WHAT IS A BAR MITZVAH

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

WITH THIS SMASH BAR MITZVAH NEW VIDEO GOING VIRAL OVER THE INTERNET.ITS TIME US CHRISTIANS GET TO KNOW SOME INFORMATION ABOUT IT.AND THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE GOD CALLS THE ACCOUNTABILITY AGE 12 FOR GIRLS.13 FOR BOYS.THE BAR MITZVAH CELEBRATES THE MALE BECOMING A MAN AT AGE 13.SO I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY AGE THAT GOD USES TO TELL THE WORLD THAT THIS IS THE AGE WHEN YOU GIVE ACCOUNT AND UNDERSTAND THE SALVATION MESSAGE.BEFORE THIS AGE IF YOU DIE YOU AUTOMATICALLY GO TO HEAVEN.BUT AFTER THIS AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY I BELIEVE YOU CHOOSE WERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY WITH JESUS OR IN HELL.JUST MY THOUGHTS ON THIS.BUT GOD USES ISRAEL TO REVEAL HIS TRUTHS TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

HERE IS THE VIDEO THAT INSPIRED ME TO DO THIS ARTICLE.

Jorel Rocks his Bar Mitzvah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KulHKziEeMc
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/03/15/jorel-bar-mitzvah-video-viral_n_2884537.html 

What Is a Bar Mitzvah?

The Bar Mitzvah Ceremony and Celebration

From Peter Pelaia

http://judaism.about.com/od/lifeevents/a/whatisabarmitzvah.htm 

Bar Mitzvah Boy and Family

Getty Images / Rob Melnychuk

Bar Mitzvah literally translates as "son of commandment." The word "bar" means "son" in Aramaic, which was the commonly spoken vernacular language of the Jewish people (and much of the Middle East) from around 500 B.C.E. to 400 C.E. The word "mitzvah" is Hebrew for "commandment." The term "bar mitzvah" refers to two things:

• First, when a boy comes of age at 13-years-old he has become a "bar mitzvah" and is recognized by Jewish tradition as having the same rights as a full grown man. A boy who has become a Bar Mitzvah is now morally and ethically responsible for his decisions and actions.
• The term "bar mitzvah" also refers to the religious ceremony that accompanies a boy becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Often a celebratory party will follow the ceremony and that party is also called a bar mitzvah.

This article is about the religious ceremony and party referred to as a bar mitzvah. For more information about becoming bar mitzvah please read: "What Does It Mean to 'Become Bar Mitzvah?'"
It is important to note that the ceremony and celebration are not required by Jewish custom. Rather, a Jewish boy automatically becomes a Bar Mitzvah at 13-years-old. Although the specifics of the ceremony and party will vary widely depending on which movement (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc.) the family is a member of below are the basics of a Bar Mitzvah.

The Ceremony

While a special religious service or ceremony is not required for a boy to become a Bar Mitzvah, over the centuries a greater and greater emphasis has been placed on the ceremony as a right of passage of sorts. The earliest observance marking this point in a boy's life was simply his first aliyah,(COMING TO ISRAEL TO LIVE) where he would be called up to recite the Torah reading blessings at the first Torah service after his 13th birthday.In modern practice, the bar mitzvah ceremony usually requires much more preparation and participation on the part of the boy, who will work with a Rabbi and/or Cantor for months (or years) studying for the event. While the exact role he plays in the service will vary between the different Jewish movements and synagogues it usually involves some or all of the elements below:

• Leading specific prayers or the entire service during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service.
• Reading the weekly Torah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the boy will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading.
• Reading the weekly Haftarah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the boy will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading.
• Giving a speech about the Torah and/or Haftarah reading.
• Completing a tzedakah (charity) project leading up to the ceremony to raise money or donations for a charity of the bar mitzvah’s choice.

The family of the Bar Mitzvah is often honored and recognized during the service with an aliyah or multiple aliyahs. It has also become the custom in many synagogues for the Torah to be passed from grandfather to father to the Bar Mitzvah, symbolizing the passing down of the obligation to engage in the study of Torah and Judaism.
While the bar mitzvah ceremony is a milestone life-cycle event in the life of a Jewish boy and is the culmination of years of study, it is actually not the end of a boy's Jewish education. It simply marks the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning, study and participation in the Jewish community.

Celebration and Party

The tradition of following the religious bar mitzvah ceremony with a celebration or even a lavish party is a recent one. As a major life-cycle event, it is understandable that modern Jews enjoy celebrating the occasion and have incorporated the same sorts of celebratory elements as those that accompany other major life-cycle events, like a wedding. But just like the wedding ceremony is much more central than the wedding party, it is important to remember that the party is simply the celebration marking the religious implications of becoming a Bar Mitzvah.

Gift Ideas

Gifts are commonly given to a Bar Mitzvah (usually after the ceremony, at the party or meal). Gift ideas for a bar mitzvah can be found in this About article: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts.
Any present appropriate for a 13-year-old boy's birthday can be given, it does not need to have special religious implications. Cash is commonly given as a bar mitzvah gift as well. It has become the practice of many families to donate a portion of any monetary gift to a charity of the Bar Mitzvah's choosing, with the remainder often being added to the child's college fund or contributing to any further Jewish education programs he may attend.

What Is a Bat Mitzvah?

From Ariela Pelaia, former About.com Guide

http://judaism.about.com/od/lifeevents/a/What-Is-A-Bat-Mitzvah.htm 

Bat Mitzvah Girl

Getty Images/Thomas Fricke

Bat Mitzvah literally means "daughter of commandment." The word "bat" means "daughter" in Aramaic, which was the commonly spoken language of the Jewish people (and much of the Middle East) from about 500 B.C.E. to 400 C.E. The word "mitzvah" is Hebrew for "commandment."
The term "bat mitzvah" refers to two things:

1. When a girl reaches 12-years-old she becomes a "bat mitzvah" and is recognized by Jewish tradition as having the same rights as an adult. She is now morally and ethically responsible for her decisions and actions.
2. "Bat Mitzvah" also refers to a religious ceremony that accompanies a girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Often a celebratory party will follow the ceremony and that party is also called a bat mitzvah.

This article is about the religious ceremony and party referred to as a bat mitzvah. The specifics of the ceremony and party (even whether there is a religious ceremony to mark the occasion) vary widely depending on which movement of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc.) the family belongs to. Below are the basics of a Bat Mitzvah.

History of the Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jewish communities began marking when a girl became a Bat Mitzvah with a special ceremony. This was a break from traditional Jewish custom, which prohibited women from participating directly in religious services.
Using the Bar Mitzvah ceremony as a model, Jewish communities began to experiment with developing a similar ceremony for girls. In 1922, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan performed the first proto-bat mitzvah ceremony in America for his daughter Judith, when she was allowed to read from the Torah when she became a Bat Mitzvah. Although this new found privilege did not match the Bar Mitzvah ceremony in complexity, the event nevertheless marked what is widely considered to be the first modern bat mitzvah in the United States. It triggered the development and evolution of the modern Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

Bat Mitzvah Ceremony in Non-Orthodox Communities

In many liberal Jewish communities - for example, Reform and Conservative communities - the bat mitzvah ceremony has become almost identical to the bar mitzvah ceremony for boys. These communities usually require the girl to do a significant amount of preparation for a religious service. Often she will study with a Rabbi and/or Cantor for months (or years). While the exact role she plays in the service will vary between the different Jewish movements and synagogues it usually involves some or all of the elements below:

• Leading specific prayers or the entire service during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service.
• Reading the weekly Torah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the girl will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading.
• Reading the weekly Haftarah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the girl will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading.
• Giving a speech about the Torah and/or Haftarah reading.
• Completing a tzedakah (charity) project leading up to the ceremony to raise money or donations for a charity of the Bat Mitzvah’s choice.

The family of the Bat Mitzvah is often honored and recognized during the service with an aliyah or multiple aliyahs. It has also become the custom in many synagogues for the Torah to be passed from grandparents to parents to the Bat Mitzvah herself, symbolizing the passing down of the obligation to engage in the study of Torah and Judaism.
While the bat mitzvah ceremony is a milestone life-cycle event and is the culmination of years of study, it is actually not the end of a girl's Jewish education. It simply marks the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning, study and participation in the Jewish community.

Bat Mitzvah Ceremony in Orthodox Communities

Since the involvement of women in formal religious ceremonies is still prohibited in most Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, the Bat Mitzvah ceremony does not generally exist in the same format as in the more liberal movements. However, a girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah is still a special occasion. Over the last few decades, public celebrations of Bat Mitzvah have become more common among Orthodox Jews, although the celebrations are different from the type of bat mitzvah ceremony described above.
Ways of marking the occasion publicly vary by community. In some communities Bat Mitzvah's may read from the Torah and lead a special prayer service for women only. In some Ultra-Orthodox haredi communities girls have special meals for women only during which the Bat Mitzvah will give a D'var Torah (short teaching about the Torah portion for her Bat Mitzvah week). In many Modern Orthodox communities on the Shabbat following a girl's becoming Bat Mitzvah she may deliver a D'var Torah as well. There is no uniform model for the Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Orthodox communities yet, but the tradition continues to evolve.

Bat Mitzvah Celebration and Party

The tradition of following the religious bat mitzvah ceremony with a celebration or even a lavish party is a recent one. As a major life-cycle event, it is understandable that modern Jews enjoy celebrating the occasion and have incorporated the same sorts of celebratory elements that are part of other life-cycle events. But just as the wedding ceremony is more important than the reception that follows, it is important to remember that a Bat Mitzvah party is simply the celebration marking the religious implications of becoming a Bat Mitzvah. While a party is common among more liberal Jews, it has not caught on among Orthodox communities.

Bat Mitzvah Gifts

Gifts are commonly given to a Bat Mitzvah (usually after the ceremony, at the party or meal). Any present appropriate for a 13-year-old girl’s birthday can be given. Cash is commonly given as a bat mitzvah gift as well. It has become the practice of many families to donate a portion of any monetary gift to a charity of the Bat Mitzvah's choosing, with the remainder often being added to the child's college fund or contributing to any further Jewish education programs she may attend. Learn more in this About.com article: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts.

POPE HOPES FOR RENEWED TALKS WITH JEWS

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

EU leaders welcome 'non-European' pope

14.03.13 @ 09:27 By Andrew Rettman

BRUSSELS - EU leaders have hailed the election of the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years.
The 76-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who comes from Buenos Aires but whose parents were Italian, became Pope Francis at 7.06pm local time in Rome on Wednesday (13 March).The first pope, St. Peter, was himself born in what is today Israel. But the last time the Vatican chose a leader from outside Europe was Pope Gregory III, from what is today Syria, in 731 AD.Pope Francis reflects the geographic shift in Catholic popularity in modern times.According to the Pew Research Center in Washington, Europe was home to 65 percent of the world's Catholics in 1910, while Latin America was home to 24 percent. By 2010, Europe had shrunk to 24 percent, while Latin America grew to 39 percent.Sub-Saharan Africa is growing equally fast, from 1 percent in 1910, to 16 percent in 2010.Francis comes from the dogmatic Jesuit order.He has some progressive views: on baptism of children born outside wedlock, on use of new media.
But he is conservative on other issues: in 2010 he organised marches in Argentina against gay marriage, which he called "an attempt to destroy God's plan."His reputation is also tainted by the church's role in Argentina's so-called Dirty War against left-wing activists in the 1970s.He is physically frail and he is said to dislike travel.He took his papal name from the Italian holy man St. Francis of Assisi - a medieval aristocrat who espoused poverty and who talked to birds.Official Vatican media on Wednesday described Pope Francis as: "A man who cooks for himself, takes public transport rather than using cars and who is a simple pastor."In his first speech in Rome, he joked: "It seems that my brother cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get [their new leader]."Meanwhile, Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso, both Catholics, but who represent the secularist EU institutions, welcomed the choice in a joint statement.
"On behalf of the European Union, we convey our sincere congratulations on your election. We wish you a long and blessed pontificate, which will allow your holiness and the Catholic church to defend and promote the fundamental values of peace, solidarity and human dignity," they said.The head of the EU parliament, German left-winger Martin Schulz, noted: "The choice of a pope from outside Europe is an encouraging sign" of the church's will to modernise.EU capitals also sent tributes.German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor, said: "I am especially happy for the Christians of Latin America.Irish leader Enda Kenny, who has clashed with the Vatican over its handling of sex abuse cases, said: "We pray that he will have the strength, the good health and the spiritual guidance needed to lead the Catholic church in the many challenges it faces."For his part, French President Francois Hollande underlined his country's enlightenment values in a brief note, which said: "France, faithful to its history and universal principles of liberty, fraternity and equality … is confident it will continue the dialogue it has always had with the Holy See."

New pope hopes for ‘renewed collaboration’ with Jews

Francis I begins tenure by sending friendly letter to Rome’s chief rabbi

By Philip Podolsky March 14, 2013, 8:42 pm 1-The Times of Israel

The newly elected pope expressed hopes to resume collaboration with the Jews, in a letter sent to Rome’s chief rabbi on Francis I’s first day as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.The former archbishop of Buenos Aires, who is known to have good relationships with Jews, was elected to the post by a conclave of cardinals in the Vatican on Wednesday.Bergoglio, 76, a Jesuit, was the choice of the College of Cardinals following two days of voting in Vatican City. He is the first pope to come from outside Europe — reflecting the changing demographics of Catholics, he comes from Latin America.“I sincerely hope I can contribute to the progress there has been in relations between Jews and Catholics since the Second Vatican Council in a spirit of renewed collaboration,” the pope was quoted by AFP as saying, in reference to a landmark council from the 1960s.Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, embraced the election of Bergoglio, and said: “As far as I have heard and read in the few minutes since he was elected pope, he has shown deep signs of respect and friendship towards the Jews.”“It’s a good starting point,” Di Segni was quoted by the Religion News Service as saying.Earlier, President Shimon Peres invited the new pope to visit Israel, asking him to contribute to peace as a spiritual, rather than a political, leader.“He’ll be a welcome guest in the Holy Land, as a man of inspiration who can add to the attempt to bring peace in a stormy area,” Peres said during a meeting with the leaders of the Catholic Church in Poland on Thursday. “All people here, without exception, without difference of religion or nationality, will welcome the newly elected pope.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated the new pope, expressing his certainty that “the relationship between Jews and Christians, as well as the relationship between Israel and the Vatican, would continue to be strengthened.”

A statement by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate on Thursday echoed the amicable tone surrounding the appointment, stating it is positive that cooperation with the newly elected pope would be as positive as it was with the previous two Catholic leaders.“For the past 12 years there has been a rich and productive dialogue between the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Vatican,” read the statement issued by the religious authority. Cooperation was close on various important matters, it said, including “forbidding the use of God’s name to justify acts of terror, the sanctity of life and the holiness of the family unit.”Stuart Winer and JTA contributed to this report.

