JERUSALEM-ON-THE-LINE
September 26, 2011 

“From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” Ps 3:8

ROSH HASHANA: Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse staff members extend a New Year’s greeting to all of our friends near and far. The Jewish year begins with the celebration of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana (Head of the year) and Yom Kippur, followed by Succot. Rosh Hashana, also known as the Feast of Trumpets, begins in 2011 at sunset September 28. The customary greeting during this time "Shanna Tovah," means "May you have a good year." Apple slices dipped in honey represent the hope of sweetness in the coming seasons. On the first day of the seventh month in the Jewish calendar - Rosh Hashana - Israel is told to blow the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. The shofar was blown in ancient Israel for various reasons: If there was danger, if important information was being proclaimed, if the king was coming to visit, the shofar was blown. The blowing of the ram’s horn during the Feast of Trumpets announces a time of soul searching and repentance ahead of the coming Day of Judgment- Yom Kippur.

SPAIN RECOGNIZES ISRAEL AS JEWISH HOMELAND FOR THE FIRST TIME: Spain’s Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez presented a new policy for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Saturday, declaring Israel as the homeland of the Jews for the first time and saying that the issue of Palestinian refugees should be solved in such a way that it does not compromise Israel’s current demographic makeup of a Jewish majority. Jimenez’s speech before the United Nations General Assembly is particularly dramatic in light of the fact that Spain is considered the leading EU country to support Palestinian rights. Adopting such a pro-Israel stance may lead other countries to follow suit. (Ha’aretz) Pray indeed that this is what will happen.

NETANYAHU EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT WITH ABBAS’ UN SPEECH: PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his disappointment on Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech to the UN General Assembly, during an interview with NBC’s news show “Meet the Press.” Netanyahu stated both that he was trying to move forward the peace process through negotiations, and that the core of the conflict lies with the Palestinians’ persistent refusal to accept Israel’s existence. When asked about threats facing Israel, Netanyahu answered that he is responsible for the “fate of the one and only Jewish state," and he seeks to "erect the wall against insatiable crocodile of Islamism, before it devours us for breakfast.” Netanyahu further rebuffed several Republican presidential contenders’ claims that Obama is “throwing Israel under the bus” by saying that America supports Israel in unprecedented ways. Netanyahu also commented on former President Bill Clinton's claim that the Israeli Prime Minister is not interested in peace by saying that Clinton's successor, President George W. Bush, knows well “how the Palestinian leaders moved away from the Israeli prime ministers' proposals. They didn't come forward, and now they go to the UN." (Ha’aretz) Continue to intercede for PM Netanyahu as the pressures he faces are unrelenting - spiritual as well as temporal.  Pray for divine wisdom and strength to be given to him and for the loyalty of his cabinet as he guides the country.

PRESIDENT ABBAS RECEIVES HERO’S WELCOME IN WEST BANK, DECLARES “PALESTINIAN SPRING”: Thousands of Palestinians cheering and waving flags gave President Mahmoud Abbas a hero's welcome in the West Bank Sunday, as he told them triumphantly a "Palestinian Spring" had been born following his historic speech to the UN last week. Abbas' popularity has skyrocketed since he asked the UN on Friday to recognize Palestinian independence, defying appeals from Israel and the US to return to peace talks. His request has pushed the region into uncharted waters and left the international community scrambling over how to respond. Abbas refrained from commenting on the Mideast Quartet's proposal to re-launch Israeli-Palestinian direct negotiations within a month, saying he must discuss the offer with the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah. Abbas did not utterly reject the idea of renewing direct negotiations but said the proposal must contain several fundamental points. "The Palestinians cannot negotiate any proposal that is not based on 1967 borders and does not ensure a settlement freeze in the West Bank," Abbas said. When asked about the Palestinians' next diplomatic move, Abbas said that all options are on the table, including a request to the UN General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian state as a member. (Ha’aretz) “Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me.  Fight against those who fight against me.”  Ps 34:18

