I WRITE NEWS ABOUT AND PUT NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM PERTAINING TO BIBLE PROPHESY HAPPENINGS.JOEL 3:20 But Judah (ISRAEL) shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.(THATS ISRAEL-JERUSALEM WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED AGAIN)-WE CHRISTIANS ARE ALL WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE TO OCCUR.SO WE CAN GO TO JESUS AND GET OUR NEVER DYING BODIES.SO WE CAN RULE OVER CITIES OURSELVES.WHILE JESUS RULES FROM DAVIDS THRONE FOREVER IN JERUSALEM.
KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
EU SPAIN #11
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS-10 WORLD REGIONS/TRADE BLOCS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS-10 WORLD DIVISION WORLD GOVERNMENT) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(TAKE OVER 3 WORLD REGIONS)
LETS REMEMBER ONE THING.THE BIBLE SAYS THE EU WORLD DICTATOR WILL BE A KING.THERES NOT TO MANY TRUE KING LEAD COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.
1 JOHN 4:2-3
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2 JOHN 7
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1 JOHN 2:18,22
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
DANIEL 8:23
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
DANIEL 11:36
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
2 THESSALONIANS 2:3-4,8
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,(EU WORLD DICTATOR) whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
ISAIAH 57:20
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
REVELATION 13:1
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads (PROBABLY 7 WORLD FINANCIAL LEADERS)(LEAD THIS 7TH WORLD EMPIRE) and ten horns,(10 DIVISION WORLD GOVERNMEN) and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Prince Felipe calls for Spanish unity at national day parade
OCT 13,13-yahoonews
.
MADRID (Reuters) - Crown Prince Felipe took his ailing
father's place at a national day parade in Madrid on Saturday and called
for Spanish unity, as thousands marched against Catalan independence in
Barcelona.
King Juan Carlos, 75, is recovering from hip surgery,
his fifth operation in two years, and missed the annual parade for the
first time as expectations grew that his son may soon take over the
troubled throne.The parade, which has cut back on flyovers, sky
divers and armored vehicles in recent years as part of a wave of
austerity in the midst of a deep economic slump, lasted around an hour
and passed through the center of the Spanish capital."This is a
day to celebrate that which unites us, remember our history, value all
that we've achieved together and reaffirm our commitment to the future,"
Crown Prince Felipe, 45, said during the traditional toast following
the march.Meanwhile, in Catalonia, where calls for independence
have been growing as the economic crisis has forced deep spending cuts
and fueled discontent with Madrid, thousands joined the national day
parade waving Spanish and Catalan flags.On September 11,
Catalonia's own national day, hundreds of thousands of Catalans held
hands in a 400-km (250-mile) human chain across their region to press
the Spanish government to let them vote on breaking away and forming an
independent country.
Prince Felipe faces an uphill battle to win
back Spaniards, who have soured on royals and political leaders during
an economic crisis aggravated by corruption scandals and a widening gap
between rich and poor.
A poll by Sigma Dos last year showed that
close to 60 percent of Spaniards aged 18-29 no longer want a monarchy
and other polls earlier this year showed that half of all Spaniards were
in favor of the king stepping down.(Reporting by Paul Day; editing by Andrew Roche)
King Juan Carlos was discharged from the Chiron Hospital in Madrid on Tuesday.The 75 year old Spanish Monarch was
cheered by a group of well wishers and gathered media as he left the
Madrid hospital. The King will spend the next couple of weeks in
recuperation at his Madrid residence, the Palacio de la Zarzuela,
following the successfully operation on his left hip.Before leaving the hospital, His Majesty
thanked the medical staff and posed for several photographs. It is
expected that the King will have to endure a further operation on his
left hip in about eight weeks time.
Spanish Crown Prince Filipe and Princess Letizia visit Israel to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations-The European Jewish Press-
By Maud Swinnen-APR 12,2011
The visit, to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel, comes six weeks after
Peres’s visit to Spain..The royal coupe was greeted by the president accompanied by chidren who have made their aliyah (immigration) from Spain.
"Israel welcomes you and hopes that your historic visit will help
strengthen economic, scientific, technological, educational and cultural
ties between Spain and Israel," Peres told the prince.
"I would like to thank your father, the King of Spain and Queen Sophia,
for the warm welcome I received in Spain. King Juan Carlos bravely
succeeded to lead Spain to democracy after Franco, strengthening Spain
and turning it into an open, peace-loving country," he added.
The Israeli president hosted Monday night a state dinner for the Spanish royal couple.
Prince Filipe and Princess Letizia visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust
Memorial Centre in Jerusalem and attended a reception at Tel Aviv
University where he met with young scientific researchers who presented
some of their findings.
On Tuesday, they have a working breakfast with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Ramallah for a meeting with
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
They will later depart for Jordan, where they will attend a state dinner hosted King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.
The prince's parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, visited Israel in 1993.
Later this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several
cabinet members will visit Spain to meet in Madrid with Spanish Prime
Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and government members.
Netanyahu’s father, Prof. Benzion Netanyahu, who turned 101 on March 25,
is a world expert on the golden age of the Jewish history of Spain.Tuesday, April 12, 2011.http://www.eurojewcong.org/improving-eu-israel-relations/6451-spanish-crown-prince-filipe-and-princess-letizia-visit-israel-to-mark-25-years-of-diplomatic-relations.html
Large rally opposes moves for Catalan independence
By JOE WILSON and HAROLD HECKLE
23 hours ago-OCT 12,13-yahoonews
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Thousands of people gathered in
Barcelona on Saturday to assert their right to be Spanish as well as
Catalan in a protest designed to demonstrate to separatists that a
significant proportion of the region's population is against splitting
away from Spain.Under the movement's slogan of "We are Catalonia,
we are Spain," many waved flags saying "We are 47 million," a reference
to the population of Spain."The vast majority of people here are
against independence because if we go down that path Spain will be
reduced," said Mariano Escudero, 70.Catalonia regional President Artur Mas has said he wants to hold a referendum on independence.The
rally in the Catalan capital's main Plaza de Catalunya square coincided
with Spain's national holiday which is also celebrated with a military
parade in Madrid. This year Crown Prince Felipe presided over the parade
because King Juan Carlos is recovering from surgery to his hip.Protesters
in Barcelona carried a large 100-meter flag, half bearing the Catalan
region's colors and the other half those of Spain as loudspeakers played
festive music.There was a strong undercurrent of anger at Mas'
secessionist policies. Some shouted, "We won't get fooled, we are
Spain," while others wore the Spanish national football team's jersey
and chanted, "Barcelona plus Madrid equals La Roja" — the squad's
popular name.Maite Avila, 39, who works for Mas' regional government, said she was furious at those leading the independence movement."Mas
is only able to get away with this because we live in a democracy,
otherwise someone would have cut his throat," said Avila, who was waving
a Spanish flag.
LOOKING BACK TO KING JUAN CARLOS OF SPAINS TRIP TO ISRAEL IN NOVEMBER OF 1993.
Spanish King’s Visit to Israel Termed an Outstanding Success
JERUSALEM (Nov. 11)
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain left
Israel on Thursday following a state visit that Foreign Ministry
officials called an outstanding success.The seven agreements of cooperation signed during the visit are being
seen as the foundation for extensive future economic cooperation
between the two countries.
The king, at a farewell ceremony at President Ezer Weizman’s official
residence, said his visit had been “filled not only with success but
with great enjoyment and great interest.”“I hope that our relations will go on increasing the cooperation of
both countries and I hope both countries will know each other better,”
the monarch said.“Your visit here, your majesty,” Weizman replied, “adds confidence to
the people of Israel and to the leaders of Israel that we’re not as
alone as we were for many years, that we now have come of age and are
part of the big world.”During his stay, the king was awarded an honorary doctorate of
philosophy by Hebrew University, where he and the queen received a
standing ovation.The degree was presented for the king’s “efforts on behalf of his
nation and his contribution to the renewal of the dialogue between the
peoples of Israel and Spain.”After receiving the award, the king called on students throughout
Israel to follow the road to peace that began in Madrid in 1991.Analysts say the king’s visit here will make a significant impression
on public opinion in the Arab world, with which Spain traditionally has
had close ties.During his three-day visit, Juan Carlos also attended the signing of
an agreement of cooperation between the Israeli and Spanish
industrialists’ associations.Afterward, he said recent diplomatic developments in the region had
raised hopes of a new and stable Middle East where the private sector
would play a pivotal role.Israeli industrialists said they believe that, within the European
Community, Spain will help fight the Arab boycott of Israel, will have a
positive influence on the Israeli-E.C. agreement and on Israel’s
participation in Middle East projects by the E.C.
Spanish King, in First Visit to Israel, Praises Country’s Peace Breakthrough
JERUSALEM (Nov. 9)
In what was perhaps the highlight of his
three-day visit to Israel, King Juan Carlos of Spain addressed the
Knesset this week, making what observers here described as an outspoken
political speech.In his Knesset speech Tuesday, Juan Carlos, who is on his first trip
to Israel, congratulated the country on its breakthrough toward peace
with the Palestinians.He recalled that the “first step” had been taken in his own-capital in November 1991.The framework for negotiations established during the Madrid
conference has served as the basis of the peace talks between Israel and
its Arab neighbors ever since.Juan Carlos addressed a special session of the Knesset as his queen, Sofia, watched from the distinguished visitors gallery.The king arrived here Monday to sign joint Israeli-Spanish economic
agreements and ease strains that have marred relations in the past.Spain, which had strong ties with Arab countries, established
diplomatic relations with Israel in January 1986, under considerable
secrecy.When former Israeli President Chaim Herzog visited Spain last year, the king expressed interest in visiting Israel.During his Knesset speech, Juan Carlos stated his country’s support
for Palestinian self-determination and for the right of all states to
live in secure and recognized boundaries.He urged the parties of the Middle East to press ahead with their
peace negotiations, promising Spain’s and Europe’s earnest support.Juan Carlos also mentioned the need for establishing confidence-building measures to ensure the success of the negotiations.
A FINAL ACT OF RECONCILIATION
The king dwelt at length on Jewish history’s “Golden Age of Spain,”
mentioning Maimonides, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi and other luminaries who had
enriched both Jewish and Spanish culture.He dwelt less on the darker episodes of Spain’s history, particularly
the 1492 expulsion of the Jews and the Spanish Inquisition.
But it was clear from what he did say, and from the public interest
in both countries surrounding his first visit to Israel, that the king
and queen’s presence here is widely seen as a final act of Spanish
reconciliation with Jewry and Judaism.His visit occurred just a year after both Israel and Spain, in their own ways, marked the 500th anniversary of the expulsion.Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, in his address to the Knesset, also praised Spain’s role in hosting the Madrid conference.Rabin said he wanted to see Spain serve as “a bridge” between Israel and the Arabs.Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud party, said, “While then
the king of Spain issued the command of expulsion, now his successor
comes with a command of reconciliation.”
Earlier, Juan Carlos, his foreign minister and other aides met with
Palestinian leaders at the Spanish Consulate in eastern Jerusalem.The Palestinians were scheduled to hold further talks Wednesday with
Foreign Minister Javier Solana Madariaga on Spain’s economic aid plans
for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.Solana told reporters that his country’s pledge of $10 million a year
over the next five years was over and above the major aid and
investment package that Spain had put together in cooperation with the
European Community.
For the local media, the royal visit prompted some adjustments.
