Israel 2008

1. Israel 2008

2. Headline Bush on his first visit to Israel as president: Our alliance guarantees Israel’s security as a Jewish state Headline Debkafile January 9 2008 Event “We see new opportunities for peace in the Holy Land and the region,” said US president George W. Bush in the red-carpet state ceremony at Ben-Gurion, Wed. Jan. 9. His 50-hour stay in Israel and the Palestinian Authority began amid high security and general scepticism about the prospects of his two-state solution of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute taking off by the end of his presidency. His first appointments are with president Shimon Peres and prime minister Ehud Olmert. Thursday, he meets Palestinian leaders in Ramallah and Israeli opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu. The US president will also pay private visits to Bethlehem and Galilee. More than 8,000 Israeli police were drafted to secure the visit. Comment Zion / Jerusalem is the apple of the Lord God’s eye we are told in Zechariah 2:8. The day before President Bush flew out to Jerusalem we read Psalm 17 in the daily readings. Righteous King David wrote this Psalm – asking God to keep him as the “apple of the eye”. He then speaks of deadly enemies oppressing him and speaking proudly. He then compares these enemies to a “young lion”. He then refers to the young lion as “him”. He calls on God to disappoint HIM and cast HIM down. David then speaks of the resurrection in the final verse of Psalm 17. It is interesting that President Bush has just visited the “apple of God’s eye”. America is symbolically described as a “young lion”. Has he gone there as a friend or enemy? As he is encouraging Israel to divide Jerusalem – the apple of God’s eye he has surely gone there as an enemy of the righteous. David’s prayer therefore becomes our prayer in verse 13. “Arise, O LORD, disappoint HIM, cast HIM down.” We know these godless plans will fail – the resurrection is near. Bible Quote Psalm 17 12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: Bush on his first visit to Israel as president

3. Bush urges end of Israeli occupation Headline Bush urges Israeli occupation end Headline BBConline January 10 2008 Event US President George W Bush has said Israel must end its occupation of some Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state. He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation. It is thought to be Mr Bush's strongest public statement pressing Israel to give up land it seized in the 1967 war. He was speaking in Jerusalem following two days of separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Comment President Bush has told Israel this week that it must end the occupation of land that it captured in 1967. America thinks it is acting as a friend to Israel though in fact it is encouraging Israel to think as a harlot. Israel has been gradually seduced over the last 40 years that by giving up land given to them by God will bring peace. America has finally decided this is the case as well and is now pursuing this action with all its energy. It is this final push by a so called “friend” that will bring destruction. In Jeremiah 2, we read about Israel forsaking God and God’s answer to this. Verse 7 in the NIV reads “I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.” In verse 14 God continues “Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?” WHAT IS THE ANSWER?..... “The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste”. God did indeed bring them into a fertile land. (It was barren though before Israel arrived.) Israel has been chosen to be HIS witness. God has regathered them. But note again that it is the “young lions” that roar and yell and cause the land to be made waste. The King of the North will accomplish this. Bible Quote Jeremiah 2 15 The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.

4. Bush/ Blair about peace Headline Bush 'hopeful' for Mid-East peace Headline BBConline January 10 2008 Event US President George W Bush has said he is "very hopeful" that Israeli and Palestinian peace talks can succeed. After talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, Mr Bush said he was prepared to exert pressure so that a deal could be reached this year. Mr Bush is using his first trip as president to Israel and the West Bank to boost peace talks begun last year. Mr Olmert said he was committed to dealing with the core issues of the conflict with the Palestinians. Comment It's a historic opportunity to work for peace," Mr Bush said. "If there needs to be a little pressure then you know I will provide it." We saw on the previous slide that Jeremiah 2 speaks of the “young lions” roaring and yelling. The amplified version of the Bible says that the young lions roared over Israel and “made their voice heard”. Is this not what is happening here. Bush says he will exert pressure on Israel. He is making his voice heard! Not only that but Tony Blair has also added his voice this week as well saying that there was “no option” but to have Israel and Palestine as two separate states living side by side. And so we are listening to talk of peace. We know from 1 Thessalonians 5:3 that when people are talking about peace that sudden destruction comes. How long will these peace talks go on until this destruction does come? We do not know. But we do know that this verse does NOT say when there IS peace but when they SAY peace. In other words when they are talking, speaking and exhorting about peace. Bible Quote 1 Thessalonians 5 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. The word “say” = mention, speak about, teach, exhort!!

5. Former chief rabbi – letter to Bush Headline Former chief Rabbi to Bush: Don't act against God’s will Headline Israelnews January 10 2007 Event In a letter handed to US President George Bush Thursday, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu admonished the US president to avoid any course of action that would harm the Jewish nation. “The Jewish nation is eternal, and forever remembers those that have aided it throughout history, as well as those that have done it harm. Please let your name go down in history as a president who aided the Jewish nation, who worked alongside God and not against him,” wrote the rabbi. Rabbi Eliyahu began his letter with greetings for President Bush and praise for his efforts to bring peace to the region. With that, he then told the American president that “his agenda for peace goes against the will of God”. Comment The Rabbi continued and stressed that “anyone who accepts the bible as the word of God must keep in mind that God had promised the land of Israel to the Jewish people alone. The Ishmaelites have no part of this divine guarantee.” This letter written on parchment, much like a Torah scroll was handed to the president. It was signed by the News Jewish Congress, the Sanhedrin, and the Temple Mount Faithful Movement. This World Watch has tried to show that the involvement of America as a young lion in the final division of the “apple of God’s eye” will bring destruction on Israel. President Bush has been warned of this in a personal letter. The will of God is NOT for Israel to be divided. It is NOT a land for the descendents of Ishmael. Though the king of the south is against the king of the north (who invades Israel) it appears that it is the king of the south that finally persuades Israel to give up her land and hence the final judgement on Israel comes. President Bush has been warned. Bible Quote Ezekiel 33 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

6. UN Secretary ‘stop Gaza violence’ Headline UN Secretary calls on Israelis and Palestinians to stop Gaza violence Headline Debkafile January 19 2008 Event UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appealed Friday night, Jan. 18, to Palestinians for “an immediate cessation” of sniper and rocket attacks and for “maximum restraint” by the Israeli military. The UN secretary’s appeal came four days after Hamas and its allies fired 165 Qassam, 76 mortar rounds and one Katyusha rocket at Israeli civilian locations, causing injuries and damage. Israeli operations to quell the attacks left 30 Palestinians dead, but failed to halt them. Ban Ki-moon finally stepped in when Israel closed the border crossings into the Gaza Strip and cut fuel supplies for the duration of the Palestinian bombardment. Friday night, the Israeli air force bombed empty Hamas ministry and military buildings in Gaza. A woman was killed at a wedding taking place near the ministry building and 50 people injured. Comment This week has seen a massive increase in violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 165 Qassam rockets have been fired at Israel in just a few days. The graph above shows the number of rockets fired at Israel from 2002 until now. You will note the sudden increase - remarkably this coincided with Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in the year 2005. Since then the attacks have constantly increased. Far from bringing peace, Gaza has become an ever increasing thorn in Israel’s side. Though the Palestinians may not be directly related by descent to the ancient Philistines it seems clear that the two peoples have a huge amount in common. The Philistines dwelt in the same cities and controlled much of the same coast as the Gaza Strip, and the term 'Palestine' is cognate with the word Philistine. After 2000 years, Israel was recreated and at the same time so were their ancient enemy….. Bible Quote Ezekiel 25 15 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. Number of Qassam rockets fired at Israel

7. Israel test fires nuclear capable missile Headline Israeli test-fires new long-range missile Headline Associated Press January 17 2008 Event Israel on Thursday successfully tested a new long-range missile, senior defence officials said, and reports indicated the missiles are capable of being armed with nuclear warheads. Israel radio reported the ground-to-ground missile can carry conventional or non-conventional warheads. The radio report named the missile "Jericho-3," meaning it would be an advanced version of the current Jericho missiles already said by foreign intelligence agencies to be capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Comment With all the talk of peace in recent weeks and all the “optimism” of President Bush that Israel and the Palestinians will finally live together (in two states) in harmony we still see increasing preparations for conflict. Nations do not test missiles of this nature as a matter of course. It is looked upon by enemy nations as sabre rattling and threatening behaviour. The Iranian leader spoke shortly after Israel announced it had test-fired a ballistic missile. He said, "The Zionist regime... would not dare attack Iran. It knows that any attack on Iranian territories would prompt a fierce response. The Zionist entity... is not lacking new weapons in its arsenal, but I believe it will not save it from its doomed collapse." Joel 3 is a chapter speaking of the final conflict over Israel. It speaks of all nations being gathered to Israel to battle. It speaks of the land being “parted” or “divided”. It speaks of destruction coming on the coasts of the Philistines (Gaza). It also speaks of the huge preparations for war beforehand. With nations beating their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears. In other words the nations put their energy/resources not into living peacefully but into the military and weapons. Bible Quote 1 Thessalonians 5 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

