IN THE MIDDLE EAST

 

THE ISRAEL GUYS SHOW NOTES APRIL 29, 2026 IN THE MIDDLE EAST Trump claims that Iran is on the brink of economic collapse as the blockade continues, and Iran can’t store all the oil they are pumping. Close to 90% of Iran’s economy depends on maritime trade, and the current U.S. blockade is, at the very least, severely limiting it, even if it is failing to completely shut it down. Reports say that Iran has so much oil, they are putting it in makeshift storage containers, as they’re unable to ship it out of the country. Shutting down the oil wells temporarily might seem like the answer, but shutting down a well has the potential to ruin its future viability. To go more in depth on these topics, watch Ben's show from today. WATCH SHOW The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that they are leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This is quite a blow to their Gulf neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, which leads the organization. When asked whether the UAE consulted with Saudi Arabia before abandoning the group, Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said that they did not raise the issue with any other country. This exit from OPEC is seen as a win for Trump, who has criticized the group for inflating world oil prices. After five months, the Iraqi Coordination Framework has selected a new prime minister. The new appointee is Ali al-Zaidi, who was previously unknown in Iraqi politics but was known for running a bank that was accused of corruption. Because of major Iranian control in Iraq, largely via the Popular Mobilization Forces, the country has a tendency to select weak prime ministers who basically act as puppets controlled by the Islamic Republic. STILL IN THE SKY In case you didn’t know, our team loves Israel T-shirts 😁. This is our latest design we created that our team is excited about and we wanted to share it with you as a way to get a cool shirt and help support volunteer projects in Israel. PRE-ORDER NOW This shirt was inspired by Jeremiah 31:35–36. It’s a bold promise: Israel will only cease to be a nation if the sun, moon, and stars disappear. In other words, God Himself is declaring that no matter what, Israel will EXIST. Choose your color and size (available in XS up to 3XL) and place your pre-order before the end of the month. Shirts are expected to ship the week of May 25. PRE-ORDER NOW ON THE HOME FRONT The Temple Mount Yeshiva announced Tuesday another step forward in allowing Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount. Basic prayer sheets have been allowed at the site for the past few months, but now permission has been granted for expanded prayer sheets, which include special liturgy dedicated to the Temple Mount. Haredi protesters from Jerusalem broke into the yard of Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, head of the Military Police, on Tuesday in protest of the arrest of draft evaders. The issue of conscription laws in Israel being applied in Ultra-Orthodox communities continues to be a point of contention and the source of many protests from the Haredim. Many more protests erupted after the Israeli Supreme Court, on Sunday, ordered the state to revoke financial benefits for Ultra-Orthodox draft evaders and move toward criminal enforcement against them. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Zelensky threatened Israel with sanctions due to Russian ships carrying “stolen wheat” docking at Israeli ports, despite Israel’s claims that there is no proof that the wheat was stolen from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. However, Eugene Kontorovich, an expert on universal jurisdiction, maritime piracy, and international law, told the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS): “There is absolutely no legal prohibition on such imports. Israel is not required to boycott Russian-occupied areas. Most nations on earth don’t, but Ukraine is not threatening to boycott Turkey or Lebanon. This looks like a deliberate effort to set Israel up for E.U. sanctions, which the E.U. has wanted to impose anyway.” In recent days, Egyptian military forces have been practicing live-fire training a mere 100 meters from the border fence with Israel. Israelis from the communities near the Gaza Strip and the border with Egypt complained of the situation and reminded officials that similar events happening near the fence in Gaza were also ignored before the October 7 massacre took place less than three years ago. IN JUDEA & SAMARIA A bomb was discovered planted outside of Esh Kodesh in Samaria, near Shiloh. The explosive device was reported around 4:30 AM yesterday morning after a local resident discovered the suspicious item located outside the village. The bomb was attached to a Palestinian flag, most likely intended to harm Israelis who might try to remove the flag while being unaware of the explosive’s presence. Israeli security forces responded to the report and removed the threat. VERSE OF THE DAY Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 125 Did you see the latest photos we posted on Facebook? Click here to follow us. FOLLOW US The Israel Guys P.O. Box 736919 Chicago, IL 60673