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1. Israel Tries to Prevent Next Gaza Flotilla, Prepares in Case It Sails2. Report: Iranian Involvement in Syrian Suppression of Demonstrations3. New Lebanese Government, a Political Victory for Hizbullah4. Netanyahu: We'll Aggravate Hamas Prisoners' Conditions5. New Palestinian Transition Government Postponed6. Palestinians Present Oslo Accords as Tragedy like Israel's Creation7. Abbas Passes the Ball to Washington8. Netanyahu Sends Turkish Leader a Letter9. New Important Excavations Opened to the Public
1. Israel Tries to Prevent Next Gaza Flotilla, Prepares in Case It Sails
Israel has been preparing for the second Gaza flotilla for months, and part of those efforts have included diplomatic attempts to enlist support from foreign governments and the United Nations to try and prevent people and ships from going to Gaza. Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Yonatan Rosenzweig told Bridges for Peace in an interview that Israel has received support from statements by the UN Secretary General.
Multiple foreign governments-including France, Spain and Canada-have also warned their citizens not to participate in a flotilla, as aid to Gaza can be brought through land crossings. Rosenzweig described the flotilla as an unnecessary provocation.
The upcoming Gaza flotilla is expected to set sail by the end of this month. Rosenzweig said there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that aid should come by land through Israel or Egypt, having then been checked for military-use materials that could end up with terrorists.
Rosenzweig said that during the week of June 12-16 almost 1,200 truckloads-approximately 30,000 tons-of aid and commodities were unloaded at the Gaza crossings. He noted that Gaza has opened a shopping mall, and the economic situation has improved.
Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is intended to prevent weapons and potential military-use items, including building materials, from reaching Hamas. However, certain arrangements are being made for some construction goods that are under key safeguards. Rosenzweig explained that a naval blockade of Gaza is legal by international law due to the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“By international law, when there is an armed conflict, there is a possibility to put and to enforce a naval blockade,” said Rosenzweig, who explained that the blockade must meet certain conditions, including that it not cause a humanitarian crisis. “As I have said, there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We are only aiming at preventing the Hamas from getting arms and weapons and rockets,” said Rosenzweig.
A second condition is that the blockade has to be enforced equally-every foreign ship must be restricted, hence Israel cannot simply allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, even if there were no concerns about what might be on the ships. “You cannot give permission to a friend of yours to enter and to another-which is not a friend-not to enter,” said Rosenzweig. “You cannot act it selectively, you have to enforce it vis-à-vis all ships from all countries.”
In addition, if a ship declares an intention to breach a blockade and it is determined they are heading there, it can be legally stopped in international waters.
Israel is also preparing for the flotilla militarily as well. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] Web site recently announced that the Israeli Navy had conducted a training exercise earlier this month in preparation for a flotilla. During last year’s Gaza flotilla, activists aboard one of the ships viciously attacked Israeli soldiers sent to commandeer the vessel as part of the blockade, and as a result of the conflict nine activists were killed.
The recent IDF report on their Web site highlighted practice for soldiers using water cannons and other non-lethal means to board ships. It quoted IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai as saying on Thursday, June 16, that “we want very much to avoid serious consequences but the navy is determined to prevent the breaking of the sea blockade-this is an unequivocal directive.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Continue to pray that this flotilla never leaves port and that Israel’s diplomatic efforts are successful. Pray that should it set sail, the Lord will move strongly to protect the IDF from the kind of tragedy engendered by the last one.
Scripture
“Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men” (Psalm 59:1-2).
Multiple foreign governments-including France, Spain and Canada-have also warned their citizens not to participate in a flotilla, as aid to Gaza can be brought through land crossings. Rosenzweig described the flotilla as an unnecessary provocation.
The upcoming Gaza flotilla is expected to set sail by the end of this month. Rosenzweig said there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that aid should come by land through Israel or Egypt, having then been checked for military-use materials that could end up with terrorists.
Rosenzweig said that during the week of June 12-16 almost 1,200 truckloads-approximately 30,000 tons-of aid and commodities were unloaded at the Gaza crossings. He noted that Gaza has opened a shopping mall, and the economic situation has improved.
Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is intended to prevent weapons and potential military-use items, including building materials, from reaching Hamas. However, certain arrangements are being made for some construction goods that are under key safeguards. Rosenzweig explained that a naval blockade of Gaza is legal by international law due to the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“By international law, when there is an armed conflict, there is a possibility to put and to enforce a naval blockade,” said Rosenzweig, who explained that the blockade must meet certain conditions, including that it not cause a humanitarian crisis. “As I have said, there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We are only aiming at preventing the Hamas from getting arms and weapons and rockets,” said Rosenzweig.
A second condition is that the blockade has to be enforced equally-every foreign ship must be restricted, hence Israel cannot simply allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, even if there were no concerns about what might be on the ships. “You cannot give permission to a friend of yours to enter and to another-which is not a friend-not to enter,” said Rosenzweig. “You cannot act it selectively, you have to enforce it vis-à-vis all ships from all countries.”
In addition, if a ship declares an intention to breach a blockade and it is determined they are heading there, it can be legally stopped in international waters.
Israel is also preparing for the flotilla militarily as well. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] Web site recently announced that the Israeli Navy had conducted a training exercise earlier this month in preparation for a flotilla. During last year’s Gaza flotilla, activists aboard one of the ships viciously attacked Israeli soldiers sent to commandeer the vessel as part of the blockade, and as a result of the conflict nine activists were killed.
The recent IDF report on their Web site highlighted practice for soldiers using water cannons and other non-lethal means to board ships. It quoted IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai as saying on Thursday, June 16, that “we want very much to avoid serious consequences but the navy is determined to prevent the breaking of the sea blockade-this is an unequivocal directive.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Continue to pray that this flotilla never leaves port and that Israel’s diplomatic efforts are successful. Pray that should it set sail, the Lord will move strongly to protect the IDF from the kind of tragedy engendered by the last one.
Scripture
“Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men” (Psalm 59:1-2).
2. Report: Iranian Involvement in Syrian Suppression of Demonstrations
An Israeli newspaper citing an unnamed Israeli source is reporting that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and the Hizbullah terrorist organization are in Syria and playing a key role in suppressing anti-regime demonstrations. The report in Haaretz references “clear information” on the Guard’s participation in shooting protestors and supplying equipment for use against demonstrators and disrupting the Internet.
According to the report, it was the Revolutionary Guard that organized the Nakba Day (May 15) and Naksa Day (June 5) infiltrations into Israel from Syria, each of which resulted in the deaths of a number of participants who attempted to cross the border.
The report also explained the riots that broke out in Syria’s Yarmuk refugee camp the day after the Naksa Day demonstrations. Rioters were members of Ahmad Jibril’s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command who were angry because they did not receive the money promised for participating in the rush on the Israeli border. Participants had been promised US $1,000 each. The family of anyone killed was to receive US $10,000.
(By The Media Line, June 22, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will move powerfully to bring an end to this Syrian regime that is a puppet of Iran and is slaughtering its own citizens.
Scripture
“Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man” (Psalm 71:3-4).
According to the report, it was the Revolutionary Guard that organized the Nakba Day (May 15) and Naksa Day (June 5) infiltrations into Israel from Syria, each of which resulted in the deaths of a number of participants who attempted to cross the border.
The report also explained the riots that broke out in Syria’s Yarmuk refugee camp the day after the Naksa Day demonstrations. Rioters were members of Ahmad Jibril’s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command who were angry because they did not receive the money promised for participating in the rush on the Israeli border. Participants had been promised US $1,000 each. The family of anyone killed was to receive US $10,000.
(By The Media Line, June 22, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will move powerfully to bring an end to this Syrian regime that is a puppet of Iran and is slaughtering its own citizens.
Scripture
“Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man” (Psalm 71:3-4).
3. New Lebanese Government, a Political Victory for Hizbullah
After months of trying to form a new government, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the formation of a new cabinet on June 13, which still needs a vote of confidence from the Lebanese parliament.
Of the 30 government cabinet members, more than half, 18, are members of the March 8 alliance, a group consisting of the Hizbullah terror group and its political allies. The new government and prime minister come following the political collapse earlier this year of the pro-West coalition led by Saad al-Hariri.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer, senior research fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center at IDC-Herziliya, told Bridges for Peace in an interview that the new government represents a political victory for Hizbullah.
“This is a Lebanese government which basically represents the ascendancy of Syria and Hizbullah in Lebanon,” said Dr. Spyer, noting that when Sa’ad Hariri left the government and Mikati became the new prime minister-designate it was basically expected that there was “going to be a Syrian-Hizbullah government formed.”
