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1. Katyusha Rockets Explode in Western Galilee 2. Iranian Military Official Threatens NATO Missile Defense in Turkey 3. Netanyahu Issues Warning 4. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian Military 5. The PA Recognizes Israel Exists but Rejects Israel's Right to Exist 6. UK Accuses Iranian Regime of Complicity in Embassy Attack 7. Israeli President Discusses Palestinian Situation with Jordanian King 8. Israel's UN Envoy Slams Arabs over Refugees 9. "We'll Give Up Nukes if Iran Does Same"
1. Katyusha Rockets Explode in Western GalileeThe IDF [Israel Defense Forces] confirmed Monday night [November 28] that at least three Katyusha rockets exploded in the Western Galilee near the border with Lebanon. No injuries were reported, but several structures sustained damage. Security forces were searching for a fourth Katyusha shell believed to have landed on the Israeli side of the border.
Residents of Western Galilee told Ynet that they heard explosions in the region shortly after midnight on Tuesday. A local resident said, "I heard four explosions. The entire village is in shock. We didn't know what it was. Many people called the police to report the blasts."
Another resident added: "Around midnight, I heard a sound similar to rocket landing, only without the explosion." Western Galilee resident Eyal Shmueli said he saw a mushroom cloud billowing in the sky followed by the thick smell of gunpowder. "It was 20 meters [66 feet] from my house," he added.
The head of one of the Western Galilee regional council noted that the explosion occurred in a steep slope with thick vegetation. "We're not going to go in there right now. Maybe we'll find it in the morning," he said.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported that the military is responding with artillery fire on Lebanon. The IDF stressed that Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for the fire. The GOC Northern Command is on high alert.
In October 2009, a 107-millimeter [4.21 inches in diameter] Katyusha rocket exploded in open fields in the Galilee panhandle. Shortly after the incident, the IDF filed an official complaint with UNIFIL, which is stationed on the Israel-Lebanon border.
(By Maor Buchnik, Ynetnews, November 29, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Israeli military will have wisdom and insight in responding to this attack. Pray that it will not escalate into full-scale confrontation on Israel's northern border.
Scripture
"Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights. The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live" (Psalm 119:143-144).
2. Iranian Military Official Threatens NATO Missile Defense in TurkeyIran has a new potential target if their nuclear program is attacked: the NATO missile defense system in Turkey. According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said they have prepared and "if any threat is staged against Iran, we will target NATO's missile shield in Turkey and will then attack other targets."
While the NATO efforts are more traditionally thought [of] as serving Europe, Iran claimed they were instead intended to protect Israel. However, the Jewish state already has its own missile defense system, and the United States is cooperating in its ongoing development.
According to the IRGC Aerospace commander, Tehran may be able to rely on the Turks themselves to take down the missile defense shield, if need be. "The Turkish people are aware [of everything], and we are sure that Turkey's Muslims will stop this plot by themselves," Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by Fars, adding, "We are sure that the Muslim people of Turkey will promptly cut these systems into pieces under threatening conditions."
The Iranians routinely make threats, typically warning of retaliation if attacked. Tehran likely has several ways to respond should their nuclear program be hit. The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. In recent weeks, there have been reports of discussions or preparations for military action on Iran if necessary.
(By www.themideastupdate.com, November 27, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that neither the Iranian military nor Turkish Muslims will make good on these threats. Pray that the Lord will protect all forms of defense in the region against Iranian attack.
Scripture
"'And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you,' says the LORD. 'I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible'" (Jeremiah 15:20-21).
3. Netanyahu Issues WarningPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking [on November 28] at a Likud Party faction meeting at the Knesset [parliament], issued a firm warning on the Israel economy. The Prime Minister said that Israel must restrain itself from overspending. If Israel does not pay heed to the shakeup in many of the world's leading economies, it will pay a very high price.
Netanyahu's warning follows the adjustment downward of the OECD 2012 Israeli growth forecast to 2.9% from the previous forecast issued six months ago of 4.7%. Due to careful fiscal measures Israel has to a large extent so far managed to ride out many of the problems besetting the Euro zone economies and the United States.
The Israel unemployment rate is currently 6.4%. This compares with an average of 9.7% in the European Union countries and 9.1% in the US.
The Prime Minister was clear to point out that despite Israel's strong economy; she would always be dependent on continuing growth if Israel's trading partners were themselves in a good economic condition. Eventually, Israel would be affected if the recession in the United States and the Euro zone became even deeper, which seems very likely.
This week the Bank of Israel cut the interest rate by 0.25% to 2.75%. This was seen an indicator of falling export demand due to the world recession and the continuing strength of the shekel which has affected exporters' earnings. Another indicator of the Israel economy is the fact that house prices began to fall for the first time in almost four years. The indication is that prices will fall a little further in the coming year.
