Boots on the Ground

Iran Protesters Ignite Police Stations; Regime Escalates Crackdown Threats | Boots on the Ground

January 8, 2026 | 31:30

TBN Israel's Yair Pinto reports on the Israel-Hamas and regional war. From the burning streets of Tehran to the collapsing tunnels of Gaza, the Middle East is on edge. Iran’s regime faces a breaking point at home, while Hezbollah races to rebuild its missile power and Hamas scrambles for control and cash. In this special episode of Boots on the Ground, we track the cracks in the Islamic Republic, the IDF’s quiet war in Lebanon, and the prophetic stakes of this historic moment.

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Boots on the Ground | Iran Protesters Ignite Police Stations; Regime Escalates Crackdown Threats | Boots on the Ground | January 8, 2026

Fires, tear gas
00:00:07.162 --> 00:00:09.098
And live ammunition have met
00:00:09.098 --> 00:00:11.200
The escalating street protests
00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:13.402
In iran, as the regime
00:00:13.402 --> 00:00:15.604
Ramps up its response.
00:00:15.604 --> 00:00:17.773
The islamic republic is on the verge of a boiling point
00:00:17.773 --> 00:00:21.243
Over amidst a sustained broad protest wave,
00:00:21.243 --> 00:00:25.514
Crossing cities and sectors,
00:00:25.514 --> 00:00:27.716
But still without a decisive turning point.
00:00:27.716 --> 00:00:30.986
And in the shadow of the chaos in the streets,
00:00:30.986 --> 00:00:33.689
Tehran is sending a threatening hint to the west.
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Iran will not wait for an attack by the united states or israel.
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It may strike first.
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Welcome to boots on the ground.
00:00:43.398 --> 00:00:44.933
I'm your host, yair pinto, bringing you the whole truth
00:00:44.933 --> 00:00:47.603
About what's happening in israel.
00:00:47.603 --> 00:00:50.405
An unprecedented wave of protests
00:00:50.405 --> 00:00:52.975
Against the ayatollah regime in iran has continued
00:00:52.975 --> 00:00:55.978
After the economy collapsed,
00:00:55.978 --> 00:00:57.846
With the currency at a historic low
00:00:57.846 --> 00:01:01.150
And an impossible cost of living,
00:01:01.150 --> 00:01:03.352
Prompting the iranian streets
00:01:03.352 --> 00:01:05.187
To set the pace for the demonstrations.
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However, the security establishments
00:01:08.323 --> 00:01:10.392
In israel and in the west
00:01:10.392 --> 00:01:12.094
Assess that the desired angry
00:01:12.094 --> 00:01:15.030
And the intensity of the protests
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Still do not have immediately endangered
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The ayatollah regime's rule.
00:01:21.136 --> 00:01:23.305
The regime responds with a heavy hand
00:01:23.305 --> 00:01:26.074
And deploys forces, and at the same time
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It tries to project stability and confidence.
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In the midst of all of this, iran is boasting
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About completing an internal defensive layer
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Around its nuclear facilities.
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The supreme leader of iran even questioned israel's intentions,
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And claimed that reports about calming messages
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Delivered through russia,
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Are not the result of deterrence,
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But of strength of the iranian people.
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And at the same time,
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Iran's defensive council issued an unusual threat,
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One that for the first time publicly hints
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That tehran does not rule out
00:02:01.476 --> 00:02:03.845
A preemptive strike against israel.
00:02:03.845 --> 00:02:06.315
And now the big question hangs in the air -
00:02:06.315 --> 00:02:09.051
Who will strike first, if at all,
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Iran, israel or a combined move with the american backing?
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And another question
00:02:16.058 --> 00:02:17.292
Is about whether the mossad is stirring up the protests.
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But on the 10th day of the revolt,
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Jerusalem shines a spotlight on the regime's hypocrisy.
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The foreign ministry, in persian,
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Reminds citizens of a sharp figure.
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The regime spends usd7 per iranian citizen
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And usd1,008 per hezbollah terrorist.
00:02:37.946 --> 00:02:42.417
So while millions of ordinary iranians struggle to survive,
00:02:42.417 --> 00:02:45.887
Public funds continue to flow to regional terror against israel.
00:02:45.887 --> 00:02:51.226
On that subject,
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Israeli intelligence has also revealed details
00:02:52.427 --> 00:02:54.796
About secret meetings between senior iranian figures
00:02:54.796 --> 00:02:57.933
And the houthis in yemen,
00:02:57.933 --> 00:02:59.468
Intended to coordinate a response to a possible attack.
00:02:59.468 --> 00:03:03.071
The iranian axis is tightening even as the streets burn.
00:03:03.071 --> 00:03:08.043
Elsewhere, in the gaza strip,
00:03:08.043 --> 00:03:09.845
The hamas terrorist organization is watching with concern.
00:03:09.845 --> 00:03:13.115
The protests in iran
00:03:13.115 --> 00:03:14.683
Could affect it economically and militarily.
00:03:14.683 --> 00:03:17.552
Hamas is already finding it difficult to operate in gaza,
00:03:17.552 --> 00:03:20.856
And it is searching for breaches in other areas,
00:03:20.856 --> 00:03:25.394
No less dangerous.
00:03:25.394 --> 00:03:27.296
Today we will examine how, after almost two years of war,
00:03:27.296 --> 00:03:31.033
The organization is trying to reinvent itself.
00:03:31.033 --> 00:03:34.403
In the north, hezbollah is also preparing for war
00:03:34.403 --> 00:03:37.372
And lebanon's internationally recognized government
00:03:37.372 --> 00:03:39.775
Is turning a blind eye.
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It is even announcing the completion of the first stage
00:03:41.777 --> 00:03:44.746
In disarming the organization in the south this week,
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And an expected move to areas north of the litani.
