Israel My Love --

God has a very special place in His heart for Israel --the land and the people

Zechariah 2:8-11 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye . For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me."

UNDERSTANDING ISRAEL TODAY...

Thinking outside the box about News & World Events...

Do U.S. disasters come after anti-Israel gestures? click here

Facing the consequences of dividing Israel . . .  a chronology 1991-2010  click here

 

Gulf oil well explosion happened after Netanyahu was disgraced at the White House & 1 day after U.S. said it would no longer automatically support Israel in the UN

Disaster hit  the US on April 20, following Obama's poor treatment of Netanyahu at his visit to the White House in March. That "dialogue" culminated in Fox News reporting on April 19 that the U.S.  would no longer back Israel at the UN Security Council. That announcement seems to have been designed to  hit Israel hard because was released on ISRAEL'S NATIONAL DAY OF INDEPENDENCE, WHEN THE ISRAEL'S PEOPLE WERE CELEBRATING THE FOUNDING OF ISRAEL IN 1948. The very next day disaster hit the US in the Gulf.

Under Pres. Obama, the U.S. is demanding that Israel divide their nation and Jerusalem. The Gulf BP oil well explosion happened April 20  -the day after the hugely significant change in U.S. policy toward Israel was announced - and the spill is  still is having a vast impact on the US,  its land and people.

During the March White House visit, it is reported that Netanyahu was only allowed to use the servant's entrance.  Obama kept him waiting for two hours while he was dining upstairs.  He was said to have put his feet up during their meeting so that the bottoms of his shoes were facing Netanyahu.  In case you didn't know, this is a great insult in the Muslim culture; it is reported that fotos of this were aired in Muslim nations.  Israelis understand this very well.  Then when Netanyahu left the White House, he was ushered out through the servant's exit.

________________________________________________________________

 

"KEEP AN EYE ON TURKEY"

Several years ago I felt strongly impressed to "keep an eye on Turkey." 

• ...that Turkey would become increasingly important in world events,

• that Turkey would play a critical role in the future with both Israel and America.

• that Turkey was in a sense hidden and was not being seen for what lies beneath the surface

  Most people I know are virtually ignorant of Turkey

• but  the time has come to monitor and be informed about Turkey.

 

TURKEY IS A BIGGER PLAYER THAN YOU THINK

DID YOU KNOW that Turkey has a larger standing army than any nation in Europe...all forces number in excess of 1,000,000 -and it is modern and well-trained!

• that Turkey has a large population, larger than any European nation except Germany

• that Turkey has a memory of recent world empire, and a national bent toward world conquest

• that Turkey is the cradle of humanity (the site of Mt Ararat for Noah's ark and the earliest known human agricultural sites)

• that Turkey was a cradle for Christianity. All 7 churches of the Book of Revelation were there.

• that Turkey is currently in great throes of change. Its old secular, pro-western, pro-Israel government is rapidly evaporating in favor of a fundamentalist Muslim rule

• that the word "genocide" was first coined in Turkey...for its treatment of non Muslims...up until last century, Turkey for centuries had a great population of Christians and many Jews.

• that Turkey has now banned Google, Facebook, and YouTube.

click here for my new blog   TURKEY WATCH

 

Good Video About ISRAEL'S NEED FOR DEFENSIBLE BORDERS

 

 

Produced by The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

TheJerusalemCenter's Channel

________________________________________________________________________

All content of this web-site  Copyright © 2010 ALIYAH PROJECT

All rights reserved.

Why Palestine -- And Why Not

Here is a fine summary of reasons why a Palestinian state is a direct threat to Israel's existence. The matter needs to be very seriously considered.

 

THE CASE FOR PALESTINAIN STATEHOOD:

The Economist,  for example, recently made clear why it strongly supports Palestinian statehood, and candidly wonders why any party could fail to support their bid in the UN (see "Yes to Palestinian Statehood", Sept. 24, 2011, p. 14)

The crux of their argument for a Palestinian state is: "The principle is simple: the Palestinians deserve a state, just as the Israeli's do. "

One could have said that of the South during the American Civil War, of Wales or Scotland vs. England, of Quebec in Canada, and so on from nation to nation around the world.  But of course, the matter goes far beyond what kind-hearted people feel that people in other lands "deserve."

Major economic, political, cultural, and especially military issue bear on matters of national sovereignty, and CANNOT BE IGNORED.

By way of support for their Palestinian position, The Economist, in the same article, also notes that "The United States, European Union, and Israeli government have all endorsed a two-state solution,"  albeit they go one to say that Mr. Netanyahu's acceptance 2 years ago was grudging.

But. in particular The Economist premises the need for a " two-state solution" on the assumption that a Palestinian state will make for a more secure Israel.

This assertion may appear to be logical if one assumes that if you give people what they want, they will be content.  However, this is not a a valid conclusion if one  examines the history of humankind, which is chronically conflict and greed-driven, or if one explores the factual data  that Mr. van der Hoeven presents below about the ISrael - Palestinian situation.

I find his  is one of the best summaries of the salient information that I have seen.

 ____________________________________________________________

Ten dangers posed by a Palestinian state               

--by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director

1. In today's situation, a major withdrawal from Judea and Samaria will field the same results as Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, where the Hizbollah and Hamas, respectively, seized control. Far from bringing peace, Israel's abandonment will turn those areas into a terror-based state.
2. Sixty percent or more of the Palestinians - according to a recently published poll - want not a two state solution but a one state solution whereby, through the so called peace process, the sovereign Jewish State of Israel will be replaced with the State of Palestine.
3. Even were an agreement to be reached with the Palestinian Authority, it would only be to the advantage of Hamas, which already rules over the Gaza Strip - home to half the Palestinian population, and which will do everything in its power to penetrate the new Palestinian State in Judea and Samaria with its people - turning it into a third terrorist sphere on Israel's doorstep.
4. Considering that the withdrawal from Gush Katif - under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and from Amona - by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - brought Israel to the verge of a civil war, what would the uprooting of 200,000 plus Israeli men, women and children do to the fabric of the Israeli nation? It would wreak havoc!
5. If, however, the unthinkable were to happen as a result of the pressure brought to bear by the world - and here at home by the Israeli left: who would financially compensate all these Israeli settlers for their beautifully-constructed homes? At more than $200,000 per home times, say, 80,000, this would come to a horrendous $16 billion! Would Israel recompense its own people? Would the already bankrupt USA? Who would reimburse the people for all they would lose? Despite its many promises, Israel's government has yet to fully compensate the "mere" 9000 Israelis who were driven forcefully out of their Gaza homes. And now we're talking about nearly a quarter of a million people!
6. Israel's main sweet water supply, apart from the overused Sea of Galilee, lies under the Samarian and Judean mountains. Should these become part of a future Palestine, the "water price" Israel's population will have to pay in the coastal plain of Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Ashkelon, etc. will be enormous, to the detriment also of millions of more moderate and peace loving Israelis. Who will supply this, the majority of Israel's population, with enough water once Israel has left the Samarian mountain range?
7. After all Israel's concessions since the days of the OSLO accords, and the subsequent painful willingness of Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert to cede more than 93% of the "occupied territories" to the Palestinians, the Arabs' response has always, only, been refusal. WHAT peace is then possible? Even now PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas remains adamant that he will NEVER accept a Jewish democratic state alongside his Palestine. Nor will Jerusalem, Ariel, Maaleh Adumim or Gush Etzion be able to remain inside Israel. All Palestinian refugees MUST be able to return to their original homes; and his future Palestinian state must be 'judenrein.' So what peace is then POSSIBLE, dear Israeli left?
8. With the very close cooperation today between Iran and the Hizbollah in Lebanon, and Iran and the Hamas in Gaza, together with the rapidly changing Muslim environment around Israel, from Turkey to Egypt, and the threatened peace even with Jordan, can we even imagine the danger an Islamic Palestinian State would pose, just 20 miles from Israel's main population centers of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa? Certainly this would spell the end of any security for Israel. As Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin once said, "A Palestinian state will arise on the ruins of the State of Israel."
9. Further: Without the mountain range of Judea and Samaria, Israel will be physically indefensible - without any of the strategic depth that is essential for her existence. On top of that, the heights overlooking Ben Gurion International Airport could easily be used to fire even shoulder-launched rockets at incoming airliners, destroying Israel's essential tourism industry with a single blow.
10. For the more than nine million Jews still living in an increasingly anti-Semitic and dangerous world, there will no longer be enough space or territory to make ALIYAH to. Israel, in a foolish, self-destructive rush for peace at any cost, will have made the most painful concession - giving away the last piece of land where Jews, if they needed it, would be able to find a home and safety! That's the reward for the self-destructive intellect of those who claim they have it!

Given the gravity of the situation, the seriousness of the hour, we urge you to circulate this message as widely as you can.

Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director

International Christian Zionist Center

Address:
International Christian Zionist Center
P.O. Box 49063
91490 Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Telephone: +972 (0)2 997 8808
Fax: +972 (0)2 997 1659
Email Address: iczc@iczc.org.il         
Web-site: www.israelmybeloved.com

 

An Hebrew version of this article is available.

see complete article at http://www.jewishindy.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16112

Don't Be Deceived By The News

Here is an interesting email that is circulating from Mike Evans, long-time friend and supporter of Israel and of the Prime Minister:

"From Mike Evans the founder of the Jerusalem Prayer Team"  

[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE HEADERS IN RED AND THE BLUE TYPEFACE ARE MY (DR. COHEN'S ADDITIONS.]

OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT UN SITUATION VIS-A-VIS ISRAEL

"I am here in New York City as your ambassador, standing for Israel against her enemies. Mahmoud Abbas presented his demand for full statehood recognition at the United Nations today, just minutes after telling a crowd of Palestinian leaders and supporters, "We shall not recognize a Jewish state."  Full recognition requires a vote of the Security Council, where the US has said it will use a veto if necessary to keep the measure from passing.  There are also reports of widespread violence in Palestinian towns and senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said, "States are not built on UN resolutions; states liberate their own land."

"The news media has presented a very slanted version of events, and I don't want you to be deceived.  President Obama's threat to veto the Security Council recognition of a Palestinian state does NOT mean that the danger is over.  Behind the scenes, the President is placing enormous pressure on my dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu to make the concessions being demanded by the Palestinians.  Mr. Obama is not backing down in any way from his support of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

 

POSTURING FOR THE 2012 U.S. PRESEDENTIAL ELECTION

"Many analysts believe that a political decision has been made with an eye toward the 2012 elections to have the President appear to support Israel in public while privately working to force the Jewish state to make impossible concessions in the name of peace.  While a US veto in the Security Council would be better than full UN recognition of Palestine as an independent nation, this matter is far from resolved.  The pressure being brought to bear on Israel to give in is incredible."

"Today the crucifixion of Israel is being prepared.  The enemies of the Jewish people are fully committed to their destruction.  If they are not stopped, they will rip Israel apart.  No one knows exactly what the Palestinians will do today...or what the UN will do in response.  This is a critical and pivotal prophetic moment, and I ask that you join me in urgent prayer for Israel and the Chosen People today.

"The bottom line is this...while a Security Council veto would deny the Palestinians official member status they can also seek upgraded observer status at the General Assembly as a non-member state. 

"This could be interpreted as implicit UN recognition of Palestinian statehood because the assembly would be acknowledging that the Palestinians control an actual state. The advantage of this option is that it would require only a simple majority of the General Assembly. Since around 120 countries have already recognized the state of Palestine to date, it would likely win such a vote overwhelmingly.

IMPLICIT PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD

"If the Palestinians were to be recognized as a non-member state, they would be able to sign certain international treaties, such as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which they cannot currently sign.  This will mean thousands of lawsuits against Israel and isolation and demonization of the State of Israel. 

"Now is our moment.  This is our time.  God has brought us together for this defining crossroads moment of human history.  Will you help me stand for Israel?  Will you pray for God's blessing and protection for me on this vital trip?  Will you give to meet the needs of the Jewish people and allow me to continue to stand for them on the world stage? 

"Every nation and individual that supports the plan to curse Israel and steal from her the land God promised the Jews as an eternal possession will suffer His chastisement and judgment.  Every nation and individual that opposes this plan and stands with Israel as a blessing to her will enjoy His blessing.  That is why we have launched a national campaign to rally opposition to the Obama Administration's plan, to expose the anti-Semitism that lies behind world efforts to curse Israel, and to support the Jewish people.  Your gift today to bless Israel is urgently needed...

 

BLESS ISRAEL AND BE BLESSED, AND VISA VERSA

"America is on a prophetic countdown to the gravest days in our history.  Israeli leaders have asked the Jerusalem Prayer Team for its support at the United Nations and as the nations of the world gather for the demonic Durban III conference to continue accusing Zionists of being racists.  The first Durban Conference occurred in 2001.  At that conference, the Palestinians distributed copies of the anti-Semitic "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" to all delegates.  It was the most evil, anti-Semitic UN assembly ever against Israel.

"The conference ended on September 8, 2001...and 72 hours later, the US was attacked by Radical Islam. I can assure you that in the spirit realm, this was no coincidence. God's Word promises a curse on any nation that touches Jerusalem.  Once before, an American President attempted to divide Jerusalem and surrender the Temple Mount to radical Islam.  That president was Bill Clinton.  Now President Obama plans to do the same--this time by formally recognizing a Palestine State at the UN in September within days of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
 
"I do not believe for a second that all the economic and political turmoil America is going through is coincidental.  America needs Divine intervention that can only come from God's people standing in the gap like Esther.  I am asking every Jerusalem Prayer Team member to stand up to Jew hatred like Corrie ten Boom and her family did in Holland during the Holocaust. 

 

MIKE EVANS' NEW BOOK THE PROTOCOLS CHALLENGES POPULAR ANTI-SEMETIC PROPAGANDA

"In my new book, "The Protocols," I reveal how so many of the modern expressions of anti-Semitism trace their roots back to "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion."  I wrote this thriller, "The Protocols," to expose to the world the fact that although it was uncovered as a forgery not long after it was written, millions of people today still accept it as truth...and act on that false belief.  My new book is a chilling look at how the tentacles of hatred of Jews reach even into our own country. 

    SEE THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS OF "THE PROTOCOLS":
http://tool.donation-net.net/Images/Email/1032/Protocols_Covers_3.pdf

PREVIEW CHAPTER ONE OF "THE PROTOCOLS":
http://timeworthybooks.com/TheProtocolsBook/theprotocolspreview.htm
 

WATCH MY CONVERSATION WITH GLENN BECK ABOUT "THE PROTOCOLS": http://www.youtube.com/user/jerusalemprayer#p/a/u/1/sKmFgYuQpfk


GO HERE TO POST YOUR PRAYER FOR ISRAEL: http://jpt.wbdev.com/Prayerwalls.aspx?PSID=25

The Jerusalem Prayer Team has set up a dedicated prayer wall especially for this campaign to defend Israel.  Post your prayers that God will guide your nation and turn the hearts of your leaders toward Israel...that He will grant Israel His favor and guard and defend His Chosen People.  Your prayers will be an encouragement to others, and we ask that you take a moment to share your prayers for the Jewish state...and that you continue to pray faithfully for the peace of Jerusalem....

 
"Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, ozier Yisrael bigvurah.

Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who girds Israel with might.

Your ambassador to Jerusalem,

Dr. Michael Evans

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDERSS BOOK AND ASK THEM TO JOIN US IN STANDING FOR ISRAEL


See this email online: http://tool.donation-net.net/CTBF/Preview20110923b.cfm?dn=1032&commID=231483545&ID=352336


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9th of Av is on August 9 in 2011... right around the corner!

Aug. 9 in the USA... the 9th of Av is almost here.

The 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av) is a traditional Jewish Day of Mourning -- a  day on which to pray that evil and destruction not come with the breaking of dawn. Why?

Look at the informative article we published last year by Dona Gracia Serrano Fenn of
Sephardim Hope International  to understand this important day on the Hebrew calendar.

Why is 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av ) an annual day of mourning for Israel?

click here http://www.israelmylove.com/2010/08/why-is-9th-of-av-tisha-bav-an-annual-day-of-mourning-for-israel.html

What is the truth about "The West Bank"?

It's Good To Get Our Details Straight and Not Be Sold "Politically Correct" Jargon that Distorts The Truth

Below is an important youtube video where Israel's Deput Foreign Minister Denny Ayalon traces in detail how Israel took over land in historic Israel that was being illegally occupied by JORDAN in 1967.

Interesting that Palestine didn't  exist in '67, and it was Jordan who had crossed the Jordan River into the land of Samaria and Judea.  Israel wrested that land from Jordan, whose western border had been clearly been set at the Jordan River! So Israel CANNOT BE SAID TO BE OCCUPYING PALESTINIAN LAND BY VIRTUE OF ISRAEL HOLDING THE SO-CALLED "WEST BANK."

 

Great video: 4000 History of Jerusalem in 5 Minutes!

Facing the consequences of dividing Israel

 

Are Natural Disasters in the USA Related to Its Treatment of Israel?

Here is the Table of Contents of a book on this topic. Poeple have asked me for more information about the thesis that USA gestures that are anti-Israel can reap natural disasters on her shores. This books delves deeply into the topic and tries to document the evidence. I think you will find the Table of Contents interesting.

Eye to Eye - Facing the
Consequences of Dividing Israel

 

Eye to Eye was revised, reformatted, and updated as of July 5, 2006. The years 2007, 2008 and 2010 catastrophes and events can be found under Page Two News and the "Eye to Eye" category by clicking here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Statement by U.S. Senator James Inhofe R-Oklahoma

Preface

 

CHAPTER 1: Historical Basis for Israel's Right to Its Land

 

CHAPTER 2: The Error Of Replacement Theology
Statements by The Vatican, National Council of Churches,
World Council of Churches, and Heads of Denominations
Statements by Christian Leaders Who Do Not View The Nation of
Israel as Biblically & Prophetically Significant

 

CHAPTER 3: U.S. Catastrophes and Events: 1991-1992
U.S. Administration: President George H. W. Bush
Table: Summary of Actions and Coinciding Catastrophes or Events
During Presidency of George H. W. Bush 1991-1992

 

CHAPTER 4: U.S. Catastrophes and Events: 1993-1996
U.S. Administration: President William J. Clinton
Table: Summary of Actions and Coinciding Catastrophes or Events
During Presidency of Bill Clinton 1993-1995

 

CHAPTER 5: U.S. Catastrophes & Events: 1997-2000
U.S. Administration: President William J. Clinton
Table: Summary of Actions and Coinciding Catastrophes or Events
During Presidency of Bill Clinton 1997-2000

 

CHAPTER 6: U.S. Catastrophes and Events: 2001-2004
U.S. Administration: President George W. Bush
Table: Summary of Actions and Coinciding Catastrophes or Events
During Presidency of George W. Bush 2001-2004 

Do U.S. disasters come after anti-Israel gestures?

 

Is the U.S. being hit with natural disasters when government takes anti-Israel stands?

In the wake of the horrible tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri and left such destruction, people are again asking if these disasters could be reltaed to Israel.

Here is some interesting food for thought and related links on this topic. (This post is an email from Lanny Swamm of North Carolina):

On Thursday, May 19 President Obama made the statement that Israel should withdraw to the pre Six Day War borders.  The next day I told my mother, "Wait and see.  Within three days there will be a major disaster of some kind in the United States."  At 6:00pm on Sunday, May 22 Joplin, Missouri was practically destroyed with many dead and missing. 

I have a book (Eye to Eye) by Bill Koenig (www.watch.org), a former White House press agent under the Bush Administration that documents this has been the case for the past several administrations; any time the US pressures Israel to give up land for peace or tries to divide Jerusalem, within 72 hours there is a major disaster in the US. 

Dan Bohler (www.propheticwa tchman.com) has prophesied that if the US is successful in dividing Jerusalem, a great earthquake will cause the Great Lakes to spill into the Mississippi River making the Mississippi 35 miles wide, dividing the US.  This is serious business.  I urge you to read and sign the petition below and pray.

 

Stay in the blessing,

Lanny Swaim

www.lannyswaim.com

Stephen Harper blocks anti-Israel move by G8 today in France

Read below an interesting news post just received from a reader in France about Canada's strong stance for Israel through Prime Minister Stephen Harrper.

(Reuters reported that he was pressing the G8 to soften their language about Israel, and CBS said he publically called for a "balanced statement" about Israel and the Palestinian territories. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/05/27/harper-israel-balance_n_868269.html )

 

"Wish we had leaders like that in UE ( Eurabia )

Today, Stephen Harper blocked G8 leaders in Deauville, France from declaring in their summit statement that Middle East peace talks should be based on returning to Israel’s pre-war 1967 borders, plus negotiated land swaps.

Thanks for your great article

Shabat Shalom

Jean Vercors"

Pres. Netanyahu's speech to U.S. Congress receives standing ovations

 

Pres. Netanyahu receives many standing ovations

Here is the speech on youtube. If your time is short, try starting at Minute 24. Pres. Netanyahu

received many standing ovations.

Here is a link to the speech plus some commentary.

http://efg-bnusfoodreserves.blogspot.com/2011/05/video-benjamin-netanyahu-full-speech-to.html

Jihad Tourist Park now open in Lebenon

  CLICK here for a great video tour of a new Museum for Resistance Tourism that opened in May 2010.  It is reported to be the first part of a planned theme park for martyrdom!

“Jihadi tourism” at Hezbollah’s new museum Sarah Lynch and Paige Kollock , June 15, 2010

To read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=177608#ixzz1N9D5cRAu

  

foto ref and another good article about the park: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2012387,00.html

Good News for Israel from Colombia

Just received this email from the Cyrus Foundation. The President of Colombia recently announced that Colombia will not recognize a Palestinian state within Israel. Below is the report:

Colombia: We will not recognize Palestinian state Columbia Reports, BNA, SAN, JP, INN, IOFM, Ynet, WSJ, WJC, JTA, JDF        After suffering a series of diplomatic defeats to the Palestinians in Latin America, Israel won a rare victory on Wednesday when Colombia announced that it would not unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón told a delegation of the World Jewish Congress in a meeting in the Colombian capital of Bogota that his government would not recognize Palestinian statehood as "a matter of principle." "We value your friendship and courage for Israel and the Jewish people," World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder said. "We also appreciate that you have withstood pressure from fellow Latin American leaders to prematurely recognize a Palestinian state." In the past half year a string of Latin American countries, mostly with left-leaning governments, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Guyana have recognized Palestinian statehood. Chile, which has a right-leaning government, has also recognized Palestinian statehood with caveats. ref: www.cyrusfoundation.org

 

Canada as role model in supporting Israel

Here is an interesting portrait of Harper's impact on Canada IN HOW IT HAS BENEFITED ISRAEL from The Jerusalem Post online edition:

Of course, many folks have also labored behind the scenes in Canada to educate Canada about Israel's importance, understanding the benefit and blessing that accrues to people and nations who aid the Jewish people vis a vis the nation of Israel. Nevertheless, Harper's positive role and influence is highly noteworthy and his courage and honorable leadership worthy of emulation by other national and international statesmen. A real godsend and blessing for his nation!

An Independence Day gift from Canada

    .... Harper’s Conservative Party won its first absolute parliamentary majority of his three terms in office mainly due to his economic stewardship, under which Canada suffered far less from the global economic crisis than most other Western countries. Nevertheless, it is good news for Israel, for two reasons.

The first is that Harper is currently one of Israel’s best friends worldwide. Under his leadership, Canada has repeatedly cast the sole vote against anti-Israel resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council - as in a 2009 vote condemning Israel’s operation in Gaza, or a 2007 vote placing Israel’s “human rights violations” permanently on the council’s agenda (European countries, by contrast, abstained on the former and supported the latter).

Harper made Canada the first country, preceding even Israel itself, to announce a boycott of the UN’s Durban II conference on racism in 2009 on the grounds that it was set to be an anti-Israel hate fest. And he has worked to end Canadian government funding for anti-Israel organizations: Last year, for instance, his government defunded several Canadian groups involved in anti-Israel activity; he also slashed Canada’s contribution to UNRWA, the UN organization founded to prevent the resettlement of Palestinian refugees so that the ongoing refugee crisis could continue to feed anti-Israel sentiment.

But perhaps even more important than Harper’s specific actions is the degree to which he has changed attitudes toward Israel within his country.

Before he took office, Canada’s policy on Israel was identical to Europe’s - meaning lots of lip service about being “a friend of Israel” while in practice opposing it in every international forum and lavishly funding its enemies. Shortly after the outbreak of the second intifada in September 2000, for instance, Canada voted for a UN Security Council resolution that condemned Israel for the violence, without a word of blame for the Palestinians.

Moreover, Canada has been a hotbed of anti-Israel boycott/divestment/sanctions activity. In 2006, for instance, the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) voted to boycott Israel until it accepts a Palestinian “right of return” - or in other words, agrees to commit suicide.

Thus one would, at least, have expected Harper’s pro-Israel stance to remain strictly confined to his own party. But in fact, while both main opposition parties continue to advocate markedly less pro-Israel policies than Harper does, change has begun seeping into their ranks as well.

This became glaringly evident last year, when the provincial legislature of Ontario - Canada’s largest province - voted unanimously to condemn Israel Apartheid Week because it “serves to

Encouragement to Christians Who Love Israel

This is a week of REMEMBERING in Israel:

For REMEMBERING its establishment in 1948 as a modern nation and Holocaust day. The following letter by Eddie and Jackie Santori well sums up the importance of these events well, and places them in context for Christians who are standing alongside Israel in these challenging days.

