Transcript [00:00] Nearly 1.5 million Muslims from around [00:03] the world are in Mecca Saudi Arabia this [00:05] week to participate in the Hajj [00:08] pilgrimage. Despite the possibility of [00:10] renewed conflict with Iran in the [00:12] searing heat, President Trump is pushing [00:14] them to join the Abraham Accords as part [00:17] of a comprehensive regional arrangement [00:19] that will also include the reopening of [00:21] the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is playing [00:24] its cards very closely to the chest in [00:26] their negotiations with the United [00:28] States. While the Trump administration [00:30] is sending out all kinds of messages. [00:33] Meanwhile, Hezbollah has called for the [00:35] people of Lebanon to rise up and [00:37] overthrow the internationally recognized [00:39] government in Beirut, claiming that they [00:41] have betrayed the country by negotiating [00:44] with Israel. All that and much more is [00:47] just ahead on VFI News from Israel. [01:00] This week, the United States military [01:02] struck several missile launch sites and [01:04] small boats along Iran's Persian Gulf [01:07] Coast, which the Pentagon said were [01:09] preparing to lay mines in the Straight [01:11] of Hormuz. A Pentagon statement said [01:14] that the strikes were carried out in [01:16] self-defense. And at this point, I must [01:18] candidly say that I'm not sure we should [01:20] take the Pentagon statement at face [01:22] value. It appears to me that the [01:24] Pentagon didn't want these strikes to be [01:26] seen by Iran as the beginning of a new [01:29] large-scale offensive. But they also [01:31] wanted them to be seen as a warning that [01:33] a return to large-scale kinetic strikes [01:36] is a possibility that the Iranians and [01:38] the whole world which is watching must [01:40] take seriously. That might explain the [01:43] limited scope of the attacks as well as [01:45] the fig leaf pretext that they were [01:47] carried out in self-defense. On the [01:49] other hand, a spokesperson for the armed [01:52] forces of Iran declared this week that [01:54] if the region enters another round of [01:56] war, Iran's attacks will go beyond the [01:59] borders of the region and will be much [02:01] more severe, heavier, more violent, and [02:03] stronger than the previous two wars. [02:05] Other Iranian officials have made [02:07] threats to attack their Gulf Arab [02:09] neighbors on the rather feeble pretext [02:12] that there are US military bases in [02:14] those regions. I'm not so sure they're [02:16] going to get away with it. Again, I [02:18] don't know how seriously we should take [02:20] these statements. At this point, Iran's [02:23] offensive military capabilities are [02:25] doubtful, and I also don't believe they [02:27] held anything back in the previous [02:29] rounds of fighting. For them to now take [02:32] this approach of quote, "We warned you, [02:34] this time you're really going to get it. [02:36] This time we're not playing around," [02:38] lacks credibility. However, the fog of [02:41] war is thick these days as both sides [02:43] make moves and statements that are meant [02:45] to be consumed by a certain audience [02:47] while they hope everyone else doesn't [02:49] look too closely at them. Unfortunately [02:52] for governments, both democratic and [02:54] otherwise, in the internet age, there is [02:56] no way to keep a message contained to [02:58] one specific audience. Everyone sees and [03:01] hears everything and everyone is free to [03:04] draw their own conclusions using [03:06] whatever filters, predisposed ideas, [03:08] emotional investments, etc. they have in [03:11] order to work it all out. Now, the Bible [03:14] speaks of great confusion and deception [03:16] on a global scale as the time draws near [03:18] for the end of this age and the coming [03:20] of Jesus the Messiah. This is just of [03:23] one of the many areas this phenomenon [03:26] can be observed. Now, with all that [03:28] having been said, negotiations between [03:30] Iran and the United States are ongoing. [03:33] President Trump has signaled that a deal [03:35] is near, and it'll be much better than [03:37] the JCPOA nuclear agreement from 2015. [03:41] That sounds great, but once again, there [03:44] are a few different reasons many of us [03:46] are