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| Visit our Web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com | October 22, 2010 |
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1. Report: Palestinians Plan to See UN Resolution US Won't Veto2. Abbas Tells Israel Television He's Willing to Renounce Future Claims3. German Mediator Back in Gaza4. Europe Shuns Iranian Planes5. Mashaal: Hamas Willing to Accept Peace Deal with Israel6. Israel Remembers Slain Leader Rabin7. Israel Physicist Wins US Science Medal8. A Revolution in Skin Cancer Detection9. Dead Sea Scrolls to Be Digitalized
1. Report: Palestinians Plan to See UN Resolution US Won't VetoAn Israeli daily is reporting that Palestinian leadership has decided to seek a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli post-1967 communities [such as settlements in the West Bank, or Judea and Samaria] as illegal and calling for evacuation of Jewish Israelis from those areas.
According to the report in Haaretz, the belief is that while the Obama administration would exercise its veto if the resolution called for Palestinian statehood, Washington would be hard-pressed to veto a condemnation of the Jewish communities, against which it is firmly on-record.
In what could be a taste of things to come, a stormy Security Council session on Monday [October 18] was devoted to the issue of Israeli building on lands acquired in the 1967 war. Even the United States offered criticism of Israel at the session.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told his political colleagues that he has a number of ways of overcoming the gaps with the Palestinians in mind, but that “if the Palestinians want to find problems, we won’t advance.”
(Excerpts of an article by The Media Line, October 19, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the nations of the world would recognize the inappropriateness of such a resolution. Pray that it would not be passed and that the United States would, in fact, stand with Israel and veto such a measure.
Scripture
“Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight” (Psalm 9:19).
2. Abbas Tells Israel Television He's Willing to Renounce Future ClaimsPalestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas told an Israeli television station on Sunday [October 17] that he is willing to renounce future claims on Israel after a Palestinian state has been established. The pronouncement relates significantly to Israeli concerns that the Palestinians want refugees who left what became Israel in 1948 to reclaim properties vacated at that time as part of a “right of return.” The Israelis argue that the proper address for such returnees is the new Palestinian state.
The statement by Abbas is being seen by some as an indication that what has been a red-line issue in negotiations is “solvable.” Abbas refused to accede to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s demand to acknowledge the Jewish nature of the state of Israel. He told Channel 1, “We recognize the state of Israel, and it is already a Jewish state.”
(By The Media Line, October 18, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Palestinians will act with integrity in all negotiations, holding true to their word in cases such as this one.
Scripture
“You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:6).
3. German Mediator Back in GazaGerman mediator Gerhard Conrad, who is the acting liaison between Hamas and Israel in the negotiations meant to secure the safe release of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier Gilad Shalit, visited Gaza on Sunday [October 17], a Kuwaiti news agency reported Tuesday [October 19]. The report came on the heels of a recent statement made by Hamas strongman Mahmoud al-Zahar, saying that the Islamist group was ready to resume prisoner exchange negotiations.
According to the report, Conrad held a lengthy meeting with Hamas officials heading the Shalit negotiations and then crossed back to Israel via Erez crossing [on the northeast border of the Gaza Strip]. The Kuwaiti news agency said Hamas refused to comment on the matter. Hamas sources refused to confirm the report, telling Ynet they had no knowledge of Conrad's visit.
Sunday saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirm that talks with Hamas have been renewed, and according to a Tuesday report in Saudi newspaper al-Madina, he is no longer ruling out the possibility of releasing former Fatah Secretary-General Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison, in exchange for the captive soldier. Al-Madina claimed Netanyahu asked Conrad to relay a message to that effect to Hamas.
Jerusalem-based al-Manar newspaper reported Monday [October 18] that Conrad was "optimistic" about the talks and planned to continue his efforts to the end of 2010, as he received "encouraging signs from Hamas" during his previous visit to the region.
(By Ali Waked, Ynetnews, October 19, 2010)
http://www.ynetnews.com/
Prayer Focus
Pray that these negotiations will finally be successful. Pray that Gilad Shalit will be released soon, in good physical and mental health. Pray that Israel not be forced to compromise security in order to secure his release.
Scripture
“Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him’; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (Psalm 13:3-5).
4. Europe Shuns Iranian PlanesIranian airplanes are no longer allowed to refuel in the majority of European airports and those still open to them are due to close their gates to Iran next month. An agreement signed between the US and Europe's four largest oil companies increases Iran's aviation isolation significantly, the Washington Post reported Monday [October 18].