8. Palestinians crash through border Headline Desperate Palestinians Crash Through Border Headline ABCnews January 23 2008 Event Palestinian militants blew up sections of the security fence between Gaza and Egypt overnight, triggering a mass exodus as thousands of refugees crossed into Egypt in search of food and supplies. Comment This event may be significant. So far Egypt has been unable to stop Palestinians pouring over the Gaza/Egypt border. The 10km long wall along southern Gaza has almost totally been demolished. Announcing that Egypt would not expel the hundreds of thousands of Gazan Palestinians who have crossed into N. Sinai, President Hosni Mubarak redeployed his special border force from the Gazan border to points further south. This has effectively handed over to the control of Hamas-led Palestinian terrorist organizations northern Sinai enclave of roughly 855 sq, km., twice the area of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. And so suddenly, Hamas has acquired a new stronghold outside Israel’s military reach while their missiles and guns retain access to Israeli targets from the Gaza Strip. Hamas must retain the ability to continually improve its strategic position vis-à-vis Israel by bringing in more advanced weaponry to Gaza - mines, antitank weapons, longer range and more powerful rockets, and even surface-to-air missiles. The key for Hamas is to control the Gazan border with Egypt. If Egypt does not stop the situation Israel maybe forced to act itself. At some point they will have to launch a military operation to re-secure Gaza's southern border, and perhaps re-occupy the Philadelphi Corridor. (the strip of land along the border of Gaza and Egypt). We watch these events knowing that any change in borders (or control of borders) around Israel will bring trouble. Let us watch developments! What we do know is that Russia will one day pass through this very border to Egypt. Bible Quote Daniel 1141 He shall enter also into the glorious land,…. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

9. Military action over Iran left to Israel Headline Israel may have to take military action against Iran: Bolton Headline MiddleEastTimes January 21 2008 Event Former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said on Monday that Israel may have to take military action to prevent its archfoe Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb. Bolton also said that further UN sanctions against the Islamic republic will be ineffective in stopping Iran's controversial nuclear programme which Israel and the US believe is aimed at developing a bomb -- a claim denied by Tehran. "One can say with some assurance that in the next year the use of force by the United States is highly unlikely," Bolton told AFP on the sidelines of the Herzliya conference on the balance of Israel's national security. "That increases the pressure on Israel in that period of time... if it feels Iran is on the verge of acquiring that capability, it brings the decision point home to use force," he said. Comment It does seem as though America has given up on the idea of attacking Iran and has passed the baton to Israel. There are a number of reasons for this change. A recent US report concluded that Iran had not attempted to produce nuclear weapons. Also America continues to be stretched from a military point of view. It does not want another conflict. There have been an increasing number of comments from senior US people saying that Israel must shoulder the responsibility of attacking Iran. John Bolton (quoted above) also said once Tehran has the weapon there is a risk of retaliation with nuclear capability “and that’s why Israel is in danger it is a very small country and two or three nuclear weapons (and) there is no more country. The window of time available is narrow.” A senior Israeli security official commented on the American ex-official’s words: "One should listen very closely to what Bolton has to say.” With Bible in hand we can see how Israel IS isolated at the end. How Iran is left able to attack Israel with Russia. America (young lion) is left on the sidelines. Bible Quote Ezekiel 16 37 I am going to gather all your lovers, with whom you found pleasure, those you loved as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you….

10. Israel launches spy satellite from India Headline India launches Israeli satellite Headline BBConline January 21 2008 Event India has successfully launched an Israeli spy satellite into orbit, officials at the Sriharikota space station in southern India say. The Israeli press is reporting that the satellite will improve Israel's ability to monitor Iran's military activities. Indian officials say that given these sensitivities, the operation was secret and carried out under tight security. The Tecsar satellite - sometimes referred to as the Polaris - was put into space on Monday morning and is already operational. Comment Apparently Israel took the decision to launch the satellite from India three years ago, and asked for Delhi's help because it lacks a vehicle capable of boosting the satellite into a polar orbit. One defence analyst said "The kind of low-earth polar orbit they are putting the satellite into, it is meant to give Israel the capability to keep an eye on the Iranian nuclear programme, this is bound to be seen in the Islamic world as a sinister tie-up between Israel and India.” We may wonder at there being any link between Israel and India. But the Bible records that in ancient times there was a link. Solomon traded with a land called Tharshish. The land was famed for ivory, peacocks and apes. Many consider that this land was India. In later years Britain became known as Tarshish. In modern history Britain and India (and Israel) are closely linked together. India was a key country in the British Empire. India is one of the “young lions” of Tarshish in Ezekiel 38 that is NOT part of the Gogian force attacking Israel. Therefore we would expect India to be “onside” with Israel at the time of the end. Look at the World War 1 poster above. It shows the old lion (Britain) calling on the “young lions”. India is named as one of them Bible Quote Ezekiel 38 13 the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil?

11. Ahmadinejad's war of words with Israel Headline Ahmadinejad's war of words with 'filthy' Israel Headline Daily Telegraph January 31 2008 Event Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, has once more threatened Israel, declaring that the "filthy" Jewish state's days are numbered and that it will collapse. In a speech given in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr, carried live on state-run television and directed at world leaders, Ahmadinejad advised listeners to "abandon the filthy Zionist entity which has reached the end of the line.“ "It has lost its reason to be and will sooner or later fall," he went on. "The ones who still support the criminal Zionists should know that the occupiers' days are numbered." Ahmadinejad has made his hostility to the nation of Israel clear on several occasions, threatening it with annihilation repeatedly since becoming president of the Islamic republic in 2005 and denying that the Nazi holocaust ever took place. Comment Iran has most definitely been stirred up. The current Iranian president has said many times that Israel will be destroyed but this latest rant is possibly the worst. But is it all talk? Will Iran help to bring about a calamity in Israel. The Bible says it will. Persia is mentioned in Ezekiel 38 as being one of the nations that invade Israel with Russia. In fact if Magog, Meshech and Tubal all refer to Russian territory, then the first nation listed outside Russia is Iran (Persia) in verse 5. What we do know for certain is that Israel will not be utterly destroyed and wiped off the face of the earth. Yes, there is judgement coming on Israel. Yes, Iran will be involved in bringing this judgement upon Israel. Yes, Israel in its current godless state has lost its reason to be. The whole reason for Israel is to be a light to the gentiles. But God has not cast off his people. He will judge / correct them. But even though ALL nations come to an end – Israel WILL NEVER COME TO AN END. Bible Quote Jeremiah 30 11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

12. Terror alert in Israel Headline Terror alert in Israel Headline Debkafile February 1 2008 Event Highway 10 is the main route from northern Israel to Eilat in the south. Since Wednesday, the hotels, port facilities and IDFIDF bases in an around Eilat, at Israel’s southernmost point, have been on terror alert. Hundreds of armed Palestinian terrorists are believed at large in the vicinity of Sinai’s 220-km border with Israel, having headed south under cover of the mass Palestinian stampede out of Gaza, which Egyptian police failed to control. Some are reported heavily armed with anti-tank and anti-air weapons as well as explosives and bomb vests. Comment On the sixth day of the Palestinian surge out of Gaza into northern Sinai, Egyptian intelligence is discovering that, far from being chaotic, it was minutely planned by the fundamentalist Hamas group which rules the Gaza Strip. Egyptian security forces in Sinai have detained Palestinian-al Qaeda teams destined for Israel. Hamas was caged in by Israel to the confines of the Gaza Strip. The people of Gaza were almost imprisoned there with no airport and the sea lanes actively patrolled by Israel. However Hamas has basically forced open the back door by breaking through their southern border with Egypt. Many thousands of Gazans have poured out of Gaza into Sinai. However the concern for Israel is this. Israel has a 220 km border with Sinai. This border is fairly porous and militants could enter Israel through gaps along it. When Israel existed before during the time of the Kings, there was a small strip of land called Philistia where the Philistines lived. The area of ancient Philistia is almost identical to the area of the modern Gaza Strip where the Palestinians live. When Israel did evil God delivered them into the hand of the Philistines. See Judges 13:1. Israel has rejected God again. The verse below may have a latter day fulfilment. Bible Quote Isaiah 9 12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. Note verse 16 – Israel’s leaders are to blame!

