Signs of the Times

Islam’s Genocidal War on the People of God

First the Saturday people…

{image_1}A recent article in Israel National News stated it is a “truism” that anti-Semitism is an extremely prevalent phenomenon in the Muslim world today. The author went on to make a strong case for the origins of that anti-Jewish prejudice in Islamic theology.

Hamas: Kidnap More Soldiers

{image_1}On October 17, 2011, Israel released 477 Palestinian prisoners, the first of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for the return of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Hundreds of the released Palestinian prisoners were serving life sentences for murder.

New Protective Items for Israelis

{image_1}Israel’s Home Front Command developed several items to help civilians living under the threat of rocket fire in addition to safe rooms. The Command recently completed the carefully tested items in the face of conventional threats.

Ireland—Most Hostile Country to Israel in EU

{image_1}Hatred of Israel reaches new levels in Ireland: A couple of months ago, an outrageous anti-Israel display was held on Dublin's main pedestrian street, presenting IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers as Nazi troops. As part of the display, sponsored by the Dublin City Council, a group of pro-Palestinian activists set up a model of the separation fence [along the West Bank border] and an IDF roadblock. The activists dressed up as soldiers and beat, humiliated, and pointed their weapons at other activists dressed as Palestinians in front of thousands of Irish citizens and tourists.

European Jews Fear Anti-circumcision Laws

{image_1}After the kosher slaughter ban, the circumcision ritual is in danger too. European rabbis and senior Jewish officials have been acting in recent months against an initiative to ban circumcision in three countries. Rabbi Menachem Gelley of London, vice president of the Conference of European Rabbis, revealed the issue during the organization's 27th annual convention held in Warsaw Poland in November, which dealt with ways to protect Jewish rights in the continent.

Iran Threatens to Send Navy near US Borders

{image_1}With ongoing tensions with the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program in the background, Tehran announced [in October] the intention to send a naval presence near US territory. According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted as saying, “Like the arrogant powers that are present near our marine borders, we will also have a powerful presence close to the American marine borders.”

Missile Protection for Civilian Aircraft

{image_1}Reports of 20,000 missing shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft rockets in Libya have sent shivers down the spines of many airline security officials, who fear they may find their way into the hands of terrorists. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer has already called for hundreds of American jetliners to be outfitted with protection from such threats. No such commercially available protection system exists, yet. But an Israeli company has developed the world’s only civilian system that can be mounted on a passenger liner, which detects incoming missiles and—without shooting them down—deflects them with laser technology.

Fatah Hangs Netanyahu in Effigy

{image_1}Palestinian Authority [PA] TV broadcast a news story about the trial and symbolic hanging of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, which took place during an event organized by Fatah for youth in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria]. The symbolic trial tried and convicted Netanyahu of “war crimes against humanity” and sentenced him to death by hanging.

Israel Sets Maritime Borders

{image_1}On July 10th, Israel ratified an agreement with Cyprus which sets Israel's maritime borders. Lebanon has rejected the borders set by the two countries, claiming the state [Israel] is impinging on its naval territory, but [Israel] Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel would not cede “one centimeter.” Lieberman also denied reports that the United States supports Lebanon's claims, calling them “nonsense.”

One-state Solution?

{image_1}World leaders speak about the need for a two-state solution for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, frequently using the catch phrase “two states for two peoples.” Surprisingly, voices have been raised recently calling for a one-state solution. Yoram Ettinger, a former consul-general of the Israeli Consulate in Houston in the United States and now the CEO of “Second Thought: A US–Israel Initiative” spoke to Bridges for Peace about his ideas.