TORNADO DESTROYS 90% GREENSBURG

1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS.2-Deep quake shakes central Colombia. 3-Bush declares disaster after giant tornado kills 9. 4-Bush pledges help for tornado victims. 5-Sri Lanka storms leave 15 dead. 6-Texas storms kill 3, put 300,000 in dark. 7-Heavy rains kill five in Myanmar's main city. 8-The Nation's Weather. 9-U.S. airs Israeli-Palestinian timetable. 10-French flock to vote for new president. 11-Ancient ritual slaughter unites enemies for a day. 12-This Week with Rabbi Eckstein. 13-David's Comment: Israel is in Dire & Imminent Danger. 14-EU hopes to avoid a second treaty referendum in France. 15-Terrorists Hit Sderot as Abbas and Olmert Weaken. 16-Palestinians reject U.S. peace plan. 17-More Twisters Hit Plains.

EARTHQUAKES

MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)

Update time = Sun May 6 11:03 AM EDT

MAY 6,07
MAP 4.6 EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 2.6 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.3 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 4.7 SOUTHWESTERN PAKISTAN
MAP 4.8 NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
MAP 5.5 NORTHERN COLOMBIA
MAP 4.7 SOUTHWESTERN PAKISTAN
MAP 4.6 SOUTHWESTERN RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
MAP 2.6 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.9 WESTERN XIZANG
MAP 4.7 SULAWESI, INDONESIA

MAY 5,07
MAP 4.2 OAXACA, MEXICO
MAP 3.1 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.6 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 4.4 EASTERN TURKEY
MAP 2.6 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.2 PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP 5.6 KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA
MAP 4.4 ECUADOR
MAP 4.6 WESTERN XIZANG
MAP 4.2 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.9 POLAND
MAP 4.2 POLAND
MAP 4.3 WESTERN XIZANG
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 4.4 EASTERN SEA OF JAPAN
MAP 4.7 WESTERN XIZANG
MAP 5.8 WESTERN XIZANG
MAP 2.5 KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
MAP 4.7 BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
MAP 2.7 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 4.7 VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.1 GULF OF ALASKA
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 3.0 BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
MAP 4.2 BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

MAY 4,07
MAP 4.7 OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA
MAP 3.5 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.9 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION
MAP 4.8 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA
MAP 4.6 EAST OF THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
MAP 5.1 SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION
MAP 2.5 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.5 SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION
MAP 4.3 NEAR THE WEST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
MAP 3.3 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION
MAP 3.1 PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP 2.9 VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP 5.0 OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA
MAP 6.1 NORTH OF ASCENSION ISLAND
MAP 5.1 OAXACA, MEXICO
MAP 4.9 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
MAP 2.6 PUERTO RICO
MAP 2.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA

Deep quake shakes central Colombia Sun May 6, 1:55 AM ET

BOGOTA, Colombia - An earthquake deep below the Andean ridge shook central Colombia just before midnight on Saturday. Buildings in Bogota rattled for several seconds but no damage or injuries were reported. The 5.5-magnitude temblor centered some 155 miles northeast of Bogota and was approximately 110 miles underground, said Dale Grant of the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo.It's deep so there shouldn't be any major damage but it should be widely felt, he said.

Colombia's disaster prevention agency director, Luz Amalda Pulida, said in a radio interview that the quake was centered below the town of Betulia.

STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (Dangerous) times shall come.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WHOLE CITIES WILL BE DESTROYED IN THESE LAST DAYS,ESPECIALLY THE COASTLINES THE BIBLE SAYS. NOW WE KNOW WHY THE BIBLE SAYS THE COASTLINE CITIES WILL BE GONE BECAUSE OF TORNADOS, HURRICANES, TSUNAMIS AND WHAT EVER ELSE IS IN STORE FOR THE EARTH AS THIS IS JUST THE BEGGINING OF SORROWS, THE WORST IS YET TO COME.

Bush declares disaster after giant tornado kills 9 Sun May 6, 7:27 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush early Sunday declared a state of major disaster in southwestern Kansas after a giant tornado virtually wiped out a community there, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 60 others. Six people were killed in Greensburg, Kansas, after the storm made a direct hit on the small prairie town late Friday, said City Administrator Steve Hewitt.

Some 30 people were pulled from the rubble of Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg Saturday as the storm ripped homes off their foundations and even damaged below-ground shelters, according to reports.It is no understatement or overstatement to say that this town has been wiped off the face of the earth, Senator Pat Roberts who toured the area on ground and from the air with other Kansas lawmakers, told CNN.

This is just as bad as it gets.

Three other people were killed near Greensburg, officials and media said, while scores were reported injured and dozens hospitalized, some in critical condition.The White House said the presidential declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Kiowa County.Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, White House press secretary Tony Snow said in a statement.The US National Weather Service, meanwhile, warned of more severe weather in the central plains region, and two new tornadoes were reported in Nebraska to the north on Saturday.

A tornado warning was issued for a huge swath of land touching seven states from northern Texas to South Dakota, the core of the country's Tornado Alley.Weather service meteorologists warned of an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation for central Nebraska due to the threat of severe tornadoes.Hewitt said 90 percent of local homes and buildings were destroyed in Greensburg, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) west of Wichita, and communications in the area were severely disrupted.

This is a huge catastrophe for this small town. My home's gone, my staff's homes are gone, he said in a press conference.The town's 1,400 residents were evacuated and ordered not to come back as emergency squads continued to comb the wreckage with tractors and dogs to see if any survivors remained.The search and rescue continues. We want to make sure we can find everybody, Hewitt said.Water, electric and gas utilities were all shut off and a curfew was planned from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am on Sunday.Television images showed the town virtually levelled, with roofs shredded, branches sheared off trees and school buildings wrecked.It sucked the door off of our storm shelter, Greensburg resident Kevin Hillhouse told Wichita television KAKE.