not so sure at all. Let's start with [03:48] the fact that last week Trump had a [03:50] phone conversation with Israeli Prime [03:52] Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which the [03:55] latter tried to convince the American [03:57] president that the negotiations were not [04:00] producing the needed results. According [04:02] to people familiar with the call, BB [04:05] tried to convince Trump to restart [04:07] kinetic strikes, which Trump refused to [04:09] do. The call got pretty heated and [04:12] afterwards the reporting indicated that [04:14] Netanyahu had been sidelined getting his [04:17] information about developments in the [04:19] negotiations from secondary sources at [04:21] best. A report on last Tuesday included [04:24] a leaked statement by one of his senior [04:27] advisers saying that he had candidly [04:29] admitted in closed door meetings that he [04:32] doesn't have much influence over [04:33] President Trump anymore. That's really [04:36] bad news. And as details of the deal, [04:38] which Trump said the Iranians and his [04:40] team had already agreed to, began to [04:43] emerge, some of Israel's best friends in [04:45] the United States Congress began [04:47] sounding the alarm. South Carolina [04:50] Senator Lindsey Graham went so far as to [04:52] call the deal quote a nightmare for [04:54] Israel unquote. While some notes of [04:56] protest also began to emerge from the [04:59] Gulf Arab countries, while praises for [05:01] the deal came from Europe and Turkey. [05:03] Who cares about Turkey? The officials [05:06] making all this noise, both for and [05:08] against this deal, know things about it [05:10] that are not going to be released to the [05:12] general public. And they're not going to [05:14] release these details themselves. But [05:17] all the commentary got so loud that [05:19] President Trump felt compelled to [05:21] release a statement saying that the deal [05:23] was still being negotiated. He added [05:26] that it would not be signed until he was [05:28] completely satisfied with it. and he [05:31] cautioned his supporters against paying [05:33] attention to the warnings of what he [05:35] called losers. According to reports in [05:38] the Israeli media, he also gave much [05:40] more serious reassurances to Netanyahu [05:43] that the Iranian nuclear project would [05:45] be eliminated and all the enriched [05:48] uranium would be removed from the [05:49] country. He also publicly declared that [05:52] as part of the deal, Saudi Arabia, [05:54] Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan, and maybe [05:56] others should all join the Abraham [05:59] Accords immediately. This sounds great, [06:02] but for all kinds of reasons, that is [06:05] not only impractical, it is simply [06:07] impossible. Furthermore, even if these [06:10] countries did sign a piece of paper [06:12] saying they'd join the Abraham Accords, [06:14] it's very possible that they drag their [06:16] feet implementing anything until [06:18] President Trump leaves office and then [06:20] they'd immediately tear up that piece of [06:23] paper and go back to the status quo [06:25] ante. Speaking of the status quo, there [06:28] were other reports that said that Iran's [06:31] ballistic missile program was being [06:33] rebuilt despite the naval blockade. That [06:35] Iran was otherwise rearming and [06:38] preparing for yet another round of [06:40] hostilities. I've said it before, but I [06:42] guess I'll have to say it once again. [06:44] This is all these guys want, and it's [06:47] all they know how to do. There is no way [06:50] to entice them and the IRGC to give up [06:52] their endless wars against Israel and [06:54] the West. Because if they did that, they [06:57] would have no idea how to fix any of [06:59] Iran's other problems. They don't know [07:01] what to do about the catastrophic [07:03] drought that already destroyed their [07:05] agricultural sector and is well on its [07:08] way to making their cities unlivable. [07:10] They have no idea what to do about the [07:12] useless real currency, which is trading [07:15] at around 1.7 million to the dollar this [07:18] week. They have no idea what to do about [07:21] the massive numbers of unemployed people [07:24] in their country. the catastrophic drug [07:26] problem that's been plaguing