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1. Netanyahu: US Proposal not Final2. Russian President Plans January Visit to Israel3. PA Arrests Hamas Cell Planning Attack4. Israel's Multi-layered Missile Shield to Be in Place by 20155. Iran Begins Air Defense Drills6. Jewish Group Commends Canadian Support of Israel7. Palestinians: Jews Sent to Israel to Rid Europe of Its Jewish "Burden"8. Never Forget: Holocaust Archives United9. Israel Expecting Record Year for Incoming Tourism
1. Netanyahu: US Proposal not FinalPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is trying to convince ministers to support an additional 90-day settlement construction freeze, said on Sunday morning [November 14] that the proposal he presented to the inner cabinet, which consists of the seven top government ministers, is not final.
Netanyahu mentioned that the proposal "is undergoing a consolidation process on both the US and Israeli sides. If and when the process is completed it will be brought before the proper governmental forum-the Political Security Cabinet, for approval." As the meeting commenced, Netanyahu stated that he would insist that any accepted proposal would ensure Israel's safety.
The prime minister told the ministers of his meetings with senior American officials in the US last week: "I met with Vice President Joe Biden and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I also spoke with some Congress and Senate leaders, senior members of the US media, and senior officials in the US economy. The issue I raised at the forefront of all my meetings was the need to put a stop to the Iranian nuclear program. It is the greatest threat to global peace and, of course, to Israel," he said.
Ahead of the meeting, four ministers from the Likud party (Silvan Shalom, Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein and Moshe Ya'alon) expressed their opposition to the three-month renewal of the settlement construction freeze. Ya'alon called the US offer a "honey trap" that would eventually result in another crisis with the US once the three-month freeze expires, or "perhaps even earlier."
Ynet has learned that the majority of the cabinet ministers support Netanyahu's plan to renew the construction moratorium. Interior Minister Eli Yishai said that he would agree to abstain from a government vote on the renewal of the construction freeze for three months on condition that construction throughout Jerusalem would be resumed immediately.
He also stated that Shas would demand that "a letter be sent from the US president, which promises future construction in Ma'ale Adumim, Beitar Illit, Ariel, and Kiryat Sefer" when the freeze period comes to an end.
What does the American package offer in return for "one final freeze"?
-US agrees to veto all UN Security Council and international resolutions that are critical of Israel or unilaterally advance Palestinian statehood and boost efforts to fight against Israeli delegitimization.
-Requesting that Congress approve the supply of 20 stealth fighter jets worth US $3 billion.
-Additional and wider security guarantees when an agreement is reached with the Palestinians.
Yet the agreements with the US are, as of this moment, unwritten and merely a verbal agreement. It is possible that the situation that Jerusalem expressed satisfaction with, regarding the commitment to the discussion of permanent borders, will change in talks being run by Netanyahu's representative Attorney Yitzhak Molcho. A response to the Israeli demand for military presence in the Jordan Valley [eastern edge of the West Bank, or Judea and Samaria] remains unclear as well.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians have expressed their reservations over the proposal-because it doesn't include a construction freeze in East Jerusalem. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat did not reject the proposal outright on Sunday, but said a decision on whether to endorse it would be made after consultations with Palestinian and Arab leaders.
(By Ronen Medzini, Attila Somfalvi contributed, November 14, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Prime Minister Netanyahu will hear and obey the voice of the Lord as he traverses this political minefield. Pray that he will have the courage and confidence to make only those decisions that are in line with God's will and purpose for the nation of Israel.
Scripture
"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).
2. Russian President Plans January Visit to IsraelRussian President Dmitri Medvedev will visit Israel in mid-January, according to sources in Israel's Foreign Ministry. Preparations for the visit-the first by a Russian president since Vladimir Putin in 2005-are already under way. At the same time, Israeli officials are concerned over reports of a major gift of arms from Moscow to Beirut.
On Tuesday [November 16], Prime Minister Putin announced the gift of attack helicopters, tanks, and heavy artillery. Defense officials are concerned that Russia will use the guise of training the Lebanese army in the use of the new weapons to gain a foothold inside of Lebanon, with Syria becoming strengthened by the Russian presence.
On Friday [November 12], the US House Foreign Affairs Committee lifted its hold on a US $100 million grant to the Lebanese army. The hold was placed on the funds out of fear that weapons would end up in the hands of Hizbullah.
But the new Russian influence in Lebanon could result in an arms windfall for the Lebanese army as the Americans and Russians try to outdo each other and ignore Hizbullah's growing military strength in the process.
