Once an Arafat Man

An Update

I've been spending much time in the Middle East over the past couple of months.  We're extremely excited about some opportunities to minister to the Arab and Jewish people.  I'm hoping more will be able to be shared with you in the coming months.

"Once an Arafat Man" is doing extremely well...thanks to many of you who have been sharing the story with your churches, your friends and your families.  I've had countless emails from many of you telling me how the book has impacted your perspective on the people of the middle east and how you view your Arab neighbors.  God is so good!

Recently our dear friend Joel Rosenberg let us know that he's mentioned Once An Arafat Man in his upcoming release called Inside the Revolution. Be sure to check it out on Amazon here.

We have some speaking engagements and interviews coming in the U.S. and we're looking forward to meeting many of you. 

Thank you again for your love and support!

Hamas Raids Aid Trucks

By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF Hamas on Monday raided some 100 aid trucks that Israel had allowed into Gaza, stole their contents and sold them to the highest bidders.

The IDF said that since terminal activity is coordinated with UNRWA and the Red Cross, Israel could do nothing to prevent such raids, Israel Radio reported.

Between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the army had ceased all military activity in Gaza and once again established a "humanitarian corridor" to help facilitate the transfer of the supplies.

The Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings had been opened to allow in the aid trucks.

Read the full story...

World Islamazation

In the United States I've witnessed the rapid disinterest/concern for the goals of Radical Islam.  In 2001, the citizens of our great nation were awakened from a slumber with the realization that an entire religion had declared war on them.  And now, seven years later, I fear many of us have fallen asleep again.

It could be the weariness of war, it might be the fact that since that September day in 2001 we've not experienced any such threats due to the vigilance of our government...for which we should all be grateful.  But I've had many conversations in my travels and witnessed several things which lead me to believe reminders of the influence Satan has on the Islamic world need to be available.

Recently a video was created by Geert Wilder called "Fitna".  I've never seen a film that so clearly illustrates the influence of Islam over it's most devoted followers.  The film provides verses taken directly from the book I once followed and believed. The film then provides physical pictures of actual destruction, murder and death carried out according to the commands found in the Koran.  The film was deemed so controversial, many of the people involved with publishing it were threatened by radical Islam. 

My friends...I urge you to watch...however, I do urge you to understand that the film contains some incredibly graphic images.  Reminders of the war that is continually being waged against the free world.

As you watch, please remember to pray for those blinded by this religion that offers no hope, no peace and no rest.  As I've said many times before...I was once a man blinded by the same spirit and had the scales lifted from my eyes because of the love of Jesus Christ.

CAUTION...THIS VIDEO HAS GRAPHIC IMAGES. DO NOT WATCH WITH CHILDREN.  Be patient...it'll take some time to load. You can also view it at this link here. Thank you.

Hamas Legalizes Crucifixion

This story comes from TheJewishWorldReview.com.  Another example of the brutality of Hamas and Islamic Sharia law.

By Caroline B. Glick - Both Iran and its Hamas proxy in Gaza have been busy this Christmas week  showing Christendom just what they think of it. But no one seemed to have noticed.

On Tuesday Hamasa legislators Marked the Christmas season by passing a Sharia criminal code for the Palestinian Authority.  Among other things, the code legalizes crucifixion.

Hamas's endorsement of nailing enemies of Islam to crosses came at the same time as it renewed its jihad. Here too, Hamas wanted to make sure that Christians didn't neglected as its fighters launched missiles at Jewish day care centers and schools. So on Wednesday Hamas lobbed a mortar at Erez crossing point into Israel just as a group of Gazan Christians were standing on line waiting to travel to Bethlehem for Christmas.

Read the full story...

The Evil Regime of Hamas

Friends, it's been so long since we have posted or updated.  We've been traveling so much and have been overwhelmed by what God is doing through Once an Arafat Man.  Thank you all so much for being a part of this and promoting it among your friends.

The book is in such demand, not just in the U.S., but many of the English speaking nations.  The effect that it had on the people is far beyond my expectation.  I guess because it is a "God thing" and not a "Tass thing".  I've been receiving so many emails from all over the world telling me how the book has impacted people and brought a broader and more balanced understanding of who the Arabs (Ishmaelites) are.

The book is being published right now in German, English, French, Swedish, Norwegian, Portuguese and Russian...and more to come.  Arabic and Hebrew will follow this year.  Please keep praying for it.

Now, onto the current war in the Gaza strip...it is so amazing to me how many people suddenly become experts about the Middle East.  I am not, by any means, an expert.  War, any way you look at it, is an ugly thing.  One thing I must say, the world is becoming so "anti-Israel" because of the lack of understanding of the real conflict.  Let me say this, the real conflict is spiritual and not political.  If Hamas could get their hands on the same capabilities the Israelis have, they would have erased Israel off the map a long time ago.  The casualties of war that we see is horrified and expanded by AlJazeera and the like because of their being so "biased".  Don't take everything they show you as truth.  Their goal is to win sympathy for people like Hamas.

