9-24-18, Israel Natl News – On Sept 18, 2018 Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft was downed after an Israeli airstrike on a military research facility in northern Syria. An IDF delegation was dispatched to Moscow last week to share information collected by Israel as part of its investigation into the incident.

The Russian government has refused to accept the validity of Israel’s investigation into the downing of the plane, holding Israel responsible for the plane’s destruction and the loss of all fifteen Russian crew members.
 
During a phone conversation on Sept 24, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he did not accept Israel’s explanation that Israel Air Force fighter jets operating in Syria did not use a Russian Ilyushin IL-20 spy plane as radar cover. He said the IDF was negligent in its actions during the Syria airstrike and failure to give proper warning to Russia regarding the impending strike.
​
Netanyahu told Putin he had full faith in the IDF report, which found the Syrian military responsible for the downing of the plane and was extremely regretful for the loss of life. He denied Putin's claims saying Israel's jets were already out of the combat zone and in Israeli airspace when the IL-20 was downed, and that the IL-20 had been far from the area of the airstrikes during the Israeli operation. More here

Back Story:
On Monday night, 9-17-18, Russian Air Force Ilyushin IL-20 "Coot-A" electronic intelligence and radar reconnaissance aircraft monitoring the Idlib province of Syria was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defense forces after an Israeli air strike on facilities in Latakia, Syria. It went down in the Mediterranean, about 17 miles off the Syrian coast near Latakia, with a loss of all 15 Russian crew members.

At first Russian President Vladimir Putin said the downing was the result of a "chain of tragic accidental circumstances."

However, the Russian Defense Ministry has laid the blame for the downing on the Israelis, saying: "The Israeli pilots used the Russian plane as cover and set it up to be targeted by the Syrian air defense forces. As a consequence, the Il-20, which has a radar cross-section much larger than the F-16, was shot down by a Syrian S-200 system missile."  More here and here

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he backed the Russian Defense Ministry statement accusing Israel of downing the reconnaissance plane, but added that the incident appeared to be an accident.

9-18-18, The Russian military said the Israeli raid was the cause of a Russian Il-20 aircraft being shot down by a Syrian missile, as Damascus was trying to repel the attack on its positions when the plane was landing. The Ministry of Defense accused Israeli jets of using the Russian aircraft as "cover" during strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed "regret" to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the downing of the plane, but insisted Syria is to blame. More here:

On Tuesday, 9-18-18 Israel's ambassador in Mosow was summoned to Russia's foreign ministry.

Israel denied downing the Russia turbo prop
IDF spokesperson said Wednesday night, 9-19-18, the delegation to Russia will present evidence linking Iran to ongoing attempts to transfer strategic weapons to the Hezbollah [Lebanon] terror organization and to establish an Iranian military presence in Syria.

The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur  is recorded in the Holy Bible's Old Testament book of Leviticus 16:8-34; 23:27-32. It's the most solemn and important holy day of the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament, the Day of Atonement was the day the High Priest made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people. This act of atonement brought reconciliation between the people and God. After the blood sacrifice was offered to the Lord, a goat was released into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people. This "scapegoat" was never to return. The Messiah, the Savior and Lord Jesus is our 'scapegoat.' 1 John 3:5

Jerusalem mayoral hopeful egged by fellow Arabs aka "Palestinians"
9-15-18, Haaretz -- Muslim aka Arab Aziz Abu Sarah in Israel is breaking the traditional East Jerusalem boycott on local Israeli elections; he wants to be Mayor of Jerusalem. Several Palestinian threw eggs at him during the press conference. 
***
​9-15-18, Aljazeera -- Only Israeli citizens can be national elected leaders in Jerusalem, but Muslim [aka Arab aka Palestinian], Aziz Abu Sarah has sued Israel in his attempt to change the law. He is breaking the boycott by the so called 'Palestinians' by trying to participate in the national election to become Mayor of Jerusalem. He believes that Israel isn't a democracy because  Muslims not permitted to hold national office and urges his fellow Muslims to vote ... instead they throw eggs at him. More here

History: The Hebrew King David planned the temple that Solomon eventually built in 3040 BC after Adam. King Solomon was king 4 years when he began the temple 1 Kings 6:1. He was king 36 years after it was begun and it was destroyed the first time in 587 BC. Then the Persian king, Cyrus helped the Jews rebuild it about 450 before Christ. It was the temple the Lord Jesus Christ would have seen. According to history and archeology, it was destroyed 70 AD years after Christ. 

​What Is Rosh Hashanah? - The Jewish New Year, anniversary of the universe birthday. The day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and Rosh Hashanah means "Head of the Year." 
the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year, continuing through the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur.
You may notice that the Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as occurring on the first day of the seventh month. The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nissan, occurring in March and April. 
In Judaism, Nissan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar, Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals, Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years (when we increase the year number. Sabbatical and Jubilee years begin at this time).
Extra Day of Jewish Holidays - this holiday is celebrated for two days instead of the one day specified in the Bible. The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.  God named the other holidays, Sabbath, Passover, Day of Atonement, etc.; however, this holiday has no name. It’s simply referred to as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar), so it became known as the Feast of Trumpets, a special day calling attention to the coming holy day—the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). A shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during the Feast of Trumpets service. More here and here

8-31-18, * -- In 1897 the Jewish newspaper correspondent in France, Theodore Herzl became aware of the dangers in Europe realizing that Jews must leave creating their own state. He became a leading spokesman for the Zionist movement and in 1897 convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. Since then there has been violence and wars with the Muslims in the Jewish land.
 
