JERUSALEM-ON-THE-LINE

Prayer Letter - January 5, 2006

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"Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for my virgin daughter – my people - has suffered a grievious wound, a crushing blow." Jeremiah 14, 17

SURGEONS FIGHT TO SAVE SHARON'S LIFE AFTER STROKE, MASSIVE CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE: Neurosurgeons at Hadassah University Hospital fought to stabilize Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition and stop new bleeding detected in his brain Thursday morning, more than seven hours after he was rushed into emergency surgery having suffered a "far-reaching" stroke and a massive brain hemorrhage. The Prime Minister was transferred to the neuro-surgery intensive care unit following a second operation that succeeded in halting cerebral bleeding. Professor Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director-General of the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, announced that the hemorrhaging and the prime minister's vital signs were stable but that his condition remains grave. Sharon's prime ministerial authority was transferred to Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the course of a telephone call with Olmert, Maimon and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz on Wed. night.  (Haaretz) In these critical hours please pray for Ariel Sharon and his eternal salation.  Editor's comment:  Unconfirmed reports indicate the Prime Minister's death is imminent.

U.S. PREPARING NATO FOR POSSIBLE STRIKE ON IRAN: German media sources have recently reported that the Bush Administration is preparing its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies for a potential attack on nuclear sites in Iran. The Berlin paper "Tagesspiegel" quoted NATO intelligence   sources who said that "NATO members have received information that the U.S. is currently looking into all possibilities, including a military attack against the regime in Tehran." (Haaretz) "The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” Psalm 28:8

HIGH ALERT FOR JIHAD TERROR: Security forces were on high alert this week as mounting intelligence reports indicate that Islamic Jihad could be planning suicide bombings inside Israel. Militant Palestinian factions have said that as of midnight New Year's Eve they would no longer be bound by a truce. The powerful terrorist group Hamas, which like Islamic Jihad is sworn to destroy Israel, has not said explicitly that it will resume attacks now that the truce is over. Any major upsurge of violence could delay the forthcoming election in which Hamas expects to do well. (Haaretz) "O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress." Psalm 59:9

QUARTET STATEMENT SUGGESTS HAMAS BE BANNED FROM PA ELECTONS: A statement released by the Quartet, which comprises the UN, the U.S., Russia and European Union indicates that Hamas or any other Palestinian terrorist group should not take part in the January Palestinian legislative elections. Months ago Israel made the case that allowing Hamas to run in the elections was wrong because the group calls for Israel’s destruction and has killed hundreds of Israelis in terror attacks. If Hamas were to win a victory on January 25th both the US and EU have said it could spell the end of financial assistance to the PA and the end of the peace process, as neither would be interested in supporting a regime that does not believe in coexistence. (Israel Hasbara Committee News)

HAMAS VICTORY IN PA POLL SPELLS DEEP TROUBLE FOR ISRAEL: The head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s undercover security agency, told a Knesset committee that a victory for the Hamas in January’s PA election would mean “deep trouble” for Israel. He told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that an electoral victory for the Hamas will allow them to “penetrate (PA) goverment offices and strengthen their grip on the territory." In such an eventuality, Diskin said, the PA would make no effort at all to stop terrorists from attacking Israel from PA controlled territory. Recent polls show Hamas receiving at least 30% of the PA vote. (Arutz-Shevah) "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared." 1 Chronicles 16:11

PALESTINIANS DISPEL JEWS, NOW TURN TO THEM FOR HELP: The Palestinians who took over the Jewish greenhouses in the Gaza Strip (those they did not destroy) following Israel's withdrawal, are now asking for advice after reportedly failing to reproduce the region's famous insect-free vegetables. The Gush Katif gardens featured some of the most technologically advanced agricultural equipment and accounted for more than $100 million per year in exports to Europe. The greenhouses also supplied Israel with 75 percent of its own produce. Now the Palestinian owners want to hire former Jewish Gaza greenhouse owners as consultants. (Israel Hasbara Committee News) "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him." Ecclesiastes 7:14 

BRITAIN'S CHIEF RABBI: ANTI-SEMITISM SPREADING LIKE A TSUNAMI: Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, said in an interview on BBC radio that that global conflicts are acting like “a kind of tsunami of anti-Semitism." He said that globalization was leading many people to view Israel as the cause of the world’s conflicts. He accused Islamic radicals of using Israel’s alleged mistreatment of Arabs to support their campaigns of violence around the world. Rabbi Sacks blamed satellite television and the Internet for exposing Britain to a globalized anti-Semitism. But anti-Semitism was also rearing its head on prime-time TV and best-selling books that deny the Holocaust, he warned. The Community Services Trust, a UK based group that monitors anti-Semitic incidents says there has been a dramatic rise in anti-Semitic incidents over the past year. (Arutz-7) "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

MK OMRI SHARON QUITS KNESSET OVER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHARGES: Likud Knesset Member Omri Sharon, son of P M Ariel Sharon, resigned after admitting to charges relating to unlawful financing of his father's 2000 election campaign. Sharon’s resignation will take effect on Jan. 5. He was convicted of a number of serious violations, among them fictitious registration of corporate documents, which carries a maximum five-year term; lying under oath and violations of the election code. (Israel Today) " To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his." Job 12:16

ISRAEL SECOND IN BRAZILIAN COFFEE INDUSTRY: Israeli food retailer Strauss Elite signed a deal with Brazilian coffee manufacturer, Santa Clara, making it the second largest player in the Brazilian coffee market. The new merger will be equally owned by the Israeli company and the Brazilian company. “This deal represents a breakthrough in Strauss Elite's way to become a leading factor in the ground coffee market, as well as in emerging markets,” said Ofra Strauss. (Israel Today)
 
REMAINS OF SECOND TEMPLE ERA JEWISH VILLAGE DISCOVERED: Archaeologists have recently uncovered what they believe to be a large Jewish settlement dating back from the time of the Second Temple, north of Jerusalem. The excavations are being conducted by the Antiquities Authority on the route of where the Jerusalem light railway is supposed to be built. Archaeologist Debbie Sakler-Parnas, who is in charge of the dig, said the findings imply that an affluent population lived in the area and that it was the largest Jewish settlement uncovered in the vicinity of Jerusalem to date. (Haaretz)
NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM: Our 2006 Succot Celebration will be held October 9-12 in Jerusalem.  Tours for European groups will be scheduled October 3-15. Tours for North American groups will take place October 3-14. Be sure to mark these dates in your calendar. For further information visit our website at: www.succotcelebration.com.

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Blessings from Jerusalem,

Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff