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Visit our Web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com | April 22, 2011 |
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1. Growing Salafi Threat Shakes Arab Rule
2. Terror Warning: Hizbullah to Attack Israelis Abroad
3. Itamar Massacre Solved, Two Arrested
4. Haniyeh Says No to Shalit Compromise
5. US: Shelve Goldstone Report
6. Palestinians Counting on Obama for State
7. Poll: Marked Drop in Palestinian Support for Attacks on Israel Noted
8. Interpreter Recounts Work with Israeli Aid Team to Japan
1. Growing Salafi Threat Shakes Arab Rule
The execution of Italian peace activist Vittorio Arrigoni last Thursday [April 14] by a Jihadist group in the Gaza Strip has exposed the existence of Islamic militant groups that seek to replace all existing Arab regimes with an Islamic caliphate. Arrigoni was strangled to death hours before the expiry of a deadline set by his captors for the release of Jihadist leader Sheikh Hisham al-Suedani.
Hamas security forces discovered his body Friday morning [April 15] in an abandoned house in Gaza. Three Salafi movements were involved in Arrigoni’s murder, according to the London-based Al-Hayat daily. These were Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad, Jaish Al-Islam and Jaljalat, three organizations loosely associated with Al-Qa’ida. None of the three claimed responsibility for Arrigoni's murder, but Hamas' Interior Ministry announced Saturday [April 16] that it had arrested two men in connection with the murder.
Adherents of Salafi ideology believe in the strict imitation of religious standards practiced by the prophet Muhammad and his close circle of followers in the seventh century AD. They oppose religious innovations, usually dubbing opponents as infidels, a doctrine known as takfir, be they Muslim or non-Muslim. The zealous Salafi movements are currently challenging not only pro-Western regimes like the Hashemite Jordanian monarchy but also devoutly Islamic ones like Hamas in Gaza and the Wahhabi regime of the Al-Saud dynasty in Saudi Arabia.
"Most of these Salafi groups have surfaced after the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007," Mkhaimar Abusada, a political scientist at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told The Media Line. "I believe there is a rise in their numbers and activities over the past few years, but no real numbers are available as they act underground."
Abusada added that Hamas was embarrassed by the murder of the Italian activist. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya reportedly spoke on the phone with Arrigoni's mother and promised her to do everything possible to bring the killers to justice.
Salafi, or fundamentalist movements in the Arab world, are roughly divided into "traditional" ones that oppose violence and advocate abstention from political activity, and the Salafi-Jihadi movements which call for a violent clash with infidel governments. Whereas the quietist or traditional Salafi movement is more common in Saudi Arabia and the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], a more violent strand has emerged in places like Lebanon, Jordan and the Gaza Strip.
In 2008, the clash between Hamas and Gaza Strip Salafis culminated when one of the latter's spiritual leaders, Sheikh Abd-Allatif Mousa, announced the establishment of an Islamic emirate in the southern Gaza Strip. In response, Hamas raided Mousa's mosque in the town of Rafah, killing Mousa and 23 others and injuring over 100 men.
Commenting on the killing of the Italian activist Arrigoni, Gaza Salafi Abu-Baraa Al-Masri condemned it as un-Islamic, but said such "individual" acts could reoccur if Hamas continued its crackdown on Salafi activists. "We therefore call on Hamas again to release all detainees, especially Abul-Al-Walid Al-Mqdisi and Abu-Al-Mutasim Al-Maqdisi," Al-Masri told Palestine Today News Agency, an affiliate of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia too has been fighting radical Islamist ideologies. Through programs of religious re-education, Saudi authorities have attempted to tackle what they define as "deviant ideas" and provide "intellectual security."
(Excerpts of an article by David E. Miller, The Media Line, April 17, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that such militant and violent groups in the Arab world be brought under control and eliminated. Pray for the family of Vittorio Arrigoni.
Scripture
"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But you have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever" (Psalm 44:6-8).
Hamas security forces discovered his body Friday morning [April 15] in an abandoned house in Gaza. Three Salafi movements were involved in Arrigoni’s murder, according to the London-based Al-Hayat daily. These were Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad, Jaish Al-Islam and Jaljalat, three organizations loosely associated with Al-Qa’ida. None of the three claimed responsibility for Arrigoni's murder, but Hamas' Interior Ministry announced Saturday [April 16] that it had arrested two men in connection with the murder.