13. Earthquakes strike Lebanon & Israel Headline 1) Magnitude 4.0 earthquake shakes Israel 2) Magnitude 5 Earthquake Strikes Lebanon Headlines Israel News / Associated Press February 12 &15 2008 Event 1) A mild earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter Scale was felt across Israel Monday night, from Kiryat Shmona in the north to the Jerusalem area. 2) An earthquake shook parts of Lebanon and neighbouring countries Friday, causing minor damage and slightly injuring five people, police said. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was a magnitude 5 quake, which can cause considerable damage. Residents of Syria, Jordan, the West Bank and Israel also reported feeling the tremor. The earthquake was centred near the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre. Comment Two earthquakes have shaken Israel this week. Not huge but surely a warning to the nation and to us that the major earthquake long expected draws near. There were two earthquakes that shook Israel in one week in October 2007. There are those who study these events who believe a large earthquake in Israel could happen anytime. Rami Hofstetter is head of the Geophysical Institute of Israel. "Saying Israel will be subject to a major earthquake is like saying the sun will rise tomorrow. A major quake in on the way," he said. "We just don't know where it's going to hit." With Bible in hand we know for certain a massive earthquake will hit Israel soon. We also know it will be the prelude to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. Christ’s return is as certain as sun rising on the earth tomorrow. In fact Malachi says so in the verse below! Let us make sure that we fear the Lord God - for those who fear His name will be healed. Bible Quote Malachi 4 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

14. Temple Mount damaged by quake Headline Islamic Movement blames Israel for quake-induced hole on Temple Mt. Headline Haaretz February 16 2008 Event The 5.3-magnitute earthquake that jolted Israel on Friday shook open a large hole on the Temple Mount plaza, near the Dome of the Rock. Al-Aqsa mosque officials belonging to the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch covered the hole with wooden planks following afternoon prayers. The officials, who also said the quake caused cracks in several local residential buildings, said the hole was a meter deep, two meters long and meter and a half wide. The Islamic Movement blamed Israel for the hole, saying Israel is digging tunnels in the area that undermine the stability in the area of the Al-Aqsa mosque. The organization urged Islamic states to take action to stop Israeli excavations in the area. Comment It just shows how fragile the area of the Temple Mount is. Both physically and politically. The earthquake this week that was relatively minor in strength has opened up a large hole on the Temple Mount plaza. It is interesting that the Arabs instantly blamed Israel for the collapse. Note as well the Islamic Organisation urged Islamic states to take action to stop Israeli excavations. The Temple Mount site is the very site of the first and second Temple’s that the Jews built. King David wanted to build a “house for the Lord” but God said that his descendent would do so - not him. This descendent would build a house for God’s name and the throne of that descendent would last forever. Solomon, David’s son, built God the first Temple but his kingdom did not last forever. The greater son of David, Jesus Christ, will return and build God a house on the very site of the current Temple Mount. No earthquake will destroy it. It will last forever and ever. Bible Quote 2 Samuel 7 12 will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

15. Syria vows to strike back at Israel Headline Syria vows to strike back at Israel for Imad Mughniyeh’s killing in Damascus Headline Debkafile February 15 2008 Event Thursday night, February 14, Syrian officials fanned out among Arab broadcasting stations with a warning: Damascus will attack Israel shortly following a decision by Syrian leaders to end its policy of restraint against its territorial violations. Israeli land, sea, air and homeland defence units were earlier ordered to prepare to defend the country’s northern borders against attacks by Hezbollah, including rocket strikes, and Syria. Reinforcements were rushed to the north. Comment Last week an infamous terrorist leader of Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyah, was killed in a car bomb in Damascus the capital of Syria. Mugniyah has been implicated in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy, and U.S. Marine and French peacekeeping barracks, which killed over 350, as well as the 1992 bombings of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and the kidnapping of dozens of foreigners in Lebanon in the 1980s. Syria, Iran and Hezbollah have vowed revenge. On Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the blast and warned it was ready for "open war". Syria has said it will soon present "irrefutable" proof of who was behind the killing. Meanwhile Israel prepares for retribution as they know they will be blamed. Note the verses below. Many different peoples that surround Israel consult together to destroy the nation. One of the peoples are those of Tyre. Tyre in Lebanon is the stronghold of Hezbollah! Tyre was also the epicentre of this weeks earthquake that shook Israel! We see events moving closer and closer to conflict with Israel. Bible Quote Psalm 83 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 have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre

16. Palestinians 'may declare state‘ Headline Palestinians 'may declare state' Headline BBConline February 20 2008 Event A senior Palestinian official has said the Palestinians ought to unilaterally declare a state if peace talks with Israel fail. Yasser Abed Rabbo is a top aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and a member of the team currently negotiating with Israeli officials. He said the Palestinians deserved independence more than Kosovo. His comments come a day after talks between Mr Abbas and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert closed without visible progress. The meeting is the latest in a series between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators and leaders, which was set in motion at a US-sponsored peace conference three months ago. The aim, declared by US President George W Bush, is to achieve a peace deal by the end of 2008. Comment On Sunday, Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo declared independence, in a move that has been welcomed by the US and some leading European states. Within days the Palestinians said if Kosovo can why can’t we! “Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence", a top Palestinian leader said. The ramifications of Kosovo’s declared independence may be far reaching as the next WWW slide shows. In the parable of the fig tree Jesus says “Behold the fig tree and ALL the trees”. The fig tree is symbolic of Israel. We could only “behold” Israel as a nation in its whole land and whole capital in 1967. The fig tree / Israel was a newly created nation. But Jesus says look at ALL the trees. In other words look for other newly created nations. There has never been so many new nations created than in the last 50 years. The graph on this slide shows the huge increase in new independent nations (symbolic trees). Bible Quote Luke 21 29 Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; Number of Independent Governments since 1902

17. Headline Heavy storm exposes Russian Syria-based spy ship off Israel shore Headline Debkafile February 22 2008 Event DEBKAfile’s military sources reveal that the Russian Amur 1 Class PM 138 naval boat, caught up in the heavy storm raging across the Middle East and Mediterranean last week, flashed a distress signal Tuesday Feb. 19. The vessel was on its way from a Syrian port to Sevastopol on the Black Sea when it was thrown off course by the high seas. A Greek Navy frigate responded to the call and escorted the PM 138 to the island of Chios. The Russian Navy spokesmen said the ship’s crew numbered 99. It was unarmed and was heading for home port after a long stay at one of the Syrian Mediterranean bases. Comment Russian naval vessels are spending long periods running into months at the Syrian military bases of Latakia and Tartous. Russia has recently has sent warships into the Eastern Med for the first time in decades. Israel officials prefer to ignore this mounting Russian naval presence to the north so as not to mar relations with the Russian president Vladimir Putin. So why has Russia got a spy ship off the shores of Israel? What are its intentions? Without the Bible we would have no idea. With Bible in hand we see the evidence for what God says will happen. He clearly states that the king of the north (Russia) will come with many ships. Daniel 11:40! As we see Russian ships massing in the Med and spy ships leaving Syrian ports we see God’s plan working to a conclusion. The Jews who have returned in unbelief on the whole do not consider God’s word and so instead decide to ignore the peril off their shores in case they upset Putin! How different their decision would be if they believed in God’s Word! With a clear vision of what WILL happen helps us make the right decisions now in our personal lives. Where there is no vision – the people perish. Bible Quote Proverbs 29 18 ¶ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Russian spy ship off Israel shore

18. Headline Israel to vanish, says Hezbollah Headlines BBConline February 22 2008 Event Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has told thousands of supporters at a rally in Lebanon that the disappearance of Israel is inevitable. "The presence of Israel is but temporary and cannot go on in the region ," he told the Beirut rally. Speaking by video link, he again hinted at revenge for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Syria. Hezbollah accuses Israel of being behind the death of Imad Mughniyeh, although Israel denies involvement. Comment As well as the Hezbollah leader speaking of Israel “vanishing” we have also heard again from Iran’s leader this week as well. Addressing a large rally that was televised on state TV, he said “World powers have created a black and dirty microbe named the Zionist regime and unleashed it like a savage animal on the nations of the region.” These increasingly belligerent statements are seen as betokening serious intent by Israel’s politicians and military leaders. . Israel's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi told graduating officers Wednesday, February 20, that he could not rule out a possible "tough ordeal" in the near future. Patriot air defence missiles have been deployed near the city of Haifa, which was bombarded with rockets during the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. Israel is "prepared on all fronts", said Defence Minister Ehud Barak. War appears close. Israel is surrounded on all sides. Russia has been turned back and ready to overflow. Israel is living “safely” or confidently. Tourism is booming. The streets and restaurants are packed. The exterior wall is working. The situation just prior to the final conflict in Ezekiel 38 is before our very eyes. Bible Quote Ezekiel 38 11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, (confidently) Israel to vanish, says Hezbollah

19. Headline Part of Jerusalem Officially Labelled PA Territory Headline Israelnationalnews February 27 2008 Event Israeli authorities have placed several signs near the Atarot area in northern Jerusalem recently warning travellers, “You are entering territory under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Israelis are absolutely forbidden to enter!” Approximately 25,000 residents of Jerusalem, some of them Israeli citizens, live in the areas now designated as PA territory. Jerusalem Forum chairman Aryeh King said Wednesday that approximately 1,200 dunams of property owned by Jews were located beyond the signs. The government violated laws regarding Jerusalem by putting up the signs, King said. The signs prove the government is acting to make its policy of splitting Jerusalem a reality, he said. Comment It appears from this headline in Israel National News.com that the division of Jerusalem is becoming a reality. There are areas of Jerusalem designated as Palestinian territory but never have they been signed in such a way. Never has there been official warning for Israelis not to enter. Behind the scenes the discussions continue about Jerusalem. We have noted before how the current political leadership has conceded that Jerusalem will have to be divided to give the Palestinians their own capital of their own state. It is another sign to us that Israel lives in the land in unbelief. There care nothing for God and his plan. They want purely to survive and believe this is the best way of doing it. However, as we know, the only way to ultimately survive is to put your trust in God. If only they understood “if God be for us, who can be against us.” Romans 8:31. Jerusalem continues to be a burdensome stone. Israel has also burdened themselves with it. They will suffer great destruction because they have done so. Bible Quote Zechariah 12 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, Part of Jerusalem Officially PA Territory