The terrorist group, which sits in Lebanon's cabinet and parliament, has threatened violence if any of its members are indicted by the UN tribunal over the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Al-Hariri. Most recent reports speak of the possibility of a Hizbullah coup when the indictments are handed down.
(By The Media Line, November 17, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray for the Lord to intervene and prevent these nations from providing Hizbullah with weapons that may well be turned on Israel. Pray against any coup on the part of Hizbullah that would allow them to usurp power.
Scripture
"I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible" (Jeremiah 15:21).
3. PA Arrests Hamas Cell Planning AttackPalestinian security sources reported Wednesday [November 17] that the Palestinian Authority [PA] has arrested a cell of Hamas operatives planning to carry out a suicide attack in Jerusalem, kidnap settlers, and assassinate the governor of Nablus. The sources say the cell, from the northern part of the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], was located mainly in Nablus.
Ma'an news agency reported that the men, members of the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, were in direct contact with Hamas in Gaza. The cell was in possession of a booby-trapped vehicle, apparently intended for use in an attack, the report added. Large sums of cash and weapons were also confiscated.
A Palestinian security source told Ynet that the authority arrests armed Hamas operatives almost every day. He said there has recently been a surge in their numbers in the West Bank, with operatives attempting attacks against the Palestinian Authority as well as Israeli targets.
"Hamas is trying to mobilize sleeper cells, but we have been successful in thwarting all of their attempts so far," the source said, adding that dozens have been arrested in the past few weeks alone.
(By Ali Waked, Ynetnews, November 17, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Thank God that these terrorists were captured before carrying out their plans. Pray that the PA will continue to be diligent in tracking down and arresting terrorists. Pray that Israel's enemies will come to see that it is God Himself that is protecting Israel.
Scripture
"And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God" (Nehemiah 6:16).
4. Israel's Multi-layered Missile Shield to Be in Place by 2015By the year 2015, Israel will fall under the protection of a multi-system protective [virtual] dome, preventing penetration by all types of hostile missiles. The defensive shield will protect against short-range rockets at low levels as well as ballistic missiles in space.
Speaking at a Jerusalem conference on Monday [November 15], a member of Israel's air defense corps said the timing of the system's deployment corresponds to estimates of Iran's progress in developing nuclear weapons. Israel's military planners also see the Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons as incentive for Hamas and Hizbullah to become more aggressive.
The multiple defensive layers include Iron Dome for protection against short-range rockets (3 to 45 miles, 5 to 72 kilometers); David's Sling for protection against longer-range rockets; and the Arrow III system for high-altitude ballistic missiles.
The Arrow III system, developed with American funding and participation, can intercept nuclear warheads in space, providing the additional safety factor of toxic and nuclear fall-out burning up before entering Earth's atmosphere.
(By The Media Line, November 16, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Iron Dome project moves ahead swiftly, even ahead of schedule, providing protection for the nation of Israel, but pray also that Israelis will realize that the Lord Himself is their shield and defender.
Scripture
"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him, for who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect" (Psalm 18:30-32).
5. Iran Begins Air Defense DrillsIran has begun new nationwide air defense military exercises this week, including the testing of anti-aircraft missile systems. Air defense is a critical aspect to Iran's nuclear program, as any serious military effort aiming to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons would likely involve extensive air attacks.
According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, a spokesman said the multi-day defense exercises are set to involve anti-aircraft missile systems at a variety of altitudes. The exercise is multi-layered, as the Revolutionary Guards Corps, the police and others have joined the military drills.
Air defense has been a newsworthy matter in Iran in recent months. In August, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi expressed the desire to build their own long-range air defense system.
Fars quoted Lieutenant Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base for Operations Colonel Abolfazl Farmahini linking defense of Iran to another threat towards Israel. "There have always existed threats against Iran during these years but the Zionist regime will not dare to wage an attack on Iran because their first mistake against Iran would be their last."
Farmahini further said of Israel, "In case they commit such a mistake, the regime's annihilation would be definite and for sure." Farmahini also noted that air defense units are guarding Iran's nuclear facilities to protect against a possible attack.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, November 16, 2010)
Prayer Focus
As Prime Minister Netanyahu continues in his attempts to warn the world of this very real threat, pray that Iranian intentions will be made clear and dealt with decisively by the international community.
Scripture
"Arise, O God, plead your own cause; remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; the tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually" (Psalm 74:22-23).
