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Visit our Web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com | June 3, 2011 |
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1. Lebanese Army Works to Prevent Protests at Israeli Border2. Iran Cleric Implies Killing Israeli Children OK3. Palestinians Continue to Deny Israel's Right to Exist4. Arab League Supports Palestinian Push for UN Statehood Recognition5. Australian Official Calls on UN to Refer Assad to International Criminal Court6. Navy: Flotilla Won't Breach Blockade7. Sinai Spins Out of Control8. Venezuelan Jews Protest Promotion of 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion'9. Turning Up the Volume for Deaf Palestinians
1. Lebanese Army Works to Prevent Protests at Israeli Border
Just days ahead of the potential for renewed conflict at the border between Israel and Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has intervened to try and prevent Palestinian protesters from reaching the Lebanese side of the border. According to security sources cited by Lebanon's The Daily Star newspaper, the LAF declared the border area a closed military zone. Less than a month after protests and riots reached Israel's borders, including attempts to infiltrate into Israel, more protests have been planned for Sunday [June 5], although it remains to be seen where they will actually happen.
The protests are set to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, known in Arabic as the Naksa, or "setback," in which Israel, in a war of self-defense, took the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], Gaza Strip and Golan Heights from Jordan, Egypt and Syria respectively.
The official line on Thursday [June 2] from the UN forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL)-which are tasked with monitoring the situation between Israel and Lebanon-is that they do not have official notification from the LAF regarding assistance for handling protests at the border on Sunday. Speaking with Bridges for Peace, UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said security and maintaining law and order are the responsibility of the LAF, while UNIFIL supports them and assists them at their request.
Said Tenenti, "Our role is to monitor the cessation of hostilities, so we are also asking the parties to urge the maximum restraint if anything happens in that area, but we have no official notification of any kind of activities at the moment…
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the border issue in comments to a hi-tech convention in Jerusalem on Thursday. According to a translation of the comments into English posted on the Prime Minister's Office Web site, he said, "Like every country in the world, Israel has the right and the duty to guard its borders and protect them. That is why my instructions are clear: to respond with restraint, yet with the necessary resolve to protect our borders, our communities and our citizens."
Said the Israeli leader, "Those same factors [nations and terror groups] are expected in the next few days, once again, to challenge Israel's sovereignty and undermine the borders of the country."
Hizbullah is very influential in the south of the country, and according to Spyer hard to read on this due to the influence of Syria. The indications now are that Hizbullah is letting the LAF do what they feel they need to do at the border. He said the suggestion for now is that Hizbullah has "an interest in quiet," although it can't be predicted and Hizbullah could facilitate a provocation if their patrons in Syria want it.
As for Syria-whom Israel accused of allowing the protesters to reach the Syria-Israel border on May 15, resulting in riots and border infiltrations-the government is currently in the midst of a brutal repression of protests by its own people against the Bashar al-Assad regime. Spyer said Syria restricts freedom of movement in the south of the country and therefore if protesters do make it to the border it is with the permission of the Syrian authorities.
"It's possible that they will wish to [create another border incident]. They have an interest in trying to divert attention from their own energetic slaughter of their own people…We'll see; it's really not possible to predict."
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 2, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will intervene and protect the borders of the nation of Israel from violence or infiltration by protesters. Pray that any demonstrations would be peaceful.
Scripture
"Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy" (Psalm 61:1-3).
The protests are set to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, known in Arabic as the Naksa, or "setback," in which Israel, in a war of self-defense, took the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], Gaza Strip and Golan Heights from Jordan, Egypt and Syria respectively.
The official line on Thursday [June 2] from the UN forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL)-which are tasked with monitoring the situation between Israel and Lebanon-is that they do not have official notification from the LAF regarding assistance for handling protests at the border on Sunday. Speaking with Bridges for Peace, UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said security and maintaining law and order are the responsibility of the LAF, while UNIFIL supports them and assists them at their request.
Said Tenenti, "Our role is to monitor the cessation of hostilities, so we are also asking the parties to urge the maximum restraint if anything happens in that area, but we have no official notification of any kind of activities at the moment…
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the border issue in comments to a hi-tech convention in Jerusalem on Thursday. According to a translation of the comments into English posted on the Prime Minister's Office Web site, he said, "Like every country in the world, Israel has the right and the duty to guard its borders and protect them. That is why my instructions are clear: to respond with restraint, yet with the necessary resolve to protect our borders, our communities and our citizens."
