Monitoring Report November 2019 - EU

Europe and Israel under a new European Commission

A new beginning, more of the same or downward spiral

Europe has elected and sworn in a new Commission, which took office on December 1st 2019 in challenging times. We have compiled portraits of two leading personalities, who will likely have a great say in the future shaping of EU-Israel relations: Ursula von der Leyen, the new president of the European Commission and her Vice-President Josep Borrell, the new High Representative of the European Union. Furthermore, we include our statement on the recent European Court of Justice’s verdict, which stipulates obligatory labelling for Israeli produce originating from beyond the green line.

Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen, Germany’s former minister for family affairs and later minister of defense, finally made it to the top of Europe. On December 1st, on the 13th floor of the Berlaymont, she took over the helm of the European Commission from Jean-Claude Juncker. Von der Leyen, the Brussels-born aristocrat, trained medical doctor, mother of seven, and crown-princess of Angela Merkel’s grace, succeeded in finally reaching the European Parliament’s approval of her commission with the help of Polish and Hungarian Eurosceptic votes. The spotless image of the ever-smiling, multilingual showcase European with her We can do it!-attitude and a sixth sense for publicity and self-promotion was recently clouded by a still ongoing Parliamentary Commission Inquiry concerning a consulting issue during her stint at the German Ministry of Defense. The sometimes-unconventional Christian Democrat, known for her rather liberal views on marriage, has a proven and solid track-record on topics pertaining to Jewish or Israel-related issues.

GPC "First Friday" Newsletter – November 2019

Dear prayer partners around the world!

As Israel and many nations are in crisis mode, I personally found the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to be a very inspirational and uplifting time. Others told me that they also felt in the Spirit that Sukkot also was very special this year. Often, it is in a crisis situation that we turn to the Lord in a deeper way. And as we seek the Lord, He also turns to us in a deeper way. Thank you for praying for Israel, for your nation and also for GPC in the context of these precious Biblical feasts and Jewish holidays!

My general sense of direction from the Lord in these special days at the beginning of the Jewish New Year was very much in line with a series of visions Rick Ridings from “Succat Hallel” in Jerusalem received a few years ago. Please have a look here, if you are interested.

Political crisis in Israel

Please continue to pray for Israel in this time of ongoing political turmoil and structural weakness in its leadership. May the Lord open a door for Israel to find a way out of this ongoing deadlock in a way which glorifies God and shows the world that Israel indeed has a living God who has compassion for His people. Please also continue to pray that the Lord would continue to confuse the communications of the enemies of Israel and to thwart every plan they try to forge against her.

Monitoring Report August 2019 - UN

Europe: The Rift between Expectation and Reality – to be a World Power

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran-Deal contained many flaws and loopholes, even if it would have been fully and faithfully implemented. Which it wasn’t. Internationally renowned experts like Olli Heinonen or Mark Dubowitz, as well as politicians like Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu have been sounding the alarm for the better part of the last five to six years. But it has only been in the past few months, that the Iranian Regime openly, consciously and admittedly violated fundamental commitments it made under the JCPOA, i.e. de facto breaking it. This happened under immense und unrelenting pressure from the Trump-Administration for Iran’s malign behavior and policies. In a current piece, Dubowitz’ colleagues Jacob Nagel and David Adesnik argue, that the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog, has lost its credibility regarding Iran and is in need of a recalibration in order to fulfill its duty and mandate regarding the Iranian nuclear program. 1 The UN has yet to come to grips with the evolving situation in Iran and needs to adapt to the new reality, that the JCPOA might very well end up in the dustbin of history. After the US-withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the decisive players in this process are the three European powers: Germany, France and Great Britain.

