Supply The Word

JNN NEWS, P.O. Box 7411, Jerusalem 91073, Israel
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Ps 94:19

ISRAELIS FACE MAJOR PRICE HIKES: Israelis on Wednesday saw the prices of basic state goods go up by one percent following an increase of sales tax to 16.5%. That means the price of bread, salt and other common staple goods has increased by an amount that will greatly impact the country's poorer sectors of society. The price of fuel in Israel also rose by 20 cents per gallon overnight. Additionally, Israel's Water Authority is working hard to push a bill through the Knesset that will significantly increase the cost of water. The increase will see Israelis pay 250% more for every cubic meter of water over the permitted monthly amount. Consumer groups are worried the new taxes will also result in local businesses hiking up their prices. (Israel Today) Please continue to pray for Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse teams as they persevere to faithfully assist entire households suffering from poverty, the elderly and others in need in Israel.

EU STATES MAY RECALL IRAN ENVOYS AFTER UK EMBASSY ARRESTS: Iran's standoff with the West escalated with the European Union considering pulling out all 27 of its ambassadors in retaliation for the recent detentions of several local employees of the British Embassy in Tehran. The arrests last week ratcheted up tensions over Iran's bloody crackdown on opposition protesters who disputed the results of last month's presidential election. In a further sign of deteriorating ties, Iran said Wednesday the EU had disqualified itself from talks over Tehran’s nuclear program because of its "interference" in the post-election unrest. Iran accuses the EU of supporting the anti-government rallies. (Ha’aretz)

US CAN’T GET ARABS TO COMMIT TO NORMAL ISRAEL TIES: The US administration has not been successful in securing commitments from Arab countries to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, a senior source in Jerusalem said Wednesday. US President Obama's recent meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not produce a commitment to encourage the other Arab states to begin normalization. "In such a situation, the Americans can't continue demanding gestures only from Israel, such as the insistence that Israel freeze settlement construction," the source said. In response, a senior White House official said talks with the Arab states are continuing with the aim of obtaining a commitment to make gestures toward the Jewish state, and there is still hope for progress. (Ha’aretz) “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3:3

WILL OBAMA TAKE JERUSALEM FROM THE JEWS?: The Center for American Progress, an American think tank which has served as a source for several of the Obama administration’s policies, issued a recent report recommending control of Jerusalem be taken away from Israel. Operating with the premise that the Old City of Jerusalem is the central problem in the peace process, the report discusses various options for a third-party entity that would replace Israel as its administrator. A liberal political policy research and advocacy organization, the Center for American Progress’s, reports have frequently stated the thinking of the Obama Administration. The organization rightly predicted Obama’s Cairo speech to the Muslim world and his attempts to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran. (INN) “The Lord foils the plans of the nations, He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” Ps 33: 10-11

CARGO BOAT ATTEMPTING ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO GAZAN WATERS INTERCEPTED: An Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat “Arion” this week, which was illegally attempting to enter the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Navy contacted the boat while at sea, but it disregarded all warnings. It then entered Gazan coastal waters and was diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod. An Israel Defense spokesman stressed that any organization wishing to transfer humanitarian aid to Gaza must do so legally via established crossings between Israel and Gaza with prior coordination. (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

ROME GIVES HONORARY CITIZENSHIP TO GILAD SHALIT: Rome has given honorary citizenship to Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas terrorists three years ago and who still remains in capitivity. Shalit's father, Noam Shalit, received the honor at a city hall ceremony Wednesday. The city council voted to give Shalit honorary citizenship to coincide with the third anniversary of his capture by terrorists in a cross-border raid from Gaza into Israel. (AP) “You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” Ps 71:21

LAST REMAINING US JEWISH REPUBLICAN SENATOR LOSES SEAT: The defeat of incumbent Norm Coleman in the drawn-out Minnesota Senate race leaves US Republicans without a Jewish senator for the first time in half a century. Coleman's departure comes two months after the Republicans' other Jewish member, Arlen Specter, switched parties to become a Democrat. (AP)

INDIA: FIRST CONVICTION FOR SECTARIAN ATTACKS: An Indian court has handed down its first sentence following a series of attacks on Christians in an eastern state last year. The first person convicted has been jailed for two years. Some 800 cases have been filed in courts in connection with anti-Christian assaults that broke out in Kandhamal last year after the murder of a Hindu religious leader. Hindus blamed Christians for the leader’s death and rampaged through predominantly Christian neighborhoods, ransacking shops and torching houses. About 38 people, many of them Christians, were killed in that violence. (CNN)

ISRAEL UNVEILS HUGE MOSAIC FROM EARLY CHRISTIAN TIMES: A detailed mosaic scene of two fish was viewed by the public last weekend after it was unveiled in Lod for only the second time since its discovery. The 600-square-foot 1,700-year-old Roman floor mosaic is made up of more than two million small stones and covered with detailed pictures and geometric shapes.. The Israel Antiquities agency is presently lacking funds to properly protect it for ongoing public display. (Fox News)

RESEARCHERS DISCOVER SELF-WATERING PLANT IN ISRAEL: Called the world’s first “self-watering” plant, the Desert Rhubarb discovered in Israel’s Negev desert holds 16 times more water than other regional foliage and can water itself. Researchers from the University of Haifa said the plant’s meter-wide giant leaves are covered in microscopic streams and ridges which funnel and channel water, as well as prevent evaporation. This enables it to harvest 16 times the amount of water than otherwise expected for a plant in this region. (INN) “He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.” Ps 78:16

PACK TO SCHOOL: Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse assemble backpacks containing essential materials and supplies to assist poor children each school year. As we prepare to provide thousands of needy youngsters with school bags and supplies for September 2009, we realize there are not enough collected funds to cover the total cost of this year’s project. Meeting the needs of Israel’s children is a cause close to God's heart and we trust Him to bring in the lacking finances. Please remember that our treasures are stored in heaven and help us to bless thousands of poverty stricken Israeli children this coming school year.


Blessings from Jerusalem,
Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff

Labels: Arab countries, Gaza, Hindus, INDIA, Iran, Israel, JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM-ON-THE-LINE, President Obama, Rome