Boots on the Ground

Hezbollah Tensions Rapidly Escalate; Iran Targets Israeli Scientists | Boots on the Ground

December 4, 2025 | 31:30

TBN Israel's Yair Pinto reports on the Israel-Hamas and regional war. As tensions rise on every front, Israel prepares for an inevitable war with Hezbollah while exposing new evidence of the group’s crimes in Lebanon. In Gaza, Hamas terrorists exploit ceasefires to regroup underground, as hostage remains resurface under suspicious circumstances. Meanwhile, Iran threatens retaliation, U.S. diplomacy stalls, and Netanyahu rushes to meet Trump to align on a crumbling region. With AI-powered warfare, laser defenses, and international plans for post-war Gaza hanging in the balance this is a critical turning point in the Middle East.

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Boots on the Ground | Hezbollah Tensions Rapidly Escalate; Iran Targets Israeli Scientists | Boots on the Ground | December 4, 2025

This week, the idf revealed
00:00:06.963 --> 00:00:08.465
A new operational technological
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Artificial intelligence division
00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:12.769
That will provide commanders
00:00:12.769 --> 00:00:14.104
With immediate intelligence and real time decision making tools
00:00:14.104 --> 00:00:18.074
Meant to turn one tank into 100.
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It's not a moment too soon,
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As the northern arena is heating up
00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:25.248
Amidst preparations for an intense campaign
00:00:25.248 --> 00:00:27.984
Against the hezbollah terrorist organization.
00:00:27.984 --> 00:00:30.353
The united states is trying
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To save the arrangement in the north,
00:00:32.155 --> 00:00:34.224
But in jerusalem they say, we are heading for escalation
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And we will decide when.
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Laser-based air defense arrays are being deployed
00:00:40.196 --> 00:00:43.433
As senior officials of the establishment
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Present evidence
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Of hezbollah's accelerated rehabilitation
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And continued rearmament.
00:00:49.405 --> 00:00:51.374
In a related story,
00:00:51.374 --> 00:00:52.642
The idf revealed additional documentation this week
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Showing that hezbollah blew up the beirut port
00:00:55.879 --> 00:00:58.581
And afterwards eliminated lebanese civilians
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Who knew about it,
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Throwing senior officials from rooftops to silence the traces.
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The message to the lebanese people
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Is that hezbollah will continue with rearmament and concealment,
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Endangering the entire country.
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However, in southern lebanon,
00:01:15.865 --> 00:01:17.567
The air force of israel continues targeted strikes
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To block hezbollah's rehabilitation
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And has identified a change in the patterns of action
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On the ground and adapt to an up to date target bank
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For every kind of scenario.
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In the shadow of the threats,
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Prime minister netanyahu is expected
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To meet president trump soon
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To tighten strategic coordination
00:01:38.354 --> 00:01:40.623
Around gaza, lebanon, syria and iran
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And to push normalization moves with saudi arabia.
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In the defense establishment
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They are raising exceptional alerts
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As iran signals revenge in the near future,
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Not only against military personnel,
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But also against the defense industries,
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Scientists and executives.
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And meanwhile,
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As the world talks about famine in the gaza strip,
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Hamas and the palestinian islamic jihad
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Filmed themselves hiding inside tunnels with food supplies
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While the idf forces operate above them.
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And at the same time, the terrorist organization
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Again went out for searches, so to speak,
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Of the remains of the kidnapped fallen hostage
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In beit lahia this week
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And findings transferred to israel
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Were examined at the institute of forensic medicine.
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The institute concluded that the remains did not belong
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To either of the two kidnapped fallen
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Who remain in the gaza strip:
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Staff sergeant ran gvili
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And thai citizen sudthisak rinthalak.
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On the diplomatic front,
00:02:43.553 --> 00:02:44.988
Prime minister benjamin netanyahu
00:02:44.988 --> 00:02:46.422
Will soon visit the white house
00:02:46.422 --> 00:02:48.224
As the fronts in gaza and lebanon
00:02:48.224 --> 00:02:50.260
Are in a relative stalemate.
00:02:50.260 --> 00:02:52.395
He's signaling
00:02:52.395 --> 00:02:53.263
That israel will insist
00:02:53.263 --> 00:02:54.764
On a demilitarized zone
00:02:54.764 --> 00:02:56.332
From damascus to mount hermon
00:02:56.332 --> 00:02:58.735
In any future arrangement with syria.
00:02:58.735 --> 00:03:01.704
But president trump's push
00:03:01.704 --> 00:03:03.106
For regional normalization,
00:03:03.106 --> 00:03:04.641
Together with the threats
00:03:04.641 --> 00:03:06.209
Of a renewed fighting
00:03:06.209 --> 00:03:07.377
Against hezbollah,
00:03:07.377 --> 00:03:08.611
Require tight tactical diplomatic coordination
00:03:08.611 --> 00:03:12.448
With washington.
00:03:12.448 --> 00:03:13.816
So what does the idf's new ai division include?
00:03:13.816 --> 00:03:17.854
Unified at scale processing capabilities,
00:03:17.854 --> 00:03:21.624
Direct friction with forward forces,
00:03:21.624 --> 00:03:24.460
Sensor fusion and acceleration of the discovery
00:03:24.460 --> 00:03:27.897
Of tunnels, launchers and control cells.
00:03:27.897 --> 00:03:31.167
Improved precise lethality
00:03:31.167 --> 00:03:33.436
And a reduction in collateral damage.
00:03:33.436 --> 00:03:36.005
This is a structural change in the c4i directorate,
00:03:36.005 --> 00:03:40.476
Intended to turn knowledge into an immediate tactical advantage
00:03:40.476 --> 00:03:45.481
For the idf forces.