Adherents of Salafi ideology believe in the strict imitation of religious standards practiced by the prophet Muhammad and his close circle of followers in the seventh century AD. They oppose religious innovations, usually dubbing opponents as infidels, a doctrine known as takfir, be they Muslim or non-Muslim. The zealous Salafi movements are currently challenging not only pro-Western regimes like the Hashemite Jordanian monarchy but also devoutly Islamic ones like Hamas in Gaza and the Wahhabi regime of the Al-Saud dynasty in Saudi Arabia.
"Most of these Salafi groups have surfaced after the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007," Mkhaimar Abusada, a political scientist at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told The Media Line. "I believe there is a rise in their numbers and activities over the past few years, but no real numbers are available as they act underground."
Abusada added that Hamas was embarrassed by the murder of the Italian activist. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya reportedly spoke on the phone with Arrigoni's mother and promised her to do everything possible to bring the killers to justice.
Salafi, or fundamentalist movements in the Arab world, are roughly divided into "traditional" ones that oppose violence and advocate abstention from political activity, and the Salafi-Jihadi movements which call for a violent clash with infidel governments. Whereas the quietist or traditional Salafi movement is more common in Saudi Arabia and the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], a more violent strand has emerged in places like Lebanon, Jordan and the Gaza Strip.
In 2008, the clash between Hamas and Gaza Strip Salafis culminated when one of the latter's spiritual leaders, Sheikh Abd-Allatif Mousa, announced the establishment of an Islamic emirate in the southern Gaza Strip. In response, Hamas raided Mousa's mosque in the town of Rafah, killing Mousa and 23 others and injuring over 100 men.
Commenting on the killing of the Italian activist Arrigoni, Gaza Salafi Abu-Baraa Al-Masri condemned it as un-Islamic, but said such "individual" acts could reoccur if Hamas continued its crackdown on Salafi activists. "We therefore call on Hamas again to release all detainees, especially Abul-Al-Walid Al-Mqdisi and Abu-Al-Mutasim Al-Maqdisi," Al-Masri told Palestine Today News Agency, an affiliate of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia too has been fighting radical Islamist ideologies. Through programs of religious re-education, Saudi authorities have attempted to tackle what they define as "deviant ideas" and provide "intellectual security."
(Excerpts of an article by David E. Miller, The Media Line, April 17, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that such militant and violent groups in the Arab world be brought under control and eliminated. Pray for the family of Vittorio Arrigoni.
Scripture
"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But you have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever" (Psalm 44:6-8).
2. Terror Warning: Hizbullah to Attack Israelis Abroad
The defense establishment has recently obtained exact information regarding Hizbullah's intention to carry out a terrorist attack at a destination that is frequented by Israelis abroad in retaliation for the assassination of a senior official over three years ago. Hizbullah blames Israel for taking out its chief of operations, Imad Mugniyah, in February 2008.
According to defense establishment sources, similar intelligence was uncovered in the past, and terrorist attacks were consequently thwarted in various locations outside of Israel. In this case, it appears that Hizbullah is preparing to carry out an attack that cannot be traced back to the organization in order to avoid triggering a confrontation on Israel's northern border.
The defense establishment sources noted that the information is clear and that many Hizbullah elements are taking part in planning the attack, lead by the organization's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. According to the sources, Hizbullah is seeking a location where Israelis congregate in order to avoid directly attacking Israel's border.
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau stated recently that "Hizbullah and Iran blame Israel for attacking its personnel, a fact that escalates the threat of attacks against Israelis abroad, especially senior Israeli officials and former officials who now function as businesspeople abroad."
News channels reported earlier that the intelligence information indicates that the attack might take place in the coming days, although it was not clear where.
(By Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, April 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will protect His people from terror attacks no matter where they may occur in the world. Pray that every plan of the enemies of Israel to do harm fails and all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Scripture
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the dearth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:15-17).
According to defense establishment sources, similar intelligence was uncovered in the past, and terrorist attacks were consequently thwarted in various locations outside of Israel. In this case, it appears that Hizbullah is preparing to carry out an attack that cannot be traced back to the organization in order to avoid triggering a confrontation on Israel's northern border.
The defense establishment sources noted that the information is clear and that many Hizbullah elements are taking part in planning the attack, lead by the organization's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. According to the sources, Hizbullah is seeking a location where Israelis congregate in order to avoid directly attacking Israel's border.