Francis pays tribute to Benedict, reflects on age

By NICOLE WINFIELD | Associated Press – 12 mins ago MAR 15,13

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis paid a heartfelt tribute Friday to his predecessor Benedict XVI, saying his faith and teaching had "enriched and invigorated" the Catholic Church and would remain its spiritual patrimony forever.Francis offered the respects during an audience with the cardinals who elected him to succeed Benedict, whose resignation set in motion the extraordinary conclave that brought the first prelate from the New World and first Jesuit to the papacy.Francis, 76, tripped and stumbled when he greeted the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, at the start of the audience, but he recovered immediately.Speaking at times off the cuff, Francis said Benedict had "lit a flame in the depths of our hearts that will continue to burn because it is fueled by his prayers that will support the church on its missionary path.""In these years of his pontificate, he enriched and invigorated the church with his magisterium, his goodness, guide and faith," Francis said. Pausing for effect, he added: "His humility and his gentleness."
Francis has said he wants to visit Benedict at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo where he has been living since Feb. 28, when he became the first pope in 600 years to resign. No date has been set for the visit. Francis is due to be installed as pope on Tuesday.The relationship between the two pontiffs has been the subject of intense speculation given the novelty of soon having a retired and reigning pope living side by side. Some analysts have expressed concern about the influence Benedict and his loyalists might wield over the new pontificate, or worse how certain factions in the church might try to undermine Francis' authority by continuing to use Benedict as their reference point.The presence of Benedict's closest aide, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, at all of Francis' inaugural events has confirmed some crossover; Gaenswein is also the head of the papal household, meaning he has an important role to play in the transition and Francis' day-to-day schedule.In fact, on Friday, Gaenswein accompanied Francis to the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, which has been sealed since Feb. 28. The seals were broken, Francis took the keys and opened the door, and Gaenswein hurried in to turn on the lights.During Friday's audience, cardinals lined up and warmly greeted Francis, exchanging physical embraces with the new pope. U.S. Cardinal Timothy Dolan grasped Frances' shoulder as he chatted. Most if not all the cardinals then went to chat with Gaenswein, perhaps to inquire about Benedict.On the first day of his pontificate, Francis's personal and liturgical style couldn't have come off as more different than that of Benedict: He went to his hotel to pick up his luggage, greet the staff and pay the bill, then delivered an off-the-cuff homily reminding his cardinals of the need to make the church strong.The very pastoral acts were typical Francis. Benedict, while similarly humble and gentle, spent 30 years inside the Vatican, first as its doctrine chief and then as pope, where his homilies were dense theological treatises and his Masses were formal affairs in the pre-Vatican II style.In his remarks Friday to cardinals, Francis noted that a good half of the men in the room were elderly, and he urged them to share the wisdom of their years with the young."Let us give this wisdom to young people; like good wine, it becomes better with age," he said. "Let us give to young people the wisdom of life."___Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield.

Officials: Israeli government deal to be signed

By DANIEL ESTRIN | Associated Press – 40 mins ago MAR 15,13

JERUSALEM (AP) — A parliamentary official says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will sign a formal deal Friday with two leading parties to form a new coalition government.Noga Katz, a spokeswoman for Netanyahu's Likud-Yisrael Beitenu faction, says leaders of the Yesh Atid and Jewish Home parties have given up last-minute demands to be named deputy prime ministers. Those last-minute demands delayed the deal from being formalized.An official with the Yesh Atid party, Netanyahu's leading partner, said that the matter was resolved, and new coalition partners would sign a coalition agreement Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been formalized.The new government is expected to curb preferential treatment for Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority and may push for renewed Mideast peace efforts.  

Yesh Atid MK: Coalition Agreement Signed -INN FRI MAR 15,13

Member of Knesset Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) wrote on his Facebook page, Friday afternoon, that the agreement to bring his party into the coalition was being signed in the early afternoon hours.Cohen added, "After long and exhausting negotiations, it appears that it's finally over. We did not seek to bend hands [as in arm wrestling -ed.] but to fulfill our promises."

After 11th-hour hiccup, coalition parties come together

Lapid and Bennett agree to give up on largely symbolic deputy prime minister titles

By Times of Israel staff March 15, 2013, 6:51 am 2

The Jewish Home and Yesh Atid parties agreed to sign a coalition agreement with Likud-Beytenu early Friday morning after all-night talks, paving the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swear-in his new government early next week.The coalition agreement had seemed a done deal on Wednesday, but hit a snag Thursday after Jewish Home representatives skipped a final meeting with Likud-Beytenu negotiators, over the issue of whether Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett would be afforded a deputy prime minister title.

According to the new deal, both Bennett and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid will forgo the mostly ceremonial title, Israel Radio reported.In return, Bennett will head the Cabinet panel on concentration of wealth and market competition, and his party will head a joint Knesset committee tasked with drafting a new universal military conscription law, Ynet news reported.On Thursday, representatives of Jewish Home failed to arrive for a scheduled noon meeting with Likud chief negotiator David Shimron, amid reports that the prime minister’s wife delayed the final completion of coalition talks by demanding that Bennett — with whom she reportedly fell out when he served as her husband’s chief of staff from 2006-2008 — not be given the title of deputy prime minister. The same title was also therefore to be denied to fellow putative coalition partner Lapid, who worked closely with Bennett during the negotiations.Shimron said it was an “ugly spin” to claim that Sara Netanyahu was responsible for the “ridiculous” argument over the deputy prime minister designations, and was sure “Mrs. Netanyahu has nothing to do with this.”Jewish Home sources told Israel Radio that “the decision was one-sided and endangered work relations in the emerging government.”

Likud sources said they had been in contact with Yesh Atid representatives, who also requested that Lapid maintain the title, but that it wasn’t an ultimatum.The last-minute argument appeared particularly marginal, since the title of “deputy prime minister” does not signify that its holder fills in for the prime minister when he is abroad or incapacitated. In fact, Likud officials said Thursday, the government would have to choose a stand-in PM as and when necessary, and he or she would come from the main party of the government.

With the glitch resolved, the coalition agreement was expected to be signed at noon on Friday. Once final, Netanyahu will be free to formally notify President Shimon Peres on Saturday night — the final day of the six weeks allocated to him — that he has mustered a Knesset majority. The coalition will comprise four parties: Likud-Beytenu (31 seats), Yesh Atid (19), Jewish Home (12) and Hatnua (6), for a total of 68 members in the 120-seat Knesset.The outgoing government is set to hold a final meeting on Sunday, and the new government is likely to be sworn in Monday — some 48 hours before the scheduled arrival of Barack Obama on his first presidential visit.

Lieberman: Time to Change the Rules of Engagement

Yisrael Beytenu chairman calls on the IDF to change its rules of engagements and open fire at rock-throwing terrorists.

By Elad Benari -First Publish: 3/15/2013, 4:16 AM-Israelnationalnews

Avigdor Lieberman-Israel news photo: Flash 90

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman said on Thursday evening that the IDF should change its rules of engagements and instruct soldiers to open fire at rock-throwing terrorists.Lieberman, who was reacting to Thursday evening’s collision that was caused by rock-throwing terrorists and resulted in a baby being critically wounded, reminded that rock-throwing terror attacks by Arabs have been ongoing for more than 30 years."The first victim who was killed by rock-throwing Arab rioters was soldier Esther Ohana, who had a rock thrown at her vehicle, hit her head and lost consciousness, and died two weeks later," Lieberman said, speaking of an attack that took place in January of 1983.Since the murder of Ohana thirty years ago, "dozens of others were hurt and seriously wounded by Arab rock-throwing rioters in Judea and Samaria," added the former Foreign Minister.Lieberman expressed hope that new defense minister Moshe Yaalon “will finally change the rules of engagement so that fire can be opened at rock-throwers, so that rock-throwing would be treated like shooting using firearms. Only this kind of change will stop civilians and soldiers from being targeted by Arab rioters and prevent disasters such as what happened in the Shomron this evening.”
Bayit Yehudi chairman MK Naftali Bennett reacted Thursday evening to the rock terror attack, saying, "Some people take rock throwing lightly, and prevent action against them. Rock throwers are trying to murder and they need to be treated accordingly.”Seconds before the crash that wounded the baby, along with her mother and two sisters, the wife of former Likud MK Yehiel Hazan was also wounded by rock-throwing terrorists who targeted the bus in which she was riding.
KEEPERS OF THE TWO-STATE FAITH
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/13011#.UUMNmTd9kwo

Restrictions on Muslim Males on Temple Mount Friday - MAR 14,13

Jerusalem District Police Commander Yossi Pariente decided, Thursday evening, to restrict Muslim access to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City to men aged 50 and over who carry blue Israeli identity cards. There will be no restrictions on women.The decision was made in the light of Muslim intent to create disorder following the end of Friday services at Temple Mount mosques. Thousands of police and Border Guards will be deployed in the Old City and other parts of eastern Jerusalem.