00:03:45.481 --> 00:03:47.483
So we have a lot to talk about today.
00:03:47.483 --> 00:03:49.385
So let's dive into the details.
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I'm yair pinto. with me is mati shoshani,
00:03:51.321 --> 00:03:53.956
And this is your boots on the ground report,
00:03:53.956 --> 00:03:56.059
And we are bringing you all the truth
00:03:56.059 --> 00:03:57.794
About what's happening in israel,
00:03:57.794 --> 00:03:59.362
So that you will know how to pray for the peace of jerusalem.
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Today, mati shoshani will explain
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Why the netanyahu-trump meeting
00:04:05.034 --> 00:04:07.537
Is happening precisely now,
00:04:07.537 --> 00:04:09.505
What washington expects regarding lebanon and syria,
00:04:09.505 --> 00:04:12.775
And how the lasers and the readiness in the north
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Integrate with diplomatic pressure
00:04:15.645 --> 00:04:17.980
On beirut and on tehran.
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And of course, from our studio in jerusalem,
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Tbn israel director samuel smadja
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Will bring us an in-depth interview
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With the ambassador of panama.
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I'm yair pinto, and this is your boots on the ground report,
00:04:31.394 --> 00:04:34.797
Focusing on the fighting against hamas, hezbollah,
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The houthis in yemen, the shia militias in iraq,
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And the terrorist organizations in judea and samaria.
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All of them are taking their orders
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From iran's revolutionary guards corps,
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Which is the head of the crumbling axis of evil
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In the middle east.
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So just a moment before we begin,
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It's important that you will continue
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To spread the truth with us.
00:04:56.018 --> 00:04:57.954
So visit our youtube channel:
00:04:57.954 --> 00:04:59.856
And don't forget to give a like,
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Leave a comment, share a video
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And most importantly,
00:05:04.494 --> 00:05:05.862
Click the subscribe button
00:05:05.862 --> 00:05:07.463
So that you never miss another episode of boots on the ground
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And that you will know how to pray for the peace of jerusalem.
00:05:10.767 --> 00:05:14.103
And now we'll go out to a short commercial break,
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After which we'll return to you with tbn israel's
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Senior middle east analyst mati shoshani.
00:05:19.675 --> 00:05:26.004
Senior middle east analyst mati shoshani.
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And now we'll move
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To tbn israel's senior middle east analyst mati shoshani,
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Who will give us all the details about the urgent visit
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To which prime minister benjamin netanyahu was summoned
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In the united states,
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And why this is far more significant
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For the middle east than it seems.
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So over to you, mati.
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It seems like things are on fire
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Between the white house
00:05:53.861 --> 00:05:55.096
And everything that's taking place in the middle east.
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President trump
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Just urgently called,
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Possibly even summoned
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Israeli prime minister netanyahu
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To the white house
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To talk about the next phase
00:06:04.505 --> 00:06:05.573
Of the gaza strip and this region.
00:06:05.573 --> 00:06:07.842
At the same time, hezbollah
00:06:07.842 --> 00:06:09.343
Has once again turned down
00:06:09.343 --> 00:06:11.078
The efforts and the attempts
00:06:11.078 --> 00:06:12.680
Of the us government
00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:14.048
To bring forth
00:06:14.048 --> 00:06:14.916
A longstanding ceasefire
00:06:14.916 --> 00:06:16.851
And rehabilitation process
00:06:16.851 --> 00:06:18.553
For lebanon as a country.
00:06:18.553 --> 00:06:20.154
Hamas continues
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To stubbornly refuse any attempt
00:06:21.155 --> 00:06:24.025
To rebuild, restructure
00:06:24.025 --> 00:06:25.660
The gaza strip, in which,
00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:27.094
In a case and in a scenario
00:06:27.094 --> 00:06:28.462
In which they are not present.
00:06:28.462 --> 00:06:30.064
And this isn't it.
00:06:30.064 --> 00:06:31.265
Also, syria is once again
00:06:31.265 --> 00:06:33.234
Teetering back and forth
00:06:33.234 --> 00:06:34.802
Between being part of the us plan
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And staying in the us plan,
00:06:36.804 --> 00:06:38.306
And is possibly, in a bizarre turn of events,
00:06:38.306 --> 00:06:41.175
The most positive country in its orientation
00:06:41.175 --> 00:06:43.844
Towards us interests in the middle east.
00:06:43.844 --> 00:06:46.280
So guys, let's take a couple of minutes
00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:48.082
And break down the very complex chain of events,
00:06:48.082 --> 00:06:50.885
The fascinating fast paced events,
00:06:50.885 --> 00:06:52.820
That are taking place right now in the middle east.
00:06:52.820 --> 00:06:55.856
And let's start with step number one.
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Prime minister netanyahu, president trump.
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Just last night in israel,
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We hear that president trump
00:07:01.662 --> 00:07:03.564
Urgently calls netanyahu
00:07:03.564 --> 00:07:05.566
To the white house.
00:07:05.566 --> 00:07:06.334
They met just a short time ago,
00:07:06.334 --> 00:07:08.002
So what is the urgency?
00:07:08.002 --> 00:07:09.737
Well, here it is.