them for [07:28] years, long before this war started, and [07:31] so on and so on and so forth. Switching [07:35] briefly to commentary mode, I could say [07:37] similar things about Vladimir Putin, who [07:40] should stop throwing away Russian blood [07:42] and treasure in a war that became [07:44] pointless a long time ago. But if he [07:46] admits that and stops fighting, he'd [07:49] also have to admit that he has no idea [07:51] what to do about all the many [07:52] catastrophic problems Russia has. This [07:55] starts with demographic decline, which [07:58] is getting worse because of a raging HIV [08:00] AIDS epidemic, both of which are [08:03] exasperating a hollowedout school and [08:05] university system, collapsing [08:07] infrastructure, and I could just go on [08:09] and on. All of these problems were [08:12] already critical before Vladimir Putin [08:14] launched his quote special military [08:16] operation unquote in Ukraine in February [08:19] of 2022. Just like all of Iran's [08:22] problems were already critical before [08:24] the war their proxy kamas started on [08:26] October 7th, 2023. [08:29] Both Russia and Iran desperately need to [08:33] stop fighting straw men like [08:35] non-existent Ukrainian fascism and the [08:38] non-existent Zionist threat to the [08:40] entire Middle East and turn all their [08:42] attention to their real problems [08:44] internally. Israel and America also have [08:47] real problems that need a lot of [08:48] attention. And it would free up a lot of [08:50] resources to deal with those real [08:52] problems if we didn't have to keep [08:54] protecting the world from these evil [08:56] clowns and their ludicrously absurd [08:59] delusions. I'm going to briefly switch [09:02] the focus of this report to Eastern [09:03] Saudi Arabia, where approximately 1.5 [09:07] million Muslim people from all over the [09:09] world have arrived in the city of Mecca [09:11] to perform the Haj pilgrimage. The [09:14] temperatures in eastern Saudi Arabia [09:16] this time of year are searingly hot and [09:19] many of the activities that are included [09:21] in the Hajj occur outside in places [09:24] where there is little if any shade. They [09:27] need a big water park in my opinion. In [09:30] 2024, approximately 1,300 people are [09:34] reported to have died of heat related [09:36] injuries and dehydration at the Hajj [09:39] amid temperatures exceeding 50° [09:42] centigrade. This year, temperatures were [09:45] forecast to hover in the high 40s. Now, [09:48] I'm going to ask you to join me in [09:49] praying for these people. First of all, [09:52] they need Yeshua, the Messiah. But [09:54] they're also in a place where they're [09:56] suffering, crucifying their flesh in an [09:58] effort to seek God's will for their [10:00] lives. They're not looking in the Bible [10:02] where they'd find him much more easily. [10:05] But pray that God would reveal himself [10:07] to these people. Nevertheless, he can [10:10] use any circumstances to advance his [10:12] plans and purposes for people and for [10:14] nations. And we've seen revival in many [10:17] Muslim nations recently. Now before I [10:20] move on, I need to mention two other [10:21] places that are under tremendous heat [10:23] stress this week. Britain and India. [10:26] Both countries recorded record high [10:28] temperatures for the month of May this [10:30] past week and there have been a number [10:32] of people admitted to hospitals and also [10:34] some fatalities. Summer is just getting [10:37] started and I think we can expect much [10:40] more and many more heat waves in many [10:42] countries going forward. We've also had [10:45] some really hot days already this summer [10:47] here in Israel. It's definitely [10:49] something to pray about. Maybe also [10:51] where you live. Now, moving on. There [10:54] was a sharp escalation this week in the [10:56] ceasefire that isn't on Israel's [10:58] northern border. Hisbellah, the Iranian [11:01] proxy, which has dragged Lebanon into [11:03] several destructive conflicts with [11:05] Israel, issued a public call over the [11:07] weekend for the population to rise up [11:10] and overthrow the internationally [11:12] recognized government in Beirut. The [11:14] ostensible reason for this was the [11:16] ongoing negotiations between the [11:18] government