Please let us pray for the next points:
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| Visit our Web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com | October 29, 2010 |
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1. At Vatican, Bishops Call for Legal Steps against Israeli Occupation2. Hamas Minister: We'll Occupy Haifa, Akko3. Israel Blocks Building of Four UN Schools near Hamas Gaza Headquarters4. Iran Starts Fueling Reactor with Fuel Rods5. Israeli Foreign Ministry Preparing for Regional Risks6. Israel, US Complete Joint Military Exercise7. No Yarmulkes Allowed in Jordan8. Israeli Voted among Top Game-changers9. Exchange Program of Jewish and Christian Students
1. At Vatican, Bishops Call for Legal Steps against Israeli OccupationPope Benedict XVI has urged Israelis and Palestinians to push for peace in the Middle East and not to give up hope of a settlement. Closing the two-week-long synod of Middle Eastern bishops in Rome, the pope declared: "Peace is also the best remedy to avoid the emigration from the Middle East."
In its closing document, the synod called on the international community to take "the necessary legal steps to put an end to the occupation of the different Arab territories." While recognizing "the suffering and insecurity in which Israelis live" and the need for Israel to enjoy peace within internationally recognized borders, the document said Palestinians "are suffering the consequences of the Israeli occupation: the lack of freedom of movement, the wall of separation and the military checkpoints, the political prisoners, the demolition of homes, the disturbance of socio-economic life and the thousands of refugees."
The Lebanese-born Bishop Cyril Salim Bustros, who headed the synod's Commission for the Presentation of the Message, told a press conference at the Vatican: "The Holy Scriptures cannot be used to justify the return of the Jews to Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians, to justify the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands. …We Christians cannot speak of the 'promised land' as an exclusive right for a privileged Jewish people. This promise was nullified by Christ. There is no longer a chosen people-all men and women of all countries have become the chosen people."
Palestinians seized on the Synod's declaration as evidence of the "moral and legal" justification for an independent Palestinian state. "We join the synod in their call to the international community to uphold the universal values of freedom, dignity and justice," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. According to the French news agency AFP, Erekar said Christians were "an integral part" of the Palestinian people and blamed Israel for their emigration from the region.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon reacted angrily to the synod's final communiqué: "We express our disappointment that this important synod has become a forum for political attacks on Israel in the best history of Arab propaganda. The synod was hijacked by an anti-Israel majority," he said in a statement.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor called it absurd that the Jewish state was singled out for condemnation by the bishops since Israel was the only country in the region where Christians were actually thriving. According to statistics, there were some 151,700 Christians in Israel last year, compared with 132,000 in 1999 and 107,000 two decades ago.
Palmor also criticized the bishops' statement that Israel shouldn't use the Bible. "This has never been a policy of any government in Israel, so this position sounds particularly hollow," he was quoted by the news agency AP as saying. The meeting at the Vatican was attended by nearly 200 participants, including nine patriarchs of the ancient Christian churches in the Middle East and representatives from 13 other Christian communities.
(Excerpts of an article by World Jewish Congress, October 25, 2010)
Editor's Note
In an effort to combat this and other recent anti-Israel rhetoric, Bridges for Peace published a special update on Thursday (Oct. 28). Further, we have taken out an ad in the Jerusalem Post as well on the Jerusalem Post web site to let Israel know that there are many Christians in the world who do continue to love and support them. See http://www.jpost.com/ (posted under the fifth news article banner).
Prayer Focus
Because oftentimes Israel lumps all Christians together, pray that they will understand that millions of Christians are strongly pro-Israel, who view these statements as both scandalous and unbiblical. Pray that this will not adversely affect the relationships we have with the Jewish people.
Scripture
"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6). "'I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them…I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,' says the LORD your God" (Amos 9:14-15).
2. Hamas Minister: We'll Occupy Haifa, AkkoAs Israel and the Palestinians attempt to renew direct peace talks, Hamas continues its declarations of war: The Hamas government's interior minister in Gaza, Fathi Hamad, said Monday [October 25] that the Palestinians "will reoccupy Haifa and Akko" [two Israeli cities on the Mediterranean coast].