20. Headline Israeli minister vows Palestinian 'holocaust‘ Headlines Daily Telegraph February 29 2008 Event A senior Israeli politician provoked controversy today when he warned that Palestinians firing rockets from Gaza would be punished with a "bigger holocaust" from Israeli armed forces. The use of the Hebrew word for holocaust, "shoah", tends to be used exclusively in Israel to describe the Nazi persecution of Jews. Palestinian activists routinely claim to be suffering a "shoah" at the hands of Israel, but the Jewish state normally denies any moral equivalence between the suffering of Palestinians today and European jewry under the Nazis. Matan Vilnai, deputy defence minister, broke that taboo when he used the term "shoah" during interview on Army Radio. "The more qassam fire intensifies and the rockets reach a longer range, they (the Palestinians) will bring upon themselves a bigger shoah because we will use all our might to defend ourselves," he said. Comment More than 60 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in the violence since Wednesday. It is a desperate situation for Israel. They do not want to invade Gaza and yet they are subjected to hundreds of rockets being fired into Israel each week. The rockets are fired in the general direction of Israeli towns and only occasionally hit. When they do though they cause damage, fear and (this week) death. It is interesting that the article above mentions “controversy” in relation to the “holocaust”. In Isaiah 34 quoted below God speaks of the “controversy of Zion”. Zion is another name for Jerusalem. The controversy over Jerusalem WILL cause another holocaust. Holocaust means “completely burnt”. Amazingly the verse below links both themes. “Controversy” and complete “burning” of the land. Bible Quote Isaiah 34 8..the controversy of Zion. 9 ¶ And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, ……. and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. Minister vows Palestinian 'holocaust'

21. Eight killed at Jerusalem school Headline Eight killed at Jerusalem school Headline BBConline March 7 2008 Event Eight people have been killed and nine wounded by a Palestinian gunman who infiltrated a Jewish seminary in West Jerusalem, Israeli officials say. Witnesses said the gunman went into the library at the Mercaz Harav seminary in the city's Kiryat Moshe quarter and opened fire. The assailant, who Israeli police said was a resident of East Jerusalem, was shot dead by an Israeli army officer. The attack is the worst of its kind in Israel for a number of years. The gunman entered the library at the Mercaz Harav seminary on Thursday evening, where about 80 students were gathered, and fired an AK-47 rifle for several minutes, witnesses say. Comment Israel saw an horrific attack on a Bible school in Jerusalem this week. The most concerning thing from Israel’s point of view is that this attack came “from within”. The Palestinian gunman came from East Jerusalem. He was an Israeli citizen and worked as a driver in Jerusalem. It was just a short walk from where he lived to the seminary. Israel believes that the so called Security Fence (or wall) will protect them. However the fence cannot protect them if those who want to destroy them live inside. In Ezekiel 13 we read of false Israeli leaders who have seduced the people by promising them peace by building a wall.(v10) However, says God, there is NO peace. Is this not exactly the situation in Israel now? In the verse below it says that these leaders have not made a “hedge” for Israel that will stand in the “day of the LORD. What is interesting is that the word “hedge” can also be translated “fence”. Exactly what Israel calls the wall snaking through its land. It will NOT protect them… Bible Quote Ezekiel 13 5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

22. Attack will be seen in Messianic terms Headline Attack will be seen in Messianic terms Headlines Jerusalem Post March 7 2008 Event While defence establishment officials sitting in the military headquarters in Tel-Aviv ponder the diplomatic-security implications of last night's attack, a totally different analysis will be taking place this weekend around Shabbat dinner tables across Jerusalem and most West Bank settlements. The people directly affected by the deadly terrorist attack on the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva are not just the students, their relatives and friends, but the much wider larger segment of the religious Zionist public. This attack was aimed specifically for the religious Zionist and settler population, and the terrorists knew that by speaking in this language, to these people, their message could only be interpreted in one way. This will be seen in terms of Ishmael and Isaac. Comment This terrorist attack struck at the core of religious Zionism. The school was founded in 1924 and is headed by Rabbi’s. Students spend their time studying the Torah. This particular school is regarded a flagship of national religious Yeshivas (Torah study) Being messianic Jews, these religious Zionists are going to see this attack through the prism of messianic prophecy. Already on religious Zionist radio stations people are talking about the attack in prophetic terms, such as Isaiah 59 verse 20: “And a redeemer will come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.” There is talk of a religious war over the Holy Land. Of course these religious Jews are not looking for Jesus. They are still looking for the first coming of the Messiah. They quote Isaiah 59:20 in this context. However we know from the previous verse (v19) that an enemy will come on Israel like a flood. And at that time when Israel is brought to its knees they will see their Redeemer. It WILL be Jesus Christ - physically here again on earth. Bible Quote Isaiah 59 19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion

23. Headline Quake could kill 'whole generation' of children Headline Haaretz March 11 2008 Event A major earthquake may destabilize the foundations of Jerusalem-area schools and kill thousands of pupils, a Jerusalem municipal official warned yesterday. "If a quake hits between 8 A.M. and 1 P.M., a whole generation will be lost," Avraham Ben Nun told a special Knesset committee investigating earthquake preparedness. Located on the Afro-Syrian rift, Israel is hit by a major quake once a century on average. Last month, a 5.3-magnitude tremor was felt in most parts of the country, raising fears about the possibility of an imminent destructive earthquake. Ministry of Education officials told the committee last month that a large-scale earthquake endangered over half of Israel's pupils, who study at schools built before 1980, the year earthquake building standards were introduced. Tiberias Mayor Zohar Oved told the committee that a hotel in his city was situated directly over a fault line. Oved said that Efraim Laor, the head of an inter-ministerial committee in charge of earthquake preparedness, rejected his request to close the hotel. "The hotel is worth NIS 50 million," Laor was quoted as saying by Oved. "The entire city is located at the meeting point of tectonic plates, perhaps the entire city should be evacuated." Oved rebuked the government for its alleged lack of preparedness. "We're on borrowed time. It could happen any second. My sense is that there's a lot of theoretical talk going on. We need to raise a cry." Comment There is increasing speculation in Israel that a major earthquake is about to happen. It may be because of the growing number of minor earthquakes in recent months that have shaken Israel. The article above is interesting as it speaks of a “whole generation” being killed. It speaks of “borrowed time” and the need “to raise a cry” An earthquake IS coming soon, two thirds in Israel will be killed, we need to raise a cry! Bible Quote Ezekiel 3 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Quake could kill 'whole generation'

24. Headline Revenge Attack Could Mean War Headline Israelnationalnews.com March 12 2008 Event Israel has recently warned Hizbullah that it will not hesitate to retaliate with war for a large scale attack on its citizens, Channel 10 – Nana news reported Wednesday. The Hizbullah attack is expected in revenge for the killing of its operations officer Imad Mughniyeh. Iranian TV vowed that Israel would face its "third destruction" on the 40th day after Mughniyeh's death, which will occur next Saturday, March 22. Israeli intelligence is picking up extensive "chatter" between Hizbullah and Iran but still has not located specific intentions to carry out a terror attack. Israeli military attachés worldwide have been instructed to change their routine movements and retired military persons were warned to exercise caution in their travels. Comment We reported in the WWW 4 weeks ago that a senior member of Hezbollah had been assassinated in Damascus. Israel was blamed. Hezbollah has threatened retaliation following the official 40 days of mourning. These 40 days end next Saturday. Yesterday , Reuters reported that Israel has secretly warned Syria that it may strike the country if Hezbollah attacks the Jewish state. The Lebanon war in 2006 saw Hezbollah claiming victory over Israel. Israel learnt that it is very hard to defeat a guerrilla army. Next time Hezbollah attacks, Israel will not only attack Hezbollah but will attack Syria as well. Syria are after all Hezbollah’s helper and armourer. This is why in the Israeli press this week there is talk of war with Syria. This is why Reuters are reporting the secret warning to Syria from Israel. This is why the US navy has built up its deployment opposite the Lebanese coast. This is why Syria has placed its air and naval bases on a state of preparedness. This is why we should watch and pray. We too need to prepare. We too need to increase our spiritual defences. Our battle though is nearly over. Bible Quote Luke 21 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Revenge Attack Could Mean War

25. Headline Sarkozy: Israel must stop 'colonization‘ Headline Jerusalem Post March 11 2008 Event Israel's security depends upon a halt to "colonization" in the West Bank, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday, as he welcomed his counterpart President Shimon Peres for a five-day state visit. Sarkozy said France would "always be at [Israel's] side" and insisted the best way for Israel to battle terrorism was to help restart the stalled Mideast peace process. French-Israeli ties have warmed considerably under Sarkozy after the 12-year tenure of his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, whom many saw as more pro-Arab. But Sarkozy's France has reacted coolly to Israel's recent announcements that it was stepping up housing and apartment construction in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem. Comment Last Sunday the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved a plan to build up to 750 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. The new building was announced three days after a Palestinian gunman killed eight students at a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem that was associated with the settler movement. The international condemnation of Israel was soon in coming. The French president told Israel to stop “colonisation”. The nations believe that if Israel would just get out of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem all would be resolved – all would be well. The Lord God says clearly in the verse below that he will gather ALL nations to Israel to a final great battle. These nations that are gathered are the ones who have scattered his people among the nations and have “PARTED MY LAND”. The word “parted” is normally translated “divided”. Is this not precisely what the nations of the world are doing. Trying to divide God’s land. He will judge them for this… Bible Quote Joel 3 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 and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Sarkozy: Israel must stop 'colonization'