ISAIAH 17:1,12-14
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
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 eveningtide 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.

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)

EZEKIEL 39:1-8,11-18
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back,(RUSSIA-ARAB MUSLIM ISRAEL HATERS) and leave but the sixth part of thee,(5/6TH OR 300 MILLION DEAD RUSSIAN/ARAB/MUSLIMS I BELIEVE) and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

MI: Assad Will Use WMDs While Hizbullah, Iran Plan New Army

IDF Military Intelligence chief Kochavi predicted Syrian chemical war and a post-Assad Iranian-Hizbullah militia at the Herzliya Conference.

By Chana Ya'ar First Publish: 3/14/2013, 3:35 PM / Last Update: 3/14/2013, 4:47 PMIsraelnationalnews

Maj.-Gen. Kochavi-Flash 90

IDF Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi had sobering news for policy makers at the Herzliya Conference, predicting chemical warfare and a post-Assad Iranian-Hizbullah military force.
Kochavi told the audience at Thursday’s annual convention the Lebanon-based terrorist organization has teamed up with Iran to form a full-scale army, knowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s days in office are numbered.Hizbullah, which like Iran is comprised by Shi’ite Muslims, has long been generously funded, equipped and trained by the Islamic Republic, as has Assad, who has been protected by the terrorist forces and the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guards to this point.The two have so far created a militia of 50,000 fighters to support the regime, he said.“Hizbullah and Iran know Assad is finished, and are establishing an army in preparation for the post-Assad era,” warned Kochavi in his address to policy makers. Hizbullah now has more than 60,000 rockets and missiles at its disposal, according to outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who said in his final testimony to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, “The Middle East today is far less stable becaue the forces leading much of it are Islamist. In the short to long-term, we can redefine the Arab Spring as an ‘Islamic Winter,’ as we see radicals leading it to social and national extremes.”In his assessment Thursday, Kochavi commented that Assad himself “plans to escalate preparations to use chemical weapons but has yet to give the orders to deploy them.”There are at least five known separate sites in the country where chemical weapons arsenals are stored, each containing lethal agents that have long been maintained under strictly controlled conditions.Israel has been monitoring the situation for signs that the chemical agents might be moved due to concerns that Assad was losing control over the sites.The international community, as well as Israel, has expressed fears the chemical weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda, which is known to be operating in the country.If Syria’s chemical weapons fall into such hands, the world may begin to experience terrorist attacks using such agents, researcher Yiftah Shapir of the Institute for National Security Studies warned in an interview with Arutz Sheva earlier this month. Shapir said Hizbullah probably already possesses most of the chemical weapons and other unconventional means of attack that it could have acquired from Syria, since the two are allies in the axis with Iran, but is unlikely to use them.

Syrian rebel chief: 'We will not give up'

By ZEINA KARAM | Associated Press – 8 mins ago MAR 15,13

BEIRUT (AP) — The chief of Syria's main Western-backed rebel group has vowed to continue fighting until President Bashar Assad's "criminal" regime is gone.Gen. Salim Idris's remarks on Friday were meant to mark the second anniversary of the Syrian uprising.Idris calls on regime soldiers to join the rebels in a "fight for freedom and democracy." He says the opposition's task is "not easy" but pledged to continue despite his fighters suffering severe weapons shortages.The head of the Supreme Military Council spoke from a location inside Syria through video, addressing the Syrian people.The Associated Press obtained a copy of the video through the group's media office.

DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.

JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(THE FALSE POPE WHO DEFECTED FROM THE CHRISTIAN FAITH) causeth all,(IN THE WORLD ) both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(MICROCHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark,(MICROCHIP IMPLANT) or the name of the beast,(WORLD DICTATORS NAME INGRAVED ON YOUR SKIN OR TATTOOED ON YOU OR IN THE MICROCHIP IMPLANT) or the number of his name.(THE NUMBERS OF HIS NAME INGRAVED IN THE MICROCHIP IMLPLANT)-(ALL THESE WILL TELL THE WORLD DICTATOR THAT YOUR WITH HIM AND AGAINST KING JESUS-GOD)
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast:(WORLD LEADER) for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM (6006006)OR(60020202006)(SOME KIND OF NUMBER IMPLANTED IN THE MICROCHIP THAT TELLS THE WORLD DICTATOR AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER THAT YOU GIVE YOUR TOTAL ALLIGIENCE TO HIM AND NOT JESUS)(ITS AN ETERNAL DECISION YOU MAKE)(YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN DESTINY)(YOU TAKE THE DICTATORS NAME OR NUMBER UNDER YOUR SKIN,YOUR DOOMED TO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND TORMENTS FOREVER,NEVER ENDING MEANT ONLY FOR SATAN AND HIS ANGELS,NOT HUMAN BEINGS).OR YOU REFUSE THE MICROCHIP IMPLANT AND GO ON THE SIDE OF KING JESUS AND RULE FOREVER WITH HIM ON EARTH.YOU CHOOSE,ITS YOUR DECISION.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYUgVL9PdxM&list=UU4SH8rh0OjYV3zwqnIfqNbA&index=1&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PX-vW4VccY&feature=player_embedded#!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/markets/indexes/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfPX59y4KxE&feature=related

HALF HOUR DOW RESULTS FRI MARCH 15,2013

09:30 AM -2.43
10:00 AM -67.34
10:30 AM -42.32
11:00 AM -4870
11:30 AM -25.26
12:00 PM -20.16
12:30 PM -27.71
01:00 PM -38.25
01:30 PM -37.31
02:00 PM -39.61
02:30 PM -45.65
03:00 PM -55.55
03:30 PM -46.77
04:00 PM -24.88 14,514.26

S&P 500 1,560.73 -2.49

NASDAQ 3249.07 -9.86

GOLD 1,590.60 -0.60

OIL 93.52 +0.49

TSE 300 12,830.03 +30.12

CDNX 1117.15 +4.54

S&P/TSX/60 737.01 +1.08

MORNING,NEWS,STATS

YEAR TO DATE PERFORMANCE
Dow -28 points at 4 minutes of trading today.
Dow -67 points at low today.
Dow -1 points at high today so far.
GOLD opens at $1,590.70.OIL opens at $93.59 today.

AFTERNOON,NEWS,STATS
Dow -67 points at low today so far.
Dow -1 points at high today so far.

WRAPUP,NEWS,STATS
Dow -67 points at low today.
Dow -1 points at high today.

GOLD ALLTIME HIGH $1,902.60 (NOT AT CLOSE) 

EU leaders: growth 'cannot be summoned' at will

Today @ 09:29 MAR 15,13 By Honor Mahony

BRUSSELS - EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday (14 March) agreed to a more growth-friendly interpretation of deficit rules, but Germany and others insisted that austerity measures will work if given more time.The softened wording - coming three years into the economic crisis, and amid rising unemployment and deepening recession in the eurozone - is being seen as a victory for France and Italy.Speaking after the meeting, French President Francois Hollande indicated that member states were going to be give more leeway to pursue investment in growth policies."We are meeting our commitments, but in a way that does not contradict our objective of growth," he said."The guidance we were given today allows us to approach this discussion with confidence," he added.The summit conclusions note that existing "possibilities" within the rules governing the euro to balance public investment with fiscal discipline "can be exploited."Paris and Rome have been the most vocal about the need to balance austerity with growth and solidarity measures.But while the wording represents an acknowledgement that budget-cutting should not be the EU's sole focus, austerity is to remain the cornerstone of the approach to the crisis.For his part, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso noted before the summit that more time is needed to for the benefits of austerity measures to be felt.German Chancellor Angela Merkel struck the same note."It is clear that we are in an interim phase," she said.Referring to data presented by the European Commission during the meeting on competitiveness, Merkel noted that while it showed some "progress" had been made, it also showed that more "time and determination" is needed.When asked about the recent Italian election, where the majority of voters cast their ballots for anti-austerity parties, Merkel said that former Italian leader Mario Monti, who introduced a swathe of cuts, had too short a time in office for the changes to have a positive effect.But she struck a conciliatory note by saying that Thursday's discussions made clear that "budget consolidation, structural reforms and growth are not in contradiction but are mutually reinforcing."Meanwhile, the summit did not agree any new employment-boosting measures.According to Hollande, leaders said they would implement a "growth pact" - agreed last summer and seen by critics as a sticking plaster remedy - at an "accelerated pace."The growth pact is funded by extra money (€60bn) from the European Investment Bank, as well as unused money from EU structural funds, although Merkel admitted it still had to be "filled with life."
A separate €6 billion youth employment scheme is a drop in the ocean at a time when youth employment levels in Greece and Spain are over 50 percent."Growth and jobs are not things governments can buy or summon. It is our overriding objective, a result, for which we have to keep striving," said EU council President Herman Van Rompuy.

POPE FRANCIS HAS GREAT ISRAELI RELATIONSHIP

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

ISLAM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS
http://blip.tv/OdysseyNetworks/the-future-of-catholic-muslim-relations-under-the-new-pope-francis-i-6550596  

Peres to New Pope: Come to Israel

President Peres congratulated the new pope on being chosen for the office at a meeting with Church leaders Thursday.

By David Lev First Publish: 3/14/2013, 4:58 PM-Israelnationalnews

Shimon Peres-Flash90

During a meeting with the leaders of the Catholic Church in Poland at his Jerusalem residence Thursday, President Shimon Peres congratulated the new pope on being chosen for the office. “The newly elected Pope represents devotion, the love of G-d, the love of peace, a modesty, and a new continent which is now awakening,” Peres said.“We need, more than ever, a spiritual leadership and not just a political one. Where political leaders may divide, spiritual leaders may unite. Unite around a vision, unite around values, unite around a faith that we can make the world a better place to live."Peres invited the new Pope to visit Israel and said, "I would like to take this opportunity to invite the newly elected Pope to pay a visit to the Holy Land at the earliest possibility. He'll be a welcome guest in the Holy Land, as a man of inspiration that can add to the attempt to bring peace in a stormy area. All people here, without exception, without difference of religion or nationality will welcome the newly elected Pope."Addressing relations with the Vatican, Peres said that "relations between the Vatican and the Jewish people are now at their best in the last 2,000 years and I hope they will grow in content and depths.”Peres also spoke about the outgoing Pope. "I have much respect for the resigned Pope, Benedict, I found him a dear friend of our people, a profound thinker and he really contributed so much to bringing together, historically and otherwise, the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people,” Peres said.

Pope Francis 'a friend of the Islamic community' (JUST LIKE THE BIBLE PREDICTED)

Argentine Muslim, House for the Diffusion of Islam head, Sheij Mohsen Ali

Argentine Muslims have welcomed the election of Argentine cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the head of the Roman Cathoilic Churhc. In an interview with Buenosairesherald.com, Sheij Mohsen Ali and CIRA Secretary General Dr.Sumer Noufouri praised Pope Francis’s “pro-dialogue” nature.“He always showed himself as a friend of the Islamic community. He visited the At-Tauhid Mosque (located) in the neighborhood of Floresta and the Arab-Argentine Ali Ibn Abi Talib School strengthening our relations”, the Director of the House for the Diffusion of Islam Sheik Mohsen Ali said and described a personal anecdote with the man that has now become “the Pope of the end of the world.”“In Suipacha Street, at the headquarters of the Argentine Episcopacy, his humility drew my attention. I went there with Sheij Abdul Karim Paz. There was a small wicker chair and some soft armchairs. He took the little chair for himself and left us the comfortable armchairs,” the Sheij Mohsen Ali recalled now that Catholics around the world learn that their religious leader used to take the subway while being a Cardinal in Buenos Aires.More sensitive issues, political arguments, also seem to prove the nature of the two times president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference. “By the time of the 2006 Lebanon War, I held an argument with one of his assistants. He received me and understood my position. He acted like a friend, not a personal friend because we did not have the time to deepen our relation, but he has been a friend," the Muslim leader affirmed.Regarding the tensions between Pope Francis and the administration of President Cristina Fernández de Kircher, Sheij Mohsen Ali called for dialogue. “Everyone knows the position Bergoglio has about the government of Cristina, a model I support. Channels of dialogue must come up. As in life, we all have lights and shadows. I wish Francis becomes even better and shadows can dissipate”, one of the most renowned voices among Argentina’s Islamic community hoped for.“With joy and expectation of strengthening dialogue between religions”, Secretary General of the Islamic Center of the Republic of Argentina (CIRA) Dr. Sumer Noufouri told Buenosairesherald.com to resume how news about Bergoglio’s appointment were received by the institution he presides.Considering ties between the CIRA and now Pope Francis “excellent”, Dr. Noufouri explained that the one-decade relation has helped to build Christian-Muslim dialogue, something “really significant in the history of monotheistic relations in Argentina”. A “joint work”, CIRA head added, “that we have never given up on”.
Mario Jorge Bergoglio is a “respectful, pro-dialogue person who knows the Islam”, the CIRA Secretary General said and, just like Sheij Mohsen Ali. he chose an anecdote to picture the personality of the elected pontiff.“When Bergoglio attended the CIRA to have lunch with the board, he told us that in Rome, when he talked about the relation he had with Muslims saying that he came to the CIRA and that we congratulated him on Christmas, they just could not believe it, it shocked them,” Dr. Noufouri said and affirmed that “Argentina is a model of dialogue and coexistence that, God willing, could be exported to the world.”

Spiritual leaders see promise of interfaith cooperation in Pope Francis

By Peter Hall, Of The Morning Call

12:09 a.m. EDT, March 14, 2013

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio's election as pope signals that the Roman Catholic Church is renewing an effort to bridge gaps between its members and non-Catholics, leaders of other faiths said Wednesday.
Choosing a pope from Argentina, making him the first from the New World, shows the church has recognized that the center of mass among its own faithful and Christianity at large has shifted, Protestant leaders said."It may well be that they're looking for a bridge-builder," said Catherine Ziel, of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.Pope Francis' membership in the Jesuit Order, a historically free-thinking sect whose members eschew worldly comforts, might show recognition that inequality between the rich and poor of the world is a major problem the church must tackle.