00:07:09.737 --> 00:07:10.905
President trump and his team
00:07:10.905 --> 00:07:12.206
That have been working around the clock
00:07:12.206 --> 00:07:14.141
On the solution
00:07:14.141 --> 00:07:15.242
For what's going to happen
00:07:15.242 --> 00:07:16.143
In the middle east,
00:07:16.143 --> 00:07:17.044
On the day after, the phase two,
00:07:17.044 --> 00:07:19.046
The whatever you want to call it,
00:07:19.046 --> 00:07:20.281
The continuation of the 20 point plan,
00:07:20.281 --> 00:07:22.883
They're now starting to sweat,
00:07:22.883 --> 00:07:24.385
Not because of the temperature,
00:07:24.385 --> 00:07:25.453
It's december, it's cold outside.
00:07:25.453 --> 00:07:26.954
They're starting to sweat because it's becoming evident
00:07:26.954 --> 00:07:29.724
That it's incredibly hard to get everyone into action,
00:07:29.724 --> 00:07:33.561
To move everyone forward.
00:07:33.561 --> 00:07:35.396
Let me remind you what's been on the table.
00:07:35.396 --> 00:07:37.131
The big step was supposed to be
00:07:37.765 --> 00:07:39.367
Rehabilitate and rebuild the gaza strip,
00:07:39.367 --> 00:07:41.802
Build up the isf,
00:07:41.802 --> 00:07:43.404
The international stabilization force.
00:07:43.404 --> 00:07:45.640
That's a cooperation and collaboration
00:07:45.640 --> 00:07:48.009
Of multiple countries.
00:07:48.009 --> 00:07:49.677
Some of them, or many of them muslim and arab countries
00:07:49.677 --> 00:07:52.313
That would rebuild gaza and remove hamas,
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Have a long standing ceasefire inside the gaza strip,
00:07:54.649 --> 00:07:57.918
And then that's just phase one. move on to the region,
00:07:57.918 --> 00:08:01.055
Move on to stabilizing lebanon without hezbollah,
00:08:01.055 --> 00:08:03.824
To weaken hezbollah and rebuild their government
00:08:03.824 --> 00:08:05.893
With a substantial incentive package
00:08:05.893 --> 00:08:07.795
And aid from multiple countries
00:08:07.795 --> 00:08:09.597
To rebuild that very broken and war torn country.
00:08:09.597 --> 00:08:12.600
And we continue. we go east.
00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:14.168
Syria was supposed to be on that.
00:08:14.168 --> 00:08:15.736
Take the very weak government of al-sharaa,
00:08:15.736 --> 00:08:18.239
Who controls parts of syria, but again,
00:08:18.239 --> 00:08:20.007
Is a very newcomer to the scene
00:08:20.007 --> 00:08:22.343
That's trying to rehabilitate a country
00:08:22.343 --> 00:08:23.644
After more than 50 years of dictatorship.
00:08:23.644 --> 00:08:25.980
Also they're supposed to be part of this deal.
00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.982
And it goes on and on all the way to saudi arabia,
00:08:27.982 --> 00:08:30.918
Who's been incredibly reluctant to enter into this agreement.
00:08:30.918 --> 00:08:34.121
And that brings us to today, to this very complex moment
00:08:34.121 --> 00:08:37.358
Where trump calls netanyahu and says: dude...
00:08:37.358 --> 00:08:40.327
He doesn't use those words, of course, he says:
00:08:40.327 --> 00:08:42.129
Netanyahu, we need to meet urgently
00:08:42.129 --> 00:08:44.331
To move this agreement forward.
00:08:44.331 --> 00:08:46.567
And it shows you that things are not moving smoothly.
00:08:46.567 --> 00:08:50.037
Now, let me break down
00:08:50.037 --> 00:08:51.205
What has been the holdup
00:08:51.205 --> 00:08:52.740
And why things are trickier than we previously expected.
00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:56.243
So let's start with gaza.
00:08:56.243 --> 00:08:57.678
It's the nearest to where i'm standing
00:08:57.678 --> 00:08:59.213
And the most urgent and burning problem,
00:08:59.213 --> 00:09:01.582
Both literally and figuratively speaking.
00:09:01.582 --> 00:09:04.118
Gaza, after almost two years of war,
00:09:04.118 --> 00:09:06.120
Still has hamas controlling great areas of that landmass.
00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:11.225
In fact, in the big city centers,
00:09:11.225 --> 00:09:12.927
Once the idf withdrew,
00:09:12.927 --> 00:09:14.495
Hamas is once again pushing for power,
00:09:14.495 --> 00:09:17.264
For control, for influence,
00:09:17.264 --> 00:09:18.999
And they're going to continue doing so
00:09:18.999 --> 00:09:20.434
Until someone replaces them.
00:09:20.434 --> 00:09:22.403
The us plan has been to remove the hamas government
00:09:22.403 --> 00:09:25.940
And bring in international force.
00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:27.875
There have been multiple names for this.
00:09:27.875 --> 00:09:29.210
The latest one is the isf:
00:09:29.210 --> 00:09:31.779
International stabilisation force.
00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:34.515
And who is that supposed to be?
00:09:34.515 --> 00:09:36.050
The last we heard, it was supposed to be a cooperation
00:09:36.050 --> 00:09:38.753
Of azerbaijan and indonesia,
00:09:38.753 --> 00:09:41.555
Who would send forth their soldiers
00:09:41.555 --> 00:09:43.491
To be the boots on the ground in the gaza strip.
00:09:43.491 --> 00:09:46.360
Since that happened,
00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.361
Both of them have shown a bit of reluctance,
00:09:47.361 --> 00:09:49.563
Maybe for negotiation purposes,
00:09:49.563 --> 00:09:51.265
Maybe because of pressure behind the scenes,
00:09:51.265 --> 00:09:53.601
But it hasn't moved forward yet.