 

Dear Faithful Friend,

This is the week that Israel stops and remembers. It started Monday with the observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day and will continue next week with Memorial Day and Independence Day. Over this incredible week, the emotions and intensity of this nation's life are experienced by all who live here. The remembrance of the murder of six million, the mourning for the fallen defenders of this nation and the incredible joy of the rebirth of Israel after two thousand years of exile are unimaginable. But of all these joys and sorrows, it is the Holocaust that is the defining event for this people.

The pain of the wound that ripped this nation's heart as they suffered the murder of six million of their brothers and sisters will never disappear. Even as Yeshua will forever be "the lamb, looking as if he had been slain", so Israel will forever be the people who suffered the Holocaust. The pain and grief, the families that are no more, the survivors and children of the survivors will forever color the reality of Israel.

It has been seventy years since those very dark days and the number of survivors who personally suffered its horror is ever smaller. And for most of the world, the memory of that time is growing dimmer each year. The unimaginable is becoming just another historic fact.

But Israel still remembers!

Tragically, in the hearts and minds of most of the people in this land, the mass murder of Europe's Jews was carried out by those who professed to be Christians. They were people who went to church on Sunday, they celebrated Christmas and they wore crosses around their necks. These people were obviously not true believers, but Israelis don't know that! This misconception that somehow Jesus was responsible for the Holocaust is probably one of the greatest stumbling blocks that keeps Jews from opening their hearts to Yeshua.

But today, in these last days, there are a people on the face of the earth who are true believers. They are those whose hearts are one with the Father's heart and who will not rest until he establishes Jerusalem as the praise of the earth. And we believe that you are among those who will stand with Israel until the end and who will obey God's command to comfort his people. You care about Israel. You love the Jewish people and you long for their salvation.

We often tell Israelis about you. They are amazed to hear that today there are Gentiles who truly love Israel. It is even more incredible to them that Yeshua, the one they thought was the enemy of Israel caused you to love them.

We want to encourage you today that the voice of love that you raise for this nation is being heard by its citizens. They may receive it at first with suspicion and mistrust but we know that love is a weapon which can not miss its mark. Love can not fail. And we are confident that your love will persevere until the end.

That perseverance will be tested in the coming days. The world is turning against this nation and Israel and her people are becoming increasingly isolated. In the coming days, it will not be fashionable or pleasant to support Israel. There will be a price to pay for those who resist this growing wave of darkness and who take a stand for God's truth and love for his people.

This week, as Israel stops to remember the the pain, struggle and joy of its history, we want to take a moment to thank you. It is a blessing and encouragement to us to know that you are there and that your voice will ring out with truth and your presence will shine out as a light over this nation in the coming difficult times.

We thank you for your faithfulness.

We send you our love from Zion,

esant@netvision.net.il.

  

Israel braces for 'Nakba Day' - May 15 as Palestians have organized to denounce Israeli Independence Day

Some of you may have received emails about facebook and other places where calls have gone out for Muslims to join together against Israel on its upcoming annual Independence Day May 15. The email grapevines have reported supposedly millions of endorsements for uprising, but, thankfully, things look relatively calm according to this report in Ynetnews.

Israel braces for 'Nakba Day' - Israel News, Ynetnews.

ref: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4066929,00.html

Christian Syrians under attack. Very serious matter.

Very important in these days to speak out on behalf of the Christian community in Syria which is receiving death threats and pressure to leave the country from  anti-government protesters led by Muslim hardliners. Christians are about 10% of the Syrian population.

This is an old story in the Middle East in recent years, where in country after country, the Christians have been mistreated, persecuted, terrorized, killed, and have fled for their lives, as fundamentalist Islam took over governments.

 

CHRISTIAN NUMBERS DECLINE WITH PERSECUTION IN MIDDLE EAST NATIONS

•  Iraq was 7% Christian in 1980 -  about 1,000,000 people. That changed to about 700,000 in 2005 or 3%. By 2011 the number has decreased again and now 1000s are fleeing Iraq for their lives.

•  The city of Istanbul, now one of the largest cities in the world with over 13,000,000 inhabitants, used to have a Christian majority. Now Christians are a small minority - well under 100,000 - and in 2000 0nly 123 churches were active.
• Christians have lived in Lebanon from the days Jesus personally visited the land. In 1926 84% of the population was Christian. Now Christians are a declining minority.
•  In Gaza the number of Christians has halfed since its formation.

Many Christians now living  in Syria in fact fled there from Iraq due to persecution there, even though the Christian presence in both of these countries dates back to the times of St. Paul.

Sadly their plight does not seem to get emphasis in the press. Perhaps Israel could come alongside and show the kind of sympathy for a persecuted minority that she herself has relished for many years in the mercy shown her by many Christian supporters.

In Syria, if the anti-government Salafis gain power, they will likely remove all vestiges of Christianity from the country. Currently they are reportedly singling out the Christians for not joining them in anti-government action.

Here are 2 links about Salafism:

in Wiki

What is Salafism and should we be worried? | News & Politics | News & Comment | The First Post.

 

Harper wins Canada with a majority! Important for Israel

Celebration today in CANADA as a majority of voters have stood behind Stephen Harper and his conservative government. That means a lot regarding Canada's bold stand FOR the nation of ISRAEL.

Here is a good summary of the great importance of Harper and Canada in these days for ISRAEL.   Subject: Jewish People and Steven Harper.This is most informative about  Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

 

foto ref. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-finally-wins-majority-as-ndp-surges-into-opposition/article2006635/

WHY I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT STEPHEN HARPER AND THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY


By Jonah Mozeson, April 8, 2011 Features - Winnipeg Jewish Review.

[Editor's note: Jonah Mozeson is studying law at the University of Manitoba.  He previously worked for the Government of Canada for four years.]

I am thankful to the Winnipeg Jewish Review for allowing me to discuss why Jewish Canadians should support Stephen Harper and Conservative Party candidates in Winnipeg and across the country.  I could use this opportunity to describe actions Stephen Harper and his government have taken over the last 5 years to ensure Canada is leading the global economic recovery, cutting taxes, and supporting seniors - all of which have a major impact on you and your families.  I could also use this opportunity to attack Stephen Harper's opponents and reiterate some of the harmful statements they have made about the State of  Israel, but I want to write about what Stephen Harper has done to earn your support and why you should consider voting for Conservative candidates.

Too often, Mr. Harper's opponents tell you as Jewish Canadians to ignore his world-class record of supporting Israel and Canada's Jewish community and focus on other issues, or they try to paint him as having ulterior motives, but as someone who knows the Prime Minister and worked for many years in the Conservative government, I can tell you that his support is real, genuine, and makes a tangible difference.

I do not need to relate all the things the Conservative Party has done for Israel since coming to power in 2006, but I want to be clear that this support for Israel begins with Stephen Harper and permeates all levels of the Conservative Party. This is a strong friendship that can be counted on 
in both good times and bad.

This friendship has been tested during two major conflicts - one involving Hezbollah and the other Hamas - and on each occasion, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood firmly with Israel and its right to protect its citizens from terrorist aggression despite much criticism by the media and opposition parties.

This support is not only demonstrated in direct ties, but also in various international fora like the UN, where Canada has consistently supported Israel out of principle even to our detriment, and the Francophonie, where Stephen Harper personally blocked the passage of a one-sided resolution condemning Israel.  Harper's actions have shifted the entire paradigm in Canadian politics to a point where support for Israel now goes unquestioned, as opposed to the ambivalence about Israel's right to defend itself that previously prevailed.

Under Stephen Harper, the Canada-Israel relationship has grown to heights never seen before.  Whether it is in the economic and trade sphere, or defense and intelligence cooperation, the bilateral relationship is strong and growing even closer.  Hardly a month goes by where there is not a Canadian minister visiting Israel in order to seek additional areas of cooperation.

However, Stephen Harper's historic support of the Jewish community is not limited to supporting Israel; he truly is a supporter of Jewish communities in distress around the world.  After the Venezuelan government expelled Israel's ambassador, it was Stephen Harper who ensured that Canada stepped in, not only to represent Israel's diplomatic and consular interests in that country, but also to encourage Venezuela to ensure the security of its Jewish community and end state-sponsored anti-Semitism.  

After Jews were savagely attacked in Mumbai in 2008, Stephen Harper made a point to visit the sites of these barbaric attacks to memorialize their victims and has seen it as his "duty" to take action to ensure that such anti-Semitism does not manifest itself here in Canada.

It is therefore important to discuss Stephen Harper's domestic support for Canadian Jewry. Stephen Harper's government has worked closely with the Jewish community in Canada in addressing many issues of concern.  One of these was the real threat Jewish communal institutions, like schools, cemeteries and synagogues, faced from anti-Semitic acts, vandalism, and terrorism. To this end, the government, in consultation with the Canadian Jewish community, provided significant funds for their newly-created Security Infrastructure Program to assist these institutions in installing security equipment.

The government has also supported institutions to help support community growth here in Winnipeg and across the country.  $100,000 was provided to the Asper Jewish Community Campus to assist with the purchase of security infrastructure and the federal government's $320,000 support of the Jewish Learning Centre was essential in the development of the project.  

Also, Conservative Members of Parliament from Winnipeg were instrumental and took the lead in passing the legislation to allow the construction of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to teach Canadians about how the Holocaust universalized the notion of human rights for all of us.  

These are but a few examples of the various projects that this government has supported in the various Jewish communities across Canada.

One of the things I am most proud of is my government's strong condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism, including those who seek to delegitimize the State of Israel. Stephen Harper has ensured that his ministers and all  members of his caucus lead the charge in their communities against the scourge of hatred against Jews.  Our country was the first to boycott the Durban II conference after its predecessor descended into an anti-Jewish hate-fest.  We have also joined the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating anti-Semitism, whose 2nd annual conference our country hosted last fall and where the Prime Minister delivered a world-renowned speech that 
reiterated his commitment to combating anti-Semitism and supporting Israel and the Jewish community.

One of the saddest moments in our country's history was the immigration policy towards Jews adopted by the Mackenzie King government before, during and after the Holocaust.  I was especially proud when our government officially apologized for this dark moment in our history and allotted funds for an education program to teach children the consequences of this period's
immigration policy.Furthermore, just this past January, our government unveiled a monument, known as the Wheel of Conscience, to memorialize Canada's 1939 refusal of entry to the 900-plus Jewish refugees on board the M.S. St Louis, many of whom went on to perish in the Holocaust, and the "none is too many" exclusionary, anti-Jewish period it epitomized.

As someone who is closely involved with the Conservative Party, I can tell you that anti-Jewish policies will never find a home in Canada while Stephen Harper is our Prime Minister.  He is someone who places principle before political expediency and has demonstrated the strong, courageous leadership needed when these values become tested.  The Canadian Jewish community certainly has a true, genuine friend in Stephen Harper, and you should take this into consideration when casting your ballots on May 2nd. 

Moses live from Egpyt...

Details on the murder of Christian volunteer Kristine Luken & stabbing survivor Kay Wilson

 

Here is another timely article by Dr. Francis Kyle, from his website: franskyle.blogspot.com:

 

"Kristine Luken (1966-2010), uncommon Christian lover of the Jewish people and Israel . . . Kay Wilson, survivor of attempted murder . . . CMJ Israel, U.K., U.S.

Kristine Luken

"Since June 2009, I have served as a volunteer at Christ Church Guest House in Jerusalem's Old City. I will remain here until this summer.

"Christ Church is the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East. Built in 1849, the church was founded by the Church's Ministry among the Jewish People (est. 1809, formerly called the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews). With founders such as British church leaders William Wilberforce (1759-1833) and Charles Simeon (1759-1836), CMJ remains today an Anglican (Church of England) missionary society in the Evangelical Protestant tradition. Christ Church is a member of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (est. June 2008).

"The world of CMJ was shocked to learn of the December 18, 2010, murder of one of its newest staff members. Kristine Luken was stabbed to death by two Muslim terrorists from the West Bank/Palestinian territories while hiking with a friend in the Jerusalem Forest southwest of the city.

"A 44-year-old American Christian with a love for the Jewish people and Israel, Kristine worked for CMJ's U.K. office since 2009. I had met her briefly when she visited Jerusalem's Christ Church a year ago (winter 2009-10). A graduate of Virginia's George Mason University (Class of 1988), the non-Jewish/Gentile uncommon Christian Kristine had resigned from her comfortable 15-year federal government job in Washington, D.C., in order to serve the Lord in full-time vocational ministry, first at Patrick Henry College in Virginia, then with CMJ U.K. Click here to read her obituary.

