Visit our Web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com | July 1, 2011 |
1. US Senate: Cut Aid If Palestinians Declare State
2. Israeli Seminar Presents Alternative to the Two-State Solution
3. Hizbullah Moving Missiles from Syria to Lebanon
4. Iran Shows Off Missile Silos that Target Israel, U.S. Bases
5. IDF Fears Flotilla Activists Will Try to Kill Soldiers
6. Terror Cell Planning Abductions Nabbed
7. Kidnapped Soldier Gilad Shalit Marks Five Years in Captivity
8. Hizbullah Members Reportedly Accused in Assassination Case9. MayDay Sends Alerts for Car Crash Victims
1. US Senate: Cut Aid If Palestinians Declare StateThe US Senate approved a bill Wednesday [June 29] that calls for suspension of American aid to the Palestinian Authority [PA] if it insists on carrying out a plan to gain UN recognition for its statehood declaration in September. The bill was approved by all 89 senators present. Its initiators are the Jewish and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
It stipulates that the Senate opposes "any attempt to establish or seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated between leaders in Israel and the Palestinians." Cardin explained that the Senate has conveyed a clear message to the international community with the bill, which states that UN recognition of a Palestinian state at this stage does not promote peace. An accord is achievable through negotiations alone, he said.
The bill also "urges the President to consider suspending assistance to the Palestinian Authority pending a review of the unity agreement between Fatah [Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's party] and Hamas." The two factions signed a deal ending a longstanding rivalry between them, but the agreement has run into difficulty due to a vetting process for leaders of a future unity government.
The Senate bill also determines that "United States law precludes assistance to a Palestinian Authority that shares power with Hamas unless that Authority and all its ministers publicly accept the right of Israel to exist and all prior agreements and understandings with the Governments of the United States and Israel."
A similar bill is scheduled to come up before the House of Representatives, where 293 members have already signed off on its approval.
Israeli officials on Wednesday expressed their satisfaction with the Senate's decision, viewing it as a support for the stand presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his speech to the US Congress. In the past few months, Israel has been pressuring American lawmakers to press the White House and threaten the Palestinians with economic sanctions if they decide to turn to the UN and declare statehood.
Israel believes that restricting the American aid to the PA may significantly affect the Palestinians leadership's decision to turn to the UN. "Without the American money, there's no Palestine," a senior Israeli source said. "The Palestinians know it, and therefore, they're at odds over what would be the right move for them."
Israel has also refused to comment on the difficulties in establishing a Palestinian unity government, but a senior official said he doubted whether "these difficulties are a factor in renewing peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians."
Meanwhile, in another attempt to pressure the Palestinians, the US and European countries are planning to convene a summit in mid-July to try to come up with a new peace initiative, which would bring the parties back to the negotiating table.
(Excerpts of an article by Yitzhak Benhorin, Attila Somfalvi contributed, Ynetnews, June 29, 2011)
Editor's Note: Despite the strong language issued in the US Senate resolution, it does not require aid to be cut off should the Palestinians go to the UN for unilateral statehood, only that it would have "implications" for the aid, and that the Senate will "consider restrictions" of aid should the Palestinians take that step. A full text of the bill can be found here.
Prayer Focus
Praise God for this strong move from the US Senate! Pray that this will serve as a strong deterrent to the Palestinians' push to bypass negotiations.
Scripture
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever…And gave their land as a heritage, for His mercy endures forever; a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 136:1, 21-22).
2. Israeli Seminar Presents Alternative to the Two-State SolutionA recent Israeli seminar focused on presenting an alternative to the two-state solution that would create a Palestinian state alongside Israel, instead proposing a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which Israel maintains control over Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.
One of the panel members was Ambassador (Ret.) Yoram Ettinger, a former consul-general of the Israeli Consulate in Houston in the US and now the CEO of Second Thought: A US-Israel Initiative. Speaking with Bridges for Peace in an interview, Ettinger slammed the land-for-peace concept as unworkable given the circumstances.
Instead, he proposed granting democratic rights to Palestinians in the West Bank while maintaining a peace based on deterrence. "A two-state solution is a concept detached completely from Middle Eastern reality," said Ettinger.
"Anybody who is familiar with the topography, geography and the political reality in the wide context of the Middle East knows that there's no room for two states-especially two potentially actively rivaling states between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean…When it comes to the only viable solution consistent with the existence of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, that solution means a full control by the Jewish State of the entire area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean."
He described a one-state solution plan in which Israel would maintain its Jewish character while also maintaining democratic rights given to its minorities. The plan would eventually involve Israel formally annexing Judea and Samaria as Israeli territory, having first cleared out that region of those connected to terrorism.