Said the Israeli leader, "Those same factors [nations and terror groups] are expected in the next few days, once again, to challenge Israel's sovereignty and undermine the borders of the country."
Hizbullah is very influential in the south of the country, and according to Spyer hard to read on this due to the influence of Syria. The indications now are that Hizbullah is letting the LAF do what they feel they need to do at the border. He said the suggestion for now is that Hizbullah has "an interest in quiet," although it can't be predicted and Hizbullah could facilitate a provocation if their patrons in Syria want it.
As for Syria-whom Israel accused of allowing the protesters to reach the Syria-Israel border on May 15, resulting in riots and border infiltrations-the government is currently in the midst of a brutal repression of protests by its own people against the Bashar al-Assad regime. Spyer said Syria restricts freedom of movement in the south of the country and therefore if protesters do make it to the border it is with the permission of the Syrian authorities.
"It's possible that they will wish to [create another border incident]. They have an interest in trying to divert attention from their own energetic slaughter of their own people…We'll see; it's really not possible to predict."
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, June 2, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will intervene and protect the borders of the nation of Israel from violence or infiltration by protesters. Pray that any demonstrations would be peaceful.
Scripture
"Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy" (Psalm 61:1-3).
2. Iran Cleric Implies Killing Israeli Children OK
Evil words in Islamic Republic: A senior Iranian cleric, who is known as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's spiritual mentor, urged followers to continue suicide attacks against Israelis, including children. Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah, considered one of the Islamic Republic's most radical clerics, issued a religious edict on his Web site whereby suicide attacks are not only legitimate but are a must for every Muslim. The senior cleric was responding to a question from a follower regarding the difference between "martyr's death" and "suicide." The man, who wrote anonymously, noted that "some people say that martyrdom acts are considered suicide and are forbidden as they contradict Islam."
In response, Mesbah expressed his regret that his follower has fallen victim to "propaganda by Islam's enemies." He added that the follower was wasting his time instead of focusing on "uprooting the Zionist regime."
"When defending Islam and the nation of Muslim believers via martyrdom acts, this (suicide attacks) is not only permitted, it's a duty," Mesbah wrote.
The follower presented another question regarding Islam's position on harming Israelis, wondering whether "Hamas and Jihad actions against civilians" are forbidden. He also asked: "What about children killed in these attacks?"
The Iranian Ayatollah did not see fit to forbid the killing of children, only noting that Israelis can be harmed unless they openly express their objection to their government's position. He added that even in such cases, harming civilians is permissible "if they constitute a human shield or when the war against the oppressors hinges on attacking these civilians."
Beyond these insights, the cleric did not offer further instructions and failed to censure the killing of children.
Notably, for the followers of Mesbah, his words are considered as a binding religious edict. On several occasions in the past, Iranian President Ahmadinejad also spoke in favor of "martyrdom acts."
(Dudi Cohen, Ynetnews, May 31, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the international community will express outrage at this expression of a despicable and violent attitude that exists in Iran toward the nation and people of Israel.
Scripture
"O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his [wicked] scheme, [lest] they be exalted" (Psalm 140:7-8).
In response, Mesbah expressed his regret that his follower has fallen victim to "propaganda by Islam's enemies." He added that the follower was wasting his time instead of focusing on "uprooting the Zionist regime."
"When defending Islam and the nation of Muslim believers via martyrdom acts, this (suicide attacks) is not only permitted, it's a duty," Mesbah wrote.
The follower presented another question regarding Islam's position on harming Israelis, wondering whether "Hamas and Jihad actions against civilians" are forbidden. He also asked: "What about children killed in these attacks?"
The Iranian Ayatollah did not see fit to forbid the killing of children, only noting that Israelis can be harmed unless they openly express their objection to their government's position. He added that even in such cases, harming civilians is permissible "if they constitute a human shield or when the war against the oppressors hinges on attacking these civilians."
Beyond these insights, the cleric did not offer further instructions and failed to censure the killing of children.