00:03:48.817 --> 00:03:51.920
But in the lebanese media,
00:03:51.920 --> 00:03:53.322
They report concerns about an intensive israeli move,
00:03:53.322 --> 00:03:56.491
And in the idf they have decided to expose footage
00:03:56.491 --> 00:03:59.895
Of soviet built uavs that were converted into cruise missiles
00:03:59.895 --> 00:04:04.833
From hezbollah's guarded facilities.
00:04:04.833 --> 00:04:07.769
So looking at israel, iran, hamas and lebanon,
00:04:07.769 --> 00:04:12.474
We see that every arena connects into one picture.
00:04:12.474 --> 00:04:16.178
And alongside all of this,
00:04:16.178 --> 00:04:17.813
There is also encouraging news
00:04:17.813 --> 00:04:19.614
Because after a month of negotiations with syria,
00:04:19.614 --> 00:04:23.151
Prime minister benjamin netanyahu announced progress
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In the talks with the al-julani regime,
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Which are taking place with american backing.
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And israel will protect the security of the druze.
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I'm yair pinto, and this is your boots on the ground report
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On day 823 of the war
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Against hamas, hezbollah, the houthis in yemen,
00:04:41.236 --> 00:04:44.072
And all the other proxy organizations in this region
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That are taking their orders
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From the iranian revolutionary guards corps,
00:04:48.777 --> 00:04:51.313
Which is the head of the crumbling axis of evil
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In the middle east.
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So one moment before we begin,
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It's important that you keep spreading the truth.
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Go into our youtube channel:
00:04:58.887 --> 00:05:00.655
And don't forget to like, share,
00:05:01.289 --> 00:05:02.924
And most importantly,
00:05:02.924 --> 00:05:04.159
To press the subscribe button
00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:05.627
So that you stay aligned
00:05:05.627 --> 00:05:06.795
On a daily basis with the truth
00:05:06.795 --> 00:05:08.697
Of what's happening in israel,
00:05:08.697 --> 00:05:10.065
So that you will know
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How to pray
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For the peace of jerusalem.
00:05:12.267 --> 00:05:13.668
Because this is a spiritual war
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That involves all of us.
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And now let's take a short commercial break
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And we'll be right back.
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And we'll be right back.
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Welcome back, and it's time
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To dive into the news
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Because tehran is burning.
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And that's not a metaphor,
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But the literal truth.
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Streets and police stations have been set on fire.
00:05:39.854 --> 00:05:42.724
Factories linked to the revolutionary guards
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Are blowing up and screens going dark one after another,
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As thousands of ordinary citizens
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Are going out again and again
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To the streets and to the squares
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To demand a change. in israel,
00:05:57.338 --> 00:05:59.607
We are watching the upheaval in the islamic republic
00:05:59.607 --> 00:06:02.443
With vigilance, but at this stage,
00:06:02.443 --> 00:06:04.879
According to the latest situation assessments,
00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:07.348
No preparations for an offensive action against israel
00:06:07.348 --> 00:06:10.518
Are identified and therefore the instruction
00:06:10.518 --> 00:06:13.288
Is to continue intelligence monitoring
00:06:13.288 --> 00:06:15.523
Without raising alert levels,
00:06:15.523 --> 00:06:17.659
Yet with a clear order for everyone to stay sharp,
00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:21.129
Including both soldiers and civilians.
00:06:21.129 --> 00:06:24.098
On the ground, in iran,
00:06:24.098 --> 00:06:25.667
The numbers are already painting a broad picture
00:06:25.667 --> 00:06:29.437
As reports point to the spread of the protests
00:06:29.437 --> 00:06:32.874
To hundreds of flashpoints
00:06:32.874 --> 00:06:34.609
And dozens of cities and provinces.
00:06:34.609 --> 00:06:37.412
The casualty count also varies between sources,
00:06:37.412 --> 00:06:40.348
But the common denominator is the direction.
00:06:40.348 --> 00:06:43.818
Things are definitely escalating
00:06:43.818 --> 00:06:46.287
And reports have emerged of at least 36 fatalities
00:06:46.287 --> 00:06:49.691
And dozens of injuries
00:06:49.691 --> 00:06:51.192
As security forces have used rubber bullets,
00:06:51.192 --> 00:06:53.928
Tear gas and even live ammunition,
00:06:53.928 --> 00:06:56.497
As well as making hundreds of arrests.
00:06:56.497 --> 00:06:59.968
In an attempt to block documentation
00:06:59.968 --> 00:07:01.936
And coordination between the flashpoints,
00:07:01.936 --> 00:07:04.272
It was reported that internet access
00:07:04.272 --> 00:07:06.474
Was blocked or slowed down in many areas,
00:07:06.474 --> 00:07:09.277
Especially in places where large demonstrations were recorded.
00:07:09.277 --> 00:07:13.548
And alongside the street protests,
00:07:13.548 --> 00:07:15.717
Reports of explosions also emerged,
00:07:15.717 --> 00:07:18.886
Including a massive blast
00:07:18.886 --> 00:07:20.955
At the kaleh factory in northern tehran,
00:07:20.955 --> 00:07:24.459
Which is linked to the revolutionary guards.
00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:27.095
And at the same time, another explosion was reported
00:07:27.095 --> 00:07:29.564
In the city of pakdasht, east of tehran.
00:07:29.564 --> 00:07:33.201
And in the protest flashpoints themselves,
00:07:33.201 --> 00:07:35.803
The city of malekshahi, and in the imam province
00:07:35.803 --> 00:07:40.241
Were defined in one report as the deadliest arena so far,
00:07:40.241 --> 00:07:45.013
With live fire directed at the protesters.