Israeli reporters, accustomed to extreme informality, were urged by
government press aides to wear jackets and ties.Unschooled in royal protocol, they were informed that jabbing
microphones under the noses of royalty is not considered appropriate and
that their majesties were not to be photographed while they were
partaking of food or drink.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/1993/11/10/archive/spanish-king-in-first-visit-to-israel-praises-countrys-peace-breakthrough#ixzz2hbq7zH5f
Israel Entertains Reigning King with Visit of Spain’s Juan Carlos
JERUSALEM (Nov. 8)
In a development hailed as a “breakthrough” by
top diplomatic officials here, King Juan Carlos of Spain is making his
first visit to Israel this week.The trip heralds a warming in relations between the two countries.
Israeli and Spanish officials are expected to sign six agreements for
economic cooperation during the king’s three-day stay in Israel.But his arrival in Israel is also viewed as having considerable symbolic importance attached to it.The state visit, the first ever by a ruling European monarch, is
expected to ease the strains that have marred relations between the two
countries in the past.The visit is also expected to strengthen ties between Israel and countries influenced by Spain, such as those of Latin America.The king, accompanied by his wife, Queen Sofia, and by an entourage
of ministers and dozens of business leaders, was welcomed here Monday
with an elaborate official state ceremony.Senior Foreign Ministry officials said the visit would elevate
Israel’s relations with Spain to the level of those with Britain and
France.Until 1986, when Israel and Spain established diplomatic ties, Spain
was largely cool and distant toward Israel while maintaining close
relations with the Arabs.Spain hosted the October 1991 Madrid conference on the Middle East
peace process. The framework for negotiations established there has
served ever since as the basis for the peace talks involving Israel, the
Palestinians and its Arab neighbors.
TRADE HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY
The royal visit follows an invitation to the king by former President Chaim Herzog, who visited Spain last year.At that time, Juan Carlos called for reconciliation between the two
countries during a ceremony in a Madrid synagogue commemorating the
500th anniversary of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.During the past 10 years, Israeli-Spanish trade has grown from about $30 million to $440 million.The agreements due to be signed this week are expected to give a further economic boost to both countries.Danny Gillerman, president of Israel’s Chamber of Commerce, said the
dozens of Spanish business leaders who accompanied the king were an
important and hopeful sign.“Spain is a member of the E.C. (European Community), a leader in the
Mediterranean region,” he told Israel Radio, “and I believe that in
today’s world, in the context of the peace process, it could play a
major role in the development of the region.”As a sign of the weightiness accorded the visit, Juan Carlos was scheduled to address the Knesset on Tuesday.He was also expected to meet with Israeli leaders as well as with a Palestinian delegation.His schedule also includes a tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust
memorial and of Christian holy sites, and he is expected to receive an
honorary degree from Hebrew University.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/1993/11/09/archive/israel-entertains-reigning-king-with-visit-of-spains-juan-carlos#ixzz2hbpBaEA3
Spanish King Visits Israel
BRIAN PERRIN , Associated Press
Nov. 8, 19936:58 PM ET
JERUSALEM
(AP) _ King Juan Carlos of Spain, whose predecessors expelled tens
of thousands of Jews five centuries ago, arrived in Israel Monday for a
historic visit and promised to push for peace in the Middle East.His visit was the first by a European monarch and the first by a
head of state since the Sept. 13 Israel-PLO pact, and was seen as
indicative of Israel's warming relations with Europe following the
accord.
President Ezer Weizman received Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the
Rose Garden outside Parliament and introduced them to Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin, Cabinet members and religious leaders. The royal couple
then visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum.Weizman asked Spain to use its influence to pressure the Arabs to end their economic boycott of Israel.Spain, with historic ties to the Arabs, recognized the Jewish state
in 1986 only under pressure from its new European Community partners.Then-President Chaim Herzog invited Juan Carlos to Israel during
Herzog's visit to Spain last year marking the 500th anniversary of King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella's edict expelling some 200,000 Jews from
Spain.Recalling the expulsion, Juan Carlos said, ''If Spain expelled the Jews, they did not expel Spain from their heart.''Madrid was host for the 1991 conference that launched the Mideast
peace drive, and Juan Carlos pledged Monday that Spain ''will continue
to make efforts both bilaterally and through the European Community ..
to contribute to the success of peace.''At a formal dinner at Weizman's residence, he said Israel and Spain
''must utilize the new atmosphere of understanding to further relations
between us ... We are talking about a qualitative leap.''Spanish business leaders are traveling with the royal couple and
will meet with Israeli and Palestinian business people. Israel and Spain
will sign economic accords during the visit.Juan Carlos is to address Parliament on Tuesday.
After tunnel find, Netanyahu says terror activity on the rise
Comments
come after discovery of a passageway leading from Gaza to Israel and a
killing in an isolated West Bank vacation village
Despite a months-long lull in
terror activity that has made 2013 the quietest year “in more than a
decade,” the last several weeks have seen a marked uptick in
nationalistic attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.“We
have seen an increase in terrorist activity over the last few weeks,”
Netanyahu said, speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.Netanyahu added that preventative measures by Israeli security agencies had allowed for 2013 to be nearly terror-free.The prime minister’s remarks came hours after the IDF revealed it had uncovered and destroyed a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) tunnel from Gaza to Israel,
which IDF officials said was likely designed to be used in a kidnapping
or attack attempt by Gazan terrorists. The tunnel terminated inside
Israel proper, close to a kindergarten, and was filled with explosives,
the IDF said.Netanyahu opened his remarks by praising the IDF for finding and demolishing the tunnel.The last few weeks have seen a number of seemingly unconnected attacks on Israelis in the West Bank.On Friday, Seraiah Ofer, a retired IDF
colonel, was killed outside his home in the Brosh Habika vacation
village in the West Bank. His wife, who sustained light injuries fleeing
the attack, said Ofer went to investigate some noises outside their
house and was attacked and beaten to death by men wielding metal bars
and axes.Police initially said that the killing was
likely a terror attack, but investigators have been probing the
possibility that it was criminally motivated.Five Palestinians were arrested after the attack.Netanyahu, speaking on Sunday, noted that his
brother Ido was friends with Ofer in elementary school and Ofer would
frequent the Netanyahu home during their childhood.On Monday, two Palestinian men were arrested
in connection to an October 5 terror attack in the West Bank settlement
of Psagot. In that attack, a gunman infiltrated the settlement and shot a
9-year-old girl, Noam Glick. She was lightly wounded.In September, two IDF soldiers were killed in
separate incidents. Off-duty soldier Tomer Hazan was murdered by a
Palestinian coworker at a Bat Yam restaurant who lured him to a village
near Qalqilya. A second soldier, Gal Gabriel Kobi, was killed by what
the army said was a sniper’s shot outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs in
Hebron.
As Jerusalem votes for mayor, a referendum on Barkat
Haredi
backing and political connections notwithstanding, unproven outsider
Moshe Lion can only become mayor if non-ultra Orthodox Jerusalemites are
profoundly unhappy with the incumbent
As of last week, the sense among
those in Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat’s inner circle was that, for all
challenger Moshe Lion’s support from key ultra-Orthodox rabbis, there
was no scenario in which Barkat would not be reelected on October 22.Then Ovadia Yosef died.In the last elections in Beit Shemesh, as then-local political activist and today Yesh Atid Knesset member Dov Lipman recalled in an interview with The Times of Israel earlier this year,
Rabbi Ovadia’s intervention remade that race and carried the day: Shas
took over a Beit Shemesh gymnasium, Yosef assured the packed house that
they’d “get the World to Come” if they voted for his man, and Shas’s
opponents had no ammunition that could possibly compete with that
rabbinical promise of paradise.Is something similar about to happen in Jerusalem? Moshe Lion had been trying hard to get some
face time with the dying sage, desperate for a videoed endorsement from a
figure who — whether his funeral drew 800,000 or, more likely, half
that number — was revered by a not insignificant proportion of the
Jerusalem electorate.With the dirt still settling on Yosef’s grave,
Shas’s bereft Council of Torah Sages rushed to assert that the
God-fearing Lion was indeed the rabbi’s choice, even if he hadn’t quite
gotten around to saying so before shuffling off this mortal coil. Honor
Ovadia, elect Lion.
This begs two questions: whether the Yosef
effect will live on after the rabbi and, if it does, whether any
additional posthumous push for Lion would be enough to oust Barkat.The mayor won office last time on the strength
of a credible claim to be capable of running the city effectively,
bolstered by a term’s experience on the council, but also thanks to a
certain division in the ultra-Orthodox camp born of the
less-than-universal support there for Haredi candidate Meir Porush.
While denying that he has cut deals with the ultra-Orthodox power
brokers, or made commitments to give their representatives key positions
of power in the running of the city and the shaping of its development,
Lion has secured several key rabbinical endorsements. That and the
possible Yosef effect might see the city’s 85,000 likely ultra-Orthodox
voters turn out en masse for Lion, which would take him a good part of
the distance to City Hall.But even overwhelming support from the
ultra-Orthodox is not sufficient for a would-be mayor. And Lion’s talk
of having 40,000 Likud voters on board is difficult to credit. One of
his tactics, to try to ensure that Jerusalemites of a Likud mindset
indeed support him, is to depict Barkat as a bit of a leftist. But
that’s certainly not how Jerusalem’s genuine leftists regard the mayor,
and it’s a charge that seems unlikely to stick.Where Lion might prove to have been more
effective is in his effort to assert that the mayor is out of touch with
working-class Jerusalemites, who feel the streets are too dirty and the
housing prices far too high, and who aren’t listening closely when
Barkat assures them that little of the city’s budget is spent on
landmark “branding” events such as the Formula Jerusalem motor-racing
exhibition.Take a step back, look coldly, and Barkat has
an uphill struggle: He’s the secular mayor of an Orthodox city, facing
an Orthodox challenger. He’s the incumbent with a track record to
defend, facing an outsider promising the world. He’s a political
independent facing a rival with extensive political connections and
support. He’s an earnest management type up against a jolly
“chevra-man.”But he’s also a mayor of hard-to-dispute competence challenged by an unproven outsider.One large chunk of the Jerusalem electorate —
the Arabs — won’t vote for any Zionist candidate. Another large chunk —
the ultra-Orthodox — is now largely in Lion’s pocket. On October 22, the
rest of voting Jerusalem will have to decide whether Barkat has done a
reasonable job of reviving the deeply troubled city he inherited, and
should thus be given a second term, or whether it’s time to let someone
else have a try.For this sector, whose choice and whose
turnout will ultimately determine the election, the vote will be a
referendum on Barkat, because the truth is they don’t know much about
his rival, and what they do know — that he was the director-general of
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office for a while, that he’s
Avigdor Liberman’s buddy, that he comes from Givatayim, that he is the
preferred choice of the ultra-Orthodox rabbi-powerbrokers, and that he’s
never run anything remotely on the scale of the city of Jerusalem —
won’t come close to swaying them unless they are profoundly unhappy with
the incumbent.One final thought: If non-ultra Orthodox
Jerusalem were to actually bother to go and vote with a similar turnout
to the ultra-Orthodox, the mayoral battlefield would look distinctly
different. You’d think all Jerusalemites might want to make
that effort, to determine the nature of the city they live in.
Experience would suggest you’d be wrong.