God promised one day to bring the Jews back to their land nevermore to be forced to leave it. He told Moses to tell the Israelites that if they obey Him they will be blessed in the land of Israel; warning that if they disobey Him, He will remove them from the land. (Deuteronomy 28:1-3, 63-65) Clearly it’s the LORD who scattered the Jews from the land because of their disobedience. He used the Babylonian Empire to perform His judgment. However, He promised that, after seventy years they would be returned to the land [appx 1312 BC**] and that He was always watching over them although they suffered many attacks and most were dispersed from the land. (Jeremiah 29:4, 10-11; Amos 9:13-15; Deuteronomy 11:11-12)  
 
On May 14, 1948 God fulfilled His promise to bring the Jews back to the land forever. Although the Jewish state of Israel was reborn, the Lord God has permitted the devil to harass and persecute her life; the timeline follows:

1. In 1917, during WW1, the British defeated the Turkish Ottoman Empire taking control of the Jewish homeland they called ‘Palestine.’
2. In 1947 the United Nations implemented a two-state partition plan which would create a Jewish state and an Arab state side by side.
3. On May 14, 1948 the Jewish state of Israel was recognized by United Nations.
4. On May 15, 1948 the Islamic armies of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq attacked Israel. Israel won the battles.
5. In July of 1949 an armistice was signed ending the fighting. Israel maintained control of her land yet Jerusalem remained under Arab [Islamic] control.
6. In 1964 The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed; the Muslims controlled the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
7. In 1967, Nasser of Egypt along with the Syrians and Jordanians were poised to attack Israel; but Israel didn’t wait doing a preemptive strike. Within six days had captured the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip on the Egyptian border, the Golan Heights on the Syrian border and all of Jerusalem.
8. In 1972 Palestinian terrorists abducted and killed 11 Israelis at the Munich Olympics.
9. In 1973 on the holiest Jewish day of the year, Yom Kippur, the Egyptians under President Anwar Sadat attacked Israel. They caught Israel by surprise and had significant victories in the early part of the war. After three weeks the Israelis had successfully repelled the attack
10. On June 27, 1976, a group of Palestinian terrorists hijacked a French commercial jet and rerouted it to a Ugandan airport called Entebbe. Non-Jewish passengers were released; 105 Jewish passengers were kept hostage at the airport. The Israelis launched an commando raid on July 4, 1976 and rescued all but 3 Jews, 245 attackers were killed by the Israelis.
11. In 1978 US Pres Carter’s Camp David Peace Accords took place; when Egypt & Pres Sadat became the first Arab country to recognize the state of Israel. President Sadat was assassinated by his own army in 1981.
12. In 1982 the terrorist group called the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was based in southern Lebanon. Violence erupted between the PLO and Israeli forces; Israel invaded with the goal to drive the PLO out of Lebanon. By September of 1982 the PLO had withdrawn most of its forces from Lebanon, but Israel didn’t withdraw until 3 years later.
13. In 1987, Arabs PLO under Yasser Arafat's control in Israel started the first intifada or uprising against Israel in the West Bank [Judea & Samaria], Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. The unrest lasted five years when thousands of Molotov cocktails and hundreds of grenades were hurled at the Israeli army.
14. In 2000 Arafat rejected a peace agreement that would have led to Israeli withdrawal from parts of Israel, settlement evacuation, sharing of Jerusalem and establishment of a Palestinian state. Several weeks later the second intifada began claiming appx 5000 Palestinians and 1000 Israelis lives.
15. In 2005 Israel’s army under the leadership of PM Ariel Sharon forcibly removed all Jews from the Gaza Strip leaving it in the control of the Palestinian Authority.
16. In 2006 the Palestinian people elected members of the Muslim terrorist group Hamas to govern Gaza.
17. In 2007 fighting broke out between Hamas and its fellow governing party Fatah led by Mahmoud Abbas. President Mahmoud Abbas removed himself to the West Bank [Judea & Samaria Israel]. This led to the launching of Qassam rockets into Israel by Hamas.
18. In late 2008 Israeli troops moved into Gaza trying to end the rocket attacks.
19. Since 2008 to the current 2018 year, there have been constant rocket, fire and other attacks on the Israeli Jews by the militant Islamic radicals from Gaza.

Islamic extremists will never allow peace between Muslims and Jews claiming the Jews are living on land that their god, Allah gave them; although no mentions of it in their book the Koran and no physical evidence proves it. However, there is much in the Bible about the land belonging to the Jews with thousands of pieces of physical evidence as well. Regardless of the number of moderate Muslims who may want peace with Israel, the Islamic radical hardliners can never allow Israel to exist; treaties and truces may be made, but only with the goal of the Muslims eventually taking the ALL the land.
 
The Jews in Israel have one fundamental requirement for any peace treaty with the Muslims; the Islamic people [aka Palestinians] must acknowledge and recognize that the Jews and the state of Israel has a right to exist on their own land. That’s an unacceptable condition for them. Muslim extremists will never be able to truly recognize Israel even if they return to the pre-1967 borders; they want ALL the land and disallow ANY Jews on it.
 
