‘Harbinger of doom…’: Netizens cite biblical prophecy about Israel as thousands of crows swarm Tel Aviv, say ‘bad omen’ is linked to…
Crows over Tel Aviv: Amidst the backdrop of the raging war with Iran, thousands of crows were seen hovering over Tel Aviv, sparking concern and debate within Israel about whether this signified a “bad omen” which would bring death and destruction to the Jewish state as these birds of prey are often associated with war and devastation in many cultures.
Crows darken Tel Aviv skyline
According to reports, a huge flock of crows filled the skyline of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, with videos showing the birds ominously circling and hovering above skyscrapers.
The incident drew widespread attention on social media as Israel is currently embroiled in a devastating war with Iran, and Iranian missiles have wreaked havoc on several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, since the conflict erupted late last month.
Social media users linked the ominous scenes of crows circling over Tel Aviv, which looked something straight out of a doomsday movie, to prophecies found in all three Abrahamic faiths– Islam, Judaism, and Christianity– about Israel and the end times.
Why users linked crows over Israel to biblical verse?
Users pointed out that the frightening sight, which resembled dark clouds hovering over the Israeli city, as a sign from the heavens of major disaster to come, with many claiming that such events are often followed by a biblical catastrophe.
Other users linked the incident to Revelation 19:17-18, which describes an angel calling out to the birds to gather for the “great supper of God and feast on the flesh of His fallen enemies, kings and mighty men”.
“Crows are circling over Tel Aviv. If you are familiar with the scriptures, this is not a good sign. It is the beginning of the eighth decade’s curse on the demise of the State of Israel, a curse foretold in the Talmud and warned against in the Bible,” wrote one user.
“Ironically, a flock of crows is also known as “murder” of crows. This is a sign of disaster,” another commented.
What do experts say?
Meanwhile, ornithologists and experts dismissed the phenomenon as part of seasonal migration of crows, noting that the skies over Tel Aviv are part of bird flight paths.
According to experts, the behavior is part of spring migration during which around 500 million birds pass through Israel and flock to urban areas during nesting season, noting that crow movements are a common occurrence in Israel as thousands of crows leave urban areas Tel Aviv, especially around the onset of spring in March.
Ornithologists say these movements are often attributed to seasonal changes, environmental factors, or some form of unrest.
However, despite scientific explanations, users continue to link the phenomenon to the ongoing crisis in West Asia and doomsday prophecies in Abrahamic scriptures, claiming that the behavior exhibited by crows is a sign of end times and a major catastrophe may be on the way.