SINCE YOU ASKED

Another Holocaust?
We are entering a new phase of worldwide anti-Semitism. More than ever before, Israel is being singled out for condemnation. We are seeing demonstrations, sanctions, vitriolic pronouncements, and irrational hatred to an unprecedented degree. Every day offers examples of a universal misrepresentation of Israel, her actions, and her intentions. No doubt, the United Nations will come up with resolutions and sanctions that make the recent Gladstone Report (on Israel’s defense against the attacks from Gaza) look like a slap on the wrist. This unsettling trend is most pronounced in the Western industrialized nations. The recorded incidents of anti-Semitic speech and demonstrations in these nations are at a level experienced in Germany just prior to the Holocaust. Often masked as anti-Israelism, it is, in fact the same deadly disease that so many nations vowed “would never be allowed to happen again.” It is no coincidence that this phenomenon is paralleling the huge Muslim migration into Western Europe (estimated to be between 35 and 70 million), with a goal of an Islamic takeover of the West (but that’s a subject for a future article).

The situation in Greece is a chilling example of not only growing anti-Semitism, but also its consequences. Compared to the size of her population, Greece has had the largest number of anti-Semitic incidents in all or Europe. Despite the bailouts by the EU and the International Monetary Fund, Greece may soon be bankrupt. If Greece falls, it could be the beginning of a domino effect throughout Europe. This would pave the way for a charismatic leader to step in, bringing order out of the chaos. Those who know their Bibles know him as the Antichrist. The national debt of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, place these nations right on the heels of Greece. The United Kingdom is, likewise, in serious trouble. Her debt (in the trillions) could result in a catastrophic collapse in the next few years. Fortunately, Britain’s leaders are waking up and proposing huge spending cuts (25% across the board). From the Toronto G20 Summit, we learned that other nations are preparing to take similar steps. Only the United States, it appears, is determined to spend itself out of our current crisis instead.

AS I SEE IT

The point here is that God’s words to Abraham over 4000 years ago still ring true: “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. (Genesis 12:3). We are witnessing the fulfillment of this promise as we see the faltering economies of those nations that are distancing themselves from Israel. The world has failed to understand that God is still sovereign and every one of his promises will be fulfilled. The fate of the nations of the world does not lie in strong economies, unified resolve, or clever statesmanship. It lies in unwavering support of Israel. The Bible is clear. God will defend Israel and will destroy all those nations that come against her. If America’s relationship with Israel does not change, we can expect dire consequences.

We burn more calories sleeping than watching television.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

Isrelate.com reports
Israelis on Monday evening marked the beginning of Tisha B’Av, the national day of mourning over the loss of Israel’s ancient temples. The First Temple was destroyed 2,500 years ago by the Babylonians, and the Second Temple was demolished 2,000 years ago by the Romans. To mark the day, the Knesset TV Channel conducted a survey asking Israelis if they desire the building of a Third Temple. A 49 percent plurality said they do. Only 23 percent said they do not want a Third Temple. However, 48 percent said they don’t think the State of Israel should take active steps to reclaim control of the Temple Mount and build a Third Temple there. Israelis across the board fear the hostile and violent international and Muslim reaction that such a move would certainly evoke. The Muslim authorities that today control the Temple Mount play off those fears, and Jews are rarely allowed to visit the site. Jews and Christians alike are forbidden to utter prayers or carry Bibles atop the Temple Mount.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Worthy Christian News reports
Gun battles broke out in a predominantly Christian neighborhood of the Pakistani city of Faisalabad Monday, July 19, shortly after two Christian evangelists were shot and killed by suspected Islamic militants. They were quickly buried around sunrise Tuesday, July 20, in the Pakistani city of Faisalabad after a night of sectarian clashes, officials told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife.
 
Suspected Muslim militants shot and killed two Christian men who were due to appear in court on charges of blasphemy against Islam in Pakistan’s Punjab province, trial observers confirmed Monday, July 19.
 
