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Dear Friends,

In Washington, D.C., I just attended a disconcerting conference on libel lawfare. “Libel lawfare” refers to radical Islam’s manipulation of our legal system. The Middle East Forum, the Center for National Security Law, the Federalist Society, and the Thomas Jefferson Center sponsored the conference, which drew attendees from the world over.

Renowned Harvard law professor Dr. Alan Dershowitz lectured first, followed by Dr. Daniel Pipes, a former military academy professor. Lawyer Elizabeth Samson and other legal professionals proved enlightening. U.S. Senator Arlen Specter was supposed to speak, but an alleged “scheduling snag” kept him away. Jill Bandy reported the next day on townhall.com that Muslims had circulated a petition in his home state decrying his anticipated participation—perhaps a more accurate reason for his absence than a supposed scheduling gaffe.

The term “libel lawfare” was new to me. It refers to warfare that uses legal and political pressure to discourage and silence criticism. Understanding how libel lawfare works makes it an important term to remember.

Attorney Brooke Goldstein heads both the Middle East Forum’s Legal Project and the Children’s Rights Institute. To explain libel lawfare, she referred to an al-Qaeda training manual that instructs imprisoned militants to file lawsuits against their American captors. Claim torture, it says; put the infidels (like us Americans) on the defensive. Their strategy is simple: make the terrorists the victims and the terrorized the offenders. This tactic—and labeling legitimate criticism of radical Islam a “hate crime”—is meant to discourage freedom of speech.

A limitless supply of petrodollars funds these savvy Islamic belligerents and enables them to intimidate with ease. They file frivolous and predatory lawsuits against anyone who criticizes Islam—even in a civil manner. Libel lawfare bleeds the energy, finances, will, and free speech of those without limitless finances to defend themselves in court. Too many well meaning spokespeople are being bullied—and silenced.

The April/May 2009 edition of The Counter Terrorist—the official journal of Homeland Security professionals—ran a startling article entitled “Lawfare: How Islamist Tactics are Targeting Free Speech.” Our society is gradually becoming wise to this dawning and darkening problem. Libel lawfare victims include authors, politicians, analysts, journalists, and almost anyone who dares to utter a critical peep about radical Islam.

My heart goes out to anyone who is oppressed in the courts and pummeled into submission. Anyone who has been victimized by a frivolous lawsuit knows all too well how truth can be the first casualty. As you know, I routinely speak out for the Bible and Israel on television, in newsletter articles, and in books such as The Iranian Menace in Jewish History and Guns and Moses. Consequently, I am a walking target for this sort of tactic.

I try to be as gentlemanly and fair as possible, but Muslims routinely criticize what I’ve said or how I’ve said it. Fortunately, I have yet to be sued by anyone. Unfortunately, however, increasing numbers of journalists and commentators have received notice and been put on the defensive—many who do not enjoy a platform as broad as this ministry’s, with the communication power of nationally-syndicated television networks.

This ministry receives many more letters of support than complaint. Most viewers and readers see our outreach as a no-nonsense, prophetic voice in an increasingly non-sensical world. The positive feedback strengthens us; thank you for writing.

If I only went to a hillside in Israel and spoke from an open Bible in front of a camera, our television production costs would still be sizable. Our TV programs’ level of quality, however, involves building sets, hiring actors (and even animals), and arranging dramas. Then we incur ever-increasing expenses for airtime on national television. This ministry also produces a full-color news magazine each month and publishes books, music, and other teaching resources.

We administer The Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies, which includes a series of twelve correspondence courses and a diploma for those who graduate. Our website at www.levitt.tv offers free viewing of the same teaching programs that we market on DVD. In addition, our website facilitates fellowship via the free chat room and discussion board. As you might suppose, coordinating all of the above can be challenging and expensive. Thankfully, God provides and we press on despite the costs and spiritual warfare. We refuse to be silenced, because sharing God’s Word is worth doing whatever it takes!

The Dark Prince: When The Devil Has His Day—our latest prophecy television series—is a heavy-hitting, ten-part series on the antiChrist. I’m putting the finishing touches on it and embarking on our next series, Sar Shalom—Hebrew for “Prince of Peace.” You will notice the contrast: one topic concerns doom-and-gloom while the other features upbeat prophecy. These teachings are intermixed with heartening Bible and Jewish stories. In Sar Shalom, we will explore Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” on the very mount where He delivered it.

Prior to The Dark Prince, we created a twelve-part series on Paul called In the Footsteps of the Rabbi from Tarsus. We filmed Sar Shalom in the Galilee, and the series on Paul where his footsteps took us—through ancient Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Greece, and Italy. We create these programs expressly to give viewers fresh, Jewish-friendly windows into the worlds of Jesus and Paul. We endeavor to draw more women and men to the Gospel and inspire them to surrender their lives to Jesus.

Before you put this letter down, please prayerfully consider going with me to Israel this fall or next spring. If you enjoy seeing scenes of Israel and hearing me teach about Jesus from the Holy Land, please ask whether the Lord is beckoning you to make the pilgrimage. In October, we have four tour options that include Israel, Petra, and Athens. The departure dates are October 13 and 18, and the return dates are October 28 and November 1 (see www.levitt.com/tourinfo.html). In the spring, our Deluxe Israel tour will travel from March 14 – 24. The Grand Petra tour dates are March 14 – 28. For details, please call our travel manager, Tracie, at (214) 696-9760. She will send you a colorful brochure and walk you through the particulars.

Would you be doing me a favor by going to Israel? Not really. I’ll be traveling whether the group is large or small. I’m urging you to go, however, because you’d benefit from the experience, and because Israel would benefit from your presence. Let me emphasize, though, that the trip is something you should do foryou—not for me, not even for Israel. Come! Call 1-800-WONDERS and get going.

If you want to do something for Zola Levitt Ministries, how about some prayer? If you want to know what to pray about, remember the conference I referred to at the beginning of this letter. Pray for God’s protection for our ministry from frivolous lawsuits. Ask the Lord to help me, Mark Levitt, producer Ken Berg, and the whole team to be forceful and effective as we advance His Gospel in these challenging times—over the objections of those who’d like us to be silent about the encroaching darkness.

I thank God for all who are standing up and speaking out.

While here in Washington, D.C., I enjoyed a three-hour dinner meeting with White House correspondent Bill Koenig. Before he came to faith in Jesus, Bill used to watch Zola on television. Now that I’ve followed Zola, I’ve established a friendship with Bill over the years. He gave me an “inside scoop” on the recent Obama-Netanyahu visit and an insider’s look at what it’s like to follow a president all over the world. Bill reflected on what it’s like to be stationed in the White House, where one interacts with newsmakers every day. He shared how he felt led by the Lord to be there, if for no other reason than to pray for and support the occupant—President Bush, in his day.

I request prayer support because I really believe in it—now more than ever. The coming darkness is great and we need the Holy Spirit’s power confront it. Despite that enveloping darkness, I declare to the world: “We have the Light!” I ask for your spiritual and material assistance if you feel led to help us shine that Gospel light the world over, through the technological miracles of television and the Internet.

Your messenger,

Jeff Seif

P.S. Bible-Believers are being pushed to the margins these days—in all sorts of ways. Instead of you feeling repressed, depressed, and oppressed, I want to impress upon you the importance of standing up and linking up with other Believers. Together, we can make a difference and a Godly impression on this wayward generation.

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