00:07:45.013 --> 00:07:48.516
Fars news agency, identified with the revolutionary guards,
00:07:48.516 --> 00:07:51.686
Even confirmed three fatalities in the city
00:07:51.686 --> 00:07:54.789
And local sources reported overcrowding in hospitals
00:07:54.789 --> 00:07:58.893
And a shortage of blood units. and in other places,
00:07:58.893 --> 00:08:02.296
Including shiraz, mashhad and tehran itself,
00:08:02.296 --> 00:08:06.367
Violent clashes were reported.
00:08:06.367 --> 00:08:09.070
And against this background, a dramatic report also appeared
00:08:09.070 --> 00:08:12.206
In the british times news portal,
00:08:12.206 --> 00:08:14.509
Which said that the intelligence report
00:08:14.509 --> 00:08:17.045
That reached the newspaper,
00:08:17.045 --> 00:08:19.113
Khamenei is planning to flee tehran to russia
00:08:19.113 --> 00:08:22.684
With a close circle of up to 20 relatives and family members
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If he discovers that the security forces
00:08:26.854 --> 00:08:29.724
Called to suppress the riots will abandon this mission
00:08:29.724 --> 00:08:32.694
Or will not follow orders.
00:08:32.694 --> 00:08:35.229
This is a claim that illustrates how much the very possibility
00:08:35.229 --> 00:08:39.333
Of defection at the top and on the ground
00:08:39.333 --> 00:08:42.136
Becomes the talk of the day around the regime.
00:08:42.136 --> 00:08:45.339
In jerusalem, prime minister benjamin netanyahu
00:08:45.339 --> 00:08:47.775
Convened a security discussion this week,
00:08:47.775 --> 00:08:50.278
And later he referred for the first time to the demonstration,
00:08:50.278 --> 00:08:53.548
Saying, we identify with the struggle of the iranian people,
00:08:53.548 --> 00:08:57.218
With its aspirations for freedom and liberty and justice.
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It may very well be that we are standing at the moment
00:09:02.657 --> 00:09:06.427
When the iranian people are taking their fate
00:09:06.427 --> 00:09:08.763
Into their own hands.
00:09:08.763 --> 00:09:10.298
In israel's security establishment, it was reported
00:09:10.298 --> 00:09:13.067
That they updated the intelligence assessment
00:09:13.067 --> 00:09:15.369
And determined the riots create a real threat
00:09:15.369 --> 00:09:18.072
To the stability of the iranian regime
00:09:18.072 --> 00:09:19.974
And can even lead to the fall of khamenei's regime.
00:09:19.974 --> 00:09:23.511
This raises the question that many people are asking
00:09:23.511 --> 00:09:25.747
In jerusalem and also elsewhere
00:09:25.747 --> 00:09:27.882
- will extreme internal pressure
00:09:27.882 --> 00:09:29.650
Push the regime to look for an external enemy
00:09:29.650 --> 00:09:32.754
And divert the rage to another front?
00:09:32.754 --> 00:09:35.656
According to intelligence assessments,
00:09:35.656 --> 00:09:37.759
At this stage,
00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.893
No iranian preparations for an attack are identified
00:09:38.893 --> 00:09:41.963
And therefore there is no change in the alert levels.
00:09:41.963 --> 00:09:45.032
But vigilance is maintained and at the same time,
00:09:45.032 --> 00:09:48.402
There is also a scenario that appears in the discourse -
00:09:48.402 --> 00:09:51.472
If tehran feels under heavy pressure
00:09:51.472 --> 00:09:53.574
To the point of threatening the very survival of the regime,
00:09:53.574 --> 00:09:57.311
It may consider a limited and contained move.
00:09:57.311 --> 00:10:00.681
One intention to create an impression
00:10:00.681 --> 00:10:03.718
Of control and deterrence without being dragged
00:10:03.718 --> 00:10:06.788
Into a grinding and never ending confrontation.
00:10:06.788 --> 00:10:10.491
This ties in directly to the reports
00:10:10.491 --> 00:10:12.827
Of the mysterious explosions at iranian facilities
00:10:12.827 --> 00:10:16.731
And a recent post on x meant to undermine
00:10:16.731 --> 00:10:19.567
The basij and the security ranks,
00:10:19.567 --> 00:10:22.170
And to the american threat
00:10:22.170 --> 00:10:23.604
Hovering over every decision in tehran.
00:10:23.604 --> 00:10:26.607
These are not assessments in the air,
00:10:26.607 --> 00:10:28.709
But a pressure picture
00:10:28.709 --> 00:10:30.411
Accumulating from every direction,
00:10:30.411 --> 00:10:32.480
Including a street that does not calm down,
00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:35.316
A regime trying to suppress dissent
00:10:35.316 --> 00:10:38.286
And also a consciousness
00:10:38.286 --> 00:10:41.322
Being attacked from within and from without.
00:10:41.322 --> 00:10:44.792
And here at tbn israel,
00:10:44.792 --> 00:10:46.394
We will continue to report on every development in iran.
00:10:46.394 --> 00:10:48.996
And now we move to a fascinating interview
00:10:48.996 --> 00:10:51.799
Straight from our studios in jerusalem,
00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:54.468
Where tbn israel director samuel smadja
00:10:54.468 --> 00:10:57.572
Will bring us a particularly surprising interview
00:10:57.572 --> 00:11:00.708
With william koenig.
00:11:00.708 --> 00:11:02.577
So over to you, samuel smadja.
00:11:02.577 --> 00:11:04.445
Thank you, yair,
00:11:04.445 --> 00:11:06.013
And shalom to you,
00:11:06.447 --> 00:11:07.748
Once again at the tbn studio
00:11:07.748 --> 00:11:09.617
Overlooking this beautiful city of jerusalem.