Emergency workers said they were rushing to restore communications sites after the storm wiped out both land line and cellular phone services. The massive wedge-shaped tornado, caught on film by self-styled storm chasers, struck at about 10:00 pm (0300 GMT Saturday). One of the storm chasers, Darin Brunin, told CNN the storm was a mile (1.6 kilometer) wide.People in the town said warning sirens went off about 20 minutes beforehand, giving most a chance to get into storm cellars. National weather reports put the tornado at between F3 (severe) and F4 (devastating) on a scale of F0 to F5. An F4 storm carries winds of 331-416 kilometers (207-260 miles) per hour.

Bush pledges help for tornado victims By ANN SANNER, Associated Press Writer MAY 6,07

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Sunday that Americans' hearts are heavy for tornado victims in devastated Greensburg, Kan., and he expressed confidence the farming town will be rebuilt. It's going to take a long time for the community to recover, and so we will help in any way we can, Bush said outside St. John's Church, across from the White House, where he and first lady Laura Bush attended a worship service.A tornado that killed at least eight people in Greensburg was one of many twisters that touched down in six southwest Kansas counties. Numerous other tornadoes were reported in the Plains from South Dakota south into Oklahoma.

Our hearts are heavy for the loss of life in Greensburg, Kansas, Bush said about the tornado that demolished 95 percent of the town. It just basically wiped it out.Bush said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Sen. Pat Roberts (news, bio, voting record), R-Kan., briefed him on the destruction.

They said to me, It's hard to describe how bad this community was hit, Bush said.The president has declared parts of Kansas a disaster area, freeing up federal money to aid in recovery.There's a certain spirit in the Midwest of our country — a pioneer spirit that still exists, and I'm confident this community will be rebuilt, Bush said. To the extent that we can help, we will.The most important thing now, though, is for our citizens to ask for the good Lord to comfort those who hurt.

Sri Lanka storms leave 15 dead Fri May 4, 1:52 PM ET

COLOMBO (AFP) - At least 15 people have died following heavy monsoon rains and flash floods in Sri Lanka's capital and nearby coastal areas, police and hospitals said Friday. Three people were killed in the capital on Thursday, all of whom drowned after falling into unprotected drains or manholes, a spokeswoman for the Colombo National Hospital said.Heavy showers also damaged the roof of the country's parliament, while parts of the main Galle Road in Colombo were washed out, police said.Schools in Colombo were closed Friday following poor attendance on the previous day as approach roads to the capital were submerged.Rains in neighbouring Gampaha and Kalutara districts and the southern port district of Galle claimed a further 12 lives, police said.Sri Lanka depends on monsoon rains for irrigation and power generation but the seasonal downpours frequently cause loss of life and damage to property in low-lying areas.The island's two main monsoon seasons run from May to September and December to February.

Texas storms kill 3, put 300,000 in dark Thu May 3, 12:05 PM ET

DALLAS - Days of deadly storms flooded roads, damaged homes and knocked down trees in Texas, and about 200,000 homes and businesses remained in the dark Thursday. At least three people have been killed — two hit by lightning and a third stuck in a submerged car.High wind, heavy rain and lightning and zero visibility shut down Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for more than an hour Wednesday. Forty flights were canceled, a dozen were diverted and others were delayed.

Wind gusts of up to 100 mph were reported in Terrell, east of Dallas, the National Weather Service said.In the north Dallas suburb of Plano, gusts blew power lines onto the roof of an unoccupied home, setting it ablaze.The windows were popping out. It was scary, said neighbor Constantin Chernikov, 20.

Wednesday was the third day of storms, and more wet weather was expected across parts of the state on Thursday, with heavy rain and lightning in spots, the weather service said.About 300,000 homes and businesses lost power in Dallas and Fort Worth on Wednesday after the storms pushed trees onto power lines and toppled about a dozen transmission towers near Cleburne, said Chris Schein, a Oncor Electric Delivery spokesman.

Power had been restored to 100,000 customers by early Thursday, he said.All three deaths were reported in Central Texas.A 28-year-old woman was struck by lightning Wednesday as she walked to a parking lot after a boating trip with her family about 15 miles east of Waco, said Lt. Janet Smith of the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

Also Wednesday, a 57-year-old woman died when her car became submerged in southwestern Bexar County. A day earlier, a 23-year-old man was fatally struck by lightning while fishing in a stock tank in Cameron.To the west, torrential rain on Wednesday flooded at least two homes in Odessa and left streets with as much as 4 feet of water, said Dale Childers, Odessa's assistant fire chief. The city's
emergency phone system was also knocked out briefly.

Heavy rains kill five in Myanmar's main city Sun May 6, 2:00 AM ET

YANGON (Reuters) - At least five people have died in the main commercial city of military-ruled Myanmar after the heaviest rainfall in at least four decades, state media and government officials said on Sunday. Four of the victims died of fume inhalation when a short-circuit caused by floodwater set a transformer unit in their house in Yangon on fire, the Kyemon daily said.A woman was electrocuted after stepping on a live power cable outside her home, the paper said.The casualties may be a bit higher. We are still trying to find out, one official, who did not want to be named, said.Much of the leafy colonial era capital, which used to known as Rangoon, was under water on Saturday after 24 hours of torrential rainfall.

One northern suburb of the city recorded 13.54 inches of rain, the biggest downpour in 39 years, the paper said.In the Mingaladon area of the city, where the international airport sits, rainfall of 11.14 inches was the highest in 60 years, it added.Hundreds of houses were underwater. Some buildings and trees had collapsed and telephone lines were cut.