Is it futile and wrong to attempt peace? No. Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers". (Matthew 5:9) However, peaceful efforts will not always result in peaceful coexistence; especially with those outside the faith. The fact that there’ll be no peace between Israel and the Muslim extremists doesn’t mean that peacemakers shouldn't try to at least reduce the violence. We must however not have unrealistic expectations that true and lasting peace can ever occur before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Psalm 35:20; Isaiah 48:22; Ezekiel 13:10, 16; Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11
​***
*Excerpted and adapted full original message here
** Exodus here

8-11-18, * -- When President Donald Trump moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the Jewish State of Israel’s capitol of Jerusalem, many people of faith quickly recognized the biblical significance. President Trump, like King Cyrus before him recognizes that the Jewish people have a free and sovereign land in Israel. Many of the miracles we are witnessing in Israel today were promised in the Bible long ago as follows:
 
#1 The Ingathering of the Jewish Exiles from the Four Corners of the World: In Ezekiel 34:13, “And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them.” This month, for the first time Israel has overtaken America to become the world’s largest Jewish population center. The total Jewish population has reached 6 million, which carries added significance as this was the number of Jews killed in the Nazi Holocaust.

#2 Spiritual Partnership Between Jews and Christians: The State of Israel, however, was not born through Jewish toil alone. Rather, as prophesied in Ezra 6:14 – “And according to the decree of Koresh, and Daryavesh, and Artachshasta king of Paras” – the State of Israel was birthed out of a spiritual partnership between Jews and non-Jews. In biblical times, it was Cyrus’ edict that allowed the people of Israel to return to the land of Israel and rebuild the Temple. In 1917, it was the British government’s Balfour Declaration that turned the tide for the Jews in exile. Similarly, in 1948, when U.S. President Harry Truman recognized the State of Israel, he said, “I am Cyrus.” In the cases of Cyrus, Balfour, Truman and now Trump, it was non-Jews serving as God’s agents who facilitated the return of the Jewish people to their land. Isaiah 49:22

#3 The Revitalization of the Hebrew Language: The prophet Zephaniah describes how in the end of days all the nations of the world will have “purity of speech. For then I will make the peoples pure of speech, so that they all invoke Hashem by name and serve Him with one accord.” (Zephaniah 3:9) In large part thanks to the efforts of Eliezer Ben Yehuda (1858-1922), who decided that “in order to have our own land and political life it is also necessary that we have our own language to hold us together,” Hebrew is the official language of the State of Israel. The Holy Bible is being used as a source of unity between Jews and Christians.

#4 Rebirth of the Physical Land of Israel: For nearly two millennia, while the land of Israel switched hands between various foreign powers: Romans, Muslims [the Ottomans] and British the land lay utterly desolate. However, as the prophet Isaiah predicted, “He hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden” (51:3). The modern rebirth of the Jewish state in 1948 has brought with it an astounding development of the land, to the point where once again the Jewish people can claim a flourishing country all their own. The desert is literally blooming and growing. And in the realms of technology and culture, Israel ranks among the most advanced countries of the world. Indeed, we are witnessing the Lord comfort “all her waste places.”

How can people deny the truths proclaimed in God's holy word? So many prophecies have been fulfilled; why is there doubt about the future? Jesus said He's coming again; and He will just like He said. Matthew 24:30-31

*Excerpted and adapted full original message by Rabbi Tuly Weisz, Editor of ‘The Israel Bible’ first study Bible edited by Jews for Christians and dedicated to highlighting the land and the people of Israel here

8-8-18, Over the past 24 hours, the Islamic terror group in Gaza, Hamas has launched over 180 rockets into southern Israel — including toward the city of Beersheba, where sirens sounded for the first time since 2014.

Around 30 rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system.
At least seven Israelis were wounded in the rocket attacks, and many more were treated for shock symptoms. Damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure was also reported.

In response to the rocket fire, the Israeli military has struck more than 150 Hamas targets in Gaza. More here [WILL THE UN AGAIN SAY ISRAEL'S RETALIATION WAS DISPROPORTIONATE? 3-2-1 ...]

7-31-18, JERUSALEM — An arson balloon believed to have been launched from Gaza landed in the major southern Israeli city of Beersheba. It would be the farthest distance that an arson balloon has traveled [appx 50 miles] since they came into regular use by Islamic terrorists aka Hamas Palestinians in Gaza in recent months.

The cluster of balloons filled with helium, carrying an incendiary device, landed on a street in the city’s east on Monday. The road was closed to cars and pedestrians as police sappers arrived to defuse the device.

