Chris Katulka: Thank you for joining us for The Friends of Israel Today. I'm your host and teacher, Chris Katulka. Hey, listen, have you been to our website yet? foiradio.org? I'm literally scrolling through it right now and I see some great resources that we have for you that we'd love to give you for free. In fact, you can get a one-year free subscription to our award-winning Christian magazine, and all you have to do is go to foiradio.org and there you can get Israel My Glory, a one-year free subscription coming right to your door. Again, that's foiradio.org. Now today we're going to continue a conversation that we've been having on the development of the modern Middle East. You know the one when you open up the newspaper or you see the news? How did we get to the Middle East that we see today? Well, we're in the middle of a series where we're looking at the development of the modern Middle East and how God has been moving, especially as he's put the modern state of Israel right in the middle of it. 

But first in the news, Mahmoud Kalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead the Columbia University’s student encampment movement, was arrested by federal immigration authorities to revoke his green card. Khalil is one of the most visible faces of the pro-Palestinian movement at the university negotiating with Columbia on behalf of the anti-Israel student protestors who set up a tent encampment on a Columbia lawn last year. 

Well, here's my take. The Trump administration is looking to root out antisemitism on college campuses. Trump already canceled a $400 million grant to Columbia over their mishandling of antisemitism on their campus, and the Anti-Defamation League found that 83% of Jewish college students experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the beginning of the Gaza War, and 66% said they were not confident in their school's ability to prevent antisemitic incidents. This has to change.

Chris Katulka: We are in the middle of a series on how the modern Middle East has been formed in the 20th and 21st century. That's right, the Middle East that you read and hear about in the news today with all its conflict and struggle is a product of events surrounding World War I and World War II. Countries like Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon were birthed from the rubble of these global conflicts. Now, last week we looked at the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, an agreement between England and France that would create the map of the modern Middle East as the Ottoman Empire, the empire that once ruled over these lands fell apart. If you'd like to listen to that episode, you can go to our archives page, foiradio.org, and there you can hear last week's episode and 10 years of broadcast right at your fingertips.

Again, that's foiradio.org. The Sykes-Picot Agreement didn't necessarily have in mind a state for the Jewish people, but indirectly it helped to establish a homeland for the Jewish people called Israel. Sykes-Picot, and several other agreements following World War I would develop the Middle East that we know today, but another factor that played a significant role in the development of the modern Middle East is actually the nation of Israel itself. I want to take you back to before 1948, before Israel became a nation, when the Jewish people living in the British mandate Palestine were buying land from absentee Arab landlords for high prices and turning those swamps of the holy land into productive farms. They did this through communities called Kibbutzes, a commune of Jewish people that would share everything for the benefit of the community. They would work together to build communities that would become the backbone of the reestablishment of the state of Israel.

Now, I want to focus actually on one particular kibbutz that would help redefine the Middle East completely. In fact, it would boil down to just 45 Jewish pioneers from Kibbutz Hill near the Jewish town of Rehovot. Yosef Avidar, a senior military commander in the Haganah, the Jewish Army, before the Israel Defense Forces, orchestrated a secret mission to arm the Jewish resistance in preparation for a war that would play a major role in the Middle East that we know today. Leading up to 1948, the year of Israel's independence, Jewish forces were significantly outgunned and outnumbered as Arab hostility intensified. The British proposed strict laws against unauthorized weapons making the acquisition of arms nearly impossible. However, the Zionist Jewish leadership understood that securing their homeland would require strategic military planning, creativity, and an unshakeable commitment to survival. That's when Avidar turned to Kibbutz Hill pioneers, young men and women dedicated to the building of a Jewish homeland.

These Zionist pioneers already disciplined through their agricultural and communal work became unlikely soldiers in a covert war for independence. Their mission was not to fight on the battlefield, but to ensure Jewish fighters had the ammunition necessary to defend their future state. You can't fight a war without bullets. Avidar gathered 45 young kibbutzniks and swore them to secrecy. Assigning them a dangerous task of producing nine millimeter bullets under the nose of the British military. To achieve this, the Zionists constructed an underground ammunition factory beneath the laundry room of Kibbutz Hill, known as the Ayalon Institute. The factory was an engineering marvel—hidden 13 feet below ground with walls two feet thick. A washing machine served as a secret entrance, pivoting open to allow access to the bunker below. Above ground, the laundry’s noise and the chemical smells masked the sounds of machinery producing bullets at an astonishing pace.

