Dear Friends,
AP columnist Mohammed Daraghmeh recently wrote that “U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton promised vigorous and personal involvement in stalled Mideast peace efforts and criticized Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem.”
Writing from Ramallah in the West Bank, Daraghmeh continued, “Israel has issued orders for the demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem.” Clinton remarked, “Clearly, this kind of activity is unhelpful,” adding that she would negotiate with both the Israeli government and municipal officials in Jerusalem. Clinton promised that “the Obama administration will be vigorously engaged in efforts to forge a lasting peace.”
Daraghmeh’s article implies that stubborn, property-grabbing Jews are once again abusing downtrodden Muslims and thwarting their progress. This posture is blatantly untrue. Here is some historical perspective on the real real-estate history in Jerusalem.
The old city of Jerusalem is divided into four areas: the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter. The Muslim Quarter is by far the largest, even without the Temple Mount, which is presently under Muslim jurisdiction. The boundaries were drawn by the British who, between 1917 and 1948, placated the Muslims by giving Jerusalem’s land for peace.
The English seized formal control from the Turks in 1917. The Muslim Quarter was known then as the Mixed Quarter because the city’s Muslim population was so small that it didn’t warrant a separate “quarter.” But wanting to appease mobs who embraced the emerging Arab nationalism, the British renamed the area in 1920 for its Islamic minority.
The original Turkish and British title reflects that Jews originally represented the majority of residents in the Mixed Quarter. Prior to the politically-motivated Jewish eviction, 1,160 (63%) of the 1,840 residents on the quarter’s main street were Jewish. There were twenty-two synagogues and two major Jewish religious schools. The headquarters of a noteworthy Hebrew-language newspaper was also located on the quarter’s main street. The real center of Jewish life in Jerusalem was in what is now called the Muslim Quarter.
Even then, placating Arabs by giving them Jewish real estate proved an utter failure. The ouster and takeover did nothing to solve any Arab-Jewish problems then; the strategy is unlikely to prove fruitful now.
Hillary Clinton apparently doesn’t know the city’s past. Most people don’t. In many respects, American citizens don’t even know our own country’s past. The wise author in Ecclesiastes 1:11 lamented that, “there is no remembrance of former things.” Busy with today, most people forget yesterday.
Most people don’t question the narrative of Mohammed Daraghmeh from Ramallah. (Note the name “Allah” in Ram-allah and the author’s name, Mohammed.) Some Jews and Christians, however, still know about truth. We remember the facts behind today’s events and world history. We haven’t abandoned biblical history or the Bible’s prophecy. Despite a scornful world, we are called to share what the Bible says.
Please visit www.levitt.tv/media/series/VIDR and watch the television series Israel: By Divine Right. At www.levitt.com/essays, you will find articles including:
Zola Levitt Presents has been on television for thirty years—now overseas and on the Internet. This ministry publishes the monthly Levitt Letter news magazine—free for the asking—and biblically relevant books. We regularly update www.levitt.com, offer several church speakers, and take three Israel tours each year. With your help, we tell today’s news with a distinctly Bible-based, Good News dimension.
Zola headed heavenward three years ago. Since then I have embraced his calling to enter millions of homes, heads, and hearts through television, teaching the Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective. I am called to counterbalance our culture’s distressing political correctness and to root our perspective in a Messianic Jewish, Bible-based testimony.
We recently broadcast the complete TV series, The Warrior King: David-like Leadership for Goliath-like Times. Many compliments confirm that it is our best series so far. Just recently I completed a TV program that connects the Jewish Passover to the Lord’s Super—perhaps the most interesting connection in biblical literature. As this letter reaches you, I am in Israel filming our newest series, Dark Prince: When The Devil Has His Day. It will be a condensed, made-for-TV, college-level Bible series on angelology, demonology, and satanology.
With your help, I will share a penetrating look behind the darkness, silence, and ignorance that veil the demon-inspired unseen world. I will use the Bible to explore its history, present, and future. Together we will explore the devil’s origin, his current authority, and what Sacred Literature says about his schemes at the ragged edge of human history. As with all our output, its lessons will embody an evangelistic message.
Are you ready, willing, and able to help me tell this story? Though our television program and news magazine are free to the public, we all know they aren’t really free at all. They each cost a small fortune to produce and disseminate. Just a few dollars from the many of you reading this letter will help this ministry offset the growing expenses we incur by offering the Gospel to the masses just the way we received it—for free. Someone else made it possible for you and me to first hear the Good News, just as Someone paid with His life to make the Good News possible. I’d genuinely appreciate your prayers and support in spreading the Word.
Speaking of appreciating, come to Israel and discover how much more you appreciate the Lord, the Jews, and the nation-state of Israel. If you’d like to travel with us—and I’d really love for you to come along—call Abel in our travel office at (214) 696-9760 to explore one of the best adventures of your life. We’re taking reservations now for our two summer and our four fall tours.
Our summer tours both depart June 7th. The Discovery Tour (Israel only and Dig for a Day) will return June 17th. The Am Israel Chai Extension, for volunteer work and mingling with Israelis, will return June 21st. Our four fall tours depart on October 13 and 18 with return dates of October 28 and November 1. You can add Athens, Petra, or both to our ten-day Deluxe Israel tour.
Even if you can’t go to Israel in person, we’ll still take you there through television. Even if you can’t help us financially, we’ll still bring the TV programming to you. If you can’t go or give, you can still pray. Please pray for our clarity of thought and speech, for resources, and for God’s blessings on the Word that goes forth— and please, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Your messenger,
Jeffrey Seif
P.S. I am already feeling the warfare associated with telling the truth about the devil’s story. I would appreciate all the prayerful support you can offer.
Dear Jeff,
Despite Hillary’s deplorable agenda for Israel and its land, I do not believe that appeasing radicals will prove fruitful.
“I do believe in pleasing the Lord. Enclosed is my gift for April to help produce and distribute Gospel television and the news magazine.”
These two television productions are dedicated to the viewers and readers who have loved Zola like a family member.
“Remembering Zola” was recorded at Zola’s memorial service and includes video highlights of past telecasts and special music as well as tributes to a never-to-be-forgotten warrior of the faith.
“In Loving Memory,” is a tribute to Zola by those who knew him best. His widow, Sandra Levitt, talks with Zola’s family, friends, and co-workers in this special half-hour reminiscence of a man who planted seeds of faith in millions of lives.
After giving his own testimony, Zola devotes chapters to the Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, the government, media, education, churches, End Times, and questions and answers.
Zola accepted Jesus as his Messiah on March 14, 1971. Within several years, he authored a dozen books and hosted a live talk-radio program. Zola’s ministry expanded to television. Zola produced over 700 hours of television that reached millions. This retrospective series brings you a few highlights of Zola’s work, music, and life.
This 2-color, 36-page book guides you through the traditional Passover Seder dinner, step-by-step. This observance reminds us of the Israelites’ rescue from Egyptian bondage, plus we remember Messiah’s last supper, a Passover Seder. What’s so unique about this Haggadah is its focus on Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and his teaching, especially on his last night in the upper room. You'll find words and sheet music for the songs traditionally sung on Passover. The popular Complete Jewish Bible is used for translations where Scripture is quoted.
In this video, Zola explains the origin and significance of Passover, the crown jewel of the Biblical feasts, and demonstrates the feast, where Christ is revealed through its very elements. This is one of the most basic and important Bible studies, shedding clear light on the mysteries of the Lord’s Supper and unearthing Jewish roots of Christianity.
This unique full-color pin, with America’s and Israel’s flags, proudly encourages the unity of the U.S.A. and the Holy Land.