A high-ranking Pakistani politician, who negotiated the release of kidnapped Christians and fought against controversial blasphemy laws, says he and his family are in life danger after receiving threatening phone calls from suspected Islamic militants.
 
The pastor of the largest Pentecostal church in Russia’s violent, mainly Muslim republic of Dagestan, has died after being shot in the head, in an apparent bid to intimidate converts from Islam, Christian rights activists and police said Friday, July 16.
 
A well-known Iranian pastor faces execution after two judges agreed to make him “liable to capital punishment,” as part of a crackdown on the growing Protestant church movement in the Islamic nation, Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife learned Tuesday, July 13.

Jerusalem Prayer Team reports
Because Iran refused to halt work on its nuclear weapons program and has remained defiant, the United Nations passed new sanctions against Iran. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in an unusually strong statement this week, declared that Iran was not serious about working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve the issue.

In fact, the official Iranian news agency announced that parliament was working on a “top priority bill” which would limit the country’s ties with the IAEA. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, the move came as a direct response to the sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. “The bill to revise Iran’s relations with the IAEA is being drafted,” the news agency quoted Iranian foreign policy chief Alaeddin Borujerdi as saying. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the sanctions as “annoying flies” that were as useless as “used tissues.” Other officials said Iran would not halt its uranium enrichment. It is abundantly clear that Iran will never give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons unless forced to do so. We must prepare now for what is about to happen.
 
Israel has just announced the successful final test of a new anti-missile system called Iron Dome that may offer hope to Jewish people, like those in Sderot, who live with the constant threat of terrorist attacks. The Iron Dome uses a sophisticated radar system to track incoming rockets, which is linked to a control network allowing Israel to intercept and destroy them far from their targets. It is the only anti-rocket system of its kind in the world, according to experts.

AS I SEE IT

Allowing Ahmadinejad to go unchecked as he prepares to annihilate Israel sounds frighteningly reminiscent of the world’s response to the rantings of Adolf Hitler. Where are those who said, “Never again.” Well, it’s happening again. Is there no world leader (or country, for that matter) with the courage to stand up against this madman? The longer we wait, the more disastrous the consequences will be.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes or shark attacks.

SINCE YOU ASKED
The list of reasons why the proposed Two-State “solution” would be disastrous for Israel is lengthy, buy I would like to touch on two that I see as especially significant. The first involves the geography of Israel. In essence, the proposed Palestinian state would occupy the West Bank, comprising much of biblical Judea and Samaria. Aside from the rich biblical significance of these two regions is the fact that much of this territory is mountainous. That may not seem like such a big deal until you consider the military advantage this offers if your intention is to pummel your neighbor with rocket attacks. Consider what happened to the residents at the base of the Golan Heights (northeast Israel adjacent to Syria) during the period between Israel’s War of Independence and the “67 War. For 19 years, residents in the region endured constant rocket attacks. Some spent much of their lives living in underground bunkers.

This shelling was possible because Israel had not taken the strategic “hillside” in 1948. Had Israel not taken this area in the “67 War, she would have endured many more attacks in the past 40+ years. Giving the Palestinians full control of the West Bank would be just as suicidal as giving the Golan Heights back to Syria.
 
The other reason why a Palestinian state would be disastrous is much more theological. In Joel Chapter 3, God warns of the serious consequences of dividing up HIS land. Many supporters of Israel rightly claim that the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River was promised by God to Israel. (Her disobedience has prevented her from taking possession of it.) The book of Joel, however, reminds us that it’s God’s land. Of all the earth, the region allocated for Israel was the real estate He chose as His own-the place where He would make Himself known to an unbelieving world in a unique way. Without getting into the ramification of this, suffice it to say that any nation that participates in dividing up His land does so at great risk. This includes Israel, should she agree to a Two-State solution.