Even as British soldiers sent their uniforms to the kibbutz laundry, the pioneers maintained their secret. To prevent suspicion, they offered to pick up and return the clothes themselves, ensuring no British officer wandered too close to their operation.

Between 1945 and 1948, these 45 pioneers produced nearly 2 million bullets—a lifeline for Jewish fighters defending their communities. Every bullet was stamped with an “E” and an “A.,” representing Eretz Israel (Land of Israel) and Ayalon with the “A.” This clandestine effort played a pivotal role in securing Israel’s independence.

By defying British restrictions and overcoming severe resource shortages, these Zionist pioneers transformed a seemingly unwinnable struggle into a victorious movement. Their ingenuity not only ensured the survival of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland but also laid the foundation for Israel’s emergence as a regional power. Today, when the Friends of Israel tours the Holy Land, the Ayalon Institute is a stop for us.

It actually serves as a testament to the pioneering spirit that redefined the Middle East where determination, unity, and innovation overcame insurmountable odds to establish the modern State of Israel. That determination, unity, and innovation first appeared actually in Israel's War of Independence.The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported on May 30, 1948, just a few weeks after Israel declared independence, that the Old City of Jerusalem fell to Jordanian King Abdullah’s Arab Legion after eleven days of fighting. The Israelis did all they could to push back their enemies, but as the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported, they were “outnumbered” and “outgunned,” a theme that would define Israel’s fight for survival as five Arab Muslim countries simultaneously attacked the one Jewish state.

They were outnumbered and outgunned, but that didn’t stop them from fighting for their independence. Remember, many of those Jewish people who fought were Holocaust survivors who just left the horrors of Hitler’s plot to exterminate Jewish people from Europe.

Days before May 14, 1948, Israel’s Independence Day, Golda Meir covertly crossed the border into Transjordan in a valiant attempt to prevent war with their neighbor. King Abdullah, who once preached peace, was now telling a different story as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon prepared to attack Israel. Abdullah asked Meir, “Why are you in such a hurry to proclaim your State? … You are so impatient.” Meir responded, “I don’t think people who have waited 2,000 years should be described as being ‘in a hurry.’” On May 15, 1948, the day after David Ben-Gurion declared independence, five Arab nations invaded the newly established Jewish state. The first month of Israel's independence was defined by intense fighting in Jerusalem against Jordan's Arab Legion, which ultimately captured the Old City and expelled its Jewish inhabitants. Lebanon attacked from the north along with Syria and Iraq to the east and Egypt to the south. By July 19th, 1948, the United States was confident that Israel would win the war.

The IDF soldiers solidified its control over the Negev and Upper Galilee, territories originally promised to the Jewish state under the United Nations plan. Fighting continued through the winter of 1948 into the spring of 1949, but Israel maintained the upper hand. One by one, the Arab states entered ceasefire agreements with Israel. According to historian Benny Morris, Israel was outnumbered two to one by Palestinian Arabs in the land, and the surrounding Arab states had a combined population of 40 million, compared to just 650,000 Jewish people in Israel. Against all odds, Israel gained additional land beyond what was originally allocated to them under the UN partition plan. Meanwhile, Egypt occupied Gaza, and Jordan took control of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Old City. Had it not been for young Israelis risking their lives to secretly manufacture bullets, many historians argue the Jewish people may have lost the War of Independence.

Between 1948 and 1967 Jerusalem remained divided in two, split right down the middle. Israel built up west Jerusalem where Israel’s parliament is… the Knesset. East Jerusalem and the Old City was occupied by the Jordanians. But in 1967 those same Arab countries once again attacked Israel in an effort to destroy the Jewish state and reclaim their dominance in the region after they were humiliated in 1949. Now, listen,they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but David Rubinger’s famous photograph of three IDF paratroopers standing at the Western Wall moments after Israel recaptured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967 could fill volumes. The faces of Yitzhak Yifat, Tzion Karasenti, and Chaim Oshri define the moment impeccably, expressing emotions of wonder, loss, and triumph all in one single glance. There is wonderment because after more than 2000 years, the Jewish people once again controlled their ancient capital and Temple Mount. Yifat, Karasenti, and Oshri, and their fellow soldiers knew the significance of this moment. Their ancestors had been praying for this day, and now they were living history in 1967, fulfilling the dreams of generations before them.