00:09:53.601 --> 00:09:56.103
And as time ticks on
00:09:56.103 --> 00:09:57.505
And israel still hasn't received back
00:09:57.505 --> 00:09:59.373
The remaining murdered hostages,
00:09:59.373 --> 00:10:02.076
And hamas continues to fight for control in that region,
00:10:02.076 --> 00:10:05.079
We're starting to see
00:10:05.079 --> 00:10:06.213
That it's not going to be as simple as we expected.
00:10:06.213 --> 00:10:08.783
That's why president trump
00:10:08.783 --> 00:10:10.317
Calls on netanyahu
00:10:10.317 --> 00:10:11.485
To come quickly to the white house.
00:10:11.485 --> 00:10:13.420
So what is planned in this meeting?
00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:15.156
The hope is in the us administration
00:10:15.156 --> 00:10:17.224
And the israeli administration
00:10:17.224 --> 00:10:18.759
To realign the us and israel,
00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:21.295
But also to make sure that israel and the united states
00:10:21.295 --> 00:10:23.898
Are working in the same direction.
00:10:23.898 --> 00:10:25.900
So step one is president trump
00:10:25.900 --> 00:10:27.535
Meeting with netanyahu,
00:10:27.535 --> 00:10:28.602
Trying to realign
00:10:28.602 --> 00:10:29.737
And reignite this process
00:10:29.737 --> 00:10:31.705
To move forward
00:10:31.705 --> 00:10:32.673
To the next phase,
00:10:32.673 --> 00:10:33.474
Which is the regional stability.
00:10:33.474 --> 00:10:35.543
Now, the interesting thing that's happening is syria.
00:10:35.543 --> 00:10:38.345
Syria, which was a very unstable country and entity
00:10:38.345 --> 00:10:42.116
Just months ago,
00:10:42.116 --> 00:10:43.217
Seems to possibly be the first country
00:10:43.217 --> 00:10:45.753
That will really cooperate with the americans.
00:10:45.753 --> 00:10:48.289
The united states has floated the idea
00:10:48.289 --> 00:10:49.857
Of actually having a presence on the ground inside syria,
00:10:49.857 --> 00:10:53.394
Several thousand strong,
00:10:53.394 --> 00:10:54.962
That would help rebuild that country
00:10:54.962 --> 00:10:56.263
In a way that they really need to stabilize and rebuild.
00:10:56.263 --> 00:10:59.834
That brings us really to the iranians.
00:10:59.834 --> 00:11:02.336
The iranians have been looking at all of this situation
00:11:02.336 --> 00:11:04.805
And hoping... i mean, their christmas wish,
00:11:04.805 --> 00:11:07.675
Their thanksgiving wish is really
00:11:07.675 --> 00:11:09.643
To have american interest in this region weakened.
00:11:09.643 --> 00:11:13.013
Now, the big last piece in this region
00:11:13.013 --> 00:11:15.049
Isn't actually in our own neighborhood. it's the saudis.
00:11:15.049 --> 00:11:18.252
Mbs and trump had a meeting just a couple of weeks ago,
00:11:18.252 --> 00:11:20.621
And that meeting didn't go very well.
00:11:20.621 --> 00:11:22.289
Mbs refused repeatedly
00:11:22.289 --> 00:11:24.091
To do what the united states has asked,
00:11:24.091 --> 00:11:25.392
Which was a symbolic gesture
00:11:25.392 --> 00:11:27.528
Towards regional stability and a regional pact.
00:11:27.528 --> 00:11:30.865
They're not even willing to talk about normalizing
00:11:30.865 --> 00:11:32.566
The relationship with israel or this region
00:11:32.566 --> 00:11:35.169
Until they see a substantial shift
00:11:35.169 --> 00:11:37.972
In the situation on the ground,
00:11:37.972 --> 00:11:39.473
Specifically when it relates to the israel-palestinian issue.
00:11:39.473 --> 00:11:43.811
More to come in following weeks,
00:11:43.811 --> 00:11:45.212
Because this story keeps developing on a daily basis.
00:11:45.212 --> 00:11:48.716
Thank you guys, and now back to yair pinto.
00:11:48.716 --> 00:11:50.851
Thank you mati. great analysis.
00:11:50.851 --> 00:11:53.687
And now we'll move to a fascinating interview
00:11:53.687 --> 00:11:56.624
Straight from our studio in jerusalem,
00:11:56.624 --> 00:11:58.759
Where tbn israel director samuel smadja
00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:01.328
Will bring us an interview with ezra cohen,
00:12:01.328 --> 00:12:04.498
The panama ambassador,
00:12:04.498 --> 00:12:06.333
And give us a different glimpse of what's happening in israel.
00:12:06.333 --> 00:12:10.271
Thank you, yair.
00:12:10.638 --> 00:12:12.072
What a great joy to be here
00:12:12.072 --> 00:12:13.841
Again at the studio. and today
00:12:13.841 --> 00:12:15.943
I have the honor of having with us
00:12:15.943 --> 00:12:18.145
The panama ambassador to israel, mr. ezra cohen.
00:12:18.145 --> 00:12:22.650
I don't know if you guys know,
00:12:22.650 --> 00:12:24.084
But panama was the only country in south america
00:12:24.084 --> 00:12:27.454
That didn't vote for a palestinian state.
00:12:27.454 --> 00:12:30.658
Panama is a friend of israel,
00:12:30.658 --> 00:12:32.393
And today we have the honor of having the ambassador himself
00:12:32.393 --> 00:12:35.029
Here in israel.
