~ Thursday 26th August 2010 ~

Compiled by David Soakell Tel: 01642 469663 E-mail david@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk

The Word: Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice; on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil." (Proverbs 1:20-33)

Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

• Pointers for prayer: As you read through this week’s Watching over Zion News Report please proclaim the Word of God over these issues. Pray in line with the Scriptures: "Arise, O Lord. Do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men." (Psalm 9:19,20) "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever... The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." (Psalm 33)

• Please continue to pray for truth and balanced reporting regarding the media. This week, we look again at the truth regarding Gaza, but also comment on a balanced report by the BBC. Please pray that this may continue, and that the BBC would be encouraged by the volume of support from those who stand with Israel.

• Please continue to pray for protection over the borders around Israel! "He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:3-4) Pray for wisdom and strength for the government of Israel to know what to do regarding Iran! "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." (Dan 2:21)

• Hashem, the Lord God of Hosts is the only God of hope. One of the purposes of the Scriptures that He has inspired is to give us hope. God wants us to know Him, and to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though we report on many troublesome areas, including Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is becoming a very serious threat, we can still praise the LORD that He is in complete control, and only in Him is our hope. We thank You Father that You reign. Even though the nations conspire and plot against Your people and Your land, You are in control.

Shalom to you all, it's good to be back from my much needed family holiday. Thank you to all who passed on their good wishes etc. I had to smile at one comment which stated, "Have a very good, well deserved holiday! Make sure you leave lap-top and mobile at home...or at least switched off!" (thanks Alan!). Well, I did all that, but the trouble kicks in on one's return, and the downloading of emails begin... although many people did know that I was away and blessed me by refraining from sending emails, I still had over 400 to come back to. However, the time away was enjoyable, but now let's get back to the calling!

Know the certainty of the words of truth Much has been reported regarding Russia providing fuel for the Bushehr reactor plant in Iran. The first fuel was transferred into the reactor on Saturday, and the plant is expected to begin producing energy in approximately one month. There has also been much talk of a possible IDF air strike from Israel on Iran... "will they, won't they?" You can read my comments on Iran later in this report. There has also been many reports out regarding the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's weekend announced of the impending resumption of direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel hailed the development as a significant achievement, but the Palestinians were already throwing cold water on the talks before they ever began. And of course the issue over Gaza is never far from news headlines.

On my return, I forwarded an email with more photographs on what Gaza really looks like... however this caused a bit of a storm. Some people simply did not believe this could be Gaza, choosing to believe what certain biased media reports are stating, while others were shocked at what they saw, expecting anything but this. Many people want to act on this by informing their local MP's, whilst others have had negative replies from other members of the Church. One such recipient was criticized for passing on the photos and was directed to a Christian Aid report (http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/past/gaza-crisis/failing-gaza... ) which completely contradicts these photographs. However, on reading the report and viewing the website I soon realised that the link sent was "typical Christian Aid." On their website under Israel, one finds: Israel / occupied Palestinian territory. Under the word "Capital", they state "Not applicable". Well this is interesting... Does Israel not have a capital? Do Christian Aid like Hamas not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel? They also state that in the last decade, "Palestinian poverty levels have trebled and violence on both sides has escalated due to the ongoing conflict and Israeli occupation." It would appear Christian Aid have big issues over Israel being in the Land God gave them. However, the photographs of Gaza are what they are, and there is indeed much deceit regarding the whole issue of Gaza.

Among my contacts, I’ve been in regular correspondence with many people living in Israel, all of whom state the same thing regarding Gaza. However, as I have already informed many people, we must always respond in the correct way, as unfortunately, many Arab Palestinians are still suffering due to being forced to live in "refugee camps" by Hamas to be used as political pawns. We need to pray that the Arabs would be free of the tyranny that is Hamas and pray they come to know the True God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Many of my contacts have sent me detailed accounts of the lies behind the “alleged massive humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and exposing much of what we hear in the media. Their reports have been posted in these News Updates and all their accounts have been backed up with other reports including Arutz Sheva, Israel National Radio, The Jerusalem Post and Tom Gross, former Middle East correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph and the New York Daily News etc. As you may remember some weeks ago, I featured a report by Tom Gross who stated, “The BBC World Service and other prominent Western media regularly lead their viewers and readers astray with accounts of a non-existent "mass humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza. What they won't report are the fancy new restaurants in Gaza… or about the wind surfing competitions on Gaza beaches, or the Strip's crowded shops and markets. Many Palestinians in the “West Bank” and Gaza live a middle class (and in some cases an upper class) lifestyle that Western journalists refuse to report on because it doesn't fit with the simplistic story they were sent to write.” A full length version of Tom Gross’ article can be read here: www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001114.html