26. Russia set on Mideast parley Headline Russia set on Mideast parley Headline Jerusalem Post March 26 2008 Event Russia is determined to go ahead with an international Middle East conference in Moscow in June whether Israel likes it or not, government sources told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, summing up Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit here last week. According to the sources, Russia's determination to go ahead with the conference - despite a decidedly cool, though officially noncommittal, reception to the idea from both Israel and the US - stemmed from Moscow's assessment that it desperately needed to increase its involvement in the Middle East and "make its mark" in the region. Comment Russia is determined to get involved in the current “peace” negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The Russian foreign minister’s visit to Israel last week was to ensure that Israel understood that Russia is determined to press ahead with a peace conference in Moscow later this year. Those present at the meetings characterized Lavrov's one-day visit last Thursday as "nasty," saying the Russian minister was agitated throughout his meetings with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and President Shimon Peres. And so we have a “nasty” Russian visit to Israel. We have Russia wanting to “make its mark” in the region. At the meeting it was also agreed that Russia would supply the Palestinians with armoured vehicles with no guns. All of this shows us that the time when Russia WILL invade Israel from the north is near. God will cause Russia to come up upon the mountains of Israel as it says in Ezekiel. Bible Quote Ezekiel 39 1 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

27. Headline Israel to hold massive emergency drill Headline Jerusalem Post March 17 2008 Event In the face of a possible escalation with Syria and Iran's efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon, parts of the country will shut down next month in what security officials say will be the largest emergency exercise in Israel's history. The drill, which is being organized by the newly-established National Emergency Authority, will take place over five days starting on Sunday, April 6. Comment To prove that the previous slide is not just talk and war IS in the air it is not coincidence that next weekend Israel will conduct the largest emergency exercise in its history! April 6th 2008 is actually the first day of Nisan in the Jewish calendar. The first day of Nisan is the beginning of the Jewish Sacred year. The Civil year begins in September but God’s year begins in April. God changed the beginning of the year to April at the time of the Exodus. So next Sunday is the first day of their New Year. On this first day the whole nation will shut down to enact an emergency. We know an emergency is coming. Two thirds living in the land of Israel will be killed. It was on the first day of the first month back in Exodus that the Tabernacle was setup and the work of the priesthood began. If Israel even now turned to the LORD and recognised the true priesthood they would be saved the destruction that is coming. We know however that the nation will only recognise the true priest, the Lord Jesus, when he returns as King and they will look on him whom they have pierced and mourn. See Zechariah 12:10. Let us pray that in the emergency that is fast approaching all those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel hear these words...Acts 2 v 20-22. Bible Quote Exodus 40 1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Exodus 12 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. The month referred to here is the month Nisan (our April) Israel to hold massive emergency drill

28. Headline 1st Temple remains uncovered in dig near Temple Mount Headline Jerusalem Post March 16 2008 Event The remains of a building from the First Temple period have been uncovered in an archaeological excavation just west of Jerusalem's Temple Mount, the Israel Antiquities Authority said on Sunday. The discovery marks the first time in the history of Jerusalem archaeological research that building remains from the First Temple period have been exposed so close to the Temple Mount, the state-run archaeological body said. No archaeological excavations have ever been carried out on the Temple Mount itself due to religious sensitivities. Comment There have been an increasing number of significant archaeological finds in Jerusalem in recent years. These finds have substantiated the Bible account every time. It is almost as if God is reminding the Jewish people of their history, their heritage and where they have come from. Last year King Herod’s tomb was found. Relics from Solomon’s temple were discovered for the first time. A tunnel used in AD70 when the Jews tried to escape the Roman armies was uncovered. And now for the first time a building close to the first Temple and from that period is unearthed. The first temple was built around 1000 BC and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586BC. A second temple was built in 516BC and this was destroyed in AD70. There have been two destructions of Jerusalem. 586BC and AD70. There will be a third. The verse below says there will be 3 overturnings of Jerusalem. Following the third (still to come) the kingship, the crown and sceptre, will be given to he “whose right it is”. The king to come whose right it is , is of course the Lord Jesus Christ. The final overturning, the final and third destruction, will herald his return – as KING. Bible Quote Ezekiel 21 27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. 1st Temple remains uncovered

29. Israel stages major terror drill Headline Israel stages major terror drill Headline BBConline April 8 2008 Event At 10am on Tuesday sirens wailed throughout Israel. Israelis had been given ample warning: "Don't panic, routine drill only." Everyone was urged to take part and to run as fast as possible to their nearest bomb shelter. I was walking along a busy Jerusalem street when the sirens sounded. But the general reaction was muted at best. I didn't see anyone running anywhere. Dubbed "Turning Point 2", this year's exercise includes simulated missile attacks - chemical and biological - on towns. Rescue services are to simulate mass evacuation from populated areas. Hospitals will practise treating thousands of casualties. Comment The Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, never tires of saying that, since 2006, Israel’s armed forces have restored their deterrent strength and the nation has never been more secure. Israel is confident it can overcome any attack. It is this over confidence that perhaps led to the muted response that the BBC reporter witnessed in Israel this week to the emergency drill. However this drill (the largest in Israel’s history) has shown many weaknesses. The sirens warning of attack were not heard in many parts of Israel, including the Knesset (the main government building!) Most people did not know where to find public shelters – none were marked. This drill was called “turning point 2”. A “turning point” is when the tide of war flows in a different direction. Israel believes that it is turning in their favour and they will defeat their enemies. God, however, says that Israel is rebellious. They do not trust in him but in the strength of worldly weapons. Israel will soon realise their folly. Bible Quote Isaiah 30 1 ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me.. 2….to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Israel trusts in worldly things not Godly ones.

30. Negotiating away Jerusalem Headline Negotiating Away Jerusalem Headline The Trumpet April 16 2008 Event The Olmert administration has made a secret pact with the Palestinians, promising to hand over Atarot Airport (Jerusalem airport) in northern Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has agreed, on behalf of Israel, to surrender Atarot Airport to Palestinian control according to a report recently published by local Jerusalem newspaper Kol HaZman. This concession was made during a series of secret talks the Israeli government is conducting with Palestinian Authority negotiators. Staffers in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office and Livni’s press secretary have confirmed that the foreign minister has indeed been conducting negotiations with the Palestinians, but refused to comment further on the issue. Comment Atarot Airport, which is located in northern Jerusalem, was a domestic airport up until it was transferred to Israel Defence Forces control in 2001—after Palestinian terrorists fired shots at the control tower. Since the transfer, Atarot has been used as a springboard to combat Palestinian terrorism. The transfer of this airport to Palestinian Authority control would surrender one of Israel’s strategic assets. Jerusalem municipality officials are saying that this concession would represent a de facto recognition of the division of Jerusalem. Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that dividing Jerusalem would be a "moral and historical mistake.“ He added that "the result of the division of Jerusalem and the subsequent entry of Hamas into the city would be the formation of an Iranian enclave in the city and blowing up the conflict to dimensions we haven't seen until today.“ We see Jerusalem becoming a burdensome stone. The talk of dividing is the same as burdening. Those who do will be cut in pieces. Bible Quote Zechariah 12 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

31. Headline War with Israel is possible and we are getting ready – Assad Headline Debkafile April 17 2008 Event The Syrian ruler Bashar Assad made this statement in a speech in Damascus reported Thursday, April 17. Earlier this week, DEBKAfile’s military sources reported that Damascus has deployed the 10th armoured corps at the Massaneh crossing of Mount Hermon. It links up with the northwestern positions the 14th division took up last month on the Syrian-Israeli border which cuts through the Hermon range. Syrian troops are now strung along a continuous crescent-shaped line from the central Lebanese mountains through Mt Dov on the western slopes of Mt. Hermon and up to southeastern Lebanon. This deployment, commanding Syria’s Israeli and Lebanese borders, is under the command of the president’s brother, Maher Assad. Comment Syria sees war with Israel as a real possibility, and is preparing for such an event, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Wednesday to Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. Speaking to a group of Arab intellectuals, the Syrian president added that whilst war was not a preferable option, "if Israel declares war on Lebanon and Syria or if America declares war on Iran," Damascus will be prepared. For the last 4 weeks we have been highlighting the growing talk of war between Israel and Syria. The troop movements by Syria have shown that at the least Syria is either preparing for war or preparing to defend against an attack by Israel. In Isaiah 17 it speaks of the destruction of Damascus. This has not yet been fulfilled. Damascus is still a city. At the time of the destruction of the city verse 3 says that “the fortress will cease from Ephraim [Israel]”, and in verse 4 “in that day…the glory of Jacob [Israel] will be made thin”. So we might expect at the time Damascus is destroyed that Israel is seriously weakened / made thin… Bible Quote Isaiah 17 1 ¶ The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. Assad – War with Israel is possible