At least six fires caused by arson balloons erupted in Israeli communities bordering Gaza on Monday. Thousands of acres of woodlands and agricultural fields have been destroyed by incendiary material flown over the border from Gaza. More here
***

Israel's Attorney general says Gazan fire kites ‘legitimate military target’
6-19-18, AG Mandelblit declined to address whether it is legal to target the people launching the kites and said he has not been approached by political or military figures on the matter. More here​
***
Israel limits entrance of helium into Gaza after arson balloons scorch the Jewish State
6-12-18, Defense Ministry warns supply of the gas, also used for medical purposes, will be cut off entirely if arson attacks continue. Hamas terror group does not hesitate to use any means, including humanitarian services and channels, in order to carry out terrorist activities. This is despite the efforts by Israel to prevent a deterioration of the civilian situation in the Strip. More here

8-1-18, I can't help but wonder if the dozens of wildfires in the United States - and the world - aren't being flown in via these arson balloons. In 2013 the Islamic magazine INSPIRE had article teaching how to use fire for jihad.
​
​Al Qaeda magazine encourages forest fire arson in the US
May 2, 2013 - According to ABC News, a recent issue of Islamic terror group, 
al-Qaeda's  'Inspire' magazine has surfaced on jihadi [Muslim war]; 
one article titled  “It Is of Your Freedom to Ignite a fire ... "

7-24-18, CBN -- Recently United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley delivered the keynote address before an audience of thousands at the Christians United for Israel Summit in DC. She was honored with a standing ovation as CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee presented her with the Defender of Israel Award. Haley told the crowd of Christians and Jews that it is her faith in Christ that has driven her strong support of Israel. She said:

"I am not Jewish, even though that surprises some people. I was not raised as a Christian either. Twenty years ago, my faith journey brought me to Christianity, where I have found strength in my faith and trust in my heart. But I am also a person who is humble in her faith. I don't claim to have the wisdom of what God has in store for me or for other people. What I do know is that God has blessed America with greatness and with goodness and I know that in the dangerous world we live in, it is absolutely critical for America to stand up and have the backs of our friends."Haley is known as a loud defender of Israel at the United Nations – a place she refers to as the "global epicenter of anti-Semitism." She said: "The United Nations is an interesting place. There are times when it can be a force for good. The UN can also be an enormously frustrating and bizarre place. Nowhere is that more pronounced than in the truly awful way that the UN has treated Israel for decades"

Despite the United Nation's repeated attempts to condemn and undermine the Jewish State, Haley says the US is changing that behavior. "Change comes with leadership and clarity from the United States. That leadership and clarity was on full display when President Trump made the bold and right decision to move the United States embassy to Jerusalem. Jerusalem has historically been, is now, and will always be the capital of Israel... The Human Rights Council is a farce. What we've said is you've got serious human rights abuses, whether it's in Venezuela, whether it's in Iran where they are protesting their regime, whether it's in Nicaragua, and they're doing nothing about it. America will always be the world's leader in advocating for human rights, but we will not do that in a place that makes a mockery of the very human rights ideals it is supposed to uphold," she added. "It's very important to me that we represent truth and reality at the UN, even if it makes other countries uncomfortable." More here

Tehran Iran is directing the Islamic terror group in Gaza Israel, Hamas, who she funds and arms. Purpose is to provoke Israel by attacking the Israeli communities around Gaza.  

7-25-18, Frontpage -- In recent weeks, Hamas launched incendiary kites across the Gaza border that scorched with wildfires 8,000 acres of farms and nature reserves causing an "ecological disaster" in Israel.  In addition, over 200 rockets have been fired by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists into southern Israel in order to kill Israelis. Both Hamas and PIJ are offshoots of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In July 2018 the Islamic terror groups of Hamas and PIJ agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel. However, they continued to hammer away at Israeli civilians with more death-kites and rockets. [..snip]

Soon after President Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the Jewish state of Israel's capitol, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani called leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to pledge Iran’s “all-out support” for their struggle against Israel.

Israel is rightfully concerned about Iran and its proxies Hezbollah [in Lebanon] and Hamas [in Gaza], simultaneously creating a two-front attack against it - or possibly even three - with Hamas and PIJ in the south or the Gaza Strip, Iran, Hezbollah and Shiite militias at the Golan Heights, and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.  [..snip]

Hamas and PIJ share Iran's goal
of replacing Israel with an Islamic state

In response to President Trump's abandoning the Iran nuclear deal and tightening of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Iran launched 32 rockets from Syria toward the “little Satan” Israel.
And in July 2018 Hamas has launched 200 rockets into Israel. -- Frontpage

Israel has the will and the means to fight back, but this time the U.S. administration might not hold Israel back. More here
***
Iran's friend, Obama threatened to shoot down Israeli jets
3-1-15, IsraelNatlNews --  Bethlehem-based news agency Ma’an has cited a Kuwaiti newspaper report, that Obama thwarted an Israeli military attack against Iran's nuclear facilities in 2014 by threatening to shoot down Israeli jets before they could reach their targets in Iran. The Jewish state of Israel discovered that the U.S. and Iran were involved in secret talks over Iran's nuclear program and were about to sign an agreement in that regard behind Israel's back. More here

In 2009 Zbigniew Brzezinski, enthusiastically campaigned Obama to shoot down Israeli planes if they attack Iran. “They have to fly over our airspace in Iraq. Are we just going to sit there and watch?” Source

•7/20: IDF troop killed by sniper near Gaza
•7/20: Israel jets hit 60+ Hamas targets in Gaza
A ceasefire announced by Islamic terror group Hamas in Gaza after a wave of Israel's deadly air strikes across the Palestinian enclave sparked by the Hamas murder of an Israeli soldier.