Notably, for the followers of Mesbah, his words are considered as a binding religious edict. On several occasions in the past, Iranian President Ahmadinejad also spoke in favor of "martyrdom acts."
(Dudi Cohen, Ynetnews, May 31, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the international community will express outrage at this expression of a despicable and violent attitude that exists in Iran toward the nation and people of Israel.
Scripture
"O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his [wicked] scheme, [lest] they be exalted" (Psalm 140:7-8).
3. Palestinians Continue to Deny Israel's Right to Exist
The Palestinian Authority's [PA] ideology is to refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist. The media it owns and controls regularly publish articles that demonize the modern State of Israel and its establishment as a "colonialist plan". Recently, the official PA daily went even further, not just maligning the modern State of Israel but also labeling the Jewish/Israelite presence in the land of Judea/Israel 2000 years ago as a "crude form of colonialism".
Whereas Hamas openly denies Israel's right to exist in both English and Arabic, the PA professes in English before the international community to have recognized Israel's right to exist. As documented by Palestinian Media Watch, when addressing its own people in Arabic, the PA-like Hamas-completely denies Israel's right to exist.
The following is the PA daily's defining ancient Judea/Israel as "colonialism":
"The Zionists must acknowledge publicly, in front of the world, that the Jews have no connection to the Palestinian Arab land, upon whose ruins arose the colonialist settler Zionist plan that settles and expels, represented by the Israeli apartheid state. That which occurred two thousand years ago (i.e. the Jewish/Israeli presence in the land), assuming that it is true, represents in the book of history nothing more than invention and falsification and a coarse and crude form of colonialism."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 27, 2011]
The following are other examples of denial of Israel's right to exist from the official education and PA media:
Mahmoud Abbas, (in speech delivered by his representative, Abdallah Al-Ifranji):
PA Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash:
"History proves the Arab, Islamic and Palestinian right to this land and disproves all the Israeli claims that they have religious and historical rights in this land."
[PA TV interview (Fatah), March 2, 2010]
(Excerpts of an article by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, May 31, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the international community will recognize the danger of attempting to make peace through concessions with a "partner" who denies your very right to existence.
Scripture
"For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure" (Psalm 135:4).
Whereas Hamas openly denies Israel's right to exist in both English and Arabic, the PA professes in English before the international community to have recognized Israel's right to exist. As documented by Palestinian Media Watch, when addressing its own people in Arabic, the PA-like Hamas-completely denies Israel's right to exist.
The following is the PA daily's defining ancient Judea/Israel as "colonialism":
"The Zionists must acknowledge publicly, in front of the world, that the Jews have no connection to the Palestinian Arab land, upon whose ruins arose the colonialist settler Zionist plan that settles and expels, represented by the Israeli apartheid state. That which occurred two thousand years ago (i.e. the Jewish/Israeli presence in the land), assuming that it is true, represents in the book of history nothing more than invention and falsification and a coarse and crude form of colonialism."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 27, 2011]
The following are other examples of denial of Israel's right to exist from the official education and PA media:
Mahmoud Abbas, (in speech delivered by his representative, Abdallah Al-Ifranji):
PA Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash:
"History proves the Arab, Islamic and Palestinian right to this land and disproves all the Israeli claims that they have religious and historical rights in this land."
[PA TV interview (Fatah), March 2, 2010]
(Excerpts of an article by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, May 31, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the international community will recognize the danger of attempting to make peace through concessions with a "partner" who denies your very right to existence.
Scripture
"For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure" (Psalm 135:4).
4. Arab League Supports Palestinian Push for UN Statehood Recognition
The Palestinians officially have the support of the Arab League to pursue statehood recognition and membership in the United Nations, according to the BBC. A committee with the Arab League, which is made up of 22 Arab states, released a statement on Saturday [May 28] that said it "supports the appeal to the UN asking that Palestine, within the 1967 borders, becomes a full-fledged state," referring to the armistice lines between Israel, Jordan and Egypt prior to the 1967 Six-Day War, which would place the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] and the Gaza Strip in Palestinian control. In response, an Israeli spokesman called the Arab League decision "a mistake."