AS I SEE IT
While Israel is keenly aware of the geographic consequences I outlined, she seems largely oblivious to the theological. The first, however, should be sufficient to rule out any possibility of Israel’s agreeing to anything so foolhardy. Yet, the possibility is still officially on the table. I hope this is just “talk” on the part of the Israelis, as the Palestinian discussions of peace are just “talk.” Some of my contacts in Israel believe this is exactly the case. Had Israel officially ruled out the possibility of a Palestinian state, she would have already been tried and convicted in the court of worldwide public opinion. Holding out the possibility gives the Palestinians more time to show their true colors, allowing Israel to drag its feet. I hope this is exactly what’s happening. Surely, Israel’s leaders have learned something from history.

Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

SINCE YOU ASKED

Rebuilding Babylon Revisited
With the continuing interest in the rebuilding of Babylon, I have decided to follow up on the article I wrote a year ago. A major controversy surrounds Babylon’s rebuilding, and the controversy stems from how one interprets the use of the name “Babylon” in Bible prophecy. Joel Rosenberg and others believe it is being used literally in every case. Chapter 18 of Revelation, for example, talks about the destruction of a great city called Babylon. The previous chapter presents this great city as a woman riding on a scarlet beast (commonly understood to represent the Antichrist). On her forehead is written BABYLON THE GREAT, THE M OTHER OF HARLOTS, AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. This name is described as being a “mystery.” Rosenberg and others don’t see much of a mystery. As they see it, Babylon means the city of Babylon, which is in the process of being rebuilt. The U.S. State Department, the World Monuments Fund, and Iraqi experts have committed to a plan to preserve the ancient site while establishing it as a major tourist center complete with hotels, restaurants, and a host of other supporting facilities. The Iraqi government sees the project as a major source of future revenues.

Those in the other camp see the name “Babylon,” as used in Revelation, for example, as a code word for some other city. The most popular alternative is Rome. The Apostle Peter used “Babylon” to refer to Rome in his letters to prevent certain retaliation by Roman officials. For years, those in this camp have pointed to the prophecies of Jeremiah 50:13 & 39, which state that after Babylon is destroyed (Babylon fell to the Persians in 539 B.C.), it would be devastated and would never again be inhabited. Alexander the Great tried to rebuild Babylon as his worldwide capital and he died an “interesting” and premature death. Saddam Hussein tried to pick up where Alexander left off and suffered a similar fate. Those in this camp believe that Babylon will never be rebuilt.
 
Recent events have raised some interesting questions. Babylon is being rebuilt, and people are now living in the area. Since no Bible prophecy has ever been proven wrong, the conclusion some draw is that Jeremiah’s prophecy is referring to the same “fall of Babylon” (some time in the future and associated the War of Armageddon) as is described in Revelation 18. If this view is correct, Babylon’s ultimate fall will happen only after it is rebuilt, and this process is now underway. Many believe that Babylon will ultimately be the headquarters of the Antichrist, giving further reason for God to destroy it.

Those in the other camp could argue that beginning the process (of rebuilding) doesn’t constitute “rebuilding,” and “inhabited” could mean inhabited as a functioning city. Therefore, just because rebuilding is taking place doesn’t mean it will be successful. Who knows when God will step in?
 
There’s a significant consequence if those in the “Rosenberg camp” are correct. Revelation 18 describes the city as a significant one (before its destruction), with a history of commerce, entertainment, and everything that accompanies a city of greatness. This would take a very long time considering that they’re starting with nothing. This does not fit with their view that Christ’s return is imminent. We would not be as close to “the end” as other worldwide events seem to indicate. So, will Babylon be rebuilt? We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

AS I SEE IT

Regardless of whether or not you believe in the Bible, I can guarantee that the future of Babylon will unfold exactly as the Bible says it will. The 100% accuracy record of biblical prophecy sets it apart from all other “prophetic” books. While following current events can be fascinating, they take on a new dimension when seen in light of biblical prophecy.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time because you won’t have a leg to stand on.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

The Israel Project reports
July 12 marked the fourth anniversary of the beginning of Israel’s defensive war against Hezbollah. The Israeli military released areal photographs on July 8 of Al-Khiam village in southern Lebanon, located two miles from Israel’s border, which shows Hezbollah’s military buildup in more than 100 civilian villages. Information was also released that Hezbollah has approximately 20,000 militia and as many as 200 fighters stationed in every Shia village in southern Lebanon. Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said that Hezbollah has “warehouses of rockets near mosques, schools, medical centers, in the middle of villages, and they look like any other building.” She added, “They have taken the term ‘human shields’ to a new extreme.”
 