“It took them a very long time, a lot of horse trading [of government positions]…so this represents a very significant victory for the Syrian government, for Hizbullah, for Iran, for the Iran-led regional bloc.”
However, according to an unofficial translation of some other comments in Arabic from Prime Minister Mikati, given after the government was formed and also posted on his Web site, Mikati noted that part of the government’s commitment is defending “Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, and liberation of the remaining land occupied by the Israeli enemy.”
Dr. Spyer said that while Mikati is not a Hizbullah puppet, he is a pro-Syrian politician, a “faithful member of that alliance” which includes Hizbullah and a client of Syria. Said Dr. Spyer, “In no way at all should he be expected to go against the cardinal interests of Syria or Hizbullah,” especially under the current circumstances.
Dr. Spyer noted the cabinet does consist largely of Hizbullah and its allies, giving them effective control in foreign and defense policy. He called the new government “kind of another step towards what may eventually be complete Hizbullah domination of the country.”
And when a group can bring the nation into war-as Hizbullah did in 2006 in the Second Lebanon war with Israel-and maintains an independent military that is willing to fire at others within Lebanon, as was done in 2008, they already basically control the country.
In a statement posted on the Foreign Affairs Committee Web site the day the new Lebanese cabinet was announced [June 13], Ros-Lehtinen said members of Congress had warned that prior funding to the Lebanese government when Hizbullah simply participated was “unwise.” And that was before the terror group’s political allies took a more prominent role.
Said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, “Now, Hizbullah and its cohorts will control the Lebanese government and likely benefit from the years of US assistance, including to the Lebanese military. We cannot undo past mistakes, but we can learn from them and safeguard taxpayer dollars going forward. The US should immediately cut off assistance to the Lebanese government as long as any violent extremist group designated by the US as foreign terrorist organizations participates in it.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 19, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the United States and other nations as well will cease funding the Lebanese government as long as Hizbullah is a part of it.
Scripture
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness” (Psalm 101:3-4).
Of the 30 government cabinet members, more than half, 18, are members of the March 8 alliance, a group consisting of the Hizbullah terror group and its political allies. The new government and prime minister come following the political collapse earlier this year of the pro-West coalition led by Saad al-Hariri.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer, senior research fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center at IDC-Herziliya, told Bridges for Peace in an interview that the new government represents a political victory for Hizbullah.
“This is a Lebanese government which basically represents the ascendancy of Syria and Hizbullah in Lebanon,” said Dr. Spyer, noting that when Sa’ad Hariri left the government and Mikati became the new prime minister-designate it was basically expected that there was “going to be a Syrian-Hizbullah government formed.”
“It took them a very long time, a lot of horse trading [of government positions]…so this represents a very significant victory for the Syrian government, for Hizbullah, for Iran, for the Iran-led regional bloc.”
However, according to an unofficial translation of some other comments in Arabic from Prime Minister Mikati, given after the government was formed and also posted on his Web site, Mikati noted that part of the government’s commitment is defending “Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, and liberation of the remaining land occupied by the Israeli enemy.”
Dr. Spyer said that while Mikati is not a Hizbullah puppet, he is a pro-Syrian politician, a “faithful member of that alliance” which includes Hizbullah and a client of Syria. Said Dr. Spyer, “In no way at all should he be expected to go against the cardinal interests of Syria or Hizbullah,” especially under the current circumstances.
Dr. Spyer noted the cabinet does consist largely of Hizbullah and its allies, giving them effective control in foreign and defense policy. He called the new government “kind of another step towards what may eventually be complete Hizbullah domination of the country.”
And when a group can bring the nation into war-as Hizbullah did in 2006 in the Second Lebanon war with Israel-and maintains an independent military that is willing to fire at others within Lebanon, as was done in 2008, they already basically control the country.
In a statement posted on the Foreign Affairs Committee Web site the day the new Lebanese cabinet was announced [June 13], Ros-Lehtinen said members of Congress had warned that prior funding to the Lebanese government when Hizbullah simply participated was “unwise.” And that was before the terror group’s political allies took a more prominent role.