Peace negotiations between the sides were suspended last year by the Palestinians following the end of Israel's unprecedented gesture of a 10-month settlement construction freeze, with the Palestinians placing preconditions on the resumption of talks. Speaking with Bridges for Peace, Israeli Prime Minister's Office spokesman Mark Regev critiqued the Arab League decision and slammed the Palestinian refusal to negotiate.
Said Regev of the Arab League decision to support a UN approach to Palestinian statehood, "We think it's a mistake; it's unfortunate. The only way to achieve peace is through negotiations. You can't achieve peace through an outside order. Peace can only happen when both parties sit and negotiate it.
According to a report from CNN, citing the Qatar News Agency, the Arab League supports seeking UN membership in September for a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. CNN's report quoted the Arab committee's statement as saying they would "take all steps and make the necessary contacts to mobilize the support required from the [UN] Security Council members and political and geographical groups in the United Nations to ensure the issuance of this resolution."
The UN Security Council is the only body capable of enacting a legally binding Palestinian statehood recognition, although the United States is one of five nations that have veto power in the Council. While the US has yet to explicitly commit to veto a Palestinian statehood resolution, US President Barack Obama has expressed opposition to such a move and the US is widely expected to use its veto if necessary.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, May 30, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the non-Arab nations of the world will unite in their opposition to this unfortunate action, helping to direct the Palestinian leadership back to the negotiating table.
Scripture
"A land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God [are] always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year" (Deuteronomy 11:12).
Peace negotiations between the sides were suspended last year by the Palestinians following the end of Israel's unprecedented gesture of a 10-month settlement construction freeze, with the Palestinians placing preconditions on the resumption of talks. Speaking with Bridges for Peace, Israeli Prime Minister's Office spokesman Mark Regev critiqued the Arab League decision and slammed the Palestinian refusal to negotiate.
Said Regev of the Arab League decision to support a UN approach to Palestinian statehood, "We think it's a mistake; it's unfortunate. The only way to achieve peace is through negotiations. You can't achieve peace through an outside order. Peace can only happen when both parties sit and negotiate it.
According to a report from CNN, citing the Qatar News Agency, the Arab League supports seeking UN membership in September for a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. CNN's report quoted the Arab committee's statement as saying they would "take all steps and make the necessary contacts to mobilize the support required from the [UN] Security Council members and political and geographical groups in the United Nations to ensure the issuance of this resolution."
The UN Security Council is the only body capable of enacting a legally binding Palestinian statehood recognition, although the United States is one of five nations that have veto power in the Council. While the US has yet to explicitly commit to veto a Palestinian statehood resolution, US President Barack Obama has expressed opposition to such a move and the US is widely expected to use its veto if necessary.
(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, May 30, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the non-Arab nations of the world will unite in their opposition to this unfortunate action, helping to direct the Palestinian leadership back to the negotiating table.
Scripture
"A land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God [are] always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year" (Deuteronomy 11:12).
5. Australian Official Calls on UN to Refer Assad to International Criminal Court
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has called on the United Nations to refer Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Rudd also announced that Australia had widened sanctions against the Assad regime as the latter was continuing its brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters. The measures include financial sanctions and travel bans targeting Assad, 25 other individuals and seven Syrian entities. But Rudd said the international community should do more.
"I believe it is high time the [UN] Security Council now consider a formal referral of President Assad to the International Criminal Court," he told the National Press Club in Canberra. The former Australian prime minister said: "When you see such large-scale directed action by a head of government against his own civilian population...the deepest questions arise in the minds of the people of the world as to whether any claim of legitimacy remains."
Rudds comments came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also ramped up her rhetoric on Assad. "He has not called an end to the violence against his own people and he has not engaged seriously in any kind of reform efforts. Every day that goes by, the position of the government becomes less tenable and the demands of the Syrian people for change only grow stronger."
Rudd and Clinton both expressed concern over the reported torture and murder by security forces of a 13-year-old boy in the Daraa region. An estimated 1,100 civilians have been killed and at least 10,000 arrested in the regime's crackdown.
(By World Jewish Congress, June 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the violence in Syria comes quickly to an end with no further loss of life. Pray that stability will be restored for the sake of the region as well as that of the Syrian people. Pray that those responsible for mass slaughter of innocent civilians be held accountable.
