A Newsbrief From The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Sweet Freedom

October 13, 2011Dear Friend of Israel, Israel is awaiting with anticipation the return of Gilad Shalit, the IDF soldier held captive by Hamas terrorists for over five years. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that a deal had been finalized with Hamas for Shalit’s return, and though no date for that release has yet been announced, it looks like this time he will really be coming home. Israelis are famous for their boisterous public debates on a host of topics. But for years they have been united in their concern for this young man who was kidnapped and held under such cruel conditions. He was allowed virtually no contact with the outside world. In clear violation of international law, his captors never allowed him even one visit by the International Red Cross. The United Nations, which criticizes Israel at every turn, never saw fit to address Shalit’s plight. Israel and her friends never forgot him though — and now, with his release imminent, his homecoming seems like nothing short of a miracle, a gift from God. Shalit’s freedom comes at a painful cost — a price exacted by Hamas, which outrageously demanded the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners to ensure Shalit’s release. Among these prisoners are many terrorists with the blood of innocent Israeli men, women, and children on their hands. Certainly, there are many moral and ethical questions — and strategic risks — associated with this prisoner swap. Gilad’s parents, too, are understandably anxious about how five years of being held captive by terrorists has affected his psychological and physical health. Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s mother, expressed her concern as only a parent can. “This joy is mixed with a great deal of fear; it is obvious that he won’t be the same boy we sent off,” she said. “No matter what we do when we get home, the most important thing is that Gilad comes back.” Whatever our fears and apprehensions, it is a time to be thankful. And so we say, welcome home Gilad Shalit! The entire nation of Israel, and Israel’s friends everywhere, celebrate your return. May the rest of your life and the lives of your loved ones be as blessed with joy and happiness as the past five years have been fraught with struggle and sorrow. On this momentous occasion, may we all turn toward God in gratitude, remembering the words of the Psalmist, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). With prayers for shalom, peace, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President

Nakba Day and The Real Catastrophe

 

As you may remember, I posted a message last week and asked that you pray for the safety of Isreal last weekend.  This is the update that I received from the IFCU.com.

The Real Catastrophe

Share: May 19, 2011 Last Sunday, just days after Israelis joyously celebrated Israel Independence Day, many Palestinians, along with other Arabs in the countries neighboring Israel, commemorated Nakba Day. In Arabic, nakba means “catastrophe,” so you would expect that this day marks the anniversary of a tragic war, natural disaster, or loss of a beloved leader. But no — the “catastrophe” that they gathered to grieve and protest is the founding of the state of Israel. This year’s Nakba Day was marked by violence. More than a thousand angry protesters from Syria and Lebanon charged the Israeli borders, and violent demonstrations took place within Israel by Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem. Rioters threw stones at police and government vehicles, causing damage to property and injuries to people. When the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stationed at the Syrian border did what the armed forces of any besieged country would do — use force to defend their nation against a large, violent mob — they drew the ire of many in the international media. Headlines focused on the injuries and deaths caused by the IDF, which was acting only to protect Israel’s borders and citizens, not on the Arab incitement. And, true to form, a representative of the United Nations condemned Israel for what he called “the use of disproportionate, deadly force.” Palestinian leaders weighed in as well. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said, “We must praise the courage and faith of all those who protested yesterday on the Lebanese and Syrian borders with occupied Palestine as well as within Palestine.” Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told Muslim worshippers the morning of Nakba Day to pray for an end to Israel. Even Palestinian Authority (P.A.) president Mahmoud Abbas, the alleged “moderate” Palestinian leader, said, “[The demonstrators’] precious blood will not be wasted. It was spilt for the sake of our nation’s freedom.” It is perplexing to Israelis — as it should be to the world — what Palestinians are and aren’t willing to do in the name of “freedom.” They’re willing to praise a dangerous mob that storms Israel’s borders, but unwilling to engage in productive peace talks. They’re willing to brand Israel a “racist,” “apartheid” state, but unwilling to purge their schools of educational materials that promote despicable anti-Semitic views to their children. P.A. leaders are willing to enter a unity agreement with Hamas, a known terror organization and their sworn enemy, but are unwilling to make any compromises that might lead to peace with democratic Israel. The fact that many in the world see all of this and yet persist in painting Israel as the aggressor is the real catastrophe. And this is why we continually ask you to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” and the security of all Israel and her citizens. May God soften the hardened hearts of Arab rulers and all those who hate Israel, and bring us to the day when all will remember the birth of Israel not as a “catastrophe,” but as a sign of God’s faithfulness to His people and a triumph of the human spirit. With prayers for shalom, peace, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President

Worse Trouble For Israel, Fatah and Hamas United

This is an article from the Jerusalem Post; please pray for the people of Israel this weekend.  I fear that there may be big trouble brewing.  Also, pray for President Obama’s eyes to be opened to how important our alliance with them is.