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau stated recently that "Hizbullah and Iran blame Israel for attacking its personnel, a fact that escalates the threat of attacks against Israelis abroad, especially senior Israeli officials and former officials who now function as businesspeople abroad."
News channels reported earlier that the intelligence information indicates that the attack might take place in the coming days, although it was not clear where.
(By Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, April 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will protect His people from terror attacks no matter where they may occur in the world. Pray that every plan of the enemies of Israel to do harm fails and all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Scripture
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the dearth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:15-17).
3. Itamar Massacre Solved, Two Arrested
Cleared for Publication: Shin Bet [Israeli internal security], Israel Defense Forces [IDF], and police have arrested two Palestinians, both residents of the village of Awarta, in connection to the Fogel family massacre in Itamar in March. The first suspect is Hakim Mazen Awad, 18, a high school student whose father was active in the Popular Front terror organization.
Awad has a prison record. His uncle, who was killed in clashes with IDF forces in 2003, was involved in a June 2002 terror attack in Itamar, which left five dead. The second suspect, Amjad Mahmad Awad, 19, also a student, is affiliated with the Popular Front.
The two suspects confessed to their involvement in the murders and said that they sought to carry out a terror attack in order to kill Israelis. They expressed no regret over the murders. The Shin Bet arrested the two subsequent to a strenuous investigation, which included the interrogation of multiple persons of interest in the case.
On April 5 and April 10, IDF forces arrested Amjad and Hakim. The investigation into the attack revealed that the two decided to carry out a terror attack and attempted to acquire weapons three days before the March 11 attack.
In order to obtain the weapons, they turned to a Popular Front militant in their village, but he refused to acquiesce to their request. And yet, at midday on Friday, March 11, they decided that they would go to Itamar that night, armed with knives, and carry out the attack.
At approximately 9:00 pm, the two cut the settlement fence and entered its ground, masked. At first, they entered a neighboring house, found it empty, and stole an M-16 rifle, clips and a Kevlar vest. From there they moved onto the Fogel home.
Before entering the house, the murderers noticed that there were children in the home. Undeterred, they still chose to proceed, killing two of the children immediately after breaking in. Parents Ehud and Ruth were murdered next. According to the investigation's report, the two struggled with their attackers before succumbing to multiple shotgun wounds.
Before fleeing the scene, the two stole an additional gun from the Fogel home. When they had already left the house and saw a patrol car outside, they feared they would be captured. At that point, Amjad insisted on going back into the house and searching for additional weapons. Unfortunately, this was when the Fogel's baby girl started crying. Fearing it would attract attention, the two murdered her, as well.
As for the two surviving children, the murderers said they hadn't noticed them. Had they found the two, both said, they would not have hesitated to kill them, as well. The heinous deed done, the two, who are not related, returned to their village on foot and appealed to Hakim's uncle, Salah Awad, also a Popular Front militant, for assistance, giving him a detailed report of the attack they had carried out.
Salah Awad helped them conceal their weapons and bloodstained clothes, and later, he transferred the stolen weapons to a Ramallah resident for hiding. The latter was arrested after the weapons were discovered in his possession.
Israeli security forces also arrested five of the two's family members and friends in connection to the case. The Shin Bet noted that even though the murderers are affiliated with the Peoples Front, it appears that they acted of their own accord and were not following orders. The issue is still under investigation.
A senior Shin Bet official said that the massacre had the characteristics of a "lone-terrorist" attack, and even though it was carried out by two people, it was difficult to receive any information in advance which could have prevented the attack.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the two offered a dispassionate account of the attack and "a chilling reenactment." Shin Bet officers described it as one of the most "shocking, cold, remorseless, and detailed description," they had ever come across.
Amjad noted that he went to Itamar to "die a martyr's death," which strengthened his willingness to carry out an act of terrorism. During their interrogation, the two suspects made no distinction between the murder of the parents and the children, describing it simply as an act against five Jewish Israelis.
The village of Awarta, with 8,000 residents, is known as a breeding ground for terror and has quite a few hostile elements. Nevertheless, following the massacre and the series of arrests carried out by the defense establishment, the residents renounced the massacre and even attempted to point the blame away from the village. The Shin Bet said that in spite of the time that passed between the murder and the case's resolution, it was a major achievement.
Following today's [April 17] discoveries, Ruth Fogel's brother Yochai Ben Yishai told Ynet: "We are very proud of the State and the security services. But on a personal level, there is no consolation, the pain remains sharp." Yishai added that "the capture of the murderers gives us a sense of satisfaction on a national level, but we must get to a point where these people are deterred before they take action and not just apprehended after the murder."