00:11:09.617 --> 00:11:12.119
And today i have a special friend.
00:11:12.119 --> 00:11:14.555
Many of you know him, mr. william koenig.
00:11:14.555 --> 00:11:18.192
Shalom. -thank you, samuel.
00:11:18.192 --> 00:11:19.794
William, you're a great friend of israel.
00:11:19.794 --> 00:11:21.596
You've been here 38 times.
00:11:21.596 --> 00:11:23.097
You're coming again and again and again.
00:11:23.097 --> 00:11:24.999
You are a white house correspondent.
00:11:24.999 --> 00:11:28.169
You love this part of the world.
00:11:28.169 --> 00:11:30.204
What brings you back all the time? -you know, samuel,
00:11:30.204 --> 00:11:32.907
I was blessed to be in dallas
00:11:32.907 --> 00:11:35.376
And got real involved with
00:11:35.376 --> 00:11:36.611
Dallas theological seminary.
00:11:36.611 --> 00:11:38.412
And we have some
00:11:38.412 --> 00:11:39.213
Of the great prophecy teachers -
00:11:39.213 --> 00:11:40.548
Walvoord, pentecost, ryrie
00:11:40.548 --> 00:11:43.451
And i always have loved the state of israel.
00:11:43.451 --> 00:11:45.586
It's just something that's in my very being.
00:11:45.586 --> 00:11:48.055
But to be able to be educated
00:11:48.055 --> 00:11:49.957
On the biblical significance of the state of israel
00:11:49.957 --> 00:11:53.628
And the fact that jerusalem is god's time clock
00:11:53.628 --> 00:11:57.632
Was just so interesting to me.
00:11:57.632 --> 00:11:59.567
And i was in commercial real estate for 20 years
00:11:59.567 --> 00:12:02.236
And felt like doing something different.
00:12:02.236 --> 00:12:04.338
The lord called me out.
00:12:04.338 --> 00:12:05.373
I started doing a weekly news report
00:12:05.373 --> 00:12:07.808
That would go out by fax at that time, even before the internet,
00:12:07.808 --> 00:12:11.279
Every sunday to all the major ministries in america
00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:13.547
That were pro-israel, like kay arthur, john hagee and others,
00:12:13.547 --> 00:12:16.617
And then we moved to the internet
00:12:16.617 --> 00:12:18.119
And started posting news every day of the year,
00:12:18.119 --> 00:12:21.155
World news that's biblically relevant.
00:12:21.155 --> 00:12:23.257
And then i started noticing patterns -
00:12:23.257 --> 00:12:26.627
Every time we would put pressure on israel
00:12:26.627 --> 00:12:29.297
To divide their covenant land, or arafat was in america,
00:12:29.297 --> 00:12:32.667
We'd have these enormous catastrophic events
00:12:32.667 --> 00:12:35.269
The same day or within 24 hours.
00:12:35.269 --> 00:12:37.338
So i followed those patterns, wrote a couple of books.
00:12:37.338 --> 00:12:40.308
My latest, "eye to eye:
00:12:40.308 --> 00:12:42.076
"facing the consequences of dividing israel",
00:12:42.076 --> 00:12:45.012
Documents over 126 events
00:12:45.012 --> 00:12:48.249
Where we applied pressure on israel
00:12:48.249 --> 00:12:49.951
To divide the land. -so wait, wait.
00:12:49.951 --> 00:12:51.285
You really believe? -absolutely. -every time america or the world
00:12:51.285 --> 00:12:55.923
Is putting pressure on israel, something happened?
00:12:55.923 --> 00:12:59.694
Absolutely. to divide their covenant land,
00:12:59.694 --> 00:13:01.996
It's pressure having to do with the covenant land of israel.
00:13:01.996 --> 00:13:06.334
George herbert walker bush was in madrid, spain.
00:13:07.335 --> 00:13:10.938
He started the peace process october of 1991.
00:13:10.938 --> 00:13:15.009
The famous storm, the perfect storm,
00:13:15.009 --> 00:13:17.578
Was slamming into his home in kennebunkport, maine
00:13:17.578 --> 00:13:20.281
As he's calling on israel to give back the land
00:13:20.281 --> 00:13:22.049
From the six day war.
00:13:22.049 --> 00:13:23.551
And it's one event after another.
00:13:23.551 --> 00:13:25.586
17 days before the 9/11 terror event of 2001,
00:13:25.586 --> 00:13:30.057
George bush was working
00:13:30.057 --> 00:13:31.292
With crown prince abdullah of saudi arabia
00:13:31.292 --> 00:13:33.561
On a two state plan,
00:13:33.561 --> 00:13:35.329
Something his dad or bill clinton would have never done.
00:13:35.329 --> 00:13:38.366
And they finished the work on 9/10, and then 9/11 happened.
00:13:38.366 --> 00:13:42.136
And the lord reminded me the god of israel
00:13:42.136 --> 00:13:43.871
Did not produce the evil of 9/11, but he didn't stop it.
00:13:43.871 --> 00:13:47.475
And then hurricane katrina,
00:13:47.475 --> 00:13:48.809
It actually began six hours after george bush
00:13:48.809 --> 00:13:52.213
Congratulated ariel sharon
00:13:52.213 --> 00:13:53.447
For making that courageous decision
00:13:53.447 --> 00:13:54.915
To move 9,500 jews out of their homes and synagogues
00:13:54.915 --> 00:13:58.052
In those 24 settlements in gush katif
00:13:58.052 --> 00:14:00.187
And the four settlements in samaria,
00:14:00.187 --> 00:14:02.289
And katrina slammed into the us coast.
00:14:02.289 --> 00:14:05.926
Let's talk about current events.