Residents blamed the flooding on the city's poor drainage system, which is often choked with rubbish at the end of the October-May dry season.

The Nation's Weather By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press
Sun May 6, 7:18 AM ET

Forecasters predicted rain from Texas through the Dakotas on Sunday, with some showers likely from the Southeast to the middle MissisMacro running .......sippi Valley and warm temperatures on the West Coast. Widespread rain was expected from Texas through the Dakotas, with thunderstorms likely. Severe weather in parts was possible.In the Southeast, rain showers were expected from the coastal areas through the middle Mississippi Valley.Temperatures in the West were expected to rise into the 60s and 70s, with California expected to see highs in the 80s and 90s.Highs in the Northeast were expected to rise into the 50s, 60s and 70s, with the Southeast was expected to see high temperatures in the 80s and 90s.Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Saturday were expected to range from a low of 17 degrees at Stanley, Idaho, to a high of 96 degrees at Wink, Texas.

U.S. airs Israeli-Palestinian timetable by SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer MAY 5,07

JERUSALEM - The U.S. has proposed a detailed timetable for easing Palestinian movement and improving Israeli security in the coming months, part of its more hands-on involvement and a new push to revive peace talks, officials said Friday. However, the document, published in the Haaretz daily, was presented at a time of growing political instability in Israel and the Palestinian areas, and chances of implementation seemed dim.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was under growing
pressure from the Israeli public to resign over his handling of the Lebanon war last summer.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, told his Fatah Party after a return from Europe that he has made no progress toward lifting an international embargo of the Palestinian unity government, which includes the Islamic militant Hamas. Abbas stopped short of threatening resignation or early elections, but Fatah officials said a crisis is brewing.Deadlines outlined in the document, which range from May 1 to August 1, are only binding if the sides accept it, which they have not yet done, Haaretz said. In Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said that the document was not a formal agreement.There is no effort to try and say Next week, you'll do this, the week after that, you'll do that, Casey said. The idea would be to do these in fairly quick order, though.

Erekat welcomed the U.S. action.

I believe that this is the right approach, Erekat said. This is transferring words to deeds.An official in Olmert's office said some of the ideas contained in the document were already at various stages of implementation, citing relaxed restrictions at the Karni cargo crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. There are a few Israel will not be able to address at present because of security concerns, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity since discussions of the document have been confidential.The U.S. document calls on the sides to start implementing the so-called roadmap that outlines a return to peace talks. The document was outlined in Haaretz Friday and confirmed by the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.The measures include an Israeli removal of West Bank roadblocks to facilitate Palestinian travel, and Palestinian action to stop the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel.On Saturday, the top leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, dismissed the measure, telling Al Jazeera satellite TV that Palestinians should not agree to halt rocket fire in exchange for an easing of travel restrictions.

The document also calls on Israel to set up a convoy system that would allow Palestinians to travel between the West Bank and Gaza, territories separated by Israel, and to ensure that the Rafah passenger terminal between Gaza and Egypt, which has been open only sporadically since an attack on a nearby army base in June, will be open at least five days a week.Action by either side appeared unlikely at this time as long as both Abbas and Olmert face political instability. It was also improbable that the leaders would meet, as they agreed with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to do every two weeks.Abbas in March forged a shaky unity government between his moderate Fatah Party and the militant Hamas. It was not clear if he would have backing to crack down on militants firing rockets from Gaza.Most of the international community has maintained a boycott against the government since Hamas has refused to renounce violence and recognize Israel.Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmed said Friday that Abbas had told him that the isolation and lack of progress with Israel could bring a real crisis.

Hamas leaders have threatened further violence if the siege is not lifted.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday that if the government could not operate, the alternative will be very difficult.In violence Friday, Israeli soldiers shot and killed three Palestinian gunmen who fired on them during a routine patrol near the West Bank town of Jenin, the army said. Israeli troops frequently carry out such patrols, as well as arrest raids, in West Bank communities.

French flock to vote for new president by Carole Landry MAY 6,07

PARIS (AFP) - French voters turned out en masse Sunday to choose a new president with rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy the favourite against Socialist Segolene Royal in their duel to win a mandate for sweeping change. Thousands of police were on standby in Paris and its high-immigrant suburbs in case a Sarkozy victory sparks trouble but the focus was on the turnout which by late afternoon was the highest since the 1965 election won by Charles de Gaulle.By 1500 GMT, 75.11 percent of France's 44.5 million eligible voters had cast ballots in the vote to choose a successor to President Jacques Chirac, who is stepping down after 12 years in office.The strong participation underscored the exceptional interest generated by the left-right battle for the Elysee palace, one of the most exciting in decades.Sarkozy arrived at his Paris campaign headquarters in the late afternoon, smiling broadly and shaking hands with members of the crowd that gathered outside to await the result.

The former interior minister earlier cast his ballot in the chic Paris suburb of Neuilly sur Seine, where he was greeted with cheers of Nicolas president. His wife Cecilia was not present however.Royal, seeking to become France's first woman president, said the choice for her had not been difficult after voting in the town of Melle in her constituency in western France.Sarkozy, says he wants to get France back to work and is proposing tax cuts and incentives to free up the labour market. He also supports tougher controls on immigration.Royal, 53, is proposing to safeguard France's generous social protection, create jobs and carry out institutional reform to bring government closer to the people.

Today we are making a choice as a society, said Guillaume Bellequic, 28, a computer expert who emphasized the radical differences between the two candidates after he voted in the western city of Nantes.There is change in the air, said Gaelle Bernard, 30, a psychologist. And I am mostly hopeful.

