Skip to content 3/6/2025 A Special Edition: Updates from Israel Mar 7 · 59 min ...more
3/6/2025 A Special Edition: Updates from Israel
March 7, 2025 · 59 min
While in Israel, Tony Perkins sheds light on current hostage negotiations, the Israeli deep state, Judea and Samaria, and President Trump's Gaza proposal.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video March 7, 2025 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
While in Israel, Tony Perkins sheds light on current hostage negotiations, the Israeli deep state, Judea and Samaria, and President Trump's Gaza proposal. ...more Show the full description Show less While in Israel, Tony Perkins sheds light on current hostage negotiations, the Israeli deep state, Judea and Samaria, and President Trump's Gaza proposal.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Support this leader
Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Give
Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
94K followers
Family Research Council is serving in the kingdom of God by championing faith, family, & freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview.
94K followers
Comments No comments yet. Start the conversation.
Global Tensions and Leadership 0:06 Good afternoon. I'm Victoria Marshall and welcome to the Washington Watch news desk. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas. Release the hostages now or0:18 it is over for you. Writing a post on truth social last night, Trump said Shalom Hamas means hello and goodbye. You can choose. Release all of the0:29 hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered or it is over for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies and0:41 you are sick and twisted. Trump also had a warning for the people of Gaza. Release the hostages and a beautiful future awaits. If you don't release the hostages, you're dead.0:54 Trump's warning comes as he met with 8 released hostages at the White House yesterday.0:59 We are here because of you.1:01 We're alive and so beautiful.1:02 The hostage. Yeah. Thank you very much. 1 day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.1:10 I mean, I've saved a lot of people, but I've never seen anything like this where you lived under those those conditions. Horrible service. Not in Jubilee Street.1:20 It's a1:21 thank you.1:21 We'll get about it.1:38 Now, while Trump was meeting with hostages yesterday, vice president JD Vance took a trip to our southern border.1:45 And I will say that the most heartening message that I take away from my visit here at the at the Texas border is the number of border patrol agents who have come up to me and said thank you or said because of this,1:57 we've cut the number of border crossings from 1500 a day to 30 a day. Or the people who who have come up and said, we've seen a reduction in 85 percent of the number of people who are dying2:09 at the American southern border. And every single day that we continue to keep this border safe, that means less migrant crime, that means less fentanyl coming into our communities, that means more safety and security2:21 for the people of the United States of America.2:24 Director of National Intelligence, Tulsa Gabbard, joined Vance on his visit. She said that president Trump's designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations is critical to combating terrorism.2:36 Our counterterrorism center is working on making sure that we have that single source for vetting so that we can figure out who is actually in our country and identify those who pose a threat, and get them2:48 removed. The president's designation of the the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations falls directly into this, especially as we're seeing some of the tactics that these cartels are using, reflect some of the2:58 tactics that we've seen used by Islamist terrorists in countries that many of us have served in, overseas. At the3:05 end of the press conference, events told reporters that Trump is planning on finishing the border wall by the end of his second term. Now moving on to other news items, are you looking to buy a new car? Well,3:17 it's best to get 1 now. The Trump administration is delaying auto tariffs against Mexico and Canada for 1 month.3:24 We spoke with the big 3 auto dealers. We are going to give a 1 month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April3:36 second, but at the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for 1 month so they are not at an economic disadvantage. So the 3 companies that he spoke to are3:48 Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors. They requested the call. They made the ask, and the president, is happy to do it. It's a 1 month exemption.3:55 That was White House press secretary Caroline Levitt speaking to reporters yesterday. Her comments come as Trump announced today that Mexico will not be required to pay tariffs on anything that falls under the4:07 United States Mexico Canada trade agreement or the USMCA until April second. Trump attributes the decision to his strong working relationship with Mexican president Claudia4:19 Sheinbaum and her efforts at stopping illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking at the southern border. And those are today's headlines. I'm Victoria Marshall. For more news and commentary,Middle East Peace and Sovereignty 4:31 be sure to check out the Washington stand at Washington stand dot com and find this and other news on the stand firm mobile app. Up next is Washington watch with Tony Perkins. We'll see you4:43 tomorrow with more news.4:52 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and5:04 