"The situation in Northern Israel continues to be difficult," reports Richard Elofer, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Israel. "Many Adventist Christians and Jews celebrated the Sabbath on July 22nd in bomb shelters with frequent interruptions by blaring sirens and explosions of fired rockets."

On July 21 one of these rockets fell down on Herzl Street, downtown Haifa, which is very close to three Adventist Churches: the Hebrew, Romanian and English speaking congregations. "We thank God that none of these churches were damaged and our Adventist families were not struck by human losses," says Pastor Elofer.

The North of Israel continues to be evacuated. Many Adventists and non-Adventists found shelter in buildings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the homes of their members.

The administration of the church decided to open the “Jerusalem Study Centre”, which is owned by the Adventist Church, for 25-30 refugees. Pastor Elofer said that "even though the church facilities are not equipped to accommodate refugees, we will do our best to provide what these people need. In the same way we have opened our church buildings in Tel Aviv, Ashkelon and Beer Sheva."

In his report to Adventist News Review (ANR) Pastor Elofer said: "We hope that this difficult situation will not last for a long time and that wisdom and responsibilities will prevail among the leaders of the different parties." He concluded with thanks to those who remember them with prayers and support. [Editor Miroslav Pujic for Adventist News Review/ANR]