00:14:05.926 --> 00:14:08.429
We're two years after 7th of october, no doubt,
00:14:08.429 --> 00:14:10.898
Probably the worst day for the people of israel
00:14:10.898 --> 00:14:12.833
Since the establishment of israel.
00:14:12.833 --> 00:14:14.869
I'd love to hear your perspective.
00:14:14.869 --> 00:14:16.737
First of all, your perspective as a white house correspondent,
00:14:16.737 --> 00:14:21.175
And second of all, your perspective as a christian.
00:14:21.175 --> 00:14:24.812
On september 23rd,
00:14:25.246 --> 00:14:28.015
Benjamin netanyahu was at the un general assembly
00:14:28.015 --> 00:14:32.853
Giving his vision of a future middle east.
00:14:32.853 --> 00:14:36.290
Everybody was looking at him as a man of peace.
00:14:36.290 --> 00:14:39.493
The day before that, crown prince bin salman
00:14:39.493 --> 00:14:42.163
Was on national tv with bret baier of fox news
00:14:42.163 --> 00:14:45.666
Talking about the possibility
00:14:45.666 --> 00:14:47.268
Of this israeli-saudi normalization agreement.
00:14:47.268 --> 00:14:50.371
Our concern as christians and my jewish friends,
00:14:50.371 --> 00:14:52.973
Is what is netanyahu giving up to appease the saudis
00:14:52.973 --> 00:14:56.777
In order to get this deal?
00:14:56.777 --> 00:14:58.779
And then october 7th,
00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:01.549
It reminded me the pattern of october 7th
00:15:01.549 --> 00:15:04.051
Was so similar to the pattern of 9.11.2001,
00:15:04.051 --> 00:15:07.788
When god lifted his hand of protection
00:15:07.788 --> 00:15:10.057
For that brief moment.
00:15:10.057 --> 00:15:11.859
So the question here, or the point here is,
00:15:11.859 --> 00:15:14.361
What was netanyahu about to do with the saudis?
00:15:14.361 --> 00:15:17.131
Did this bring judgment?
00:15:17.131 --> 00:15:18.899
Number two, after that event,
00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:21.202
After that tragic event of october 7th,
00:15:21.202 --> 00:15:25.139
Israel eliminated most of the leadership,
00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:28.642
Or almost all of the leadership of hamas, wiped out hezbollah,
00:15:28.642 --> 00:15:32.947
Took down the missile defense system in iran.
00:15:32.947 --> 00:15:35.683
That curse ended up becoming a blessing,
00:15:35.683 --> 00:15:37.685
Where israel pretty much
00:15:37.685 --> 00:15:39.120
Eliminated all of their risks at that time.
00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.455
So that was our perspective.
00:15:41.455 --> 00:15:43.290
Obviously, it tore at our heart to see this.
00:15:43.290 --> 00:15:45.926
My wife, tanya and i have been here quite a bit
00:15:45.926 --> 00:15:47.761
Since october 7th and know what it has done to the country.
00:15:47.761 --> 00:15:51.532
But at the same time, once again, the god of israel
00:15:51.532 --> 00:15:54.768
Is going to protect his abrahamic covenant land.
00:15:54.768 --> 00:15:57.004
So let's talk about the god of israel.
00:15:57.004 --> 00:15:59.707
You've been 20 years in the white house.
00:15:59.707 --> 00:16:02.109
I'm sure you saw the hand of the lord
00:16:02.109 --> 00:16:05.246
Coming and defending his people, his small nation,
00:16:05.246 --> 00:16:08.749
In the white house. -what i always look at is genesis 15:18,
00:16:08.749 --> 00:16:12.686
And i look at the biblical significance
00:16:12.686 --> 00:16:14.388
Of the abrahamic covenant and the covenant land.
00:16:14.388 --> 00:16:18.526
And i, by observing these events,
00:16:18.526 --> 00:16:21.862
The greater the pressure on israel to comply,
00:16:22.763 --> 00:16:24.698
The greater the catastrophe in america.
00:16:24.698 --> 00:16:27.434
A 30 year correspondent at the white house told me,
00:16:28.469 --> 00:16:30.538
George bush never got over the damage of 9/11 and katrina,
00:16:30.538 --> 00:16:34.675
It completely disrupted his administration.
00:16:34.675 --> 00:16:37.845
At any time when we see a president applying pressure
00:16:37.845 --> 00:16:41.749
On israel, the lord intervenes.
00:16:41.749 --> 00:16:43.617
I mean, despite the tragedy of october 7th,
00:16:43.617 --> 00:16:47.488
It gave israel the opportunity and the support of america
00:16:47.488 --> 00:16:51.525
To take care of business,
00:16:52.092 --> 00:16:53.794
So that that curse ended up being a blessing.
00:16:53.794 --> 00:16:56.764
In america, samuel, we have 100 million people
00:16:56.764 --> 00:16:59.466
That attend church, protestants and catholics,
00:16:59.466 --> 00:17:01.669
That have no understanding of the biblical significance
00:17:01.669 --> 00:17:04.638
Of the state of israel today.
00:17:04.638 --> 00:17:06.373
35 percent of the church, which you have many friends
00:17:06.373 --> 00:17:09.043
In that evangelical part of the church in america,
00:17:09.043 --> 00:17:11.779
Stands and supports the state of israel.
00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:14.348
What this has done, the blessing for israel,
00:17:14.348 --> 00:17:17.685
It's wakened up the evangelical part of the church
00:17:17.685 --> 00:17:20.854
And at the same time, the jewish residents of israel
00:17:20.854 --> 00:17:24.358
Now fully understand it's not all christians
00:17:24.358 --> 00:17:27.094
That were against us in the holocaust.
00:17:27.094 --> 00:17:29.496
The evangelicals are special.