00:12:35.396 --> 00:12:36.997
Mr. ambassador, mr. ezra cohen,
00:12:36.997 --> 00:12:40.034
Panama, ezra cohen, can you clarify?
00:12:40.034 --> 00:12:44.171
So first of all, thank you very much, samuel,
00:12:44.171 --> 00:12:46.607
For the opportunity, for being
00:12:46.607 --> 00:12:48.142
In such a beautiful place.
00:12:48.142 --> 00:12:49.743
Beautiful scenery.
00:12:49.743 --> 00:12:51.345
And yes, panama
00:12:51.345 --> 00:12:54.014
Has been friends of israel since its inception.
00:12:54.014 --> 00:12:58.252
Panama voted in favor of the creation of the state of israel.
00:12:58.252 --> 00:13:03.057
Also, panama was the promoter of the israeli air force.
00:13:03.057 --> 00:13:10.197
The three first planes that came to israel,
00:13:10.197 --> 00:13:14.568
They were under a panamanian corporation.
00:13:14.568 --> 00:13:17.538
Wow. so first of all, thank you, panama.
00:13:17.538 --> 00:13:19.606
And if you're watching us and you're related to panama,
00:13:19.606 --> 00:13:22.042
Thank you.
00:13:22.343 --> 00:13:23.477
When i received the assignment
00:13:23.477 --> 00:13:27.514
To become the ambassador of panama in israel,
00:13:27.514 --> 00:13:32.152
President mulino
00:13:32.152 --> 00:13:33.721
Gave me the opportunity
00:13:33.721 --> 00:13:35.022
And he told me
00:13:35.022 --> 00:13:36.156
He wants to strengthen
00:13:36.156 --> 00:13:37.958
The relationship
00:13:37.958 --> 00:13:38.993
Between the two countries,
00:13:38.993 --> 00:13:40.861
And that he wanted me
00:13:40.861 --> 00:13:42.062
To expand the size of our embassy,
00:13:42.062 --> 00:13:45.232
Because he foresees that panama and israel
00:13:45.232 --> 00:13:50.137
Are partners for a long run.
00:13:50.137 --> 00:13:52.840
Beautiful. -and that panama has necessities,
00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:56.410
Israel has solutions.
00:13:56.410 --> 00:13:58.445
The idea is that i will bring the solutions
00:13:58.445 --> 00:14:01.582
To the necessity of panama.
00:14:01.582 --> 00:14:02.850
You know that it's a fulfillment of god's word.
00:14:02.850 --> 00:14:06.120
Israel should be a light to the nations. -exactly.
00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:08.122
Israel can be a blessing and you're an orthodox jew.
00:14:08.122 --> 00:14:11.425
How did an orthodox jew become the ambassador of israel?
00:14:11.425 --> 00:14:13.927
How you were nominated?
00:14:13.927 --> 00:14:15.696
First of all, i was a businessman all my life.
00:14:15.696 --> 00:14:18.799
And at the age of 32,
00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:21.535
I had the first panamanian company listed on nasdaq.
00:14:21.535 --> 00:14:25.472
And then i sold my business
00:14:26.073 --> 00:14:28.442
And i wanted to give some time
00:14:28.442 --> 00:14:31.779
To the jewish community in panama.
00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:34.415
And i started working for the community.
00:14:34.415 --> 00:14:36.650
I thought it would be a job for one year or two years.
00:14:36.650 --> 00:14:39.319
I ended up nine years being the executive director
00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:42.923
And i did very good things for the community
00:14:42.923 --> 00:14:45.359
And also for panama as a country.
00:14:45.359 --> 00:14:48.495
One of the things we created, the culture fest,
00:14:48.495 --> 00:14:52.232
Where we're bringing tourists from america to panama
00:14:52.232 --> 00:14:56.103
For the yeshiva week.
00:14:56.103 --> 00:14:57.604
We started off with 1,200 religious jews coming,
00:14:57.604 --> 00:15:02.142
And this year in january, 8,000 religious jews came.
00:15:02.142 --> 00:15:05.979
So you will see the streets of panama flooded
00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:08.415
With hasidic jews, religious jews, all kind of jews.
00:15:08.415 --> 00:15:12.086
You arrived to israel in the midst of this terrible war
00:15:12.086 --> 00:15:17.257
Of 7th of october. strange time to come to israel.
00:15:17.257 --> 00:15:20.794
You know, when i got the assignment,
00:15:20.794 --> 00:15:22.663
My friends told me: you're crazy?
00:15:22.663 --> 00:15:24.498
You're going to a country that is in the middle of a war?
00:15:24.498 --> 00:15:27.701
And my answer was,
00:15:28.135 --> 00:15:30.304
I want to be part of the history. -wow.
00:15:30.304 --> 00:15:32.773
And we arrived, i remember, at 2:00 in the morning,
00:15:32.773 --> 00:15:38.645
To an apartment that we rented in jerusalem.
00:15:38.645 --> 00:15:42.483
At 6:00 in the morning i wake up, i go to pray,
00:15:42.483 --> 00:15:46.453
And then i had no idea where i was.
00:15:46.453 --> 00:15:50.057
Then i leave the prayer,
00:15:50.057 --> 00:15:51.859
And the place is familiar to me.
00:15:52.493 --> 00:15:54.895
So i call my mom, and i ask her:
00:15:54.895 --> 00:15:57.664
Where is the synagogue that
00:15:57.664 --> 00:15:59.533
My grandfather ezra cohen used to pray?
00:15:59.533 --> 00:16:02.703
She tells me: in mekor baruch,
00:16:02.703 --> 00:16:05.105
In the synagogue called yagel yaakov.