300,000 expected Sunday at Ovadia Yosef memorial
Jerusalem police to close off streets ahead of event, which marks end of seven traditional days of mourning
Praying
at the grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, in the Sanhedria cemetery in
Jerusalem, on October 8, 2013. (photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Hundreds of thousands of people
are expected to take part in a memorial Sunday for the late Rabbi Ovadia
Yosef, marking the end of the traditional seven-day shiva mourning period.Police plan to close roads in certain
neighborhoods of the capital and deploy thousands of officers, border
policemen, and security personnel to secure the event, which is
scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Some 300,000 people are expected to
attend, authorities said.From mid-morning Sunday, police are to begin
closing off streets around the Sanhedria cemetery where Yosef is buried
and roads leading to the adjacent Bar-Ilan Junction. The cemetery itself
is to close to the public at 2 p.m.The memorial ceremony will be led by a gathering of Shas party leaders and prominent rabbis.Yosef’s funeral, on Monday last week, drew according to police estimates over 800,000 people, making it the largest funeral in the country’s history.
The massive crowd, which gathered from all over the country, all but
shut down much of the city and the arriving vehicles and buses
temporarily blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem.
President
Shimon Peres visiting the sukkah of Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia
Yosef in 2012. (photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Yosef, a former chief rabbi regarded as the
leading Sephardic rabbi of the generation and the spiritual mentor of
the Shas political party, died last Monday aged 93.
Police warned Sunday that private vehicles
will not be given access to the memorial, and advised those planning to
attend to make use a network of buses arranged for their benefit. Police
also appealed to the public to not gather on rooftops, where there is a
serious danger that inadequate safety railings could collapse.At the funeral last week, hundreds of people
crowded onto roofs and balconies to get a better view of the
proceedings. Emergency services treated around 300 people during the
hours-long procession, which, due to the difficulty in moving Yosef’s
funeral vehicle through the throngs of people, took much longer than
initially planned. No serious injuries were reported.A police hotline providing information on
which roads are closed and traffic updates is to operate between 2 and
11 p.m. at 1-700-553-100.
Israel to make helmets for US F-35 fighter
1 hour ago-OCT 13,13-yahoonews
Jerusalem (AFP) - An Israeli company has been selected to
take part in manufacturing hi-tech helmets for pilots of the US F-35
stealth fighter, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said Sunday.He
said in a statement that Elbit Systems and its US partner Rockwell
Collins have been chosen by the Pentagon and F35 manufacturer Lockheed
Martin to supply helmets for the next generation of the Joint Strike
Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the backbone
of future American air power."I congratulate Elbit Systems on
becoming a partner in this global flagship project to produce the
world's most advanced warplane," Yaalon said.Elbit Systems designed the helmet for the fighter.Yaalon
said that state-owned Israel Military Industries is already part of the
F-35 project, for which it manufactures aircraft parts.
"The
choice of Elbit Systems to produce the pilots' helmets is a vote of
confidence in Israel's defence industries and their people," he added.Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said that Israel has so far ordered 19 of the aircraft and intends to buy more."The
new helmet, which is to be manufactured in the United States, is
capable of putting flight data as well as data about weapons systems and
intelligence before the pilot’s eyes," it said, adding that it would be
delivered as standard with every F-35 purchased around the world from
2016."The helmet allows the pilot to see images from the cameras
on the plane, including on its nose. This allows the pilot to 'see
through' the front of the plane and is very helpful in dogfights and in
bombing targets on the ground," it wrote."With the Israel Air
Force planning to decommission its fleet of ageing F-15s and F-16s, the
F-35 will continue to ensure the country's global competitiveness,"
Lockheed Martin's website says.The aircraft, which comes in
conventional, vertical takeoff and aircraft carrier versions, has
struggled with production delays and cost overruns.Designed to
replace fighters in the US Air Force, Navy and Marines and supported by a
consortium of eight countries, the programme is already the most
expensive in US military history with a price tag of $395.7 billion
(292.2 billion euros).
10/12/2013 VATICAN INSIDER
“I suffer when I see that the role of service of the woman slips into a role of servitude”
Francis: "The Church is a woman!"
“The Church is a woman” Francis told participants of a study
seminar organized by the Women’s Section of the Pontifical Council for
the Laity. The Pope warned of two dangers: Reducing maternity to a
social role and emancipation of women taken to the extreme
Domenico Agasso jrRome
A woman’s role in the Church must not be one of
servitude. The Church is a woman. God entrusted humankind to women. This
was the crux of Francis’ message this morning to participants of a
study seminar organized by the Women’s Section of the Pontifical Council
for the Laity on the 25th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s
Apostolic Letter “Mulieris Dignitatem”. The audience took place in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. “Even in the Church, it is important to ask
oneself: what presence does the woman have?” Francis asked in a
spontaneous question to his audience. “I suffer – speaking truthfully! –
when I see in the Church or in some ecclesial organizations that the
role of service that we all have, and that we must have - but that the
role of service of the woman slips into a role of “servidumbre”
[Spanish: servitude]. . . But when I see women that do things out of
“servitude” and not out of service,” said Pope Francis. And that it is
not understood well what a woman ought to do.” And it pleases me to
think that the Church is not ‘il Chiesa’ [‘the Church’, masculine]: it
is ‘la Chiesa’ [feminine]. The Church is a woman! The Church is a
mother! And that’s beautiful, eh? We have to think deeply about this.”
Francis also revealed and confided that he wanted to include this speech
in today’s meeting with the Pontifical Congregation for the Laity “even
though it was not in the meeting’s original schedule.”The “Mulieris dignitatem” letter was the
first in papal teaching dedicated entirely to the theme of the woman,
and the study seminar in particular discussed the point which says that
God entrusts man, the human being, to woman in a special way. It focuses
on women’s dignity.In today’s audience, Francis said he agreed that
the Congregation’s chosen theme for discussion “the vocation and the
mission” of women today, was an important one. The Pope recognised that
the Congregation had given special focus to the part of John Paul II’s
document which says that God entrusts humankind to women in a special
way. But “What does this ‘special entrusting’…of the human being to
woman signify? It seems evident to me that my predecessor is referring
to maternity,” Francis said. “Many things can change and have changed in
our cultural and social evolution, but the fact remains that it is the
woman who conceives, carries in her womb and gives birth to the children
of men,” the Pope continued. “And this is not simply a biological
matter, but carries a wealth of implications for the woman herself, for
her way of being, for her relationships, for the way in which we lend
respect to human life and to life in general. Calling a woman to
maternity, God entrusted the human being to her in an altogether special
manner.”The Pope warned that there are two dangers always
present when speaking about this topic, calling them “two extreme
opposites that destroy woman and her vocation.” “The first is to reduce
maternity to a social role, to a task, albeit noble, but which in fact
sets the woman aside with her potential and does not value her fully in
the building of community. This is both in the civil sphere and in the
ecclesial sphere,” explained the Holy Father. “And, in reaction to this,
there is the other danger in the opposite direction that of promoting a
type of emancipation which, in order to occupy spaces taken away from
the masculine, abandons the feminine with the precious traits that
characterize it.” Francis also spoke about the special gifts given to
women in the Church. “ I would like to underline how the woman has a
particular sensitivity for the ‘things of God’, above all in helping us
to understand the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us,” he
said.So as the Pope said, the document “Mulieris Dignitatem” arises in
this context and offers a profound, organic reflection, with a solid
anthropological base, enlightened by Revelation.” “From here, we must
restart that work of deepening and of promoting, for which I have
already hoped many times. Even in the Church, it is important to ask
oneself: what presence does the woman have?” “Can she be valued more? It
is a reality that is close to my heart and for this I wanted to meet …
and bless you and your commitment.”
ISAIAH 17:1,11-14
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations,(USELESS U.N) that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
14 And behold at evening tide trouble; and before the morning he is not.(ASSAD) This is the portion of them that spoil us,(ISRAEL) and the lot of them that rob us.
AMOS 1:5
5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden:(IRAQ) and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir,(JORDAN) saith the LORD.
JEREMEIAH 49:23-27
23 Concerning Damascus.(SYRIA) Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea;(WAR SHIPS WITH NUKES COMING ON SYRIA) it cannot be quiet.
24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
27 And I will kindle a fire (NUKES OR BOMBS) in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.(ASSADS PALACES POSSIBLY IN DAMASCUS)
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they (MUSLIMS) have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,(JORDAN) and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, PALESTINIANS,JORDAN) and the Hagarenes;(EGYPT)
7 Gebal,(HEZZBALLOH,LEBANON) and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA,ARABS,SINAI) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
JEREMIAH 47:1-7
1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines,(PALESTINIAN/ARABS) before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north,(NORTHERN TSUNAMI POSSIBLY) and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses,(ISRAELS ARMY) at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;(ISRAEL POSSIBLY NUKES GAZA)
4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines,(PALESTINIAN FAKE ARABS) and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
5 Baldness is come upon Gaza;(NUKED POSSIBLY) Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? (MEDITTERANEAN SEA) there hath he appointed it.
EGYPT
ISAIAH 19:1-5
1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
4 And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
DANIEL 11:40-43
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south ( EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) and the king of the north (RUSSIA AND MUSLIM HORDES OF EZEK 38+39) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.(JORDAN)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS-MUSLIMS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them,(BEFORE THE NUKE GOES OFF) and behind them a desolate wilderness;(AFTER THE ATOMIC BOMB GOES OFF) yea, and nothing shall escape them.(EVERYTHING NUKED)
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,ARAB,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate,(SIBERIAN DESERT) with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(FOR COMING AGAINST ISRAEL)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
JEREMIAH 8:7
7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times;(MIGRATION TIME) and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming;(IN MIGRATION SEASON) but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.(WW3 MIGRATING BIRDS EAT ISRAELS ENEMIES FLESH AND BLOOD)
Two million Muslim pilgrims begin annual hajj
2 hours ago-OCT 13,13-yahoonews
Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - Some two million Muslims poured
out of the holy city of Mecca Sunday to begin the annual hajj, their
numbers reduced on fears of the MERS virus.Saudi Health Minister
Abdullah Al-Rabia told reporters late Saturday that authorities had so
far detected no cases among the pilgrims of the virus which has killed
60 people worldwide, 51 of them in Saudi Arabia.The pilgrims
moved from Mecca to nearby Mina valley by road, by train or on foot, the
men wearing ihram, the seamless two-piece white garment that rituals
require, the women covered up except for their faces and hands.In
Mina, a small site with 45,000 fire-resistant tents that can
accommodate two million people, they will pray and rest before moving on
to Mount Arafat on Monday for the climax of the pilgrimage rituals.The
recently constructed electric railway is scheduled to carry 400,000 of
the pilgrims taking part in the world's largest annual gathering.