(Excerpts of an article by Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, April 17, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will comfort and care for the three surviving children from this family as they deal with this horrific loss. Pray that everyone involved in perpetrating this crime will be brought to justice. Pray that the Lord will protect His people from any such attacks in the future.
Scripture
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Awad has a prison record. His uncle, who was killed in clashes with IDF forces in 2003, was involved in a June 2002 terror attack in Itamar, which left five dead. The second suspect, Amjad Mahmad Awad, 19, also a student, is affiliated with the Popular Front.
The two suspects confessed to their involvement in the murders and said that they sought to carry out a terror attack in order to kill Israelis. They expressed no regret over the murders. The Shin Bet arrested the two subsequent to a strenuous investigation, which included the interrogation of multiple persons of interest in the case.
On April 5 and April 10, IDF forces arrested Amjad and Hakim. The investigation into the attack revealed that the two decided to carry out a terror attack and attempted to acquire weapons three days before the March 11 attack.
In order to obtain the weapons, they turned to a Popular Front militant in their village, but he refused to acquiesce to their request. And yet, at midday on Friday, March 11, they decided that they would go to Itamar that night, armed with knives, and carry out the attack.
At approximately 9:00 pm, the two cut the settlement fence and entered its ground, masked. At first, they entered a neighboring house, found it empty, and stole an M-16 rifle, clips and a Kevlar vest. From there they moved onto the Fogel home.
Before entering the house, the murderers noticed that there were children in the home. Undeterred, they still chose to proceed, killing two of the children immediately after breaking in. Parents Ehud and Ruth were murdered next. According to the investigation's report, the two struggled with their attackers before succumbing to multiple shotgun wounds.
Before fleeing the scene, the two stole an additional gun from the Fogel home. When they had already left the house and saw a patrol car outside, they feared they would be captured. At that point, Amjad insisted on going back into the house and searching for additional weapons. Unfortunately, this was when the Fogel's baby girl started crying. Fearing it would attract attention, the two murdered her, as well.
As for the two surviving children, the murderers said they hadn't noticed them. Had they found the two, both said, they would not have hesitated to kill them, as well. The heinous deed done, the two, who are not related, returned to their village on foot and appealed to Hakim's uncle, Salah Awad, also a Popular Front militant, for assistance, giving him a detailed report of the attack they had carried out.
Salah Awad helped them conceal their weapons and bloodstained clothes, and later, he transferred the stolen weapons to a Ramallah resident for hiding. The latter was arrested after the weapons were discovered in his possession.
Israeli security forces also arrested five of the two's family members and friends in connection to the case. The Shin Bet noted that even though the murderers are affiliated with the Peoples Front, it appears that they acted of their own accord and were not following orders. The issue is still under investigation.
A senior Shin Bet official said that the massacre had the characteristics of a "lone-terrorist" attack, and even though it was carried out by two people, it was difficult to receive any information in advance which could have prevented the attack.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the two offered a dispassionate account of the attack and "a chilling reenactment." Shin Bet officers described it as one of the most "shocking, cold, remorseless, and detailed description," they had ever come across.
Amjad noted that he went to Itamar to "die a martyr's death," which strengthened his willingness to carry out an act of terrorism. During their interrogation, the two suspects made no distinction between the murder of the parents and the children, describing it simply as an act against five Jewish Israelis.
The village of Awarta, with 8,000 residents, is known as a breeding ground for terror and has quite a few hostile elements. Nevertheless, following the massacre and the series of arrests carried out by the defense establishment, the residents renounced the massacre and even attempted to point the blame away from the village. The Shin Bet said that in spite of the time that passed between the murder and the case's resolution, it was a major achievement.
Following today's [April 17] discoveries, Ruth Fogel's brother Yochai Ben Yishai told Ynet: "We are very proud of the State and the security services. But on a personal level, there is no consolation, the pain remains sharp." Yishai added that "the capture of the murderers gives us a sense of satisfaction on a national level, but we must get to a point where these people are deterred before they take action and not just apprehended after the murder."
(Excerpts of an article by Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, April 17, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will comfort and care for the three surviving children from this family as they deal with this horrific loss. Pray that everyone involved in perpetrating this crime will be brought to justice. Pray that the Lord will protect His people from any such attacks in the future.