of Lebanon and Israel, which [11:20] Hisbellah characterizes as treason. To [11:24] make a brief comment on that, Hezbollah [11:26] has been ignoring the clear and [11:27] unmistakable will of the Lebanese people [11:30] for a long time. For them to now call on [11:33] those same people to overthrow the [11:35] government they elected for express [11:37] purpose of taking their country back [11:40] from Hezbollah is beyond hypocritical. [11:43] and maybe also beyond delusional. It's [11:46] also very demonic of them. It was also [11:48] very unwise because up until this [11:50] statement surfaced, it was looking like [11:52] the emerging deal between Iran and the [11:54] United States was going to include a [11:56] clause that would let Hezbollah escape [11:59] further pounding by the IDF and probably [12:02] Israeli withdrawals from southern [12:03] Lebanon. But US Secretary of State Marco [12:06] Rubio issued a statement condemning [12:09] Hezbollah Monday morning. And this may [12:11] have been the signal that Israel had [12:13] been given the go-ahead to renew [12:15] offensive action against Hezbollah. In [12:18] any event, in the last several weeks, [12:20] there has been a steady stream of [12:22] Hezbollah attacks on IDF troops deployed [12:25] south of the Latani River. Over the [12:27] weekend, some rockets and drones also [12:30] hit civilian communities in Matula and [12:32] other Galilee communities. On Monday [12:35] evening, the IDF responded with a broad [12:38] series of strikes on Hisbellah targets [12:40] in the Bea Valley and elsewhere, [12:42] seemingly dropping all pretenses of a [12:44] ceasefire. Hisbellah scrambled to [12:47] respond, and communities in the Galilee [12:50] quickly found themselves once again [12:52] under fire. Schools were closed, some [12:54] people were evacuated, and it looks like [12:57] the same old movie is playing once [12:59] again. His beloved retains a large [13:02] arsenal of weapons that can fire into [13:04] Israel. And that is why here at Vision [13:06] for Israel, we've been installing bomb [13:09] safety shelters and communities in the [13:11] Galilee and all over Israel for many [13:13] years now. And we are continuing to do [13:15] so. In fact, we're picking up the pace. [13:18] If you want to help, please visit our [13:20] website, visionforisrael.com. [13:22] And also, please watch this short video [13:24] about this vitally important project. [13:28] Heat. [13:49] Heat. [13:53] Heat. Heat. [14:32] Vision for Israel has been installing [14:35] bomb safety shelters since actually [14:38] around the fall of 2021. [14:41] During that year, there was a barrage of [14:43] rockets that came into southern Israel, [14:46] particularly by the terrorist group [14:48] known as Kamas, and Israel had to find a [14:52] way further in order to protect its [14:55] citizens, its residents across the [14:57] southern part of Israel. And so, we [14:59] sprung into action. We felt like this [15:02] was a project that we had a personal [15:04] invitation to fulfill. And it's [15:07] important because when these [15:10] projectiles, these missiles, these [15:12] rockets, whatever that is that's uh [15:14] thrown at Israel by its enemies, there [15:17] is not only the potential for somebody [15:20] being killed instantly, but also there's [15:23] tremendous collateral damage and and [15:26] people that get wounded even from [15:28] shrapnel. And so if you place a safety [15:32] shelter at a bus stop or in front of a [15:34] high school or community center or a [15:37] kindergarten or any kind of facility [15:39] that's publicly accessible, the people [15:42] can run into these shelters. The [15:45] children can run and find safety in them [15:48] and be protected from a rocket that [15:51] lands and shrapnel is scattered which [15:53] could be mortally wounding people. So it [15:56] gives not only a physical protection of [15:59] security but also an emotional sense of [16:02] security that you know having a shelter [16:05] that you can run to in the street [16:07] outside of a store somewhere publicly [16:10] accessible not just in someone's home [16:13] but out in the open gives a sense of [16:16] security and I always believe that it's [16:19] important for us to refer to scripture [16:22] and Psalm 91 the whole chapter talks [16:25] about uh God