Saudi
Arabia has deployed more than 100,000 troops to ensure the safety of
the pilgrims and has warned it will tolerate no demonstrations or
disturbances.Interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki
told a news conference on Saturday that the kingdom "will not allow any
action that may subject the pilgrims' safety to risk".Security
forces are monitoring the holy sites in and around Mecca with 4,200
hi-tech cameras, some of which are so advanced that can cover a distance
of 60 kilometres (37 miles).Authorities said more than 20,000 buses are ferrying the pilgrims to Mina using 58 tunnels under Mecca's high mountains.But some pilgrims, like Egyptian Mustafa Abu el-Wafa, decided to walk the 10-kilometre distance despite the heat and humidity."I
am so excited that I finally managed to perform the hajj and come to
the areas that the Prophet (Mohammed) had once been to," Wafa said as he
walked towards Mina.From Mina, pilgrims will head to nearby Mount Arafat, where they spend Monday in prayer until sunset.The
oil-rich kingdom has also mobilised huge medical and civil defence
resources to ensure the smooth movement of the pilgrims, around 1.4
million of whom come from abroad.That figure is sharply down on last year's 1.75 million.Riyadh has imposed a 20-percent cut this year on the quota for pilgrims coming from abroad.It
has also slashed the number of domestic pilgrims by half because of
MERS virus fears and reduced capacity resulting from
multi-billion-dollar construction work.The fact that the kingdom
accounts for the overwhelming majority of MERS cases reported around the
world has raised concerns pilgrims could be infected and return to
their homelands carrying the virus.The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.Despite
being marred by deadly incidents in the past, including floods,
stampedes and fires, in recent years, the hajj has passed nearly
incident-free, thanks to multi-billion-dollar projects being implemented
every year.
At least 64 die in India temple stampede; more than 100 injured
BHOPAL, India (Reuters) - At least 64 people were killed and
more than 100 injured in a stampede after a bridge collapsed near a
remote Hindu temple in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, a senior
police official told Reuters on Sunday.A large number of devotees gathered to celebrate the holy festival
of Dussehra at the Ratangarh temple, in a forest outside the town of
Datia, 390 km (240 miles) north of the state capital, Bhopal. But a
bridge leading to the temple collapsed, triggering the stampede."At the moment we can confirm the death toll at 64," Dilip Arya, a
deputy inspector general of police, told Reuters. "More than 100 people
are injured and being treated in nearby hospitals."As the bridge collapsed, people began rushing towards the temple and
got killed in the stampede, Arya said, adding that a few devotees
drowned as they jumped into the Sindh river.Some local media said the police used batons to control the crowd,
prompting many people to panic. Inept handling has led to stampedes on
previous occasions.In February this year, a stampede killed at least 36 Hindu pilgrims,
who were part of the world's largest religious festival which attracted
some 30 million people.(Reporting by Girish Sharma; Writing by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
DISEASES
REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
The worrying rise of tick-borne diseases
By Chris Gayomali
October 12, 2013 6:00 AM
The Week
What makes ticks dangerous? The
little buggers are stealthy, feed on blood, and can transmit a variety
of dangerous bacteria. Many ticks — which are arachnids, like spiders
and mites — are barely perceptible to the naked eye, especially in the
nymph stage. But their bite can pack a wallop, infecting hundreds of
thousands of Americans in many regions of the country with a growing
number of mysterious, debilitating, and sometimes fatal diseases. Lyme
disease, for which ticks are the only known transmitter, is the most
notorious. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimated that Lyme affects 300,000 Americans every year — 10
times higher than previous estimates. "We know that routine
surveillance only gives us part of the picture, and that the true number
of illnesses is much greater," says Dr. Paul Mead of the CDC's Lyme
disease program. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and
sometimes a bull's-eye-shaped rash, but Lyme disease can sometimes lead
to more serious neurological impairments, including forms of meningitis
and encephalitis. And yet Lyme might not even be the most dangerous
pathogen ticks carry.
What other illnesses can ticks cause? More,
it seems, every year. Among them are the Heartland virus, which can
trigger fever and liver abnormalities; babesiosis, which mimics the
symptoms of malaria and has increased 20-fold in the lower Hudson River
Valley since 2001; and perhaps worst of all, Powassan disease, which
kills about 10 percent of its victims and leaves 50 percent of its
survivors with lasting neurological damage. In August, the disease
claimed the life of a 17-year-old from upstate New York, who suddenly
collapsed in his family's yard after a deer tick bite had left him
feeling achy and sluggish for two weeks. Dog ticks, found east of the
Rockies and in parts of California, can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted
fever, which can also be fatal. In June, a 6-year-old girl from North
Carolina died after being diagnosed with the disease.
Why are these diseasesso difficult to treat?Patients
often don't realize they've been bitten, and doctors often fail to
diagnose the infections quickly or accurately. In fact, health officials
only recently figured out that deer ticks transmit not just the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium that causes Lyme, but five other types of bacteria. One of them is Borrelia miyamotoi,
which causes an unnamed illness with symptoms that very closely
resemble Lyme's. This may explain why doctors have been puzzled for
decades by some patients who continue to feel sick even after
antibiotics appear to eradicate the Lyme infection; now it seems likely
these patients were also suffering from undetected infections by other
bacteria. Perhaps the strangest set of symptoms from tick bites is the
outbreak of bewildering "meat allergies" that began affecting people in
2007.
Meat allergies? Yes.
Virtually overnight, more than 1,000 people who'd eaten meat all their
lives suddenly erupted in hives and suffered breathing difficulties and
vomiting after consuming beef, pork, or lamb. Allergy specialists Thomas
Platts-Mills and Scott Commins of the University of Virginia tracked
the outbreak, and zeroed in on a mystifying culprit: The voracious lone
star tick, whose bite can trigger production of an antibody that causes a
violent allergic reaction when encountering a sugar found in red meat.
"I didn't have no idea what was causing it," said Robby Bryant, a
37-year-old Kentucky resident. "It's a real, real scary situation when
you can't breathe."
Can tick populations be reduced? They
can, but with only moderate effectiveness. A recent CDC study found
that ticks were adapting to traditional pesticides, and that spraying
the pesticide bifenthrin in a suburban area produced no decline in tick
bites. So scientists are rethinking their plan of attack. Recent studies
have shown that targeting deer, mice, and other host animals that the
ticks live on might actually be the most effective way to curb
increasingly resilient populations. Researchers say it's best to combine
that tactic with spraying both chemical and natural pesticides such as
fungi or rosemary extract in areas where people and ticks are most
likely to meet. "Knowing how to kill ticks isn't good enough," says Rick
Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
in Millbrook, N.Y. "Figuring out where people get exposed is key."
How do you prevent bites? Currently,
there is no vaccine for Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses,
which is why health experts say that prevention is critical. The CDC
advises wearing light-colored clothing to make picking off ticks easier,
and tucking your pants into socks. EPA-certified repellents containing
DEET may also help, but they're hardly foolproof. Your best bet is
probably to avoid wading through thick brush and high grass in wooded
areas where ticks tend to concentrate, and to inspect your clothes and
body carefully after outdoor activity near possible tick habitats.
The climate change boom
Climate
change may play a role in surging Lyme disease rates. Yale University
researchers have demonstrated a correlation between outbreaks of Lyme
disease and increasingly temperate weather in the American Northeast.
Deer ticks live for an average of two years and have three main life
stages: larval, nymphal, and adult. During the winter, ticks usually
become dormant. But warmer winters have seen ticks breeding throughout
the year, increasing the populations of larvae and nymphs in the spring.
Warmer and moister air may also extend the life cycle of ticks, so that
nymphs — the stage most likely to transmit infections — continue to be
active all summer. Lyme disease rates have shot up accordingly. Research
shows that warmer temperatures may also be expanding tick habitats, and
extending their life cycle to three years. "There are lots of factors
that contribute," says Ben Beard, a climate change expert with the CDC.
"But climate disruption and change clearly have an impact."
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,(TORNADOES,HURRICANES,STORMS) and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:(DESTRUCTION) for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.(FROM QUAKES,NUKES ETC)
THE FIRST JUDGEMENT OF THE EARTH STARTED WITH WATER-IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THE LAST GENERATION WILL BE HAVING FLOODING
GENESIS 7:6-12
6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
GOD PROMISED BY A RAINBOW-THE EARTH WOULD NEVER BE DESTROYED TOTALLY WITH A FLOOD AGAIN.BUT FLOODIING IS A SIGN OF JUDGEMENT.
Killer Indian cyclone wreaks havoc, 1 million evacuated
By Charlotte Turner
12 hours ago-OCT 12,13-yahoonews
Bhubaneswar (India) (AFP) - Cyclone Phailin left a trail of
destruction along India's east coast and at least seven people dead
Sunday, after the biggest evacuation in the country's history helped
minimise casualties.
As emergency teams began assessing damage
from the country's biggest cyclone in 14 years, a massive relief effort
went into full swing to distribute food to an estimated one million
evacuees, clear roads and help the injured.Most of the local
population spent the night huddled in shelters and public buildings as
deafening winds flattened flimsy homes, uprooted trees, and sent glass
and asbestos strips flying through the air.
The worst affected
area, around the town of Gopalpur in Orissa where the eye of Phailin
came ashore packing winds of 200 kilometres an hour (125 miles per
hour), was still without power and communications were down.Roads strewn with fallen trees were at least open, as emergency services rushed to reach people living there.Raj
Kishor Muduli, a delivery driver who lives just outside Orissa's state
capital Bhubaneswar, said the whole of his village had spent the night
hunkering down in a communal shelter."We were all afraid, the
whole village was afraid, we didn't know how strong the winds would be,"
the 43-year-old told AFP in the morning, when the winds had died down
and heavy overnight rainfall had ceased."Everyone was awake the whole night to see what the size of (the) storm would be and to be on guard."Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, Orissa's special relief commissioner, said that seven people were known to have died.
"We can confirm seven deaths in Orissa, mostly due to falling branches from trees," he told AFP in Bhubaneswar."Our rescue workers and state officials are working tirelessly to sort things out."Electricity
and water will be restored everywhere by this evening, except for the
district of Ganjam, which has been very badly affected. We are coming up
with a separate plan to address the situation in Ganjam."More
than 8,000 people were killed in 1999 when a cyclone hit the same
region, devastating crops and livestock. The area took years to recover.This
time round, a massive evacuation operation, which officials said was
the biggest in Indian history, appeared to have succeeded in minimising
casualties."I think we have been successful in minimising the
loss of precious lives," Orissa's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told
reporters in Bhubaneswar.Some
600,000 people were left homeless after the ferocious storm swept
through 14,000 villages mainly in coastal districts, Mohapatra told AFP.Families,
many clutching bags of possessions, or holding their children, returned
to what was left of their homes to assess the damage after spending the
night in the shelters."I lost my house and also a small shaving
shop, I lost everything," Janardan, 32, who uses one name, said from
inside his tiny dwelling in Gopalpur. The cyclone collapsed the roof,
leaving Janardan and his wife to sift through the debris and begin the
clean up.High-sided trucks lying on their sides were witness to
the strength of the winds on the main highway south of Gopalpur, which
was littered with uprooted trees and other debris.Despite the
damage, there was a general sense of relief that things could have been a
lot worse in Orissa and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh."We
were preparing for a super cyclone, but Phailin did not turn into a
super cyclone," spokeswoman for the National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA), Tripti Parule, told AFP.Weakening wind speeds"The
last biggest evacuation in India's recorded history was in Andhra
Pradesh in 1990 (when another cyclone struck) -- and this is now much
bigger."Officials in Orissa said 873,000 people moved before the
cyclone made landfall on Saturday evening, while at least another
100,000 were evacuated further south in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Residents were also evacuated from coastal regions of West Bengal state.The
NDMA's vice chairman Marri Shashidhar Reddy said the cyclone was
gradually weakening as it moved inland, and officials said winds were
slowing to below 90 kilometres an hour."Of
course, there will be widespread rain all over Orissa and parts of
Andhra Pradesh but it may be to the extent of 10-15 centimetres (of
rain), slightly lower than what was expected," said Reddy.Before
the storm struck, international weather experts had predicted it would
be a "super cyclone", comparable to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in the
United States."They have been issuing over-warnings, we have been
contradicting them," L.S. Rathore, the director general of the India
Meteorological Department (IMD), told a press conference in New Delhi.Although
the worst was over, Rathore said heavy rainfall could be expected to
fall in at least five states over the next 24 hours, including in Bihar,
where floods five years ago killed dozens.Some of the deadliest
storms in history have formed in the Bay of Bengal, including one in
1970 that killed hundreds of thousands of people in modern-day
Bangladesh.
KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
ISAIAH 14:12-23
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (SATAN) son of the morning! (HEBREW MEANS MOON ANGEL-ISLAM OVIOUSLY)(SATAN IS THE GOD OF ISLAM AND THE NEW AGE OCCULT) how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
22 For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.
REVELATION 12:3-4
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon,(SATAN) having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,( 1/3 OF ANGELS FELL WITH SATAN AT THE FALL) and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman (MARY JESUS MOTHER) which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.(JESUS WAS JEWISH,THIS IS PERSECUSSION AGAINST ISRAEL).
REVELATION 20:2
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
SINS OF OCCULT WORSHIP
DEUTORONOMY 18:10-12
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,(OCCULT SACRIFICES) or that useth divination,(NEW AGER AND CRYSTALS ETC) divination n. The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency.) or an observer of times,(Meaning of observer. ... for sketching it. horoscope - Comes from Greek hora, hour, time, and skopos, observer.) or an enchanter,(The word enchant is derived from the Latin word incantare which refers to uttering an incantation or casting a spell). or a witch,(WITCH. Definition: [noun] a female sorcerer (SORCERY IN THE BIBLE IS DRUGS OR OCCULT ACTIVITY) or magician.)
11 Or a charmer,(charmer means a dealer in spells, especially one who, by binding certain knots, was supposed thereby to bind a curse or a blessing on its object.) or a consulter with familiar spirits,(function as mediums or psychics) or a wizard,(MALE WITCH-influence; a magical spell WITH WANDS) or a necromancer.(one seeking unto the dead.)
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
ISAIAH 8:19-22
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
REVELATION 9:20-21
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils,(OCCULT) and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries,(DRUG ADDICTIONS OR SELLING DRUGS) nor of their fornication,(SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE)(PROSTITUTION FOR MONEY) nor of their thefts.(STEALING)
TITUS 1:16
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
MATTHEW 24:4-5,11,24-25
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many (MILLIONS) shall come in my name,(JESUS-I AM) saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.(MILLIONS)(THIS IS DEFINATELY THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT)
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.(CALIFORNIA THE NEW AGE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD-SO NO WONDER SAN FRANSICO IS THE SODOMITE RAINBOW GROUPERS CAPITAL OF THE EARTH ALSO).
1 TIMOTHY 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,(NEW AGE MOVEMENT) and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;(NEW AGERS BELIEVE SATANS LIES OF NO SIN,POSSITIVE THINKING,PEACE,LOVE,JOY,UTOPIA)
MARK 13:22-23
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
2 TIMOTHY 3:13
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
THE NEW AGERS BELIEVE THAT THE NEW AGE OCCULT GIVES THEM WISDOM -KNOWLEDGE AND ENLIGHTENMENT.BUT THE BIBLE SAYS ONLY GOD GIVES THIS.
COLLOSSIANS 2:2
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
DANIEL 2:18-23,28
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.(OCCULTISTS)
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.(DREAM) Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers,(ISRAEL) who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
THE CARNAL MAN AND NOT SPIRITUAL MAN-DECIEVED BY POWER AND THE OCCULT NEW AGE.ITS HARD TO KICK UNLESS JESUS RELEASES YOU.
ACTS 8:9-24
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery,(DRUGS AND OCCULT) and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.(THIS SIMON WAS THE SYLVIA BROWNE OF TODAY)(WELL KNOWN FOR HER ABILITIES IN THE OCCULT)
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.(OCCULT)
SO WE KNOW SIMON WAS A WELL KNOW OCCUTIST IN SAMARIA FOR MANY YEARS.OVIOUSLY BEING WEALTHY AND PREDICTING FROM THE DEMONS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN PEOPLES LIVES.
BUT WHEN PHILLIP PREACHED THE BIBLE TO THE PEOPLE.SIMON WAS AT THAT PREACHING AND GOT SAVED.
ACTS 8:12
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
SIMON WAS NOT REALLY SAVED.IN WORDS ONLY BECAUSE HE JUST HUNG AROUND PHILLIP TO TRY TO GET MORE OCCULT ABILITIES AND POWER.
ACTS 8:14-24
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,(JEALOUSY) and in the bond of iniquity.(SIN)
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
SO WE SEE THAT SIMON WAS JUST JEALOUS OF PHILLIP AND PETER AND JOHN.AND THOUGHT HE COULD BUY THEM OFF TO GET THEIR POWER.WE SEE SIMONS INFLUENCE WAS COMING FROM THE YEARS OF THE OCCULT.HIS MIND WAS SO SET ON THE OCCULT. HE WAS JUST WORRIED ABOUT PHILLIP,PETER AND JOHN BEING MORE POPULAR THEN HIMSELF.AND HE HUNG AROUND PHILLIP SO HE COULD GET INFORMATION ON HOW PHILLIP WORKED HIS POWER.SO HE SIMON COULD EVEN BE MORE POWER HUNGRY AND GREEDY AND KNOW MORE SO HE COULD RULE THE OCCULT RUST IN SAMARIA.HE WAS JEALOUS OF THE OTHER 3.SO HE WANTED TO BUY THEM OFF.
IN VERSE 24 SIMON SEEMS TO REPENT.OR HES JUST AFFRAID OF WHATS GONNA HAPPEN TO HIMSELF.WE NEVER KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT.THE BIBLE SWITCHES TO ANOTHER SCENE IN VERSE 25.
BUT BY THE SOUNDS OF IT.SIMON CONTINUES IN THE OCCULT AND NEVER REPENTS.WHY BECAUSE IN THE NEXT VERSES.WE HAVE A EUNUCH REALLY TRUELY BEING SAVED.AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SIMON AND HIS FALSE CONVERSION AND THE EUNUCHS ARE REMAKABLE.HERES THE TRUE CONVERSION OF THE EUNUCH.
ACTS 8:25-40
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias (ISAIAH) the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
SO HERE WE SEEN THE EUNUCH BEING SAVED.SIMON WAS JUST IN THE FAKE SALVATION BECAUSE OF JEALOUSY,AND HE WANTED MORE OCCULT POWER WITHOUT REPENTENCE FROM HIS OCCULT ACTIVITIES.THE ONLY REASON HE HUNG AROUND PHILLIP WAS TO TRY TO GET TIPS ON GETTING MORE OCCULT POWER.
KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
PERSECUSSION,BEHEADINGS
JESUS PERSECUTED BIGTIME
PSALMS 14:1
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
ISAIAH 53:4
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
MATTHEW 9:34
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
JOHN 8:41
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
JOHN 10:20
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11(JESUS GETS REVENGE)
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND FOR SINNERS, THE GREAT WHITE THRONE FINAL JUDGEMENT).
WE ARE CHRISTIANS WE WILL BE TREATED THE SAME.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 (WHY WE ARE PERSECUTED BY THE WORLD)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
MATTHEW 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
MATTHEW 24:9
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
JOHN 15:18-20
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me (JESUS) before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
1 PETER 4:16-19
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
REVELATION 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain(BEHEADED) for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
REVELATION 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands;(WILLINGLY-THEY CHOSE THE IMPLANT) and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
GENESIS 16:11-12
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her,(HAGAR) Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael;(FATHER OF THE ARAB/MUSLIMS) because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he (ISHMAEL) will be a wild man;(ISLAM IS A FAKE AND DANGEROUS SEX FOR MURDER CULT) his hand will be against every man,(ISLAM HATES EVERYONE) and every man's hand against him;(PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM BEING BEHEADED) and he (ISHMAEL ARAB/MUSLIM) shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.(LITERAL-THE ARABS LIVE WITH THEIR BRETHERN JEWS)
JOHN 16:2
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.(ISLAM MURDERS IN THE NAME OF MOON GOD ALLAH OF ISLAM)
Nazareth’s dwindling Christian populace torn between moving out, fighting back
This month’s local elections underline the bleak and bitter rivalries in the city of Jesus’s childhood
“Can anything good come out of
Nazareth?” wondered Nathaneal, a disciple of Jesus, in the Gospel of
John. Asked today, that question would have many of the city’s residents
hard-pressed for an answer.The
upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for October 22, find the
largest Arab city in Israel impoverished and depressed. A nationwide
study, conducted by the Ministry of Public Security in August, revealed
that Nazareth residents are the most likely Israelis to fear falling
victim to crime. They also reported the lowest sense of personal
security, along with the inhabitants of the crime-ridden cities of Ramle
and Lod.“Things have deteriorated in this city,” said
an elderly woman walking down Nazareth’s main street on Thursday,
wearing a necklace with a large golden Cross. “No citizen gets any help —
not from the municipality, nor from the government, nor from the
police.”Like its Christian twin. Bethlehem, in the
West Bank, Nazareth’s demographic makeup has dramatically changed over
the past six decades, a fact some residents tie to the deteriorating
sense of security and general “low quality of life.” From being a city
with a large Christian majority before 1948, today 70 percent of
Nazareth’s 80,000 residents are Muslim. The change dates back to
Israel’s War of Independence, when an influx of internally displaced
villagers from the surrounding area relocated to Nazareth. Researchers
also point to a significantly higher Muslim birth rate.Religious tension in the city came to the fore
in the early 2000s, when the local Muslims began constructing a new
mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation, the city’s towering
Christian landmark. In early 2002, the government decided to halt
construction on the site, built over the grave of Salladin’s nephew
Shihab a-Din, following massive pressure from the Vatican. The Muslims
were infuriated by the move, but put up little resistance when an
illegal structure they had built on the site was bulldozed the following
year.Ramez Jaraisy, the city’s Communist Christian
mayor nearing 20 years in office, downplayed confessionalism as a
significant factor in Nazareth. Tawfik Zayyad, his predecessor in office
who was killed in a 1994 car crash, was a Muslim, he remarked. Over the
past century, Christian and Muslim mayors governed the city, paying
little attention to the religious affiliation of their constituents.