Speaking during a visit to a university, Hamad addressed the Israeli "operation" [Cast Lead] in Gaza, saying that "the Zionist enemy is still hurting [from] the defeat in the war and preparing for another round in an attempt to destroy the Palestinian resistance." Hamad mentioned the threats to sue Israeli officials worldwide. "The commanders are afraid to travel to many countries," he said.
Turning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamad said, "We are coming to occupy Haifa and Akko. We'll have armies from all around the world, and the convoys arriving in Gaza are carrying a message to our people, saying that we must stick to the path of jihad. The enemy is trying to impose a siege on us, but they are the ones under a siege and behind fences."
The Hamas interior minister turned to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well, saying, "No matter how many concessions you make, it won't satisfy the Israelis and Americans." The remarks were made on the backdrop of messages being conveyed by Hamas to many international elements. The organization's politburo chief, Khaled Mashaal, even told Newsweek that his movement would not object to a peace agreement if it wins the support of the Palestinian public.
(Excerpts by Ali Waked, Ynetnews, October 25, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel will not make a peace agreement with Hamas, who brashly declares the occupation of Israeli towns and is thus opposed to Israel's right to the land.
Scripture
"Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence and their lips talk of troublemaking. Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established" (Proverbs 24:1-3).
3. Israel Blocks Building of Four UN Schools near Hamas Gaza HeadquartersFour schools out of eight which the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sought to build in the Gaza Strip have been approved by Israel. The four that Israel refused permission for were set to go up near Hamas headquarters which the Israelis say make them the perfect platform for Hamas to carry out terrorist activities while hiding behind the school.
UNRWA argues that Israel's refusal to allow building materials to enter Gaza is preventing thousands of children from attending school. Israel has accused Hamas of using civilian venues as shields when carrying out terrorist activities.
Nevertheless, under intense international pressure, Israel is now permitting a wider range of products into Gaza and is allowing building projects that are guaranteed by foreign governments or the United Nations.
(By The Media Line, October 24, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for this wise decision! Pray that Israel will continue to stand strong against all forces that would try to compromise the security of their people.
Scripture
"A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 24:5-6).
4. Iran Starts Fueling Reactor with Fuel RodsIran's Bushehr nuclear reactor [started] the installation of the first fuel rods into its core reactor, with officials saying they expect it to begin producing electricity by early 2011. On Tuesday [October 26], Teheran said 163 fuel rods were being loaded into the reactor at Bushehr.
Once the process is complete, the reactor will be "hot." Started in 1975 and years behind schedule, Iran's first nuclear power plant is a joint venture with Russia, which provided the fuel rods. "The Bushehr power plant is a major project, which will help us to take one step toward future alternative energy supplies," an Iranian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying by the state news agency.
The U.S. dropped its objection to the nuclear power plant after Russia promised to oversee the disposal of the spent fuel rods, which can be used to make nuclear weapons.
(By The Media Line, October 26, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this process will be thwarted for the sake of Israel's peace and security.
Scripture
"Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his wicked scheme, lest they be exalted…Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again…I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted…" (Psalm 140:8, 10, 12a).
5. Israeli Foreign Ministry Preparing for Regional RisksThe Israeli Foreign Ministry has started crafting potential options in the event Iran eventually acquires nuclear weapons, according to The Jerusalem Post. A government official told the Jerusalem Post that the contingency planning does not mean Israel is resigned to the idea of Iran getting nuclear weapons, and instead compared the process to preparing for a natural disaster or a fire, while taking every step possible to prevent it from occurring.
The official told The Jerusalem Post that Israel sees the prospect of Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb in entirely negative terms and is still trying to stop it, but that Israel is preparing for the scenario nonetheless. Planning for potential dangers and complications is something the Foreign Ministry does regularly, including preparing options in case the Palestinians do decide to go to the United Nations General Assembly to seek recognition for a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during Sunday's [October 24] cabinet meeting, attempted to discourage the Palestinians from taking such unilateral actions. In comments posted on the Prime Minister's Office Web site, Netanyahu said, "We expect the Palestinians to honor their commitment to hold direct negotiations. I think that any attempt to bypass them by appealing to international bodies is unrealistic and will not give any impetus to a genuine diplomatic process.