What had seemed like an age-old dream was now a reality. Through the wonder, tears, and fatigue, a new day was dawning for the tiny Jewish state. A new day that would once again change the modern Middle East. Days before the attack on May 27, 1967, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser declared, “Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight.” Soon after, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia deployed their armies to Israel’s borders. With Israel surrounded, the IDF had no choice but to strike first. On June 5, 1967, the Israeli Air Force launched a surprise attack, destroying 302 Egyptian fighter planes while their pilots ate breakfast. Syrian and Jordanian aircraft were also obliterated. Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia would fall just a few days later.

By June 9, Israel’s army was in position to march on Cairo, Amman, and Damascus. Realizing the war was lost, Jordan and Egypt agreed again to a ceasefire on June 8, with Syria following on June 9. The agreements were signed on June 11, 1967. It’s called the Six-Day War.

In six days, Israel had seized the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt), Gaza Strip (Egypt), West Bank (Jordan), and Golan Heights (Syria). The Middle East was forever changed–and on the seventh day Israel rested.

Israel’s defense against its Middle Eastern neighbors continues to define the Middle East that we see today. When we come back we're going to do an analysis on how it continues to impact the news that we read and hear constantly. Stick around.

Steve Conover: Chris, we've been blessed to add some new radio stations recently, and I'm sure we have some who don't know much about The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Chris Katulka: Yeah, Steve, for years, The Friends of Israel has been a trusted source for those seeking to understand God's heart for the Jewish people. We're excited to invite new listeners into our growing community. We're offering a free digital download of our popular booklet Whose Land is it Anyway?, this booklet explores the historical, legal, and biblical claims to the land of Israel, providing clarity on a complex and often misunderstood topic.

Steve Conover: It's a great resource. If you've ever wondered about the ongoing struggle in the Middle East and want to be able to understand and defend why God has given the Holy Land to the Jewish people, this is the resource for you. We want to equip you to understand and support the Jewish people, not based on mere opinion, but based on God's trustworthy and unchanging Word. To get your free digital copy of Whose Land is it Anyway?, visit foiradio.org. That's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Welcome back, everyone. We’re talking about the development of the modern Middle East we see today. We’ve been looking at how the wars that Israel fought over the years influenced the world we see today. 

These wars dramatically redrew borders, altered alliances, and influenced global politics in ways that continue to affect the region.

One of the most immediate and lasting effects was the territorial expansion that resulted from the Six-Day War. Israel's control over Jerusalem, the West Bank, Judea Samaria, Gaza, Sinai, and the Golan Heights fundamentally changed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. These territories, particularly the West Bank, which we call Judea Samaria, and Gaza, remain central to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The capture of East Jerusalem in 1967 in particular had deep historical and religious significance, solidifying Israel’s hold on the city but also sparking increased tensions with the Arab world and Palestinian communities.

The wars also fueled the rise of Palestinian nationalism. This led to the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964 with Yasser Arafat, remember that name? Which gained momentum after the Six-Day War. The PLO became a powerful political and military force claiming to advocate for Palestinian self-determination, but often through violent means. The wars gave the Palestinian cause global attention, often being used by the media to create Palestinian sympathy, while promoting anti-Israel sentiments.

Arab alliances also shifted significantly due to these conflicts. The Yom Kippur War, we didn’t talk about that one, but the Yom Kippur War of 1973, though initially a military setback for Israel, ultimately paved the way for diplomatic breakthroughs. Egypt, having fought and lost multiple wars against Israel, reassessed its strategy and pursued peace. This culminated in the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, brokered by the United States, making Egypt the first Arab nation to officially recognize Israel. This fractured Arab unity, with some nations advocating for peace while others, such as Syria, Lebanon, and later Iran, continued hostility toward Israel.