Said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, “Now, Hizbullah and its cohorts will control the Lebanese government and likely benefit from the years of US assistance, including to the Lebanese military. We cannot undo past mistakes, but we can learn from them and safeguard taxpayer dollars going forward. The US should immediately cut off assistance to the Lebanese government as long as any violent extremist group designated by the US as foreign terrorist organizations participates in it.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 19, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the United States and other nations as well will cease funding the Lebanese government as long as Hizbullah is a part of it.
Scripture
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness” (Psalm 101:3-4).
4. Netanyahu: We'll Aggravate Hamas Prisoners' Conditions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday [June 23] a plan aimed at pressuring Hamas into releasing captive soldier Gilad Shalit two days before the five-year anniversary of his abduction. Netanyahu said he has decided to change Israel's policy towards terrorists incarcerated in the country.
The prime minister said that Israel has no other obligations beyond adhering to Israeli law, international law, and international treaties. Speaking at the Presidential Conference in Jerusalem he said that the State will put an end to the Hamas prisoners' excessive conditions.
He did not specify the steps the government will take to alter confinement conditions but noted that he has canceled the "absurd" protocol allowing terrorists to enroll in academic studies. "There will be no more doctorates of terror," he said. "This party is over."
In March 2009, a committee headed by then-Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann recommended worsening Hamas prisoners' conditions. No other decisions were made since. The committee recommended limiting family visits and denying physical contact, banning television, radio and newspapers and changing legislation to prevent administrative release and lawyer visits.
Netanyahu said that Israel must continue to pressure Hamas politically, morally and daily in order to advance Shalit's release. He congratulated leaders in France, Italy and England who urged Hamas to free the captive soldier and allow Red Cross visits.
State officials said that Netanyahu has been holding consultations recently and instructing legalists and security experts to draw up a list of minimal prisoner conditions required by the Red Cross and revoke anything beyond this. Inmate studies were canceled and phone calls and visits were limited.
The sources said that the steps taken in recent weeks were not publicized so as to prevent riots. "Any step taken has consequences," one state official explained. "We don't want these steps to hurt Shalit or to see an uprising in the territories and the jails. The plan is to take steps that meet international law requirements."
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch's communications director said that the minister and the Prison Service have been restricting inmates' conditions lately. Sources at the ministry said that Netanyahu's policy has been implemented in recent weeks.
(Excerpts of an article by Ynet reporters, Ronen Medzini, Attila Somfalvi, Ahiya Raved, Elior Levy and Omri Efraim contributed, Ynetnews, June 24, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Prime Minister Netanyahu's new efforts on Gilad's behalf will have the desired effect and no negative results. Pray that international pressure for Gilad’s release will continue. Pray that God will comfort his family and protect him in every way until he is safe at home at last.
Scripture
“Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (Psalm 86:17).
The prime minister said that Israel has no other obligations beyond adhering to Israeli law, international law, and international treaties. Speaking at the Presidential Conference in Jerusalem he said that the State will put an end to the Hamas prisoners' excessive conditions.
He did not specify the steps the government will take to alter confinement conditions but noted that he has canceled the "absurd" protocol allowing terrorists to enroll in academic studies. "There will be no more doctorates of terror," he said. "This party is over."
In March 2009, a committee headed by then-Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann recommended worsening Hamas prisoners' conditions. No other decisions were made since. The committee recommended limiting family visits and denying physical contact, banning television, radio and newspapers and changing legislation to prevent administrative release and lawyer visits.
Netanyahu said that Israel must continue to pressure Hamas politically, morally and daily in order to advance Shalit's release. He congratulated leaders in France, Italy and England who urged Hamas to free the captive soldier and allow Red Cross visits.
State officials said that Netanyahu has been holding consultations recently and instructing legalists and security experts to draw up a list of minimal prisoner conditions required by the Red Cross and revoke anything beyond this. Inmate studies were canceled and phone calls and visits were limited.
The sources said that the steps taken in recent weeks were not publicized so as to prevent riots. "Any step taken has consequences," one state official explained. "We don't want these steps to hurt Shalit or to see an uprising in the territories and the jails. The plan is to take steps that meet international law requirements."
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch's communications director said that the minister and the Prison Service have been restricting inmates' conditions lately. Sources at the ministry said that Netanyahu's policy has been implemented in recent weeks.
(Excerpts of an article by Ynet reporters, Ronen Medzini, Attila Somfalvi, Ahiya Raved, Elior Levy and Omri Efraim contributed, Ynetnews, June 24, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Prime Minister Netanyahu's new efforts on Gilad's behalf will have the desired effect and no negative results. Pray that international pressure for Gilad’s release will continue. Pray that God will comfort his family and protect him in every way until he is safe at home at last.