"Peace will only be achieved through direct negotiations, and I hope that we will fully return to this track soon." Netanyahu also said Sunday that they are holding "intensive contacts with the American administration in order to restart the diplomatic process."
Said Netanyahu of the peace talks, "Our goal is not just to resume the process, but to advance it in such a way that it cannot be halted in a few weeks or months, and will enter into approximately one year of continuous negotiations on the fundamental problems, in order to try and reach a framework agreement ahead of a peace settlement. In these negotiations, we will-of course-uphold the vital interests of the state of Israel, with security first and foremost."
The Israeli-Palestinians negotiations have collapsed after the end of Israel's 10-month settlement construction freeze, with the Palestinians demanding the freeze resume before continuing the talks, despite wasting most of the period before agreeing to resume direct negotiations.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, October 25, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel's leaders will look to God for counsel and that the Lord will show them how to prepare for every eventuality.
Scripture
"There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the LORD's counsel-that will stand…Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war" (Proverbs 19:21; 20:18).
6. Israel, US Complete Joint Military ExerciseThe US and Israel concluded last Thursday [October 21] a several day-long command post simulation and training exercise called Juniper Falcon 11. [It] is part of a series of routinely conducted training exercises between the US and Israel that build partnership and which promote regional peace and stability. The exercise is part of a long-standing agreement between the US and Israel to hold bilateral training exercises on a regular basis.
Commanders and participants from both militaries expressed their satisfaction with the exercise upon its completion, expressing that the exercise allowed for each of the militaries to mutually learn from the other and improve their interoperability.
IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi, said: "I see great progress in all matters of cooperation between us and the American armed forces and EUCOM [United States European Command]. This is an important part of our ability to operate in different scenarios at sea, on the ground and in the air. It emphasizes the deep, intimate relations between us and the United States when facing mutual enemies, such as when fighting terror. I get the impression that officers from both sides feel these improvements and that we have interoperable capabilities."
US Exercise Director, Major General Craig Gourley, said: "I've had the opportunity in the past couple of years to participate in quite a few exercises and this definitely ranks at the top of my experiences. We've met 100% of our objectives and through the great experiences and trust we've developed in the past couple of days, we were able to make this a truly outstanding exercise and gain good experiences for the future.
"Talking through our experiences and capabilities does nothing but enhance our interoperability and capabilities to work together and just improves how we operate as a team. I take away the friendships, the exposure to the environment and the great partnership. We've taken a look at a lot of the issues of interoperability and where we can enhance our capabilities and improve.
"All gaps have been filled. You've been a gracious host and met all of our needs. You've been outstanding. We've seen great camaraderie, dedication, pride, and commitment on behalf of the Israeli forces-it's outstanding. We're looking forward to coming back."
(By Edgar Asher, Isranet, October 22, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for this wonderful partnership. Pray that relations between the US and Israel will remain strong.
Scripture
"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17).
7. No Yarmulkes Allowed in JordanIt has been a while since Israelis entering Jordan were first required to deposit items of a Jewish-religious nature in order to cross the border for "security reasons." Most recently, Israelis have been asked to removes their yarmulkes [or kippot, small round head coverings].
A., an Israeli businessman who visits Jordan often was amazed when he was asked to leave his yarmulkes in a safe on his most recent visit to the country. "We know tefillin [phylacteries, Scripture boxes applied to head and arm during prayer] are confiscated, and we recently heard brimmed hats were being taken, so we came with regular hats," he told Ynet.
"The man in the counter asked us to take off our hats, and we thought it was standard procedure for passport control. But when the man saw the yarmulkes, he took us to the tourism police. The officer there said that the ban to wear yarmulkes was 'for our own benefit,' put it in the safe and gave us a form with which to receive the yarmulkes when we return."
A. said that in light of such limitations, he makes a point of not staying in Jordan for more than a day in each visit. "I don't carry tefillin, so I can't stay the night," he said. "What's really annoying about the whole thing is that together with us at the border crossing was a group of post-army youngsters with IDF [Israel Defense Forces] training T-shirts who were so obviously Israeli citizens. They didn't give them any hard time, while with us they insisted."