00:16:05.105 --> 00:16:07.141
My neighbor tells me: it's here.
00:16:07.875 --> 00:16:09.576
Wow. -so we go inside
00:16:09.576 --> 00:16:11.478
And i see the sign of my grandfather
00:16:11.478 --> 00:16:13.714
As one of the biggest donors in the synagogue. -wow.
00:16:13.714 --> 00:16:16.583
Then i understood that i was
00:16:16.583 --> 00:16:18.185
At the right time at the right place.
00:16:18.185 --> 00:16:19.753
You were at home. -yes.
00:16:19.753 --> 00:16:21.121
Your father was involved in 1948.
00:16:21.121 --> 00:16:23.857
He fought in the independence war,
00:16:24.558 --> 00:16:27.327
In "ha'ir ha'atikah", in the old city.
00:16:27.327 --> 00:16:29.696
He was captured by the jordanians,
00:16:29.696 --> 00:16:32.633
And he was prisoner of war for nine months in jordan.
00:16:32.633 --> 00:16:37.738
Then he came back and he told my grandmother:
00:16:37.738 --> 00:16:41.875
I want to go back to a country
00:16:41.875 --> 00:16:45.879
Where there is no war and there is no winter.
00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:49.082
So he arrived into panama.
00:16:49.650 --> 00:16:51.218
What's the origin of your family?
00:16:51.218 --> 00:16:52.519
Where did they come from? -well, we have a mixture.
00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:55.255
My father's side is from iran,
00:16:55.255 --> 00:16:59.059
And my grandmother's side is from syria, haleb (aleppo)
00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:04.665
And from my mother's side,
00:17:05.232 --> 00:17:07.034
It's from greece and yugoslavia, bosnia.
00:17:07.034 --> 00:17:11.538
By the way, the jews came from 103 different nations
00:17:11.538 --> 00:17:15.742
And made aliyah and came to this country.
00:17:15.742 --> 00:17:17.544
What we're seeing in front of our eyes
00:17:17.544 --> 00:17:18.879
Is a total fulfillment of prophecy. -definitely.
00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:21.582
And when i see people in the streets,
00:17:21.582 --> 00:17:23.450
I meet people in the restaurant,
00:17:23.450 --> 00:17:25.519
And usually i ask from where they come.
00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:29.022
All over the world. they're here. -yes.
00:17:29.022 --> 00:17:31.358
That's the beautiful thing in israel.
00:17:31.358 --> 00:17:33.493
When you came to israel in the midst of the war,
00:17:33.493 --> 00:17:35.729
What did you see? what kind of nation did you find?
00:17:35.729 --> 00:17:38.432
What did you discover?
00:17:38.432 --> 00:17:39.433
When i arrived to this country
00:17:39.433 --> 00:17:41.168
And i am driving with my car,
00:17:41.168 --> 00:17:45.639
And... suddenly my driver stops.
00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:49.076
He opens the door and he takes out his briefcase,
00:17:49.076 --> 00:17:54.381
Goes to attend a lady that fell.
00:17:54.381 --> 00:17:57.384
Within seconds, 20 people were there helping this lady.
00:17:57.384 --> 00:18:00.821
Wow. beautiful. -you imagine this
00:18:00.821 --> 00:18:02.823
In another part of the world? nobody wants to touch.
00:18:02.823 --> 00:18:05.993
Nobody, you know, lawsuit, this and that...
00:18:05.993 --> 00:18:08.562
In israel, they all jump to help.
00:18:08.562 --> 00:18:10.631
So i have a theory.
00:18:11.098 --> 00:18:13.433
In october 6th,
00:18:13.433 --> 00:18:15.602
Israelis were different. everybody fighting.
00:18:15.602 --> 00:18:19.139
We had the october 7th
00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.941
And then on october 8th, everybody was united.
00:18:20.941 --> 00:18:24.344
So this is what it's called "arevim ze laze".
00:18:24.344 --> 00:18:29.283
We take care... -one of the other. -one of the other.
00:18:29.283 --> 00:18:32.152
Beautiful. we both had the opportunity
00:18:32.152 --> 00:18:34.021
To see president donald trump at the knesset.
00:18:34.021 --> 00:18:37.257
I think it was a great day for israel.
00:18:37.257 --> 00:18:39.192
As the ambassador of panama, how did you feel?
00:18:39.192 --> 00:18:41.595
First of all, the day started
00:18:41.595 --> 00:18:43.930
Where we were praying at the knesset at 6:00 in the morning.
00:18:43.930 --> 00:18:48.435
Wow. -and we were dancing with the torah
00:18:48.435 --> 00:18:52.606
And we knew that it's going to be a joyful day. -beautiful.
00:18:52.606 --> 00:18:57.411
When we get into the hall
00:18:57.411 --> 00:18:59.613
And we see president trump
00:18:59.613 --> 00:19:01.248
Addressing the world
00:19:01.248 --> 00:19:03.417
And thanking his team, thanking
00:19:03.417 --> 00:19:06.253
Prime minister netanyahu,
00:19:06.253 --> 00:19:07.921
I realized that this was
00:19:08.422 --> 00:19:10.290
A very historical moment.
00:19:10.290 --> 00:19:11.925
You know, israelis were not able
00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:16.530
To fulfill their real joy of the holiday of sukkot,
00:19:16.530 --> 00:19:21.401
Which is a command to be happy, because we had our hostages.
00:19:21.401 --> 00:19:26.440
It's a biblical command. and we couldn't have fulfilled joy
00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:29.476
Because our hostages were still in gaza.