32. Headline Gaza unrest leaves 22 dead Headline BBConline April 16 2008 Event At least 22 people, including five Palestinian children, have died in Gaza's worst day of fighting since Israeli incursions in early March. A Hamas ambush in northern Gaza killed three Israeli troops, Israel's highest daily loss in the area for 3 years. That sparked Israeli air strikes near Bureij refugee camp, which Israel said targeted gunmen, but which left five children among 11 people killed. A cameraman also died when his car was apparently fired on by an Israeli tank. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was gravely concerned by the escalation of fighting and urged both sides to show restraint. At least 100 people were killed during operations launched by Israel in early March after Palestinian rocket attacks on its territory. Comment As war draws nearer with Syria, Israel also is drawn into an increasing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 3 soldiers were killed this week and a dozen seriously injured. Israel does not tolerate this and responds with airstrikes that kill many Palestinians. This in turn provides more reasons for Hamas to strike and so the violence goes on. A recent Israeli study by a research group with close ties to Israel's defence establishment said Hamas was currently engaged in the broadest and most significant military build-up in its history. The Palestinians have a lot of similarities to the ancient enemy of Israel – the Philistines. They live in the same area. Their name "Palestinian" is derived from the Latin word for Philistine. In ancient times God used the Philistines to punish Israel when Israel was wicked. The verse below says exactly this. Israel are doing evil once again in God’s sight. They are rejecting Him, His land and His city, Jerusalem. Bible Quote Judges 13 1 ¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. Gaza unrest leaves 22 dead

33. Bush and Abbas in push for peace Headline Bush and Abbas in push for peace Headline BBConline April 24 2008 Event US President George W Bush has met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as he tries to boost efforts for peace in the Middle East. Mr Abbas is seeking renewed US support in faltering peace talks and more international pressure on Israel. After meeting Mr Abbas, Mr Bush said he remained confident about achieving the "definition" of a Palestinian state by the end of the year. The Palestinian leader said the road to peace was "paved with obstacles". Mr Bush wants to achieve a peace settlement before he leaves office in January, a goal that was set a conference in Annapolis five months ago. Comment There was some talk this week of Hamas agreeing a truce with Israel. However Hamas’s political leader Khaled Meshaal speaking in Syria, where he lives in exile, said the Palestinian state must have "Jerusalem as its capital, with genuine sovereignty, without settlements". Mr Abbas who met President Putin last week met President Bush this week. Mr Bush said he was committed to "a viable state, a state that doesn't look like Swiss cheese, a state that provides hope". The reference to Swiss cheese is the fact that on the West Bank there are many settlements that Israel wants to keep. If they do keep them then they would be pockets of Jewish land in amongst the new Palestinian state. Hence a map would look like Swiss cheese. In effect President Bush is saying that Israel must withdraw from the whole of the West Bank not some of it. In Joel 3 we read of the nations who have “parted” God’s land. The word parted means “apportioned” or “divided”. Bible Quote Joel 3 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 and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

34. 'Hamas planning huge holiday attack’ Headline 'Hamas planning huge holiday attack’ Headline Jerusalem Post April 30 2008 Event Hamas will do everything it can to spoil Israel's 60th birthday bash next week with a high-profile terror attack, OC Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin told the cabinet on Tuesday. Yadlin said intelligence information indicated that Hamas would try to carry out a large-scale operation, similar to the one it failed to pull off on the eve of Pessah at southern Gaza's Kerem Shalom crossing two weeks ago. During that attack - which included heavy gunfire, mortar shell barrages and two car bombs - 13 IDF soldiers were wounded, and four terrorists were killed. Comment We fast approach a very significant anniversary. The 60th birthday of the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed the new State of Israel. In Israel however they do not follow the Gregorian calendar. To them the “date of birth” of the State of Israel is in fact 5th Iyyar. This is Israel’s Independence Day. That was the date on THEIR calendar that Israel was recreated. This year the 5th Iyyar falls on Saturday 10th May. From that date and for several weeks after many celebrations are to occur in Israel and around the world. These celebrations are tempered with the fear of terrorism. Israeli military intelligence (as quoted above) is warning of high profile attacks on Israel during this time. We can be certain that these celebrations of Israel’s existence will madden Israel’s enemies. Over recent years there have been calls for Israel to be “wiped off the map” by Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah. The verse below in Psalm 83 speaks of Israel’s enemies wanting to destroy the nation so that it is no longer remembered. They may use the forthcoming celebrations as an excuse to do just that. Bible Quote Psalm 83 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.

35. Headline Israel will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran Headline Debkafile May 1 2008 Event The Israeli transport minister Shaul Mofaz, speaking at Yale University Tuesday night, April 30, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, warned Iran may attain command of enrichment technology before the end of this year. He said: “Israel will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. This time, the Jewish people won’t let it happen. I would like to believe the world will not let it happen. To prevent this, all means are legitimate.” Israel’s annual Holocaust remembrance ceremonies focused this year on the theme of courage displayed by Warsaw Ghetto Uprising leaders 65 years ago, knowing they were doomed. Israeli’s president and prime minister laid wreaths in their honour at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Institute in Jerusalem. Comment The rhetoric against Iran has really picked up in recent weeks. Both Israel and America have put Iran back in their sights. There was a report in the US last year that suggested Iran was not trying to build a nuclear weapon. It appears now though that neither the Israeli nor the American governments actually believe this. Note that the Israeli minister talks of “all means” being legitimate in stopping Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. He says Israel will not let it happen. America said it had despatched a second aircraft carrier group to the Gulf on Wednesday, as the State Department branded Iran the world's "most active" state sponsor of terrorism. Robert Gates, the defence secretary, said the deployment of two aircraft carrier battle groups in the Gulf was a "reminder" to Tehran of US determination to defend its interests in the region. A showdown with Iran may be approaching. God has stirred up the spirit of the Medes (Iranians) at this time in preparation for the final war over Israel. Bible Quote Isaiah 13 17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Israel will not accept a nuclear Iran

36. Headline Israeli PM questioned by police Headline BBConline May 2 2008 Event Police investigators in Israel have been questioning the Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, under caution. The police have refused to disclose the reasons for the questioning, but Mr Olmert is already the subject of investigations into alleged corruption. Mr Olmert's office said he would co-operate fully with investigators and was sure the allegations against him would be found to be false. The prime minister has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Comment Israel is facing a corruption epidemic one report said recently. Here we have the Prime Minister questioned under caution by police. Is it any surprise that at the time of the end, shortly before Israel is subdued by the nations that we see corruption in the highest places in Israel. Let us not forget that God himself brings the nations against Israel. Why? Read the verse below and it explains! When God wanted his people to return to the land of Israel, He raised up a Persian king called Cyrus to do this. Cyrus helped the Jews to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. See 2 Chronicles 36:22. It was God who stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to do this! Now we see God wanting his people to recognise their guilt. So this time he raises up another Persian king. This time he has stirred up the Iranian leader not to help the Jews but to want to destroy them. Also it is God himself who puts hooks in the jaws of Russia to pull them down to Israel. God knows that it will take this to make Israel realise the folly of their ways. Finally when Christ returns to save the remnant left they will look on him and finally accept him. Bible Quote Isaiah 1 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. (NIV) Israeli PM questioned by police

37. Headline Israel at 60: Internal promise, external threats Headline BICOM May 5 2008 Event Israel at 60 is a society poised between ongoing internal economic and social achievement, and the persistence of external threat. Public opinion research in Israel shows a striking reflection of this reality in the opinions of Israelis. There is a very clear distinction between a sense of optimism regarding how Israelis view their own lives, and a much gloomier sense regarding the general situation faced by Israel. There is a clear contradiction between an underlying optimism and confidence expressed by Israelis regarding their own and their country's situation, and a very real sense of looming threat. 38% of Israeli adults believe Israel to be under ‘serious threat of destruction.' And yet 84% of Israeli adults were convinced that Israel will continue to exist despite the problems and crises. Comment Today is Saturday 10th May. On the Jewish calendar it is the 5th Iyar. The 5th Iyar was the actual date of the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. On our calendar back then it was the 14th May. Over the last 60 years Israel has prospered economically and has become militarily confident. It has had the support of the world’s only super power both financially and militarily as well. But as the report above says the confidence is tapered with gloom. They live under the constant threat of destruction. It is difficult to imagine confidence and at the same time see a looming threat. But that is the present dichotomy. God said repeatedly that he would re-establish Israel in their land. See Ezekiel 11:17, 36:11, 34:13 etc. He says they would live “over confidently” and in unbelief. See verse below. To read a full article on the current situation please Bible Quote Ezekiel 38 8 in the latter years thou [Russia] shalt come.. against the mountains of Israel..: they shall dwell safely all of them. Safely = confidently Israel at 60: Internal promise, external threats Click Here

38. Headline Olmert and Abbas 'make progress‘ Headline BBConline May 5 2008 Event Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert have met in Jerusalem for a new round of talks - their third meeting in a month. Officials said there was progress on the issues of the borders of a future Palestinian state and security arrangements in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just ended a visit to the region. Ms Rice said she still hoped for a peace deal before President George W Bush leaves office in January. Mr Bush is visiting Israel later this month to take part in ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Israeli state. Comment According to reports the differences are narrowing between the Palestinians and the Israelis. "We have made significant progress on the two issues of outlining the borders of the future Palestinian state and the security arrangements between Israel and the Palestinian state," a senior Israeli official said. The whole world is pushing Israel to a 2 state solution. Dividing the land, the capital city and the people. Without a Bible in hand we might well say this idea makes sense. Surely 2 states living side by side in the same land would bring peace. But we know with Bible in hand that it will NOT bring peace. It will bring destruction. Why? Because it is GOD’S LAND. Israel is there because God has placed them there. It is not for them to divide it. In the verse below God says he will gather all nations to Israel because they have “parted my land”. The word “parted” means “divided”. He says in verse 4 “What have you to do with me Tyre and coasts of Palestine” These are the current strongholds of Hamas and Hezbollah who want to destroy Israel! Bible Quote Joel 3 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 and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Olmert and Abbas 'make progress‘