GPC "First Friday" Newsletter – June 2019

“Those nations who bless Israel will be blessed and those nations who curse Israel, will be cursed…” (Gen. 12,3)

This spring has been an unusual spring in many ways from the GPC perspective: Quite intensive and multifaceted:

Intense spring 2019 for Israel and GPC …

In April, elections took place in Israel. And surrounding the elections and the spring holidays, Israel suffered massive attacks from the south (Gaza). Early May we had our GPC conference in San Remo, Italy. Mid-May I was invited by the White House Council (US) and the Latino Coalition for Israel (Central-/South America) to celebrate with Israel and with those two groups of leaders the 1 year anniversary of the move of the US and Guatemalan embassies (photo). And now I am here in Israel for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast celebrating 52 years of reunification of Jerusalem (June 4-6), followed by the Global Prayer Call Conference (June 7-9) at Succat Hallel (the 24/7 House of Worship and Prayer across from the Temple Mount).

Monitoring Report April 2019 - EU

With the Israeli elections just over and EU-elections around the corner, EU-Israel relations are facing a democracy-induced reshaping. While the Israeli side of things is likely to stay more or less unchanged and stable with Benjamin Netanyahu having won reelection for his fifth term in office, the outcome of the EU-elections is still an open question. Polls suggest though, that the two largest fractions in the current European Parliament (Christian Democrats and Social Democrats) are poised to lose some 40-50 seats each. With some new alliances forming especially on the right, the next European Parliament will be more diverse and the power and impact of the larger blocs is likely to lessen. What this means for EU-Israel relations remains yet to be seen, but many of the populist parties slated to gain more seats adhere to rather pro-Israel policies. Sebastian Kurz, Viktor Orbán and Matteo Salvini were the first to congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu after his reelection, they share and support many of his policy-approaches and view Israel under him as a natural ally. An the other hand it took German Chancellor Angela Merkel whose government proclaims support of Israel as Germany’s “Raison d’etat”, six days to congratulate Netanyahu and even then her congratulation contained the untimely spice of “advice” on how to solve the Middle East conflict.

If we want to feel the pulse of current EU-Israel relations, we ought to look at the greater picture and into some of the newer developments. There are three current trends, which show some antithetical processes inside EU-Israel relations and deserve a closer look, as they highlight the areas in which the current power struggle takes place ...

GPC First Friday Newsletter – March 2019

Report from East Africa

My trip to Kenya and Uganda was primarily a networking-trip. The main purpose was to build relationships with “Intercessors for Kenya”, “… Uganda” and “…Africa”. As we spent time together in worship, teaching and prayer, the Lord gave us “downloads” of revelation, intense times of prayer and intercession and growing relationships with a common sense of purpose and vision. As I have said a number of times before, from a global perspective, the prayer alliance between Africa and Europe on behalf of Israel and the nations of both of our continents is a key factor. To me this vision and approach has been strongly confirmed as key relationships where formed and deepened. May the Lord give all those involved wisdom and insight as to how to continue to build this strategic alliance.

San Remo conference (May 3-5): Spread the word! Come along!

We all realize, to one degree or the other, that Europe is in the midst of a huge spiritual battle. Are the Judeo-Christian roots of Europe being revived, is the fear and the presence of God being re-kindled, is revival breaking through – or is the anti-Christian and anti-semitic spirit of Babel completely sweeping Europe? The key bench mark for this is the attitude of the European nations regarding Israel. If Israel is blessed and honored in Europe, the blessing of the Lord will return to Europe. If not, Europe is going to be shaken and shattered – which is already starting to happen before our very eyes.

GPC "First Friday" Newsletter – September 2019

Dear praying friends around the world!

I have been in Israel with a German prayer tour of almost 20 people for the last ten days. It has been a very substantial tour, praying for Israel and for German-Israel relations.

Israel preparing for elections

As most of you know, Israel is preparing for her next elections (September 17th) after those in April 2019 did not result in a functioning coalition and government. This is the first time in Israel’s history that this has happened. It is a time of uncertainty and the enemies of Israel are trying to take advantage of the situation. This is especially true for Iran and their allies, namely Hezbollah and Hamas. Please continue to pray for God’s hand over the land, its leadership and its security. Please pray for the plans and schemes of the enemies of Israel to be exposed and thwarted in time. Please pray for the elections - that a government will come forth which best serves the redemptive plans and promises of the Lord for Israel.