Jerusalem Prayer Team reports
The latest attempt to break Israel’s blockade to prevent weapons from reaching the terrorists in Gaza has failed. A Libyan-backed ship, the Amalthea, carrying cargo for the Gaza Strip docked at the Egyptian port of El-Arish this week, and did not try to break the Israeli naval blockade and reach Gaza. This represents a huge victory for the Israelis, as they were able to maintain the blockade while avoiding the international firestorm that arose after nine people were killed on the Mavi Marmara. If pressure from the world community forces Israel to drop the blockade, no Jew living in the Holy Land will be safe from attack. This latest attempt to break the blockade was funded by a group headed by the son of radical Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. His long-held connections to terrorism reveals the falsity of the claim that this aid is “humanitarian” in nature. This is part of the ongoing attempt by Islamic terrorists to destroy the Jewish people.
IT’S NEWS TO ME

Discover the Networks reports
Shortly after Election Day of 2008, Malik Zulu Shabazz, an avid supporter of Barack Obama, became the subject of controversy when it was revealed that he had dispatched two members of his New Black Panther Party to a stand outside an open polling station in Philadelphia and intimidate white voters with racial slurs and threats of violence. An inveterate racist and anti-Semite, Shabazz is a protégé of Khalid Abdul Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan, two of the more infamous racists of recent decades. Six months after 9/11, Shabazz praised Osama bin Laden as a Muslim “brother” and a “bold man” who was “standing up” for his beliefs and “bringing reform to this world.” Shabazz has expressed his solidarity with the convicted murderers Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin and Mumia Abu Jamal. And he has urged his followers to: “Kill every goddamn Zionist in Israel! Goddamn little babies, goddamn old ladies! Blow up Zionist supermarkets!”
 
Ground Zero Mosque
Opposition is mounting to the construction of a 13 story mosque near Ground Zero in New York City. The legal strategy currently being used is to declare the building now on the site a national landmark, preventing its destruction. The five-story building on Park Place, a few blocks north of Wall Street is an Italian Renaissance-inspired palazzo that was completed between 1857 and 1858. The most recent tenant, a department store, had to close due to being damaged on 9-11. At least once a week, Muslims hold a prayer service at the building. What do you think they’re praying about? Questions have arisen regarding the source of the mosque’s funding. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio was among those seeking a funding inquiry and supporting landmark status at a special hearing last week. New York City’s Preservation Landmark Commission will rule on the matter later this summer. Concern is also growing over the terrorist ties of the mosque’s imam.

AS I SEE IT

It’s hard for me to imagine how anyone in New York City could support this mosque, yet many, including key decision-makers support it. A little research would reveal the true intentions behind the proposed construction. Are some Americans so committed to diversity that they refuse to listen when the enemy boldly announces its plans? Is the multicultural “experiment” so important that the fear of offending offends reason and logic? Clearly, both have suffered along with our nation’s security. I suggest you visit http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ to see what Muslim leaders are boldly saying.

If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

One Jerusalem reports
The New York Times clearly thought they could report that Israel’s political leadership was divided over the contentious issue of the blockade of Gaza. So they conducted an interview with Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. Boy were they surprised to hear her views. Livni defended the blockade and emphatically declared that “there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” Confused by her defense of current polices the interviewer exclaims: You’re the leader of the centrist Kadima Party, which is an opposition party. Yet you don’t sound very opposed to the views of the ruling party. Livni responds: On the right of Israel to exist and to defend itself, there is no opposition in Israel.
 
The Israel Project reports
On July 5, the Government of Israel significantly eased the Gaza land blockade, publishing a short list of controlled goods for the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as part of its plan to ease the land blockade. On June 22, the Israeli cabinet voted in favor of the new measures, changing its previous policy to allow all food items to be transferred into Gaza. Previously, about 15 tons of basic food supplies and humanitarian goods were delivered to Palestinians weekly, but certain materials had been prohibited. 