Mayoral incumbent Ramez Jaraisy in his office, on October 10, 2013 (photo credit: Elhanan Miller/Times of Israel)
“I was elected four times in direct elections
by both Muslims and Christians,” said Jaraisy. “Some people use religion
to achieve political goals. We have no religious dispute outside small
fundamentalist groups of Muslims and Christians. They are a very small
minority.”One member of that “very small minority” is
Nazareth resident Bishara Shlayan, a retired captain in the Israeli
merchant navy, who is in the process of forming a political party for
Christian Arabs living in Israel. The party, Shlayan said, is geared at
confronting what he regards as the gradual encroachment of the city’s
Muslim majority on Nazareth’s historic Christian symbols.“Mary’s Well
used to have a big blue sign explaining its history. They removed the
sign in order to erase any trace of Christianity, naming it ‘the
Nazareth Stream.’ Even the city bus announces the stop as ‘Nazareth
Stream.’ Why? Others may ignore this, but I consider it very
significant.”Shlayan said that solving the problem of
Christian emigration from the city required more than merely electing a
Christian mayor. Change, he reasoned, must come from the Knesset, before
“all the city’s Christians leave because of the gangs demanding
protection money.”Jaraisy said Shlayan is a “collaborator” with
the Israeli authorities, striving to create needless tension between
Christians and Muslims in the city.“He will fail,” the mayor asserted.But Shlayan was not the only Christian in town
speaking his mind. Waiting for his son to exit a church high school
downtown, Ibrahim said he left Nazareth 14 years ago for the nearby
Jewish city of Upper Nazareth — and has never looked back.“If you gave me all of Nazareth for free, I
wouldn’t come back,” Ibrahim said, adding that he recently sold his
10-apartment building in the Muslim neighborhood of Jabel Hammoudeh. “We
faced problems of racism there. Almost every apartment in the building
has an illegal weapon.“Religion plays a big role in Nazareth. When
the Christians were a majority, there was no problem… Our mentality is
more European and our religion says ‘Love each other.’ ”Ibrahim said his new Jewish neighbors in Upper Nazareth are very friendly, as long as he doesn’t discuss politics with them.
Mayoral candidate Hanin Zoabi in her Nazareth office, on October 10, 2013 (photo credit: Elhanan Miller/Times of Israel)
Hanin Zoabi, the controversial member of
Knesset from the Arab nationalist party Balad, joined Nazareth’s mayoral
race in late August. Zoabi, a secular Muslim — who sailed on the Mavi
Marmara to Gaza in 2010, castigated the IDF over its interception of the
vessel, and was only allowed to run for the Knesset in January after court intervention
— acknowledged that Christians are leaving Nazareth in greater numbers
than Muslims, but said that this is due to the Christians’ generally
higher socioeconomic level.“Muslims want to leave Nazareth just as badly
as Christians do,” she said. “Christians aren’t moving to Upper Nazareth
because they are more welcome there than Muslims… For the state of
Israel, if you’re not a Jew you’re either a foreigner or a threat.”By forming a new Christian party, Zoabi added, Shlayan was “selling his honor and his nation.”But the Christian navy captain seemed
unscathed by that critique. While waiting for the paperwork for his new
party, he recently appealed to Tourism Minister Uzi Landau to place the
largest statue of Jesus in the world on the city’s Mount Precipice, from
which — according to Christian tradition — the heathen residents of
Nazareth tried to push their savior to his death, and failed.
ITS ALWAYS ISRAELS FAULT SAYS ABBAS.WELL I
GOT NEWS FOR ABBAS.WHY DOES ISRAEL HAVE TO GIVE USE MONEY.WHEN ALL USE
DO IS IS MURDER INNOCENT ISRAELIS.USE CLAIM YOU WANT A STATE OF YOUR
OWN.BUT USE LEACH OFF THE WEST FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR JUST TO
MAKE BOMBS TO KILL ISRAELIS.YOU LEACHES OF CASH.YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR
EMPLOYEES SALARIES. BECAUSE ALL USE DO IS BUILD BOMBS AND CHEMICAL
WEAPONS TO TRY TO KILL EVERY ISRAELI IN ISRAEL.IF THOSE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS USE GET FROM LEACHING OFF THE WEST WENT INTO JOBS AND CREATING
JOBS.THEN THERE WOULD BE TRUE PEACE IN ISRAEL.BECAUSE USE LEACHES WOULD
NOT HAVE TO COUNT ON THE WEST FOR HANDOUTS.GAZA WOULD BE MAKING ITS OWN
CASH.NOT JUST LEACHING OFF THE WEST TO MAKE AND BUY WEAPONS TO DESTROY
YOUR SO CALLED PEACE PARTNER IN THE PEACE PROCESS ISRAEL. BALESTINIANS
IF
YOU REALLY WANT A STATE OF YOUR OWN.YOU BETTER START CREATING REAL JOBS
FOR YOUR PEOPLE.HOW CAN YOU EXPECT A STATE THATS NOT EVEN IN YOUR
VOCABULARY.USE CAN NOT EVEN PRONOUNCE THE NAME PALESTINE BECAUSE USE
CHANGE THE P IN PALESTINE TO A B.WELL GOD DONE A GREAT JOKE ON USE IN
THIS SITUATION.GOD IS REVEALING THROUGH YOUR ARABIC LANGUAGE HOW
HYPOCRITICAL ARABS AND ISLAM REALLY ARE.GOD MADE SURE YOU CAN NOT EVEN
PRONOUNCE THE NAME OF YOUR STATE YOU CLAIM TO BE YOURS.SO THE
BALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL LIVE IN A STATE CALLED BALESTINE.AND WILL STEAL
HALF OF JERUSALEM FROM ISRAEL.AND THEN BESIDES THAT-YOU BALESTINIANS ARE
TRYING TO FORCE ISRAEL TO PAY ALL YOUR BILLS.SO USE CAN GET A FREE
STATE-STEAL JERUSALEM.GET BILLIONS FROM THE WEST TO BUILD BOMBS TO TRY
TO DESTROY INNOCENT WOMEN, CHILDREN AND MEN ISRAELIS.I'D SAY
BALESTINE-USE CAN NOT EVEN CREATE JOBS TO MAKE MONEY FOR YOUR OWN
CITIZENS.HOW CAN USE POSSIBLY RUN A STATE OF YOUR OWN WITH THE BILLIONS
NEEDED TO KEEP THAT STATE RUNNING.AND BUILD BOMBS TO KILL ISRAELIS AT
THE SAME TIME.HOW-WHEN ALL THE SUCKER NATIONS OF THE WORLD SUPPLY USE
MURDERERS WITH CASH.-THATS HOW.SO DON'T YOU DARE BLAME ISRAEL FOR
ANYTHING. WHATEVER USE ARE GOING THROUGH ITS BECAUSE USE CAUSED THE
SITUATION. SURE NOT ISRAEL.IF I WAS ISRAELS LEADER.GAZA WOULD BE
ISRAELS-AND EVERY ARAB WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO OTHER ARAB-MUSLIM
COUNTRIES. BECAUSE IF I WAS ISRAELS LEADER.I WOULD NEVER STAND FOR THE
ARABS LEECHING CASH FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO BUILD ROCKETS TO KILL MY
BRETHERN THE JEWS.IF I WERE A JEWISH LEADER OF COURSE.UNFORTUNATELY I'M A
CHRISTIAN GERMAN STICKING UP FOR ISRAEL.I WOULD PROTECT MY
CITIZENS LIKE GOD WILL ALWAYS PROTECT ISRAEL FROM ITS ENEMIES.THANK YOU
KING JESUS THE GOD AND MESSIAH OF THE WORLD AND ISRAEL FOR KEEPING YOUR
PROMISES TO ISRAEL.BECAUSE IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU GOD PROTECTING
ISRAEL-THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED FROM THE EARTH A MILLION TIMES
OVER.
Abbas blames Israel for Palestinian fiscal crisis
In interview on PA television, Palestinian leader says government won’t be able to pay employees’ salaries next month
Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday blamed Israel for the economic crisis in the
Palestinian territories, reiterating the findings of a World Bank report
earlier this week which accused Israel of limiting PA income by
restricting access to the majority of the West Bank.“The
economic situation is very difficult and the central reason for this is
the Israeli occupation,” Abbas said in an interview with Palestinian
government television. “Israel exploits our resources and lands which
directly leads to an increase in the deficit which we must contend
with.”According to Abbas, Palestinian Finance
Minister Shukri Bishara informed him that the PA won’t be able to pay
government salaries unless it receives international aid. The
Palestinian government employs approximately 150,000 of the nearly 2
million Palestinians living in the West Bank.In January
2013 the Palestinian government said it was in “extreme jeopardy”
because of a financial crisis it pinned on Arab countries’ failure to
send hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. At the time, prime minister
Salam Fayyad said the crisis had worsened in recent years, and the
government, the Palestinian Authority, wasn’t able to pay the salaries
of its employees.Earlier this year the PA’s 2013 budget deficit was expected to reach $1.4 billion; the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency cited the deficit as nearly $500 million. A World Bank report published earlier this week accused
Israel of squeezing the Palestinian economy out of billions of dollars
by restricting access to Area C, which comprises some 61 percent of West
Bank territory but is under full Israeli civil and security control.The report said the Palestinian economy could
add $3.4 billion in potential value a year, or 35 percent of the 2011
Gross Domestic Product, if Palestinians are allowed to develop the
restricted area. The bank says the deficit of the Palestinian self-rule
government, currently dependent on foreign aid, would drop by half,
thereby reducing “the need for donor support, and reduce unemployment
and poverty rates.”During his interview, Abbas called on
expatriate Palestinians who succeeded in making a living abroad to aid
the Palestinian Authority.“I call on all wealthy Palestinians everywhere
to support small projects. If every wealthy Palestinian took care of a
family or opened up a small project for them, this would help to
mitigate the crisis,” Ma’an quoted the president saying.“We must take responsibility for the law, we
are working to improve the situation and reduce unemployment by
supporting small business owners,” Abbas said.Abbas’ statements came amid renewed peace
talks between Israel and the Palestinians that began at the end of July.
The negotiations teams are scheduled to meet again this week.
How a Nazi planner shaped early Israel
A plan
used in the 1950s to build a system of towns and villages in the
northern Negev was based on a theory developed in the Third Reich, to be
used for populating an Eastern Europe cleansed of Jews. Did Zionist
planners not know, or not care?
The areas of West Central
Poland, and Lachish, Israel, in the southern lowland between the coast
and Judean mountains, have little in common. Poznan’s rolling hills,
ancient forests and many rivers interspersed with farms, villages, towns
and cities provide a stark contrast to Lachish’s nearly flat and
semi-arid network of collective farms, agricultural settlements and the
backwater burg of Kiryat Gat.Yet
an ironic twist of history will forever link the two places, for what
was nearly instituted in Poznan during World War II, once the area had
been cleared of Jews and other “undesirables,” came to life just a
couple of decades later in the Lachish area, thanks to Zionist planners
seeking to create a modern Utopian state out of what was seen as a land
without a people.The man linking the two places is Walter
Christaller, a giant of regional planning whose Nazi associations were
somehow washed away, or conveniently forgotten, in the post-war years.
His Theory of Central Places, which Konrad Meyer and Heinrich Himmler
wanted to use to replicate the city-country landscape of Germany in a
conquered Eastern Europe, later found a home in the Lachish region,
among other places, as Israeli planners attempted to build an urban and
agricultural region, like so much of the Jewish state, from scratch.Describing Christaller’s plan for the
Warthegau area of Poland, Trevor Barnes, a geography professor at the
University of British Columbia, told this reporter recently that “it
involved creating this empty space without people and then refilling it
with a Germanized population… If that’s what happened in Israel, it’s
repeating exactly the same narrative, the same set of relations as there
were in Nazi Germany.”
Israeli planners, for the most part, have not
grappled with the fact that one of the dominant planning doctrines in
early Israel was developed by a geographer in the Nazi party. And while
Barnes says the doctrine is tinged by its Nazi associations, most
Israeli planners deny that Christaller’s professional life had any
bearing on it.
“Christaller presented a theory. Anyone can
use or learn from it as they see fit but there is no connection to his
past,” Gideon Biger, a professor in Tel Aviv University’s Geography
department, said. (Full disclosure: I attended a class Biger taught
while a student in the department, during which he spoke at length about
central place theory.)
