JERUSALEM-ON-THE-LINE
August 20, 2012

“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

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD STARTS CRUCIFIXIONS: In a tragic report Friday, Middle East media confirmed that during a recent rampage, Muslim Brotherhood operatives “crucified those opposing Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi naked on trees in front of the presidential palace while abusing others.” Raymond Ibrahim, a fellow with the Middle East Forum and the Investigative Project on Terrorism, said the crucifixions are the product of those who the Arab media call supporters, followers and partisans of the Muslim Brotherhood. Ibrahim further explained the victims can be anyone, including Egyptian Christians. He said extra brutality is reserved for Christians, but the crucifixions are because of Islamic doctrine and are required by the Quran. (WND) The Muslim Brotherhood earlier this year lobbied to convince the US government that it had turned from its violent terrorist behavior and was able to carry out responsible political leadership. The Brotherhood now in full control of Egypt, is by the hour revealing itself to be the head of the terrorist pack of wolves that it is. Pray for protection of Christians in Egypt and for those who are risking a brutal end to their lives by simply voicing a political opinion.

ISRAEL, US CONDUCT JOINT NAVAL EXERCISES: The US and Israeli navies conducted a joint search-and-rescue exercise in the Mediterranean Sea last week. The four-day exercise, known as Reliant Mermaid, included the use of live fire, and the US participants included Aegis guided-missile destroyers of the type that would in theory be used to help defend Israel against Iranian missiles. Although US officials assured that the drill had nothing to do with escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, it is being viewed by some as part of far-reaching preparations in the event of a military encounter with the Islamic Republic. Though the exercise is supposed to be carried out annually, last week is the first time it has taken place in three years. (Ha’aretz)

AHMADINEJAD: ISRAEL THE CANCEROUS TUMOR WILL SOON BE DESTROYED: Leaders of the Islamic Republic are intensifying their crude remarks and insults against Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday told demonstrators holding a protest against the existence of the Jewish state that Israel is a "cancerous tumor" that will soon be finished off. He then said, “Even if one cell of them is left in one inch of Palestinian land, in the future this story of Israel's existence will repeat. The nations of the region will soon finish off the usurper Zionists in the Palestinian land.” Ahmadinejad called Israel's military threats against Iran “a sign of weakness by brainless leaders.” (AFP)

EU AND UN LEADERS CONDEMN HATEFUL IRAN REMARKS ON ISRAEL: The EU’s foreign policy chief on Saturday “strongly condemned” comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who called Israel a "cancerous tumor" with no place in a future Middle East. Catherine Ashton labeled the remarks as being "outrageous and hateful." She said Israel's right to exist must not be called into question. On Friday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the verbal attacks on Israel were "offensive and inflammatory." Ban’s sincerity on behalf of the Jewish state is presently being put to the test by Israel’s leaders who view the UN Secretary’s coming get-together with Ahmadinejad in Tehran as outrageous. Israel in fact is redoubling efforts to persuade UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and leaders of friendly Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) states to stay away from the leadership summit in Tehran at the end of the month. Israel’s PM Binyamin Netanyahu, in a recent telephone conversation with Ban, called on him not to attend the NAM conference scheduled for August 26 to 31. He said such a move would give the Iranians badly craved legitimacy at a time when the country should be completely isolated. (Ynet/J.Post) Pray UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will forgo the NAM gathering in Iran later this month. May he choose not to align himself or the world organization he represents with leaders of the Islamic Republic until their hateful rhetoric against Israel ceases and firm changes are made in their ongoing nuclear weapons development program.

IRAN: IF WAR BREAKS OUT WE WILL ANNIHILATE IDF: Iranian Defense Minister General Ahmad Vahidi vowed last week that should Israel strike its nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic will annihilate Israel’s Defense Forces. “The Israeli leaders are not very smart,” Vahidi said “They are warmongers. All this warlike talk will only see that regime's war machine destroyed.” Vahidi continued that the Israeli debate on whether to strike Iran is a government ploy meant to distract the public's opinion from the Palestinian issue. “The weak, crumbling Zionist regime, which has suffered humiliations in recent wars, cannot deal with Iran's might,” he said. “The threats are a sign of weakness by brainless leaders.” Israel, he added, "is so wary of the Islamic awakening of the Arab Spring, that it's scared of its own shadow. This is why they are trying to use psychological warfare.” (Ynet) “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.” Ps 30:1

WHITE HOUSE CONSIDERING TAPPING INTO OIL RESERVES: With the threat of soaring gasoline prices hanging over the economy and over President Obama's re-election campaign, the White House is considering plans for a release of oil reserves to dampen the rising cost of fuel. The measure is also being considered to prevent high energy costs from undermining the success of Iran sanctions. Washington does not want rising oil prices to create a windfall for Iran while international sanctions are in place to turn the Islamic Republic from its nuclear weapons development. (Reuters/Fox) 

UN ENDS OBSERVER MISSION IN SYRIA: The UN on Thursday called an end to its military observer mission in Syria. “The conditions to continue the mission were not filled,” France's UN ambassador Gerard Araud, the current president of the Security Council, said after a Security Council meeting. “So the mission will come to an end at midnight on Sunday,” he added. The UN mission had been part of envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan, but continued violence made the observers' mission increasingly difficult. Annan recently resigned as UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, complaining of a "clear lack of unity" in the Security Council. (INN)

FORMER INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN AGAINST OBAMA: A group of former military and intelligence officials last week launched a campaign against President Obama, accusing him of claiming undue credit for the Osama bin Laden raid and suggesting the administration leaked classified security information in an effort to prevent Israel from attacking Iran. The group, called Special Operations OPSEC education Fund Inc., released a 22 minute video on its website. In the video, retired CIA agents and other intelligence personnel claim the administration has been leaking security details for political gain, and specifically target the president over his public handling of the raid that killed the al-Qaeda terrorist mastermind. The president has made the assassination of bin Laden a focal point in his re-election campaign, calling it one of the "gutsiest calls of any president in recent history." Navy SEAL Ben Smith said in the video. "The work that the American military has done killed Osama bin Laden. You did not."  (Arutz-7)

POLL: ROMNEY CARES MORE THAN OBAMA ABOUT ISRAEL: The monthly Peace Index poll commissioned by the Israel Democracy Institute asked 516 Israeli Jews whether Obama or Romney “assigns more importance to defending Israel’s national interests.” According to the survey, conducted on August 7-8, 40% of the respondents said Romney, 19% Obama and 10% said “both to the same extent.” Another 25% did not know, while 6% said “neither.” When broken down even further – into the Left, Center and Right camps – Obama only fares well on the Left, with Romney polling significantly better both among those who consider themselves in the Center or on the Right on political-security issues. (J.Post)

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.