00:19:29.476 --> 00:19:32.112
So when we came back in exactly the day
00:19:32.112 --> 00:19:34.514
Where we dance with the torah
00:19:34.514 --> 00:19:37.117
I said to myself, wow.
00:19:37.117 --> 00:19:39.419
Couldn't be a perfect timing for this beautiful news.
00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:44.725
And we had them, and it was a joyful moment.
00:19:44.725 --> 00:19:47.994
Still, we have bodies that we are trying to recover.
00:19:47.994 --> 00:19:51.365
But definitely is a historical moment
00:19:51.365 --> 00:19:54.768
That we lived and we're living.
00:19:54.768 --> 00:19:57.537
As president trump said, the war is over.
00:19:57.537 --> 00:19:59.873
But you and me know
00:19:59.873 --> 00:20:01.541
That the war of anti-semitism has just started.
00:20:01.541 --> 00:20:05.445
We see the rise of anti-semitism all over,
00:20:05.445 --> 00:20:08.415
Mainly in europe, mainly among young people.
00:20:08.415 --> 00:20:12.219
Can you give us your understanding
00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:14.254
On anti-semitism in south america, in panama,
00:20:14.254 --> 00:20:16.890
And how you see anti-semitism at large?
00:20:16.890 --> 00:20:21.161
Well, let me tell you that anti-semitism,
00:20:21.161 --> 00:20:25.065
I believe, there's always been there,
00:20:25.065 --> 00:20:27.634
But you need some sparkles to ignite.
00:20:27.634 --> 00:20:32.873
And october 7th was a good reason
00:20:32.873 --> 00:20:35.776
To ignite this new wave of anti-semitism.
00:20:35.776 --> 00:20:40.313
In panama, we have a very low rate of anti-semitism.
00:20:40.313 --> 00:20:44.584
And one of the things, amazingly,
00:20:44.584 --> 00:20:47.821
Is that jews and arabs, they do business together.
00:20:47.821 --> 00:20:52.592
So, you know, when we are involved in business,
00:20:52.592 --> 00:20:56.196
There is no time of thinking of doing other things.
00:20:56.196 --> 00:21:00.133
And that's why panama is a promoter of peace.
00:21:00.133 --> 00:21:04.838
We have the canal,
00:21:05.272 --> 00:21:07.040
Which we need to be neutral to all nations
00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:10.043
Because all nations are welcome to cross the canal,
00:21:10.043 --> 00:21:13.713
So that spirit of the neutrality of the canal
00:21:13.713 --> 00:21:18.285
Is being transmitted to the rest of the citizens.
00:21:18.285 --> 00:21:21.421
I think we should be an example
00:21:21.421 --> 00:21:24.424
For the rest of the countries in latin america,
00:21:24.424 --> 00:21:27.127
To see how jews and arabs can coexist and live together.
00:21:27.127 --> 00:21:33.400
You're an orthodox jew. you're a religious man.
00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:35.836
You believe in divine appointments,
00:21:35.836 --> 00:21:39.139
And i'm sure you believe that god himself sent you here.
00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:43.043
Do you have a message? do you have a purpose?
00:21:43.043 --> 00:21:46.046
First of all, samuel, i go to sleep every night
00:21:46.046 --> 00:21:49.583
And i thank god for the opportunity of being here.
00:21:49.583 --> 00:21:53.353
I think the message to all nations is -
00:21:53.353 --> 00:21:58.291
Seeing is believing.
00:21:58.758 --> 00:22:00.961
You have to come to israel.
00:22:00.961 --> 00:22:02.696
You have to see what's going on here
00:22:02.696 --> 00:22:05.365
And then you will be able to understand.
00:22:05.365 --> 00:22:07.834
I go to a hospital and i see arab worker.
00:22:07.834 --> 00:22:10.904
Druse worker. religious jew worker.
00:22:10.904 --> 00:22:13.640
You have three doctors, two jews, one arab,
00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:16.076
Two arabs, one jew. -and everybody...
00:22:16.076 --> 00:22:18.712
Working together. -working together and trying to help.
00:22:18.712 --> 00:22:22.115
So this is the nation of israel,
00:22:22.115 --> 00:22:25.552
A blend of different nations.
00:22:25.552 --> 00:22:30.524
And i think the idea is to live in peace.
00:22:30.524 --> 00:22:34.928
So if the surrounding countries of israel
00:22:34.928 --> 00:22:38.999
Will like to see peace in the future,
00:22:38.999 --> 00:22:43.103
I think they have to copy the israeli model.
00:22:43.103 --> 00:22:46.139
Well, we blend all societies, all types of nations.
00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:50.176
Mr. ambassador,
00:22:50.544 --> 00:22:51.611
Everybody is talking about the abraham accords,
00:22:51.611 --> 00:22:53.280
The enlargement of the abraham accords.
00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:55.181
How do you see that?
00:22:55.181 --> 00:22:56.616
It's a no brainer that more countries will join
00:22:56.616 --> 00:23:00.420
The abraham accords. -so you believe that more countries...
00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:02.422
100 percent.
00:23:02.422 --> 00:23:04.658
And i believe that it's going to be
00:23:04.658 --> 00:23:07.727
A new region, a new middle east.
00:23:07.727 --> 00:23:10.864
We saw israel during the iran war
00:23:10.864 --> 00:23:14.601
Become a superpower within a few days.
00:23:14.601 --> 00:23:18.672
So the shape of the middle east is changing dramatically.
00:23:18.672 --> 00:23:23.443
And i think the abraham accords is the promoter, or the sponsor
00:23:23.443 --> 00:23:31.051
Of peace between the nations surrounding israel.