A true-blue brown shirt?
It is difficult to know how devoted
Christaller was to the Nazi cause. A Social Democrat, he fled Germany
for France on his bicycle in 1933, after Adolf Hitler took power, for
fear that he would be persecuted by the Nazis.
Walter Christaller. (photo credit: Courtesy)
It was the same year that he published his
seminal thesis “Central Places in Southern Germany,” which became the
lodestar of the central places movement in geography. Christaller
returned to Berlin several years later, taking a job in the Nazi Soil
and Planning Department under SS man Konrad Meyer. It was there that he
was tasked with creating a plan for Warthegau, which the Nazis intended
to cleanse of Jews, Slavs and Poles as a test case for what the Third
Reich hoped would be the creation of a greater Germany-conquered Eastern
Europe, in accordance with the concept of Lebensraum (“living room”).“I have no evidence that he was an
anti-Semite,” Barnes said. “His own records were destroyed and he asked
his son to burn his papers. There is very little information about what
he actually believed at the time … He got sucked up into that
bureaucracy, but it’s not clear if he even believed in it.”After the war, Christaller joined the
Communist cause (and was rumored to have worked for the Stasi) and
became widely respected in planning circles, winning the Victoria Medal
from the Royal Geographic Society in 1968.The question of whether Christaller was a
true-blue brown shirt or just an academic trying to get ahead while the
Nazis were in power is one that cuts to the heart of his legacy. No
definitive answer has ever been given, but the warm welcome he received
in international planning circles as early as the 1950s, and the fact
that he is still widely taught in schools across the world, including in
Israel, testify to the fact that most were happy to forgive, or not
take seriously, his past.While his Nazi history was never a secret, it
was not until his death in 1969 that the true extent of his associations
with the party reverberated through the planning world.In 2012, Barnes and Claudio Minca coauthored
an article exposing “the dark history” of Christaller and his theory.
Next year, a second paper will be published by Barnes, comparing
Christaller to Final Solution architect Adolf Eichmann, not in the
severity of his crimes but in the fact that he was a “desk killer,” or schreibtischtaeter in German, a bureaucrat who efficiently helped carry out the Third Reich’s plans.“He had some belief in what he was doing,”
Barnes said. “Not only did he revive the plan for Warthegau but he
helped to arrange for the transfer of migrants who are going to go to
the empty farms.”Christaller is far from the only Nazi to
escape the taint of his actions under the Third Reich. Dr. Werner von
Braun, the father of the German V-2 rocket program, was famously
co-opted by the US to help get the country’s nascent space program off
the launch pad; filmmaker Leni Reifenstahl remained a sought-after
photographer despite being a major part of the Nazi propaganda machine;
and Martin Heidegger is still considered a giant of philosophy despite
his relationship with the Nazi party, thanks in part to the efforts of
Hannah Arendt to clear his name.Ideas too, seeped out of Nazi Germany and into
accepted modern discourse. Maps of North Africa used by German Field
Marshall Erwin Rommel were utilized as recently as the 2011 NATO
campaign in Libya. According to Haifa University’s Dr. Arnon Golan, who
was the first Israeli academic to write about Christaller’s Nazi past in
1997, the Israel Defense Forces also bases some of its tank warfare
doctrine on maneuvers innovated by Rommel as he swept through North
Africa. And the idea of regression to the mean, an accepted scientific
principle, had its roots in the study of eugenics.So too, despite its dark past, central place
theory proved popular for many European and American planners in the
1950s and 60s, with champions of the program either ignoring or not
knowing about Christaller’s Nazi past. (A plan for Christaller to
conduct a speaking tour in the US in the 1960s was stymied not because
he had been a Nazi, but because he was a Communist).
A tempting formula for growth
Central place theory, which is based on the
relationship between cities and their surroundings in southern Germany,
calls for a hierarchy of small farming villages, larger towns and bigger
cities, with each rung providing a different level of service for area
residents. Using a mathematical model that places the cities, towns and
villages in a hexagonal pattern, proponents of central place theory
hoped to be able to efficiently direct development for maximum economic
benefit, while maintaining a high quality of life.For Israel in the 1950s, central place theory
proved a tempting way for planners to decide where to direct growth,
particularly development towns and farming villages to be populated by
the influx of new immigrants. Planners engineered a hierarchical system
from small farming villages, or moshavim, to large cities, and in many
cases they were placed with geopolitical considerations, such as Kiryat
Shmona on the border with Lebanon, and Ashdod, which was intended to be a
second port out of rocket range.But nowhere did central place theory play as
large a role as it did in the mostly empty Lachish region, a flat and
arid expanse sitting between Israel’s southern coastal plain and the
southern end of the West Bank.“As most of the development towns were planned
as service centers for rural districts around them, it seemed relevant
to apply central place theory to determine their location and size,”
planner Arie Shachar wrote in 1971.
The settlement of Gat, a precursor to Kiryat Gat, in 1946. (photo credit: public domain, Wikimedia commons)
In the Mandate period, the Lachish region had
been dominated by the Arab towns of Iraq al Manshiya and Faluja. During
the War of Independence, the area saw heavy fighting between Israeli and
Egyptian forces and all the inhabitants left, either by choice or by
force, according to different historians.What was left was an empty area in which a purer form of Christaller’s theory could be applied “They found a lot of empty spaces and were
troubled about how to better use their resources to develop the
country,” said Ilan Troen, a professor at Brandeis University and the
author of “Imagining Zion,” about Zionist planning. “The people who were
engaged in planning had it in mind in creating a modern society.
Christaller was a leading person in that regard.”What was created, and what still exists today,
was a system of small villages feeding into larger service centers,
which all fed into the large development town of Kiryat Gat. Everything
is placed, as much as possible, according to mathematical models and
hexagonal patterns pioneered by Christaller and later revised by Auguste
Losche, another German planner who was able to find success despite
rebuffing the Nazis.
Christaller and Kiryat Gat
Most planners maintain that Israeli officials
at the time had no idea about Christaller’s past, only that he and his
theory were popular in the West, where it was applied in the Netherlands
and the US, among other places.“Thanks heavens they didn’t know everything
about Christaller,” Troen said. “He engaged in the kind of activities
that would have offended and been considered outrageous.”Golan said that David Amiran, the father of
modern Israeli planning who played a large role in the Lachish project,
told him that planners at the time had never heard of Christaller and
certainly not his Nazi past.“They took planning as something universal. They didn’t take it as something that derives from Christaller,” Golan said.Most planners and historians are quick to
point out that despite Christaller’s associations, central places is a
sterile theory with no connection to National Socialism, and that it was
developed before Christaller joined the Nazi party. According to Golan,
the theory even predates Christaller by several decades, though
Christaller nonetheless became its poster boy.However, some say shades of the theory’s
journey through the Third Reich are embedded within its cold sterility
and efficiency for developing a new Germany — hallmarks of Nazi
ideology, which balanced cruel science with a völkisch commitment to
nationalism.“It connects to the kind of Nazi ideology
forged in the countryside,” said Barnes. “It begins with the farm
itself. And it moves up all the way to the large urban centers. The
habitation makes the connection between these two different ends, one
the celebration of the rural and the other high modernism and science
and industrial productivity.”
Barnes has not studied Israel’s application of
central place theory. But, he says, if Israel’s planners did use it, it
would be akin to Jerusalem choosing a Wagner tune for its national
anthem.“You must always take into account historical
context,” he said. “Personally, I am very suspicious of any theory that
presents itself as the embodiment of rationality and pure logic.”Golan, however rejects Barnes’s parallel,
saying that Wagner was a symbol of anti-Semitism, unlike Christaller who
was “not the spirit of Nazi Germany.”So too, Golan says, Israeli use of central
place theory need not be tainted with the fact that its original
innovators wanted to use it for evil.“The fact that you use the same theory doesn’t show you use the same ideology,” he said.In Poland, the idea would have been used to
transport Germany into a newly-conquered area. In Lachish, the idea was
not to transfer Zionist city-country ideology, but rather just to find
the most efficient way to put people, farms, towns and cities into a
newly empty area that needed to be filled, in order to shore up Israel’s
hinterlands, in what was then considered the northern Negev, and to
keep Tel Aviv and the coastal region from overcrowding, a very real
concern at the time for Israeli planners who feared Israel could turn
into a binodal Australia redux.Instead of becoming a strong self-sustaining
regional center, though, Kiryat Gat today is mostly seen as a poor
backwater, kept afloat only by government subsidies — which helped spur
Intel to put a plant there — and its proximity to Tel Aviv.“Models or paradigms are neat. Reality is messy,” Troen said. “The realities of Palestine in the 20th century were messy.”
Kiryat Gat as seen from the air today. (photo credit: CC BY-SA Amos Meron, Wikimedia commons)
In 1997, Golan wrote that it was too simple
for planners to just disregard Christaller’s Nazi connections because of
the “objectivity” of his theories. “It seems … that it is rooted in the
complex relations between Israelis and their painful past and that
understanding the social and cultural dimensions of theories such as the
central place theory, might contribute to a revaluation of the agenda
of recent Israeli geography and the research of the shaping of Israeli
landscapes,” his paper reads.According to Troen, it’s impossible that
Israeli planners, most of whom had been educated in Germany and
maintained contacts with the post-war European planning community,
didn’t know about Christaller. But relating to him for Israelis then was
no different than their dilemmas over whether or not to buy German
appliances.At the end of the day, central places provided
an important model for a country that also learned to live with Bosch
washing machines and strong diplomatic ties with Bonn and Berlin.“Jews had to make decisions about how to
relate to the products of Nazi Germany,” he said. “Zionist planners saw
that as bitter irony. These are the unexpected connections that seem so
absurd and so tragic.”Follow Joshua Davidovich on Twitter
ISAIAH 17:1,11-14
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations,(USELESS U.N) that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
14 And behold at evening tide trouble; and before the morning he is not.(ASSAD) This is the portion of them that spoil us,(ISRAEL) and the lot of them that rob us.
AMOS 1:5
5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden:(IRAQ) and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir,(JORDAN) saith the LORD.
JEREMEIAH 49:23-27
23 Concerning Damascus.(SYRIA) Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea;(WAR SHIPS WITH NUKES COMING ON SYRIA) it cannot be quiet.
24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
27 And I will kindle a fire (NUKES OR BOMBS) in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.(ASSADS PALACES POSSIBLY IN DAMASCUS)
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they (MUSLIMS) have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,(JORDAN) and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, PALESTINIANS,JORDAN) and the Hagarenes;(EGYPT)
7 Gebal,(HEZZBALLOH,LEBANON) and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA,ARABS,SINAI) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
JEREMIAH 47:1-7
1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines,(PALESTINIAN/ARABS) before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north,(NORTHERN TSUNAMI POSSIBLY) and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses,(ISRAELS ARMY) at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;(ISRAEL POSSIBLY NUKES GAZA)
4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines,(PALESTINIAN FAKE ARABS) and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
5 Baldness is come upon Gaza;(NUKED POSSIBLY) Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? (MEDITTERANEAN SEA) there hath he appointed it.