Scripture
"Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise" (Isaiah 60:18).
"I believe it is high time the [UN] Security Council now consider a formal referral of President Assad to the International Criminal Court," he told the National Press Club in Canberra. The former Australian prime minister said: "When you see such large-scale directed action by a head of government against his own civilian population...the deepest questions arise in the minds of the people of the world as to whether any claim of legitimacy remains."
Rudds comments came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also ramped up her rhetoric on Assad. "He has not called an end to the violence against his own people and he has not engaged seriously in any kind of reform efforts. Every day that goes by, the position of the government becomes less tenable and the demands of the Syrian people for change only grow stronger."
Rudd and Clinton both expressed concern over the reported torture and murder by security forces of a 13-year-old boy in the Daraa region. An estimated 1,100 civilians have been killed and at least 10,000 arrested in the regime's crackdown.
(By World Jewish Congress, June 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the violence in Syria comes quickly to an end with no further loss of life. Pray that stability will be restored for the sake of the region as well as that of the Syrian people. Pray that those responsible for mass slaughter of innocent civilians be held accountable.
Scripture
"Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise" (Isaiah 60:18).
6. Navy: Flotilla Won't Breach Blockade
The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is gearing up for the nearing Gaza-bound flotilla, set for June. A senior Navy source told Ynet on Tuesday [May 31] that Israel's marine forces have learned a great deal from the tragic results of the first Gaza flotilla, and are readying for any scenario. "We are anticipating and training for a variety of scenarios and our deployment will cover various aspects, not only operational ones. We aim to be ready for anything, even various surprises," the source said. The Navy, he added, "hopes the sail will be aborted, but at the end of the day, we will not allow vessels to breach the blockade on Gaza. We will be able to take control of the ships and stop them-if we have to," he stressed.
Earlier Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz addressed the nearing sail, saying that its organizers "are acting out of hate, with the intent to create provocation and agitate spirits, not out of any desire to assists Gaza's population."
The military stressed that any vessel trying to breach the maritime blockade would be stopped by the Navy. The future operation will include the Israeli Naval Commandos, as well as other IDF units, which have been holding joint exercises to that effect over recent weeks.
One of the Navy's goals-in case it has to take the ships-is to have forces board them expeditiously, thus giving them a tactical advantage that would allow them to control the vessels rather immediately.
The IDF is, however, gearing for extreme scenarios as well, such as the passengers assaulting the troops using weapons or explosives.
Israel, which is still trying to stop the intended sail with diplomatic measures, has suggested that the ships unload their goods either in an Israeli port or an Egyptian one, which will allow security forces to inspect the goods for any contrabands prior to shipping them to Gaza.
The second Gaza flotilla is scheduled to set sail to Gaza at the end of June. Some 15-20 vessels, carrying 1,250 people, are expected to take part in it. Turkey's IHH group is heading this flotilla, as it did the first.
(By Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, May 31, 2011)
Editor's Note: Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is intended to keep weapons etc. from terrorists.
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will intervene and stop these ships from ever leaving port. Pray that He will bless Israel's diplomatic efforts to stop this provocative and very dangerous action.
Scripture
"Fear not, for I [am] with you; be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish" (Isaiah 41:10-11).
Earlier Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz addressed the nearing sail, saying that its organizers "are acting out of hate, with the intent to create provocation and agitate spirits, not out of any desire to assists Gaza's population."
The military stressed that any vessel trying to breach the maritime blockade would be stopped by the Navy. The future operation will include the Israeli Naval Commandos, as well as other IDF units, which have been holding joint exercises to that effect over recent weeks.
One of the Navy's goals-in case it has to take the ships-is to have forces board them expeditiously, thus giving them a tactical advantage that would allow them to control the vessels rather immediately.
The IDF is, however, gearing for extreme scenarios as well, such as the passengers assaulting the troops using weapons or explosives.
Israel, which is still trying to stop the intended sail with diplomatic measures, has suggested that the ships unload their goods either in an Israeli port or an Egyptian one, which will allow security forces to inspect the goods for any contrabands prior to shipping them to Gaza.