• Israel carried out airstrikes and deployed tanks against Gaza City militant sites 
• Hamas announced a ceasefire with Egyptian and UN help which has largely held 
• Three Hamas militants were killed  More here

•7/23: Israel used David’s Sling interceptor for 1st time after missiles fired from Syria
•7/24: IDF shot down Syrian jet that entered Israeli airspace BUT Syria said they were after ISIS and in their own airspace

Israel shoots down Syrian fighter jet that 'infiltrated airspace' Syria said
they were conducting attacks on ISIS in their own airspace

7-24-18, Syria accuses Israel of aiding Islamic State [ISIS]... Israel said the Syrian Sukhoi jet crossed 2 km into Israeli-controlled airspace. [In February, an Israeli F-16 jet was brought down by Syrian anti-aircraft fire.] Syrian state media said that a Syrian warplane had been targeted by Israel while conducting raids in Syrian airspace. "The Israeli enemy confirms its support for the armed terrorist groups and targets one of our warplanes, which was striking their groups in the area of Saida on the edge of the Yarmouk Basin in Syrian airspace." An Israeli military statement appeared to acknowledge that its mission was related to the civil war next door; it said:"Since morning hours, there has been an increase in the internal fighting in Syria, including an increase in the activity of the Syrian Air Force. Israel will continue to operate against any breach of a 1974 UN armistice deal that established buffer zones on the Golan."

​Israel shot down Syrian jet ... first time in four years
that Israeli forces intercepted a Syrian aircraft.
​The missiles were launched at the aircraft after it had traveled approximately 1.2 miles into Israeli airspace. It also occurred just minutes after state media in Syria aired footage filmed at the buffer zone established by the United Nations between Syria and Israel. That area includes the much-disputed Golan Heights region. More here

Why these Latin American countries support moving their embassies
5-10-18, JTA — Latin American nations are sympathetic to Israel. President Trump's decision in December 2017 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capitol drew wide international criticism. One hundred twenty-eight nations vote with UN condemning Jerusalem as Israel's capitol. The United Kingdom, Germany and France voting in favor of a United Nations more.

However, Guatemala and its U.N. ambassador Jorge Garcia Granados played a crucial role in the adoption of the U.N. partition plan for Palestine in 1947, which recommended creating a Jewish and an Arab state in prestate Israel. In 1948, Guatemala became the first in Latin America to recognize Israel, setting off a domino effect in the region.

5-8-18, ​Paraguay moving embassy to Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Paraguay is moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from its current position near Tel Aviv. Israel's Foreign Ministry made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday.

​ Honduras passed resolution moving embassy ...
4-13-18, The National Congress of Honduras passed "with an overwhelming majority" a resolution to move the country's embassy to Jerusalem, the official capitol of the Jewish state of Israel.

7-18-18, Since April 2018, Muslim terror arson squads in Gaza have launched hundreds of flaming kites and balloons over the border into the Jewish state of Israel. They have started wildfires scorching 2400+ acres of farmland and nature reserves causing millions of shekels in damage. Recently a new tactic was discovered, apparently a falcon bird was found hanging by a metal string from a burned tree after a wildfire had broken out in the region.

Islamic terror using animals for attacks is not new in the Israeli - Palestinians conflict. The last case was in 2014 when terror group Hamas sent a bomb-laden donkey at IDF soldiers operating in the Rafah area, near the Gaza-Egypt border. The soldiers noticed the donkey while he was suspiciously approaching them and had to open fire at it to detonate the explosive. And in a previous event the Muslims in Gaza had gunmen attack the Karni border crossing using five horses laden with explosive devices and mines. History here

7-15-18, The Israeli Air Force [IAF] is satisfied with the results of the retalitory strikes it carried out against Hamas infrastructure targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, 7-14-18. The most extensive set of strikes conducted against Hamas terror operatives in Gaza by the IAF since the summer of 2014, in response to Hamas rocket, mortar fire and arson kites. The IDF struck a wide range of targets in Gaza, including a high-rise building in the Al-Shati refugee camp and a large strike on a Hamas Battalion HQ in Beit Lahia. On Sunday, 7/15/18 IAF planes twice fired toward a group of Gaza terrorists who were launching kite bombs and incendiary balloons toward Israel. More here

J.D. Farag, Jul 15, 2018, Pastor J.D. talks about a great earthquake in Israel at the time of Ezekiel 38’s fulfillment: 34 minute Video here

Ezekiel 38:18-19 "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog [Turkey] shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking [earthquakes?] in the land of Israel;"

Recent Earthquakes in Israel, Warm-Up for Pre-Gog Global ...
7-5-18, Eighty years ago a prediction that major earthquakes in Israel would precede the War of Gog and Magog, preceeding the coming of the Messiah.​

Israel airstrikes as more than 100 Hamas rockets fired across border
7-15-18, Israeli military said some 100 rockets were launched from the Islamic terror group Hamas in Gaza at southern Israel, …

Turkey leader Tayyip Erdogan is threatening Israel with sanctions - while Turkish ...
Erdogan Is Threatening Israel With Sanctions ... Nevertheless, this relative boom is being threatened by the policies of the president, ...​

​Turkey says Israel's Gaza offensive threatens rapprochement ...
Turkey says Israel's Gaza offensive threatens rapprochement "We cannot normalize (relations). First, this cruelty must end," Erdogan said during a speech in the central Turkish city of Yozgat late on Thursday.

