IN THE MIDDLE EAST

 

THE ISRAEL GUYS SHOW NOTES MAY 20, 2026

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Egypt has opposed the State of Israel since its rebirth in 1948. Yet time and time again, Israel has been able to push back against the Egyptian army. In the late 1970s, Israel agreed to return the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for peace. Currently, it appears that this agreement may be coming to an end. Egypt has positioned 40,000 troops in the Sinai, which is a direct violation of the peace agreement. Watch our show today for a full breakdown on what's happening 👇

It was discovered that the initial regime change plan in Iran involved reinstating Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s former leader. Ahmadinejad had fallen out of good standing with the Iranian regime and was being held under house arrest at the time of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. There was a strike enacted on Ahmadinejad’s home intended to free him from the IRGC forces guarding him, but the strike ended up wounding him, and now his whereabouts are unknown. Yesterday, Iran warned that it will "open new fronts" if the U.S. begins a new round of fighting. Elements of the IRGC Quds Force have arrived in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and are positioning themselves along the western coast of Yemen. It seems likely that Iran and the Houthis intend to also close down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the chokepoint between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

DON'T GET TONGUE-TIED

Do you ever feel caught off guard when someone confidently argues for a two-state solution? Or wish you had clearer, stronger answers—both logically and biblically—for why Israel has the rightful claim to its land and why dividing it isn’t the answer? That’s exactly why we recommend The Truth About Palestine by Lars Enarson. It’s one of the best resources we’ve found for understanding the history behind the conflict and the deeper reasons a two-state solution is not right. It gives you solid facts, context, and a foundation you can actually use in real conversations.

Order today so next time the topic comes up, you’re not scrambling for answers—you’re ready.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

The International Criminal Court in The Hague is likely to issue arrest warrants against three government ministers and two IDF generals. The political figures are Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the generals are Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and IDF Southern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor. The warrants are really nothing more than legal tropes, as the ICC cannot legally issue warrants against leaders of nations that are not part of the Rome Statute, and Israel is not. The Haifa District Court ordered eleven of the vessels seized during the October 2025 Sumud flotilla to be transferred to state ownership. The State of Israel has reached out to the owners of the vessels but either received no response regarding the boats or, in some cases, were unable to find an address for the listed owners. Somaliland is set to open its embassy in Jerusalem; this will be its first foreign embassy anywhere. Israel recognized Somaliland as a sovereign independent country in late 2025, becoming the first member state of the UN to do so. Israel has been in diplomatic relations with the tiny African nation for the last couple of years. Somaliland broke off from Somalia in 1991 and is still seeking broader international recognition. Somaliland has its own currency, passport, and army, but has struggled to win recognition abroad due to concerns that this could provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.

IN JUDEA & SAMARIA

Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, ordered the immediate evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar yesterday. This is a contested site in Judea where Bedouin have illegally erected buildings and dwellings. The village is located in the strategic E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. Smotrich said that the move was partially in retaliation against the Palestinian Authority for pressuring the ICC to issue an arrest warrant against him.

VERSE OF THE DAY

In synagogues across the Jewish world this Friday, the scroll of Ruth will be read. Many Christian Zionists can relate to Ruth’s words to Naomi in chapter one:

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

The story of Ruth can stand as a strong witness to the important role that those from the nations have in standing alongside the Jewish people.

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