Recently, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced practice maneuvers for David’s Sling, which is the aerial defense system that played a significant role in shooting down Iranian ballistic missiles in June 2025. Although the Defense Ministry and Rafael (the David’s Sling manufacturer) did not discuss specifics for security reasons, the practices were more varied than in past situations. A key purpose behind the drills is to prepare for a possible American attack on Iran that could potentially lead to Iran sending ballistic missiles to Israel in retaliation.
David’s Sling has evolved to intercept any short, medium, or long-range threat. It was orginally designed to shoot down cruise missiles that fly in a line drive, as opposed to rockets that fly in an arch (which the Iron Dome usually takes care of). Normally, its target interception range is focused on threats from 25–185 miles away. Iran’s ballistic missiles come from 930 miles away, so the David’s Sling adaption was crucial. Israel has the Arrow 3 missile defense system against ballistic missiles but at a serious financial cost; David’s Sling is a fraction of the cost and is now just as effective.
The mass mobilization of Israel Defense Force (IDF) troops within the last two years has now resulted in a significant shortage of therapists for IDF fighters who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) once they return from their deployments in Gaza. According to the Knesset Health Committee, there is only one therapist for every 850 veterans suffering from PTSD. Many soldiers have psychological trauma from the war due to the loss of friends in battle, witnessing disturbing scenes while on the field, and extended deployments in combat zones. “We owe our psychological casualties, the post-trauma victims. The State of Israel sent them into battle, or was responsible for them in moments of horror, and now it is our duty to stand by them in the rehabilitation process,” committee chairwoman Limor Son Har-Melech said, adding that her panel will “ensure that their rehabilitation is at the top of the healthcare system’s priorities.”
Please pray for soldiers who are struggling with mental illness and PTSD. Please pray for the renewal of their mind, body, and soul so they can enter a content and well-rounded life. Pray they learn of the love and comfort Jesus gives through His gift of salvation.
This past Saturday, parts of Israel experienced a severe dust storm that blew sand from the Sahara into the country, drastically decreasing Israel’s air quality. Visibility was reduced, and Tel Aviv and Jerusalem had a glowing orange color as fine dust particles settled on everything. The hazardous air quality topped the global pollution index, putting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the top spots while spots three and four—Almaty, Kazakhstan and Lahore, Pakistan—had air quality that was still dangerous. The Health Ministry suggested that people sensitive to dust—such as those with heart and lung conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women—avoid strenuous activity. Recommendations were also made to close the windows, run an air purifier, and even wear a mask. However, conditions improved by the end of the day as winds pushed out the dust.
Please pray for the vulnerable populations to remain healthy and not suffer from the effects of the severe dust storm.
Our ministry center in Ramat Gan is always active one Friday morning a month, when we host 25–35 ladies for a brunch. While at the brunch, many reunite, talk, laugh, and make new friends. Often a regular attendee invites her friend, and the new person quickly feels welcomed and at home. Healthy food and warm cappuccinos made to order begin the morning, followed by a time of Bible study and prayer. This past week, the study was on peace and all the forms in which it comes: peace with God, inner peace, being a peacemaker, and peace in the world around us. Peace is always the product of God’s active involvement in our lives. Because sin has damaged individuals and societies, strife is natural—but peace is supernatural!
The message was timely, as the women feel the tensions coming from Iran and the threats to strike Tel Aviv. But the Lord gives us His shalom. We are so thrilled that this community of incredible women at our ministry center look forward to these special Fridays together to draw encouragement from each other, and to go out and share about Jesus with others!
Please keep them in prayer as they share their peace from the Lord in their homes, at work, with friends, and in life! “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
https://chosenpeople.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Haredim-Article-Header.jpg
1329
1800
N Cooke
https://chosenpeople.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CPM-UK-Logo-300x50-1.png
N Cooke2022-02-17 14:55:552022-02-17 15:08:25Reaching the Hard-to-Reach
Eshkol Park–The Besor National Park. (Photo: Wikimedia/Commons)
The Scandal of Jewish Survival