00:23:31.051 --> 00:23:34.688
And you see it as an opportunity for the whole region.
00:23:34.688 --> 00:23:37.223
Everybody will benefit. -100 percent. it's a win win.
00:23:37.223 --> 00:23:40.193
You know, when you see peace in the region,
00:23:40.193 --> 00:23:43.296
Imagine about the logistics.
00:23:43.296 --> 00:23:45.999
Israel in the middle of so many countries doing business,
00:23:45.999 --> 00:23:49.903
Israelis being able to travel.
00:23:49.903 --> 00:23:52.072
We will have enhance of tourism from arab countries to israel.
00:23:52.072 --> 00:23:57.010
Why not pursue that?
00:23:57.010 --> 00:23:58.612
And again, i'm going back to the panamanian model
00:23:58.612 --> 00:24:02.582
Where jews and arabs are doing business
00:24:02.582 --> 00:24:04.451
And they're doing great, so... -mr. ambassador,
00:24:04.451 --> 00:24:07.921
You sit overlooking mount zion, mount of olives.
00:24:07.921 --> 00:24:12.392
Not far we can see... almost can see the western wall.
00:24:12.392 --> 00:24:16.096
What's your message
00:24:16.563 --> 00:24:17.530
To the christian world around the world?
00:24:17.530 --> 00:24:18.932
I think that...
00:24:18.932 --> 00:24:21.034
Coming to israel and living the spiritual part of israel,
00:24:21.034 --> 00:24:26.573
Where every rock has a story, a history to tell,
00:24:26.573 --> 00:24:31.778
I think it's worth coming and seeing.
00:24:31.778 --> 00:24:34.314
And i think once you get this influence in your body,
00:24:34.314 --> 00:24:39.819
In your soul, when you go back,
00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:42.455
You will be able to love even more israel.
00:24:42.455 --> 00:24:46.559
Mr. ambassador, what a great joy,
00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:48.595
What a great honor having you here in our studio.
00:24:48.595 --> 00:24:51.197
Thank you.
00:24:51.498 --> 00:24:52.766
And to you, our friends, thank you for watching.
00:24:52.766 --> 00:24:56.569
Back to you, yair.
00:24:56.569 --> 00:24:58.304
I hope you enjoyed this interview.
00:24:58.304 --> 00:25:00.206
And now we'll go out to a short commercial break,
00:25:00.206 --> 00:25:02.942
After which we'll return and pray together
00:25:02.942 --> 00:25:06.179
For the peace and the people of israel.
00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:13.008
For the peace and the people of israel.
00:25:13.008 --> 00:25:20.083
Thank you very much
00:25:20.550 --> 00:25:21.551
For coming back to us.
00:25:21.551 --> 00:25:22.986
Now we will continue
00:25:22.986 --> 00:25:25.054
To spread the truth together,
00:25:25.054 --> 00:25:27.023
But we need to remember that this is a spiritual war,
00:25:27.023 --> 00:25:30.026
And the only way to fight
00:25:30.026 --> 00:25:31.728
A spiritual war is by praying.
00:25:31.728 --> 00:25:33.930
So let's pray together right now.
00:25:33.930 --> 00:25:36.032
Our father in heaven,
00:25:36.533 --> 00:25:37.734
Thank you for being with us every single day,
00:25:37.734 --> 00:25:41.104
Even when it seems like there is no solution to our problems.
00:25:41.104 --> 00:25:47.076
You have a way that our lives will be used
00:25:47.076 --> 00:25:51.881
For something way better
00:25:51.881 --> 00:25:53.550
Than what we ever could imagine for ourselves.
00:25:53.550 --> 00:25:56.853
You can turn unimaginable challenges
00:25:56.853 --> 00:25:59.789
Into amazing opportunities to share your love.
00:25:59.789 --> 00:26:04.093
God, thank you for keeping me,
00:26:04.093 --> 00:26:06.563
My family, our team and their families safe
00:26:06.563 --> 00:26:09.332
Throughout this two years of wars in israel.
00:26:09.332 --> 00:26:12.468
We pray for peace.
00:26:12.902 --> 00:26:14.437
We pray for all those innocent lives that are affected
00:26:14.437 --> 00:26:17.640
By these terrible terrorist organizations,
00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:19.876
To see your love and to feel your love in their hearts.
00:26:19.876 --> 00:26:24.047
We pray for our enemies,
00:26:24.047 --> 00:26:26.249
Not that they will succeed in launching attacks against us,
00:26:26.249 --> 00:26:29.452
But that they will know you
00:26:29.452 --> 00:26:30.587
And start loving the people of israel, your people.
00:26:30.587 --> 00:26:34.991
God, we pray that you will bring peace and wisdom
00:26:34.991 --> 00:26:39.462
To all of our leaders. we pray
00:26:39.462 --> 00:26:41.731
For the peace of jerusalem,
00:26:41.731 --> 00:26:43.633
And we also want to pray
00:26:43.633 --> 00:26:45.001
For our viewers
00:26:45.001 --> 00:26:46.102
All over the world
00:26:46.102 --> 00:26:47.470
To seek you first
00:26:47.470 --> 00:26:48.705
In everything that they do.
00:26:48.705 --> 00:26:50.673
In the name of yeshua hamashiach
00:26:50.673 --> 00:26:53.042
Jesus christ, amen.
00:26:53.509 --> 00:26:56.379
Thank you for joining us
00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.448
And have a great day.
00:26:58.448 --> 00:26:58.448

Hezbollah Tensions Rapidly Escalate; Iran Targets Israeli Scientists | Boots on the Ground

December 4, 2025 | 31:30

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