Why I Stopped Three Israeli Cops
Jerusalem
By Keith Johnson
“May those who love you be at peace.”
–Psalms 122:6
Within an hour of arriving in Jerusalem I was stopped by armed Israeli security asking for my ID. The next morning I went for a walk and this time when armed soldiers saw me they crossed the street to interrogate me. After answering their questions, I asked why all the curiosity. They explained that I was 300 yards away from where a terrorist attack had just happened—right in the area I was walking from! One of the soldiers suggested that I go and stay in my hotel room. After following his advice for a few minutes, I ventured out again and promptly had my third encounter in 24 hours with armed security. This time it was dark and I engaged them before they could ask me anything.
That’s when I decided to “lean into the environment” and try to do my part in offering calm in the midst of tension. After looking at a Jerusalem map I understood that where I had been walking bordered two East Jerusalem Arab neighborhoods where some of the attackers had come from. I also realized why there were heightened security measures after seeing the success of terrorists who had gotten close enough to stab or steal guns from security personnel. I have been reminded that these young men and women have been placed in the line of fire, not by choice, but by the requirement to serve their country and provide security for Jews, Muslims, and even unaware tourists who don’t know where they are walking—everyone!
So in the midst of the growing panic in and around Jerusalem, I took a walk to a place where I could pray over the entire city, including the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, which is a short distance from my hotel. That’s where I found these three guys who looked like they needed some encouragement. So this time I stopped them . . . and told them thank you!
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February 13, 2016 at 7:11 am /
Cpl. Hadar Cohen, thank you for laying your life down for others near Damascus Gate. “Greater love has no woman than this, that she lay down her life for her friends.” Shalom. Yehovah bless your family, and bless Israel.
February 2, 2016 at 1:25 am /
Three months have passed since I read your encounter with Jerusalem police. Since then, there have been many knifings and deaths in Israel. But Jerusalem and Israel are safe now compared to the rest of the world. Europe is being overrun by violent male immigrants.
It seems to be a punctuation mark that Europe is no home for those who love peace, much less a permanent home for Jews. Policemen, soldiers, those who keep the peace are in danger every day. They are at the front line between peace and order and the scourge of war and anarchy. I see some police standing aside and letting the hordes of violent men flood into Europe. I see many police doing their jobs. The people of those nations who are at the mercy of the destroyers are faced by terror and the choice of defending themselves.
And they must because they have wives and children. The nations have criticized and persecuted Israel for how it conducts itself within its own borders. Now some see and will continue to see that Israel actually is doing a good job of protecting its own people and the strangers within. Unfortunately the unwise nations and peoples will never see nor admit the good that Israel does. Thank God for those who have courage to risk their lives every day for peace, order and the common good. Thank God for the remnant in whom is His spirit. In an evil, dark world the light of Israel and the light of God’s servants shines. May the shining city on a hill and light of God’s elect draw all people to Yehovah’s salvation and may all who love Jerusalem be at peace.
October 23, 2015 at 1:02 am /
The anniversary celebration, your interviews and the conversation with Nehemia were all riveting and inspiring. There is so much that is encouraging, especially the awakening in Israel and the world of a desire to know more about the Temple Mount. Through this, people are being drawn to the God of Israel, the one and only God. May Yehovah bring peace soon to Jerusalem.
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