IT’S NEWS TO ME

One Jerusalem reports
Several years ago, I was meeting with a British expert on radical Islam who was bemoaning the fact that the British government had approved the establishment of a national board that would rule on compliance with Islamic Finance. He was upset by the acceptance of the British government of a finance system that would be recognized as being outside of the British financial system. While he felt this was a policy mistake he was more concerned that it supported the concept that Muslims in the United Kingdom would live under their own rules, separate and apart from society at large.

Britain’s capitulation to the lobbying of their Muslim population has gone far beyond the financial sector. In all walks of life British Muslims act like they are a protected class that can live outside the norms of British society. While this concept of allowing a class of people to live outside of mainstream society is troubling by itself, the leadership of the British Muslim community are advocates of the most regressive form of Islamic law, Sharia. A basic tenet of Sharia is that Muslims can not recognize nor should they obey a state that is not ruled by Sharia law.

Last week, Senator Jeff Sessions exposed the troubling relationship between Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Sharia Law. As Frank Gaffney reports, Senator Sessions is questioning Kagan’s silence when as Dean of Harvard Law School she did not oppose a Saudi gift of $20 million to establish an Islamic Studies center. Kagan, who ventured beyond the Law School to criticize policies of the United States military, remained silent when the regressive Saudis established a Center on campus that would be under the influence of the Sharia culture promulgated by the Saudi royal family.

And to add insult to injury, Kagan helped launch an Islamic Finance Project that advocates the United States following the British model of accepting Islamic laws of finance. In other words, Kagan believes that the laws that govern American society should not apply to Muslims. This should be of great concern to everyone who understands how this downgrades our Constitution, our legal system, and our way of life.
 
WorthyNews.com reports
The Dutch far right Party for Freedom (PVV) says the Netherlands should demand that Indonesia improves protection of Christians amid reports that hard-line Muslims prepare for a religious war with that country’s Christian minority.
 
A Christian woman remained in hospital Monday, June 28, after she was beaten and briefly abducted on the orders of a prominent Pakistani Muslim legislator “because Christians didn’t vote” for him, family and police said.

Always keep your words soft and sweet. Some day you may have to eat them.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

A few weeks ago, we learned that the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security was planning to deport Hasan Yousef, author of Son of Hamas back to the West Bank, where he would likely be assassinated. The son of one of the founders of Hamas, won his court case Wednesday after the U.S. government relented and decided to grant him political asylum.

The Israel Project reports
In a major push to restart peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (June 30) invited Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Jerusalem, even offering to travel to Ramallah to get the peace process underway. “I call on president Abu Mazen to come to Jerusalem,” said Netanyahu. “I’m prepared to go to Ramallah.” Netanyahu, speaking about his upcoming trip to Washington, added, “I hope and I believe that a main part of my conversations with President Obama in Washington next week will be focused on how to start direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians right away. I think that this is the only way that we’ll solve the intricate problems that we’re discussing between us.”

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book, Islam is not a religion nor is it a cult. It is a complete system.
 
Islam has religious, legal, political, economic and military components. The religious component is a beard for all the other components. Islamization occurs when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their so-called “religious rights.” When politically correct and culturally diverse societies agree to “the reasonable” Muslim demands for their “religious rights,” they also get the other components under the table.
 
Here’s how it works (percentages source CIA: The World Fact Book (2007)). As long as the Muslim population remains around 1% of any given country they will be regarded as a peace-loving minority and not as a threat to anyone. In fact, they may be featured in articles and films, stereotyped for their colorful uniqueness (United States, Australia, China, Italy, Norway).
 
At 2% and 3% they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs (Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand).
 
From 5% on they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. They will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature it on their shelves — along with threats for failure to comply (France, Philippines, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands). This is happening in the United States.

