Signs of the Times

Bnei Menashe-  “Descendants of Israel”

In a historic decision in March, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar decided to recognize formally the Bnei Menashe (sons of Manasseh) of northeastern India as “descendants of Israel.”

Israel Expects Middle Eastern war in 2006

Israel has expressed its belief that Iran and several of its Arab allies are preparing for a full-scale war against the Jewish state, possibly following the expected United States withdrawal from Iraq in 2006.

Unnamed U.S. officials told Middle East Newsline in April that, according to Israeli assessments, the departure of most American forces from the region will lead to increased tensions and provide an atmosphere ripe for an escalation of violence against Israel.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon “has relayed repeated messages to the U.S. administration that Iran and its Arab allies are preparing for war,” one official said.

Agricultural Production Jumps

Despite efforts to write off agriculture as an “old economy” industry, becoming less relevant in the high-tech era, figures released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveal that the Israeli agricultural sector is thriving and growing.

Water shortages and steep water price hikes have not hampered what the statistics show is a growth industry. The value of agricultural production jumped by 28.7% in the period from 1999 to 2004.

Egypt, Libya, and Yemen Supply Weapons

Israeli military intelligence has determined that three Arab countries— Egypt, Libya, and Yemen—serve as the chief suppliers of weapons to the Palestinian insurgency in the Gaza Strip.

Get Ready for the Hamas State

The Gaza Strip is becoming the Hamas state, no doubt about it.  Former Shin Bet (Israeli internal security organization) director Avi Dichter publicly warned that Hamas is setting up in Gaza an “army of thousands of armed men  based on the model of Hizbullah in Lebanon.”

Palestinians Use Truce to Regroup

Palestinian militant groups, weakened by more than four years of fighting against Israel, are utilizing the relative calm of an informal truce with Israel to strengthen their positions politically and militarily

Rice: US $100 a Month to Terrorists “On Pension”

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has proposed a US $100 monthly allowance to terrorists who agree to lay down their arms and retire or find another profession, in a proposal of a pension fund for at least 1,000 terrorists.

Hamas Turns Street Signs Into Kassams

Hamas is using the lull in Israel’s offensive actions to stock up on Kassam rockets, mines, and mortar shells in the Gaza Strip, according to defense sources.

Kassam rocket makers have begun stealing and using street-sign pipes because of a lack of raw materials. Apparently, street signs are becoming rare in Gaza. Hamas is working at a heightened pace to produce more weaponry, in order to be better prepared for future hostilities if and when the de facto cease-fire breaks down and they are again targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Hamas, Hizbullah Agree on War Against Israel

Hamas and Hizbullah agreed to continue the war against Israel. Leaders from the two groups met in Beirut and discussed strategy amid efforts to arrange a Palestinian Authority cease-fire with Israel. The Islamic terrorist organizations rejected the cease-fire and said they would maintain the war against the Jewish state.

Russian Lawmakers: Outlaw All Jewish Organizations

Moscow (AP)—A group of nationalist lawmakers is calling for an investigation aimed at outlawing all Jewish organizations in Russia, accusing Jews of fomenting ethnic hatred and provoking anti-Semitism. In a letter dated January 13, about 20 members of the lower parliament house, the State Duma, asked Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov to investigate their claims and, if they are confirmed, to launch proceedings “on the prohibition in our country of all religious and ethnic Jewish organizations as extremist.” Arguing that Jews were to blame for anti-Semitism, the authors of the letter want Jewish groups outlawed based on legislation against extremism and fomenting ethnic discord.