Leviticus 20:24; Deuteronomy 26:15; Exodus 3:8, 17, 13:5; Numbers 13:27;  14:8; Ezekiel 20:6; Joshua 5:6; Jeremiah 11:5

​7-10-18, NatlGeographics -- According to a release from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ... a mosaic scene, depicting two men carrying a pole laden with grapes, was recently discovered at Huqoq, the site of the synagogue excavation. An inscription in Hebrew above the men reads “a pole between two”—a reference to the biblical passage Numbers 13:23.

Following the forty years the Hebrews spent in Egypt as slaves, we read in the Book of Numbers 13:1-23 that God told Moses to send out twelve scouts into the land of Canaan. The spies returned with tales of an abundant land of milk and honey—with bunches of grapes so large they required two men to carry. 

Archaeologist Jodi Magness, director of the Huqoq excavations said that the “unparalleled” 1500 yr old mosaic finds at Huqoq contradict the idea that Jewish settlements in Galilee suffered as the influence of Christianity grew in the region. Not only is the artwork in the synagogue of exceptional quality, but it also highlights a rich visual culture at a time when Jewish art is believed to have shunned images. 
​
The Huqoq mosaics, which have been excavated with support from the National Geographic Society, even contain a nonbiblical scene that Magness believes represents a fabled visit to the region by Alexander the Great. More ancient mosaics from Huqoq here

More here: www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/biblical-spies-revealed-in-1500-year-old-mosaic.aspx
and here www.christianpost.com/news/mosaic-of-moses-spies-who-explored-canaan-discovered-in-israel-225939/

​Thai boys Rescued Israeli tech plays crucial roll allowing communication
On June 25, 2018 Israel's Maxtech CEO dispatched a worker with 
a suitcase full of devices that played a key role in the rescue of all 13 people stranded inside a flooded cave in Thailand. The sophisticated Israeli communication system was donated; the devices create their own voice, data and video link in places where no communication infrastructure exists and line-of-sight transmission is impossible. 
Maxtech CEO Uzi Hanuni said, “We are happy to be able to help.” 

At the same time Israeli innovation is helping the world and saving lives, the bigoted anti-Israel United Nations is working overtime to punish the Israeli economy. The UN Human Rights Council– which lists human rights abusers Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and China on its membership– is producing a blacklist of Israeli, American and other firms doing business inside Israel’s disputed territories. The blacklist is an open threat designed to intimidate and scare businesses out of the region. The UN Human Rights Commissioner says he may go public with the blacklist before September 2018. The UN Council’s goal is to support the BDS movement (boycott, divestment and sanctions), suppress business investment, and cripple the Israeli economy. More here

7-8-18, JPost -- Over the years, excavators have discovered in Bethsaida many remains from various periods. The recent excavations are conducted in the Jordan Park area, northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Archaeologists said the size, wealth and impressive fortifications indicate that Zer was a major city. “There are not many gates in this country from this period. Bethsaida was the name of the city during the Second Temple period, but during the First Temple period it was the city of Zer,” Arav said, pointing to Joshua 19:35, which says: “The fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth.”

The most significant finding was a coin dated to 35 BC, which was minted in Acre on the occasion of the arrival of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. There is a total of 12 of these coins. 

Another finding made in the past two weeks was discovered underneath what was seemingly the floor of a Roman temple built by Herod’s son Philip, which he dedicated to Julia, the daughter of Augustus.
There archaeologists found coins, beads, jugs and house keys as well as a shield that apparently belonged to a Roman soldier.

Arav began carrying out excavations of et-Tell on behalf of the University of Nebraska USA nearly 30 years ago. In these excavations, he identified the ancient city of Bethsaida [aka Zer] John 12:21, and following his excavations and discoveries, masses of Christian pilgrims visited the site because of its great importance to Christianity. More here

How UC Berkeley Went From Anti-Israel Bastion to Israel Studies Powerhouse
​7-4-18, After years of battling calls for the destruction of Zionism, Israel’s friends at UC Berkeley learned they cannot out-shout the BDS crowd. They can, however, out-educate them. … No matter how hostile the anti-Israel rallies at Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley is a world center for Jewish and Israel studies.

​Israel Studies has become one of - if not the best programs in the country. Berkeley now brings in several visiting Israeli scholars each year, including five this year in the fields of law, political science, Jewish literature, sociology, and anthropology. While many schools teach little or nothing about Israel, Berkeley had six courses in the spring, including ones on comparative criminal justice reform, “Palestinian Society in Israel: Integration vs. Segregation,” and the political economy of Israel. The program also sponsors lectures, panel discussions, and cultural events. Berkeley also has a joint master’s (LL.M.) program in law with Tel Aviv University.All this has been happening during the last seven years and you probably never heard anything about it because most publicity on the campus is devoted to Israel’s detractors.
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UC Berkeley students call for removal of 'antisemitic,' 'anti ...
4-24-18, UC Berkeley students call for removal of 'antisemitic,' 'anti-Israel' lecturer In 2016, Dr. Hatem Bazian tweeted: "Israel has no right to exist..." 

He hosted an event inviting Arab MK Haneen Zoabi to give a lecture titled “Israel: A Democracy or a Colonial Project?” The event was hosted by the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project, an initiative of the school’s Center for Race and Gender, took place on April 18, 2018 Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars and Victims of Terrorism.