At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islam is not to convert the world but to establish Sharia law over the entire world. When Muslims reach 10% of the population, they will increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions (Paris — car-burnings). Any non- Muslim action that offends Islam will result in uprisings and threats (Amsterdam — Mohammed cartoons) (Guyana, India, Israel, Kenya, Russia).
 
After reaching 20% expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings and church and synagogue burning (Ethiopia).
 
At 40% you will find widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks and ongoing militia warfare (Bosnia, Chad, Lebanon).
 
From 60% you may expect unfettered persecution of non-believers and other religions, sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels (Albania, Malaysia, Qatar, Sudan).
 
After 80% expect State-run ethnic cleansing and genocide (Bangladesh, Egypt, Gaza, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates).
 
100% will usher in the peace of “Dar-es-Salaam” — the Islamic House of Peace - there’s supposed to be peace because everybody is a Muslim (Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Yemen). Of course, that’s not the case.

What is the proper designation for 2.4 miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital? 
1 IV League

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION
The Israel Project reports
As Israel marks four years since Iran-backed Hamas has held an Israeli-French soldier hostage, the terror group is still refusing to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit him. Allowing the Red Cross to visit Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, Hamas Politburo Deputy Chief Mousa Abu Marzouk said June 11, could give away where Hamas is keeping the 23-year-old hidden. On Sunday (June 27), Shalit’s parents plan to begin an 11-day march across Israel - from their home in the country’s north to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence - in a campaign to bring more public attention to their son’s plight and call for more government action to win his release. The Shalits have said they will camp outside the prime minister’s house until their son is freed. Meanwhile, Israelis are expected to hold rallies in Tel Aviv to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Shalit’s capture.
 
Events in Turkey indicate that much of the Turkish public increasingly believes that their Prime Minister blundered by unnecessarily provoking a crisis with Israel. If crises often provide opportunities, however, the long-term results of the flotilla incident might be just the opportunity to restore Turkish-Israeli relations to where they were before Turkey’s current Islamist government took power. It now appears that the average Turk — for lack of a better term - approximately 70% of the population who is not part of the political establishment, the academic establishment, or the media — now understands that this crisis has hurt Turkey internationally and politically and that there was no reason for Turkey to provoke Israel.
Since Israel’s deadly raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara last month, it’s been assumed that Iran would be the major beneficiary of the wave of global anti-Israeli sentiment. But things seem to be playing out much differently: Iran paradoxically stands to lose much influence as Turkey assumes a surprising new role as the modern, democratic and internationally respected nation willing to take on Israel and oppose America.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Jerry Golden reports
Many don’t understand why Turkey has moved away from the West and into the arms of Islamic Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.  The answer is two-fold. First, they really had no choice for it is prophesied in Ezek 38.5 and they have also been convinced that Israel will be defeated this time, and they want to be on the side they think will win.  In fact, Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan is now willing to lead the charge.  We are hearing that Iran and Turkey will together send more ships to break the Gaza blockade and this time with naval escort, an act of all-out war.  Israel will react accordingly to protect itself.  It would also be good to keep in mind that all this talk about the Gaza blockade could be a smokescreen to draw attention away from the soon coming attack. 

Worthy Christian News reports
Lebanese security forces prepared to crackdown on Islamic insurgents Friday, June 25, after threatening leaflets were found calling on Christians to leave a key port city and a bomb blast that killed at least one person in a predominantly Christian town.
 
Over 20 Afghan Christians have been detained in Afghanistan after high-level leaders called for the arrest and execution of converts to Christianity in the Islamic nation.
 
Iran has warned of a military confrontation with Israel and the United States after at least eleven American warships, including an aircraft carrier, and an Israeli vessel passed through the Suez Canal, the largest fleet of ships to cross the volatile, strategic waterway, in recent years.
 
[At G8 Summit) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for a new global currency to replace the dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency.
 
Pope Benedict XVI has urged the creation of a “true world political authority” to “guarantee the protection of the environment” and to manage the global economy.