---

"To choose an advocate for the poor signals something not just for Catholicism but global Christianity overall," said Tony Sundermeier, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Allentown.Bergoglio's selection on the second day of the conclave of the College of Cardinals came as a surprise to many religious leaders in the Lehigh Valley. The cardinal of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio, 76, was chosen from among more than 100 possible candidates and was not regarded among the most likely.Nagi Latefa, president of the Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley, could not speak about Bergoglio specifically but expressed hope that he will continue the centuries-long interaction between the Catholic Church and the Muslim faith."We hope with the election of the new pope, Muslims and Catholics will focus on what the next hundred years will be," Latefa said. "We hope that Muslims and Catholics can work together to make the world a better place."
Others said Bergoglio's background as a church leader in Argentina gives them confidence that he will work to forge bonds with other faiths.Seth Goren, an associate chaplain at Lehigh University, said he foresees Francis picking up Pope John Paul II's effort to develop a relationship with Judaism.John Paul II, who died in 2005, was the first pope to visit a synagogue and was hailed for visiting the former Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, where thousands of Jews were killed during the Holocaust.Bergoglio was lauded for his compassion after a 1994 bombing that targeted two Argentine national Jewish organizations."Having someone who comes in with an understanding of Judaism and Jews and having someone who can bring that into an organization like the Catholic Church can benefit Jews and Judaism in a number of ways," Goren said.Ken Briggs, a retired Lafayette College professor and former New York Times religion editor, said it's probably too soon to say how Francis will perform.The selection of a cardinal from a Latin American country acknowledges the faith's growth in the southern hemisphere, he said. The Catholic Church has seen its faith expand in Africa as well, which made Cardinal of Ghana Peter Turkson a favored candidate.
But Latin America is largely dominated by the Catholic Church, with no strong influence from other faiths, Briggs said."It is hard to know without more information about how much he has been outside that Catholic circle," Briggs said. "I think that is for non-Catholics going to be a big issue."Francis' stance on fundamental issues on which the Catholic Church has remained steadfast might also determine how his relationship with other faiths develops, Briggs said."Benedict caused lots of consternation in the non-Catholic world by seeming to aid and abet opposition to openness to women," Briggs said. "Whether this pope follows in the same line will have a lot to do with how well he will get along with the non-Catholic world."He said Bergoglio's vow of poverty as a Jesuit might be taken by some in the liberal Protestant world as a sign the Catholic Church is set to focus on social justice.Sundermeier, of First Presbyterian in Allentown, said he is enthused by Bergoglio's humility.As a Christian, Francis is someone that I can rally around and I would even use the word 'follow' because his core beliefs are cross-doctrinal," he said.
peter.hall@mcall.com-http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pope-lehigh-valley-other-faiths-reaction-20130313,0,1140378.story 610-820-6581

Text: New Pope Francis's first words after election

Reuters – 17 hrs ago MAR 13,2013-3:13PM

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, delivered his first blessing and message to Rome and the world about an hour after his election as successor of Pope Benedict.Here is a transcript of his first words as pope as translated by Reuters from the Italian.

"Brothers and sisters, good evening."You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are.
"I thank you for this welcome by the diocesan community of Rome to its bishop. Thank you."First of all, I would like to say a prayer for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him, let us all pray together for him so that the Lord my bless him and that the Madonna may protect him."(The new pope then prayed the "Lord's Prayer", the "Hail Mary" and the "Glory Be" with the crowd in Italian).He then continued:"And now, let us start this journey, bishop and people, bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which leads all the Churches in charity, a journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.
"Let us always pray for us, one for the other, let us pray for the whole world, so that there may be a great fraternity. I hope that this journey of the Church that we begin today and which my cardinal vicar, who is here with me, will help me with, may be fruitful for the evangelisation of this beautiful city."Now, I would like to give you a blessing, but first I want to ask you for a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask that you pray to the Lord so that he blesses me. This is the prayer of the people who are asking for the blessing of their bishop."In silence, let us say this prayer of you for me."(After a few seconds of silent prayer, he then delivered his blessing).He then concluded:"Now, I will give you and the whole world a blessing, to all men and women of good will. Tomorrow I want to go to pray to the Madonna so that she protects all of Rome. Good night and have a good rest." (Reporting By Philip Pullella; editing by Crispian Balmer) 
 
LUKE 21:28-29
28 And when these things begin to come to pass,(ALL THE PROPHECY SIGNS FROM THE BIBLE) then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption (RAPTURE) draweth nigh.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree,(ISRAEL) and all the trees;(ALL INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES)
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.(ISRAEL LITERALLY BECAME AND INDEPENDENT COUNTRY JUST BEFORE SUMMER IN MAY 14,1948.)

And here are the bounderies of the land that Israel will inherit either through war or peace or God in the future. God says its Israels land and only Israels land. They will have every inch God promised them of this land in the future.

Egypt east of the Nile River, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The southern part of Turkey and the Western Half of Iraq west of the Euphrates. Gen 13:14-15, Psm 105:9,11, Gen 15:18, Exe 23:31, Num 34:1-12, Josh 1:4.ALL THIS LAND ISRAEL WILL DEFINATELY OWN IN THE FUTURE, ITS ISRAELS NOT ISHMAELS LAND.

12 TRIBES INHERIT LAND IN THE FUTURE

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)--HERES A INTERESTING FACT IN THIS SCRIPTURE.YOU GOT THE 10 WORLD GOVERNMENT TRADE BOCS + 3 OTHER REGIONS OR TRADE BLOCS.WHICH IS A TOTAL OF 13.13 IN THE BIBLE IS WORLD GOVERNMENT BY THIS SCRIPTURE.AND ALL THE 13'S THAT HAPPENED TO THE POPE YESTERDAY IS NO ACCIDENT.I BELIEVE THIS IS TELLING US THIS POPE WILL BE LEADING US INTO WORLD GOVERNMENT.) 

IT WAS WED MARCH 13,2013 AT 3:13 PM WHEN THE NEW POPE WAS ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD FROM THE BALCONY AT THE VATICAN YESTERDAY.WHAT HISTORY MAKING DID THIS POPE MAKE.BY TAKING FRANCIS 1-ITS THE FIRST EVER POPE TO TAKE THE NAME FRANCIS.HES THE 1ST NON EUROPEAN IN 1,000 YEARS.AND 1ST LATIN AMERICAN EVER.THIS POPE IS 76 YEARS OF AGE.ANOTHER 13 (7+6) TO GO WITH ALL THE 13TEENS TO GO WITH HIS ELECTION YESTERDAY.HES THE FIRST JESUIT POPE EVER.THIS POPE HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL.Pope Francis will be inaugurated on March 19,(HERE WE HAVE ANOTHER 13 YET AGAIN)(3+1+9)=(13)

The secret conclave began on Tuesday night with a first inconclusive ballot. Three more inconclusive ballots were held on Wednesday before Francis obtained the required two-thirds majority of 77 votes in the fifth and final vote.Billowing white smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out to announce the news, drawing Romans and tourists to the Vatican."May God forgive you,"(FOR VOTING ME IN AS POPE) Bergoglio said to the cardinals at a subsequent dinner, raising loud laughter, according to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.(THIS WAS JUST AN INNOCENT JOKE OR IF IT IS NO JOKE .THEN-SINCE I BELIEVE HIM TO BE THE FINAL POPE AND A DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH.THIS WOULD LITERALLY BE PROPHECY COMING TO PASS AND NOT JUST AN INNOCENT JOKE) 

REVELATION 13:11-18
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;(FALSE VATICAN POPE) and he had two horns like a lamb,(JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD) and he spake as a dragon.(HES SATANICALLY INSPIRED,HES A CHRISTIAN DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH)
12 And he (FALSE PROPHET) exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,(WORLD DICTATOR) and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.(THE WORLD DICTATOR CREATES A FALSE RESURRECTION AND IS CROWNED LEADER OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER OR WORLD GOVERNMENT).