Scripture
“Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (Psalm 86:17).
5. New Palestinian Transition Government Postponed
The formation of a new Palestinian government-following the reconciliation deal between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction and the Hamas terror group-has taken at least a symbolic hit, pushing back its expected timeline. A planned meeting between Abbas and Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashal that had been set for Tuesday [June 21] is being postponed until further notice.
According to the Palestinian WAFA news agency, Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, said on Sunday [June 19] that the meeting was delayed “due to Abbas’s engagements, but we will call Mashal’s office and reschedule in the next few days, in order to conduct the meeting in an appropriate environment.”
Al-Ahmad also expressed the hope that the meeting would be successful. However, the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency said that there is speculation that the delay for the meeting, which was set to discuss the formation of the next government, was actually due to disagreement between Hamas and Fatah about the role of current Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad-a favorite of the West.
Fatah nominated Fayyad to continue in his role in the new transition government, but Hamas has rejected Fayyad as a candidate. Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation deal in May that was supposed to include a new cabinet made up of technocrats without Hamas or Fatah affiliation, but the arrangement has yet to be implemented and is delaying the creation of a new government.
Ma’an reported on Monday [June 20] that sources close to Fayyad said that he will say he intends to refuse the position of prime minister if he is offered the spot. Fayyad has said he would accept what the two sides decide for the Palestinians, but is apparently willing to step aside due to Hamas’s rejection. Officials in Ramallah said Fayad did not want to block Palestinian unity.
Despite the report, it should be noted that Fayyad also expressed plans at one point to resign in 2009, but he ultimately continued as prime minister. Considering Fayyad’s reputation and current role in preparing the Palestinians for statehood, it is possible that some international support of the Palestinians could come under review or even be threatened if Fayyad does not continue as prime minister.
Prior to the latest reports of Fayyad refusing the position if it is offered and the latest delay in forming a Palestinian government, one American politician felt Hamas’s effective veto of Fayyad was evidence that the terror group is the one calling the shots for the Palestinians.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Since this transitional government could have such serious ramifications for Israel, pray that the Lord will continue to keep these two natural enemies from coming together against Israel as the common enemy of each.
Scripture
“I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses” (Isaiah 63:7).
According to the Palestinian WAFA news agency, Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, said on Sunday [June 19] that the meeting was delayed “due to Abbas’s engagements, but we will call Mashal’s office and reschedule in the next few days, in order to conduct the meeting in an appropriate environment.”
Al-Ahmad also expressed the hope that the meeting would be successful. However, the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency said that there is speculation that the delay for the meeting, which was set to discuss the formation of the next government, was actually due to disagreement between Hamas and Fatah about the role of current Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad-a favorite of the West.
Fatah nominated Fayyad to continue in his role in the new transition government, but Hamas has rejected Fayyad as a candidate. Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation deal in May that was supposed to include a new cabinet made up of technocrats without Hamas or Fatah affiliation, but the arrangement has yet to be implemented and is delaying the creation of a new government.
Ma’an reported on Monday [June 20] that sources close to Fayyad said that he will say he intends to refuse the position of prime minister if he is offered the spot. Fayyad has said he would accept what the two sides decide for the Palestinians, but is apparently willing to step aside due to Hamas’s rejection. Officials in Ramallah said Fayad did not want to block Palestinian unity.
Despite the report, it should be noted that Fayyad also expressed plans at one point to resign in 2009, but he ultimately continued as prime minister. Considering Fayyad’s reputation and current role in preparing the Palestinians for statehood, it is possible that some international support of the Palestinians could come under review or even be threatened if Fayyad does not continue as prime minister.
Prior to the latest reports of Fayyad refusing the position if it is offered and the latest delay in forming a Palestinian government, one American politician felt Hamas’s effective veto of Fayyad was evidence that the terror group is the one calling the shots for the Palestinians.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Since this transitional government could have such serious ramifications for Israel, pray that the Lord will continue to keep these two natural enemies from coming together against Israel as the common enemy of each.
Scripture
“I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses” (Isaiah 63:7).