Scripture
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
4. Haniyeh Says No to Shalit Compromise
Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, urged the Palestinian factions holding [kidnapped Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit to insist on their prisoner swap demands. Haniyeh made the remarks Saturday [April 16] during a special session of the Palestinian parliament in Gaza convened to mark Palestinian Prisoner Day.
The Hamas leader demanded that the Palestinian factions holding Shalit not compromise, saying that "the resistance will not disappoint the people, and it will not disappoint the prisoners' families. The government backs the demands made by the resistance, and these demands shall constitute a new victory for the Palestinian people," he said.
Haniyeh added that his government is following developments in Israel and added: "We are at the top of the mountain, and we must stick to our demands. We are certain that the resistance won't disappoint us."
Meanwhile, Hamas' Ahmad Bahar said Gilad Shalit should be held in captivity until a "dignified prisoners swap" can be completed. He also urged Palestinian groups to kidnap more Israeli soldiers.
(Excerpts of an article by Elior Levy, Omri Efraim contributed, Ynetnews, April 16, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will protect Israelis from Hamas’ threat to kidnap them. Pray that He will move on behalf of Gilad Shalit, freeing him whole and healthy to the honor and glory of His name.
Scripture
"Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3-4).
The Hamas leader demanded that the Palestinian factions holding Shalit not compromise, saying that "the resistance will not disappoint the people, and it will not disappoint the prisoners' families. The government backs the demands made by the resistance, and these demands shall constitute a new victory for the Palestinian people," he said.
Haniyeh added that his government is following developments in Israel and added: "We are at the top of the mountain, and we must stick to our demands. We are certain that the resistance won't disappoint us."
Meanwhile, Hamas' Ahmad Bahar said Gilad Shalit should be held in captivity until a "dignified prisoners swap" can be completed. He also urged Palestinian groups to kidnap more Israeli soldiers.
(Excerpts of an article by Elior Levy, Omri Efraim contributed, Ynetnews, April 16, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will protect Israelis from Hamas’ threat to kidnap them. Pray that He will move on behalf of Gilad Shalit, freeing him whole and healthy to the honor and glory of His name.
Scripture
"Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3-4).
5. US: Shelve Goldstone Report
WASHINGTON-America against Goldstone: US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice urged the world body Thursday [April 21] to end its preoccupation with a report accusing Israel of committing war crimes during the Gaza War. "The United States urges the United Nations to end, once and for all, its actions in relation to the Goldstone Report [regarding the 2009 Cast Lead Operation into Gaza]," she said.
The remarks were made during a periodical Security Council session on the state of affairs in the Middle East and the Palestinian question. The US has been leading calls to shelve the controversial report following Judge Richard Goldstone's recent retraction in a Washington Post article.
"Israel has the democratic institutions and ability to carry out serious investigations and is doing so," Rice said Thursday. "Justice Goldstone recently concluded that Israel has undertaken an appropriate review process and made changes in its combat doctrine."
"As we made clear when the Goldstone Report was first presented, we did not see evidence that the Israeli government intentionally targeted civilians. Justice Goldstone has now reached the same conclusion," she said. "He also concluded that Hamas has 'done nothing' to investigate the 'allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.'"
Last week, members of the US Senate voted unanimously in favor of a decision calling for annulment of the report following Goldstone's retraction.
(By Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, April 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this slanderous report is annulled and removed from the record by the UN, vindicating Israel and bringing to an end all actions based upon its misinformation.
Scripture
"'And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do no know Me,’ says the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:3).
The remarks were made during a periodical Security Council session on the state of affairs in the Middle East and the Palestinian question. The US has been leading calls to shelve the controversial report following Judge Richard Goldstone's recent retraction in a Washington Post article.
"Israel has the democratic institutions and ability to carry out serious investigations and is doing so," Rice said Thursday. "Justice Goldstone recently concluded that Israel has undertaken an appropriate review process and made changes in its combat doctrine."
"As we made clear when the Goldstone Report was first presented, we did not see evidence that the Israeli government intentionally targeted civilians. Justice Goldstone has now reached the same conclusion," she said. "He also concluded that Hamas has 'done nothing' to investigate the 'allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.'"
Last week, members of the US Senate voted unanimously in favor of a decision calling for annulment of the report following Goldstone's retraction.
(By Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, April 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this slanderous report is annulled and removed from the record by the UN, vindicating Israel and bringing to an end all actions based upon its misinformation.
Scripture
"'And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do no know Me,’ says the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:3).