The second Gaza flotilla is scheduled to set sail to Gaza at the end of June. Some 15-20 vessels, carrying 1,250 people, are expected to take part in it. Turkey's IHH group is heading this flotilla, as it did the first.
(By Hanan Greenberg, Ynetnews, May 31, 2011)
Editor's Note: Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is intended to keep weapons etc. from terrorists.
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord will intervene and stop these ships from ever leaving port. Pray that He will bless Israel's diplomatic efforts to stop this provocative and very dangerous action.
Scripture
"Fear not, for I [am] with you; be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish" (Isaiah 41:10-11).
7. Sinai Spins Out of Control
Blocking ports, hit-and-run attacks on Egyptian forces and storming military headquarters with little opposition are just a series of events that have driven the Sinai into unprecedented chaos as Cairo's authority wanes before disgruntled Bedouin residents. "The situation here is very tense," an American aid worker living in the northern Sinai city of Al-Arish told The Media Line on condition on anonymity, as he was not authorized to talk to the media. "The Bedouin in northern Sinai took the Egyptian revolution as an opportunity to take revenge on the Egyptian security forces, which they believe have persecuted them for years."
Just this weekend, masked men driving a truck plowed into an Egyptian military checkpoint in the southern Sinai region of Abu-Zanima, critically injuring a 20-year-old soldier before escaping.
The same day as the attack on the Egyptian army checkpoint, dozens of armed Bedouins stormed the Red Sea port of Nuweiba in south-eastern Sinai, blocking all incoming and outgoing maritime traffic. The men were protesting the confiscation of a car whose driver used false papers, security forces said.
On Saturday night, hundreds of civilians forcefully entered the security headquarters in the city of Al-Tur, the administrative capital of southern Sinai. They complained that unknown gunmen had attacked a local jewelry shop, with no opposition by local security forces.
The aid worker revealed that three of the four police stations in the area have been shut down following attacks by machine-gun toting Bedouins, some armed with rocket propelled grenades. The attackers stole weapons from the buildings and released prisoners held inside, he said.
A security crackdown against the Bedouins in northern Sinai began following a chain of terrorist attacks targeting tourists in the resort towns Taba, Sharm Al-Sheikh and Dahab in 2004 and 2006. Members of the Tarabin tribe of northern Sinai were implicated by Egyptian security for involvement in the attacks, and mass arrests ensued.
Pipelines leading natural gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan through Sinai were bombed twice, in February and April, cutting essential supplies to both countries.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu referred to the security deterioration in Sinai, putting the blame on international terror organizations.
"Egypt is struggling to impose its sovereignty over Sinai, as we have witnessed in the two explosions that recently occurred there," Netanyahu told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday [May 30]. "Global terror organizations are meddling there, and it's only getting worse because of Sinai's connection to Gaza." Netanyahu added that Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian organization ruling the Gaza Strip, has also increased its presence in Egypt as a result of the political instability suffered by its patron, Syria.
Clashes between Egypt's security apparatus and indigenous Bedouins was nothing new, but Major General Sa'id admitted that the recent opening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Sinai created new and ominous security realities for Egypt. "We were always worried about the entry of people from the Gaza Strip with extremist views," he said. "The opening of the Rafah crossing has created new security problems."
(Written by David E. Miller, The Media Line, June 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that stability will be restored to this southern border area. Pray that the Lord will protect the natural gas pipelines that lead from Egypt to Israel and Jordan as well as the border with Gaza.
Scripture
"And he said: 'The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer'" (2 Samuel 22:2).
Just this weekend, masked men driving a truck plowed into an Egyptian military checkpoint in the southern Sinai region of Abu-Zanima, critically injuring a 20-year-old soldier before escaping.
The same day as the attack on the Egyptian army checkpoint, dozens of armed Bedouins stormed the Red Sea port of Nuweiba in south-eastern Sinai, blocking all incoming and outgoing maritime traffic. The men were protesting the confiscation of a car whose driver used false papers, security forces said.
On Saturday night, hundreds of civilians forcefully entered the security headquarters in the city of Al-Tur, the administrative capital of southern Sinai. They complained that unknown gunmen had attacked a local jewelry shop, with no opposition by local security forces.