Top Fatah official: ‘PA won’t be able to stop 3rd intifada’

By D. E. MILLER,  ARIEH O’SULLIVAN/ THE MEDIA 
05/12/2011 13:36

Abbas Zaki says the Palestinians, inspired by Middle East unrest, may launch new intifada on ‘Nakba Day‘ if they have lost hope in peace talks.

Talkbacks (6)

 

The Palestinian leadership won’t be able to contain the street protests planned for this weekend marking the 63rd anniversary of the creation of Israel, said a senior member of Central Committee of the Fatahmovement.Abbas Zaki, whose tasks include monitoring the Arab Spring revolts, told The Media Line that Palestinians have been encouraged by how Arabs across the Middle East have toppled two leaders and threaten others with mass protests. With no peace talks with Israel on the horizon, Zaki warned, the Palestinian leadership will be hard pressed to contain the rage of demonstrators.RELATED:
IDF reinforcing W. Bank troops ahead of ‘Nakba Day’
Abbas: No third intifada; PA seeks int’l recognition“The Palestinian leadership has faced a dead end and has been unable to advance the many Palestinian issues even a bit. This leadership won’t be able to quiet the street, which has witnessed the success and achievements of the Egyptians and Tunisians. The Palestinian people will react according to its level of hope in a peaceful solution,” Zaki said.

 

On Sunday, Palestinians will mark the so-called “Nakba,”or “catastrophe” as they refer to the creation of Israel. Israel is looking at the demonstrations planned for the weekend as a test case for the Palestinian security forces.

While “Nakba Day” has been marked for many years, this year’s commemoration and the security forces handling of it will be the first since Fatah has joined the rival Hamas movement in a national unity government. Although the government has yet to be formally constituted, the prospects of Hamas having a say in Palestinian security in the West Bank has raised the hackles of Israeli security officials.

Until now, Fatah, which has been in on-again-off-again peace talks with Israel, has exclusive control of the West Bank while Hamas, an Islamic group sworn to Israel’s destruction, has ruled in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Defense Forces have been put on high alert in the West Bank for the possibility that Palestinian demonstrators could clash with residents of Jewish communities, security sources said. 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz visited troops on Wednesday and briefed commanders on possible scenarios, including extreme violence, despite word from Palestinian security forces that they will be aiming at keeping tensions low, the IDF spokesman said in a statement.

“The IDF estimates that events on the ground could lead to violence, even if no side is interested in such a scenario,” the statement said.

Col. Avi Gil, commander of the Ephraim Brigade, instructed his troops to be on high alert and increase their vigilance. “We are preparing for the possibility of a Third Intifada or any other extreme scenario on ‘Nakba Day’,” he told Army Radio. “We are conducting situational assessments and preparing.”

Israeli security sources told The Media Line that the recent reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas could lead to outlawed Hamas members participating in Palestinian security forces. This could lead to a rupture in the cooperation currently underway between the IDF and the Palestinians in the West Bank.

Zaki, who played a key role in the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, insisted that the interim Palestinian government to be formed would not jeopardize agreements already reached with Israel.

“The new government will be totally committed to previous agreements signed with Israel. It is the government of Mahmoud Abbas who has expressed more than once his commitment to the [Israeli] partner, if he still exists,” Zaki said.

“The Palestinian people should unite to face Israeli occupation which is the most threatening to Palestinians, and put aside marginal quarrels,” he said.

Israel, which has worked hard to see the world recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization for carrying out suicide bombings and rocket attacks, is adamant that the inclusion of Hamas renders the new Palestinian government ineligible for international support. Israel Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said he was freezing the transfer of some $88 million in tax money to the PA.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad adopted a belligerent tone when he called on the public to “mobilize” against Israel for the step. 

Always remember that Jesus, a Jew, died for us because He loves us!

 

May God protect them,
Teresa Marie