What is the proper designation for 1 kilogram of falling figs? 
1 FigNewton

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

Joel Rosenberg reports
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security may soon deport Mosab Hasan Yousef, author of the New York Times best-selling non-fiction book, Son of Hamas, back to the West Bank where he very well could be assassinated. He is scheduled for a DHS hearing on June 30th that could decide his fate. U.S. officials believe his previous leadership role in Hamas is too great a risk to give him political asylum here in the States. Yes, Mosab is the son of one of the founders of Hamas and was a rising leader in the terrorist organization - he described his role in detail in his book. That said, Mosab renounced Hamas and risked his life to become a double agent working for the Israeli secret service (Shin Bet) against Hamas. In so doing, Mosab helped to stop scores of terrorist attacks and helping Israel arrest scores of jihadists. Then, Mosab renounced Islam and became a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Israel Project reports
The Israeli Security Council announced Thursday (June 17) that it would ease restrictions on the entry of civilian goods via land crossings into Gaza. The flow of materials for construction purposes into Gaza will also be increased for civilian projects under international supervision but will not be unrestricted. All food items will now be transferred into Gaza and restrictions on other items will also be eased. The naval blockade will not be lifted as this is deemed crucial to preventing the large-scale transfer of weapons and war materiel into Gaza. Meanwhile, ships from several countries, including Iran and Lebanon, have left or are planning to leave for Hamas-controlled Gaza in defiance of an Israeli maritime blockade on that territory.

U.S. lawmakers warned Turkey on Wednesday that its ties with Washington would suffer if it continued on what they considered an anti-Israel path. “There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel,” Representative Mike Pence, the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, said.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Jay Seculow reports
As I write you, New York City officials are considering plans to build an Islamic mosque near the site of the fallen Twin Towers. And if that’s not bad enough … it gets even worse. The Imam behind this mosque has a record of support for causes tied to terrorism. New reports are even identifying him as one of the key financiers of the Gaza-bound flotilla that recently carried terrorists determined to attack Israel!
 
Jewish World Review reports
Led by US President Barack Obama, the West has cast its lot with Hamas. It is not surprising that Obama is siding with Hamas. His close associates are leading members of the pro-Hamas Free Gaza outfit. Obama’s friends, former Weather Underground terrorists Bernadine Dohrn and William Ayres participated in a Free Gaza trip to Egypt in January. Their aim was to force the Egyptians to allow them into Gaza with 1,300 fellow Hamas supporters. Their mission was led by Code Pink leader and Obama fund-raiser Jodie Evans. Another leading member of Free Gaza is James Abourezk, a former US senator from South Dakota .
 
Given Obama’s attitude toward jihadists and the radical leftists who support them, his decision to support Hamas against Israel makes sense. What is alarming however is how leaders of the free world are now all siding with Hamas. That support has become ever more apparent since the Mossad’s alleged killing of Hamas terror master Mahmoud al-Mabhouh at his hotel in Dubai in January. In the aftermath of Mabhouh’s death, both Britain and Australia joined the Dubai-initiated bandwagon in striking out against Israel . Israel considers both countries allies, or at least friendly and has close intelligence ties with both. Yet despite their close ties, Australia and Britain expelled Israeli diplomats who supposedly had either a hand in the alleged operation or who work for the Mossad.

What is the proper designation for 2000 mockingbirds? 
2 kilomockingbirds

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

Regarding Israel’s flotilla episode:
 
The Jerusalem Connection International reports
1. Under international law, Israel has the right to protect the lives of its civilians from Hamas attacks, and, consequently, has undertaken measures to defend itself, including the imposition of a maritime blockade to curb Hamas rearmament. Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no vessels can enter the blockaded area.
 
2. In line with Israel’s obligations under international law, the ships participating in the protest flotilla were warned repeatedly that a maritime blockade is in effect off the coast of Gaza and were given due notice of its exact coordinates.
 
3. Israel repeatedly offered the flotilla organizers permission to land in the port of Ashdod, and to transfer their aid to Gaza through the existing overland crossings, in accordance with established procedures. Thousands of tons of humanitarian supplies are regularly allowed in by Israel through the land crossings. The flotilla organizers rejected this offer, stating clearly that “this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it’s about breaking Israel’s siege.” (Greta Berlin, AFP, 27May10).