The aid worker revealed that three of the four police stations in the area have been shut down following attacks by machine-gun toting Bedouins, some armed with rocket propelled grenades. The attackers stole weapons from the buildings and released prisoners held inside, he said.
A security crackdown against the Bedouins in northern Sinai began following a chain of terrorist attacks targeting tourists in the resort towns Taba, Sharm Al-Sheikh and Dahab in 2004 and 2006. Members of the Tarabin tribe of northern Sinai were implicated by Egyptian security for involvement in the attacks, and mass arrests ensued.
Pipelines leading natural gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan through Sinai were bombed twice, in February and April, cutting essential supplies to both countries.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu referred to the security deterioration in Sinai, putting the blame on international terror organizations.
"Egypt is struggling to impose its sovereignty over Sinai, as we have witnessed in the two explosions that recently occurred there," Netanyahu told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday [May 30]. "Global terror organizations are meddling there, and it's only getting worse because of Sinai's connection to Gaza." Netanyahu added that Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian organization ruling the Gaza Strip, has also increased its presence in Egypt as a result of the political instability suffered by its patron, Syria.
Clashes between Egypt's security apparatus and indigenous Bedouins was nothing new, but Major General Sa'id admitted that the recent opening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Sinai created new and ominous security realities for Egypt. "We were always worried about the entry of people from the Gaza Strip with extremist views," he said. "The opening of the Rafah crossing has created new security problems."
(Written by David E. Miller, The Media Line, June 1, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that stability will be restored to this southern border area. Pray that the Lord will protect the natural gas pipelines that lead from Egypt to Israel and Jordan as well as the border with Gaza.
Scripture
"And he said: 'The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer'" (2 Samuel 22:2).
8. Venezuelan Jews Protest Promotion of 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion'
The Jewish Community Confederation of Venezuela (CAIV) has lodged a protest with the country's attorney general in which it denounced the promotion of the pamphlet 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion' by a state-owned media outlet. In April, in her program 'La noticia final', the 'Radio Nacional de Venezuela' presenter Cristina González highly recommended her listeners to read the anti-Semitic text. It was put into circulation in Russia in 1903 and aims to create the illusion of a world-wide Jewish conspiracy. The forgery was used by the extreme Russian right and later by Adolf Hitler against the Jews.
"The Venezuelan Jews know that the promotion of this anti-Semitic leaflet only generates hatred and discrimination, therefore violating the constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. That is why we request the Office of the Attorney General to open an investigation and establish exemplary responsibilities. We are convinced that the Venezuelan Government, as stated publicly by our president of the Republic [Hugo Chavez], has the will to fight these types of situations, and that this complaint will bring positive results in benefit of the peace and harmony of all the Venezuelan society," the CAIV said in a statement.
CAIV President Salomon Cohen Botbol expressed confidence that the attorney-general would take action against González.
(By World Jewish Congress, May 27, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord's protection continues to extend to the Jewish people living in the Diaspora as well as Israel Pray that the Venezuelan government will put a stop to the promotion of this anti-Semitic slander.
Scripture
"A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit" (Proverbs 14:5, 8).
"The Venezuelan Jews know that the promotion of this anti-Semitic leaflet only generates hatred and discrimination, therefore violating the constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. That is why we request the Office of the Attorney General to open an investigation and establish exemplary responsibilities. We are convinced that the Venezuelan Government, as stated publicly by our president of the Republic [Hugo Chavez], has the will to fight these types of situations, and that this complaint will bring positive results in benefit of the peace and harmony of all the Venezuelan society," the CAIV said in a statement.
CAIV President Salomon Cohen Botbol expressed confidence that the attorney-general would take action against González.
(By World Jewish Congress, May 27, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Pray that the Lord's protection continues to extend to the Jewish people living in the Diaspora as well as Israel Pray that the Venezuelan government will put a stop to the promotion of this anti-Semitic slander.
Scripture
"A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit" (Proverbs 14:5, 8).