The four companies, the Dutch and British Shell, French Total, Italian ENI and Norwegian Statoil, all agreed to stop investing in Iran and to avoid any new involvement with Tehran. The annulment of contracts with Iran forces Iranian aircraft to refuel only on German and Austrian soil, where Total and the Austrian company OMV will provide fuel until the end of their contract next month.
Iranian planes were blacklisted by the European Union back in July. Then it was said that the reason for the decisive move was safety issues with Iranian airplanes. The EU has stated that two-thirds of planes belonging to IranAir, the national airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran, will not be allowed to enter Europe. The plane models that will not be allowed in are: Boeing-727, Boeing-747 and the Airbus-320. Similar restrictions have been imposed on Mahan Air airlines.
US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, who heads the American delegation for strategic dialogue, has stated that the objective is to get companies to stop doing business with Iran. The delegation is meeting in Washington Monday [October 18] with the Israeli delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.
Ayalon arrived in Washington after visiting Beijing, where he met with his Chinese counterpart and requested that China boost its sanctions and join the 32 countries, including South Korea and Japan, that have imposed sanctions on Iran.
(By Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, October 18, 2010)
http://www.ynetnews.com/
Prayer Focus
Pray that the effort of the US and Israel be successful in uniting the world in imposing sanctions on Iran. Pray that such sanctions will be successful in discouraging the Iranian regime from continuing its nuclear program.
Scripture
“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men. Preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts and continually gather together for war” (Psalm 140:1-2).
5. Mashaal: Hamas Willing to Accept Peace Deal with IsraelHamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal says his group is willing to accept any peace agreement achieved between Israel and the Palestinian Authority [PA], as long as it enjoys a Palestinian consensus, Ynet learned Wednesday [October 20]. In an interview with Newsweek Magazine, Mashaal predicted that the inception of a Palestinian state was not something that could happen in the foreseeable future and urged Washington to "hear from us directly.” Hamas, he said, already talks to Washington via unofficial channels, including former president Jimmy Carter.
Neither Israel nor the PA want to see Hamas become an active participant in the peace talks, but according to Mashaal, trying to circumvent Hamas completely always proves to be a mistake, since "Hamas is a key player." When asked by the magazine what role he would like to play in the future Palestinian state, Mashaal said he was not sure whether such a state would be formed during his lifetime.
Mashaal, according to Newsweek, is taking a more moderate tone: "There is a position and program that all Palestinians share: to accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital with the right of return [which would potentially flood Israel with Palestinian refugees]. And this state would have real sovereignty, on the land and on the borders. And with no settlements.”
Such an agreement would fall short of the drastic goals set by Hamas’ charter [which calls for all the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea], but Mashaal said his group would accept such an agreement if a majority of Palestinians approved it. “When this program is implemented…we would respect the will of the Palestinian people.”
(By Ali Waked, Ynetnews, October 20, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Hamas, as a known terrorist organization, will not participate in, or affect, the outcome of any negotiations regarding a Palestinian state. Pray that the Lord will continue to protect His people and their presence in the Land He has given them.
Scripture
“I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them” (Amos 9:15).
6. Israel Remembers Slain Leader RabinIsrael on Wednesday [October 20] marked the Jewish calendar date of the 15th anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin with a state memorial ceremony. The ceremony was attended by the Rabin family and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rabin, perhaps best known for his efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians through the Oslo Accords, was assassinated in 1994 by Jewish extremist Yigal Amir, who was opposed to Rabin’s openness to concessions to the Palestinians. Netanyahu spoke at the ceremony and noted that the pursuit of peace continues, while the nation of Israel is more unified today than it was 15 years ago.
In his speech, which was posted on the Prime Minister’s Office Web site, Netanyahu noted he shares Rabin’s “attitude” that they must continue to try and achieve peace, despite the fact that it has not been reached 15 years since Rabin’ death. Said Netanyahu, “I believe that we should know if a peace agreement is obtainable; and if it is obtainable, we must try.”
Speaking on national unity, Netanyahu said, “Today, we are no longer divided into two opposing camps…We listen to each other more; our positions have grown closer together; the gaps have narrowed.
“One part of the country recognized that it is impossible to exist for long without a political arrangement and without compromise. And the other part today understands that it is not alone in seeking peace; it has learned that Israel does not stand on the verge of an apocalyptic vision; that not everything is in our hands.”