GPC "First Friday" Newsletter – July 2019

Dear praying friends around the world!

The first half of 2019 has come to a close. Israel is still in a “between-elections” season and needs our special prayer. The nations are facing several crisis situations around the world. But of course, every crisis carries the potential and the opportunity for repentance and for turning to the living God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel.

GPC: Looking back at the first half of 2019

As for GPC, the first six months of this year have been extraordinary months. With my visit to East Africa and then to New York in April, the prayer conferences in San Remo, Italy, (May) and Jerusalem, Israel (June), my connection to the White House Council and the Latino Coalition for Israel, as well as the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast movement with their conferences in Jerusalem and Den Hague in the Netherlands, the prayer network has progressed to a new level. I am so grateful for how the Lord is building and strengthening the global praying remnant in general and specifically in the context of GPC! Hallelujah!

GPC: Looking forward to the second half of 2019

As for the second half of 2019, it is time for GPC to consolidate this network on several levels: Prayer, leadership and consultation, legal and financial structure, communication and fundraising. Please pray for me and the core leadership / advisory group to find wisdom, clarity and unity regarding these next steps.

FINAL CALL for GPC conference in Jerusalem

Intercessors from all continents pray for Israel and their nations!
“Global Prayer Call” conference in 24/7 prayer house “Succat Hallel” near temple mount, Jerusalem from June 7-9!
Intensive worship, prayer, intercession, governmental prayer as the Lord leads!
With Harald Eckert, Rick Ridings and intercessory leaders from around the world!
Requested speakers: Jim Garlow, Benjamin and Reuven Berger, Chris Mitchell, Haifa Lu
As the “valley of decision” is drawing closer – let us pray for our nations to become “sheep nations”!
More information and registration: http://www.globalprayercall.org/en/events
Locals free!

GPC First Friday Newsletter – April 2019

Dear praying Friends,

I would like to share this videoclip with Rick Ridings with you as the basis for our First Friday prayer this month. It was recorded directly in Jerusalem by Alpha & Omega TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMYhA4_Ctl4

Rick Ridings and I will be the main moderators for the upcoming GPC Conference in Jerusalem. I would like to formally invite you to this conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50JmtoEiTKE

In light of the upcoming European Union elections, please prayerfully consider my comments presented below regarding prayer for europe!

Prayer for Europe – before the upcoming European Union (EU) elections

Theodor Heuss, the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany, is credited with the following famous saying: “Europe is built on three hills: the Acropolis, Golgotha and the Capitol”, in other words, Greek humanistic philosophy, Biblical Christianity and the Roman legal system. Historically speaking, there is a lot of truth to that statement. Spiritually speaking, it points out Europe’s subtle but significant tectonic divide: Hellenism and humanism on the one hand and the Judeo-Christian view of God, man and the world on the other. These are ultimately in opposition to one another. As the prophet Zechariah clearly states in Chapter 9, verse 13b: “I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.“

Telegram - 2019-02

The Warsaw Summit, hosted by the Polish government and the US government, just ended last week. Some 60 Nations had gathered together to discuss current issues concerning the Middle East.

The elephant in the room, which US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, spoke of as the “main” issue prior to the summit, was Iran. In the end, it turned out that the US wanted to talk Iran - Europe didn’t. We saw a rift between Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Eastern European countries were keen to follow the US lead and spoke out for a more pro-Israel approach in foreign policy. And we recognized that not only the Eastern European countries had that goal in mind, but also the Arab block. At the Warsaw summit, we saw Israel, the US, Eastern European countries and Arab countries officially aligning against Iran for the first time. And we saw that the Western European countries – mainly Great Britain, France and Germany, were the main obstacles to the international community addressing the Iranian issue today.