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| Week ending Shabbat, February 24, 2007 |
6 Adar, 5767 |
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No Talking To God On This Mountain
When Jesus (Y'shua) stood on the Temple Mount, he quoted the prophet Isaiah when he said his Father's house was to be a house of prayer for all nations. Although we can say with confidence that one day that will be true, currently it is not. At this time there are tough regulations imposed by Islamic authorities at the holy site against Jews and Christians that forbid non-Muslims to pray, carry Bibles or – in some instances – anything written in Hebrew. Even appearing to pray can bring down the authorities, noted a Jewish tour guide who told of a Jewish woman who was detained the previous summer for putting her head down while sitting on a bench. "It was a hot day and she just wanted to rest for a few minutes. The Wafq started screaming and the police arrested her. She told me she was held for six hours and had to sign documents stating she would never again return to the Temple Mount."
The Temple Mount is called the Temple Mount because the Temples were located there. The first, built by King Solomon, was built in that location because of a profound revelation God gave to his father, King David, who then purchased the mountain so that there would be no question concerning its ownership. It is also the location of Abraham's test, where he was instructed to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Although the temple was destroyed by Babylon in 486 BCE, seventy years later it was rebuilt, and then completely refurbished by King Herod. It was then again destroyed by Rome in 70 ACE. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed the pool of Siloam and a large staircase leading up to the Temple Mount from the south end of the western wall area [see February 10 report], unquestionably verifying the validity of this historic site. It seems evident that in the age to come that the Messiah will reign over the nations of the earth from that very location [see Zechariah 14 and Revelation 14:1]. It is the most holy site for Jews, but represents the third holy place for Muslims. Although is not mentioned by name in the Quran, the Temple Mount is commonly identified by Muslims as the "furthermost sanctuary," the site where they believe the Prophet Muhammad, accompanied by the Angel Gabriel, made the Night Journey to the Throne of Allah.
 In recent years the Wafq excavated the area commonly called Solomon's Stables (above the south wall), and sections were made into a large, new mosque. The excavation and accompanying construction caused major damage to the eastern and southern sections of the Western Wall, which many experts say are now unstable and in need of repair. Jewish and Christian archeologists charge the Wafq during the excavation disposed truckloads of dirt containing Jewish artifacts from the Temple period. After the media reported this, Israeli authorities froze the construction permit given to the Wafq. The remainder of the dirt now sits in a small garden outside the Al Aqsa Mosque.
The Temple Mount area is very well-maintained and the grounds expertly landscaped, with the exception of the garden housing the dirt that may contain Jewish artifacts – that area is littered with garbage.
Rice Sides With Muslim Extremists
Hamas has either pulled the wool over the eyes of Secretary of State Condi Rice or she is truly clueless. As we have repeatedly reported, the current tensions in Jerusalem are the result of Hamas and other Muslim extremists creating a storm over an archaeological project that does not endanger any Muslim "holy-sites" in Jerusalem. The tactic of making false charges against the State of Israel over activities in Jerusalem has been employed by Arafat, The Grand Mufti, and Hamas, and simply represents a continual tactic of intimidation. Secretary Rice should have been briefed on this but apparently she has chosen to ignore reality and side with Hamas. The wire services are reporting that Rice agrees with Hamas on this issue. Her words are giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Let her know that she is wrong. Demand that she speak out against the deliberate destruction of Christian and Jewish artifacts on the Temple Mount by the Muslim authorities. Sign the One Jerusalem petition to preserve the Christian and Jewish heritage on the Temple Mount. We will let Secretary know your position on this issue. Encourage friends and family to sign the petition as well.
Mastermind of Foiled Terror Attack Eliminated
Tuesday night undercover security officers disguised as Border Guard forces killed the senior Islamic Jihad terrorist who masterminded a plot to blow up the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv. Information from the would-be bomber led to Wednesday's elimination of senior terrorist commander Mahmoud Abu Ubayed, who personally prepared the bomb that was to be used for the operation. Abu Ubayed has been high on the wanted list for more than two years. According to IDF sources, he was involved in dozens of bombing attacks against army units and was known for producing high-quality explosives. Undercover forces caught the Islamic Jihad commander as he was driving a white Subaru in the "Palestinian" Authority-controlled city of Jenin. They killed him during the attempted arrest after he pulled out a semi-automatic M-16 rifle and fired at the officers.
