JERUSALEM-ON-THE-LINE March 21, 2011

“A fire goes before Him, and burn up His enemies round about. His lightings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.” Ps 97: 3-6 

GRANDMOTHER AND BOY PULLED FROM RUBBLE NINE DAYS AFTER TSUNAMI: Extraordinary news emerged from Japan’s coast yesterday when police reported they had found an 80-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy still alive under rubble in a tsunami-smashed city. Sumi Abe and her 16-year-old grandson, Jin, were pulled from the rubble in the city of Ishimaki after nine days. The teenager was hoisted up before being airlifted to a hospital. He and his grandmother were found buried in the kitchen of their home. The rescuers were scouring debris when they found the elderly woman and the young man. “They were in a much weakened state, but have responded to initial treatment by the rescuers,” said a police spokesman. (MailOnline) “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning.”  Lam 3: 22-23

ISRAELI MEDICAL TEAM HEADS FOR JAPAN: Israeli doctors are headed to Japan in response to an official request by Tokyo for aid from Jerusalem, with a first responder team of two doctors and one officer from Israel's Home Front Command having departed from Ben Gurion International Airport Saturday night. The delegation will do a needs assessment on site in advance of a second team slated to arrive later, with medical equipment, more doctors and other medical professionals. The Foreign and Defense Ministries also are set to ship blankets, coats, gloves and porta-pots to the city of Kurihara. Survivors of the disasters have been streaming in to the city, having been transferred from nearby Sendai, where most of the worst damage is centered. The Japanese ambassador was among those present at the airport to wish the team well on their trip and to express his country's gratitude for the aid. He noted that Israel was one of the first countries to send a medical team to the disaster area. On Thursday, Israel sent 100 Geiger counters to Japan, to help gauge the radiation levels among civilians in contaminated areas around the stricken nuclear reactors.  Another 200 of the devices will be sent next week, following an urgent request by Japanese police and fire officials. So far, the estimated number of dead and missing victims had reached more than 18 thousand people. (INN)  Pray for the safety of brave volunteers entering into areas where so many dangers still linger such as nuclear contamination.

SARAH PALIN VISITING ISRAEL:  Sarah Palin, who ran for Vice President in the 2008 Republican campaign for the White House, will visit Israel this week. The former Alaska governor has campaigned for several candidates associated with the Tea Party movement, and is a possible candidate in the 2012 presidential election.  According to IDF Radio, the conservative leader's visit is labeled as a private one, but she will be meeting PM Binyamin Netanyahu as well as other nationalist figures, including MK Danny Danon (Likud).  She is expected to visit the Kotel, as well as Nazareth, and will tour Israel by helicopter. Palin has frequently expressed her strong support for Israel.  (Arutz-7)

TRAVEL WITH ROOTS AND REFLECTIONS TOUR TO ISRAEL:  Now is the time to decide to join us for the second Roots & Reflections Tour to Israel - June 12-20, 2011. We’re making exciting plans for you to visit many of the fascinating spots in Jerusalem and in the southern part of Israel. We have flights with El Al to and from Heathrow. Start the process of preparing for this breathtaking journey by contacting Polly at Arch tours in the UK at (44) 01372 843678 for more information and prices. In the USA contact Heather at JDI Tours at 1-800-596-5100, Ext. 10 for price and flight details. We look forward to celebrating memorable, fun days with you in June.

WASHINGTON SAYS PA INCITEMENT “CONCERNS US” – AFTER 4 DAYS OF SILENCE: The US, after four days of silence, expressed ”concern” over the Palestinian Authority’s naming a town square in honor of Dalal Mughrabi, the terrorist responsible for an attack that killed 35 Israelis in 1978. The Palestinian Authority honored her near Ramallah, two days after the massacre of five Jews in the Samaria town of Itamar on the evening of March 11.  Mughrabi was killed while hijacking a bus on the coastal road between Haifa and Tel Aviv where she directed the attack. The expression of “concern” was the same the State Department used in response to PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement to the Palestinian Authority that Israel will build 500 new residential units in Judea and Samaria, in response to the brutal murders carried out by Palestinian terrorists against the Fogel family on March 11. (INN)