39. Headline Israel: Lebanon turmoil may spread Headline Daily Telegraph May 10 2008 Event Israel has claimed that Iran was behind the terror group Hizbollah's armed struggle with the Lebanese government and warned that the conflict could spill into a wider Middle East crisis. Hizbollah fighters spread virtually unopposed across west Beirut districts loyal to the pro-Western government. After a night of firefights, the mainly Sunni Muslim residents of the capital's west woke to find Shia Hizbollah fighters patrolling the streets. The main compounds of country's two senior political leaders were besieged in a dramatic demonstration of the shift in power. Comment Four days of street battles in Lebanon's capital this week have left at least 24 dead. Lebanon's cabinet has said the seizure of most of western Beirut by the Shia group Hezbollah was "a bloody coup". Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, pointed to Hezbollah's links with Iran's Islamic regime. He said: "It is a new chapter of the battle led by Iran to control all of the Middle East." Lebanon has been on the fringes, and at times at the heart, of the Middle East conflict surrounding the creation of Israel. Syria and Iran control the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon. In 2006 they fought Israel to a standstill . It appears from the Bible that Lebanon is “hewn down” at the time of the end. See verse below. In Isaiah 2:12-17 God speaks of the judgement of the world. Lebanon is specifically mentioned in this context. The ancient capital of this land was Tyre. It is a city today controlled by Hezbollah. We have already quoted this city in Joel 3:4 where God says to Tyre “What have you to do with me”. Let us watch this land. Bible Quote Isaiah 33 9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits. Israel: Lebanon turmoil may spread

40. Bush praises close US-Israel ties Headline Bush praises close US-Israel ties Headline BBConline May 14 2008 Event President George W Bush has underlined the close ties between the US and Israel during a visit coinciding with the country's 60th anniversary. Speaking in Jerusalem, he praised Israel as a model for democracy. Mr Bush has also said he believes Israel and the Palestinians can strike a peace deal by the end of the year. Before he spoke, several people were injured when a rocket fired from Gaza hit the city of Ashkelon. They include a mother and daughter. Earlier in the day, four people were killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza. Comment Correspondents describe President Bush's eyes welling with emotion as he received a standing ovation. He went on to say “We gather to mark a momentous occasion. Sixty years ago in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence, founded on the "natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate." What followed was more than the establishment of a new country. It was the redemption of an ancient promise given to Abraham and Moses and David -- a homeland for the chosen people Eretz Yisrael.” President Bush was right on this point. The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 WAS the redemption of an ancient promise given by God himself. The promise was that He would regather Israel to the land. See the verse below. Could it be clearer?? Where President Bush is wrong is that he does not truly believe what God says. He believes that the road to peace is for there to be TWO states in the land of Israel. Palestinian and Israeli. This godless idea will bring all nations to war against Israel. Even as he spoke a missile struck a shopping centre and wounded 100 Jews. Bible Quote Ezekiel 11 17 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

41. Headline Abbas pledge on 'catastrophe' day Headline BBConline May 15 2008 Event Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, labelling it "mankind's shame". Mr Abbas also said his hands were extended in peace, as Palestinians mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation. More than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced in the war that followed Israel's establishment in 1948. US President George W Bush, who is visiting the country, told MPs that Washington was Israel's closest ally. As Palestinians recalled the "Nakba" (catastrophe) 60 years ago, Mr Abbas said in a televised speech: "It is time for this occupation to leave our land and blood.” Comment It is amazing that no other people, no other power, has ever created an independent state in the land of Israel – apart from the Jews. When it was not a Jewish state, the land of Israel was merely an administrative unit of empires: Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans etc. It is also amazing that in recent history the Egyptians who ruled Gaza between 1949 and 1967 could have created a Palestinian state but did not. The Jordanians, who ruled the “West Bank” during the same years, could have created a Palestinian state, but did not. Instead the Egyptians and the Jordanian persecuted the Palestinians! The only country that has ever offered the Palestinians a state – is Israel! There are many similarities between modern Palestinians and ancient Philistines. They live in the same place. “Palestinian” comes from the Latin word for Philistine! God has said the Jews should NOT make a covenant (agreement) with these people. Bible Quote Exodus 23 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; …… 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them Abbas pledge on 'catastrophe' day

42. Headline Bin Laden marks Israel anniversary with combat vow Headline Reuters May 16 2008 Event Osama bin Laden vowed in an audio tape to mark Israel's 60th anniversary to continue to fight the Jewish state and its allies in the West. The al Qaeda leader, who has placed growing emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said it was at the heart of the Muslim battle with the West and an inspiration to the 19 bombers who carried out the attacks on U.S. cities on September 11, 2001. "We will continue, God permitting, the fight against the Israelis and their allies ... and will not give up a single inch of Palestine as long as there is one true Muslim on Earth," he said in the message, posted on an Islamist website on Friday. Comment Back in the year 2000, President Clinton (with just months left in office) decided to try to end the Israeli Palestinian conflict. In the July he invited Yasser Arafat and the then Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak to Camp David. They discussed how to divide up the land and Jerusalem. Barak offered Arafat East Jerusalem and 97% of the West Bank. Arafat refused and returned home a hero for not accepting anything less than 100%. Just weeks later the Palestinian Intifada broke out. And from that time on we entered (as the Whitehouse calls it) the “Age of terror”. Terror in America, Spain, Bali, UK, Israel etc Here we are 7/8 years later with another president with just months left in office. What is he trying to do? Divide Israel and Jerusalem. What does Osama Bin Laden say? We will launch more terror on Israel and its allies. Every time someone tries to split God’s land and his city great trouble comes. This next time might be the final time of trouble such as never was… Bible Quote Daniel 12 1… and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, ……….. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Bin Laden marks Israel anniversary

43. Headline Ashkelon Attack Launched From Jewish Town Headline IsraelNationalNews May 15 2008 Event The Iranian-supplied Grad-type rocket fired at an Ashkelon mall Wednesday was launched from the former Gaza Jewish fishing village of Dugit, which was evacuated and destroyed by Israel in the 2005 Disengagement for the stated purpose of strengthening Israel's security. Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees Spokesman Muhammad Abdel-Al told World Net Daily Wednesday that the attack, which wounded dozens, including children, was launched from Dugit, located along the coast in northern Gaza. Dugit’s residents, mostly secular Jews who made a living fishing in the Mediterranean, left reluctantly, but without a struggle in 2005, when then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced his diplomatic plan to unilaterally withdraw the IDF from Gaza and destroy all the Jewish towns there. More than 9,000 residents were evicted from their homes in the operation. At the time, residents and other opponents of the plan warned that the communities would be used as terrorist training camps and staging grounds for terrorist attacks. Comment In 2005, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon implemented his Disengagement Plan in which Israel demolished 21 Jewish towns in Gaza and 4 in northern Samaria, forcefully expelled the Jewish residents, and handed the Gaza area over to the Palestinian Authority. Since then these very areas have become terrorist training grounds. Withdrawal from the land has NOT bought peace – it has brought destruction. In fact on the 4th January 2006 Ariel Sharon was visited by an official cartographer called Otniel Schneller. By 3pm on that day Sharon had agreed what the final borders of Israel should be including the division of Jerusalem. 2 hours later after the meeting Sharon suffered a stroke and went into a coma. He remains in a coma to this day. Bible Quote Zechariah 12 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 Ashkelon Attack

44. Russia wants control of Jerusalem Headline Russia wants control of downtown Jerusalem Headline Israel Today May 31 2008 Event Moscow is in negotiations to purchase a large section of downtown Jerusalem once controlled by the Russian government prior to Israel's rebirth in 1948. The 17-acre Russian Compound is today home to a large police facility and detention centre, numerous pubs and restaurants and a large Russian Orthodox church. The Russian government built up the area in the 1860s to accommodate the large number of Russian pilgrims who were visiting Jerusalem every year, particularly around the time of Easter. Negotiations over the land has been ongoing since the premiership of Ehud Barak some seven years ago. The Russians are reportedly prepared to pay $100 million for the prime real estate. Comment An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman speaking to Israel National News, stressed that Israel is not "selling" the land to Russia, but rather "returning" the area to its former owners. This is surely a very dangerous way of putting things considering the Arab claim to all of what is today the Jewish state! Russia is becoming increasingly interested in Israel. In recent times we have seen the Russian president (Putin) visit Israel. We have heard many statements that say they want to become involved in the peace talks. We have noted how they have been talking to all sides (including Hamas). We know for certain that Russia thinks an evil thought to invade Israel to take a spoil. The fact we see Russia now negotiating to purchase a large amount of land in Jerusalem is proof that Russia IS interested in this place. What is perhaps most interesting is that Daniel says that Russia will one day establish some sort of dwelling in Jerusalem! When he does he will come to his end - when Christ returns. Bible Quote Daniel 11 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