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS IDEA TO GIVE HEZBOLLAH LEADER MILITARY TRIBUNAL IN US: The Obama administration is considering a military trial in the United States for a Hezbollah commander now detained in Iraq, US counterterrorism officials said, previewing a potential prosecution strategy that has failed before but may offer a solution to a difficult legal problem for the government. While the US hasn't made a decision, officials said a tribunal at a US military base may be the best way to deal with Ali Mussa Daqduq, who was captured in Iraq in 2007. He has been linked to the Iranian government and a brazen raid in which four American soldiers were abducted and killed in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala. (Fox News)

ISRAEL TO FOCUS ON DESALINATION TO DEAL WITH WATER WOES: Based on a new plan, expanding the availability of water in Israel will focus on desalination plants. This will make it possible to draw less water from natural water sources, thereby allowing them to be restored to higher levels. The focus on desalination also lessens the risks posed by higher reliance on water resources like Lake Kinneret. The amount of water allocated to agriculture will not drop, however it will be based on purified sewage and non-potable water drawn from water holes. Beginning in the next decade, it will be necessary to double desalination capacity again. Israel will have to invest NIS 200 billion over the next four decades in the development of water installations, but will also be in a position to do so without raising the cost of water to the consumer, according to the blueprint plan for water development recently approved by the Water Authority Council.  (Ha’aretz) Pray in addition to inventive solutions to Israel’s long-term water shortage problems that abundant rainfall will be G-d’s gracious blessing upon the Jewish state and its neighbors this rainy season.

ISRAEL, WORLD CHAMP IN MILK PRODUCTION, HELPS OUT S. KOREA: Israel is the undisputed world leader in per capita milk production – meaning that Israeli cows produce more milk per cow than bovines anywhere else. Representatives of countries around the world flock to Israel for help in improving their dairy output – with Israel happily helping out and improving its relationship with a host of nations, engaging in what could be called “dairy diplomacy.” One country which has turned to Israel for help is South Korea, where the dairy industry has been virtually wiped out over the past year, due to an epidemic foot and mouth disease. Milk from infected cows was destroyed, and by the time it was over, over three million animals had been destroyed. The crisis led South Korean officials to Israel last week to examine some of Israel's technologies. Among the companies the delegation visited in Israel was Netanya's SCR Engineering, the world's largest manufacturer of devices that allow farmers to keep a constant eye on cows, observing them for the first sign of illness or conditions that would hamper their ability to produce milk. The devices can also measure how much cows are eating, and whether changes in feed can increase their milk output. The company offers numerous other solutions, as well.  (INN)

ON THE LIGHT SIDE: ONE HUMP OR TWO? ICE CREAM MADE FROM CAMEL’S MILK TO GO ON SALE IN UK: It has been heralded as a healthy treat, low in fat and containing ten times more iron than cow's milk. But when ice cream made from camel's milk goes on sale in the UK it could give consumers the hump. For the expensive dessert, which is already popular in the Middle East, costs a whopping £4 per scoop. The treat is to be marketed as a health food and will be sourced from Europe's only camel dairy farm in The Netherlands. (MailOnline)

Blessings from Israel 

Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff 

As international speakers and messengers of the Good News through music, Barry and Batya Segal are at the forefront of what God is doing in the present day nation of Israel. With strong ties in both the nations and Jerusalem, the Segals are weaving the deepest roots of our biblical heritage together with the fresh Spirit-filled worship of today to create their rich harmony of Scripture and song.

The Segals have a vast vision for God's purposes in the nations and to the people of Israel. In fact, their longing to help rebuild Israel both spiritually and physically inspired them to pioneer the non-profit charity organization, Vision for Israel and The Joseph Storehouse. This arm of their ministry focuses on assisting the poor and needy, widows and orphans, and reaching out to the new Jewish immigrants coming into the land of Israel. Vision 's most challenging project to date is "The Joseph Storehouse®", humanitarian aid center, located in the hills of Jerusalem. The Joseph Storehouse functions as a channel of blessing to all of Israel, Jewish and Arab, through the gathering and distribution of emergency medical supplies, food, clothing, and other basic life necessities. USA office contact info: Vision for Israel, PO Box 7743, Charlotte NC 28241, 866-351-0075. The Segal's web site is http://www.visionforisrael.com/

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.