6. Jewish Group Commends Canadian Support of IsraelCanadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pro-Israel speech at the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism (ICCA) in Ottawa has gained him strong praise from the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global advocacy group.
On November 9, a press release from the AJC applauded Harper and quoted him as linking modern anti-Semitism to unfair anti-Israel sentiment, with Harper further arguing that silence in the face of such behavior is not enough. Said Harper of new anti-Semitism, "Harnessing disparate anti-Semitic, anti-American and anti-Western ideologies, it targets the Jewish people by targeting the Jewish homeland, Israel, as the source of injustice and conflict in the world, and uses, perversely, the language of human rights to do so."
"We must be relentless in exposing this new anti-Semitism for what it is," said Harper. "Of course, like any country, Israel may be subjected to fair criticism. And like any free country, Israel subjects itself to such criticism-healthy, necessary, democratic debate.
"But when Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack-is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand. Demonization, double standards, delegitimization, the '3 D's'-it is a responsibility to stand up to them."
The AJC quoted Harper as also saying that his country would stand with Israel "whatever the cost." In one sense, it appears that support has already had a negative impact. Canada failed to secure a temporary seat on the powerful United Nations Security Council in October, with the AJC pointing to opposition from Islamic states as a key reason.
Said AJC Executive Director David Harris in the press release, "We pay tribute to Prime Minister Harper's stirring words. We were particularly moved by the prime minister's statement that support for Israel cost Canada a seat on the UN Security Council, yet he insists that support will never waver."
Harris called Harper's speech "historic," saying in the press release, "The Canadian leader minced no words in speaking with a remarkable moral courage and clarity that, sadly, is all too rare in today's world."
Canada's government is generally considered friendly to the Jewish state, and during a visit to Canada in late May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took time to publicly praise Harper. In comments posted on the Prime Minister's Office Web site, Netanyahu called Harper an "unwavering friend of Israel."
"He's been a great champion of Israel's right to defend itself, and he stands against all the efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state. We deeply appreciate his support."
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, November 11, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for the example set by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Pray God's richest blessings will fall upon that nation, drawing others to understand and follow suit.
Scripture
"Now the Lord had said to Abram: 'Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed'" (Genesis 12:1-3).
7. Palestinians: Jews Sent to Israel to Rid Europe of Its Jewish "Burden"Both the Palestinian Authority [PA] and Hamas are reinforcing the PA libel that Zionism started as a European plot to rid Europe of the "burden" of having Jews living among them. The PA Ministry of Culture Administration in Tulkarem [Israel] held a political conference earlier this month to mark the 93rd anniversary of the "cursed" Balfour Declaration [in which Britain endorsed a Jewish homeland in Israel].
The guest lecturer stated that the British plan for a Jewish homeland was "in order to be rid of this burden called the Jews, which troubled Britain and Europe, who wished to be rid of this burden-even at the expense of a different nation." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 5, 2010]
Meanwhile, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said that the Jews were expelled from Europe "because they betrayed, stole, and corrupted these countries." He added that they will soon be expelled from "Palestine" as they were from Europe, "because of their crimes." [Jerusalem Post, Nov. 6, 2010]
As Palestinian Media Watch has reported, this rewriting of the history of Zionism has been PA policy since its inception. The PA has consistently taught that the Jews came to Israel not because of their historical ties to the land, but because Europe wanted to be rid of "the burden of its Jews" [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Dec. 6, 1998] and "wanted to get rid of the Jews and their problems." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 15, 2009]
Following is the [partial] transcript of the article about the Balfour Declaration in the official PA daily newspaper:
"Lecturer Na'aman Shahrour spoke about this anniversary, which still sticks in the throats of the Palestinians...Shahrour also spoke about the historical aspect of this promise and the reasons that led Balfour to commit to it. He said: 'The Palestinian people is still bleeding since the British Foreign Minister gave this promise, resulting in all that has happened throughout the years and what is happening now-killing, destruction, and theft...All this in order to be rid of this burden, called the Jews…" [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 5, 2010]
(Excerpts of an article by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, Palestinian Media Watch, November 15, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Pray that such ludicrous rhetoric will fall on deaf ears, that the intent of these revisionists to rewrite Israel's history come fully to light and that Palestinians being fed a steady diet of such lies will learn the truth.
Scripture
"You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man" (Psalm 5:6).