(By Isranet, November 28, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise God for the strong economy in Israel. Pray that the Lord will bless the nation's fiscal measures as well as her trading partners around the world, both of which have an impact on the economic situation.
Scripture
"And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: 'For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.' Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD…" (Proverbs 2:5-7).
4. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian MilitaryThe first of a three-stage election process in Egypt [took] place [on November 28] and should culminate next July with the presidential election. However, renewed riots and disturbances have cast doubt on Monday's events, let alone those scheduled to occur in six months' time. Plus, Egypt's military might be interested in delaying the elections, while the Muslim Brotherhood desperately wants them to transpire in order to exploit a historical opportunity to overtake a leading Arab country like Egypt.
In spite of the Muslim Brotherhood's great desire to hold on to this historical opportunity to cease seize power, the organization is quite alarmed by the events in Tahrir Square and may wish to see the Egyptian army restore order prior to making their bid for governmental rule. Of course, once the army re-establishes normalcy on the streets of Cairo, the Muslim Brotherhood risks losing its unique chance to rule.
The news reports of the events in Tahrir Square tell us that the Brotherhood was behind the renewed demonstrations. However, it soon regretted its actions and withdrew from the location that serves as the source of authority for the revolution. The reason was clear: the Brotherhood suspected that the army would exploit the unrest in order to proclaim the impossibility of holding elections at a time of such great disturbance.
To its astonishment, the Egyptians were not impressed. Not only did they remain in place but they escalated the clashes with local security forces. In response, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Consultative Council (Shura), Muhammad Derbala, uncharacteristically declared: "Tahrir Square will not decide the future of the country." He called to "leave the square in order to prepare for the electoral campaign."
Derbala's message was almost identical to the messages delivered by field marshal Tantawi a day earlier in his broadcast message to the Egyptian people. He stated that regime change would be achieved in the ballot box, with the new constitution endorsed by the nation in a referendum.
It seems as though the army and the Muslim Brotherhood have agreed not to allow the restive square to become the source of authority in Egypt or the undeclared parliament of the people.
The current crisis was triggered by the publication of a constitutional draft that ensured the army's independence from scrutiny by the civil government, giving it authority over the elected parliament as a guardian of the republic. At first glance, it would seem that the Muslim Brotherhood would find this quite objectionable and would be forced to respond.
However, a study of the Brotherhood's actual policy reveals that not only is it not antagonistic toward the Supreme Command, but may even be considered friendly. In a programmatic account of Muslim Brotherhood policies on its official Web site, the army was praised for its crucial role in achieving the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, thus returning Egypt to its role as a leader in Arab affairs.
Going even further, the Web site lauded the army for its role in reforming the country…, does not say that elections are premature, and even suggests that the army is still needed to stabilize the country.
As a result, while the Salafists [those espousing a puritanical approach to Islamic theology and jihad] and the masses in Tahrir Square shout and demand to depose the field marshal or put him in a cage like Mubarak's, the formal Muslim Brotherhood announcement has called for a dialogue with the army in order to return to law and order.
(Excerpts of an article by The World Jewish Congress, November 28, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will intervene in this conflict, restoring order and placing power in the hands of those who are most likely to maintain Egypt's historic peace with Israel and stabilizing influence in the region.
Scripture
"Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones" (Psalm 83:1-3).
5. The PA Recognizes Israel Exists but Rejects Israel's Right to ExistIsrael is wrong if it assumes that only Hamas loathes Israel, says Palestinian Authority [PA] Ambassador to India Adli Sadeq. Fatah does not respect Israel either. Moreover, the PA and Fatah utterly reject that Israel has any right to exist, he wrote in an article in the official PA daily:
During the first half of 2011, five such attacks were reported. "The Judea and Samaria region is a lot quieter than it has been in the past, though terrorism still exists. For example, the August 2010 shooting attack in Beit Hagai and the terrorist attack where the Fogel family was slaughtered last March," said a Central Command officer.
Palestinian Media Watch has reported extensively on PA/Fatah denial of Israel's right to exist. PA leaders and official PA media refer to all of Israel as "occupied," including cities like Haifa and Jaffa and places like the Galilee and the Negev. The following is the excerpt of PA Ambassador to India's denial of Israel's right to exist:
"The demands of this enemy [Israel] are strange and amazing demands, unique in the history of conflicts...They [Israelis] are not satisfied with Palestinian recognition that is a function of their state and its existence, but want recognition of the eternal right of Israel to exist. Possibly their nature will bring them to ask for compensation for the years that have passed without their state's existence, during the time it had the right to exist upon our skulls...