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.5:12 The only pass to lasting peace is when we are 2 states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security in line with international law and5:23 relevant UN resolutions with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.5:29 That was Antonio Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations earlier this week. Has he missed what happened on October the seventh 20 23? Welcome to Washington Watch. Thanks so much for5:41 tuning in. We're broadcasting from the studios of CBN in Jerusalem where I've been meeting with Israeli leaders over this past week. In just a moment, we'll be joined by my friend David Menser, Israeli government5:52 spokesman. Well, in the mix of issues that will define the future of the Middle East is Judea and Samaria, geographical and historical heartland of Israel. We'll be joined by a member of Knesset to talk about the effort6:04 to declare Israeli sovereignty over what has been called the West Bank. Pastor Eugene professor, rather, Eugene Kantorovich will also join us to explore the legal aspects of what is6:16 being proposed by president Trump for Gaza and the deep state. It's here in Israel just as strong as it is in the United States. We'll explore that later on this edition of Washington Watch.6:28 Well, yesterday, president Trump issued a last warning to Hamas calling on the terrorist group to release all the hostages they are holding or, quote, it is over for you. President's statement, which was6:40 posted on his truth social platform, came after he met in the Oval Office with 8 freed hostages who shared their heartbreaking stories and stressed to him the urgency of returning the remaining captives6:52 from Gaza. Now with president Trump's clear commitment to helping Israel finish the job, will Hamas realize it's fighting a war it cannot win? With me now in studio to talk about this more is David7:04 Minster, Israeli government spokesman for the National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the office of the Israeli prime minister. David, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us.7:15 Good to be with you, Tony, and thank you for joining us yourself.7:18 Well, it's good to be here in, Jerusalem. It's almost like home away from home. Let's talk about this. Yesterday, the president before I get into the president's comments, I wanna go back really to set the stage7:30 because you heard that quote this week from the secretary general of the United Nations saying, the only way for peace in the Middle East is a 2 state solution with7:42 a divided Jerusalem as the government of both, is the capital city for both, nations. I mean, isn't that what we tried, what was tried in Gaza?7:54 Well, to all of us here in Israel, Tony, the United Nations, which should be a force for good in the world, is actually the opposite. Everyone here in Israel knows that, and I think enlightened people around the world8:04 recognize that as well Because Antonio Guterres has never failed to miss the opportunity to call out the villains for who they are, and that is Hamas, the genocidal,8:16 murderous organization. Look. A Palestinian state which seeks to replace Israel, as almost every single Palestinian leader says openly, is simply no answer8:27 whatsoever.8:28 Yeah. I'm gonna talk later about the, there's a broom, a moving, or a growing movement, I should say, here in Israel to declare sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. I know there's a number of issues. Talked with the prime8:40 minister about that this week. But, when you look at Gaza, Judea and Samaria, which is in the center of the country as opposed to a a small strip, down in the8:52 southern part on the Mediterranean, is 24 times the size of Gaza. If Gaza didn't work out with self government from the Palestinians, how are Israelis9:04 expected to believe it will work if Judea and Samaria is turned over to the Palestinian Arab state?9:10 Absolutely, Tony. You know, in 2005, this was an experiment. We pulled all of our people, every single Jew, out of, Gaza. And the idea was, let's see what the Gazans can do with it. Let's9:22 see what the Palestinians could do with it. They turned it into a large operating base of terrorism from which we have just suffered the worst day of Jew killing since the Holocaust and9:34 certainly in this country's history. We've seen the mistake that was made. We understand that Palestinians, given self rule, very often turn to terrorism, so that can be no resolution9:46 whatsoever in this part of the world. After October the seventh, we're on our guard. We were taken by surprise on October the seventh. We will not be taken by surprise again.9:55 President Trump, after meeting with freed hostages, made very clear hostages need to be released from Gaza, and they need to be home. And this is it. Time is out.10:06 We're moving forward. Now I wanna go back a month ago before the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, met with the president, the president's first head of state visit. In fact, we we met the night before.10:19 I'm told that the president viewed prior to that meeting the video footage that came out of Israel based upon cell phone footage, and security cameras. I I watched10:31 that video myself. It is beyond words in terms of the brutality. I can only describe it as demonic, what took place on that day, October the third. That appeared10:43 to have moved the president into a very bold position last month. It would appear to me that his meeting with the hostage to hear firsthand