According to Pastor Joel Engel, the recent US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, described by some as a “peace agreement,” does not yet represent true peace. He views the agreement as a temporary measure rather than a permanent solution.

“Peace must first be born in hearts, then put on paper, and only afterward become reality,” Engel told the Brazilian Christian outlet Guiame.

He pointed to Israel’s willingness to exchange 20 prisoners for each captive in Gaza as evidence of its desire for peace, while questioning the other side’s intentions.

“Israel wants peace so much that it paid an incredible price of 20 for 1 in the prisoner exchange,” he stated. “However, the other side kills its own brothers and continues to wage war against themselves. Hence the question: who truly wants peace?”

Engel also commented on the role of President Donald Trump in the negotiations.

“He did a great job with this agreement and managed to bring together several leaders in favor of peace and the reconstruction of Gaza — that is, for the common good of all victims of this tragedy, both Jews and Palestinians.”

The pastor expressed concern, however, about Brazil’s position in the current international context. “Brazil was not part of this group that supports either of these peoples — neither the Jews nor the Palestinians — but instead positions itself against the Jews. It frightens us to be included and counted as a goat nation, according to Matthew 25.”

Engel on Brazil’s Spiritual Link to Israel

Engel explained that his decision to fly to Israel during Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was prompted by a prophetic dream. In the dream, he saw Brazil separated from Israel but was holding the Brazilian flag while the president of Israel held the Israeli flag.

“In the dream, we joined both flags together,” he said.

“When I saw this, I remembered the promise in Genesis 12:3: ‘I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.’ So I decided to come to Israel to tell them that there are people in Brazil who stand with Israel.”

Engel said his presence in Israel represents millions of Brazilian Christians who love and pray for the Jewish people.

“I came here to say: your people are my people, your pain is my pain, your God is our God,” he declared, quoting Ruth 1:16. “Although Brazil and Israel may seem separated now, we will see them reunited — spiritually and prophetically.”

 

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Uma publicação compartilhada por Joel Engel יואל אנג׳ל (@pastorjoelengel)

Meeting with Tom Hess in Jerusalem

While in Jerusalem, Engel met Pastor Tom Hess, founder of the Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations and organizer of the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem.

Hess said he recently witnessed an unusual sense of unity in the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament), which he described as a sign of divine action among the Israeli people.

“I had never seen so much unity in the Knesset,” Hess commented. “We want to bless the nation of Brazil for the repentance that took place on Yom Kippur, bless its government leaders, and declare the fullness of the spiritual harvest over all of Brazil.”

Prayer at the Border

Engel also recalled his recent visit to the Gaza border, where he prayed for the release of Israeli hostages just a few meters from the wall separating the territories. He said the most striking moment occurred when a strong wind began to blow as he proclaimed words of liberation based on Leviticus 25.

“We began this proclamation in Gaza, then in Jerusalem, and at that moment the wind started to blow. I believe it was a sign that God is lifting up Israel and that the wind of the Spirit is blowing over this nation,” Engel said.

He added that he believes the same wind will blow over Brazil. “I am calling on all Brazilians to raise up a movement of love for Israel and for us to return in great numbers next year to the Convocation in Jerusalem.”

 

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Uma publicação compartilhada por Joel Engel יואל אנג׳ל (@pastorjoelengel)

Closing Prayer

Closing the meeting, Pastors Hess and Engel prayed together, declaring that Brazil and Israel are spiritually connected.

“In the name of Yeshua, we break every division and declare the believers are united,” said Hess. “Brazil is completely connected to Israel. We believe this will manifest among pastors, businesspeople, and government leaders, and that this restoration will happen within the next two years, in the name of Yeshua.”