I feel horrified by the loss of innocent life in Gaza.  Yes it is ugly, it is mean, it is vicious, but Hamas is the one to blame for all of this.  They put their people in the line of fire and they hide underground.  Karen and I have been there.  We lived there.  We have seen what Hamas is capable of and what they do when they fight with Israel.  They are not as brave as what AlJazeera wants us to believe.  They are ugly, mean spirited evil people and many are  demonically possessed.

The only thing I can fault Israel for is the fact that they have waited too long.  First, they should have gone into Gaza long before this.  Second, they waited too long to start the ground offensive this time.  They haven't the guts, because they haven't their God.

Let us pray for the victims on both sides of this war.  Pray that God will bring Hamas down to save their own people from their evil government.

-Tass

Charisma Magazine Article

Recently Charisma Magazine had an article entitled "Christmas in Bethlehem".  It featured a story about our dear friend Ayyad and his family.

Rami Ayyad was closing up at the Bible Society in Gaza where he worked when armed men whisked him into a car and sped away. For hours, Ayyad's whereabouts were unknown. Pauline, his wife and the mother of their three children-the last still in utero-finally got through to him on his cell phone.

He wasn't able to say much, and she could tell something was wrong. It turned out to be the couple's last conversation.

The next day, October 7, 2007, Ayyad's body was found marred by signs of torture and riddled with the gunshot wounds that killed him.

Read the full story...

A Recent Interview with Janet Parshall

I recently had the privilege of joining Janet Parshall for a radio interview.  You can listen to the interview here.

A "Once" Story: A New Bed-time Read

I received this email from Deanna in Alaska. I was literally drawn to tears hearing how Once an Arafat Man has impacted her family.  Thank you Deanna for sharing how the book has made an impression on you.

Mr. Saada,

Thank you for writing your story.  A dear friend gave me the book for my birthday.  She and her husband of 52 years are faithful followers of Christ and also lovers of Israel.  Her husband is there right now with a grandson.  Anyway, after skimming quickly through your story, I decided it would be great to read to the kids, twins Ethan and Ruth (12) and Paige (13).  So it has been our bedtime reading for the last week.  Although all have professed faith, only Ruth was excited about this initially.  However, after the second night, Ethan took the book to his room and instead of doing his math (we homeschool), read ahead the next five chapters.

After finding your blog and reading back through to the 9/11 post, I have decided that we will conclude our nightly chapter by praying for you.  We will be reading chapter 10 tonight. 

I have one question.  Even amid nearly daily reports of violence by Muslims, there is an undercurrent in the news (maybe I should call it a counter-current) along the lines of "this is not typical of Islam, but just Muslim radicals".  It seems to be an attempt to legitimize the religion of Islam, perhaps so it will gain more acceptance in the U.S. as it has in other parts of the Western world.  I am so concerned about this attitude and it doesn't seem to be supported in your book.  Even Muslims in your book, such as your parents, who weren't personally involved in killing, still seemed to support it ideologically and financially.  What do you think about this?

Thank you again for sharing your (you and your wife's) story.  It is so encouraging to be able to share with our children the continuing work of Christ, especially in these politically tense times.

Deanna
Anchorage, Alaska

"Once" Reviewed on Consuming Worship

This review in from Jeff Miller of ConsumingWorship.com

Once an Arafat Man’s sub-title couldn’t be a better synopsis of the book in general, “The true story of how a PLO sniper found a new life.” The opening sequence of the book reads like some of the best action oriented fiction out there, but you have to keep in mind that not only are the related events actual parts of our world history, but they are also a first-hand account of the man writing the book.

I don’t want to give away a ton of what goes on in the book and steal that pleasure from you, but the book is a real eye-opener for someone like me who has always been a firm (sometimes zealous) supporter of Israel. When you peek into the life of a Palestinian born in a tent near the beginnings of the last century’s conflict between Jews and Arabs, you cannot help but have your worldview shifted somewhat—maybe not so much a shift in thought but an increased clarity because of learning about the other side of the issue....

Read the full review

"Once" Reviewed on BlogCritics.org

Here's a recent review by Jennifer Bogart on www.BlogCritics.org.

Taysir (Tass) Saada grew up a Palestinian refugee. Tossed by the winds of change, his family suffered mistreatment and ridicule in a culture that equates land ownership with honor. His family’s treatment as second-class citizens and the lack of control over their own destiny provided the fuel for young Taysir’s rebellion against authority and his hatred towards the Jewish people from a young age. This volatile combination propelled him into the ranks of a Palestinian liberation movement -- Fatah -- at a young age. He was soon engaged in guerilla tactics against the Israeli Armed Forces, served as a sniper, and under his own initiative attempted an assassination of a Jordanian prince. As a personal vendetta he casually tossed grenades into the homes of Christians when notified of their presence. Taysir Saada was a man filled with rage.

Read the full review.