At that point, the Palestinians not connected in any way to terrorism would be granted Israeli citizenship, which would give them access to human rights not truly enjoyed by the general public in numerous states, including Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia-rights that are today enjoyed by Israeli Arabs and include the right for each person to vote and the right to criticize the government.
It is unclear how many, if any, of the West Bank Palestinians would accept such a scenario. However, Ettinger said that those who are under Israeli sovereignty now-Arabs in east Jerusalem and Israeli Arabs in other areas of the country-don't want to leave Israel and become part of a Palestinian state.
As for the benefits to Israel of such a one-state solution, they would be able to retain what Ettinger called the core of Israel's cradle of history in Judea and Samaria, which includes such notable locations as Bethlehem, Jericho, Abraham's tomb and more. It would also provide Israel with secure borders they could realistically defend.
He believes that based on history and current circumstances, retreat and withdrawal from Judea and Samaria would actually encourage conflict with "no chance for peace." He said that the only peace that can work in a region filled with inter-Arab conflict for centuries is a "deterrence-driven peace." He also pointed to the layout and topography of Judea and Samaria as key to Israel's defense.
Ettinger dismissed the demographic concerns that a one-state solution would eventually be overrun by Arabs and Palestinians. According to Ettinger, counting the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and Arabs in the rest of Israel combined, Jews would still count for 66% of the total population.
Ettinger argued that the two-state solution actually runs counter to American Free World interests in the Middle East, noting as an example that the Palestinian Authority "caused the flight" of Christians away from Bethlehem.
And even if the international community did not initially accept Israel's annexing the West Bank, Ettinger believes Israel would earn respect by standing up for themselves, even if they don't win "popularity contests."
(Excerpts of an article by Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 30, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that this alternative plan will gain impetus so a two-state solution will be derailed. Pray that Israeli Arabs-and even Palestinians living in the West Bank-who want to enjoy the benefits of Israeli sovereignty, will let their voices be heard.
Scripture
"'And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance,' says the Lord GOD" (Ezekiel 47:23).
3. Hizbullah Moving Missiles from Syria to LebanonThe French newspaper Le Figaro is reporting that Hizbullah is moving its missile arsenal from Syria to Lebanon as a precaution against the possible fall of its patron, Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad. The report, citing an unidentified "Western expert," identified the missiles as Iranian-made Fajr 3s and Fajr 4s.
The paper reports Hizbullah is concerned that the moving process by truck will expose the missiles to Israeli surveillance satellites. The report reiterates concerns for the American government in light of the involvement of Hizbullah in the new Lebanese government.
On Friday [June 24], Hizbullah chief Sheikh Nasrallah admitted in a televised speech that his group was infiltrated by CIA agents. He claimed the CIA became involved when Israel itself was unable to penetrate Hizbullah. There is no confirmation from the U.S. or Israel that any of those arrested had any links to the respective governments.
(Excerpts of a report by The Media Line, June 26, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that all subversive moves such as these will be brought to the light. Pray for Israel's security forces as they make plans to counter all threats against the country.
Scripture
"For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me" (Psalm 18:39).
4. Iran Shows Off Missile Silos that Target Israel, U.S. BasesIranian state television on Monday [June 27] broadcast footage of missile silos with the claim that medium and long-range Shihab missiles are "ready to hit pre-determined targets." The presumed targets within range include most of Israeli and American military bases located in the Middle East.
A spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard, which is responsible for the missile batteries, said the silos are located throughout the country and cannot be detected by satellite imaging. The missiles were presented as a defensive asset in the event Iran is attacked.
On Tuesday [June 28] as ten days of war games got underway, the [Iranian] FARS news agency reported that 14 rockets were test-fired. The various missiles in the Iranian arsenal were all included, and five were launched simultaneously in one exercise.
On Monday, a Russian deputy foreign minister announced that the 1,000-megawatt Bushehr plant being built by Russia as part of a [US] $1 billion deal-Iran's first nuclear facility-will go online in August. The plant has been plagued by problems that delayed its completion.
(By The Media Line, June 28, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that God's mercy will be upon Israel and the US as Iran continues to become a more powerful enemy. God never slumbers or sleeps, so pray that He will graciously keep Israel and the US ever alert.
Scripture
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by" (Psalm 57:1).
5. IDF Fears Flotilla Activists Will Try to Kill SoldiersMilitary elements monitoring the Gaza flotilla [leaving Greece June 28] said that radical elements taking part in the sail have said they were planning "surprises for the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]" and plan to kill many soldiers. The information suggests that radicals are planning to equip some of the vessels with bags containing chemicals, possibly sulfur, which they will use against soldiers who may try to take over the ships.
It has recently been estimated that only 8 ships will take part in the sail, instead of 15. Some 500 activists are expected to board the vessels, half the original estimated number. They will include several prominent Hamas members such as Amin Abu Rashad, who heads a charity in Holland and Mohammed Ahmed Hanoun.