Students protested saying that on this day of mourning, MK Zoabi and Hatem Bazian smeared the Jewish state and its defense forces with countless lies, and once again showed that UC Berkeley provides a platform for antisemitism under the guise of academic professionalism.

6-24-18, Gatestone -- Anglican Bishop Graham Tomlin, heads the diocese of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which has many of London's most expensive residential properties, is undoubtedly a man of brains and good works.[1] 
On May 26, 2018, he published in The Times an article, entitled, "If this rich vein of wisdom disappears, a part of us dies". The "rich vein of wisdom" to which he refers is the long tradition of Christian thought and experience in the region where the religion first appeared, and was handed down through centuries of Islamic rule. For the most part, the article is a well-argued defense of Christians in the Middle East he says:
"The systematic persecution of Christians in the Middle East is a serious threat. The number of Christians in Middle Eastern countries has fallen from about 20 per cent to 4 per cent in recent years and regular bomb attacks on Christians in Egypt are becoming part of a deadly pattern."
So far so good. Tomlin's heart is surely in the right place. But immediately after that he goes on: [falsely implying Israel is persecuting Christians]
"Even in Jerusalem, new regulations are threatening to tax the Christian churches out of existence, prompting the recent unprecedented closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as an act of protest. The buildings from ancient times will still stand, but if Christians are hounded out of the Middle East, driven to emigrate by radical Islam, or, in the case of many Palestinian Christians, by the lack of opportunities to thrive in Israel, this rich source of wisdom will disappear just like the ruins of Palmyra." Reality: The "ruins of Palmyra" is, of course, a reference to the widespread destruction of the famous Syrian site, one of the wonders of the ancient world, by Islamic State in 2015 and again in 2017. Referring to this desecration, however vaguely, implies some sort of moral contiguity between ISIS and Israel. There's no question that the Islamic terror group ISIS at its height, and even today, has played a heavy-handed role in the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, notably in Iraq. Not Israel. [..snip]

• If Israel plays a part in the persecution of Christians, it must be doing a very bad job indeed.
• "Shortly after the [1967] war, [Israeli Defense Minister] Dayan met with officials of the Muslim Wakf, who governed the holy site, and formally returned the Mount to their control.... the Wakf would determine who prayed at the site, an arrangement that would effectively bar non-Muslim prayer." — Yossi Klein Halevi, The Atlantic.
• It should be clear from the above that Israel is one of the least likely countries in the world to persecute the followers of any religion. A well-educated and thinking man, Bishop Tomlin ought to have known this or have been able to check the facts for himself. None of the above is remotely secret.
• "[A]re the world Christian bodies denouncing the Islamic forces for the ethnic cleansing, genocide and historic demographic-religious revolution their brethren are suffering? No. Christians these days are busy targeting the Israeli Jews." — Giulio Meotti, Italian journalist.

In Israel, Christians, like the followers of several other religions, are given the full protection of the law, their holy places, including churches, are guaranteed security under the 1967 "Protection of Holy Places Law". This protection applies, not just to the major denominations (Judaism, Islam, Christianity), but to numerous minority groups. For Christians, it applies broadly to the officially recognized churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Monophysite, and Protestant, which together make up around 20 very old institutions (many indigenous and reaching back to the earliest Christian years), with another 30 denominations. Outside of Israel, Muslim states across the Middle East ban, restrict or actively persecute indigenous churches, such as the Copts in Egypt or Christians in Turkey, where Pastor Andrew Brunson is currently facing 35 years in jail, seemingly for preaching Christianity. Christian churches are banned outright in countries such as Saudi Arabia, and conversion of Muslims to Christianity is forbidden. Muslims who do convert suffer severe consequences as apostates, sometimes death. Thirteen Muslim-majority countries sentence apostates to death. In the Maldives, just owning a Bible is punishable by death. In a list of the 25 most dangerous countries for Christians, 18 Muslim states are listed. More here

*-- A strong Israel is a vital asset to the free world and America. To be a strong and dependable friend in a ‘rough neighborhood,’ Israel must have defensible borders and military prowess capable of addressing multiple challenges which can materialize suddenly in this unstable region.

The conflict between the [Muslims] Palestinians and Israelis is not the only adversary Israel faces. Historically, anti-Zionism has been the glue behind Arab nationalism. It has provided a convenient scapegoat for deflecting Arab states’ frustration over unsolved domestic problems, but it also stems from a deep innate intolerance that exists throughout the Muslim world to any non-Muslim presence. Israel has no alternative but to remain strong enough to fend off the combined capabilities of all Arab states – a reality that leaves little room for risk-taking or margin for error.

Israel’s multiple security challenges have been compounded by two ‘new’ players who at the close of 2005 have moved from the periphery to center stage. Both are extremist Islamist entities hell-bent to exterminate Israel: Al-Qaeda and Iran:

Al-Qaeda [and ISIS]. Al-Qaeda initially assigned Israel a “low priority” in its operations, but in October 2005, the head of IDF warned that “[Israel’s] prioritization for [Al-Qaeda] is increasing.” The second player whose prominence is growing is Iran. Iran aspires to compete for regional hegemony in the new Middle East power matrix after its arch-enemy Iraq was neutralized by the 2003 Iraq war. Iran has become an existential threat to the State of Israel.

There are signs of increasing cooperation between Al-Qaeda in Sinai with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian Authority – encircling Israel with Islamist terrorist groups whose declared objective is to destroy Israel. Their operations, in turn, all involve a growing cooperation with Iran … In 1989 the Muslim Brotherhood controlled a third of the Jordanian parliament and in 1993 was the largest party in the parliament…

 “As long as [Israel’s] neighbors maintain that a state of war exists, it is the duty of the Israeli government – a duty which is clearly recognized in international law – to do what it sees fit to protect its inhabitants.”

In conclusion: Israel is limited in the kinds of risks it can take, given the geography and volatile nature of the Middle East. It must remain in control of control strategic areas of the West Bank, and needs to remain strong enough to deal with a coalition of the Islamic Arab states in a conventional war, should such a threat materialize.

• Israel, like America, lost much of its deterrent power and must demonstrate it cannot be attack with impunity.
• An arsenal of 12,000 missiles, rockets and mortars in the hands of the Islamic terrorist group in Lebanon, Hezbollah and similar weapons in the hands of Syria are a strategic threat to Israel’s security.
• The Islamic terror group in Gaza, Hamas and Palestinian suicide bombers also constitute a strategic threat to Israel. The components of Israel’s counter-terrorism doctrine – first and foremost, the security fence, are legitimate and effective.
• Iran has moved from ‘outer rim’ status to become major players in the Israel-Arab conflict.
• At the outset of 2006, the Israeli-Arab conflict is being ‘Islamicized.’ Israel is being surrounded by a coalition of Islamist forces that seek its extinction – Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, Al-Qaeda in Sinai and Gaza, the Moslem Brotherhood in neighboring Egypt and Jordan, and Iran.

6-14-18, JerusalemPost -- Muslims in Gaza Israel aka "Palestinians" reported that an Israeli drone launched a missile at people near the border fence who were flying balloons with Molotov cocktails attached. Unconfirmed reports by Israeli media that Palestinians planned to launch 5,000 incendiary balloons and kites toward Israel from the Islamic terror group Hamas to mark the end of the end of the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Muslims in Gaza have been protesting along the border with Israel since March 30, 2018. The violent protesters have been throwing stones, burning kites, balloons and Molotov cocktails toward Israeli troops into Israeli territory, destroying more than 2,200 acres of forest, nature reserves and agricultural fields. On Thursday, 6-14-18 several fires broke out near Kibbutz Be’eri and in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council from incendiary kites flown from Gaza. More here

Iran & Islamic Terror Group Hezbollah Actively Supply the Gaza Islam Terror Group Hamas With Weapons
5-23-18, Newsmax -- Iran and its main proxy Hezbollah [in Lebanon] are actively supplying Hamas with weapons and talking on a near daily basis to coordinate terrorist operations against the Jewish state.

​5-16-18, Greenfield* -- Islamic teorrist group Hamas Prime Minister Yahya Sinwar vowed, "We will tear down the border and we will tear out their hearts from their bodies." The Great Hamas March of Return came with instructions to, “bring a knife, dagger, or handgun, if you have one, and to leave them under your clothes and not use them or show them, except if you identify one of the soldiers or settlers.”

However, the only hearts his terror thugs tore out were already bleeding with sympathy for Islamic terrorists and bile for the Israelis they were there to kill with those knives, daggers and guns.

The Hamas mob chanted, “Allahu Akbar” and the genocidal racist threat of, “Khaybar Khaybar, ya yahud," a reference to the primal Islamic massacre of the Jews. While IDF soldiers held back the invaders, the jets of the IAF targeted the snake’s head striking Hamas compounds and outposts. 

Hamas offered $100 to every rioter. During previous violent assaults back in April, the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist group had been offering $200 to anyone shot by Israelis, $500 for severe injuries and $3,000 to the dead. $100 a day may not seem like a lot, but the Israeli teen soldiers they’re trying to kill who earn only $13 a day [that's alot].

The Hamas supporting thugs are depicted as helpless, starving victims who can barely lift the firebombs they’re throwing at Israelis [..snip] The media used contrasting photos of the [US] embassy opening [in Jerusalem] and the "Pallywood" fake photos of Muslim protesters crying for the cameras and pretending to limp on crutches to smear Israel and America.

And as usual they missed the real story.

While Israelis and Americans were building something, Muslim terrorists were destroying everything they could get their hands on. While Rabbis and Pastors blessed, Imams cursed. Hamas Sheikh Iyad Abu Funun had sworn on the Koran that, "We will not leave a single Jew on our Islamic land."

That is what this is about. 

The dedication of the embassy is a leap of faith:

• Faith in building rather than destruction.
• Faith in life instead of death.
• Faith in the G-d who watches over Jerusalem,

Not the "Allah" for whom Gaza burns. 

More here from Danield Greenfield

February, 2017, ​Yahya Sinwar elected new leader of Islamic terror group, Hamas in Gaza Strip ... he's known as the founding member of the Hamas military wing. He was freed in a 2011 prisoner swap for Israel soldier Galad Shalit with Israel after more than 20 years in jail. More here from Aljajeera