ANIMALS SACRIFICES IN THE 3RD TEMPLE EXPLAINED ON TAMAR YONAH
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/Player.aspx#0#4563#1 
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/4563#.UUHtMDd9kwo
POPE FRANCIS-POPE OF THE WORLD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8SQ23T6yO0&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ&index=1 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KAPyHIrnhQ&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3EvvI5GgRc&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8dQ2ZOnfOU&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZKZCwA75MA&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hS4e5L-EEw&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ

Vatican Insider

13/03/2013

Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the new Pope of the Catholic Church: Francis I

The Conclave has elected the Argentinean cardinal as 266th successor of Peter

(vatican insider)

The new Pope, the 76-year old Argentinean Jesuit, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was Ratzinger’s main contender in the last Conclave. He is unusual in that he has always rejected posts in the Roman Curia and only visited the Vatican when it was absolutely necessary. One thing he hates to see in the clergy is “spiritual wordliness”: ecclesiastical careerism disguised as clerical refinement. The new Pope was born in Buenos Aires and later became its archbishop, on 17 December 1936. He was born to a Piedmontese family, graduated as a technical chemist and then entered the novitiate of the Company of Jesus. He completed studies in the humanities in Chile and obtained a degree in Philosophy and Theology in Argentina. He was Professor and Rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel and vicar of the Patriarch of  San José, in the Diocese of San Miguel. In 1986 he completed a PhD in Germany, after which he returned to Argentina, where his superiors made him spiritual director and confessor in the Jesuit Church of Cordoba. In 1992 John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, in 1997 he became coadjutor bishop and a year later he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino for six years, until 2011, when he became President of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina. He doesn’t have a chauffeur and preferred to use the metro to get around Buenos Aires. In Rome he prefers to get around on foot or use public transport. Those who know him well see him as a true man of God: the first thing he always asks people to do is pray for him.
In the pre-Conclave General Congregations, the new Pope spoke of Christianity as merciful and joyful. His favourite priests are those who work in the “villas miserias”, the slums of the Argentinean capital. Instead of driving people away with rigid doctrinal preachings, he tries to look at all possible solutions in an attempt to embrace those who are the furthest from the Christian community. The Church, he insists, must show the merciful side of God.

Knights of Columbus voice gratitude for Pope Francis

0 Comments

New Haven, Conn., Mar 14, 2013 / 12:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Prayers and best wishes are being sent from the Knights of Columbus to Pope Francis upon his election today, March 13. “The election of Pope Francis – the first pope from the American hemisphere – highlights the fact that America is the continent of baptized Christians, and a place of central importance to the faith today,” the fraternal organization, with over 1 million members worldwide, stated. “Pope Francis is well known also for his emphasis on charity – the first principle of the Knights of Columbus.” The Knights plan to work together with Pope Francis throughout his pontificate to further the mission of the Church. “Both in our efforts for evangelization and in our charitable work, we will strive with him to bring the light of Christ to the people of our continent during his historic pontificate.” “Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and the 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus extend cordial best wishes and prayers to our newly elected pope.” Pope Francis, who was previously known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected on the fifth ballot, and was Archbishop of Buenos Aires prior to his election as Bishop of Rome. He is a member of the Society of Jesus, and is the first Pope to have been elected from that order, as well as the first Latin American Pope. He greeted the crowds of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square shortly after 8:00 p.m., after spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the Pauline Chapel. Pope Francis will be inaugurated on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.

New pope has history of good relations with Jewish community- Jorge Mario Bergoglio was first to sign petition demanding justice in AMIA bombing; rabbi calls him a ‘warm and sweet and modest man’ March 13, 2013, 11:49 pm 1-The Times of Israel

Catholic church chooses new pope

JTA – Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentinian cardinal who was elected pope late Wednesday and will take the name Francis I, is said to have a good relationship with Argentinian Jews.Bergoglio, 76, a Jesuit, was the choice of the College of Cardinals following two days of voting in Vatican City. He is the first pope to come from outside Europe in more than a millennium; reflecting the changing demographics of Catholics, he comes from Latin America.As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio attended Rosh Hashanah services at the Benei Tikva Slijot synagogue in September 2007.Rabbi David Rosen, the director of interfaith affairs for the American Jewish Committee, told JTA that the new pope is a “warm and sweet and modest man” known in Buenos Aires for doing his own cooking and personally answering his phone.After the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in 1994, he “showed solidarity with the Jewish community,” Rosen said.In 2005, Bergoglio was the first public personality to sign a petition for justice in the AMIA bombing case. He also was one of the signatories on a document called “85 victims, 85 signatures” as part of the bombing’s 11th anniversary. In June 2010, he visited the rebuilt AMIA building to talk with Jewish leaders.“Those who said Benedict was the last pope who would be a pope that lived through the Shoah, or that said there would not be another pope who had a personal connection to the Jewish people, they were wrong,” Rosen said.Soon after the chimney of the Sistine Chapel sent up a puff of white smoke signifying that the cardinals had selected a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, Francis addressed thousands of faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Baslica.“Buonasera,” he told them, saying “Good evening” in Italian, and thanked his fellow cardinals for going “almost to the ends of the earth” to find him.Benedict was the first pontiff to step down since 1415.Israel Singer, the former head of the World Jewish Congress, said he spent time working with Bergoglio when the two were distributing aid to the poor in Buenos Aires in the early 2000s, part of a joint Jewish-Catholic program called Tzedaka.“We went out to the barrios where Jews and Catholics were suffering togeher,” Singer told JTA. “If everyone sat in chairs with handles, he would sit in the one without. He was always looking to be more modest. He’s going to find it hard to wear all these uniforms.”

Bergoglio also wrote the foreward of a book by Rabbi Sergio Bergman and referred to him as “one of my teachers.”Last November, Bergoglio hosted a Kristallnacht memorial event at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral with Rabbi Alejandro Avruj from the NCI-Emanuel World Masorti congregation.He also has worked with the Latin American Jewish Congress and held meetings with Jewish youth who participate in its New Generations program.“The Latin American Jewish Congress has had a close relationship with Jorge Bergoglio for several years,” Claudio Epelman, executive director of the Latin American Jewish Congress, told JTA. “We know his values and strengths. We have no doubt he will do a great job leading the Catholic Church.”In his visit to the Buenos Aires synagogue, according to the Catholic Zenit news agency, Bergoglio told the congregation that he was there to examine his heart “like a pilgrim, together with you, my elder brothers.”“Today, here in this synagogue, we are made newly aware of the fact that we are a people on a journey and we place ourselves in God’s presence,” Zenit quoted the then-archbishop as saying. “We must look at him and let him look at us, to examine our heart in his presence and to ask ourselves if we are walking blamelessly.”Renzo Gattegna, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, offered Italian Jewry’s congratualations to the new pope with the “most fervent wishes” that his pontificate could bring “peace and brotherhood to all humanity.”In particular, Gattegna voiced the hope that there would be a continuation “with reciprocal satisfaction” of “the intense course of dialogue that the Jews have always hoped for and that has been also realized through the work of the popes who have led the church in the recent past.”