Yossi Levy, director of Israeli communications at the Foreign Ministry, confirmed there were "disagreements with our Jordanian counterparts in regards to Jewish religious objects entering the Hashemite Kingdom."
"We receive a growing number of complaints by Israeli visitors who report of religious items being confiscated at the border crossing 'for security reasons.' They explain this by the need to protect visitors carrying 'obvious Israeli identification means.'" Levy said that the Jordanians have been told that Israel objects to the singling out of religious Israeli tourists as opposed to other Israelis. He noted that "we continue our dialogue with candidness and trust."
(By Ronen Medzini, Ynetnews, October 28, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray for the safety of Jewish people who travel abroad and that they will not be targets of discrimination.
Scripture
"For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12).
8. Israeli Voted among Top Game-changersIsraeli educational executive Shai Reshef was awarded the twelfth spot in a poll answered by three million readers of popular American news blog site Huffington Post as one of the Ultimate 12 Game Changers. "Game changers" were defined as people considered by readers to be global innovation leaders who have significantly changed the way we live or view the world.
The poll began in September 2010, with a list of 100 innovators by Huffington Post. Reshef was honored in the 12th spot for "taking the world to school." In 2009, [he created] the "University of the People," a site based in Pasadena, California that streams lectures and class assignments to people around the world to provide them the opportunity to take college-level classes on the Web for less than $100 and, ultimately, earn an accredited degree.
Reshef's site currently has 500 students from 100 countries meeting and discussing topics on its online forums, according to Huffington Post. University of the People is currently preparing communication centers in Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Haiti, Liberia and the Palestinian territories to provide Internet access and higher education to those who might not otherwise have it.
Reshef, currently based in California, entered the education field in 1989 when he joined the Israeli test-prep company Kidum, rising to the position of chairman. With Reshef at the helm, Kidum became the largest education-services company in Israel with yearly revenues over $25 million at the time it was sold in 2005.
When asked to describe his new foray into a non-profit educational initiative by Fast Company, Reshef was quoted as saying "I've made enough money, it's time to give back."
(By www.israel21c.org, October 25, 2010)
9. Exchange Program of Jewish and Christian StudentsJewish high school students from New York and Christian high school students from Berlin, Germany are joining together for the 9th Annual American-Jewish/German Youth Exchange Program in New York this week, Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum has announced. Nine years ago, Rosenbaum…initiated the American-Jewish/German High School Youth Exchange Program in recognition of the need for American Jewry in meaningful dialogue to reach out to the people and government of Germany, which is Israel's strongest ally in Europe.
The program is a collaborative effort between the North American Board of Rabbis, the World Jewish Congress, the City of Berlin and the German Foreign Ministry, facilitated in New York by Temple Israel of Lawrence. It came about as a result of a mission of rabbis from across the United States…to Berlin in March 2001.
Rabbi Rosenbaum declared: "The goal of the Exchange Program is to promote understanding, sensitivity and cooperation between German and American-Jewish youth, so that, in partnership, they may create a better world for themselves and their children in the 21st century than we and their parents and grandparents created in the 20th century."
The American Jewish students will be visiting Berlin in February and staying in the homes of the students they hosted in New York. Rosenbaum said: "These young adults, by opening up their homes and their hearts to each other, will come to realize that they share similar hopes and visions for the future and come to understand that what happens to one person of faith anywhere, affects all people of faith everywhere. In this world plagued by the virus of religious extremism and violence, we are, indeed, each other's brother's and sister's keepers."
(By World Jewish Congress, October 26, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for such programs among today's young people. Pray that the effect of this program will help raise up tomorrow's Christian advocates for Israel.
Scripture
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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For those who are new to the list, Bridges for Peace is a Christian charitable organization, headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel. Since 1977, we have been working to build Christian–Jewish understanding and support for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. We do this through 14 different aid projects, and by disseminating information about Israel and teaching Christians about the Hebraic roots of Christianity. We have national offices in Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Our Spanish Resource Center is in Jerusalem, Israel.
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