8. Never Forget: Holocaust Archives UnitedThe European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI), which was expected to be inaugurated in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon [November 16], has been defined by senior researchers and politicians in Europe and Israel as "the most important project in the study of the Jewish people's Holocaust in the coming years."
The project is aimed at combining all the European archives in Europe with the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum [in Israel] under one technological infrastructure [in Europe]. Thirteen countries and 20 research institutes took part in this enterprise over the past four years at an investment of some €7 million (about US $9.5 million).
Anyone who has tried to find information on a city or Jewish community destroyed during World War II is familiar with this problem: Massive documentation is scattered in many places all over the world. One small typo in a name or the use of one European language instead of another may prevent people from finding what they are looking for or have them drowning in a flood of information, most of which is irrelevant.
This way, very precious information on the lost communities is missed, both personally and in terms of research. Technological developments in the field of information sharing have made it possible to try to bring the pieces together. The information in question is mainly comprised of collective data about ghettos, cities, and communities, rather than about specific families and names.
According to Gertner, "This is not a general and vague project about 'the Nazis' victims during the World War,' but rather a specific project about the Jewish people's Holocaust, recognizing its uniqueness." He illustrated the project's importance through one of many cases-the Theresienstadt Ghetto. Its archive is scattered between Yad Vashem, the Theresienstadt memorial, and the Jewish Museum in Prague. There is also some information in Holland and Hungary.
"In order to tell the entire story, we must bring the material and people responsible for these places together. The new Web site-just one chain of the entire project-will enable us to make a virtual connection between them and tell their story together."
Gertner added that a complete guide will be available in about four years, allowing any person to look for details in one single place. "Today in Holland, the categorizing is in Dutch; in Yad Vashem, it's in Hebrew and English; and in Norway, it's in Norwegian. Here, we'll create a dictionary of a common language," he said.
In addition, the project will make it possible to create a virtual-and later physical-connection between people and researchers who can contribute to each others' work. The project's launching is not being marked in Brussels alone. Kathrin Flor, head of communications at the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany, which documents the fate of the victims of Nazi persecutions, told Ynet this was a historic moment.
"This is undoubtedly the most important project today, because it will not only create a bridge between information that already exists and is scattered in familiar places, but will also provide new information, particularly from less accessible archives in Eastern European countries. We know that there is material there, but we have not had access to it so far."
She gave an example for the current difficulty to find information. "A researcher searches for information on Kristallnacht, and doesn't know whether to look under the date or under the German, English, or Hebrew name…and the list goes on. With each option, the researcher may get different answers. At the end of the project being launched today, it will all be combined in one database and the differences will become tiny."
(Excerpts of an article by Dor Glick, Ynetnews, November 16, 2010)
Prayer Focus
As Holocaust denial continues to grow globally, and particularly in the Arab world, praise the Lord for this project that will help to keep the truth of the Holocaust alive and information about it easy to access.
Scripture
"A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies" (Proverbs 14:5).
9. Israel Expecting Record Year for Incoming TourismIsrael is on pace for a record number of tourists this year, with 2010 having already eclipsed all of last year. In a press release, the Israel Tourism Ministry cited numbers from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) that said that more than 2.8 million tourists visited Israel from January through October of this year.
With the all-time record for tourism in a year set in 2008 at 3 million tourists, the Tourism Ministry is expecting to set a new record with ease. The Ministry estimates that by the end of 2010, 3.3 million tourists will have visited Israel during the year. 2009 saw 2.7 million tourists visit the country.
The financial benefit of this year's tourism to Israel should be in the billions of dollars. The Tourism Ministry estimates that incoming tourism from January through August of 2010 contributed about US $2.3 billion to the economy, not counting travel taxes. That's a 37% increase from the same period in 2009.
Furthermore, that estimate is not counting the two most recent months. 270,000 tourists came to Israel in September, and more than 400,000 tourists arrived in Israel during October, which set an all-time record for the month of October.
Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said in the press release, "The October data, together with data since the beginning of this year and even beyond, reflects the revolution that the Tourism Ministry, the tourism industry, Israel's tourism product and Israel's image as a tourism destination is going through in Israel and around the world."
According to the CBS data, 2.3 million of the tourists to Israel in 2010 have stayed at least one night in the country, an improvement over each of the last two years.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, November 15, 2010)
Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord that increasing numbers of people are visiting Israel. Pray that the number will continue to grow, that many will leave as ambassadors for the nation, and that the Lord will protect every tourist that walks the Land.
Scripture
"The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them" (Psalm 145:17-20).
Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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