Kay Wilson

"The brutal and senseless murder made front-page news in the Israeli media (see below links), as well as international headlines. A month after the murder, the Israeli police announced 13 arrests. The 13 Muslim men were members of a Palestinian terrorist group that formed in 2009. Miraculously, Kristine's hiking companion, the 46-year-old British-born Israeli Kay Wilson, survived the attack of 12 stab wounds, helped police in locating the attackers, and lived to tell about it (see below links to her interviews). Kay is the main educator/tour guide for CMJ Israel's Shoresh Study Tours...."
 

Bomb killed Christian Bible translator in Jerusalem

 

I want to take time to recognize the Christian worker in Israel who was killed by the bus stop bombing in Jerusalem on March 23. Mary Jane Gardner was the sole person killed by the blast at a busy bus stop when the bomb went off at the beginning of rush hour around 3:00 pm.

Here is an in memoriam post about her life written by Dr. Francis Kyle on his blog franciskyle.blogspot.com.

We think it is important to recognize the life of Mary Jane GArdner, as well as a second Christine victim of a prior killing  incident Dec. 2010. In that case Christine Luken died after being stabbed by Plestinian terrorists.  She was a Christian volunteer serving in Israel.  See Dr. Kyle's report below:

 

  Gardner was a missionary with  Wycliffe Bible Translators  since 1986. She served in a remote area of Togo, West Africa, for 20 years, and helped complete the New Testament translation into the Ife tribal language in 2009. A short-term student studying biblical Hebrew at Hebrew University's Rothberg International School, the never-married Gardner was preparing herself to go back to the Togo tribesmen this summer in order to translate the Old Testament into Ife.

After arriving in Jerusalem in January 2011,   she lived at the Home for Bible Translators and Scholars in Mevaseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem. Gardner also frequented Yad Hashmona, a Finnish Christian moshav in the Judean Hills near Jerusalem.

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, and the daughter (oldest of five children) of British missionary parents, she was a graduate of St. Andrews University (Class of 1977) in Scotland. A biographical summary of Gardner's life is available at Wycliffe Bible Translators' U.K. blog--click here.

As posted last month on this blog, on December   18, 2010, Christine Luken died of a stabbing attack by Palestinian terrorists while hiking just south of Jerusalem. An American Christian and lover of the Jewish people, the 44-year-old Luken worked in the U.K. office of the Church's Ministry among the Jewish People (CMJ). Since June 2009, I have been volunteering with CMJ Israel's Christ Church Guest House in Jerusalem.

Keeping Things in Perspective

RECENT YEARS OF RELATIVE CALM & SAFETY

How quickly the years pass. The bombing at a    busy bus stop in Jerusalem on March 23 was the first such bombing in  6  1/2 years! The bomb had been left in a bag at the bus stop.  Horrible that a precious person was killed and dozens wounded. Yet the fact that there were  6  1/2 years in Jerusalem without those bus  bombings is noteworthy.

The recent mortars that have hit Israel from Gaza are a third of the total fired during the past 2 years.

Thank God there has been a period of relative  calm and safety.  MAY THAT CONTINUE despite the fear and alarm now in the air. May it not pressage a new run on rocket firings from Gaza into Israel.

And thank God for the vigilance of the citizenry and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).

ref: The Economist Mar. 26 - Apr. 1, 2011

photo ref:  franciskyle.blogspot.com

Canada-Israel, 60+ years of friendship

Have you seen the stamp that Canada issued through its official government postal service, CANADA POST?

Here is the full text about the stamp from Canada Post's website describing the ties between the nations which date from the first years offounding of the nation Israel.

"Issued: April 14, 2010

Article published in

Details, Vol XIX No2, April to June 2010

In an increasingly interconnected world, Canada’s opportunity to grow in peace and prosperity rests on the strength of our country-to-country bonds. These relationships have shaped our national identity, both at home and abroad, and they’ve furthered the sophistication of our economy, and the diversity of our culture and people. This April, Canada Post will issue an international rate commemorative stamp to celebrate Canada’s strong bilateral relationship with Israel—a friendship that spans six decades and is marked by shared values, common interests, and strong political, economic, cultural and social ties. The stamp, which marks the first joint issue between Canada and Israel, will be cancelled in both countries’ capital cities.

A key strength of Canada and Israel’s partnership is the extensive network of social bonds—from Canada’s large Jewish community (which stands at about 350,000) to dual Israeli-Canadian citizens—that have given rise to cooperation on many fronts, including culture, education, business and tourism. These strong informal ties have inspired the design for the stamp, which features groups of human figures formed in the shapes of Canada’s Maple Leaf and Israel’s Star of David.

"Canada Israel Declaration"

A number of organizations and individuals in Canada with Israel on their hearts have put together a CANADA ISRAEL DECLARATION for Canadians to sign. They plan to present the documents and all the signatures they collect from across Canada to Mr. Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, and to the Knesset of Israel.

The goal is to show whole-hearted endorsement for the strongly pro-Israel stance the Prime Minister has taken, which we have already reported on in ISRAELMYLOVE.COM.

 

Here is the text of the document:

Canada Israel Declaration

 

This is Canada's hour to rise and declare our support for Israel. Our Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Stephen Harper,

has explicitly stated his unwavering support and our government's position at the International Conference to Combat Anti-Semitism declaring,

                                                   

"When Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack, is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand. Demonization, Double standards, Deligitimization - the three D's - it is a responsibility of us all to stand up to them. As long as I am Prime Minister - Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost."  (November 8, 2010) 

 

Organizers of the CANADA CELEBRATES ISRAEL & THE CANADA ISRAEL DECLARATION:

Canadians to Celebrate Israel

 

Several Candian organizations are organizing a blitz across Canada April 4-7, to rouse popular awareness and support for Israel, and to affirm the government'spro-Israel stand.

This is not unlike previous efforts by a number of dedicated organizations and individuals over recent years to draw the plight of the world's Jewish people to the attention of Canada and to build strong ties with Israel.

_______________________________________

CANADA CELEBRATES ISRAEL   

...dates, times below

Rockets hit Beersheba and Ashkelon, bomb in Jerusalem

Drake Fenn reports in his email bulletin at drake@isaiah611.org:

This week that "calm" has been shattered!   According to the Jerusalem Post at 5:30 Wednesday morning the first Grad-model Katyusha rocket slammed into Beersheba for the first time in almost a month, lightly wounding one person. Several hours later, another rocket hit the Negev city. Yet another rocket landed south of Ashkelon on Wednesday, a day after a rocket fell near Ashdod. Authorities announced that schools would be closed in Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon on Thursday as a result of the security situation. Also Wednesday, seven mortar shells containing white phosphorous hit the Eshkol region, followed shortly after by three more near a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev region.  http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=213546

 

 

 

Jerusalem Bombings Start Again!

Bombed Bus in Jerusalem And now today according to Ynet News... Dozens hurt, woman killed in Jerusalem bombing.    After long hours, officials confirm identity of woman killed in Jerusalem bombing; Explosive device detonated at phone booth near Jerusalem bus stop Wednesday afternoon wounds nearly 40 people, most of them aged 15-30. Gaza terror groups laud attack. Terror in capital: A woman of about 60 was killed and dozens of people were wounded Wednesday afternoon after an explosive device was detonated in a phone booth near the Jerusalem Convention Center. Medical officials said 39 people were hurt in the blast, including three who were seriously hurt. Five other victims were moderately wounded and the rest sustained light injuries. Most victims are young, aged 15-30, said Shaare Zedek Medical Center Deputy Director, Ovadia Shemesh. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4046677,00.html Ynet reporters

New Suez policy in Egypt to harm Israel?

Robert Di Francesco reports:

"The Egyptian military which has taken over in Cairo also turned a blind eye to at least two or three Iranian arms ships which, prior to the capture of the A.S. Victoria last week,  made it through the Israeli sea blockade and delivered weapons, including C-704 shore-to-sea missiles at El Arish."

Mr. Di Francesco says that Hamas will be free to go out and collect them through the reopened Rafah crossing. Also that, "It is now obvious that Cairo's permission for two Iranian warships to transit the Suez Canal on Feb. 22, knowing that at least one was laden with weapons for extremists, was in line with the new Egyptian policy."

Dr. Cohen Comment: Let's hope that this may llom in the horizon will NOT be the case. As already reported, the U.S. underwrites a major portion of the Egyptian military's budget. Let's hope that the U.S. now pressures Egypt to reverse what looks like a new anti-Israel policy. Afterall, the U.S.' military aid to Egypt has been at least in part predicated upon Egypt supporting secure borders for Israel.

 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) speaks out

Israeli Navy Uncovers Weaponry from Iran Intended for Terrorist Organization in the Gaza Strip & Civilian Hits

 

Timing of the quake - Japan's words against Israel were strong

Bodies of victims are carried out through the debris in Kesennuma

Published: 03/15/2011 17:35:40 Credits: Kyodo News/AP foto ref: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/galleries/earthquake_tsunami_strike_japan/earthquake_tsunami_strike_japan.html

 

I recently received this email about Japan's actions against Israel:

It is reported by  Bill Wilson in his www.dailyjot.com  that Japan made its strongest pronouncement yet in its condemnation of Israel's action to retain Jerusalem, on March 11, 2010, exactly one year to the day before the greatest quake and tsunami  in Japan's recorded history hit Japan. 

This website  has the exact Japanese governmental pronouncements against Israel with their specific dates: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2010/3/0311_01.html

"Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the decision of the Government of Israel regarding the construction of housing units at settlements in West Bank including East Jerusalem

March 11, 2010
Japanese

1. The Government of Japan deplores the decisions of the Government of Israel to give permission for the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem in addition to 112 units in West Bank just after the Israeli and Palestinian leadership’s acceptance of the start of indirect talks. The Government of Japan does not recognize any act that prejudges the final status of Jerusalem and the territories in the pre-1967 borders. Japan demands that the plans should not be implemented. 
   
   
2. The Government of Japan continues to request strongly that both parties will act in a way that enhances mutual confidence. Japan sincerely hopes that the indirect talks in the peace process will swiftly develop into the resumption of direct talks between the two parties."

******************

   Mr. WIlson points out that Japan's quake is reminiscent of the time in 2005 when, under direction from the US President, 

"the US State Department March 13th condemned Israeli plans to build 500 new West Bank homes as 'illegitimate.' Within 48 hours after President George W Bush substantially pressured Ariel Sharon into forcing Jewish settlers from Gaza in August 2005, the first signs of Katrina were swirling in the ocean. Naysayers believe these are unrelated coincidence, but watchmen see them from the lens of Biblical prophecy. Jesus also said in Matthew  24, 'see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.' "

________________________________________________________________

Comments by Dr. Cohen: My own view is not that God is out to clobber Japan and bring horror and destruction to the people of Japan's northeastern coast. Instead what grieves me deeply is that fact that the people were not prepared for their death.

What do I mean by that?

What I mean is premised on the facts that:

1) The Bible says great earthquakes WILL be shaking the earth in the coming days. The earth is going through change and a remolding foretold in Scripture, just as the earth's people must go through tremendous change and remolding in preparation for the firey coming of the mighty LORD OF HOSTS, the God of Israel.

2) EVERYONE must prepare to meet their Maker. People do not know when their day of  passing will be, nor if they will depart this life peacefully, or in the wake of calamity or natural disaster. Yet everyone will face an eternal destiny before Him.

My great grief is that so many of the dear people of Japan have died in recent days, and NOT KNOWN THE WORDS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE AND THE GREAT GOD TO WHOM THE WHOLE WORLD IS ACCOUNTABLE. Their lack is due to our lack in not getting His Word to them. And at what cost! Their eternal souls are even now entering eternal realms of habitation with Him, for those who know Him, and eternal separation from Him and even torments of hell, for those who do not.

The responsibility to make this great God of Israel known to humankind, as well as His ways and His Words rests on our shoulders. I grieve at our failure in this regard for the many precious people of Japan who now are dying suddenly and shockingly without knowing The God of Israel and His requirements for them and their land. 

 

Israel's Friends

Though Israel cannot currently depend on the White House for unconditional support, nor the Democrats in the USA, nor liberally oriented thinkers --including many American Jews of this persuasion--, the Republican Congress is holding strong in being pro-ISRAEL.

And that means being FOR ISRAEL'S EXISTENCE, ITS NATIONAL SECURITY AND ITS RIGHT TO DEFEND ITS BORDERS.

The latter group is composed on many sincere Christians who understand their Scriptures as upholding Israel's claim to its land. They consider it to be a God-given injunction to bless Israel and its people.

And thank God that Canada is standing strong for ISRAEL.

Egypt: Assertions of Revolutionary "Victory" are Premature

The youthful leaders of the "revolution" in Egypt as well as the press are touting "victory" for the many demonstrators as a result of Mr. Mubarak peacefully stepping down.

But "victory" is a very premature assertion.

The real challenge of any revolution is to establish a new government successfully, and that has by no means happened in Egypt. In fact this writer thinks  it very unlikely that the "revolutionaries" see their ideals come to the fore in the government of Egypt that will come to power in the coming years.

