One year ago today, a coalition of Islamist rebel forces swept into Damascus and ended the 24-year reign of Bashar Assad, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East in ways that continue to reverberate through the region. As Syria marks this tumultuous anniversary under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa—whose rise was carefully engineered with Turkish support—a parallel gathering in Jerusalem signals the deepening bonds between evangelical Christians and the Jewish state.
In what Israeli officials are calling the largest Christian delegation since statehood, one thousand ambassadors gathered at the Friends of Zion Summit this week, receiving official certificates from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation, initiated by Dr. Mike Evans, assembled on the Mount of Olives—a location laden with prophetic significance in both Jewish and Christian eschatology—to pledge advocacy for Israel worldwide. The timing is striking: as ancient adversaries realign and new power structures emerge in Damascus, these Christian leaders are positioning themselves as modern-day watchmen on Jerusalem's walls, echoing the prophetic mandate of Isaiah 62.
The contrast between Syria's uncertain future and Israel's consolidation of support could not be sharper. Turkey's instrumental role in al-Sharaa's ascent to power reveals Ankara's ambitions to fill the vacuum left by Assad's collapse, while evangelical networks mobilize unprecedented diplomatic support for Jerusalem. US Special Envoy Tom Barrack offered a candid assessment during his regional tour, suggesting that 'benevolent monarchies' work best in the Middle East—a statement that raised eyebrows among democracy advocates but reflects the pragmatic calculations now driving American policy.
Meanwhile, tensions persist in Jerusalem itself. Israeli forces raided the inactive UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on Monday morning, with police describing the operation as bailiffs executing a debt foreclosure order. The UNRWA offices have been closed since 2024, when the Knesset banned the organization's activities in Israel, but the raid drew sharp condemnation from Jordan. This action comes as Israel begins construction on a new border wall along the Jordanian frontier, extending its security infrastructure around the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.
Archaeological discoveries continue to underscore Jerusalem's ancient significance. At the Tower of David Museum, excavators have unearthed a massive section of the Hasmonean-period city wall—one of the most complete segments ever found from the Maccabean era. Stretching over 40 meters long and 5 meters wide, the fortification dates to the late 2nd century BCE, when Jewish sovereignty was restored after the Maccabean revolt. The discovery offers a tangible connection to the Hanukkah narrative, reminding observers that Jerusalem has weathered countless cycles of conquest and restoration.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz arrived in Jerusalem Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, underscoring Washington's continued engagement with Israeli security priorities. His visit follows stops in Jordan, where he promoted President Trump's Gaza reconstruction plan. Herzog, meanwhile, traveled to New York where he criticized incoming Mayor Mamdani's views on Israel, warning that delegitimizing Jewish connection to Zion 'encourages violence and threatens religious freedom.'
The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile. Egypt and Qatar, backed by broader Arab and Islamic support, are reportedly working to block new understandings between Israel and the US regarding implementation of the agreement's second phase. The IDF struck a Hamas terrorist in central Gaza on Monday who was allegedly planning an imminent attack, demonstrating the precarious nature of the current arrangement.
As we mark one year since Assad's fall, the ancient lands of the Bible remain at the center of global attention. The convergence of evangelical mobilization, archaeological revelation, and geopolitical realignment suggests we are witnessing a pivotal moment in the region's history—one that students of prophecy would do well to watch closely.