6. Palestinians Counting on Obama for State
The Palestinians are signaling they are still planning to go ahead with efforts to declare an independent state with the backing of the United Nations. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said during a visit in Tunisia that the Palestinian Authority [PA] is ready to establish a state. "We are counting on the words of US President Barack Obama who said his vision is to see a Palestinian state this coming September according to a deadline set by the Quartet."
Abbas added that 130 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state on 1967 borders [Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria] and that this number could well reach 140 or 150.
He stated that Western European countries have also accepted the fact that a Palestinian state will be established sooner or later, despite not having recognized it yet. The Palestinian leader said he rejects statements Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly made alluding to a state on provisional borders. "Such talk means only one thing-that the Israeli-Arab conflict will go on for generations to come."
Abbas is slated to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday [April 20]. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé recently said that France and the European Union are working on initiatives which will see Israel and the Palestinians back at the negotiating table in talks leading up to recognition of a Palestinian state in the fall.
Hanan Ashrawi, member of the PLO's executive committee, said that LA Times reports suggesting that the Quartet may recognize a Palestinian state are purely speculative. The Quartet has a duty to recognize a state and not threaten to recognize it, she said. Saeb Erekat made similar statements.
Meanwhile, Israeli state officials sounded surprisingly optimistic on Tuesday [April 19]. Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said: "The Palestinian threat for a unilateral move in the UN is an idle threat. I believe the Europeans will not vote in favor of this in the end."
Another state official noted, "Abu Mazen [Abbas] is going around the world trying to raise support, but not everyone in the PA believe it's the right move for the Palestinians right now. They all understand that a vote will not change reality on the ground. The Europeans are not likely to vote for the Palestinians. Should the resolution address clear borders and the right of return, they won't get the Europeans' support."
(By Elior Levy, Attila Somfalvi contributed, Ynetnews, April 20, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israeli optimism regarding a Palestinian unilateral move in the UN will prove to be well founded. Pray that the EU and the US will vote against such a move.
Scripture
"There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel-that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21).
Abbas added that 130 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state on 1967 borders [Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria] and that this number could well reach 140 or 150.
He stated that Western European countries have also accepted the fact that a Palestinian state will be established sooner or later, despite not having recognized it yet. The Palestinian leader said he rejects statements Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly made alluding to a state on provisional borders. "Such talk means only one thing-that the Israeli-Arab conflict will go on for generations to come."
Abbas is slated to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday [April 20]. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé recently said that France and the European Union are working on initiatives which will see Israel and the Palestinians back at the negotiating table in talks leading up to recognition of a Palestinian state in the fall.
Hanan Ashrawi, member of the PLO's executive committee, said that LA Times reports suggesting that the Quartet may recognize a Palestinian state are purely speculative. The Quartet has a duty to recognize a state and not threaten to recognize it, she said. Saeb Erekat made similar statements.
Meanwhile, Israeli state officials sounded surprisingly optimistic on Tuesday [April 19]. Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said: "The Palestinian threat for a unilateral move in the UN is an idle threat. I believe the Europeans will not vote in favor of this in the end."
Another state official noted, "Abu Mazen [Abbas] is going around the world trying to raise support, but not everyone in the PA believe it's the right move for the Palestinians right now. They all understand that a vote will not change reality on the ground. The Europeans are not likely to vote for the Palestinians. Should the resolution address clear borders and the right of return, they won't get the Europeans' support."
(By Elior Levy, Attila Somfalvi contributed, Ynetnews, April 20, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israeli optimism regarding a Palestinian unilateral move in the UN will prove to be well founded. Pray that the EU and the US will vote against such a move.
Scripture
"There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel-that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21).
7. Poll: Marked Drop in Palestinian Support for Attacks on Israel Noted
A new poll by the Palestinian organization Jerusalem Media and Communication Center shows a marked decrease in support by Palestinians for armed attacks on Israeli targets. One-quarter (25.4%) of the Palestinian population still sees a strategic benefit to the firing of rockets, but in January 2009, that figure was 50.8%.
Also significant was the attitude toward the overall armed struggle, support for which was also cut significantly, from the January 2009 figure of 53.3% to 37.1% this month. Notable was double the support for suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians, found in the Gaza Strip as opposed to the West Bank [Judea Samaria]. 65.7% of West Bank residents expressed opposition to such attacks.
The figures come as the Palestinian Authority [last month] honored the mastermind of the 2002 “Passover Bombing” terrorist attack that killed 30 people at a hotel in the coastal city of Netanya.