"Hamas, Fatah, and the others are not waging war against Israel right now for reasons related to balance of power. There are no two Palestinians who disagree over the fact that Israel exists, and recognition of it is restating the obvious, but recognition of its right to exist is something else, different from recognition of its [physical] existence."[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 26, 2011]
(By Itamar Marcus and Nan Ziberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, December 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel's leaders maintain their focus in the face of this kind of rhetoric, demanding that the Palestinian Authority officially recognizes the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state in their ancient homeland.
Scripture
"'I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given then,' says the LORD your God" (Amos 9:15).
6. UK Accuses Iranian Regime of Complicity in Embassy AttackOne day after a mob attacked British Embassy compounds in Tehran, the UK accused the Iranian regime of being complicit in the demonstrations and subsequently ordered the closure of the Iranian Embassy in London. Foreign Secretary William Hague, in comments to the House of Commons posted on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, said most of the demonstrators were from an organization "controlled by elements of the Iranian regime."
On Wednesday [November 30], Hague said they have received confirmation that the Iranian diplomatic police "belatedly assisted" in stopping the attack and further pointed out that Iran's past crackdown on protesters implies strongly their complicity in Tuesday's violence.
Said Hague, "Iran is a country where opposition leaders are under house arrest, more than 500 people have been executed so far this year and where genuine protest is ruthlessly stamped on. The idea that the Iranian authorities could not have protected our embassy or that this assault could have taken place without some degree of regime consent is fanciful."
As a result, Hague said they have closed their embassy in Tehran, decided to evacuate all their staff, and have also ordered the closure of the Iranian Embassy in London. He said that all of the Iranian diplomatic staff had to leave the UK within 48 hours. "If any country makes it impossible for us to operate on their soil, they cannot expect to have a functioning embassy here," said Hague.
Despite the serious diplomatic retaliation, Hague said they are not ending their relationship with Iran. He noted that there is still a reason for British and Iranian representatives to have contact, such as in negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. "This does not amount to the severing of diplomatic relations in their entirety," said Hague. "It is action that reduces our relations with Iran to the lowest level consistent with the maintenance of diplomatic relations."
The British actions come one day before Iran is set to be discussed at meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council. Additional sanctions on Iran over their nuclear program were already expected to be discussed even before the attack on the UK embassy. Hague expressed appreciation for the support from the United Nations, the United States, across Europe, Russia and elsewhere following the embassy incident.
The Iranian Fars News Agency had quoted Iranian students as linking Tuesday's violence to British actions against Iran, including recently intensified financial sanctions. In addition to unilateral action taken against Iran over their illicit nuclear activities, the UK is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which has passed its own sanctions. Hague made it clear that their roles would not be compromised by the embassy assault.
"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a leading member of the EU, we are proud of the role our country plays in maintaining international peace and security and standing up for human rights all over the world," said Hague. "If the Iranian government thinks we will be diverted from these responsibilities by the intimidation of our embassy staff, they will be making a serious mistake."
(By www.themideastupdate.com, November 30, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the United Kingdom will remain strong in its commitment to standing against the Iranian regime and its excesses, refusing to buckle to threats and intimidation.
Scripture
"Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking. Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established" (Proverbs 24:1-3).
7. Israeli President Discusses Palestinian Situation with Jordanian KingPresident Shimon Peres of Israel met on Monday [November 28] morning with Jordanian King Abdullah II in the Jordanian capital of Amman. According to a press release from Peres' office, the two leaders discussed "various bilateral issues as well as ways to overcome obstacles in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and exchanged views regarding recent developments in the region."
Prime Minister's Office spokesman Mark Regev said, "President Peres's comments were coordinated with the Prime Minister [Netanyahu], and those comments included our ideas on how best to get the peace process restarted."
The Jordanian PETRA news agency said the visit came after King Abdullah visited Ramallah [in the West Bank or Judea/Samaria] last week and implied that Peres presented steps for restarting the suspended peace process with the Palestinians.
The Palestinians have repeatedly demanded that Israel again freeze settlement construction and accept general Palestinian demands for territory with the option of land swaps. Israel has so far declined to take those steps, instead repeatedly calling for the return to negotiations without preconditions.
The press release said that in Peres's meeting with Abdullah, Peres "stressed that reaching a solution of 'two states for two peoples' will be possible only via direct negotiations and not through appealing to the UN."
The press release noted Peres and King Abdullah plan to "continue their talks in the near future" and that this meeting was held "in a warm, friendly and open atmosphere." Jordan has the relatively unique regional position of having an open relationship with both Israel and the Palestinians.