New Pope Said to Have Good Relations With Argentine Jews-The Roman College of Cardinals on Monday evening elected Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as its new Pope By David Lev First Publish: 3/13/2013, 9:39 PM-Israelnationalnews

The Roman College of Cardinals on Monday evening elected Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as its new Pope. Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis I for his office, is the first Pope to be chosen from outside of Europe.South America has the world's largest population of Catholics, and Spanish is the most widely used language in the Church. Nevertheless, commentators said that the choice of Bergoglio was “unusual” because of his age. Bergoglio is 76, and it was expected that a younger man would be chosen.However, Bergoglio has the reputation of a reformer, and pundits said that the choice of Bergoglio was a shrewd one on the part of the Cardinals, as the Church now has a symbol that could reconnect with masses of Catholics who have been disillusioned by the scandals in the Catholic Church, such as the large numbers of pedophile charges against priests, as well as the Church's unpopular positions on a number of personal issues.Bergoglio is said to have had good relations with Argentinian Jews. He was praised by local and U.S. Jewish community leaders for his response to the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association. In 2005, Bergoglio signed a joint statement against terrorism together with Jose Adaszko of the Israel Mutual Association of Argentina, and Omar Helal Massud of the Islamic Center, with an emphasis on preventing attacks such as the 1994 bombing.

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people(ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(UPROOTED ISRAELIS AND DIVIDED JERUSALEM)(THIS BRINGS ON WW3 BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED,WARNING TO ARABS-MUSLIMS AND THE WORLD).

THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS

Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

DANIEL 11:21-23
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

JEREMIAH 6:14
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

JEREMIAH 8:11
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:3
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

ISAIAH 33:8
8  The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant,(7 YR TREATY) he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.(THE WORLD LEADER-WAR MONGER CALLS HIMSELF GOD)

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

JERUSALEM DIVIDED

ZECHARIAH 12:1-5 King James Bible
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.

JOEL 3:2 (WW3 OCCURS WHEN JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED)
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people (ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(JERUSALEM)(WW3 STARTS BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED AND ISRAELIS UPROOTED FROM THEIR GOD GIVIN LAND BRINGS 3 DEAD BILLION IN WW3)

PSALS 137:5-6
5  If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN WW3)

ZECHARIAH 14:1-4 King James Bible
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

LUKE 1:31-32
32  He (JESUS) shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:(IN JERUSALEM)
33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob (ISRAEL) for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.(THATS RULING FOREVER FROM JERUSALEM JESUS DOES)

ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:(JESUS 1ST COMING) and the government shall be upon his shoulder:(JESUS 2ND COMING AS RULING KING FROM JERUSALEM FOREVER AT THE END OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION) and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his (JESUS) government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David,( IN JERUSALEM) and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Politics clouding Obama's coming visit to Israel -Published: March 13, 2013 Updated 5 hours ago -- Mideast Israel Palestinians Obama Controversy

In this Tuesday , March 12, 2013 photo, a Palestinian woman walks past posters showing US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank, which Israeli officials say will take place March 20-22, is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected.

By DANIEL ESTRIN — Associated Press

JERUSALEM — A week before President Barack Obama is set to arrive in the region, Middle East politics are already casting a cloud over the visit as Israeli and Palestinian officials plan a series of events to promote their agendas.Jerusalem city officials are offering visiting journalists a free tour of Israel's most contentious archaeological excavation, a sprawling dig in the heart of contested east Jerusalem. Israel has also suggested that journalists could avoid going to the West Bank with Obama when he meets with Palestinian leaders.On the other side of the divide, Palestinian officials hope to introduce the U.S. president to the family of a prisoner held by Israel. Activists say they will also greet Obama with posters and demonstrations meant to draw attention to life under Israeli military occupation.These events offer a glimpse of the political minefield Obama will have to navigate when he visits Israel and the West Bank next week, the first time he has come to the area as president. Each side will be trying to win his support for some of the most contentious issues between them.Israel will be looking for assurances that the U.S. is serious about stopping Iran's suspect nuclear program. Obama will also be seeking to repair a strained relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While he has said he will not present any grand peace plan, Obama will also be under pressure to convince the Palestinians that he is serious about getting peace efforts restarted - and presumably pressing Israel to make new concessions.With so much at stake, Israelis and Palestinians are hoping to capitalize on their moment in the spotlight.

In a statement to reporters, Jerusalem municipal officials said they would be "taking advantage" of the visit to put the holy city's best face forward. Crews have been pulling up weeds along the roads Obama's motorcade will take. Decorative lights will be illuminated all night long on the ancient walls of the Old City, opposite Obama's hotel, "to allow the president to view them from his room and for the hundreds of journalists broadcasting throughout the night to the U.S. to see the city's beauty."
City officials are also promising to escort journalists to "important and famous historical sites." Among the spots are the "City of David," a politically sensitive archaeological site in an Arab neighborhood just outside the Old City.The dig, named for the biblical King David thought to have ruled from the spot 3,000 years ago, was conducted by Israeli government archaeologists. The project has generated controversy because it was funded by a nationalist Jewish group that buys up properties in Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, then moves Jewish settlers into the homes - which critics say is meant to make it impossible to divide the city in a future peace deal.Palestinians and some Israeli archaeologists have also criticized the City of David dig for what they say is an excessive focus on Jewish remains, and have called into question some of the dig's claims that attribute ruins to the King David.East Jerusalem, home to the Old City and its sensitive holy sites, was captured by Israel in 1967 and subsequently annexed in a move that has never been internationally recognized. The Palestinians also claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Resolving the competing claims to the area is the most explosive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Brachie Sprung, an adviser to the mayor, said the City of David is one of Jerusalem's most popular attractions. She rejected suggestions that the free tours were politically motivated."In 2012 the city of Jerusalem experienced record breaking tourism which boosted economic growth, benefitting all segments of the population," Sprung said in an email.After spending the first day of his visit next Wednesday with Israeli officials, Obama is scheduled to journey to the West Bank the following day for talks with the Palestinians.But Israel's Government Press Office says journalists need not make the trip, which involves crossing through a military checkpoint. It said a special media center in Jerusalem will provide a live feed of Obama's meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "in order to obviate the need to travel back-and-forth to the Palestinian Authority areas."GPO Director Nitzan Chen said the live feed was meant solely for convenience. "We are not encouraging people to go or not" to go to the West Bank, Chen said.

The Palestinians, meanwhile, are intent on showing the president what life is like under Israeli occupation. Abbas leads a self-rule government that enjoys limited autonomy in the West Bank. But Israel wields overall control of the area, which the Palestinians claim as the heartland of their future state.Palestinian officials said they have notified American officials that they want Obama to meet the family of a Palestinian prisoner held in Israel. The Palestinians said the U.S. hasn't replied.The subject of prisoners is emotional for the Palestinians. Most Palestinians have a relative who served time in Israeli jails, and prisoners are widely seen as heroes battling Israeli occupation. Israel sees many of the prisoners as terrorists.Upon reaching Ramallah, just a short distance from Jerusalem, Obama will be greeted by large posters with his headshot that read, "President Obama: Don't bring your smartphone to Ramallah ... We have no 3G in Palestine."Israeli authorities, who control cellular networks in the West Bank, have not granted Palestinian telecommunication companies 3G frequencies. A spokesman for the Israeli Communications Ministry said those frequencies are not available for Palestinian use.Palestinian officials said unknown private activists hung the banners.
Another private group, calling itself "Palestinians for Dignity," said it will greet Obama by raising black flags and launching thousands of black balloons into the sky to protest American policy. The Palestinians have long accused the U.S. of being biased toward Israel.Israeli students at a university in the West Bank settlement of Ariel are also accusing Obama of bias, saying they were not invited to an Obama speech in Jerusalem planned for college students. Students from other Israeli universities have been invited."We are shocked and very surprised at the discrimination and the inequality," said Shay Shahaf, chairman of the student association at Ariel University, in a text message. The U.S. Embassy and Ariel University had no comment.The international community, including the U.S., strongly opposes Israeli settlement construction in occupied territories where the Palestinians hope to build their state.---Follow Estrin at twitter.com/danielestrin.
Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah contributed reporting.Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2013/03/13/2393945_politics-clouding-obamas-coming.html#storylink=cpy