The election marks a shift to a younger generation of leaders born after World War II, who are promising to tackle the huge national debt, high unemployment and simmering tensions in the suburbs.Maria Dallais, a 52-year-old domestic worker in the suburb of Suresnes, west of Paris, said she voted for Sarkozy because we need radical change.

People need to go back to work.Royal warned Friday that his victory could ignite new violence in the high-immigrant suburbs where there were riots in 2005.She has described Sarkozy as a dangerous leader who would divide rather than unite the French people. The former interior minister responded by labelling Royal's attacks outrageous and prompted by desperation.

Sarkozy's tough approach to law and order and pledges to purge the suburbs of rabble has turned him into an enemy of the poor neighborhoods where many descendants of African immigrants say they are shut out of mainstream France.Some 3,000 anti-riot police and military gendarmes were on hand in Paris and in the nearby suburbs to respond to any flareup, a police source said. Main railway stations in Paris were also being watched to prevent gangs coming into the city to cause trouble, the source said.In Argenteuil, one of the suburbs hit by the 2005 unrest, a steady stream of voters calmly turned out to render their verdict at the end of the hard fought campaign. Aurelie Legrand, a 21-year-old student from the French island of La Reunion, said she voted for Royal to try to block a Sarkozy victory. People say that if he wins there will be more violence so naturally it makes you think, she said. The first round on April 22 was marked by a near-record turnout of 84 percent. Sarkozy and Royal advanced from a list of 12 candidates.

Polling stations are to close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT).

Confident of a victory, Sarkozy's supporters were planning a celebration near Paris' famed Champs Elysees in the evening while there was no word from Royal's camp about a venue for a post-election gathering. The new president is expected to take office around May 17, and launch into the campaign for legislative elections to be held in June to fill all 577 seats in the National Assembly.

Ancient ritual slaughter unites enemies for a day Sacrificial lamb ... Samaritans prepare a slaughtered sheep as part of the Passover ceremony on the holy mountain of Gerizim.May 4, 2007

Tradition thrives in dwindling Samaritan community, writes Ed O'Loughlin in Nablus, West Bank.IN 1867 the writer Mark Twain encountered in the Palestinian town of Nablus a sad, proud remnant of a once mighty community, now only a couple of hundred strong.I found myself staring at any straggling scion of this strange race with a riveted fascination, he wrote in The Innocents Abroad, just as one would stare at a living mastodon, or a megatherium that had moved in the grey dawn of creation and seen the wonders of that mysterious world that was before the flood.

Today the Samaritan people are still there, practising an ancient faith and rituals that have changed little in more than 3000 years.As the full moon rose on Monday, the world's 740-odd surviving Samaritans were again gathered high above Nablus on the holy mountain of Gerizim, the Bible's Mount of Blessings, to celebrate Passover.

The celebration of the Israelites' escape from Egypt is a festival that the Samaritans share with the Jews, although the dates sometimes vary. But unlike the Jews, the Samaritans still mark Passover in the manner prescribed in Exodus, with the ritual slaughter and consumption of a sheep for every family.

The resulting spectacle, as picturesque as it is gory, lures ever-growing numbers of visitors to the hazardous West Bank.This year Israeli civilians and their military escorts were joined by fundamentalist Jews from nearby West Bank settlements.

Fascinated, they climbed and pushed into the sacred enclosure or perched on rooftops surrounding the holy site in the mountain village of Kiryat Lusa.The settlers never used to come before because of religious differences, a veteran Israeli photographer said. For them it is very interesting but also worrying. They like to say they have the oldest religion in the world but what the Samaritans do here is like the same but even older.As dusk gathered, the Samaritan community crowded in, most men and boys dressed in ceremonial robes or white pants, shirts and overalls. The 50 sheep were lined up along a narrow trench, while the men chanted ancient prayers in the Samaritan language. Then, at a signal from Elazar ben Tsedaka haCohen, the Samaritans' 81-year-old high priest, family elders simultaneously cut the throats of the sheep.

As the sheep twitched their last, the assembled congregation cheered, and the men dipped their fingers in blood to mark the foreheads of their families. Then, as the lengthy ritual flensing and butchering began, men, women and children exchanged hugs and kisses with their relatives.More blood was collected to mark the doorposts of each family in the manner prescribed in Exodus to ward off the Angel of God as he killed all the first-born in Egypt. Then the carcasses were skewered and roasted in giant fire pits, to be eaten after midnight. The Samaritans say that, like the Jews, they descend from the 12 Israelite tribes that accompanied Moses on the journey back from captivity in Egypt. As the Bible records, the Israelites split into two sometimes warring kingdoms - the Kingdom of Israel in the north known as Samaria, and the Kingdom of Judea (whence the name Jews) with its temple in Jerusalem in the south.According to Jewish tradition, the northern kingdom was destroyed by conquering Assyrians in the eighth century BC and its 10 tribes scattered, while Judea managed to survive in various forms until the early Christian era.

Samaritans beg to differ. They say they are Israelites who never left their northern homeland, maintaining an austere faith based solely on the first five books of the Bible, handed down by their only prophet, Moses. However, the Jewish Bible has 19 more books and numerous prophets.At one time numbering about 1.5 million, the Samaritans faced persecution at the hands of successive waves of conquerors - Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Persian, Arab, Crusader and Turk.Only 786 officially remain today, divided almost equally between Mount Gerizim in the occupied West Bank and the Israeli town of Holon.In Israel, which considers them to be Jews, Samaritan men usually perform their mandatory military service, but West Bank Samaritans prefer to avoid taking sides. In recent years many have been forced to abandon their original homes inside Nablus in the face of growing Muslim harassment.Samaritan elders recognise that if they want to cling to their holy mountain it is necessary to maintain good ties with the peoples living around them.People call Jerusalem the city of peace, but surely it's the contrary, said Benyamim Tsedaka, director of the Institute of Samaritan Studies. But here for one day in the year … you will see Israeli officers and Palestinian officers sitting together, exchanging jokes and smiles. The day before they were maybe shooting at each other. That's why it's not only the Mount of Blessings. We are going to make it the Mount of Peace.