When asked if Israel is hopeful that Jordan will try to pressure or talk the Palestinians into returning to peace talks, Regev said, "I think that the Jordanians have played in the past and continue to play a positive role, a moderating role, and we always look forward to engaging with them." Both the press release and Regev highlighted the importance of Israel's relationship with Jordan - one of the only Arab nations at peace with Israel.
"Israel has a strategic interest in the strength and the stability of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," said Regev. "We believe that the peace between Israel and Jordan is a foundation for stability in the region, and we will continue to act to cultivate that relationship."
(Excerpts of an article by Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, November 28, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that Israel's relationship with Jordan will remain peaceful, providing stability in the region and a relatively safe border for Israel.
Scripture
"Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed" (Psalm 85:10).
8. Israel's UN Envoy Slams Arabs over RefugeesWASHINGTON: Speaking at the United Nations on the occasion of the Partition Plan's 64th anniversary, Israel's UN Ambassador Ron Prosor said: "The difference between the two distinct populations was, and still is, that Israel absorbed the refugees into our society. Our neighbors did not.
Refugee camps in Israel gave birth to thriving towns and cities. Refugee camps in Arab countries gave birth to more Palestinian refugees. We unlocked our new immigrants' vast potential. The Arab world knowingly and intentionally kept their Palestinian populations in the second-class status of permanent refugees."
Prosor stressed that in the overwhelming majority of Arab states, Palestinians have no citizenship rights. Addressing the 1947 Partition Plan, which called for the establishment of a Jewish state alongside an Arab state in the area known as "Palestine," Prosor said that "Arab inhabitants rejected the plan and launched a war of annihilation against the new Jewish state, joined by the armies of five Arab members of the United Nations."
"One percent of Israel's population died in combat during this assault by five armies. Think about that price," the ambassador said. "It would be the equivalent of 850,000 soldiers dying in France today, or 3 million soldiers dying in the United States, or 13 million soldiers dying in China."
Prosor added that the basic question underlying the Arab-Israeli conflict has not changed for 64 years: "Has the Arab World, and particularly the Palestinians, internalized that Israel is here to stay and will remain the nation-state of the Jewish people? It is still unclear whether they are inspired by the promise of building a new state or the goal of destroying an existing one."
Israel's UN envoy ended his remarks by calling on the UN Assembly to "finally glean truth from this historic day, nourishing the seeds of peace in our region that can blossom into a brighter future."
(By Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, November 30, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for Ambassador Prosor's straight-forward presentation of the facts on the ground. Pray that his words will impact national leaders and UN decision makers.
Scripture
"…Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:20-21).
9. "We'll Give Up Nukes if Iran Does Same"WASHINGTON: Two-thirds of Israeli Jews are willing to give up Israel's nuclear weapons in return for Iran giving up its own program, a survey published on Thursday [December 1] claimed. According to the findings released by Saban Center for Middle East Policy, 65% of Israeli Jews preferred if neither Israel nor Iran held nuclear arms, and opted for a nuclear-free Middle East.
In contrast, some 19% of respondents said they want both countries to have nuclear capabilities. Asked a series of questions about the Israeli-Arab conflict, some two-thirds of respondents said the government must promote a comprehensive peace plan, based on 1967 borders with a demilitarized Palestinian state.
Some 71% said they agreed with a definition of Israel as "the homeland of the Jewish people and all its citizens." The survey was published ahead of the Saban Forum that will open in Washington on Thursday and is expected to draw senior American and Israeli officials including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Opposition chairwoman Tzipi Livni, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
The survey also indicated that the Israeli public is split over pursuing a military option in the Islamic Republic: some 43% of Israeli Jewish respondents said they support a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, while 41% opposed it. Among the Israeli Arab public, 68% opposed military action while only 4% supported it.
Asked whether they believed Tehran had an intention to develop nuclear weapons, 90% of Israeli Jews responded affirmatively, while only 47% of Israeli Arabs thought the same.
However, among the Israeli Arab population, 48% believed that a nuclear Iran will have negative influence on the Middle East, compared with only 17% that said it will have a positive affect. Surprisingly, when asked about their satisfaction with US President Barack Obama, most Israelis, who held a negative view of the president in 2010 (51% compared with 41%) seemed to have changed their minds.
At least 54% of Israeli Jews held a positive view of Obama, while only 39% expressed a negative view. However, 39% of respondents also said they were disappointed with Obama's policy in the Middle East, while 22% said they were encouraged by it and 35% expressed no stance.
(By Yitzhak Benhorin, December 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the deeply held desire for peace among most Israelis will be recognized and acknowledged by the international community while not influencing Israel to ignore real dangers or make unwise security decisions.
Scripture
"Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry" (Psalm 34:14-15).
Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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