6. Palestinians Present Oslo Accords as Tragedy like Israel's Creation
There are signs that the Palestinian Authority [PA] is beginning to present the signing of the Oslo Accords with Israel [which form part of the basis for peace talks between the sides] as a negative event as bad as Israel's creation and the defeat of the three Arab states-Syria, Jordan and Egypt-in the Six-Day War.
Two visual expressions of this message appeared in the last two weeks in the official PA media. One was a cartoon in the official PA daily, depicting a man preparing a headstone for a grave, who is wondering which date to inscribe to complete the text. The headstone reads: "The Deceased: 'Arab History' [date of] death..."
The man considers which year to add to the inscription as the year Arab history died. The dates he thinks possible are: "1948, 1967, 1993, 2003, 2008 and 2010." The dates refer to events considered negative for and by the Arab world. Significantly 1993, the year the Oslo Accords were signed, is included.
1948-Israel's creation
1967-The Six-Day War
1993-Signing of Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO [Palestinian representative group]
2003-US invasion of Iraq
2008-The Gaza War
2010-Possibly refers to the flotilla to Gaza that ended in violence
The second visual appeared in a music video of a song encouraging Palestinians to overcome their tragedies. Children are seen sitting around a table drawing. One drawing included in the video shows the dates "1948, 1967, 1993."
(By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, June 19, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this will come to the attention of the international community, who will in turn pressure Palestinian leadership to stop such unfortunate, anti-peace brainwashing of the Palestinian people.
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).
Two visual expressions of this message appeared in the last two weeks in the official PA media. One was a cartoon in the official PA daily, depicting a man preparing a headstone for a grave, who is wondering which date to inscribe to complete the text. The headstone reads: "The Deceased: 'Arab History' [date of] death..."
The man considers which year to add to the inscription as the year Arab history died. The dates he thinks possible are: "1948, 1967, 1993, 2003, 2008 and 2010." The dates refer to events considered negative for and by the Arab world. Significantly 1993, the year the Oslo Accords were signed, is included.
1948-Israel's creation
1967-The Six-Day War
1993-Signing of Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO [Palestinian representative group]
2003-US invasion of Iraq
2008-The Gaza War
2010-Possibly refers to the flotilla to Gaza that ended in violence
The second visual appeared in a music video of a song encouraging Palestinians to overcome their tragedies. Children are seen sitting around a table drawing. One drawing included in the video shows the dates "1948, 1967, 1993."
(By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, June 19, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this will come to the attention of the international community, who will in turn pressure Palestinian leadership to stop such unfortunate, anti-peace brainwashing of the Palestinian people.
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).
7. Abbas Passes the Ball to Washington
Palestinian Authority [PA] head Mahmoud Abbas told Lebanese television on Monday [June 20] that peace talks with Israel are dead, but he’s all ears if Washington has a better idea than going to the United Nations for a unilateral declaration of statehood. The UN option appears to be blocked because any action in the General Assembly needs a Security Council enabling resolution, which the US plans to veto.
But Abbas is seemingly looking past that problem, insisting that if Washington cannot bridge the gap, the alternative is Turtle Bay [where the UN General Assembly is located] in September.
According to Abbas, the issues of “borders and security” are preventing bilateral talks from proceeding. The Palestinian leader also denied that the UN route constitutes a “unilateral” move, arguing that, “President Obama says he wants to see an independent Palestinian state by September. The Quartet has said the same.
“Fayyad's government has guaranteed its authorities will be prepared for a state, and they are 100% ready. These three reasons caused us to speak of September, that, in addition to the absence of negotiations.”
(By The Media Line, June 21, 2011)
Editor’s Note: The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were suspended by the Palestinians in 2010 after the end of Israel’s unprecedented 10-month settlement construction freeze. The Palestinians have repeatedly attached preconditions to the resumption of peace talks. The US has also repeatedly discouraged them from going to the UN in September and declaring statehood unilaterally without a peace agreement with Israel.
Prayer Focus
Pray that any move toward a unilateral declaration of statehood be stopped in its tracks. Pray that negotiations based on Palestinian recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is the focus of the UN and the international community.
Scripture
“Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14).
But Abbas is seemingly looking past that problem, insisting that if Washington cannot bridge the gap, the alternative is Turtle Bay [where the UN General Assembly is located] in September.
According to Abbas, the issues of “borders and security” are preventing bilateral talks from proceeding. The Palestinian leader also denied that the UN route constitutes a “unilateral” move, arguing that, “President Obama says he wants to see an independent Palestinian state by September. The Quartet has said the same.