(By The Media Line, April 18, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for this growing change in attitude among the Palestinian people. Pray that it will continue and violence will come to an end.
Scripture
"Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war" (Psalm 140:1-2).
Also significant was the attitude toward the overall armed struggle, support for which was also cut significantly, from the January 2009 figure of 53.3% to 37.1% this month. Notable was double the support for suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians, found in the Gaza Strip as opposed to the West Bank [Judea Samaria]. 65.7% of West Bank residents expressed opposition to such attacks.
The figures come as the Palestinian Authority [last month] honored the mastermind of the 2002 “Passover Bombing” terrorist attack that killed 30 people at a hotel in the coastal city of Netanya.
(By The Media Line, April 18, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for this growing change in attitude among the Palestinian people. Pray that it will continue and violence will come to an end.
Scripture
"Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war" (Psalm 140:1-2).
8. Interpreter Recounts Work with Israeli Aid Team to Japan
The Israeli medical team that was sent to help Japan following the massive tsunami and earthquake has returned to Israel, after having brought medical supplies, doctors and encouragement to the disaster-struck nation. Bridges for Peace (BFP) was able to help with some of the Japanese-English translation for the Israeli team.
BFP’s Israel Mosaic Radio interviewed Sati Oda, a former BFP volunteer now living in her native Japan, who helped with the interpretation work. Though the Israeli team brought a variety of medical supplies and equipment to Japan, Sati said that some of the best medicine the team brought was encouragement.
Said Sati, “I think overall, patients who came, or patients that we went to visit, they were very happy for the generosity and kindness. From my perspective, the best medication that they were able to receive was the encouragement and generosity of the Israeli doctors and nurses.”
Sati heard other volunteers say they saw patients’ faces that went from worry and concerns to smiles and happiness after being treated at the Israeli clinic. In discussing why that apparently was the case, Sati noted that the Israelis had more resources, such as electricity, and also more time to give to listening to the patients. “They went the extra mile, I think, to understand what the problems are and try to bring about the treatment and understanding for the patient.”
She said the Israeli team not only was able to encourage and help those needing medical care, but their presence was an encouragement to some of the Japanese medical staff as well, especially those that survived the tsunami.
“I got to talk personally with such a doctor and a nurse, because I worked together with them and also interpreted for them. And they both told me that they were deeply encouraged to be able to work with someone with equipment,” said Sati. “Because initially after the disaster, they were walking around the shelter checking people for their health, but all they could say was that ‘you have a cold, you have this symptom, but you have to bear with us because we don’t have any medication.’ All they had was a stethoscope maybe.”
Sati said that the Japanese medical team that came in [from outside the devastated area] brought equipment that encouraged the local doctors, and the Israelis brought even more. “The Israelis had everything that they needed: X-Ray, the blood test machines…Each doctor had enough equipment.”
According to a press release posted on the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson’s blog, the Israeli medical team was able to treat 220 patients during their time there, and just because the Israelis are leaving, that doesn’t mean their impact will end. The press release said that the majority of the medical equipment that they brought to Japan, which includes X-ray machinery and lab equipment, will stay in the country.
The mayor of the neighboring town of Kurihara, Mr. Isamu Sato, spoke at the team’s concluding ceremony: “The clinic you left behind will be a cornerstone in the restoration of our city which suffered a major disaster. I have no doubt that your important contribution in restoring the area and the generous treatment you provided to our people will be a vital donation and a milestone in the relations between Israel and Japan.”
Sati noted that her previous experience in Israel as a volunteer proved useful in her work with the Israelis, including her knowledge of Israeli culture and some basic Hebrew words and phrases. She went with them on visits to pregnant women where the Israelis were able to check on the women and their unborn children with a portable ultrasound as well as give pre-natal advice.
Ultimately, however, what the Israelis brought with them went far beyond the physical medical aid. Sati contrasted some of the survivors’ hardships with the peace seen at the Israeli clinic. She said she saw kids playing and laughing near the clinic, as the Israelis had brought some toys with them as well.
“I was like, ‘Oh, this is such a different place, different spirit, the atmosphere is completely different. There seems to be peace and joy in the place where there was sadness and darkness and nothingness. They lost everything.’ So I felt hope, I felt joy, I felt peace, somehow, in the Israeli clinic, it was a different atmosphere.”