9. Turning Up the Volume for Deaf Palestinians
The plight of hearing-impaired people in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] fell on deaf ears-until a joint American-Israeli humanitarian project outfitted 1,000 Arabs from the Palestinian Authority [PA] town of Tulkarm with hearing aids this month. The hearing aids were distributed in cooperation with the Sheba Medical Center, the US-based Starkey Hearing Foundation, and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. A hearing aid means the world to young people like Riham Zuheir Kassem, a five-year-old girl left deaf after contracting viral meningitis when she was seven months old. Her mother had tried to get medical care for the child in Jerusalem, but couldn't afford it. Now, Riham will be able to hear, attend school and live out her potential in life.
A hearing aid will improve the quality of life for older Palestinians as well, like Muhammad Arzall, a 50-year-old farmer whose hearing gradually deteriorated as he got older. Arzall didn't have the money to purchase a hearing aid, so he went without-until now.
Operating under secrecy because of security concerns in the Palestinian Authority, where it can be dangerous and even deadly for Israelis to travel, the team of 20 Israeli doctors and hearing specialists, with representatives from the Starkey Foundation, traveled to Tulkarm to do fittings in April. They returned a month later to distribute the hearing aids, answer questions and train users over the course of three days.
"It's a population which is in a great need for this hearing aid, and they can't afford them," Dr. Raphi Walden, a key organizer of the operation, tells ISRAEL21c.
The members of the delegation felt safe with an escort by an elite Palestinian force, and got an extremely positive response from the local community, adds Walden, a vascular surgeon who is the son-in-law of Israeli President Shimon Peres and is the deputy director of Sheba Medical Center and a leader of Physicians for Human Rights. "Lacking medical services, they can't afford to buy this equipment, which costs about US $1,000 apiece."
So the American Friends of the Sheba Medical Center appealed to the Starkey Hearing Foundation to donate assistive hearing devices (along with a year's supply of batteries to power them) to the Palestinians. The Physicians for Human Rights located those in need, and the Israelis fitted and trained patients, and will oversee maintenance checks in the future.
This small act of kindness by Americans and Israelis to the perceived enemy is just another of tens of dozens of humanitarian projects that Israelis help coordinate on a monthly basis.
(Excerpts of an article by Karin Kloosterman, Israel21c, May 29, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for this wonderful humanitarian action. Pray that the world will spread among the nations of the many positive and empowering things that Israel coordinates regularly for the Palestinian people.
Scripture
"Let Israel now say, 'His mercy endures forever'" (Psalm 118:2).
A hearing aid will improve the quality of life for older Palestinians as well, like Muhammad Arzall, a 50-year-old farmer whose hearing gradually deteriorated as he got older. Arzall didn't have the money to purchase a hearing aid, so he went without-until now.
Operating under secrecy because of security concerns in the Palestinian Authority, where it can be dangerous and even deadly for Israelis to travel, the team of 20 Israeli doctors and hearing specialists, with representatives from the Starkey Foundation, traveled to Tulkarm to do fittings in April. They returned a month later to distribute the hearing aids, answer questions and train users over the course of three days.
"It's a population which is in a great need for this hearing aid, and they can't afford them," Dr. Raphi Walden, a key organizer of the operation, tells ISRAEL21c.
The members of the delegation felt safe with an escort by an elite Palestinian force, and got an extremely positive response from the local community, adds Walden, a vascular surgeon who is the son-in-law of Israeli President Shimon Peres and is the deputy director of Sheba Medical Center and a leader of Physicians for Human Rights. "Lacking medical services, they can't afford to buy this equipment, which costs about US $1,000 apiece."
So the American Friends of the Sheba Medical Center appealed to the Starkey Hearing Foundation to donate assistive hearing devices (along with a year's supply of batteries to power them) to the Palestinians. The Physicians for Human Rights located those in need, and the Israelis fitted and trained patients, and will oversee maintenance checks in the future.
This small act of kindness by Americans and Israelis to the perceived enemy is just another of tens of dozens of humanitarian projects that Israelis help coordinate on a monthly basis.
(Excerpts of an article by Karin Kloosterman, Israel21c, May 29, 2011)
Prayer Focus
Praise the Lord for this wonderful humanitarian action. Pray that the world will spread among the nations of the many positive and empowering things that Israel coordinates regularly for the Palestinian people.
Scripture
"Let Israel now say, 'His mercy endures forever'" (Psalm 118:2).
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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