“Fayyad's government has guaranteed its authorities will be prepared for a state, and they are 100% ready. These three reasons caused us to speak of September, that, in addition to the absence of negotiations.”
(By The Media Line, June 21, 2011)
Editor’s Note: The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were suspended by the Palestinians in 2010 after the end of Israel’s unprecedented 10-month settlement construction freeze. The Palestinians have repeatedly attached preconditions to the resumption of peace talks. The US has also repeatedly discouraged them from going to the UN in September and declaring statehood unilaterally without a peace agreement with Israel.
Prayer Focus
Pray that any move toward a unilateral declaration of statehood be stopped in its tracks. Pray that negotiations based on Palestinian recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is the focus of the UN and the international community.
Scripture
“Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14).
8. Netanyahu Sends Turkish Leader a Letter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulating him for a recent reelection to his third term, news agencies in Turkey reported Tuesday [June 21]. Netanyahu wrote that he hopes relations between the two states improve.
"My government would love to work with the new Turkish government with the aim of finding a solution to all the issues shared by both states," he wrote. "The goal will be to renew the cooperation and friendship that characterized relations between the two peoples for so many generations."
Netanyahu said during a visit to Italy last week that he would like to renew the recently deteriorated relations with Turkey. Reports of the letter come ahead of a second flotilla to Gaza. The first flotilla, which took place May 31 of last year, ended with a calamitous IDF [Israel Defense Forces] raid on the Mavi Marmara, which killed nine Turks and severely harmed relations between the two states.
During a press conference in Rome, Netanyahu said that Israel did not decide to put a damper on the relations with Istanbul, and that Jerusalem wishes to rectify matters. We don’t want a tense relationship, he said.
(By Attila Somfalvi, Ynetnews, June 21, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will move to restore the cooperative relationship that once existed between Israel and Turkey, important economically, but also as a major pillar of stability in the region.
Scripture
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8).
9. New Important Excavations Opened to the Public
Following the completion of excavation and conservation at the Ophel City Wall site [near the Western Wall in Jerusalem], the complex has now been opened to the public. The Ophel City Wall site is a complex of buildings uncovered along the route of the fortifications from the First Temple period (10th-6th centuries BCE).
Visitors will now be able to touch the stones and walls whose construction tells the history of Jerusalem throughout the ages. It is now possible to walk comfortably through the built remains, in places that were previously closed to the public, to sense their splendor and learn about the history of the region.
At the beginning of 2010 archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar completed exposing the Ophel fortification complex in Jerusalem. Immediately after that conservation work commenced and the site was made accessible to the public. The conservation work was implemented by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Conservation Department and lasted about six months.
The architecture at the site that was exposed includes an impressive building thought to be a gatehouse, a royal edifice, a section of a tower and the city wall itself. Dr. Mazar suggests identifying the buildings as part of the complex of fortifications that King Solomon constructed in Jerusalem: "…until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about" (1 Kings 3:1).
In addition to the fortifications of the First Temple period, sections of the Byzantine city wall and two of its towers were exposed. This wall was built at the initiative of the Byzantine empress Eudocia in the 5th century CE. In addition to the complex of fortifications, the excavation of two rooms from the Second Temple period (1st century CE) was completed, which were preserved to a height of two stories.
The highlight of the excavations is the complete exposure of the gatehouse. The plan of this impressive building includes four rooms of identical size, arranged on both sides of a broad corridor paved with crushed limestone. The plan of the gatehouse is characteristic of the First Temple period and is similar to contemporaneous gates that were revealed at Megiddo [also known as Armageddon], Beersheba and Ashdod.
Dr. Mazar, suggests identifying the gate house here with the “water gate” mentioned in the Bible: "…and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower." (Nehemiah 3:26). The ground floor of a large building that was destroyed in a fierce fire can be seen east of the gate. Dr. Mazar is of the opinion that this structure was destroyed by the Babylonian conquest of the city in 586 BCE.
Twelve very large, clay store jars (pithoi), which probably contained wine or oil, were discovered on the floor of the building. Engraved on the shoulder of one of these pithoi is a Hebrew inscription that indicates that this pithos belonged to one of the kingdom’s ministers, perhaps the overseer of the bakers.