WHO RULES EGYPT NOW?

Currently the Egyptian army has taken control of the Egyptian government. Leadership is an 18-man high command led the prior government's military leadership: the prior Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, and the prior commanders of the service branches of the military.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

They have suspended the constitution, dissolved Egypt's Parliament, and have taken control of the nation.

IS THAT GOOD NEWS?

They are promising to plan for elections. They are taking to task the leading officials of the old government accused of brutality and corruption. They say they will uphold current international treaties.

They have also set up an 8-person panel to prepare for the elections. This panel will include a Christian judge in its make-up as well as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

FIRST TIME MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT

This is the first time the Muslim Brotherhood has been recognized as eligible for a role in government. It follows that they will be eligible to be elected in the coming elections. To allay popular fears of the group rising to power [Sharia law, fundamentalist Islam, anti-Jewish, etc.], it has promised not to put any one from it ranks for President or to seek for a Parliamentary majority this time.

CAN THE YOUTHFUL REVOLUTIONARIES RULE

The new government of Egypt will need to be able to rule. The mixed bag of many persuasions who took to the streets in the zeal of revolution, freedom, secular values, and removal of repression and corruption will not, I believe,  be able to unite to form a ruling faction for Egypt. They are inexperienced and they represent all persuasions: dissident Muslim clerics, Coptic Christians, university students, forward thinking masses. BUT THEY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE RULING AND INTERFACING WITH THE POWERS OF THE WORLD BEHIND THE SCENES.

For example, Mubarak's residual Cabinet at the behest of the army is now at the helm. And the army by the way is largely subsidized by the USA.

The Muslim Brotherhood is highly organized and political.

What youthful revolutionary will be able to step into this situation and set up a government to rule Egypt? None is likely.

Instead powerful forces will seek to take over the government, promising what the people want to hear in order to win the elections. But what will they deliver?

"VICTORIOUS" REVOLUTIONS OF THE PAST HAVE OFTEN BEEN PRELUDES OF GREATER REPRESSION.

When the Bolsheviks won the revolution in czarist Russia, people around the world celebrated new freedom for Russia. Instead the greatest years of repression and horror  --especially for the freedom-oriented revolutionaries-- followed under Lenin, Stalin, and so forth. 

In the Wset Bank, 5 years ago the Palestinians could boast that its electoral victory made the West Bank one of the freest nations on earth. Yet the elected Palestinian Authority bought in a repressive government. Its president is in office beyond its term of expiration and elections are cancelled when it looks like the ones who want to win won't.

UNLESS PEOPLE ARE WELL-VERSED IN THE WAYS OF DEMOCRACY AND VIGILANT IN ENFORCING ITS STANDARDS, POWER MONGERS WILL FILL THE VOID IN GOVERNMENT --even in the name of democracy...as they take power.

RIGHT NOW THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD WOULD BE WELL-POSITIONED TO FILL THE VOID. People of similar persuasion have done so in Lebanon, Gaza, etc. How can the youthful revolutionaries prevent this?

NOT GOOD FOR ISRAEL GIVEN THE BROTHERHOOD'S INTENT TO BY WHATEVER MEANS DESTROY IT.

U.S. military aid to Egypt continues

According to The Kiplinger Letter (Feb. 11, 2011), the U.S.A.  provides about 80% of Egypt's budget for its defense purchases.

The current amount is $3 billion. It is used mainly to buy helicopters and tanks for Egypt's army. Granted the U.S. is the supplier of much of this merchandise, and so the funding benefits U.S. companies that get these contracts.

Why does the US provide such a large chunk of money for Egypt's military? Largely to keep Egypt as a partner in the region. To date there is no evidence the funding will stop.

It will be important to see that this military strength of Egypt be used for what is positive for the US and its allay next-door to Egypt, ISRAEL.

Roosevelt coined the U.N. name

Roosevelt was the person who originally coined the name "United Nations." The scene was the White House. Churchhill was visiting, it was 1942, and they were discussing forming an international association on a scale never before seen in history. (see The Economist Jan. 29, 2011 and Dan Plesch's America, Hitler amd the UN: How The Allies Won World War II and Forged A Peace).

The name came to Roosevelt and he rushed in his wheelchair to Churchhill's bedroom in the White House to share his idea. The gist was to create an ideal all nations could rally behind.

Interesting that the Roosevelt who helped father the UN, which in term helped father Israel, was the same man who stood by While 6 Million Died (see the 1967 book chronicling his role in denying Jews life-saving visas).

And now Roosevelt's brainchild, the U.N., is again taking stands that play with the lives of Israel's 7 million population.

Churches coming out against Israel?

I think it is important to note groups that are publically not standing with Israel. Some denominations  take  an official stances to "divest" themselves of investments in companies doing business with Israel as a mean to put pressure on the nation. The claim is that Isreal is "racist."

That was done, for example, to South Africa as a way to pressure it to take down apartheid.

Current examples regarding Israel:

• Israel My Glory March/April 2010 p.19 reports on  a women's group sponsored by the Methodist Church that purported that  the founding of Israel in 1948 was comparable to "original sin" in terms of it being rebellion against God by humanity.
• Jimmy Carter's 2006 book Palestine:  Peace Not Apartheid - sympathic to the plight of many Palestinians, casts Israel in a negative light.
• Please add other news of this sort in the Comments below.

• Good news re Presbyterian Church (U.S.) --which in 2004 adopted a resoluation to begin disvestment because of Israel's "evil" "occupation": see story below

The Presbyterian Church votes down anti-Israel measures

by ron kampeas, jta  July 15, 2010 ref. http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/58647/presbyterian-church-votes-down-anti-israel-measure

With a rift between U.S. Jews and Presbyterians on the verge of splitting open, leaders of the two faiths say they have salvaged a fragile unity of purpose.

All sides in last week’s contentious debate — which involved Jewish groups and the authors of a controversial report on the Middle East — at the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly in Minneapolis agreed that the outcome was better than any side had expected.

The assembly voted July 9 to reject sanctions and divestment as a means of protesting Israel’s Jewish settlements in the West Bank and its blockade of the Gaza Strip. The body also voted down theological critiques of Zionism that Jewish groups said bordered on the anti-Semitic.

In place of those actions, the assembly revised the report’s recommendations and adopted an amended resolution that both camps applauded as evenhanded...

Middle East Is Violently Shaking

Very serious analysis of Middle East situation from the Eddie & Jackie Santoro, who live in Israel:

  "The Middle East is violently shaking and before the shaking stops, things may look very different in this area - Jan.28, 2011

• The long time dictator Ben Ali of Tunisia was driven out of the country by a "peoples" movement.
• The government of Lebanon was pulled down and taken over by the terrorist group, Hezbollah.
• Riots have swept across Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen as fundamentalist Islamic groups are encouraged by the events in Tunisia to try and overthrow their existing governments.

Before we go any further, let's review some history.

Throughout this part of the world, all of the nations (except Israel) have historically been controlled by moderate Muslim dictators. In 1979, the pro-western Iranian government was taken over by Islamic radicals, whose fundamental belief is the spreading of Islam through "jihad" (holy war) until the entire world becomes Islamic. Over the ensuing thirty-two years, Iran has become a major exporter and supporter of radical Islamic revolutionary movements that now exist in almost all of the Arab States in the Middle East.

It appears that following the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, that nation will come under the control of Islamic radicals. The same history is unfolding in Afghanistan, where the US appears to be growing weary in its long struggle against the fundamentalist radical Muslim Taliban movement. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt are also unstable as radical Islamic movements gain strength in these nations and threaten to overthrow their more moderate governments. The terror organization, Hamas, which currently controls the Gaza Strip is another radical Islamic movement which is supplied, trained and controlled from Iran. They are currently working hard to extend their oppressive regime over the entire "West Bank". Last week, the radical Islamic group, Hezbollah seized control of Lebanon, through "democratic" elections.

Although these groups use "democratic" elections to establish themselves in a national government, once these radical forces have replaced the less radical tyrants, true democracy is short lived. The first act of each new government is to control elections and violently crush all resistance. Religious freedom is nonexistent, woman are oppressed and free speech is crushed. The high goals of democracy are quickly replaced with an oppressive religious state.There is no separation of government and religion, and all decisions are controlled by the absolute power of the ruling Islamic clergy.

In these radical regimes, any form of Christianity is opposed, and it is a historical fact that wherever these forces have gained control, the persecution, murder and expulsion of Christians has immediately followed. This fact can be observed today in the suffering of Christians in Bethlehem, Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan, just to mention a few examples where Christians are fleeing the oppressive forces of fundamentalist Islamic movements. In all Islamic nations, to convert to another religion is a crime punishable by death.

The Current Situation

The current round of turmoil started several weeks ago when a "peoples" movement in Tunisia overthrew long time dictator, President Zine Al-Abidine. The remarkable thing about the fall of this dictator was that it was the first time in recent history that a ruling family in the Middle East had actually been forced out of power by the people of his country. The short term success of this event has led to rioting and upheavals in other Islamic nations.

Over the past several days, the worst political riots in thirty years have broken out in Egypt. Although radical Islamic forces are not the exclusive source of these riots, there is little doubt that these forces will endeavor to exploit this opportunity to achieve their ultimate goal of transforming Egypt into another radical Islamic nation. The final outworking of this political unrest is as yet unknown, but the collapse of the Egyptian government is a very real possibility. Were this to happen, the peace treaty that Israel has with Egypt would no doubt be torn up and this nation would now find a giant Islamic republic devoted to Israel's destruction on its southern border.

As mentioned above, Yemen and Algeria and Jordan have experienced some rioting as well. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also face a very real danger of a popular uprising that could overthrow their governments. There is also tension in the entire "West Bank" where Hamas is exploiting the weak leadership there in order to extend its oppressive control.

Lebanon, a nation who has never represented a major threat to Israel was effectively taken over by the radical Islamic terrorist group Hezbollah this past week. This Iranian controlled and supplied terrorist group was first formed as a tiny resistance movement against Israel during the First Lebanon War. Since then, it has grown and become the dominant political party in Lebanon. Over this past week, in response to a UN investigation that identified the Hezbollah leadership as being the guilty party in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister, Hariri in March of 2007, Hezbollah withdrew their support in the existing coalition government, bringing about its fall. Immediately following this event, the leader of the Druze party was told by Hezbollah to support them or face his death and the death of his family. He quickly caved in to this threat of violence, giving Hezbollah his votes. Thus, in a few short days, Hezbollah has emerged as the ruling party of Lebanon.There can be little doubt that any representation of true democracy in Lebanon will quickly disappear now that Hezbollah has secured its control of that nation.

For Israel, the ramifications of this new reality are ominous. First of all, as this terrorist organization has

Predicts Islamic Brotherhood Coming to Power in Egypt

Here is one man's opinion. John Mc Ternan. Very forthright:

 

  " I pay little attention to the stories coming out of Egypt. The stories about how awful is Mubarak. This is the same type propaganda about the Shah in 1979. The talk about open elections is also nonsense, as there were elections in Gaza and Hamas was voted into power.  At the end of the day, the Islamic Brotherhood is coming to power in Egypt, probably with the help of Obama and the US State Department. The issue is how long will it take for the Brotherhood to come to power, and then how long before they focus on Israel? The answer to both questions is not very long. I would guess almost immediately after coming to power, that Egypt will renounce the treaty with Israel and act like Hamas...."

PREDICTS LEFTISTS' INFLUENCE WILL BE SHORT-LIVED

"What I found interesting is that in all the Arab countries that are now in revolt, it is led by the Islamists and the Hard Left! These two groups are really "married". Once the Islamists are in power, the Hard Left will be destroyed very similar to how once Hitler was in power, he had the SA (Brown Shirts) destroyed. The Hard Left cross all nationalities as even in Israel, Hard Left Jews have joined the Egyptian protests. The Hard Left in Israel will support the enemies of the Jews."

PREDICTS LARGE-SCALE WAR AGAINST ISRAEL AS FORETOLD IN THE BIBLE

....

"The events happening are so monumental and so fast that I am in awe of the Bible. All these events are pointing to the great battle that was written 2600 years ago. The speed which it is happening is jaw dropping. Remember this battle is not Armageddon, but it is going to be so massive that people will think it was. The aftermath of this war is going to trigger the rise of the antichrist's government and the world system that is described in the Bible. Once the all-out battle begins there is no turning back and it will lead to the final battle that is so clearly described in the Bible. The battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus with His church...."

Zechariah 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 

John McTernan link: Daily Digest: January 29, 2011  

Alarming Change in Nations Surrounding Israel

Lars Enarson, a trusted reporter in Israel, writes an important analysis of current events:

 

foto ref: http://tv.rightcelebrity.com/?p=5772

 

2011 has already begun with profound changes taking place in the Middle East very quickly.

TUNISIA

Two weeks ago street demonstrations in Tunisia ousted the president through a military coup. He was the first Arab ruler to loose power through a public uprising, and this has sent chock waves through the Arab world, especially Egypt and Jordan.

PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP

A few days later Al Jazeera, the largest TV network in the Arab world, revealed secret information about the Palestinian leadership’s peace negotiations with Israel, which very well could bring about their fall. The information is interpreted by the Palestinian public as a betrayal of their cause and the PA government is hanging on by a very loose thread. This has forced them to announce public elections.

LEBANON

A week later the government of Lebanon collapsed. It will be replaced with one led by Hezbollah and controlled by Iran. The new leader has, however, stated that he will not cut Lebanon´s ties with the United States, which after all is not so strange when considering the current president in the White House has declared the United States of America as one of the largest Muslim nations in the world.

EGYPT

Mass protests in Cairo, Egypt

Then came the greatest chock of all. Egypt, the most populous of all the Arab nations, and which has a signed peace agreement with Israel, is being shaken by street demonstrations. They will most likely lead to the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. The extremely radical Moslem Brotherhood, which worked closely with Adolf Hitler during WW II and has founded both Al Queida and Hamas, is waiting in the wings to cease power. The ramifications for Israel and the West are enormous. Israel has enjoyed a “cold peace” with Egypt for over 30 years. The Egyptian army, as well as its navy and air force, all built up by the US during this time, are much larger than Israel’s. The Israeli Defense Forces are completely unprepared for a military conflict with Egypt. The Moslem Brotherhood has promised that if they gain power their first action will be to break the peace treaty with Israel.

 

JORDAN

Finally, Jordan is also being shaken right now as the Muslim Brotherhood has begun street demonstrations there against the regime of King Abdullah. On February 1 the king fired his entire cabinet because of the demonstrations.

Every government in the Middle East with at least a somewhat peaceful relationship with Israel and the West has in recent weeks either fallen or is about to fall into the hands of Islamist radicals supportive of Iran. In the midst of it all Iran has announced that it is planning to send war ships into the Mediterranean Sea.

IRAN

The Threat from Iran

Ever since the revolution in Iran in 1979, Iran has vowed to destroy Israel and “liberate Jerusalem from the Zionists.” For years Israel has tried to convince especially the USA that Iran is the number one threat, not only to Israel but to the Middle East and the entire Western world. So far, President Obama has refused to listen, claiming instead that the lack of peace between Israel and the Palestinians is the number one problem that must be dealt with.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Lars & Harriet Enarson's Contact Information:   E-mail: epa@thewatchman.org
The Watchman International, PO Box 94, Lake Mills IA 50450, USA
Phone: (641) 592-1514

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Visit our website www.thewatchman.org  Copyright © 2011 The Watchman International Inc.

Should Rachel's Tomb & Cave of the Patriarchs be mosques?

Here is a CBN report from  Nov.21, 2010, when UNESCO first released a statement declaring 2 biblical sites in Israel to be mosques. 

"According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron were an 'integral' part of what it called 'occupied Palestine.'

UNESCO is not scientific society. There's a vote of countries to decide designations of different places," former Israeli  UN  ambassador Dore Gold said.

The declaration comes despite historic evidence that Biblical forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs along with their wives. 

The site of Rachel's Tomb is believed to be the burial place of the biblical matriarch Rachel, the favored wife of Jacob.  Approximately 750,000 mostly Jewish and Christian pilgrims visit and pray at the tomb every year. 

Still, Islamic authorities have insisted Jews have no history in either place.

'He read a verse from the Koran saying that Abraham he never been a Jew. He was a Muslim, pure Muslim according to the Koran,'  one Muslim man said....."

ref http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bethlehem_rachel_tomb_1880.jpg

 

A Petition for Israel for signing

  ref http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Israel_Hebron_Cave_of_the_Patriarchs.jpg

I received this email from Robert Di Francesco of Return Ministries. A very faithful friend of Israel: 

"Hi everyone, Please read the email below and if you are so inclined, click the link at the bottom to add your name to the petition to halt the re-naming (and historical erasing) of two of Judaism's most important historical and religious sites into two Muslim sites. Then, if you are further moved, please send this email far and wide to ensure more people have the opportunity to be counted. Thank you.

   The United Nations has once again reared its anti-semitic head.

                 The Executive Board of UNESCO has declared 2 of Judaism's holiest sites (Tomb of the Patriarchs and Tomb of Rachel) to be mosques and demand that Israel remove the sites from its National Heritage list.

                 In an effort to erase Jewish history and supersede Jewish religious sites with Islamic institutions, Muslims have intentionally built mosques upon numerous synagogues and Jewish holy sites.

                 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office decried the ludicrous nature of the UNESCO decision:

                 “The attempt to detach the Nation of Israel from its heritage is absurd. If the nearly 4,000-year-old burial sites of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish Nation – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah –are not part of its culture and tradition, then what is a national cultural site?”

                 In cooperating with efforts to erase Jewish historical ties to Israel , UNESCO is aiding and abetting those who hope to and obfuscate Israel ’s Jewish past and undermine Israel ’s Jewish future.

                 Please take this seriously and sign the petition  below, even if you do not like these mass emails."

                 http://www.petitiononline.com/rabbiv/petition.html

                            Please also pass this on to as many people as you can.  

__ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5809 (20110122) __
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com

Ron Friedman of the Jerusalem Post writes about Canada & Israel

 Just received a gracious email from journatist Ron Friedman, with his validation regarding the article posted yesterday on Israelmylove.com "Canada - Israel's best, least known, friend.".  And, yes, he is a writer for the Jeriusalem Post.

Canada - Israel's best, least known, friend

This is an interesting article that was forwarded to me by email about the strength of Canada's commitment & vibrant relationship with Israel... I know many Canadians are proud of Canada's standing for Israel, even at cost to the nation --such as last Oct. when Canada lost it UN Security Council seat at least in part over its support of Israel.

(I am sharing the article as I received it. It is unedited and not verified with Ron Friedman, whom I understand is a professional journalist who attended The University of British Columbia, and now works in Israel) 

01/07/2011 01:28   By RON FRIEDMAN 

Canada - Israel's best, least known, friend

  Beyond the evident differences, the two countries share many similar interests and ideals.

On the face of things, it would be difficult to find two countries as different from each other as Canada and Israel. Canada is the second largest country in the world and enjoys a wealth of natural resources, while Israel is short on both resources and space. Canada has been living peacefully with its neighbors and has had friendly relations with most of the international community, while Israel is under threats from many fronts. In Canada, minorities have integrated into a quilt of multiculturalism.

In Israel, sectoral tensions are only increasing. Canadians are notorious for their politeness, Israelis for their directness. Look past the differences, though, and you will find two countries with much in common and many shared interests.

In a recent address at a conference held in Ottawa on combating anti-Semitism, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an unprecedented pledge of support to Israel.

"As I said on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, Israel appeared as a light in a world emerging from deep darkness. Against all odds, that light has not been extinguished. It burns bright, upheld by the universal principles of all civilized nations - freedom, democracy and justice," said Harper, promising to continue defending Israel and combat anti-Semitism in the international arena, despite any difficulties it might cause Canada.

These difficulties are not hypothetical. Several weeks before making the statement, Canada lost out on a seat on the UN Security Council, largely due to the bloc voting of the 57-country Organization of the Islamic Conference, which voted in favor of Portugal because of Harper's record of supporting Israel. Harper even suffered harsh criticism from his opposition for coming to Israel's defense during the Second Lebanon War.

Israel is aware of the sacrifices and has been forthcoming in expressing its appreciation.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has described Canada as one of Israel's closest allies and expressed pride in the ever strengthening relationship.

"Canada has clearly shown that it is a real friend to Israel and the Jewish people. It has stood up for Israel even when it wasn't necessarily to its benefit, and that is greatly appreciated," said foreign press spokesman Mark Regev. "The prime minister considers Mr. Harper a personal friend, and everyone has noticed his international leadership in standing up for Israel and for what is right.

While other countries sometimes abstain or sit on the fence when it comes to Israeli issues in the international arena, Canada can be counted on to do what is right."

However, the relationship goes beyond close government ties. The two countries enjoy a wide variety of shared interests and goals, and a new wave of joint projects and initiatives has led to the relationship growing ever closer.

Biggest Fires Ever Rage in Israel Rage -- Arson or Negligence but not "Terrorism"

 

Carmel Fires Rage -- and are put out with international help

A section of forest burns during a wildfire in Beit Oren, Israel which has reportedly killed at least 40 people. Photograph: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images. foto ref: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1202/breaking48.html

 

Fires that raged for 82 hours  in northern Israel were a shock to the nation. 44 people died in the blaze, 15,000 were evacuated, and dozens of homes destroyed. 10,00 acres of forest was decimated and 4,000,000 trees.

 

Very distressing fire

This is a very dangerous fire.   Winds are blowing hard and keep changing direction, creating very dangerous conditions for combating a raging fire. The flames flare 120 feet into the air and jump in unpredictable directions-- at times causing firefighters to be cut off. 

Very sadly, a bus full of Prison Officer Cadets, who were en route to evacuate inmates of Damen Prison, were caught in the fire as they traveled to help the prisoners and they died.

Reports are that that a fallen tree blocked the road. At least 36 cadets died as well as people who tried to rescue them. Our hearts weep along with their families over this terrible news.

"The remains of a charred bus carrying prison guards who were killed on their way to help evacuation efforts" foto ref: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-prison-guards-killed-in-worst-ever-forest-fires-2149762.html

 

Prayer alerts went out Dec. 1 during the first night of Hanukkah, when the fires were uncontrollable and thousands of acres of Israel's  land was being destroyed

Friends of Israel from around the world were alerted Wednesday through the electronic grapevine to pray through the night for the fire gone out of control. Today we got words from friends in Israel that the fires are now contained -- though fire could still re-erupt at hot sites.

 

TERRORISM? No

At first people wondered if this was a new form of terrorism. This is the dry season in Israel, and her forests and brown hillsides are like tinder. But 2 boys age 14 and 16 from a Druze village  are already being held  by authorities, and this is apparently not related to the Arab conflict. The New York Times reports they are suspected of starrting the fires through negligence.  ref: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/world/middleeast/06israel.html

 

America Helps...and "God Bless Bulgaria"...

The fires initially were uncontrollable and the Israeli government asked other countries to help. The fire was beyond the scale of Israel's firefighting resources. Israel has long been the first responder to other nations in distress.. Israel is always there. See for example our article in this blog on Israel's quick and important response to Haiti during the earthuake.

Who would now help Israel?  Some --not a lot-- of nations.  Who came in fast and strong? God bless Bulgaria!!!  They quickly sent many fight fighters and fire-fighting planes!  

The US, Egypt, Jordan, and Norway also sent equipment and manpower. Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Britain, France, and others sent chemicals and aircraft to dump seawater on the flames. ref: http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/111353404.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqy P4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUKcOy9cP3DieyckcUsI?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW 3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUKcOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

The largest firefighting aircraft, the American "Evergreen Boeing 747 Super Tanker, came to help

US Evergreen 747 supertanker sprays over a burning area in Ein Hod, Israel. Dozens of planes from around the world are now helping to fight the blaze.
Jack Guez / AFP

"Dozens of firefighting planes from around the world were in the skies over a blazing Israeli forest from early today, as a giant US aircraft was poised to join the battle against the deadly inferno." US Evergreen 747 supertanker sprays over a burning area in Ein Hod, Israel. Dozens of planes from around the world are now helping to fight the blaze. Jack Guez / AFP foto ref: http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/israeli-fires-expected-to-be-under-control-soon

 

The blaze was centered around the mountains of Carmel outside the Port City of Haifa. In ancient days this is where the Prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven.

 

More photos of the fire

New autobiography by George W. Bush discloses: Israel first asked U.S. to bomb Syrian reactor before it acted alone

 

The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush just released his 512-page memoir Decision Point   (Nov. 9, 2010, Crown Publisher.)

It discloses that Israel first asked the U.S. to bomb the secret nuclear reactor that Syria was building, so Israel took action itself in 2007 after Bush said no.

I have not yet read Bush's book myself, but I want to recall the action Israel took on Sept. 6, 2007.

 

ISRAEL BOMBS SYRIAN TARGET

Late at night at least 4 Israeli air force fighter planes crossed into Syria and flying low to the ground, bombed a strategic site in Syria on the banks of the Euphrates River about 90 miles from the Iraq border.

The prelude to the bombing had been a military build up by Syria near Israel as well as military exercises Syria was holding beside Israel's Golan Heights.

After Israel's bombing mission was over, Israel was silent about it, though Syria decried the act but said only an unpopulated area of its country had been hit and "an unused military building."

 

ISRAEL... AND THE U.S.... REMAIN SILENT

Israel as well as the U.S. remained silent, but The New Yorker  (online Feb. 11, 2008) says that "anonymous government sources" then claimed that "Israel had destroyed a nascent nuclear reactor that was secretly being assembled in Syria, with the help of North Korea. Beginning construction of a nuclear reactor in secret would be a violation of Syria’s obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and could potentially yield material for a nuclear weapon."

The New Yorker also claims that the U.S. knew about the bombing in advance and raised no objection. So the rumor of U.S. acquiescence was circulating among the news agencies back then.

Now Pres. Bush's book gives some confirmation -- but only of the "no" to Israel's request that the U.S. take the action...so Israel bravely took action itself.

ref  http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/11/080211fa_fact_hersh#ixzz15aUEeXF4

Bonanza! Large natural gas fields found in Israel

A lot of natural gas has been found off the shore of Israel. It looks like the amount in the sea bed is so large, that in the future Israel will no longer need to import fuel. The gas could be sufficient for Israel's domestic needs with enough left over to export!

For a long time Israel has sought oil in its land, but to no avail.

 

THE FIRST GAS FIELD

In 1999 some gas was found off shore in the Mediterranean, about 25 miles out from the city of Ashdod. The field is called the Mari-B. It is already in production under a consortium of Israeli and American partners, and may contain as much as 22 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, according to The Economist Nov. 13, 2010. That is significant.

 

LOTS MORE GAS FOUND RECENTLY 

But the new fields are much larger, says The Economist. First there is the Tamar field which was discovered last year. It is 90 km off shore and estimated to hold 238 bcm.

The same consortium of Israeli and American partners who own the Mari-B  will also begin production from Tamar in 2014.

I have looked for some maps of these gas fields online, and the maps are pretty confusing. The size of the fields may be different from what people expect. Also the scale of the gas in them, and how successfully it can be tapped are all matters of debate. I find figures and estimates of their size and value vary greatly. The field called Leviathan  is in the upper left of the map above. The island of Cyprus is due north of it.

 

SO BIG IT'S CALLED LEVIATHAN

An even larger field which has been named "Leviathan" and  is 45 km further out to sea may have almost twice that amount.

When the fields are developed they could produce perhaps $2 billion in fuel a year.

Some parties are now lobbying to see the anticipated bonanza shared with the people of Israel in terms of earmarking a large amount of profits to go towards the poor people of Israel.

 

A MATTER OF CONTENTION

Leviathan, is also off the coast of Cyprus. It looks like Israel is set to let the island share some of that field.

Cyprus is a large island in the Mediterranean that Britain ran as a colonial ruler. Its people have had long standing ties with Greece, and largely identify themselves as Greek Cypriots. In 1974 Turkey invaded, occupied the northern part of the island and set up the Republic of Cyprus, which today only Turkey recognizes.

Cyprus  foto ref http://argotours.ee/?p=6&id=463

 

Consequently the gas find will probably also bring Greece and Turkey to the table.

Interestingly, as Turkey has been giving Israel a cold shoulder recently compared with its old policy of friendship and support, Greece, which had been stand-offish with Israel for years, is starting to look like a new friend.

Israeli forces are now training with the Greeks instead of with the Turkish military, Netanyahu and George Papandrou are visiting each other, and Israeli tourists are switching to Greece over Turkey.

 

WHAT'S THE CONNECTION TO THE GAS?

Greece may not only turn out to be a purchases of Israeli gas, it could also be a European hub where the gas could be piped and sold to the European market.

 

WHAT ABOUT LEBANON AND GAZA?

It looks like Lebanon would like to claim some of the gas --though the field may not actually be off its coast. Meanwhile there is a field called the Marine off the coast of Gaza. It was never developed, even though British Gas offered to help the Palestinian Authority develop it 10 years ago with hopes of selling the gas to Israel. Sharon had blocked that, and the field remains undeveloped.

Election Results USA: 2 Important Leaders of Congress Are Now VERY Pro-Israel

Two congressional leaders will now play a major role in foreign policy, and both are PRO-ISRAEL.

Rep. Eric Cantor (Rep. - VA) will likely be the next House majority leader according to The Kiplinger Letter Nov. 5, 2010.  Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Rep. Fla.) will head the Foreign Affairs Committee.

So the recent US election where Americans gave the GOP greater power in government should turn out to be a BIG PLUS  for Israel vis-a-vis American foreign policy.

 

 

WHY THE NOV. 2010 U.S. ELECTION WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ISRAEL

The election of this month was not just critical to America, but also to Israel.

Every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was up for grabs in Nov. 2010, as well as 37 of the 100 total seats in the U.S. Senate. So the scene was set for a major change in Congress, if the people wished it.

Whichever party would win the most seats in the House of Representatives would gain control of its leadership. That control would let the winning party put  its own people in charge of important Congressional Committees that draw up and oversee pending legislation, as well as Congressional Subcommittees, and the House's agendas and schedules.

So the great victory of the Republican party at the polls means great change in control of the House of Representatives and its legislation-making apparatus.

Shared used of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has worked out pretty well and is to Israel's credit. But who set it up? The Turkish Ottomans

Today many Christians of wide-ranging faith communities view the Holy Sepulchre as the most Holy site in all of Christendom.

I have included this utube video to show you inside the Church. The footage is remarkably well lit. Most photos I see of the interior of the church are very dark because it is VERY dimly lit inside... lots of candlelight.

 

WHY IS THIS CHURCH SO IMPORTANT...OR WORTH FIGHTING OVER?

For many Christians, this is the site of Golgotha and has been a place of pilgrimage since the 4th-century. The original church was built in 326 A.D. by Constantine's mother Helena, atop the site where many early Christians believed Christ was crucified. Also contained within this old church is the place where some believe Jesus'  body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Aramathia. Most importantly, it also contains the place where his tomb was believed to be.  So the church is also named The Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Christians.

 

 

Shared Use That Largely Works

With all the turmoil these days over who may use and run religious sites, it is noteworthy that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem is largely a place of co-operation...notwithstanding some brawls periodically among the monks and religious, even over tiny infractions.. like moving a chair into the shade!

DON'T Move Your Chair Into The  Shade!

Yes, on a hot day in 2002 a monk moved his chair into the shade. That was considered a hostile move by another faction... resulting in 11 people hospitalized!

 

THE OTTOMAN TURKS SET UP THE GROUND RULES OF CO-OPERATION

Interesting is that 6 very different faith communities share the place:

Today it is the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, and six denominations, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox.  As well some secular entities are involved.

All of them share the place --or use  limited parts of the place during limited hours of the day -- all according to very clearly defined arrangements set up in 1853. The Ottoman sultan of that day put all this in place and it was  "to remain forever" by his decree that set the status quo of 1853 as how things would be run in the old church. And so it is today...the faith communities of that day each still have access and right and privileges in the Church dating from that time forward. Like a moment of time frozen forever! Even the way the door to the church is unlocked each morning and then sealed and locked again each night is done ritualistically exactly the same way it likely was in 1853 --and by the same parties (their successors, that is)--  day in and day out!

...all set in place under OTTOMAN RULE, when this land and city were part of the vast OTTOMAN EMPIRE  in the 19th-century.

 

HOW COULD THIS FLAT PLACE BE THE HILL CALLED "CALVARY" OR THE ROCKY TOMB CALLED "GOLGOTHA?"

When you walk into the Church, it is pretty level with the rest of the city. So how can it be the top of a hill where Jesus was crucified?

This picture from Wiki shows how in ancient Jerusalem, before the layers of many civilizations filled in the contours of the old city's hills, the Church, which now appears to be built on land level with the rest of Jerusalem, could have originally been atop a hill of crucifixion and outside th old city walls of Jesus' day.  

 

photo ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BasicJerusalemCrossSection.PNG

I have visited this unique building with layers upon layers of history in it, and have experienced first-hand the awesomeness of this place --minimally because of the intense prayers of countless devotees of the faith who have passed through here for 2 millenia. I like the fact the the Turkish Ottoman's -- a well as Israel's respecting and enforcing their decree-- are largely responsible for its shared use today.

 

A BIG CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE IN TURKEY

When you read this article, please recall the strategic location of Turkey in the Middle East. It is at the cross roads of Europe and Asia. As well, its location relative to the Mediterranean Sea  -and as a very desirable warm water port for Russia to its northeast--  prompted the Truman Doctrine following World War II.

Bottom line for the west was the massive build up of US military based in Turkey --and a "convenient" overlooking of Turkey's humanitarian abuses-- in efforts to maintain America and NATO's strategic interests in the region vis a vie other nations of the Middle East and Asia... that is, to limit the advancement of eastern powers into the Mediterranean and beyond...

from July 7, 2010 ref: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/growing-ties-between-turkey-china-iran-worry-israel-and-u-s-1.317583

 Growing ties between Turkey, China, Iran worry Israel and U.S. - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

"The United States and Israel are watching with concern the growing military cooperation among Turkey, China and Iran, especially following a joint Turkish-Chinese air-force exercise last week.

	Chinese J-11 fighter jet

 

Until two years ago Israel was Turkey's main partner for air combat training.

In 2001 the Turkish air force inaugurated a tactical air warfare center in Konya with Israel and the United States.

Until 2008 the Israel Air Force was a frequent guest in Turkey's sky and a regular participant in the country's big annual exercise, Anatolian Eagle.

In the wake of Operation Cast Lead and the subsequent deterioration of bilateral relations Turkey last year revoked Israel's participation in the maneuvers. The United States decided not to take part in the exercise this year because of that decision. A number of other NATO members followed suit.

Turkey replaced the Israel Air Force with its Chinese counterpart. China sent Sukhoi SU-27 fighter aircraft and pilots to train with Turkey's F-16 fighters. In the past these exercises were held in relatively openness, but last week they were held covertly, with only a brief report appearing in the Turkish media after the exercise.

The West has been watching the changes in the Chinese army's structure, and especially the long-range naval and aerial exercises that indicate Beijing's intention to acquire the ability to conduct warfare far from China's borders.

The Chinese are also aggressively pursuing cyber warfare capabilities, employing some 60,000 hackers at it, according to foreign intelligence reports.

The Obama administration protested Turkey's military cooperation with Iran after it was reported that the Chinese fighter planes were sent to Turkey via Pakistan and Iran.

The developing ties among Turkey, Iran and China are also reflected in weapons deals, with Iran buying from China mainly missile technology.

The C-802 antiship missile fired by Hezbollah in the Second Lebanon War at the Israel Navy's Hanit missile boat was manufactured in Iran with Chinese technology.

China has also developed a surface-to-surface rocket-launching system together with Turkey. China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is due to visit Ankara this month and to sign several bilateral cooperation agreements.

Turkey and China are also involved in projects to build oil pipelines from Iran.

Another reason for the close relations between the two states is that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has been in the forefront of opposition to imposing harsher sanctions on Iran in connection to the Islamic state's nuclear program"

Growing ties between Turkey, China, Iran worry Israel and U.S. - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

Iran/ Hezbollah --posed to takeover Lebanon?

 

IRAN HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES TO SPREAD ITS INFLUENCE THROUGH HEZBOLLAH IN LEBANON.  In 2006 over 100 rockets were launched into Israel each day, numbering over 4000 total. The Jerusalem Post (Oct. 7, 2010) expects Hezbollah is now positioned to launch a coup in Lebanon. It is much more heavily armed than in 2006... Its ultimate goal... ISRAEL immediately to the south.

Here is a picture I took some years ago at the now heavily guarded northern border of Israel. But notice...IT IS A LITTLE BORDER...LIKE WALKING ACROSS A COUNTY LINE BY AMERICAN STANDARDS. Where this gate is, you used to be able to walk right into Lebanon and have a nice time there. Workers would cross each day into Israel to work in the verdant fields  of the northern Galiliee and lush Hulu valley.

Today  such fear prevails at the old crossing --and rightly so-- that one hardly dare stroll up to the gate.  Snipers with their guns aimed at you from Lebanon have already taken more than one life of onlookers.

 

RETIRE TO LEBANON

I used to say that if American Christians would buy up land and set up retirement and second homes in Lebanon, it would automatically set up a buffer of safety for Israel to the north where BIBLICALLY (according to Ezekiel), Israel will one day extend.

DON'T FORGET, LEBANON -UNTIL RECENTLY (if you are a baby-boomer, that is)-- WAS A GREAT PLACE.  But its euphemistically-called civil war from 1975-1990 was disasterous. A quarter of the population was wounded (1,000,000 people!), and a huge number of Christians were displaced or left the country. Syria occupied the land and the Christian leaders were exiled, jailed, or worse.

BUT LEBANON USED TO BE A WONDERFUL PLACE.  It was called "The Switzerland of the Middle East"...a finance and trade capital... Even now Beirut has become the most expensive city in the Middle East .. minus its Christians. Renting there costs more than Paris!

foto ref: http://www.esiweb.org/rumeliobserver/2008/10/26/lebanon-under-my-skin/print/

foto ref: http://www.lgic.org/en/lebanon_nature_photos.php

foto ref: http://www.lgic.org/en/lebanon_beach_sea.php

foto ref: http://www.most-expensive.co/category/business/

WHO WILL RULE LEBANON IN THE FUTURE?

Here are two EZEKIEL MAPS (Ez.47, 48) that I have found online and their credits. In the first map, the land of Manassah (and of other tribes to its north) overlaps current-day Lebanon. The second map shows another reckoning of the borders that Ezekiel saw, with Israel again extending northward up the Mediterranean coast, where current-day Lebanon is.

Please don't ask me to comment on these projected maps of the future. If it is God's plan --something He showed to Ezekiel-- please take the matter up with Him!

foto ref: http://myrighthandsart.com/author/admin/page/3/ 

foto ref: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Land_of_Israel.jpg

Lebanon used to be a beautiful, wonderful civilized and cultured nation. Its population was 80% Christian. Its merchants and cafes were world renown.

Today it is a place of fear. I have already reported that it now only has a small proportion of Christian residents, and many are under great pressure to become Muslim.

HOW SAD FOR ONCE GRACEFUL LEBANON - whose great cedar trees were brought by her people to Israel for the construction of the great Temple in Jerusalem.

BUT SOME VERY WEALTHY PEOPLE LIVE THERE NOW...PAYING ALL THOSE HIGH RENTS! HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE PLOTTING LEBANON'S  TAKEOVER? Once you can get rid off all the Christians, it certainly stacks the decks in favor of non-Christian rulers. But with God at the table, the rules of the game could change.

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Thanks to Lars Enerson's Oct. 22, 2010 EPA article citing the  jpost.com news.

Has Israel surprised us & thrwarted Iran's nuclear power plans by hacking??

In the monthly EPA dated  Oct. 22, a trustworthy source, Lars Enerson, reports on Israel & the Middle East and posts some remarkable news:

"In late August, Russia loaded nuclear fuel rods into Iran’s first nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton explained a week before that Israel has until August 21 to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program. After that it would be too late.

THE NUCLEAR FUEL RODS WERE LOADED... AND NOTHING HAPPENED!

August 21 came and went and no Israeli attack took place. Or did it?

Despite Russia’s delivery of fuel rods, Iran has still not been able to activate the nuclear power plant.

The reason?

Iran has now admitted that 30,000 of its industrial computers, including those at its Bushehr reactor, have been infected by Stuxnet, a virus described as “a precision, military-grade cyber missile” unrivaled in its sophistication. It is estimated that it took at least ten experts over six months and $3 million to develop it.

Iran has said that it will take at least six months to clean up their computers. Many experts believe that it will take much longer than that.

Israel has not admitted to anything, but it seems like God has once again stepped in to protect his people."

WOW!

I'd rate that 5-star news    

Canada loses important UN Security Council seat: Due to its support for Israel?

 

Importance of the UN Security Council

In the UN, the Security Council is an exclusive "club"  --a small group that can impose its will on 192 member nations of the UN.

The chief power holders of the Security Council are its permanent members: USA, China, Russia, France, Britain. 10 other members are elected by the 192 nations.

On Oct. 12, 2011 votes were cast and Canada was not selected for Security Council membership, while India, South Africa, and Colombia, and earlier, Germany, were.

News media, especially in Canada, are debating why this happened. The article below says,  

THE REAL REASON FOR THE SNUB IS CANADA'S UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL.

Reactions at the UN when Canada is not getting enough votes  

photo ref. Globe and Mail Oct. 12, 2010 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-abandons-un-bid-in-embarrassing-turn-for-harper/article1753222/

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Canada Stands Tall

David Warren a widely traveled writer on the Middle East and international affairs for The Ottawa Citizen makes important points relating the vote against Canada to its stand for Israel. Excerpts from Warren's column dated Oct. 17, 2010 follow: ref. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Canada+stands+tall/3680976/story.html 

 

There was a moment this week in which I felt very proud to be Canadian. There could be moments like that in any week, but this one was unusual for its cause. It was something done by the government, that invoked principle, and required courage. That made it something rare, to be savoured....

 
So let us not miss this opportunity to praise the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper. He cost Canada a coveted seat on the UN Security Council, by refusing to sell out Israel. He withdrew our candidacy when it became apparent that the bloc vote of Arab and Islamic states (about a third of the UN membership) had been turned against us; thereby conceding the seat to Portugal, with her more flexible policy of moral appeasement.

In the course of scotching our bid, Harper allowed the announcement of an important trading agreement between Canada and Israel to go ahead, the very day before the vote. This could easily have been disguised or elided.

He likewise demurred on an attempt by the United Arab Emirates to link landing rights for commercial aviation to foreign policy positions.

In addition to organizing opposition to Canada's Security Council bid, the Emirates have now unilaterally withdrawn Canadian access to Camp Mirage, which we have been using through the last decade in the deployment of our troops to Afghanistan.

In a further move as characteristically petty and childish as it was shoddy, the UAE refused overflight permission to a plane carrying our defence minister home from a visit to Afghanistan.

    Among   all western nations -- not excluding the United States -- Canada has taken the clearest stand in defence of Israel's legitimate rights and interests. We have paid, and we will continue to pay for this. And we should take genuine pride in paying for our defiance of efforts by the Arab and Muslim bloc at the UN to isolate Israel, and make her a pariah.   

....Our government is rather maintaining a policy that has been consistent for more than six decades, since the state of Israel was created by the same United Nations after the Second World War.

We have affirmed and continue to affirm Israel's right to exist, as a Jewish nation -- just as she was from the beginning. And in a region where there are many squalid governments, and almost all formally claim to be "Islamic states" -- where all except Israel belong to the only explicitly religious international bloc (the Organization of the Islamic Conference) -- we rightly refuse to dignify objections to what they call "Zionism....." 

I have added the boldface type and unscoring as well as the 2 pictures...Dr. Carol

WHAT DO YOU THINK??

Christians Leaving The Middle East - Part IV: Persecution of Jews & Christians go hand and hand where Islam reigns

 

In case you have ever wondered, HERE'S WHY:

Muslim Persecution of Christians – Endless Cruelty, Barbarism, Jihad

 

"Recently, the David Horowitz Freedom Center released a very disturbing online video about the ongoing Muslim persecution of Christians. The news is very bad, and the images in this movie are very disturbing. If you are squeemish, do not watch this video.

To Islam, Christians are people of the book, those who have rejected the message of the prophet Mohammed and his god Allah. Just as the Jews have done, they have refused to convert to Islam. For this reason, Islam hates Christians and Jews… passionately.

This is a very old hatred that began when Mohammed was rejected by the Jews of Medina, and was not embraced by Christians in Arabia. But this hatred is still very much alive.

“Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males, provided they are not disabled and incapacitated, to prepare themselves for the conquest of [other] countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world. But those who study Islamic Holy War will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world…. Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those [who say this] are witless. Islam says Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Does this mean that Muslims should sit back until they are devoured by [the unbelievers] Islam says Kill them [the non-Muslims], put them to the sword and scatter [their armies]. Does this mean sitting back until [non-Muslims] overcome us Islam says Kill in the service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should surrender to the enemy Islam says Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for Holy Warriors! There are hundreds of other [Koranic] verses and Hadiths [sayings of the Prophet] urging Muslims to value war and to fight. Does all that mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim.” (Ayatollah Khomeni, 1942; the founder of the Iranian Islamic Revolution)

For followers of Islam, befriending non-believers is a sin.

“O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people, they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand.”  (Koran, 3:118)

“O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” (Koran, 5:51)

It is a sin to befriend unbelievers unless such friendship is false and furthers Islam. What is mandated is jihad against the unbelievers.

“We will strike terror into the hearts of the unbelievers because they worship others besides Allah, which He gave them no permission to do. Their home will be the fire, a terrible resting place for the evil doers.” (Koran, 3:149)

If you’ve ever wondered why Islamic jihad mobs burn down churches and homes, the above quote explains it.  Read the following, and put them into the context of the images you will see in the following film, if you can handle it.

“The flames of Hell are sufficient punishment for them [the people of the book]! Those who reject Our revelations We will cast into the fire. As soon as their skins are burnt away, We will give them new skins so that they will truly experience the torment.” (Koran, 4:53)

“As for the unbelievers, they will be punished with excrutiating agony in this world and the world to come. They will have noone to help them.” (Koran, 3: 54) (source)

Jihad is about bringing agony, terror and death to the unbelievers everywhere in this world and the next. Followers of Islam take the Koran, Hadith (traditions of Mohammed), and Sira (the biography or Way of Mohammed) very, very seriously. This seriousness is an existential threat to all kafirs (unbelievers) everywhere.

A final warning: Please do not watch this movie if you are squeemish or if horrible, violent, murderous images disturb you. Jihad is upon us. We must learn and respond. 

Jihad was first developed from the eighth century by theologians and jurists who divided the world in two: Muslims and infidels. Infidels, as they saw it, included all non-Muslims and those Muslims not pious enough according to them. The jihadists concluded that Muslims have a sacred duty, mandated by Allah, to defeat the infidels and to impose Qur’anic law [Sharia] upon them. – Bat Ye’Or, Global Jihad and America’s War."

article reference http://actwestnashville.com/?p=619&cpage=1

Christians Leaving The Middle East - Part III: Are people deliberating ignoring the persecution of Christians??

 

The following article is excerpted from a website about Islamic persecution of Christians ( see reference below. The picture above is from their website.) 

If you go to the page has the whole article, it discusses the "methods of coercion and pressure utilized by the Islamic rulers of Egypt over the past centuries to Islamize the Egyptian population. It also contains a lengthy bibliography.

I have not personally evaluated the accuracy of the website, but it makes for interesting reading. I have also found a number of groups online  in the USA and the UK actively lobbying to protest and bring to public awareness the treatment of Christians in Egypt.

PERSECUTION OF COPTIC CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT

"By focusing international attention on Israel and the Palestinian problem, Muslim countries attempt to impose a fatal silence on the oppression of Christians in the Islamic world, which is a lot more cruel than the suffering of the Palestinians. Examples of this oppression and violent persecution in the modern era are the genocide of the Christians in Southern Sudan, East Timor, and Turkey (the Armenian massacres of 1895-1920), and the Islamic violence against Christians, including killing and destruction of property, that flares up sporadically in Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Egypt.

The Copts (the indigenous Christians of Egypt) are marginalized in today’s Egypt, their ancestral homeland. Although article 40 of the Egyptian constitution supports freedom of religion, article 2 stipulates that Islam is the religion of the country and that Islamic Shari’a is the principal source of legislation. In effect, article 2 conflicts with, and cancels out, article 40 of the constitution. In practice, all the articles of the constitution are subordinated to article 2. In addition, court decisions in favor of Christians and against Muslims are seldom enforced. When an Egyptian Christian calls for an end to sectarianism, he is accused of promoting sectarianism in order to silence him.

Pertaining to the present situation in Egypt where Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise, the following are the findings of Freedom House stipulated in its 1999 report:⁴⁴

The Copts are persecuted by radical Islamic groups and at times by local police and other security officials and they are discriminated against and have their freedom to worship hampered by the Egyptian government. Specifically:

1. While the Egyptian government does not have a policy to persecute Christians, it discriminates against them and hampers their freedom of worship, and its agencies sporadically persecute Muslim converts to Christianity. In particular:

• The government of Egypt enforces onerous Hamayouni restrictions on building or repairing churches, restrictions that do not apply to mosques.
• The government of Egypt applies religiously discriminatory laws and practices concerning conversion, marriage, parenthood, education, and clergy salaries.
• The government of Egypt has effectively restricted Christians from senior government, political, military, and educational positions, and there is increasing discrimination in the private sector.
• The government of Egypt subsidizes media which attack Christianity and restricts Christians’ access to the state-controlled media.
• The government of Egypt fails to take adequate measures to prevent the persecution and abuse of Copts at the local level, whether the perpetrators are terrorists, members of the community, or the government's own security forces.

2. Police at the local level frequently harass and sometimes even persecute Christians, particularly converts, either out of sympathy with, or fear of, Islamic radicals. In several instances local police have been complicit in the coercive conversion of Coptic girls.

3. Islamist terrorists persecute and intimidate Copts by extortion, assault, and sometimes massacre, especially in the Christian areas of Upper Egypt."

The following webpages provide additional information on the subject matter:
  International Religious Freedom Report 2004 (U.S. Dept. of State

article reference:  http://3lotus.com/en/Islam/rise-of-islam-in-egypt.htm

___________________________________________________________

Contact info for author of this excerpt:

1. Email: einfo@3lotus.com
2. Mail at:

St. Mark Evangelistic Association
P.O. Box 514
Helotes, TX 78023
U.S.A.