She said that aside from the medical activities, “an international cultural exchange” also took place. “It was a beautiful, beautiful sight to see,” said Sati. “And I was very honored to be there. It was my honor to serve both countries in such a way.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, April 20, 2011)
Editor’s Note: For more on this interview, watch for coverage on the BFP radio program, Israel Mosaic Radio, on our home page. Bridges for Peace gave a gift to Israel to help cover the financial cost of sending their medical team to Japan. If you would like to help, just click here:
Prayer FocusBFP’s Israel Mosaic Radio interviewed Sati Oda, a former BFP volunteer now living in her native Japan, who helped with the interpretation work. Though the Israeli team brought a variety of medical supplies and equipment to Japan, Sati said that some of the best medicine the team brought was encouragement.
Said Sati, “I think overall, patients who came, or patients that we went to visit, they were very happy for the generosity and kindness. From my perspective, the best medication that they were able to receive was the encouragement and generosity of the Israeli doctors and nurses.”
Sati heard other volunteers say they saw patients’ faces that went from worry and concerns to smiles and happiness after being treated at the Israeli clinic. In discussing why that apparently was the case, Sati noted that the Israelis had more resources, such as electricity, and also more time to give to listening to the patients. “They went the extra mile, I think, to understand what the problems are and try to bring about the treatment and understanding for the patient.”
She said the Israeli team not only was able to encourage and help those needing medical care, but their presence was an encouragement to some of the Japanese medical staff as well, especially those that survived the tsunami.
“I got to talk personally with such a doctor and a nurse, because I worked together with them and also interpreted for them. And they both told me that they were deeply encouraged to be able to work with someone with equipment,” said Sati. “Because initially after the disaster, they were walking around the shelter checking people for their health, but all they could say was that ‘you have a cold, you have this symptom, but you have to bear with us because we don’t have any medication.’ All they had was a stethoscope maybe.”
Sati said that the Japanese medical team that came in [from outside the devastated area] brought equipment that encouraged the local doctors, and the Israelis brought even more. “The Israelis had everything that they needed: X-Ray, the blood test machines…Each doctor had enough equipment.”
According to a press release posted on the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson’s blog, the Israeli medical team was able to treat 220 patients during their time there, and just because the Israelis are leaving, that doesn’t mean their impact will end. The press release said that the majority of the medical equipment that they brought to Japan, which includes X-ray machinery and lab equipment, will stay in the country.
The mayor of the neighboring town of Kurihara, Mr. Isamu Sato, spoke at the team’s concluding ceremony: “The clinic you left behind will be a cornerstone in the restoration of our city which suffered a major disaster. I have no doubt that your important contribution in restoring the area and the generous treatment you provided to our people will be a vital donation and a milestone in the relations between Israel and Japan.”
Sati noted that her previous experience in Israel as a volunteer proved useful in her work with the Israelis, including her knowledge of Israeli culture and some basic Hebrew words and phrases. She went with them on visits to pregnant women where the Israelis were able to check on the women and their unborn children with a portable ultrasound as well as give pre-natal advice.
Ultimately, however, what the Israelis brought with them went far beyond the physical medical aid. Sati contrasted some of the survivors’ hardships with the peace seen at the Israeli clinic. She said she saw kids playing and laughing near the clinic, as the Israelis had brought some toys with them as well.
“I was like, ‘Oh, this is such a different place, different spirit, the atmosphere is completely different. There seems to be peace and joy in the place where there was sadness and darkness and nothingness. They lost everything.’ So I felt hope, I felt joy, I felt peace, somehow, in the Israeli clinic, it was a different atmosphere.”
She said that aside from the medical activities, “an international cultural exchange” also took place. “It was a beautiful, beautiful sight to see,” said Sati. “And I was very honored to be there. It was my honor to serve both countries in such a way.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, April 20, 2011)
Editor’s Note: For more on this interview, watch for coverage on the BFP radio program, Israel Mosaic Radio, on our home page. Bridges for Peace gave a gift to Israel to help cover the financial cost of sending their medical team to Japan. If you would like to help, just click here:
Praise God for Israel’s humanitarian aid to Japan, for the encouragement the Israeli team was to the Japanese, and for the assistance the Japanese Bridges for Peace team was able to offer. Thank the Lord that again Israel fulfilled her role as a light to the nations.
Scripture
“He says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth’" (Isaiah 49:6, NIV).
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Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
Bridges for Peace - 24 Hour Prayer Calendar Free registration - Signup today ! Isaiah 62:6-7 - I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. |
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