Another area where Netanyahu finds unity is in one of their key demands in the peace process. “Today, the majority of Israel’s citizens better understand, I believe, that even when a peace agreement is achieved, Israel will have to continue to very carefully safeguard its security assets,” said Netanyahu, “because security preserves the peace, and undermining security dissolves it.”
The current Israeli leader also said that Rabin agreed with the importance of Israel being a democratic Jewish State, with “full personal, religious and civil rights” for Jewish and non-Jewish citizens alike.
“This is the fundamental point of view that guided Yitzhak Rabin-a State of Israel that fulfills its Jewish and democratic role, one that lives in peace and security with all its neighbors, first and foremost its Palestinian neighbors-and I believe that this aspiration today unites the vast majority of the nation,” said Netanyahu. “And I believe that, with our combined forces, we will be able to realize it.”
Aside from Rabin’s participation in the peace process with the Palestinians, which won him a share of the Nobel Peace Prize, Rabin also signed the peace accord between Israel and Jordan in 1994.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, October 20, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Rabin’s vision of a peaceful resolution to the problems existing between Israel and her Arab neighbors could become a reality. Pray that the Lord will protect Israel’s leaders from the kind of violent attack that took Rabin’s life.
Scripture
“’And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible’” (Jeremiah 15:20-21).
7. Israel Physicist Wins US Science MedalHaifa, Israel-born Tel Aviv University (TAU) Prof. (emeritus) Yakir Aharonov is one of only ten scientists who will receive the US National Medal of Science at the White House from President Barack Obama in a few weeks, for his outstanding contributions in the field.
Aharonov (78-years-old), who holds both Israeli and US citizenship, is being honored "for his contributions to the foundations of quantum physics and for drawing out unexpected implications of that field, ranging from the Aharonov-Bohm Effect to the theory of weak measurement."
A graduate of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Aharonrov discovered the Aharonov-Bohm Effect with the late David Bohm in 1959. The theory involves the action of atomic particles around a magnetic field and is regarded today as one of the cornerstones of modern physics.
Since retiring from TAU, Aharonov has been a professor of theoretical physics and the James J. Farley Professor of Natural Philosophy at Chapman University in California. He is the recipient of the Wolf Prize (Israel's Nobel), the Weizmann Prize in Physics, the Rothschild Prize in Physics, the Israel Prize in exact science and the EMET Prize in exact science. Obama said that "the achievements of the scientists redefined the borders of human knowledge."
(By Israel21c, October 17, 2010)
http://www.israel21c.org/
Prayer Focus
(Editor’s note: These three final stories are examples of Israel’s incredible contributions to the global community, in this case in science, medicine, and biblical studies, changing the face of the world.) Praise the Lord for the innovative spirit that the Lord has given to the Jewish people and their commitment to “tikun olam” (Jewish belief in their responsibility to help perfect the world).
Scripture
“Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6).
8. A Revolution in Skin Cancer DetectionThe most common form of cancer in the United States, skin cancer, is becoming even more widespread as sunlight exposure increases worldwide. "Early detection is the key to battling the disease. With early detection, almost all forms of skin cancer are curable," says Col. (ret.) Yossi Biderman, CEO of Skin Cancer Scanning (SCS), an Israeli company that has developed a breakthrough technology using fiber-optic cables to scan for potentially malignant moles.
Clinical trials at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva in central Israel show the system to be 92% effective in detecting certain types of skin cancer at an early stage-a higher rate than that of any apparatus currently available. Now a marketable device called Skinscan 650 is close to being ready, Biderman tells ISRAEL21c. "We assume we will have a working prototype by mid-to-late 2011." The unique technology is based on the observation that cancerous cells proliferate faster than healthy cells, and their accelerated metabolic activity releases energy at a higher frequency.
"The concept is simple to understand," says Biderman. "Every living organism emits energy in the form of heat. This energy comes out in wavelengths-i.e. the light spectrum. Every living organism is built of cells, and the wavelengths emit from these cells [and can then be examined electronically]. Most healthy people have a body temperature of 36-37 degrees centigrade [96.8-98.6 F], and any difference in temperature can be traced to a medical condition. There's nothing new in this.
"Cancer develops in cells, as the result of something afflicting them that causes them to regenerate and split at a faster rate," he elucidates. "This increased metabolic activity releases energy at a higher frequency, generating heat-just as the temperature around your pelvic area rises after eating. We're looking at the symptom. The cause cannot be detected so easily.