This Week with Rabbi Eckstein - May 3, 2007
Dear Friend of The Fellowship,

Returning to the U.S. from Israel, I am always struck by the hunger of Americans to know what is going on in the Middle East. Today I'd like to share with you just a few things that indicate the seriousness of the threats Israel faces.

Since the end of last summer's war against Israel launched by Hezbollah, reports have shown that weapons supplied by Iran and Syria are making their way to Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. The Lebanese government seems unable or unwilling to stop this rearming. One member of Lebanon's parliament has even accused the Lebanese government of actively aiding it. For the first time, Hezbollah has openly admitted its connections to Iran's radical Muslim regime. In an interview televised April 15 on Arabic television, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Kassem stated, In order to know what is permitted and what is forbidden regarding the jihad, we ask for and receive overall permission and only then do we carry out the operation…The religious doctrine which dictates Hezbollah's actions in general, and those relating to the jihad in particular, is based on the rulings of the spiritual leader in Tehran.

To Israel's south, the situation is no less ominous. Rockets fired from Gaza have fallen in or near neighboring Israeli cities for months now, despite a ceasefire declared by Hamas, the ruling Palestinian party.

Last week, however, as Israel marked her Day of Independence, terrorists upped the ante, firing an intense barrage of nearly 100 rockets and mortars. Despite Hamas' claims that the attack was in response to an Israeli military action in the West Bank, Israel saw it for what it really was—a deliberate act of aggression, and part of a kidnapping attempt directed at Israeli soldiers. Thankfully, that kidnapping was thwarted by the Israel Defense Forces. But since Hamas has declared its intention of kidnapping more Israeli soldiers to use as negotiating tools, Israel can undoubtedly expect more such attempts in the future.Indeed, Israel is preparing for every possibility, including war on multiple fronts. Last week, in response to a Syrian arms build up along its border with Israel, Israel engaged in military exercises in the Judean desert. Clearly, her message to her enemies is that she is poised to do whatever is necessary to defend her citizens.

I want you to know that, as Israel prepares for the very real possibility of war, The Fellowship will be doing its part to protect the Israeli people as well. We are in the process of carrying out a massive project of building and repairing bomb shelters across Israel, many of which last summer were found to be in terrible disrepair and lacking in even the most basic things such as electricity, plumbing, food and water. It is a huge task we have set before us. But, given the magnitude of threats Israel currently faces, it is one we pray that, with God's help and that of our Fellowship partners, we will complete.

The situation in the Middle East is as volatile and dangerous as any time in recent memory. I hope you will check our weekly e-newsletter and blog regularly for all the latest on events affecting Israel and the Jewish people—and please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President International Fellowship Of Christians and Jews

David's Comment: Israel is in Dire & Imminent Danger MAY 6,07

This week's comment may seem to some of our readers to be over sensationalising the facts - I wish that were the case ! The news these days is not good - and that is a massive under-statement. Israel is in the most perilous time of her modern existence and yet it seems the leadership of Israel have come under an ostrich spirit - they have their heads deeply stuck in the sand. Hamas & Fatah continue to launch missiles at us & Israel does nothing. At least one Israeli Arab member of the Knesset has been paid by our enemies to carry out acts of national treason and Israel has done nothing about it (so far). The Muslim Arab nations, including Egypt, and maybe even Jordan, are conspiring to attack & destroy the Jewish state and Israel does nothing. Israel is in a very unique situation in many ways, however there are two areas of uniqueness that I want to look at. Firstly, Israel is a tiny nation of 6 million Jewish people surrounded by a sea of Muslim nations, most of whom are our sworn enemies, committed to the ultimate destruction of the Jewish state and its return to Muslim rule. Israel does have a peace treaty with Jordan and Egypt, but it is a cold peace, particularly with Egypt. When it comes to the Muslim brother hood, when there is a major war between Israel and Lebanon, Syria & Iran, Egypt and Jordan's loyalties will surely lie with the other Muslim nations.

I firmly believe that the Muslim nations are all conspiring to launch a concerted attack Israel in the very near future. The outcome of last years war with Lebanon led the Muslim world to perceive a great victory over the formerly invinceable Israeli Army and Air Force. For the first time in the last 59 years, the Israel Defense Forces were unable to prevent the Hizb'Allah attacks which succeeded in
striking the north of Israel with more than 4000 missiles. In a flagrant violation of the UN ceasefire, Iran and Syria have re-armed Hizb'Allah to a level over and above the prewar level. And the new missiles are more powerful and have a longer range. Syria is openly threatening to launch an attack if Israel does not give back the Golan Heights and return to the 1949 boundaries. As we reported in last weeks news items, Syria is also preparing their home front for an Israeli retaliation and is also constructing military structures all along the border. It is very possible that Syria will use chemical or biological weapons against northern Israel.In the south, Hamas took serious note of the Hizb'Allah victory and is working towards emulating Hizb'Állah's arsenal of weapons and strategies. Since the suicidal Israeli withdrawl from the Gaza Strip in 2005, enormous quantities of weapons have entered Gaza from Egypt and Al Qaida have been establishing a strong presence in the PA controlled territories. Hamas is looking forward to receiving back from Israel more than 1400 of their incarcerated terrorist in a prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit - Yes 1400 for 1 and the current Israeli government may be foolish enough to agree to such an unbalanced exchange.