45. Hamas build-up on border Headline Hamas build-up on border has reached 'alarming proportions' Headline World Tribune May 27 2008 Event The Hamas regime has significantly bolstered its military and deployment along the border with Israel. Israeli military sources said Hamas has deployed hundreds of fighters in positions near the border with Israel. The sources said the combatants were dressed in civilian clothes and conducted reconnaissance and operations against Israeli military units deployed on the other side of the security fence that surrounds the Gaza Strip. "Hamas's military capability has reached alarming proportions," Israel Security Agency director Yuval Diskin told the Cabinet on Sunday. "The Hamas presence has expanded significantly over the last few weeks," a military source said. Comment On the 22nd May a truck bomb containing 4.5 tons of explosives exploded on the Gaza side of the border. It caused no Israeli casualties, but wrecked the border terminal, blasted a big hole in the border wall and shattered windows in Israel buildings. The truck bomb was followed by a group of Palestinian gunmen in a jeep. The truck bomb is the most powerful ever used against Israel - even in the darkest days of the Palestinian terrorist campaign. Meanwhile Israel is considering a ceasefire with Hamas. Government ministers meet tomorrow (Sunday) to decide whether to agree a ceasefire or to attack Gaza. God says in Joel 3 that the coasts of Palestine (speaking of the people living in the current area of Gaza) have nothing to do with him. He is going to pay them back speedily because of what they have done. At the time Israel is surrounded by the armies of the world, Gaza too will suffer. Isaiah 14:29/31 speaks of these times. Bible Quote Joel 3  4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head

46. Headline Israel's PM urged to stand down Headline BBConline May 28 2008 Event Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to take a leave of absence or resign as he battles allegations of corruption. Mr Barak said he would take his Labour Party out of Mr Olmert's governing coalition if he did not step down. "The prime minister needs to disconnect himself from the day-to-day management of the government," Mr Barak said. Mr Olmert denies claims that he took up to $500,000 (£250,000) in bribes or illegal campaign donations. Mr Olmert, the head of the Kadima party, admits accepting funds before he became prime minister in 2006. Comment A US businessman has testified this week that he gave envelopes full of cash to Israel's prime minister but said he did not seek or receive any favours in return. Ehud Olmert is remaining defiant however. He has said he will stay in office despite a call by a key ally [Ehud Barak] to take a leave of absence or quit over corruption claims. "I am not going to give up," Mr Olmert said in Jerusalem. The corruption charges are numerous against the prime minister of Israel. They involve large amounts of cash, abuse of power, property deals, tax fiddles etc. They also involve his personal secretary. In the verses below (still relevant today) we read of how as time passes when Israel lives in the land that they become corrupt. God says that when this happens they will SOON perish from off the land. It is no coincidence that in these last days that we see corruption in Israel’s highest office. They will perish from off the land. Bible Quote Deuteronomy 4 25 When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves…26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land. This promise of the Lord God applies today Israel's PM urged to stand down

47. Israeli minister threatens Iran Headline Israeli minister threatens Iran Headline BBConline June 6 2008 Event A top Israeli official has said that if Iran continues with its alleged nuclear arms programme, Israel will attack it. Speaking to Yediot Ahronot newspaper, Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said sanctions on Iran were ineffective. "Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable," he said. Mr Mofaz is one of three deputy prime ministers and the transport minister. Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by what he termed all possible means. Comment In just a few days this week both the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert and one the deputy Prime Ministers have both threatened to attack Iran. Mr Olmert visiting America spoke of “an urgent need for more drastic and robust action”. He met George Bush on Wednesday to discuss the issue. These comments have been the strongest yet from Israel to Iran. They indicate that time is running out and that Israel will eventually act perhaps alone. Does the Bible indicate such a course of action for Israel? No, not specifically. In the Bible Iran is spoken of as Persia and the Medes. But also as Elam. On the fall of the Assyrian empire, Elam passed into the hands of the Persians. The capital of Elam during its entire history was Shushan (Susa). Elam was situated in south western Iran. It is in this very area that key nuclear targets are to be found. We then read in the verse below that in the latter days Elam will be consumed! Bible Quote Jeremiah 49 37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: 39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD. Could this destruction in the latter days be brought about by Israel? Red highlight shows area of Elam The labels in boxes show key nuclear targets in Iran

48. Headline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attacks Jews at UN food summit in Rome Headline Daily Telegraph June 3 2008 Event Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, has used his first trip to Western Europe to launch a new attack against Jews. Arriving in Rome for a United Nations summit, Mr Ahmadinejad said: "The people of Europe have suffered the most harm from Zionists and today the costs of that falsified regime, whether political or economic, are on Europe's shoulders." Comment The Iranian president during his speech blamed the Jews for the food price increases the world is seeing!! As we mentioned on a previous slide it might not be too long before the Jews are blamed for the fuel price increases too. Fuel and food are the two things this world needs desperately and a scapegoat is often required when governments come under immense pressure. The Israeli ambassador to Italy protested Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's attendance at the international conference in Rome. He deplored the fact that Ahmadinejad had been invited to the Rome-based international agency. "To imagine on the podium of a U.N. organization a leader who calls for the destruction of a member state is a disgrace for every democrat," he said. We read in Psalm 83 of certain nations of the world that want to destroy Israel. Note that in verse 8 it says “Assur is joined with them”. Assur is normally translated Assyria. Assyria once controlled some of the territory of modern day Iran and in the context of this Psalm 83 seems to indicate Iran. We see Iran working with Syria, the Palestinians and the inhabitants of Tyre (Hezbollah) with the one goal of brining Israel to an end. The end of the Psalm though speaks of these nations being confounded and men knowing that Yahweh is God. Bible Quote Psalm 83 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. 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them Ahmadinejad attacks Jews

49. Headline Israel's ambassador says Britain has become a hotbed of radical anti-Israeli feeling Daily Telegraph June 10 2008 Event Ron Prosor became Israel's ambassador to Britain last year. Ron Prosor claims that while the UK was once admired for its liberal fairness and decency, in recent years extremists have "hijacked" its debate over Israel. He says his country has been turned into a "pantomime villain" by Britons who deny it has any right to exist, while terror attacks on Israeli citizens are ignored by both the media and public opinion. He is particularly scornful of the academics who want to boycott Israeli universities over the country's treatment of Palestinians. Comment Ancient Tyre was once pro Jewish. The king of Tyre (Hiram) helped David and Solomon and loved them both. See 1 Kings 5. In later years Tyre turned against the Jews – even selling Jews into slavery. Tyre actually rejoiced over the downfall of Israel. See Ezekiel 26:2. This same pattern applies to modern day Britain….. Ancient Tyre has a lot to do with modern Britain. Why? Well in Isaiah 23:6 we read that Tyre passes over to Tarshish. Ancient Tyre was destroyed by Alexander the Great but God says that Tyre would somehow pass over to Tarshish (Britain). In fact this did happen both literally and symbolically. Ancient Tyre was the capital city of the Phoenicians. Using many ships they colonised many nations and traded with them. Tyre was the home of kings and became rich. Britain (Tarshish) also colonised many nations, became a great Empire and had a huge navy. Britain is still the home of kings and became a great trading maritime nation. But like Tyre it WAS pro Jewish but has sadly now turned against the Jews. Isaiah 23 concludes with latter day Tyre (Britain) becoming like a harlot. Britain has. Bible Quote Isaiah 23 17 And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. Britain hotbed of anti Israeli thinking

50. Headline Seven tremors in Lebanon felt in Israel Headline International Christian Embassy June 13 2008 Event A series of up to seven earth tremors centred in Lebanon and measuring between 3.8 and 4.2 on the Richter scale have also been felt in northern and central Israel over the past 24 hours. No injuries or damage have been reported as of the latest quakes on Friday morning. Last February, two quakes measuring up to 5.3 on the Richter scale with epicenters just north of Tyre were also felt in the Galilee. At the start of the year, there was a series of four quakes as well in the Dead Sea area measuring between 3 and 4.3 on the Richter scale. Seismologists say the series of tremors do not necessarily indicate that a large earthquake is likely to hit the region, though the historic record suggests a strong earthquake can be expected soon in the Holy Land. Comment There are a growing number of small earthquakes that have shaken the land of Israel in recent months. Just this week there have been 7 earth tremors. The epicentres have tended to be north of Israel in Lebanon but there have been some with epicentres in Israel itself around the Dead Sea. The last major earthquake in Israel was 973 years ago. Geologist Dr. Shmuel Marco of Tel Aviv University said recently "We are now in a deficit. There's been no release of tension, just build-up. It's like if you have a strip of rubber between your hands and keep pulling it - you know that it's going to snap eventually." With Bible in hand we know that a major earthquake centred on Israel IS coming. It will be an earthquake like no other. It will even cause the Mount of Olives to split in two. Every wall will fall. Ezekiel 38:20. The earth will be utterly shaken. Isaiah 2:19 Bible Quote Zechariah 14 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. Seven tremors in Lebanon felt in Israel