiesce. They refuse to let the remaining 51 hostages go. They refuse to lay down their weapons. They have rejected ALL negotiations, deals or opportunities to end this. The onus lies on them.They refuse to give up power. Even if it means starving their own people. This is not about peace. It is about power. Despite all this, Israel has agreed to a pause in all military operations from 10am to 8pm “every day until further notice” in order to allow aid corridors to be established for safe passage of trucks to reach the civilians. Today, over 100 semis have been allowed free passage defended by the IDF, who seeks not only to protect its own people, but to protect those who are in opposition. Jordan and the UAE have air dropped 25 tons of aid into Gaza.

Backed by UN funding and Qatari billions, this entire war has been needlessly prolonged and the plight of the innocent civilians is turned inside out into victimhood for the sake of world sympathy. The IDF, the Israeli government and the Jews are the villains in this distorted propaganda war.

In other news, the so-called “visa crisis” addressed by Ambassador Huckabee has been completely resolved. The person who was holding up entry visas for Christian tour groups to come to Israel has been fired. It was discovered, upon investigation that a far right religious Jewish government worker was denying entrance visas to what he believed to be missionary groups. He’s gone. Paperwork expedited. Case closed.

Mike Huckabee has been one busy man lately. He was present at the scene of the “church burning” in the (West Bank) Christian town of Tayibe last week. His words were completely mangled once it reached the press to make it sound as if he was condemning Jewish setttler terrorist acts. He did not say this, only that the case should be completely investigated and anyone who causes damage to a religious or heritage site as an act of terror should come under full force of the law.

For complete clarification and visual proof -with some absolutely damning evidence – I refer you to Josh Waller and Luke Hilton:Please watch this short explanatory video and pass on the information.

https://youtu.be/L4gq36mMxaE?si=P7ODwy1PL8hTQMKg

In addition, a bit of a more lengthy video that fully explains the entire situation and the settler violence. It is fully researched and well presented.

https://youtu.be/sTPQ6fX5Ck0?si=JoVBayHeH50a6z57

No, Israeli citizens are not targeting Christians. And neither is the IDF. From everything I have witnessed since we have been in Israel over the past decade, is that Israelis (for the most part) treasure antiquities and historical sites. They preserve and not tear down. There is a respect for other religions (for the most part), as long as a person is behaving in a law abiding orderly manner. There will always be those outliers and extremists who cause trouble, however.

There are the ultra observant from all religions who look down upon and cause trouble for others. From the Haredim Orthodox Jews who shout out, harass and abuse Christian tourists to Catholic priests throwing rocks at Jewish settlers. From Muslim violence against Christians and Jews they consider infidels and occupiers to the extremely secular who dislike all super religious. It is evil. I in no way condone bad behavior. It needs to be examined, rebuked and prosecuted. But it is far and beyond the exception to normal life here.

Jews do not “target” Christians or their holy sites. Synagogues, churches and mosques, unless proof is given that they are being used for purposes of terror or criminal intent, are holy and to be respected. There is freedom of worship here. It is a sacred and basic human right. Any reports to the opposite are verifiably false and libelous.

Tourism is a huge source of revenue for Israel, so anything that would endanger it is discouraged. Besides Jewish people from around the world, Christians of all denominations have been our biggest supporters in our fight for truth and freedom. We share common ancestry and a common morality as dictated by the Scriptures.

From some of the calls we received, quite a few people had heard that the Jews were persecuting and killing Christians and the IDF was routinely demolishing churches as some sort of sick and twisted hate crime. Not true. This is propaganda. Please seek out the truth for yourself from reliable sources. These include Pulse of Israel; The Israel Guys; Israel Video Network the Philos Project, Shadi Khalloul and United With Israel.

In his article, Is Gaza Starving? Searching for Truth in an Information War, Matti Friedman writes, “ In a blizzard of ideological fiction, how are sane citizens in Israel, or anywhere else, supposed to know what’s true and to do the right thing? It’s not an exaggeration to say, as we’re seeing right now, that the answer to this question is a matter of life and death”