The US, on its part, continues to issue warnings to citizens and journalists against participating in the flotilla. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday [June 27] that the US is concerned with the situation, which could prove provocative and dangerous. She added there were other ways to transfer supplies to Gaza, stating that the mechanism created by Egypt and Israel was sufficient for such efforts.
Nuland urged restraint and expressed hope things won't turn out as they did last year [when flotilla activists attacked Israeli soldiers sent to commandeer the vessels and nine activists were killed as a result of the clashes]. She reiterated the US's support of Israel's right to defend itself against arms smugglings.
(Excerpts of an article by Hanan Greenberg, Boaz Fyler, Attila Somfalvi and Yitzhak Benhorin contributed, Ynetnews, June 27, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that these plans for violence will come to naught. Pray for the protection of the Israeli soldiers and for the decisions made in how to handle every situation that may arise.
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).
6. Terror Cell Planning Abductions NabbedA group of Palestinians belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) were arrested near Ramallah on suspicion of planning a series of terrorist attacks on Israel. The Shin Bet [Israeli security agency] and the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] said that the cell was planning to kidnap Israeli soldiers, among other plots.
Some of the suspects are residents of east Jerusalem who hold Israeli citizenship. According to the security forces, the Palestinians were arrested while preparing to carry out the attacks. The preparations included purchasing of weapons.
The Shin Bet has interrogated more than 20 operatives who are suspected of belonging to the terrorist cell. Prominent members of the group have extensive military experience and have been previously detained in Israel; some more than once.
Among the detainees is Nasser Abu Hadir, a 50-year-old resident of the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat who holds Israeli citizenship. He is a senior operative at the PFLP and has a rich history of terrorist activity. In 1981, an explosive device detonated in his hands while he was preparing it, deforming his face and hands. After his release from prison in 1986, he continued with his involvement in violent activities, and has been arrested several times.
Abu Hadir confessed during Shin Bet questioning that he was responsible for military infrastructure and served as a liaison officer with the group's headquarters abroad. In February 2011, he traveled to Jordan, where he contacted senior PFLP officials in Syria to request financing for the cell's military activity, as well as help in getting members abroad for training. The investigation also found that Abu Hadir ordered members to obtain guns and silencers.
Another prominent operative who lead one military unit was Walid Habas, 31. Habas took part in lynching an IDF soldier in 1998 and consequently served time in an Israeli prison. Shortly after being released in 2007, he began recruiting operatives for the PFLP's military cells.
Habas admitted during questioning that, under Abu Hadir's command, he purchased weapons for a cell he recruited and that the members of his cell attempted to produce explosive devices. He also admitted that Abu Hadir has discussed with him the possibility of traveling to Iran for military training.
Habas' cell plotted to carry out a series of terrorist attacks, including abducting a soldier, shooting at Israeli neighborhoods and soldiers around Ramallah and Jerusalem, placing explosive devices in the Halamish settlement and in a hotel near Sheikh Jarrah [in east Jerusalem], and murdering a man suspected of collaborating with Israel.
Yet another detainee is Fares Barghouti, 33. Barghouti served time in an Israeli prison in 2001-2005 for his membership in a military cell, involvement in army training, and planning terrorist attacks. He was freed as part of a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He was arrested again a year after his release when he returned to serve in the PFLP's military. Barghouti was recruited to Habas' cell in 2010. He admitted during questioning that he purchased guns, silencers and other weapons for the cell's use.
(Excerpts of an article by Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, June 27, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for uncovering this serious plot against Israel!
Scripture
"He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me" (Psalm 18:17).
7. Kidnapped Soldier Gilad Shalit Marks Five Years in CaptivityIsrael Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit-kidnapped by Gaza terrorists in a cross-border raid and held by Hamas since June 25, 2006-marked his fifth year in captivity on Saturday [June 25]. Hamas has refused to grant the Red Cross access to Shalit and has not granted a verifiable proof of life of the captive soldier since a video released in 2009.
Last Friday [June 24], several organizations associated with human rights blasted the Gaza terror group for it's handling of Shalit. In a statement released on the Human Rights Watch Web site, the organizations urged Hamas to "immediately end inhumane and illegal treatment of Gilad Shalit."
The statement, endorsed by a number of groups including Amnesty International and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Gaza, noted the lack of outside contact given Shalit. "Those holding him have refused to allow him to communicate with his family, nor have they provided information on his well-being and the conditions in which he is being held. The organizations stress that this conduct is inhumane and a violation of international humanitarian law."
The statement concluded by saying the Hamas authorities in Gaza "must immediately end the cruel and inhuman treatment of Gilad Shalit. Until he is released, they must enable him to communicate with his family and should grant him access to the International Committee of the Red Cross."