During the course of the excavation the earliest written document to be exposed to date in Jerusalem was discovered. This unique find, which is of extraordinary importance to the history of the city, will now be on permanent display to the public in the nearby Davidson Center.
This is a very small approximately 3,300-year-old fragment of a clay tablet engraved in Akkadian cuneiform script, which was the lingua franca of the time. Among the very skillfully written words that can be read are the words: you were, later, to do, and they. The tablet and the writing are typical of the tablets that were used in antiquity throughout Mesopotamia for international correspondence.
Analyses of the writing and the clay used to produce the tablet show that the document originated in the Jerusalem region in the mid-1330s BCE. It seems that it is a copy of a letter that the king of Jerusalem at the time, Abdi-Heba, sent to the king of Egypt.
It was customary that a copy of this correspondence would be kept in the archives of the city Salem, which was Jerusalem in that period. The fragment of the tablet constitutes credible evidence of the status of Jerusalem as an important royal city in Canaan, which was administered as a city-state under the auspices of the pharaohnic Egypt kingdom. Throughout the site are panels in three languages describing the features that can be seen from each vantage point.
(By Edgar Asher, Isranet, June 21, 2011)
Visitors will now be able to touch the stones and walls whose construction tells the history of Jerusalem throughout the ages. It is now possible to walk comfortably through the built remains, in places that were previously closed to the public, to sense their splendor and learn about the history of the region.
At the beginning of 2010 archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar completed exposing the Ophel fortification complex in Jerusalem. Immediately after that conservation work commenced and the site was made accessible to the public. The conservation work was implemented by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Conservation Department and lasted about six months.
The architecture at the site that was exposed includes an impressive building thought to be a gatehouse, a royal edifice, a section of a tower and the city wall itself. Dr. Mazar suggests identifying the buildings as part of the complex of fortifications that King Solomon constructed in Jerusalem: "…until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about" (1 Kings 3:1).
In addition to the fortifications of the First Temple period, sections of the Byzantine city wall and two of its towers were exposed. This wall was built at the initiative of the Byzantine empress Eudocia in the 5th century CE. In addition to the complex of fortifications, the excavation of two rooms from the Second Temple period (1st century CE) was completed, which were preserved to a height of two stories.
The highlight of the excavations is the complete exposure of the gatehouse. The plan of this impressive building includes four rooms of identical size, arranged on both sides of a broad corridor paved with crushed limestone. The plan of the gatehouse is characteristic of the First Temple period and is similar to contemporaneous gates that were revealed at Megiddo [also known as Armageddon], Beersheba and Ashdod.
Dr. Mazar, suggests identifying the gate house here with the “water gate” mentioned in the Bible: "…and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower." (Nehemiah 3:26). The ground floor of a large building that was destroyed in a fierce fire can be seen east of the gate. Dr. Mazar is of the opinion that this structure was destroyed by the Babylonian conquest of the city in 586 BCE.
Twelve very large, clay store jars (pithoi), which probably contained wine or oil, were discovered on the floor of the building. Engraved on the shoulder of one of these pithoi is a Hebrew inscription that indicates that this pithos belonged to one of the kingdom’s ministers, perhaps the overseer of the bakers.
During the course of the excavation the earliest written document to be exposed to date in Jerusalem was discovered. This unique find, which is of extraordinary importance to the history of the city, will now be on permanent display to the public in the nearby Davidson Center.
This is a very small approximately 3,300-year-old fragment of a clay tablet engraved in Akkadian cuneiform script, which was the lingua franca of the time. Among the very skillfully written words that can be read are the words: you were, later, to do, and they. The tablet and the writing are typical of the tablets that were used in antiquity throughout Mesopotamia for international correspondence.
Analyses of the writing and the clay used to produce the tablet show that the document originated in the Jerusalem region in the mid-1330s BCE. It seems that it is a copy of a letter that the king of Jerusalem at the time, Abdi-Heba, sent to the king of Egypt.
It was customary that a copy of this correspondence would be kept in the archives of the city Salem, which was Jerusalem in that period. The fragment of the tablet constitutes credible evidence of the status of Jerusalem as an important royal city in Canaan, which was administered as a city-state under the auspices of the pharaohnic Egypt kingdom. Throughout the site are panels in three languages describing the features that can be seen from each vantage point.
(By Edgar Asher, Isranet, June 21, 2011)
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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