4. While the organizers claim to have humanitarian concern for the residents of Gaza they did not have similar concerns for the fate of the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and when asked, refused to even make a public call to allow him to be visited by the Red Cross. Shalit has languished in a Gazan dungeon for over three years.
 
5. When it became clear that the protest flotilla intended to violate the blockade despite repeated warnings, Israeli Naval personnel boarded the vessels of the flotilla, and redirected them to Ashdod. 
 
6. Given the large number of vessels participating in the flotilla, there was an operational need to undertake measures to enforce the blockade a certain distance from the area of the blockade.
 
7. The intention of the flotilla participants to resist Israeli Naval personnel was made clear in numerous television interviews on 30 May given by the head of the IHH, Bulent Yildirim on board the Mavi Marmara (as he held a year-old infant in his arms, in what he called a “message” to any Israelis planning to act against the flotilla).
 
8. The Israeli Navy was met with violent opposition, two pistols were found in the hands of protesters, and over a dozen Israeli personnel were hospitalized, some in critical condition. One militant snatched a gun from an Israeli commando and opened fire. The Navy described being met by a “lynching” party. 

The Jerusalem Prayer Team reports
On the ships the activists/terrorists were chanting slogans such as, “Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews. The army of Mohammed will return.” This was in reference to the slaughter of Jews by Mohammed in the seventh century. They were screaming, “Martyrdom or victory.” Can you imagine any country arming its troops with paintball guns? That’s precisely what Israel did. The boarders were carrying paintball guns solely for crowd control. Israel didn’t want to harm anyone; it wanted to avoid an incident such as the one that evolved last Monday.

The terrorists on the ship beat the IDF troops with pipes, stabbed them with knives and scissors, tossed stun grenades at them, and then disarmed the troops and shot them with their own pistols. One soldier was thrown over the railing to fall headfirst thirty feet to the deck below. The only way the Israelis could hope to survive was to defend themselves.

The terrorist organization behind the flotilla was the IHH (Islan Haklary Ve Hurriyetleri Vakfi) founded in 1992. It has been on the CIA’s watchlist since 1996 because of its fanatical Islamist teachings. Under the guise of a “charity,” it has a record of sending donations to Muslim disaster areas. The IHH is NOT the force for good it purports to be. It is backed by a Saudi-based group known to back terrorism. The chairman of the organization, Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, advocates suicide attacks against innocent Israeli civilians, and funnels millions to support Hamas. According to a Danish study, the IHH is also reported to have ties with al-Qaeda and other “global jihadist networks.” French intelligence reports support the Danish study.
 
My Personal Observations
I was in Israel while all this took place. Israelis were stunned in disbelief at both the events and the worldwide condemnation of Israel. News reports from all over the globe painted Israel as an aggressor engaged in an illegal seige. Only Fox News reported an accurate account.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

I am excited to report that my new book, Islam and the Last Days, is now in at least 12 nations and plans have begun to have it translated and distributed in three Third World countries. The endorsement of Christian Friends of Israel was instrumental in getting things off to a great start. I am so impressed with this ministry. Their selfless dedication and love for the Jewish people have won the admiration of the Israeli government and the people. They assist Jewish immigrants, give aid to the poor, minister to the needs of hurting Jewish believers, help Ethiopian Jews adjust to their new homeland, assist victims of rocket attacks by building bomb shelters, give aid to Israeli soldiers… The list goes on. Eventually, those receiving the aid will ask why they (Christians) are being so kind to them. The door is then open to share the love of Christ which is their motivation. Only then are Christians seen as people who really care about the Jewish people.
 
Attendees at the 25th Anniversary Conference represented 40 nations. What a blessing to be among so many lovers of Israel. I was encouraged to learn that Israel has supporters all over the globe. We were all challenged to speak out for Israel and to protest the growing worldwide anti-semitism.
 
The book is available on my website at www.edrodgers.net.

What is the proper designation for 453.6 graham crackers? 
1 pound cake