Security personnel in Bat Yam caught the terrorist that Abu Ubayed had recruited for the operation before he was able to carry out the attack. The would-be bomber, 24-year-old Omar Abu Rod, is a resident of the village of Jelabun, located near Kibbutz Maaleh Gilboa, several miles east of Jenin. The Arab town is in Palestinian Authority territory, while the kibbutz is located inside the pre-1967 borders of Israel. After confessing to his role in the operation, Abu Rod led security forces to the dumpster in Rishon LeTzion from which he had planned to retrieve the 3-5 kilogram bomb built by Abu Ubayed. The terrorist told General Security Services (Shin Bet) officers that he had planned to return later in the evening to pick up the bomb on his way to carry out the planned attack.
Islamic Jihad leaders issued a statement Wednesday morning saying Abu Ubayed's death would be avenged. "The Zionist enemy's crimes and killing will not affect our resistance program and, Allah willing, today's crime will not pass without revenge and revenge will come soon," said the statement. The terrorist organization also issued a statement Tuesday night after the failed operation, saying it was to have been carried out in protest of "the crimes of the Israeli occupation."
Rise in Western Aliyah for 2006
A report released Tuesday by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) revealed a slight increase in the number of immigrants coming from English-speaking countries, with the highest percentage arriving from North America. According to the report, 11.2 percent of the new immigrants in 2006 came from North America, an increase over the previous year, in which they comprised 9.7 percent of new immigrants. CBS statistics indicated that a total of 2,157 North American Jews immigrated in 2006, as opposed to 2,045 the year before. A similar trend was seen from Great Britain whose Jews comprised 3.2 percent of "Aliyah" (literally going up) in 2006, an increase of 1.3 percent over 2005. In 2006, 595 British Jews came to live in Israel, as compared to 383 in 2005. Even from Ethiopia, more Jews came home to Israel in 2006. The new olim (immigrants), numbering 3,595, comprised 18.7 percent of all immigrants, as opposed to 3,571 in 2005.
Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union dropped in numbers by 3.9 percent as compared to 2005. The former USSR nationals, who still comprise the lion's share of total immigration to the Jewish State - 66.7 percent in 2006, included people from Asian, Eastern European, Russian and Ukrainian countries. Of those, 32.1 percent came from Eastern Europe. Taking into account the mixed Jewish and non-Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union, the total immigration figures dropped to its lowest levels since 1988, with less than 20,000 people choosing to live in the Jewish State, a drop of nine percent over 2005.
US Poll Identifies Israel As A Vital Friend
A new Gallup poll shows that more than half of American citizens consider Israel to be a "vital friend" in the Middle East. The average U.S. citizen considers Israel to be one of America's most important allies, according to a survey released this week by the world-renown Gallup polling organization. The poll examined America's perception of foreign nations, which it considers to be allies and which it views with disfavor. Fifty-five percent of the respondents rated the Jewish State as "favorable" and "important", the only country to be named in both categories. More than half of the respondents to the survey (sixty-three percent) rated Israel favorably; slightly less than last year's sixty-eight percent, but still much higher than five years ago, when fifty-six percent of respondents rated the Jewish State favorably.
The "Palestinian" Authority was rated close to the bottom of the list at sixteen percent, only one percent higher than Iraq at fifteen percent. The poll made it clear that Iran is profoundly unpopular with U.S. citizens, with only nine percent of respondents giving it a positive rating.
Tour the Biblical Heartland of Israel
The Tzemach Institute has joined forces with the Christian Friends Of Israeli Communities (CFOIC) in planning a special tour of the heartland of biblical Israel. Join us as we explore Israel from a genuine Biblical Zionists perspective. Meet the people who are continuing the Biblical narrative in the Land today. See for yourself how ancient prophesies are being fulfilled. Discover how you too can participate in the ongoing process of Biblical Redemption. Join us for an opportunity of a lifetime, to see the real Israel from the viewpoint of those who are living the Bible today. The experience will change your life. The tour has been coordinated with Sondra Baras of CFOIC and will be guided by Associate Pastor Jon Klein [pictured left].
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