Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I made a rescue attempt with Abiathar, my opponent blocks with King Omri and searches for a Samaria site while Gates of Samaria is in play. Am I allowed to play Zeal for the Lord to discard Omri, while simultaneously discarding an Assyrian in my territory, allowing me to negate and discard Gates? I recognize that a regular interrupt the battle isn't acceptable, but I am technically negating Gates with the enhancement, it's just through a couple proxies.

King Omri   6/7 - Search your draw pile for one Samaria Site and put in play.  Land Purchase cannot be negated.

Gate of Samaria - Protect evil Kings of Israel in your territory from opponents. When you play a Samaria Site, increase your evil King of Israel 6/6 to decrease a character 6/6.

Zeal for the Lord - Interrupt the battle and discard two Evil Characters of different brigades. Cannot be negated if used by Phinehas, son of Eleazar.

Protection of Jerusalem - Place in your territory: Protect your good O.T. Fortresses from opponents. When you discard an evil Assyrian from play, you may negate and discard an evil card.

The card you play has to directly interrupt or negate the card that's removing you.

Alright, thanks Gabe.

Special Initiative only allows you to directly interrupt the card that is causing the removal. So if Abiathar had a card that could directly negate Gates of Samaria, then he could play that, but if the card can only interrupt Omri, then it is not able to be played via Special Initiative.