what happened to them has moved them even further.10:55 Look. Our health ministry released yesterday that up to 40 percent of our hostages, body weight has been taken off. They've lost 40 percent of their body11:07 mass. They've lived in starvation conditions. They've lost teeth. Their, eyesight has been, ruined, and we also know that psychological condition will obviously a lot longer to heal.11:19 To me, this is a death cult. Yeah. It's a death cult. The president recognizes that. There is no peace with a death cult. A death cult needs to be destroyed. Our culture teaches11:31 us to love life, to prolong life. Their their culture teaches death. They yearn for death. That is why there is no cooperation, no coexistence with11:43 the Hamas terrorist organization, Endoz.11:46 And I create I I said October, the the third of October the seventh. You mentioned mistakes were made, and I've met with a number of, Israeli leaders over the11:58 last year and a half and discussed that. In part, you just you just talked about the the ideology. There's no peace with a death cult. Prior to October12:10 the seventh, there was a sense that it was an issue of economic prosperity and well-being that was the motivation, for Gazans in the palace in in, in Hamas.12:22 That clearly is not right. It is an ideology that is driving. I mean, you have to deal with the ideology. It sounds as if, based upon my conversation, that Israel's come to that understanding.12:34 There's no education like, experience, and we've lived it. There have been there have been catastrophic mistakes made in this country. The idea that we can coexist with this terrorist organization right on our12:46 borders. You know, this is not a land, far away. You've seen it for yourself. It's right over our fence. It's a matter of meters away from where our people live. It's a death cult. It must be destroyed, which is12:58 why the key war aims of this war, of this government, of our prime minister, has been to destroy Hamas's military and its governing capability and to ensure that, Hamas can13:10 never coexist again, in Gaza. We won't be threatened again by Gaza. You know, we were taken by surprise. There have been catastrophic errors made. This country is learning those errors the hard13:22 way, but living next to a death cult is simply not an answer. We will be victorious by destroying this organization.13:31 Let's talk about that, David Mentor, about the the path forward. The the stated goals of this war effort bring the hostages home13:41 Yep.13:42 And to eliminate Hamas, not contain it, but eliminate it. There is at current a pause. We're in a a period, kind of an in between13:53 period of phase 1 and phase 2. Where do we stand on phase 2 of the ceasefire hostage negotiations?14:02 The prime minister has made clear that we've had no greater threat than president Trump in the White House, and his envoy, mister Witkoff, has made a a, a proposition, and it's very, very14:13 clear. And it says, release the hostages for the ceasefire to continue. It's as simple as that. You let our people go. You know, we're approaching Passover now. That that phrase, let14:25 our people go, resonates with us as it does with you. You let our people go. You leave Gaza. You escape with your lives. That's what is that's what the government is telling very, very clearly to Hamas.14:37 If you wish to stay, if you do not wish to release our hostages, Israel reserves the right to return to battle. And you can be sure that with the United States14:49 behind us, with our greatest ally in the world shoulder to shoulder with us in a way that no 1 else has ever seen in the history of the relationship between our 2 great countries, you can be sure that we will15:03 be victorious. Along those lines, David, this week here in Israel, there was a change in the, chief of staff of the the IDF, new leadership coming in. And what I'm hearing on the ground here15:15 is it is kind of a sea change of orientation from a standpoint of a more aggressive approach.15:22 Tony, our new chief of staff, yesterday, and I'm sure all of us wish him well, said these 2 words. He said, total victory. That's what the prime minister has said, and that's what15:34 our chief of staff is committed to. And I know and I know because I know this from firsthand. With the bravery of our soldiers, with the commitment of our people, with the determination and our faith in the good15:46 lord above, we will be victorious. Our master's days are numbered. We will not live next to this death cult no more.15:54 I've also heard repeatedly, David, that we have to go for the and this is the phrase used, the head of a snake. It it it's clear that Iran continues to play in16:06 this region, not only as using Hamas as a proxy. We're at Syria. There's still concerns there. But even in Judea and Samaria, you know, I I'm told that massive smuggling16:18 efforts of advanced weapons now coming into Judea and Samaria traced back to Iran and even into Turkey. Iran still is on the list.16:30 You know, in a few days' time, we here in Israel are celebrating the festival of Purim. Right. And that commemorates a victory over another Persian tyrant, Haman Right. And his king, Ahasfarash.16:42 So we've seen down these Persian tyrants, in the past. We know that Iran is trying to ignite the, the region. We know that they sailed, with all their proxies in Lebanon,16:54 in with Hamas, with the Houthis, with the Shia in in Iraq. They failed in every way, but they're trying to ignite, the Judea and Samaria. Our eyes are wide17:07 open, Tony. We know what they're up to, and they will not succeed.17:12 