"There are two groups of skin cancer: Non-melanoma cancers account for 95% of skin cancers, and are known to be less fatal. Most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma cancers. In both cases, early detection will ensure a high level of survival. If melanoma skin cancer has developed, your chances of coming out of it are about 5%. That is why early detection is so important," he adds. In most developed countries, it is commonplace for a physician to visually examine suspicious moles before referring patients for biopsies that usually prove unnecessary and expensive. SCS's technology could make this practice a thing of the past.
Biderman points to the system's user-friendliness. "The doctor simply places the device next to the nevus [benign skin lesion] he wants to check. A light source projects rays onto the scanned lesion, and the body cells absorb part of the rays and reflect the light back-as do all things. That reflection is collected, then turned from optical into digital data for assessment. Our system knows how to absorb the rays emanating from the body and assess in which range of the spectrum the light's rays are coming out and their behavioral patterns [to look for problem areas]."
Two stages of clinical trials have already proved the system's feasibility. "We compared our results using patients who had been referred for a biopsy after a doctor had eyeballed a lesion," Biderman recounts. "We already knew that cancer cells appear in different ranges of the [light] spectrum, depending on the type of cancer, but in the first set of trials we still didn't know what we were looking at.
"Eventually, we started recognizing certain patterns. We learned to recognize what types of lesions are malignant. Now at least we had a name for every type. We found that each type of lesion has particular behavioral patterns. Every lesion has a different 'signature'-like fingerprints. We learned to diagnose the data using proprietary algorithms and have come to recognize certain [light] pulses as giving information on the type of cancer. At the end of the procedure we compared our results with those of biopsies carried out on patients," he tells ISRAEL21c.
The second stage of trials, completed in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki criteria, validated the technology's NMSC identification capabilities, resulting in a 92.4% sensitivity rate. "You have to keep on checking," Biderman warns. "The chances of developing skin cancer increase as you grow older. If you're over 50 years old, it's recommended that a dermatologist check you at least once a year."
(Excerpts of an article by Daniel Ben-Tal, Israel21c, October 18, 2010)
http://www.israel21c.org/
9. Dead Sea Scrolls to Be DigitalizedAs part of the celebrations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its establishment, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is launching a unique project-The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library- to document the entire collection of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
A major lead gift from the Leon Levy Foundation, with additional major funding, will enable the IAA to use the most advanced and innovative technologies available to image the entire collection of 900 manuscripts comprising some 30,000 Dead Sea Scrolls fragments in hi-resolution and multi-spectrum and make the digitized images freely available and accessible to anyone anywhere in the world on the Internet.
This is the first time that the collection of scrolls will be photographed in its entirety since the 1950s. The IAA announced today that it is collaborating with the Google R&D [research and development] center in Israel in this milestone project to upload not only all of the digitized Scrolls images but also additional data online that will allow users to perform meaningful searches across a broad range of data in a number of languages and formats. This will result in unprecedented scholarly and popular access to the scrolls and related research and scholarship and should lead to new insights into the world of the scrolls.
The innovative imaging technology to be used in the project has been developed by MegaVision, a US based company and will be installed in the IAA’s laboratories in early 2011. The MegaVision system will enable the digital imaging of every scroll fragment in various wavelengths in the highest resolution possible and allow long-term monitoring for preservation purposes in a non-invasive and precise manner. The images will be equal in quality to the actual physical viewing of the Scrolls, thus eliminating the need for reexposure of the scrolls and allowing their preservation for future generations.
The technology will also help rediscover writing and letters that have ”vanished” over the years; with the help of infra-red light and wavelengths beyond, these writings will be brought “back to life,” facilitating new possibilities in Dead Sea Scrolls research.
According to Shuka Dorfman, IAA General Director, "We are establishing a milestone connection between progress and the past to preserve this unique heritage for future generations. At the end of a comprehensive and profound examination, we have succeeded in recruiting the best minds and technological means to preserve this unrivalled cultural heritage treasure which belongs to all of us, so that the public with a click of the mouse will be able to freely access history in its fullest glamour.
"We are proud to be embarking on a project that will provide unlimited access to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century, crucial to biblical studies and the history of Judaism and early Christianity. We are profoundly grateful to Shelby White and the Leon Levy Foundation for their lead major gift and to the Arcadia Foundation for its major gift to this project."
The announcement this morning comes after three years of research in which the IAA investigated the best imaging technologies, information systems and preservation methods and raised the necessary funds to begin the project. Pnina Shor is the project manger on behalf of the IAA and is assisted by academic institutions and the best professionals in their respective fields in Israel and abroad.
(Excerpts of an article by Edgar Asher, Isranet, October 19, 2010)
Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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