providing us a shelter and [16:29] we have seen amazing amazing [16:31] deliverances from enemy rockets as a [16:35] result and now we've installed over 400 [16:38] shelters across the southern and [16:40] northern borders of Israel and they [16:43] weigh 30,000 kilos each or that's 30 [16:47] tons and it's a lot of weight and rebar [16:50] and concrete that's been specially mixed [16:53] and also with a special metal ramp that [16:56] allows physically impaired people to be [16:58] able to come up in a walker or a [17:00] wheelchair on a moment's notice. In many [17:03] of these areas, residents don't have any [17:06] longer than between 5 seconds to maximum [17:10] 45 seconds to get into a shelter to be [17:14] protected. [17:17] Welcome back everybody. Now, there's [17:19] something else that happened on Monday [17:21] evening, which I'm sure our viewers will [17:22] be interested in. Prime Minister [17:25] Benjamin Netanyahu was admitted to [17:27] Hadasa Anaram Hospital in Jerusalem for [17:30] what his office described as dental [17:32] treatments. To make a brief comment, I [17:35] have never heard of anyone going to the [17:37] hospital for dental treatments. All the [17:39] dental treatments I've ever undergone [17:42] happened at a dentist's office, none of [17:44] which were located inside a hospital. BB [17:47] has however gone to the hospital several [17:49] times over the past few years for a [17:51] variety of very serious medical [17:53] procedures including at least three [17:56] surgeries and also radiology treatments [17:58] for prostate cancer. Here at VFI News, [18:01] we'll keep an eye on his story and bring [18:03] you any updates that are publicly [18:05] released. But in the meantime, it's [18:07] never a bad idea to pray for all those [18:09] in positions of authority as scripture [18:12] commands us to do so. BB along with [18:15] President Trump and many other [18:16] government leaders around the world is [18:19] in his late 70s. This is an age when [18:22] physical health is not something anyone [18:25] should take for granted and much less so [18:27] when they're working as much as 80 hours [18:29] a week. Now, that's a good segue into [18:32] another story that's making headlines [18:34] this week, and it's a political story. I [18:36] said last week I wasn't going to talk [18:38] much about the upcoming elections until [18:41] we get much closer to voting day. But [18:43] this past week, there have been [18:44] developments that might bring that day a [18:46] little closer. Votes were held to [18:49] dissolve the government and force early [18:51] elections, but those votes have not [18:53] produced a final decision as of yet. In [18:56] any case, in a few more days, we'll [18:58] reach the point where elections will [19:00] happen at the end of October and no [19:01] sooner. So, there's no reason to push [19:04] it. However, it's worth taking note of [19:06] the issues that are causing Netanyahu's [19:08] ruling coalition to fracture right as [19:11] this Knesset term comes to a close since [19:14] these issues are sure to be with us [19:17] through the upcoming months. For [19:18] starters, the perennial issue of [19:21] ultraorththodox or kharedi Jews serving [19:23] in the IDF is flaring up once again. The [19:26] Karedi parties were not able to force a [19:29] vote on permanent deferments for Karedi [19:31] youth and declared they wouldn't sit in [19:34] a government led by Natanyahu anymore [19:36] because this was something he had [19:38] promised them. Another perennial issue [19:40] that has come up is the conduct of [19:42] national security minister Bengavir. I [19:46] won't even try to enumerate everything, [19:49] but this man has managed to make himself [19:52] deeply disliked by almost everyone, [19:54] including other ministers in the [19:56] government and even some of his own [19:57] political allies. Finance Minister [20:00] Bitsel Smotrich, who ran together with [20:03] Bengavir in the last elections, has said [20:05] this won't happen again this time [20:07] around. That's despite the polls which [20:09] show Smootrich's party won't even get [20:12] enough votes to make it past the [20:13] electoral threshold and receive seats in [20:16] the next Knesset. Bengavir, for his [20:19] part, has been acting since he came into [20:21] office in