We found out yesterday that the Trump administration has had some direct communications with Hamas, telling them to let the hostages go now. I think reinforcing the messages that17:23 president Trump has been sending. Has has have any Israeli officials had any contact, any further contact with Hamas?17:32 Our prime minister's office yesterday, made clear that we know these discussions are going ahead. We're well aware. But, from Israel's point of view, there is nothing to discuss. We are discussing with17:44 our US partners. That's who we're discussing the future of this region with. You know, if Hamas want anything for their people, they don't, of course. They hate their own people. They wanna kill as17:56 many of them as they possibly can, but they would lay down their arms, release our hostages, and move out of, of Gaza. If they don't, Israel will18:08 be victorious.18:10 David, we just have 30 seconds left. What is the main thing evangelicals and American can be praying for for Israel?Deep State and International Influence 18:17 Look. The famous phrase says that, at the end of this war, we won't remember what he said about us. We'll remember the silence of our friends. Yeah. Evangelicals have not been silent. They've18:29 kept their voices up high. They're heard in the White House. They're heard in the Oval Office, and we hear their prayers as well, and they have an effect. Keep doing it. Keep going forward, and we work18:41 together. We will be successful.18:42 David Minster, thank you so much. Folks, stick with us. We're coming back with more Washington Watch right after this.18:53 During these challenging times for our nation, Family Research Council continues to serve as a watchman on the wall for faith, family, and freedom. And together, thanks to your support, we're making an19:05 eternal impact. 20 24 was a year of shining the light for biblical truth in Washington DC. Last fall, over 1000 spiritually active governance engaged conservatives19:16 gathered for the pray vote stand summit to pray for our nation and ensure that the issues impacting sage cons were understood and advanced. Washington watch with Tony Perkins19:28 marked a major milestone this year, its 9 hundredth Washington Watch news desk, a new production that presents the top news each day from a biblical worldview.19:40 The Washington stand published 2000 articles of news, commentary, and podcasts in 20 24, garnering over 5000000 views. FRC's outlet for news and19:52 commentary continues to pursue the truth on the issues that matter most to you and your family. And with the launch of the Stand Firm app, you can listen to, watch, and read our20:04 content in 1 simple place. Pray for current issues, stay rooted in the scriptures, and engage the political sphere with the community of believers on our new platform. In 2020:16 24, FRC shaped public policy and culture, organizing the national gathering for prayer and repentance, where members of congress and Christian leaders came together to seek God's intervention20:27 in America. In May, FRC called upon believers to pray for and stand with Israel by dedicating a portion of their worship services to pray for Israel's peace,20:39 prosperity, and protection. With pray vote stand decision 20 24, FRC and Real Life Network led a powerful evening of election night coverage to analyze the election results and pray20:51 that our nation would turn back to God. We also filmed a transformative educational course, God and government. Launching early this year in in January 20 25, this series will explore the21:03 biblical and historical foundations of our government, empowering you to stand confidently in your role as a citizen of heaven and earth. Family Research Council thanks you for partnering with us, and21:15 we look forward to 20 25 and standing for faith, family, and freedom.21:21 Looking to grow closer to God in the new year? FRC's stand on the word spiral bound journal is here to help. Dive deeper into scripture with thought provoking questions, note taking space, and context for21:33 each book and author. This second edition covering Isaiah 2 Revelation will guide you in tracking your journey through God's word while deepening your faith in Christ. Order now at f r c dot org21:45 slash store or text journal to 6 7 7 4 2.21:55 Welcome back to Washington Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us as we broadcast from Jerusalem here at the CBN studios. And, it's been a great week here, and we once again appreciate CBN for hosting us here in22:07 their studios. Well, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads his country in the efforts against the terrorist group Hamas. He's also fighting another battle in the courts and has been doing so for more than 522:19 years. And what he's facing is just the tip of the iceberg that many don't know about. It's called the deep state in Israel. And with me now in studio to discuss this and more, Israeli Knesset member,22:31 Amit Khalili. Amit, welcome to Washington Watch. Thanks so much for joining us.22:36 Thank you. Great honor to be here with you, Tommy.22:38 Well, we had an opportunity to visit, during our time here in, in in Israel, and America's not alone in a deep state trying to undermine really conservative22:50 constitutional based activity.22:53 Definitely. Actually, the the first meaning in Israel when you say 2 states, you know, we we talked about 2 states and Right. Right. The state and the deep state in Israel because, it's a huge problem in Israel.23:05 And it's not about conservative by the way, it's about democracy. I mean, our democracy is