00:17:29.496 --> 00:17:31.432
And i've had businessmen and people here in israel
00:17:31.432 --> 00:17:33.567
Say, we don't know where we would be
00:17:33.567 --> 00:17:35.569
If we didn't have that strong support
00:17:35.569 --> 00:17:38.572
Of the evangelical community. and, sammy,
00:17:38.572 --> 00:17:40.507
You know that firsthand.
00:17:40.507 --> 00:17:42.109
7th of october was a terrible war,
00:17:42.109 --> 00:17:44.678
But 7th of october also brought something else.
00:17:44.678 --> 00:17:47.214
I'm talking about anti-semitism
00:17:47.214 --> 00:17:48.716
And anti-zionism.
00:17:48.716 --> 00:17:50.251
And it reminded us almost
00:17:50.251 --> 00:17:51.752
The 1930s in europe.
00:17:51.752 --> 00:17:54.121
Anti-semitism rose
00:17:54.121 --> 00:17:57.191
In a way we never believed.
00:17:57.191 --> 00:17:58.959
Where do you see your role in that?
00:17:58.959 --> 00:18:01.395
Where do you see the role of the church?
00:18:01.395 --> 00:18:02.763
And i'm talking about the church in large.
00:18:02.763 --> 00:18:04.832
Well, that's a great question.
00:18:04.832 --> 00:18:06.667
I remember ron dermer briefed us
00:18:06.667 --> 00:18:09.536
At the embassy in washington
00:18:09.536 --> 00:18:11.138
Just before he was the ambassador,
00:18:11.138 --> 00:18:13.641
And he briefed the christian group one month
00:18:13.641 --> 00:18:15.309
And he said, the anti-semitic route from the holocaust
00:18:15.309 --> 00:18:19.480
Has gone underground, but it's going to resurface.
00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:23.083
And that was very prophetic.
00:18:23.083 --> 00:18:24.952
This all came out of the october 7th event.
00:18:24.952 --> 00:18:27.855
And i was on national tv and radio interviews immediately.
00:18:27.855 --> 00:18:32.326
And i said, it'll be a couple of weeks,
00:18:32.326 --> 00:18:33.827
The world will be appalled and be with israel.
00:18:33.827 --> 00:18:36.096
But once israel starts defending itself,
00:18:36.096 --> 00:18:38.399
They're going to flip.
00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.566
That's exactly what happened. -exactly what happened.
00:18:39.566 --> 00:18:42.136
And tragically, the propaganda machines
00:18:42.136 --> 00:18:44.805
That in the cnn, bbc, i'm just going to call it like it is,
00:18:44.805 --> 00:18:47.908
New york times, the guardian and others
00:18:47.908 --> 00:18:50.311
That are against israel, this was fuel to the fire.
00:18:50.311 --> 00:18:54.448
Where do you see the role of the church?
00:18:54.448 --> 00:18:56.950
Well, since i've been at it for so long and i've been involved
00:18:56.950 --> 00:18:59.853
In a lot of the think tanks and planning for this
00:18:59.853 --> 00:19:03.457
At the nrb this year,
00:19:03.957 --> 00:19:05.292
The national religious broadcasters convention,
00:19:05.292 --> 00:19:08.028
It was in grapevine, texas,
00:19:08.028 --> 00:19:10.764
We, along with icej, israel allies caucus,
00:19:10.764 --> 00:19:14.435
Ourselves and others,
00:19:14.435 --> 00:19:16.136
Signed a letter to president trump calling for sovereignty
00:19:16.136 --> 00:19:19.907
That he would acknowledge judea and samaria as sovereign right.
00:19:19.907 --> 00:19:23.844
So tanya and i write articles every week.
00:19:23.844 --> 00:19:26.547
Tanya writes two or three a week
00:19:26.547 --> 00:19:28.282
And our whole purpose now is to wake up the part of the church
00:19:28.282 --> 00:19:33.487
That we can get to. and i say this in many meetings,
00:19:33.487 --> 00:19:35.856
I really think being born again is the difference,
00:19:35.856 --> 00:19:39.727
Because i've been in these meetings
00:19:39.727 --> 00:19:40.861
Since the israel allies caucus formed 20 years ago,
00:19:40.861 --> 00:19:45.299
And we're at the embassy in washington, dc,
00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.867
And they're going, what do we do?
00:19:46.867 --> 00:19:48.235
How do we how do we approach church?
00:19:48.235 --> 00:19:50.337
Sammy, the only part of the church that's really caught fire
00:19:50.337 --> 00:19:53.841
And continues to stand for israel
00:19:53.841 --> 00:19:55.476
Is the evangelical born again part of the church.
00:19:55.476 --> 00:19:58.178
The challenge for us is...
00:19:58.178 --> 00:20:00.481
Getting the protestants and catholics
00:20:01.281 --> 00:20:04.485
To understand that there is a biblical significance
00:20:04.485 --> 00:20:06.987
To the state of israel.
00:20:06.987 --> 00:20:08.789
I mean, it's nice to preach to the choir,
00:20:08.789 --> 00:20:10.591
But how do you defend people
00:20:11.191 --> 00:20:12.760
Who don't see the importance of israel?
00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:16.230
First of all, the choir wants to be informed.
00:20:16.230 --> 00:20:17.998
You want them fired up and passionate
00:20:17.998 --> 00:20:20.033
Because they have a lot of influence and family and friends
00:20:20.033 --> 00:20:22.536
Wherever they're placed.
00:20:22.536 --> 00:20:24.405
You know, i've spoken in methodist, lutheran,
00:20:24.405 --> 00:20:27.641
Episcopal churches, i've spoken,
00:20:27.641 --> 00:20:29.309
And they just don't get it.
