THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL UPDATE
A Note From Jonathan Bernis
Shalom, my friend!
No matter what you may be facing today – overwhelming burden, a personal crisis or even a challenging decision in the midst of uncertainty – cry out to God for help.
One of the greatest comforts we have is that God hears the cries of His people. And that He is in control of every situation.
God wants you to call on Him. He’s eager to hear from you and to accomplish His will and purposes in your life.
And as you pray today, please continue to pray for the work and ministry we share at Jewish Voice. And pray for God to open more doors to share the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with the Jewish people.
Thank you again for your partnership.
To the Jew first and also to the Nations,
Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice Ministries International
Headline News
Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Severodonetsk
According to reports from The Jerusalem Post, Ukrainian troops will have to withdraw from the largely-Russian-controlled city of Severodonetsk in the Luhansk Oblast (province).
The city is one of the last major remaining Ukrainian-controlled holdouts in Luhansk, in the Donbas region, and Russia has made considerable, albeit slow, advances there over the past several weeks.
According to Ukrainian Governor Serhiy Gaidai, over 90% of the city has been damaged and the defenders will have to withdraw to more fortified positions.
Governor Gaidai told reporters late last week that “remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense.”
According to The Jerusalem Post, this latest Russian advance appears to bring the Kremlin closer to taking full control of Luhansk, one of Moscow's stated war objectives. And it also sets the stage for Severodonetsk’s twin city of Lysychansk to become the next focus of fighting.
Foreign Minister Kuleba, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, sounded pessimistic about the prospects of any peace talks soon.
Updates from the Middle East
‘Where’s the bullet’: Israel rejects UN probe blaming reporter’s death on IDF
Last week, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) rejected a United Nations report claiming that its soldiers shot the bullet that killed al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11, saying the investigation was flawed without access to crucial ballistic data.
IsraAID to help relief efforts following devastating Afghanistan earthquake
IsraAID, an Israeli-based humanitarian organization, has launched a relief response to the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan last week and killed at least 1,000 people, injured more than 1,600 and damaged thousands of homes. The aid organization will work with local partners to assess the needs of the affected population and distribute essential medical and relief supplies.
Pray with us this week
Please pray with me for:
- God to protect the innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia
- God to bring comfort and help to the families of those injured and killed by the earthquake in Afghanistan
- God to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies
- Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
- Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah
