The CARMEL ALERT July 10th 2009
A compilation of news reports from the past week for the information of those committed to praying
for Israel and the salvation of the Jewish people
David’s Comment: The Calm Before the Storm – An Urgent Call to Prayer
Psalm 83:1-5 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.
For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: (NKJ)
In spite of the dreadful criticism that was levelled against Israel for the Gaza War earlier this year. the Israeli military offensive had the desired affect. Since the end of that brief but intense war, the situation has been very quiet – on the Israeli side of the border at least. There has been a number of rockets that have fallen in Sderot and other areas in the south, but generally speaking things have been very quiet indeed. In fact it is the quietness on the ground that prompted me to write this article. It has been so since we had relative calm like this in Israel that we simply aren’t to it, and it is welcome, but unusual feeling to have such a respite from the almost daily attacks that became the ‘norm’ over the last 10 years.
Of course on the other side of Israel’s borders it is not so quiet. Both Hizbollah in the North and Hamas in the south are utilising the period of calm to re-arm and regroup their forces. Ever since UN Resolution 1701 brought the Second Lebanon War of 2006 to a premature end, Hizbollah has re-armed right under the noses of the UN observer force. At the beginning of that war, Hizbollah boasted of having 12,000 rockets, now they claim to have more than 20,000 rockets with even a longer range than before. And from the day the Gaza War ended in February, Hamas has been working day & night to reopen the tunnels under the Egypt / Gaza border, through which everything from baby diapers to surface to air missiles are smuggled. While in Sweden at the time I heard a Swedish radio news reporter who had just passed through that border crossing ( above the ground ) into Gaza, who reported that she was shocked to see, all of the local residents working frantically – not carrying out repairs to their damaged houses and stores, but digging out the tunnels.
And then there is Iran and the maniacal Ahmedinejhad, working overtime on their 6000 plus centrifuges in an urgent quest for Enriched Uranium to fuel the nuclear warheads they are preparing ( for Israel ). Now that the results of the election are final, it is clear that Israel and the rest of the World faces another term of threats and insults from the former Persian empire. A number of former high ranking US officials are now saying that Israel needs to deal with the Iranian threat as soon as possible. I even received a report that Saudi Arabia will allow the Israeli Air Force to through their air space if they elect to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
So we can see that although it appears quiet on the surface, behind the scenes things are simmering. The 6 million dollar question is ” how long until it reaches boiling point again ?
And if the situation with our Arab neighbours isn’t enough, there are serious problems heating up with the nations that once claimed to be our friends. As you read this report the member nations of the G8 group is meeting in Europe. I received the following short statement earlier in the week and it raised my awareness of the urgent need to pray about this ………….
On July 10, President Obama attends the final session of the G8 [consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Together, (these countries represent about 65% of the world economy – Ed) gathering in Rome and then meets Pope Benedict XVI. There, a proclamation will be forthcoming, outlining the end of Israel. PM Netanyahu has been running around Paris and Rome trying to short-circuit the fateful event but to no avail. At this meeting, the world, EU, UN, Quartet, CFR…all the real decision makers, will give Israel the final ultimatum…Clear the “settlements,” divide Jerusalem, because, if not, Israel will suffer the wrath of a total war; economic, financial, and finally, a military attack on the country. BY EVERYONE.
By the time you read this the above meeting may be over and we will know what was said. It may be reported or maybe not. However we can be 100% sure that the nations are racing towards self fulfilling the prophecy in Psalm 83. So we know how to pray ……………..
Ps 83:9-18 Deal with them as with Midian, as with Sisera, as with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, Who perished at En Dor, who became as refuse on the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, Who said, “Let us take for ourselves the pastures of God for a possession.” O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind! As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire, So pursue them with Your tempest, and frighten them with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; yes, let them be put to shame and perish, That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. (NKJ)
Whether you choose to pray according to these verses, or if you find some other verses that you can proclaim, this calm before the coming storm may to last too much longer - PLEASE respond to this call to pray for Israel and the Jewish people ………..
The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for all of the soldiers in the IDF - they are defending and fighting for the Kingdom of God.
Shabbat Shalom …. David & Josie
THIS WEEKS NEWS REPORTS
1. PA Arabs in Late Response to Obama Speech: No, We Can’t Arutz 7 News July 3rd
A poll released this week showed that PA Arabs are reluctant to grant rights to Jews or Christians within areas demanded for a PA state. A survey conducted by the Arab World for Research and Development among 1,200 Arab residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza found that did not feel Jerusalem should be shared with Jews and Christians. When asked to what extent they agreed with a statement made by United States President Barack Obama that Jerusalem should be “a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims,” less than 17 percent said they agree, while 20 percent said they “somewhat agree.” More than 42 percent said they disagree with the statement, while 17 percent “somewhat disagree.” Reject violence? No thanks More than 45 percent of those surveyed disagreed with a second statement of Obama’s in which the president called on the Arab world to reject violence and killing as a means of struggle. Twenty-two percent did not give an answer, while the remainder said they “agree” or “somewhat agree” with the statement. The poll showed that PA Arabs were pessimistic regarding Obama’s speech to the Arab world in early June. More believed that Obama’s visit to the region would strengthen Israel, increase restrictions on Gaza, and do nothing to promote negotiations than believed the opposite. Only 14.2 percent said they fully agreed that Obama is serious when he calls for the creation of a PA state.
2. Israeli Air Force to Train Overseas for Iran Attack Jerusalem Post July 7
On the day US Vice President Joe Biden appeared to give Israel a green light to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, it became known the Israel Air Force plans to participate in aerial exercises in the US and Europe in the coming months with the aim of training its pilots for long-range flights. Biden was asked in an interview Sunday whether the US would stand in the way militarily if the Israelis decided they needed to take out Iran’s nuclear program. He answered, “Israel can determine for itself – it’s a sovereign nation – what’s in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else.”
Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the US warned an atomic bomb could wipe Israel off the map in seconds, and the Iranians could accomplish in those brief moments what they denied Hitler did, and kill 6 million Jews, literally. The new ambassador added, “There are clocks ticking all around,” with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue. (INN) “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” Zech 12:3
Iran is ready to take “real and decisive” action if Israel attacks its nuclear facilities, a senior Iranian parliamentary official said Monday. The remarks by Alaeddin Broujerdi, the head of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, came after US Vice President Joe Biden signaled that Washington would not try to prevent any such Israeli assault. “Both the US and Israel are aware of the consequence of an erroneous decision,” Broujerdi told reporters at the Iranian Embassy in Tokyo.
3. Iran ‘Ready to Respond’ to Israeli Attack Arutz 7 July 8th
Iranian parliamentary official Alaeddin Broujerdi said Monday that his country is ready to take real and decisive action in response to an Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities. He spoke out while attending a summit in Tokyo. “Both the U.S. and Israel are aware of the consequences of an erroneous decision,” Broujerdi said. “I believe our response will be real and decisive.” The Iranian’s comments came a day after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said his country would not stand in Israel’s way if it decided to attack. “We cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do,” he said.
Recent reports of preparations for a pre-emptive stike in Iran have come in the wake of growing doubts that the Obama administration’s diplomatic arm-twisting and economic sanctions can convince Iran not to enrich uranium and use it for a nuclear weapon. John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, wrote in the Washington Post last week that America’s attempts are doomed to failure and that an Israeli strike on Iran is the only hope to stop Tehran from becoming a nuclear threat to the entire Western world. Concerning Iran’s internal affairs, Iran’s Broujerdi defended his country’s crackdown on protestors over the contested Iranian presidential election results, saying the police acted to maintain order. “There is no confusion, he said ” It is now a totally peaceful situation in Iran.
4. US Agrees Israel Can Finish Building Some Settler Homes Israel Today News July 7th
Israel’s Ma’ariv daily newspaper reported on Wednesday that Washington had softened its position somewhat on the growth of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and will allow Israel to complete housing projects that were begun before President Barack Obama issued his demand for a full construction freeze. According to the report, Israel got a green light to complete construction on some 2,500 housing units in communities across the disputed territories, including on the eastern side of Jerusalem. The report indicated that after those projects are wrapped up, the Obama Administration expects Israel to fully comply with its demands. Israeli government and US embassy officials refused to comment on the story.
5. Settlers are Encountering Their First Real Opponent – Barack Obama Ha Aretz News July 10th
The mood in Jerusalem this week was one of shock. As if it weren’t enough that the Obama administration is ignoring previous understandings between Israel and the Bush administration regarding natural growth in the settlements, now it seems there isn’t agreement even on the outposts. The Rice-Weissglas compromise, which stipulated that Israel would evacuate 26 outposts established in the West Bank after the Sharon government came to power in March 2001 (in the meantime, that number has been reduced to 23), is no longer accepted by the Americans. The daily Maariv has reported that the United States is now demanding the evacuation of more than 100 outposts included in United Nations lists and in a parallel report written by Israeli attorney Talia Sasson in 2005. There’s no denying it: You can’t count on anyone these days. Israel, which, as is well known, has made good on all of its commitments – and there were many – regarding dismantling of outposts, now stands bewildered in the face of America’s inconsistency.
Behind the American insistence on evacuations, which is polite but unyielding, is a basic grasp of reality. The U.S. is beating up on Israel because it can. President Barack Obama isn’t particularly fond of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And the pressure coming from the administration about a building freeze in the Jewish settlements in the territories is generating a certain amount of support in the Arab countries, without costing the Americans anything. No Jewish organization in Washington is going to come out against the president on this issue. Thus, the administration’s official line is that everything – the settlements that are inside the large blocs and outside them, and on either side of the separation fence, plus the outposts established both before and after 2001 – has to stop (and in the case of all the outposts, also be dismantled).
6. Dead Sea Finalist in New ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’ Ha Aretz News July 10th
The Dead Sea has made the list of candidates for the new “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” Friday, after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed earlier in the week to support the initiative. The lake will be one of the 77 sites nominated for the prestigious honor, along with such contenders as the Grand Canyon, Germany’s Black Forest, and the Great Barrier Reef. Palestinian support for the Dead Sea’s nomination came less than a week after the Palestinian Authority said it would not support the Dead Sea’s candidacy, because it is being sponsored by a West Bank settler council in the Jordan Valley. The New 7 Wonders of Nature is a global Internet contest under the slogan: “If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it.” In 2007 it chose the new seven man-made wonders of the world. Its rules state that if a nominee site is located in more than one country, all countries in which it is located must form an Official Supporting Committee (OSC) by July 7. For the Dead Sea, a win would highlight the environmental threat to a unique lake which has shrunk dramatically in the past 30 years due to human exploitation of the Jordan River feed waters and Dead Sea mineral extraction
7. Ancient Temple Mount Quarry Found in Jerusalem Jerusalem Post 8th July
A quarry from the late Second Temple Period that produced stone to build the Temple Mount’s supporting walls has been uncovered in central Jerusalem, the Antiquities Authority said this week. The latest discovery brought to three the number of quarries found in the city over the past two years which archeologists believe were used in the construction of the Temple walls. The 2,030-year-old quarry, which spans more than one dunam (0.1 hectare), was discovered during a salvage excavation on the city’s Rehov Shmuel Hanevi ahead of planned construction of residential buildings at the site, the Authority said. The immense size of the stones found at the site, reaching a height of 2 meters, indicate that they were used in the construction of King Herod’s magnificent projects in Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount walls, said Dr. Ofer Sion, the director of the dig at the site. “We know from historical sources that in order to build the Temple and other projects which Herod constructed, such as his palace, hundreds of thousands of various size stones were required – most of them weighing between two and five tons each,” he said. “The dimensions of the stones that were produced in the quarry that was revealed are suitable for the Temple walls.”
Sion added that the quarry that was exposed was actually a small part of a large series of quarries that was spread across the entire slope, from Musrara to the Sanhedria neighborhood. He said the recent exposure of the quarries in Sanhedria and in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, farther north, indicate that Herod began quarrying closest to the Temple Mount, and then worked away from it. “In those days the world of hi-tech focused on quarrying, removing and transporting stones,” Sion said. Historical sources record that Herod trained more than 10,000 people to be involved in this work: They prepared transportation routes and then moved the huge stones in a variety of ways – on rolling wooden fixtures that were drawn by camels, in pieces on carriages, etc. Among the artifacts discovered in the excavation were metal plates that were used to severe the stones from the bedrock, as well as coins and pottery shards that date to the end of the Second Temple period. Dozens of quarries have been found in Jerusalem, but these are the first three that archeologists think were used in the construction of the Temple Mount. A few dozens quarries were likely used in the building of the Temple Mount, said Prof. Amos Kloner, a former Jerusalem district archaeologist at the Antiquities Authority.
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