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post regarding Shalit on their Web site, noted that Shalit was taken by Gaza terrorists from within Israeli territory: "The kidnapping was part of an unprovoked attack which involved seven armed terrorists using a tunnel dug under the Israel-Gaza border."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that during Shalit's five years of captivity, "Hamas has continued to deny Gilad his most basic humanitarian rights, including Red Cross access. For five years, his family has suffered greatly, waiting for his return."
The statement concluded with a quote from Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu calling upon other nations to support Shalit. "The international community should act to end this intolerable situation. As Prime Minister Netanyahu stated [on May 23, 2011]: "I think that the entire civilized community should join Israel and the United States and all of us in a simple demand from Hamas: Release Gilad Shalit."
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 26, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the international community will rise up with a single voice for Gilad's release. Pray for Gilad's health and safety and for a miraculous release or escape.
Scripture
"Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword" (Psalm 17:13).
8. Hizbullah Members Reportedly Accused in Assassination CaseAfter months of anticipation, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) has issued indictments in the 2005 assassination of then-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, with the The Daily Star reporting that four Hizbullah members have been implicated in the murder. Citing a judicial source, the Lebanese newspaper said that a senior Hizbullah military commander, Mustafa Badreddine, has been accused of masterminding the car bomb attack that killed Hariri.
The Daily Star also said that a senior Hizbullah party official, Salim al-Ayyash, was accused of carrying out the assassination. While arrest warrants have been issued for those indicted, the STL is not revealing the names at this point. It remains to be seen if the indictments could lead to conflict in Lebanon.
The indictments were delivered to Lebanon on Thursday [June 30]. Press information on the STL Web site noted that despite the arrest warrants those accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Lebanon has to report to the STL on their efforts in making the arrests within 30 days. That could put the current Lebanese government in a quandary, as Hizbullah is a very influential part of the governing coalition and is believed to be one of the most politically powerful elements currently in the country.
In the past there have been fears that Hizbullah could even resort to force in the event of an indictment, although things have remained calm so far.
(Excerpts of an article by Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, July 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that peace, order, and justice will prevail during this indictment process.
Scripture
"Let us choose justice for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good" (Job 34:4).
9. MayDay Sends Alerts for Car Crash VictimsMeidad Pariente was driving from his home in Tel Aviv towards Dimona for a family get-together. About 20 kilometers [12.5 miles] north of Beersheva, he passed an accident scene. A young man was being wheeled into an ambulance on a gurney. When he reached his destination, the whole family had arrived-except for his youngest brother.
Four hours later, they received a phone call from Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva informing them that Pariente's brother had been in a serious car accident. When Pariente later spoke with his brother, he realized that it had been the very crash he had seen earlier.
The wait and the worry had been interminable, and Pariente was determined to do something to allow accident victims to inform their loved ones, even if that person is unconscious. Fortunately, the 41-year-old Pariente knows his way around software development as a long-time space systems engineer who worked for Israel Aerospace Industries for 16 years and was the chief engineer for the Amos 3 satellite.
What device would drivers have with them at all times that might be able to sense an accident, he wondered? That was easy: a cell phone. And how would the phone know when a driver was in trouble?
Given that Apple's iPhone remains the hottest and fastest-growing mobile device around, Pariente began to delve into its specs. "I quickly realized that Apple had built this amazing piece of hardware with built-in GPS and very high-precision accelerometers," Pariente says. Those accelerometers can judge how fast something-like a car-is traveling, and if there is a sudden change in speed.
The math is a little complicated. "A typical car accident is measured by an impact of 5G for more than 50 milliseconds," Pariente explains. By comparison, the earth exerts a gravitational pull of 1G, while a fighter pilot can travel at speeds generating 7G of force.
Once Pariente knew he could measure when an accident had occurred, it was relatively simple to create an app that would send a message to a pre-determined email address or generate up to 50 SMS messages to loved ones informing them there had been a collision. The app-known as MayDay-went live on February 22 after six months of development and is now available on the Apple app store.
Activated with a big on/off button, MayDay doesn't send its message until 60 seconds pass, giving the driver plenty of time to turn it off if it's been triggered in error. It makes quite a ruckus, flashing and generating a warning tone that makes it hard to ignore.
Another safety precaution: if the vehicle is going under 30 miles an hour, it won't work. That can be adjusted in case a user wants the app to trigger during, say, a fall while walking or biking. Pariente developed this feature after a man who requires a defibrillator contacted him and explained that he really enjoys walking on the beach, but since he never knows when he may have some sort of disruptive heart incident, he always needs to take along a chaperone. MayDay has given the man a new sense of freedom, Pariente says proudly.
(Excerpts of an article by Brian Blum, Israel21c, June 26, 2011)
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Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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