EGYPT
ISAIAH 19:1-5
1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
4 And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
DANIEL 11:40-43
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south ( EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) and the king of the north (RUSSIA AND MUSLIM HORDES OF EZEK 38+39) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.(JORDAN)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS-MUSLIMS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them,(BEFORE THE NUKE GOES OFF) and behind them a desolate wilderness;(AFTER THE ATOMIC BOMB GOES OFF) yea, and nothing shall escape them.(EVERYTHING NUKED)
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,ARAB,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate,(SIBERIAN DESERT) with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(FOR COMING AGAINST ISRAEL)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
JEREMIAH 8:7
7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times;(MIGRATION TIME) and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming;(IN MIGRATION SEASON) but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.(WW3 MIGRATING BIRDS EAT ISRAELS ENEMIES FLESH AND BLOOD)
In Gaza, Hamas feels the squeeze
Although
Israel has boosted supplies, Egypt’s crackdown on smuggling tunnels has
raised prices in the Strip, angered residents, and cost the Islamist
government a fortune. It’s still training terrorists, though
ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER — At first
glance, everything seems peaceful and serene. I’m standing at the
northern tip of the Gaza Strip, the point where the barrier between
Israel and Gaza ends as it descends gradually into the sea. And nothing
separates the sands of Israel’s Zikim beach from the northernmost beach
in Gaza.Two
Palestinian fishermen row their raft into the sea, hoping to catch some
fish to sell and bring home a few shekels. Today, the rest of Gaza
beach is empty. On weekends, it is packed with people seeking recreation
and relaxation.The northernmost homes of the al-Shati refugee
camp, a few kilometers south, are visible in the distance. This is the
home of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Further south are the Gaza
beach hotels, generally empty except for the foreign journalists who
stay from time to time.This single position where I’m taking in the
view is one of the biggest headaches for the Israeli security forces.
Those fishermen could, theoretically, row out to sea towards the
imaginary border inside the water and easily swim to the Israeli side in
a matter of seconds.This hasn’t happened. For now, Hamas has no
interest in launching a terrorist attack from Gaza or initiating
military confrontations.But Egypt’s exhaustive crackdown on Hamas, and
on its smuggling tunnels running into the Sinai, is giving rise to
fears that the Islamist group may attempt to escalate tensions with
Israel, in a bid to force Egypt to open the Sinai border for commerce
and trade.
That’s why in recent weeks it has been the
Israelis, of all people, who have attempted to dissuade Cairo from
enforcing a hermetic blockade on the Gaza Strip. Squeezing Gaza too
tight will likely cause upheaval in the region, which will result in a
new round of violence between Israel and Hamas.For most Gazans, though, the closing of the
tunnels has translated into a new reality in which, while most products
are still available, they are much more expensive than before Egypt made
its move.
A city underground
During the years of Israel’s tight blockade on
Gaza, from 2007 to 2010, hundreds of tunnels were dug out, very close
together, along the narrow strip of land that forms the border between
Egypt and Gaza.
The spokesperson for the Egyptian Border
Police reported last week that the Egyptians have closed 1,055 tunnels
since January 2011, 794 of them in the nine months since January 2013.The tunnels were one of the Hamas government’s
primary projects. The industry employed up to 40,000 people, and
provided nearly 40% of the government’s budget. The tunnels were of
varying lengths and widths, but the majority shared a purpose – to
smuggle in all types of merchandise, from missiles and military
equipment to snacks and cigarettes. Subverting the Israeli blockade, the
industry proved highly profitable, too, for private entrepreneurs.Hamas monitored the tunnels closely and
heavily taxed the tunnel owners. Each entrepreneur would pay taxes to
the Rafah Municipality for a license to begin digging. Once the tunnel
was dug, taxes were charged on all products brought through it, but the
goods were still cheaper than anything flowing legitimately through the
Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel.A seven shekel ($2) pack of cigarettes from
Egypt, for example, would sell for 10 shekels (almost $3) in the Gaza
shops; the tunnel owner made two shekels and Hamas one shekel per
smuggled pack.The system worked for everyone: The tunnel
owners earned their commission, residents of Gaza enjoyed exceptionally
cheap products, and Hamas benefited from the tens of millions of dollars
in taxes that it accumulated each month.The first stage of the Egyptian war against
the tunnels began when the Muslim Brotherhood was still in control.
After 16 Egyptian police officers were killed near the Rafah border in
August 2012, Cairo realized that terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda
were using the tunnels to receive military equipment from Gaza and were
smuggling people through the tunnels to facilitate fighting.This was the trigger for Egyptian military
action. Approximately half of the tunnels were closed down. But the most
dramatic shift began in late June 2013, several days before the
widespread protests against Morsi led to his ouster. The army took
advantage of the Brotherhood’s weakness and launched a massive operation
along the Rafah border, shutting down 90% of the tunnels there.The financial implications for Gaza and the
Hamas treasury were immediate and the situation has not improved since.
“For six years, we grew accustomed to buying everything, and cheap,” a
Gaza resident told me. “Gasoline was only three shekels per liter.
Cigarettes cost ten and milk was sold for four shekels. Now, it’s not
that we’re lacking anything. Trucks constantly enter Gaza via Kerem
Shalom. But the prices have more than doubled.”
The Coordinating Office for Government
Activities in the Territories, understanding the potential for escalated
violence in Gaza as a result of the lack of merchandise, has lately
allowed over 430 trucks to bring products into Gaza via Kerem Shalom on a
daily basis.But according to the Gaza resident, the
problem is cost, not availability. “People earn the same salaries as
before, if they work at all. But the prices have skyrocketed. People
cannot afford to buy gasoline for eight shekels per liter or cigarettes
for 25 shekels. The Gaza markets are suffering a recession, and this is
holiday season,” he said, referring to Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the
Sacrifice, which begins next Tuesday.Hamas is also hurting. “Just
picture the situation: Nearly all the men in Gaza smoke. But the taxes
collected on smuggled cigarettes from Egypt are gone,” a Gaza vendor
said. “Half a million liters of fuel were transported through the
tunnels daily and each liter contributed 1.5 shekels to the Hamas
treasury. They paid thousands of dollars in taxes for each car that was
brought in through the tunnels. The same was true for construction
materials, snacks, everything.”The
lack of income has impacted Hamas government salaries. Hamas withheld
last month’s wages in order to save the money for Eid al-Adha. The
government apparently plans on granting a 1,000 shekel bonus to each of
its 50,000 employees for the holiday.
What does Hamas do now?
“Hamas now has nothing to offer the
Palestinian community in Gaza,” said a Palestinian analyst, who asked to
remain anonymous. “Let’s look a few years ahead. According to the UN,
by 2020 there will not be a single drop of water in the Gaza Strip that
is fit for human consumption. What can Hamas do about that? Very little.“But even today, the financial situation in
the Gaza Strip is deteriorating rapidly. The government’s income has
declined — because of the tunnels, but also because of a decrease in
outside contributions. The money that the Muslim Brotherhood once raised
for Hamas from its members in Egypt has dried up. Unemployment rates
among the younger generation in Gaza have never been higher and the
majority of university graduates cannot find work. What kind of future
can Hamas offer these thousands of young adults who cannot afford to buy
a house or even to get married?”Hamas, this analyst said, is facing “one of
the most severe economic and political crises in its history — because
of the events throughout the Middle East. Its mother-movement in Egypt
has once again been outlawed and now operates underground. Its ally in
Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has his own local Intifada to deal with due to
the rising costs of fuel. The movement has been pushed to the sidelines
of the civil war in Syria and the Muslim Brotherhood is no longer a
central player even in Jordan, where protests against the royal family
have tapered out.”Hamas’s only supporters, he said, “are Qatar
and Turkey, while all other Arab countries including Egypt, the UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain oppose them. There isn’t even anyone
left to mediate between Hamas and Fatah, if Gaza decides to take the
[internal Palestinian] reconciliation route.”This analyst believes that while there is a
possibility of escalated violence against Israel, its unlikely. “It’s
not on their agenda, despite the financial crisis. One faction, led by
Haniyeh, claims that the current circumstances in the region leave Hamas
with no choice but to reconcile with Fatah. A second group argues that
Hamas must show no signs of weakness at this time and must hang tough
until circumstances change for the better. A third group advocates
reconciliation, but only in six months’ time, once the negotiations
between the PA and Israel come to an end. At that point, they believe
that Abu Mazen [PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas] will have no choice but to
accept that the talks with Israel failed, which will weaken him
politically. They want to reconcile from a position of strength.”For now, Hamas leaders are waiting to see if
Egypt will change its policies towards Gaza. These leaders cannot even
leave the Strip; Cairo has forbidden them from crossing through the
Rafah border terminal.At the same time, Hamas is constantly building
up its military forces in case its leaders do choose the escalation
route. It has set up a training camp for members of its military wing,
not far from Gaza’s northwestern border, on the ruins of the Dugit
settlement. The camp is named Askelan — a reference to Ashkelon, further
up the coast in Israel.A tall watchtower constructed at the camp is
clearly visible from Israeli territory. From this elevated vantage
point, Hamas activists observe activity on the Israeli side of the
border. Since the last major flare-up in November 2012, they’ve been
watching relative quiet. There are no guarantees that it will last.
Al-Qaeda leader urges unity among Syrian jihadis
Ayman
al-Zawahiri tells Islamists fighting Assad not to cooperate with secular
rebels, calls on Egyptian Islamists to unite to rid country of military
BEIRUT — The leader of al-Qaeda
has urged jihadis in Syria to unite, an appeal likely aimed at rival
affiliates of his terror network fighting there to oust President Bashar
Assad.Ayman
al-Zawahiri said fighters must “rise above organizational loyalties and
party partisanship” and unite behind the goal of setting up an Islamic
state.Al-Zawaihri also urged Syrian regime opponents
not cut deals with Western-backed and secular groups. Islamist rebels
have battled with secular and Kurdish rebel groups over Syria’s border
crossings with Turkey for several weeks, leaving dozens dead.However, he suggests he will not impose unity,
saying in an audio message Friday that “what you agree upon will also
be our choice.”Two al-Qaeda-linked groups have emerged in
Syria’s civil war — Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and
al-Sham. The first is commanded by a Syrian, the second by an Iraqi, but
both are loyal to al-Zawahiri.In the 17-minute video clip, the al-Qaeda
leader also called on Egyptian Islamists to work together under the
banner of Islam in order to rid the country of military rule. Zawahiri
railed against the Egyptian military, calling its leader “the
Americanized butcher of the military coup” and accusing it of waging a
war against Islam.He said the “secular military” has colluded
with the United States, Israel, secular movements and Christians against
Islam. Al Zawahiri also accused Egypt’s secularists of cooperating with
the regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.“Here is the
tragedy in Egypt unfolding before your eyes, showing the extent the
hatred of the seculars, the US agents, have for Muslims and Islamist
groups,” Al Zawahiri said. “The secular military and its allies, the
enemies of Islam, what to eradicate anyone who raises the banner of
Islam.”In a jab at
Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood, Al Zawahri criticised Islamists who
“compromised” with secular groups in Egypt and Tunisia, only to end up
being persecuted by them. He said the anti-Islam alliance doesn’t
distinguish between Islamists who wage holy war or those who seek power
through democratic means.“They held on to secularism, fought for it,
turning against the so-called democracy idol they asked Muslims to
submit to in place of the rule of Sharia,” he said.Al Zawahiri urged Islamists to unite and wage a
“popular” religious uprising “to rid Egypt of this criminal gang that
jumped over power with fire and iron”.The recording was produced by the media arm of
the group which issues Al Zawahiri’s messages. This is Al Zawahiri’s
second message about Egypt since August.