The conflicts also cemented the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership. Throughout these wars, particularly in 1973, the United States provided critical military aid to Israel, reinforcing a relationship that would grow stronger in subsequent decades. At the same time, the Soviet Union backed the Arab states, deepening Cold War divisions in the region. The Middle East became a major battleground for U.S.-Soviet influence, with Israel aligning with the West while many Arab states maintained close ties to Moscow.

Despite being consistently outnumbered and outgunned, Israel's resilience in these wars ensured survival and shaped the modern Middle East. The victories were not just military achievements but also affirmations of national survival and identity. As Golda Meir famously told former U.S. Senator Joe Biden, “Israel's secret weapon was simple: We have nowhere else to go." This sentiment underscores the determination that has driven Israel to defend itself at all costs, influencing its military doctrine and national psyche to this very day.

Again, despite all the turmoil you see, God’s hand moving through history according to what the prophets have promised. Remember what the Psalmist once wrote, “Behold, he who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” (Ps 121:4)

Steve Conover: Now Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life and ministry of Holocaust survivor, Zvi Kalisher.

Mike Kellogg: I immigrated to Israel after passing through the horrors of the Holocaust in Europe. I came here hoping to make a new life for myself after losing my entire family in Hitler’s gas chambers. But, only days after I arrived in Israel, eight Arab countries attacked us. We were thrust into a new Holocaust, a new destruction. Our enemies thought they would win because of our small number. They came against us with millions of men and their best weapons, but they failed. At that time, I did not know the Lord. Then one day I was given a Bible. I read the account in 1 Samuel 17 of King David’s victory over the Philistine hero, Goliath. I then realized that little Israel was just like the shepherd boy before the giant. Goliath said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” (1 Sam. 17:43). We had gone against our Arab enemies with only sticks compared to their sophisticated weapons. I realized that, just as the Lord fought David’s battle, the Lord fought for Israel against the Arabs. As Psalm 124:2–3 says, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive.”

Many Israelis think our own strength defeated our enemies in 1948. But we never could have defeated our enemies in our own strength.

A few weeks ago, some high school students asked me about the War of Independence. They had received a homework assignment requiring them to interview a veteran of that war. One  asked, “How could such a small nation make such a great victory?” I answered by reading Deuteronomy 7:17–18: “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’ You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.”

I told them we did not win this victory alone. In 1948, we were a destroyed people after the Holocaust. Most of us had not yet learned to speak Hebrew, so we had difficulty even communicating with one another. I showed them pictures of the old weapons Israel used in the war of 1948 and said, “They were nothing compared to the powerful weapons the Arabs used. But in spite of our small size and lack of weapons, the Lord fought for us then, just as He does now.” Finally, we came to the subject of faith. One asked, “Why do you speak so

much about the Bible?”

I said, “It is impossible to speak about war without reading in God’s Word about the great things the Lord has done for us. Without the Lord’s help, King David, who was only a child at the time, could not have fought a beast like Goliath. But what did David say to him? ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’ [1 Sam. 17:45]. Today we also stand before our numerous enemies. If you do not say in your report that the Lord was on our side, you will be lying.”

Each of the young students then asked for a Bible. I pray the Lord will open their eyes to the truth and they will see Him as the great Defender of His people Israel.

Fifty years have passed since I came to Israel, and the Lord has protected me through many battles. But, most important, He saved my soul and has given me the great privilege of being His servant here in His Holy Land.

Chris Katulka: Hey, thanks so much for joining for today's episode of The Friends of Israel Today. Don't forget to get your free digital download of our popular booklet, Whose Land is It Anyway? on our website at foiradio.org. Next week we're going to be wrapping up our series on the modern Middle East, the making of the Modern Middle East. Again, don't forget to visit us at foiradio.org. Our mailing address is FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that's FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. You can call us on our listener line. That number is 888-343-6940. Again, that's 888-343-6940. Give us a call, we want to hear from you. Today's program was engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performed our theme music. Lisa Small is our executive producer. Sarah Fern is our associate producer. And Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold. I'm Chris Katulka, your host and teacher. The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.