under attack actually for 30 years since the former chief, the former head of the Supreme Court,23:17 Aharon Barak, that was that's his name, actually made this as he as he called it the, judiciary revolution. And it was indeed revolution because since then and23:29 across the road over those 30 years, the real decision maker is not the people. I mean, it's not our people. It's all the Supreme Court, all the, you know, those officials and23:40 and the high ranking officers. I can give you 1 example maybe or maybe 2 examples very, very, strong and and serious because it's relevant to our security status in Israel.23:52 Take the fact that, the IDF has actually, the the attorney general, the IDF attorney general, together with Israeli attorney general actually prevented from IDF24:04 to make those, targeted targeted, elimination to those people that actually took part in the massacre. Yes. There were thousands of24:16 terrorists that, actually get in our So24:22 so they had a veto over the IDF and the prime minister?24:28 Indeed. And we're talking about those people that hidden up the Bibas family, yes, and murdered them. Yes. We know these people. We have the list, but the attorney general for24:40 some, you know, a very extreme interpretation of, international law, which is incorrect, definitely incorrect, but that's it's her opinion, and she24:52 decides.24:52 But she's not elected.24:53 And she is not elected. And the same thing I can tell you, 2 years ago in the Knesset, we passed a leg a legislation that actually said that every terrorist that made a terror attack25:06 will, we will revoke his citizenship, and, he will be part of the Palestinian authorities. Yes. Since then, for more than 2 years, the officials25:18 do not transfer the information that is needed in order to apply, in order to implement this legislation. So the minister of interior, the interior minister, his name25:30 is Moshe Bel, needs actually to do this, to revoke the the citizenship, to take to the to take them out, from Israel, and he can't do it because he need the information. It's a very, very specific information.25:42 Who of those terrorists gets sponsorship from the Palestinian Authority? Everyone gets. But to take the least, you know, the table, the Excel file, and this Excel file is exists in,25:55 in the in the high ranking officers in the army. And the high ranking officers in the army together with those legal adviser just they just don't bring it to the minister, and that's the way they prevent this legislation26:06 to be applied.26:07 That sounds very similar to what, Donald Trump experienced in his first term. MK Khalili, let let's also talk about how American foreign aid, which has come through USAID,26:20 has actually been used here in Israel under the previous administration to join with leftist organizations to fuel that deep state?26:30 Well, you know, in Obama term, in Obama's second term, I think, there was some family in the United States that ask asks the information who who actually got into the White House. You know,26:42 in order to get into the White House, you need to have a formal26:46 Right.26:47 Approval. And, they found out that Michel Farad is 1 of the famous, lawyers here of their extreme left wing movements. He was the26:59 highest the the Israeli that actually got in, the most the the major time of times into the White House. And, this connection, this global connection between27:11 the recent government in the US and the extreme leftist here is is not surprised anyone here. I mean, those are global movements, as you know,27:23 Connie. Global movements that actually had a progressive goal and, doing everything, also undermining democratic regime like in Israel in order to27:35 promote their, progressive goals. So we were not surprised. We do. We were just surprised from the, you know, amounts of money. I mean, we're talking, generally speaking,27:47 billions of dollars that the US aid actually was given to all over the world for the international, goals. It's actually the same neo Marxist school of thought that they are27:59 not dealing never dealt in the, you know, in the local area. Also, in the, Soviet Union, in the Soviet regime. It was about in international revolution. So that's why this connection is part28:11 of the international revolution that tried to promote.28:14 MK Khalili, we just have about a minute left, but that's fine. You know, someone say that's fine in times of peace when there's no threat, but this has proven to put Israel at risk.28:26 No doubt about it. I mean, Israel is the is he after October 7 that we are under it's you know, it was not even a regular war. It was a massacre, Holocaust day. And in28:37 these times that there is such, in that US government, the former US government actually, was involved here in our local issues.28:50 Yes. I want to remind you that Chuck Schumer had this statement that he think there should be elections in Israel. So that was the formal words. And behind the scenes, they not only they not29:01 only, you know, said it in the media, they also made these activities.29:05 They put their money where their mouth was.29:07 Where their money exactly where their mouth was.29:09 So, unfortunately, it was our money. It was taxpayers' money that they used to unsettle and and and create instability in the Israel government.Show more In this video 0:00 Global Tensions and Leadership4:25 Middle East Peace and Sovereignty18:16 Deep State and International Influence29:14 Sovereignty and Security in Israel38:45 International Law and Gaza's Future
Comments
Keep it kind. Comments are public.