00:20:29.309 --> 00:20:32.446
They don't receive it like we do.
00:20:32.446 --> 00:20:34.815
Eventually, if they look at israel's right
00:20:34.815 --> 00:20:38.485
To be a member of the international community,
00:20:38.485 --> 00:20:41.188
To continue to provide many incredible things
00:20:41.188 --> 00:20:44.792
In science and agriculture and medicine
00:20:44.792 --> 00:20:46.560
To the international community,
00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:48.595
And that's all they want to do, to be left
00:20:48.595 --> 00:20:50.297
In peace and security. but for some reason,
00:20:50.297 --> 00:20:52.533
The other part of the church can't comprehend
00:20:52.533 --> 00:20:54.334
That these countries around it want to eliminate
00:20:54.334 --> 00:20:56.670
The state of israel, this tiny sliver of land
00:20:56.670 --> 00:20:59.173
Which is less than one percent of the entire middle east,
00:20:59.173 --> 00:21:01.175
They can't comprehend that.
00:21:01.175 --> 00:21:03.177
We have our own battle right now.
00:21:03.177 --> 00:21:05.245
I tell you, we're ready for it and we'll stand up against it.
00:21:05.245 --> 00:21:08.549
The return of the jewish people to israel,
00:21:08.549 --> 00:21:11.652
Is it an historical thing for you or is it a prophetic thing?
00:21:11.652 --> 00:21:16.056
This is prophetic fulfillment,
00:21:16.056 --> 00:21:17.958
And at the same time an opportunity for us, sam,
00:21:17.958 --> 00:21:20.961
Which you can certainly relate to
00:21:20.961 --> 00:21:23.497
And have incredible experience with,
00:21:23.497 --> 00:21:25.599
Is the importance of christians and jews working together.
00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:29.670
Our relationship with the jewish people today
00:21:29.670 --> 00:21:32.406
Is stronger than ever before
00:21:32.406 --> 00:21:34.508
And we're in lockstep on a lot of things that matter.
00:21:34.508 --> 00:21:37.878
And what matters is what the word of god says
00:21:37.878 --> 00:21:39.913
About this day and about the covenant land of israel.
00:21:39.913 --> 00:21:42.883
And when we talk about aliyah
00:21:42.883 --> 00:21:44.151
And when we talk about the covenant,
00:21:44.151 --> 00:21:46.253
I think it's an opportunity to say thank you to donald trump
00:21:46.253 --> 00:21:49.857
On declaring jerusalem as the capital of israel.
00:21:49.857 --> 00:21:52.726
It's enormous, and i think the sovereignty
00:21:52.726 --> 00:21:54.628
Over the golan heights. you know,
00:21:54.628 --> 00:21:56.430
There were so many people, as you know,
00:21:56.430 --> 00:21:57.564
That were saying, don't do it.
00:21:57.564 --> 00:21:58.999
Even former secretary of state kerry
00:21:58.999 --> 00:22:00.567
Said it's going to break loose.
00:22:00.567 --> 00:22:02.002
The whole middle east, the whole world's
00:22:02.002 --> 00:22:03.170
Going to break loose. he did it.
00:22:03.170 --> 00:22:05.138
He courageously did it
00:22:05.138 --> 00:22:06.507
And we give him
00:22:06.507 --> 00:22:07.574
Tremendous amount of credit
00:22:07.574 --> 00:22:09.109
For making that significant change.
00:22:09.109 --> 00:22:11.645
What advice would you give a leader
00:22:11.645 --> 00:22:14.214
Who's willing to have peace
00:22:14.214 --> 00:22:17.017
And pay for the peace with dividing israel?
00:22:17.017 --> 00:22:19.686
It's not going to work.
00:22:19.686 --> 00:22:20.854
And i will say that till the last day
00:22:20.854 --> 00:22:23.056
The lord gives me an opportunity to be on this planet.
00:22:23.056 --> 00:22:24.892
You know, after the 7th of october,
00:22:24.892 --> 00:22:26.927
I think 80 percent of the israelis are not talking
00:22:26.927 --> 00:22:29.696
About land for peace. -that's right.
00:22:29.696 --> 00:22:32.132
But israelis are peace seekers.
00:22:32.132 --> 00:22:34.334
They're not getting up in the morning
00:22:34.334 --> 00:22:35.636
And looking for the next war.
00:22:35.636 --> 00:22:38.038
Your opinion? -i was sitting in the white house
00:22:38.038 --> 00:22:40.407
With some of my israeli press friends
00:22:40.407 --> 00:22:42.109
In the first white house press conference
00:22:42.109 --> 00:22:45.712
With netanyahu and trump,
00:22:45.712 --> 00:22:46.947
And when trump says, we're going to own gaza,
00:22:46.947 --> 00:22:49.883
Everybody's going, did we hear this right?
00:22:49.883 --> 00:22:53.053
And then he put out on his social network,
00:22:53.053 --> 00:22:56.723
He and netanyahu sitting in beach chairs
00:22:56.723 --> 00:22:59.092
In front of trump gaza. -he has a sense of humor.
00:22:59.092 --> 00:23:01.628
He has a sense of humor. but the bottom line, samuel,
00:23:01.628 --> 00:23:04.698
Gaza is covenant land,
00:23:04.698 --> 00:23:06.967
So you're going to see some pretty cantankerous
00:23:06.967 --> 00:23:09.536
And difficult times over that covenant land.
00:23:09.536 --> 00:23:11.672
Our lord, our god, you talk about touching his land.
00:23:11.672 --> 00:23:16.877
You can feel the collective fury or fire of the god of israel,
00:23:16.877 --> 00:23:19.947
And he loves the jewish people.
00:23:19.947 --> 00:23:22.215
They are his chosen and he will continue to pursue them.