late 2022 as if he never [20:24] expects to face the voters again. But in [20:27] a few months, one way or the other, he [20:29] will and we'll have to see how it turns [20:32] out. Now, moving on to economic news. To [20:35] no one's surprise, Tuesday morning, [20:37] self-defense strikes by the United [20:39] States on Iranian missile launch sites [20:42] and small boats sent oil prices back up [20:45] again as they'd retreated somewhat over [20:47] the past week amidst talk of progress in [20:50] negotiations. I have a suggestion. Why [20:53] not just drop the tax on oil? That would [20:56] help everybody, including you and I. [20:59] Well, several liqufied natural gas [21:01] carriers and even a few crude oil [21:03] tankers have managed to get out of the [21:05] straight of Hormuz this past week, but [21:08] traffic through the strategic waterway [21:10] is still a small minute percentage of [21:13] the usual daily totals, and this might [21:16] not change for a while. Market analysts [21:19] are beginning to warn that the current [21:21] elevated prices with oil hovering around [21:23] $100 a barrel could linger for a very [21:26] long time, permanently changing the [21:29] nature of the global economy. It's [21:31] notable that global inventories and [21:33] reserves have been drawn down [21:35] considerably since the beginning of [21:36] March. While there have also been some [21:39] increases in production, particularly in [21:42] the United States, Canada, Norway, and [21:44] Venezuela. However, the world is still [21:46] consuming more oil every 24 hours than [21:49] it produces. So, everybody stop driving. [21:52] And this means that reserves will also [21:54] soon run out. And even if the straight [21:56] of Hormuz reopens before that critical [21:59] moment arrives, it will still take a [22:01] long time for the level of supply the [22:04] global economy is accustomed to to be [22:07] restored. Now that's because Iranian [22:09] missile and drone attacks destroyed [22:11] production infrastructure in the Gulf, [22:13] particularly in Qatar. And Qatar [22:16] declared an extension this week of its [22:18] force majour, meaning its inability to [22:21] meet contractual agreements to supply [22:23] liqufied natural gas to its customers [22:26] through the end of August. And that's [22:28] just for a start. Reports have indicated [22:31] that almost 20% of Qatar's capacity to [22:34] produce and export liqufied natural gas [22:37] was destroyed in the war and it will [22:39] take many years for that infrastructure [22:41] to be rebuilt and repaired. This is bad [22:45] news for the global economy. But [22:47] ironically enough, it's good news for [22:49] Israel for a couple of different [22:51] reasons. First, if Qatar has to spend [22:54] billions of dollars on repairing its own [22:56] damaged infrastructure, it will have [22:58] less money to spend on anti-Israel [23:01] propaganda campaigns in Western [23:03] countries. Bravo. Second, Israel will be [23:06] able to sell its own natural gas [23:08] reserves for an elevated price because [23:10] of the shortfall in Qatar's level of [23:12] supply to the global market. [23:15] Unfortunately, that's one of the few [23:17] bright spots for Israel's economic [23:19] outlook. We're almost out of time for [23:21] this week's report, so I'll just rattle [23:23] off some data points here. First of all, [23:25] several high-tech companies with a [23:27] global footprint and extensive [23:29] operations in Israel have begun cutting [23:32] jobs lately. The layoffs just keep [23:34] coming, and there's no end in sight. [23:37] Also, the strength of the shekele [23:38] against the US dollar is causing [23:40] manufacturers to move their operations [23:43] out of Israel. And this is motivating [23:45] some of Israel's best and brightest [23:47] engineers and other specialists to move [23:49] out of Israel as well following the jobs [23:52] which no one can blame them for. [23:54] Israel's tourism industry remains on its [23:57] knees with many airlines extending their [23:59] cancellation of routes in and out of [24:01] Benguran airport through the end of this [24:03] calendar year. Once again, no one can [24:06] blame them and we also can't blame [24:08] tourists for not thinking this is such a [24:11] good time for a visit. No one is sure [24:13] when that might change, but with the [24:15] previously mentioned prolonged elevation [24:17] in the price of oil, it is very likely [24:20] that people all over the world will be [24:22] facing difficult choices about how to [24:24] spend their money. Under these difficult [24:27] circumstances, a trip to Israel might [24:29] seem like a luxury that few can afford. [24:31] In fact, this might already be happening [24:33] as LL, Israel's national airline, which [24:36] has continued flying even through all [24:38] the wars and chaos of the past two and a [24:40] half years, reported this week that they [24:42] had operated at a loss in the first [24:45] quarter of 2026, adding to the gloomy [24:48] economic picture in Israel going into [24:50] the summer. As always, Vision for Israel [24:53] will be doing everything we can to [24:56] assist families and communities in [24:58] economic distress. Maybe we should open [25:00] up an airline. I don't know. So, if you [25:03] want to know how you can help, please [25:04] visit our website, visionforisrael.com, [25:07] and please watch this short video. For [25:09] most children, the first day of school [25:12] is exciting. [25:14] But for some families in Israel, it's [25:16] overwhelming. Parents are doing [25:18] everything they can, but school supplies [25:20] are expensive. For some children, even a [25:22] backpack and basic supplies are out of [25:24] reach. No child should start the school [25:27] year feeling left behind. Without help, [25:30] many children will walk into class [25:32] lacking what they need. This is the [25:34] moment we can step in. For over 30 [25:37] years, Vision for Israel has provided [25:39] practical support to families in need. [25:42] Your gift equips a child for success. [25:45] $45 provides a backpack with essential [25:47] school supplies. $90 equips two [25:50] children. $180 prepares four children [25:54] for the year ahead. When you give, [25:56] you're not just providing supplies. [25:58] You're providing confidence. A simple [26:01] backpack can change how a child feels [26:03] walking into school. Prepared, [26:06] confident, ready. Every child deserves a [26:09] strong start. Give today. Help a child [26:13] walk into school ready to succeed. [26:15] Sponsor a child today. [26:17] visionforisrael.com. [26:34] They survived the Holocaust, but today [26:38] some struggle to afford basic groceries. [26:40] In Israel, many of them are now in their [26:43] late 80s and 90s, living on very limited [26:46] income. After everything they endured, [26:49] they should not have to struggle again. [26:51] Time is precious. These are the final [26:54] years of their lives. They cannot [26:56] rebuild again. They cannot start over [26:58] again. But we can stand with them. For [27:00] over 30 years, Vision for Israel has [27:03] provided direct practical support to [27:05] Holocaust survivors across the country. [27:08] Your gift of $95 places a grocery card [27:11] directly into a survivor's hands so [27:14] their table is not empty. For many, it [27:16] means no longer having to make the [27:18] painful choice between food and [27:20] medication. This is not symbolic [27:22] support. This is real help delivered [27:25] directly. A simple act of generosity [27:28] today can replace uncertainty with [27:30] security and hardship with comfort. They [27:34] endured history's darkest chapter. Let [27:37] their final chapter be one of dignity. [27:40] Support a Holocaust survivor today. [27:42] visionforisrael.com. [27:46] Now, we've come to the end of our [27:48] program, and I want to continue the [27:50] tradition of ending the report with some [27:52] good news. So, here it is. The country [27:54] of Slovenia, which along with Spain and [27:57] Ireland, has long been one of Israel's [28:00] harshest critics in the EU, held [28:02] elections this past week, resulting in [28:05] an overwhelmingly new government led by [28:07] incoming Prime Minister Yanz Yansa, who [28:10] has a much friendlier policy towards the [28:13] Jewish state. You can never have too [28:15] many friends in high places, low places, [28:17] and every place in between. And that's [28:20] especially true for Israel. So with [28:22] that, I'm Barry Seagull, and this has [28:24] been another edition of VFI News from [28:26] Israel. Shalom. Shalom.