ISRAEL STRIKES GAZA AFTER MASSIVE MORTAR BARRAGE ON SOUTH: Israel struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, after a barrage of over 50 mortars were fired into southern Israel earlier in the day. The Israeli air strikes on Gaza wounded five Hamas security officers and a boy, Gaza medics said. Two Israelis were wounded and a home was damaged by the mortars fired from Gaza earlier in the day. Saturday morning's bombardment was the heaviest one launched by Gaza terrorists for months. Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for firing 10 of Saturday's mortars, an unusual move after a long period in which it had let other smaller militant groups do its bidding. "Targeting the enemy's posts was a response to the ongoing Zionist assaults, airstrikes and tanks shelling on the Gaza Strip. The latest was two days ago, where two of our mujahidin were killed," said Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said Israel was holding Hamas "solely responsible for the attacks." Gaza residents reported hearing constant shelling along the enclave's border with Israel and the IDF spokesman said tanks assisted by aircraft were firing at terrorists’ targets in the coastal strip. (Ha’aretz)

WHO CAN I TRUST WITH MY DONATIONS?  Many people ask, "Where can I send my financial contributions and be sure they reach the people who need them most?"  As an employee of Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse, I have witnessed since 2006, food, clothing and household goods go out to the poor, often twice a week. Thousands of dollars of hospital equipment have been freely given to old age and care institutions that simply can't afford new beds or other medical necessities. School packs have been prepared annually for thousands of needy children. Additionally, when there have been catastrophes abroad, Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse are among the first to send necessary supplies to alleviate the distress. Your donations are needed and welcomed at www.visionforisrael.com  Make your online donations today. For residents in the UK and outside North America visit our website at www.josephstorehouse.co.uk   (Hannah)

UN APPROVES AIRSTRIKES TO HALT ATTACKS BY GADDAFI FORCES: The UN Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military action, including airstrikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery and a no-fly zone, aimed at averting a bloody rout of rebel forces as Gaddafi's troops advanced to within 100 miles of the rebel capital of Benghazi. The resolution passed with 10 votes, including the US, and abstentions from Russia, China, Germany, Brazil and India. Officials in Britain, France and the US were all adamant that Arab League forces take part in the military actions and help pay for the operations, and that it not be led by NATO, to avoid the appearance that the West was attacking another Muslim country. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Sunday airstrikes on Libya by Western countries amounted to terrorism and that he would defeat his enemies. He said his country was preparing for a long war and that all Libyans were carrying weapons to defend the country."We will not leave our land and we will liberate it," he said. The television broadcast carried Gaddafi's voice, without showing any images of him. "Who are you, Barbarians? We will defeat you. We will not die – you will die," he said. "We are not afraid. Libya will rise against you and spread weapons to all the Libyan people and they will destroy all the British and American traitors and this entire Christian pact. Whoever cooperates with you will die," Gaddafi stated. Libya's government has begun distributing arms to more than one million people and will complete the operation within hours, the state news agency reported on Sunday. (NY Times/Ynet)  “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit retain honor.” Prov 29:23

SYRIA NOT IMMUNE TO PRO-DEMOCRACY CALLS: About 10,000 Syrian police officers and soldiers sealed off the city of Daraa on Saturday, after security forces killed at least five protesters there. The unfolding events offered the first sign the Arab world's pro-democracy push is seeping into one of the region's most repressive countries. Residents were being allowed to leave the southwestern city of Daraa but not enter it yesterday The cordon seemed aimed at choking off any spread of unrest after Friday's clashes and yesterday's emotional funeral processions for the dead. Syrian security forces launched a harsh crackdown on Friday's demonstrations, which were calling for political freedoms. Protests took place in at least five cities around the country, including the capital of Damascus.  Thousands of mourners called on Saturday for "revolution" at the funeral of protesters killed by Syrian security forces, the boldest challenge to Syria's rulers since uprisings began sweeping the Arab world. Security forces responded by firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Still on Sunday thousands of Syrians turned out to continue demonstrations and protests. (Ha’aretz)

EUROPEAN COURT: CRUCIFIXES ACCEPTABLE IN CLASSROOMS: The European Court of Human Rights ruled Friday that crucifixes are acceptable in Italian public school classrooms, in a decision that has implications in 47 countries. The ruling overturned a decision the court had reached in November 2009 in which it said the crucifix could be disturbing to non-Christian or atheist pupils. Several European countries appealed that ruling. The case originated in Italy, and Friday's final verdict was immediately welcomed in Rome and at the Vatican. (Fox News)

Blessings from Jerusalem,

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.