Recent history tells the tale of dozens of Israeli citizens who were murdered in attacks carried out by terrorists who were released in similar exchanges. When will we ever learn ?

And then there is Iran - I am sure that I don't even need to mention the president of Iran's threats to wipe Israel off the map, at the same time, Iran is racing to produce nuclear material. Many respected military experts are predicting a multi-front attack against Israel in the next few months. If I was Israel's enemy I would attack as soon as possible, while Israel is still severely constrained by an
incompetent government and demoralised armed forces. The longer they leave it, the stronger Israel will become. A number of Israeli military leaders are calling for a pre-emptive strike by Israel - hit them before they hit us. One thing is for sure - the next war will see far more Israeli casualties than the war of 2006. The death toll could be in the thousands if the IDF is prevented from using all of its fire
power against the aggressors.The second area of Israel's uniqueness is that the whole world holds Israel to a level of accountability that other nations are not held to and the nations constantly scrutinize and rebuke Israel for fighting back when attacked. The world's media is even harder on Israel for taking pre-emptive action against known terrorists. In the majority of reports, Israel's actions are
reported first, giving the naive public the impression that it was Israel who initiated the situation, rather than the Palestinians. In the recent Lebanon war HizbÁllah fired 4000 missiles at Israel. Each missile had the potential to kill 10 or more people, yet it was Israel that the media accused of using disproportionate force. There has been huge media criticism of the separation wall because a small
number of Palestinians suffer some inconvenience, but since the advent of the wall, the number of Jewish lives lost in terror attacks has been cut by more than 95%. Here in Israel it is very easy to get the feeling that in much of the world Jewish lives are not afforded the same value as the lives of other people.

Seven years after the beginning of the Al Aksa Intifada, the depth of hatred for Israel in the Muslim world is astounding. All indications are that the Muslim Arab nations are preparing for a decisive attack against Israel. And all the while the oil drunk western world looks on, doing all it can to appease the Muslims and accusing Israel of being the bad guys. The media turns a blind eye to the aggressive attacks against Israel, while exposing the slightest Israeli retaliation. And the UN passes its resolutions against Israel. Even Israel's so called friend the USA, now under control of the liberal Democrats will desert her. Israel is the only nation on the planet that is not allowed to defend itself ?

If Israel waits until the next war begins, thousands could die, and if Israel takes pre-emptive action, the world will come down on the Jewish state like a ton of bricks. We say in Israel Ma la sot ? - What to do ? There is only one answer - Psalm 81:13-15 Oh, that My people would listen to Me,

that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. (NKJ) The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel . Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors,
and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for our son Jordan, and all of his fellow soldiers in the IDF.

Shabbat Shalom .. . David & Josie Silver

EU hopes to avoid a second treaty referendum in France MAY 4,07

BRUSSELS, May 4, 2007 (AFP) - European Union leaders are impatient to seal a new treaty of sorely-need reforms and will welcome the new French president's involvement, but experts say they may prefer that leader to be Nicolas Sarkozy.The EU is desperate to end its institutional woes by 2009 to ensure the issue does not dominate European parliamentary elections that year and further undermine public confidence in the bloc.

How can Sarkozy lose?

So asks one Forum reader. Weigh in with your own predictions for who will become the next president of the République.And with time of the essence, right-winger Sarkozy -- the favourite to win on Sunday according to opinion polls -- best fits the bill as he has pledged not to put the future treaty to a referendum.It's clear. They said: No, last time, he underlined in Wednesday's television debate with his Socialist opponent Segolene Royal.Almost two years ago voters in France -- and separately in the Netherlands -- rejected a draft constitution, aimed at simplifying the way the EU operates and makes its decisions.Like many other Europeans who are not French, the idea of a new referendum seems to me like Russian roulette, said Belgium's former ambassador to the EU Philippe de Schoutheete.If it were to fail again, something which no one can rule out, it would be a major catastrophe and I don't see how Europe could get out of it.

What Sarkozy and Royal stand for

Sarkozy's solution is a mini-treaty cherry-picking the practical parts of the constitution, which he says could be ratified by parliament.I would unblock the situation in Europe by proposing a simplified treaty, said Sarkozy, who seldom attended EU meetings when he was interior minister and preferred to resolve problems in small groups of countries.Royal said many French people rejected the constitution because they think that Europe does not protect them enough and that I want, once again, to consult the French people by referendum.For Goeran Von Sydow, researcher at the Swedish institute for European policy studies, the trend seems to be moving more toward what Sarkozy is proposing.German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the EU presidency until the end of June, wants to use the month-long window of political opportunity after the French poll to refine a road map on the way ahead.Sarkozy's plan could slot into her timetable, but Von Sydow said the negotiating strategy of both candidates is not clear enough to demonstrate how, or indeed if, they can influence the reform process.

British Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff warned that the parameters for solving the crisis over the constitution are going to be set pretty firmly by the German presidency.If Sarkozy thinks he's got significant room for manoeuvre I think he's wrong.The experts were less concerned about the candidates' different attitudes toward Turkey's EU membership, a topic which raises the room temperature whenever it is raised in Brussels.France opposes it, along with Austria and Germany, while Britain has led support for Ankara's candidature as a way of exporting stability to a region reaching into the Middle East.

