On the Road Ahead… Danger is Just Around the Bend

Although the elections in Israel have passed, the future of the state for this next term is still far from certain. Since 1980, only one Knesset has served its full four year term, with coalitions falling and early elections necessitated for issues far less monumental in comparison than what Israel faces today. With local news media reporting that Israeli society is growing increasingly more polarized, the sensitive and potentially explosive issues facing this Knesset, such as civil marriages, drafting of a constitution, and the Convergence Plan, weigh heavy on the minds of lawmakers as they assume their duties.

A Tornado…In Israel?

Spring in Israel blew in with the fury of a roaring lion. High winds and heavy rains raged across the Western Galilee, and ping pong ball-size hailstones were reported. A tornado––not reported in Israel in at least 50 years––was witnessed by residents around Acre [Acco] on the north shore. Sandstorms in the Negev covered some roads in 20 centimeters (8 inches) of sand.

Second Temple Road Uncovered

Israeli archaeologists uncovered the main road that ran from Jerusalem's City of David to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple period. The road connected the Shiloah Pool in the City of David to the Temple Mount compound. The 2,000-year-old road was discovered adjacent to the Shiloah pool during ongoing excavations at the site, said Israeli Antiquities Authority archeologist Eli Shukrun.

Age Limit for Organ Donors Expanded

Earlier this year, an 84-year-old Israeli woman’s liver was donated by her family for an organ transplant. This was the oldest organ donor in Israel’s medical history. The recipient––Ina Rubinstein, a 59-year-old mother of two from Beersheva––underwent a successful operation, which saved her life.

Prior to this liver transplant, the heart of a 66-year-old woman was also successfully transplanted. Usually the limit for such donors is 55. Another first for Israel was a duo transplant of heart and kidney.

Iran’s First “Embassy” in Territories

Iran has opened an “ideological embassy” in the Palestinian territories to espouse Shia Muslim beliefs––including Islam’s waging of a final, apocalyptic battle against “evil”––and to help spread Iranian theocracy and rule throughout the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza Strip.

Although Tehran has long financed Palestinian terror organizations, the opening of its office here marks the establishment of Iran’s first official agency in the Palestinian areas, senior Palestinian security officials said.

3,000-Year-Old City Found

An ancient Jewish town from the time of King Solomon has been uncovered beneath the Arab village of Kafr Kana, north of Nazareth in the Galilee. Kana, or Cana, is where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2).

HAMAS: A Picture of Terror

“The Covenant of Hamas does not change.” Musheer al-Masri,Hamas spokesman

Poland Israel’s Friend

Today, Poland is one of Israel’s best friends. Now, this once anti-Semitic country has few anti-Israel demonstrations, enjoys US $2 billion worth of Israeli investments, buys Israeli missiles, and has allotted substantial funds to build a Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw––slated to become one of Europe’s largest Jewish museums.

The Dead Sea Is In Deep Trouble

The Dead Sea is disappearing, according to experts. The water level has fallen some 25 meters (82 feet) in 120 years, leaving the lowest spot in the world even lower. It is shocking to learn that the Dead Sea is now standing at 417 meters (1,369 feet) below sea level. At present the water is dropping at the alarming rate of a meter (39.37 inches) each year.

Sharon – War Hero To Politician

As we write this, Ariel Sharon remains in Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital in a medically induced coma from a debilitating stroke he had on January 4. Regardless of how we view his latest political policies, the Bible admonishes us to pray for our leaders, so we encourage you to pray during this difficult time.

Economy Grows 5.2% in 2005

Israel’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.2% to nearly NIS 523.9 billion (US $113.3 billion) in 2005, its biggest gain in five years and well above the Bank of Israel’s most recent forecast, according to preliminary figures released January 1 by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

Christians Track Israel Support

In an unprecedented move, a major conservative Christian advocacy group in the United States will include the voting records of American legislators on Israel in its biennial Christian voting guide.

The Christian Voter Guide—put out by right-wing Christian Coalition of America every two years ahead of American congressional and presidential elections—has previously only included American domestic social issues. Now the guide is branching out to deal with American’s foreign relations for the first time.