00:23:22.215 --> 00:23:25.586
We know the bible from beginning to end.
00:23:25.586 --> 00:23:28.088
We're living in that time.
00:23:28.088 --> 00:23:29.456
There are people watching us from all over the world.
00:23:29.456 --> 00:23:31.692
You're sitting here in jerusalem,
00:23:31.692 --> 00:23:33.293
The city that you so much love, the city that your wife and you
00:23:33.293 --> 00:23:37.230
Are praying again and again all the time.
00:23:37.230 --> 00:23:39.666
Do you have a message
00:23:39.666 --> 00:23:40.801
For the people around the world from jerusalem?
00:23:40.801 --> 00:23:44.237
We are living in the most significant time
00:23:44.237 --> 00:23:47.708
In biblical history, an honor and a privilege.
00:23:47.708 --> 00:23:52.713
Whenever i speak to audiences in america around the world,
00:23:52.713 --> 00:23:55.015
I say, emphasize jerusalem, god's time clock.
00:23:55.015 --> 00:23:59.152
And this is an opportunity as believers
00:23:59.152 --> 00:24:02.089
To talk about yeshua, to pray for those in your family
00:24:02.089 --> 00:24:05.626
That don't know yeshua, point to the time clock israel
00:24:05.626 --> 00:24:09.229
And point people to the scriptures.
00:24:09.229 --> 00:24:11.365
Mr. william koenig, what a great joy.
00:24:11.365 --> 00:24:14.468
Thank you for your love for israel.
00:24:14.468 --> 00:24:16.436
Thank you for standing so bold for the truth.
00:24:16.436 --> 00:24:19.506
Standing with the word of god. thank you.
00:24:19.506 --> 00:24:23.377
Thank you, samuel,
00:24:23.377 --> 00:24:24.478
And a blessing to be with you here in jerusalem.
00:24:24.478 --> 00:24:27.080
And to you, our friends, shalom from jerusalem,
00:24:28.015 --> 00:24:31.284
And please keep praying for the peace of jerusalem.
00:24:31.284 --> 00:24:34.254
And please keep standing bold for the truth, wherever you are.
00:24:34.254 --> 00:24:39.459
And back to you, yair.
00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:42.129
We hope you enjoyed this report.
00:24:42.129 --> 00:24:43.930
Now we'll go to a short commercial break,
00:24:43.930 --> 00:24:46.400
After which we'll be right back here to pray together
00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:49.736
For the peace of jerusalem.
00:24:49.736 --> 00:24:55.997
For the peace of jerusalem.
00:24:55.997 --> 00:24:59.675
Thank you so much
00:25:00.109 --> 00:25:00.810
For coming back here.
00:25:00.810 --> 00:25:02.512
You know, we've been talking
00:25:02.512 --> 00:25:03.880
About so many difficult scenarios
00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:06.649
That are taking place
00:25:06.649 --> 00:25:07.817
All over the world.
00:25:07.817 --> 00:25:09.385
If it's what happens in venezuela,
00:25:09.385 --> 00:25:11.921
If it's what happens in iran, syria, lebanon,
00:25:11.921 --> 00:25:15.358
The houthis, the gaza strip,
00:25:15.358 --> 00:25:17.627
And you can get overwhelmed.
00:25:17.627 --> 00:25:19.862
But what i learned in these past two years
00:25:19.862 --> 00:25:22.398
Is that it's not about me.
00:25:22.398 --> 00:25:25.334
It's not about my power to do something.
00:25:25.334 --> 00:25:28.604
It's about god.
00:25:28.971 --> 00:25:31.240
So when i feel overwhelmed,
00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:34.477
I pray and ask him to take control,
00:25:34.477 --> 00:25:37.079
To show me what's my next step. that's it.
00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:40.416
Have faith in him and move on happily,
00:25:40.416 --> 00:25:44.320
With confidence and with peace.
00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:46.956
So let's unite in prayer right now.
00:25:46.956 --> 00:25:50.159
Our father in heaven, our good father in heaven,
00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:52.728
Thank you that you are loyal.
00:25:52.728 --> 00:25:54.797
That you are faithful to your promises.
00:25:54.797 --> 00:25:59.735
Our father in heaven, thank you that you are loyal,
00:25:59.735 --> 00:26:01.771
That you are faithful to your promises
00:26:01.771 --> 00:26:04.941
To the people of israel and to everyone around the world.
00:26:04.941 --> 00:26:07.977
We know that this is a spiritual war
00:26:07.977 --> 00:26:10.613
And we know that you have a plan
00:26:10.613 --> 00:26:14.016
For our lives in a personal level and also for our nations.
00:26:14.016 --> 00:26:19.021
We pray for wisdom to our leaders.
00:26:19.021 --> 00:26:21.157
We pray for guidance.
00:26:21.157 --> 00:26:23.092
We pray for defense
00:26:23.092 --> 00:26:25.928
To our soldiers.
00:26:25.928 --> 00:26:27.396
We pray for our enemies
00:26:27.396 --> 00:26:29.432
To have a change of heart,
00:26:29.432 --> 00:26:31.534
That they will see your love.
00:26:31.534 --> 00:26:34.537
We pray for the peace
00:26:35.037 --> 00:26:36.439
Of jerusalem. thank you so much
00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:39.141
For watching us.
00:26:39.141 --> 00:26:40.276
Thank you for being with us.
00:26:40.276 --> 00:26:41.911
Keep praying
00:26:41.911 --> 00:26:42.745
For the peace of jerusalem.
00:26:42.745 --> 00:26:44.480
We'll see you again next time.
00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.480

Iran Protesters Ignite Police Stations; Regime Escalates Crackdown Threats | Boots on the Ground

January 8, 2026 | 31:30

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