Sarkozy repeated that he will oppose Turkey's entry, while Royal said it was time for a pause, although she said the door should not be slammed shut.This question is important but only in the longer run, while the constitution question has to be solved within a month, underlined Von Sydow.Above all, Duff said, Europe seeks consistency and clarity in France's EU policies, which have been missing under President Jacques Chirac, but he warned that patience might be needed.For both, clearly, their experience of politics outside Paris seems to me to be extremely small and they will have a big learning curve as soon as they become president, he said.AFP

Terrorists Hit Sderot as Abbas and Olmert Weaken
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (INN) May 6,07

Terrorists continued to unleash Kassam rocket, rock and firebombing attacks from Gaza and throughout Judea and Samaria Saturday, most of which have been ignored by Israeli media. Islamic Jihad terrorists attacked the Negev town of Sderot with three rockets, and one of them scored a direct hit on a home, causing extensive damage but no injuries. Five more rockets fell in open areas across the western Negev Saturday. At least four more were fired Sunday. The rock and firebomb attacks Saturday included stonings of a bus and cars near Bethlehem, on the road between Kfar Sava and communities in Samaria and on a highway south of Hevron.

Several vehicles sustained damage, and one man suffered injuries in his eye. The escalation in attacks came as Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have become more powerless to fight terrorism and even failed to resume twice-monthly meetings this week. American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice initially brought the two together in a meeting marked by angry shouts and mutual charges of failure to act. They last met in mid-April in what appears to be a quick end to the bi-weekly face-to-face conferences resulting from an American effort to force renewed negotiations

Abbas, Olmert Lead Weak Governments

Each leader is facing his own political crisis, leaving both of them without time or energy to deal with terrorist attacks. Hamas, which shares the reins of power with Fatah, challenged the Bush administration Saturday, saying it does not accept an American plan calling for more good will measures by Israel in return for another attempt to stop terrorist attacks. The American government has been pressuring Israel to eliminate more army checkpoints, although their removal usually is followed by an increasing number of attacks. The American government has been pressuring Israel to eliminate more army checkpoints, although their removal usually is followed by an increasing number of attacks.Government officials have expressed strong opposition to the latest American plan for more good will measures in return for PA plans, without action, to curtail terrorism. The Hamas rejection of the American proposal may bury it.

Abbas has renewed threats that he will call new elections in an effort to reverse the Hamas domination in the legislature. He claimed that the government will collapse because of the continued American-led sanctions against transferring money to a PA government that is shared by Hamas. Tensions between Fatah and Hamas are very high, said a senior PA official. The situation could deteriorate into violence at any moment.Prime Minister Olmert is facing one crisis after the other, including charges of corruption and blame from the Winograd Committee for failures in the war against Hizbullah.

He has resisted calls to resign.Despite repeated vows not to tolerate continued attacks from Gaza, the Olmert administration has confined its counter-terrorist actions to Judea and Samaria, where it killed three terrorists in Jenin Friday afternon. Attempts by terrorists to infiltrate from Egypt also continued Saturday, and army soldiers killed one armed man who tried to sneak across the border. Egypt has taken responsibility for patrolling the border since Israel withdrew from the area following the demolition of Jewish communities in the Gaza region two summers ago. Hamas militias said Saturday they have taken control of the sites of most of the demolished Jewish communities, which were supposed to have become the foundation for growth in Arab agriculture. In a separate incident within the PA Saturday, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades terrorists aligned with Abbas executed a man suspected of cooperating with Israel.

Festive Fires Give Faith Amid Fears
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (INN) MAY 6,07

Israel put its troubles aside Saturday night and celebrated Lag B'omer, the 33rd of 49 days of counting the traditional measure of barley in the spring harvest between the Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost) holidays. Lag B'omer also marks the date on which the 22,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying of a plague during Roman rule. Another explanation for their deaths is that they were killed while fighting the Roman army. Tradition states that the plague was suspended on Lag B'Omer, which also is observed as the anniversary of the death of the Torah scholar Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, whose grave is in Meron, west of Tzfat. More than 300,000 reached Meron by late Saturday night, and tens of thousands more are on their way, police reported.

Israelis from all parts of the religious spectrum find faith and hope through the holiday amid bonfires and songs which break the period of mourning. Beards, which have been grown as a sign of mourning, are shaven, and thousands of parents follow a tradition of giving their sons their first haircut on the holiday. Firefighters and medics are on alert, but increased awareness of safety and tighter government controls against recklessness have kept incidents to a minimum. Two fires broke out of control at the Carmel Park in Haifa, and another fire went of control in the Negev town of Sderot. Three fires also broke out in Petach Tikva and six in Rosh HaAyin, east of Tel Aviv. No injuries were reported.

Pilgrimage in Tunisia

Coinciding with Lag B'Omer is the annual Ghriba pilgrimage on the Tunisian island of Djerba. Thousands of French and Italian Jews as well as Tunisian-born Israelis descended on the town, home of the El Ghriba synagogue, the oldest known Jewish house of worship in Africa. A terrorist attack on the synagogue five years ago killed 21 people. The name of the synagogue means marvelous or strange, based on several traditions, one of which is that Jewish priests fled there after the destruction of the First Temple.

Palestinians reject U.S. peace plan By Nidal al-Mughrabi
Sat May 5, 11:10 AM ET

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian leaders roundly rejected a U.S. proposal on Saturday that aims to foster peace moves by setting a timetable of reciprocal security measures with Israel. The Israeli government, beset by an internal crisis, had already poured cold water on Washington's plan for a timeline of benchmark steps that included Palestinian forces cracking down on rocket attacks and Israel easing travel restrictions.In an atmosphere of profound mutual mistrust and fundamental
weaknesses in the governments on either side, the future of the proposal seemed unclear. Leaders of the ruling Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas ruled out any further discussion of it.The American plan is rejected and we will work to make it fail by any means, said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Baroum.

A senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas, of the rival Fatah party, also dismissed as unworkable the draft plan presented to Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week.Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal told a rally in Damascus on Friday: "I officially declare Hamas's rejection of this document or any American, European, Israeli or even Arab project that diminishes the Palestinian cause like this ... It is a formula of lifting the roadblocks in return for halting the resistance.The U.S.
State Department said it was proposing only flexible and informal benchmarks without fixed deadlines.A pro-Hamas Web site quoted Meshaal as saying: We must keep our fingers on the trigger and prepare for battle.One of six missiles fired from the Gaza Strip since late on Friday damaged an Israeli house. Islamic Jihad, which has not joined a six-month-old Hamas ceasefire, claimed responsibility.

SANCTIONS

From Fatah, whose rivalry with Hamas has spilled over into bloodshed since the Islamists won last year's parliamentary election, Abbas aide Yasser Abed Rabbo complained the U.S. plan did not put enough onus on Israel to address Palestinian demands to end economic sanctions and revive talks on statehood.This plan cannot be implemented because Israel is not willing to change its position and put an end to the siege, he said. This plan made no mention of political issues and we don't consider this plan or any other suggestion to be an alternative to political negotiations to end the occupation.

Palestinians want an end to sanctions, over Hamas's refusal to renounce violence, that have crippled the economy.For its part, Israel says the U.S. plan did not seem to go far enough to guarantee an improvement in its security in return for easing movement controls on Palestinians and their goods.

An official on Olmert's staff told Reuters on Friday: Some of the ideas Israel is already implementing, others are already well advanced and there are some that Israel will not be able to address in the present because of security concerns.

Washington has been keen to press measures to lower tensions as it seeks to foster relations with Arab allies dismayed by the turmoil in U.S.-occupied Iraq. The Arab League, worried by the rise of non-Arab Iran, has revived a peace proposal to Israel.

However, both sides in the conflict face major difficulties.

Hamas is suspicious of U.S. efforts to bolster security forces run by Abbas that under the proposed timeline would crack down on arms smuggling and rocket crews in Gaza next month. The president was due to meet Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Sunday for talks on security, Haniyeh aides said. In Israel, Olmert has been fending off calls for his resignation since an official inquiry on Monday savaged his handling of last year's war in Lebanon. Many in Israel believe his authority has been terminally undermined. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Mohammed Abu Ghaniya in Bethlehem and Ari Rabinovitch and Alastair Macdonald in Jerusalem)

Posted: Saturday, 05 May 2007 9:25PM
More Twisters Hit Plains

GREENSBURG, Kan.--A fresh wave of tornadoes ripped through the Plains late Saturday, a day after a tornado all but destroyed this town, killing nine and injuring dozens more. The National Weather Service said it had received reports well into the double digits of twisters touching down in six southwest Kansas counties.

Numerous tornadoes were reported from South Dakota south into Oklahoma as forecasters scrambled to keep issuing warnings.The new storms forced rescuers to abandon search efforts Saturday in southwest Kansas, where crews had spent the day hurrying through the wreckage from Friday night's giant tornado. That twister left little standing in Greensburg beyond the local pub.Friday's weather was blamed for nine deaths in Kansas, a figure authorities feared could rise even before the latest twisters.

City Administrator Steve Hewitt estimated 95 percent of the town of 1,500 was destroyed and predicted rescue efforts could take days as survivors could be trapped in basements and under rubble.Among the only structures that survived was the Bar H Tavern, the town's lone bar.

It was briefly converted into a morgue.Survivors picked over the remnants of their homes and possessions, still dazed by the twister's strength and scope.We want everybody to know, and I plead to the American people as well as the people here in Kansas, this is a huge catastrophe that has happened to our small town, Hewitt said. All my downtown is gone. My home is gone. My staff's homes are gone.

And we've got to find a way to get this to work and come to work every day and get this thing back on its feet. It's going to be tough.Among the funnel clouds Saturday were a series of half-mile wide wedge tornadoes, similar to the one that devastated Greensburg on Friday night, meteorologist Mike Umscheid said.Umscheid said the slow-moving storm system would likely to spawn severe weather early into Sunday morning.

It looks like it's going to be another long night, he said.

A twister hit a high school in Sweetwater, Okla., late Saturday, and storm spotters reported damage to nearby residences in the far western Oklahoma town.There were injuries, though the number and severity weren't clear because communications had been knocked out, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. Several tornadoes were reported in that area and several other parts of the state.Greensburg residents said they heard tornado sirens a common feature of towns in Tornado Alley about 20 minutes before Friday's storm hit.Even with that heads-up, Frank Gallant had no place to go. Gallant, who uses a wheelchair, had no basement, so he moved to the center of his house with his miniature pinscher, No. 5.You just hope you've lived up to the Lord's expectations, and you're going to the good place and not the bad, said Gallant, 47.The dead included eight in Kiowa County and one in nearby Pratt County, said Sharon Watson, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Adjutant General's Department. She said officials are looking into reports of two other storm-related
deaths.

State Rep. Dennis McKinney, the Kansas House minority leader, said he and his daughter hid in the basement while the storm destroyed his home. He helped search homes for survivors but noted the inspections didn't take that long because in the western part of town, there weren't many homes left to inspect.A mandatory evacuation was ordered, he said. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius declared a disaster emergency for Kiowa County and planned to tour the area Sunday, said her spokeswoman, Nicole Corcoran. The state sent 40 National Guard soldiers to help.The White House said President Bush was briefed on the situation, and a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency said FEMA was preparing to send aid.Associated Press.