As I reported in one of my News Reports, Gaza City recently opened an Olympic-sized swimming pool. A video on Israel TV about a new shopping mall there, was also mentioned in last month’s news digest by our good friend and Jerusalem-based author and journalist David Dolan (http://www.ddolan.com/). And while the Palestinians receive record amounts of international funding, the victims of Palestinian terror, namely Israel, get nothing… except more rockets fired at them from Gaza. Since the beginning of 2010 until the end of July, 120 projectiles were launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip. The months with the highest incidences of rocket fire this year were March and January, with 29 and 27 rockets and mortars launched at Israel, respectively. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization, as the governing body of the Gaza Strip, solely responsible for these and future rocket attacks emanating from the region and will continue to act in self-defence to prevent future rocket attacks from being carried out.

Now please understand me... it's important to point out that we do not despise the Arab Palestinians in Gaza for having such luxuries. However, when the world's media claims that those in Gaza have nothing, and that they are living in poverty, and it's all Israel's fault, then something needs to be done. Let’s face it, one wonders how an area that claims to be starved of water and building materials and depends on humanitarian aid can build an Olympic size swimming pool and create a luxury lifestyle for some while others are forced to live in abject poverty as political pawn refugees? The question is, whose report are we to believe? Of course, I'm not forcing anyone to toe a "party line" here, however, we need to be wise enough to compare stories and maybe you, the readers, could do a bit of homework too... the truth is there to be read. As I researched further on this subject, I actually came across a Palestinian website that actually backs up some of the photos I have sent out. Click here to view: http://www.palestineonly.net/de/bilder/mix/Uni-Gaza/01_index.htm The photos here clearly show the new Palestinian University in Gaza, along with various other photos from Gaza that look as if they should be found in London, Paris or New York. I wonder where in the mindset of all those "humanitarian aid flotilla's" does the concept of poverty fit in here?

Over recent years, the Palestinian have received not millions, but billions of dollars of funding from the international community. If this is so, where has the money gone? Many sources state that many of the current Palestinian leadership, and those close to them, have millions stashed in overseas accounts and other Palestinians live a wealthy lifestyle. It would appear that the Western media clearly services the Palestinian propaganda machine. They would have us believe that the Palestinians are suffering under one of the worst humanitarian crisis, desperate for their basic needs, and even deprived of building materials by a cruel Israel. As such, they formulate public opinion by the image given to them by the Palestinian information industry. Yet these editors and journalists could easily sweep aside this deceit with a couple of clicks of their computer mouse, if they choose to do so. So what stops them?

Well done the BBC Yes... you heard me... and no it doesn't hurt my pride to say it! I believe praise is due if people do the correct thing, and this past week or so the BBC have done a good job. Whilst I was away, the BBC broadcast a half-hour 'Panorama' programme examining the 'Free Gaza' flotilla and the Israeli raid of the Mavi Marmara on 31st May. BBC's Jane Corbin presented the programme, which was for the most part very clear and fair in its presentation of the facts. If, like me, you missed this program then you can watch it online using BBC iPlayer. For our international readers who cannot view BBC iPlayer, there is currently a YouTube link here: Part1 and Part 2.

During the BBC programme, Jane Corbin remarked, "here in Gaza, the problem's not so much a lack of food or medicine" and that "the Turkish government… support Hamas". Describing who was on board the boat, she commented that "the IHH invited fellow Islamists from across the Arab world," and highlighted the fact that some of those on board the ship expressed a desire to die as martyrs. Corbin interviewed the head of the IHH, the group responsible for the violence, who admitted a premeditated plan to throw the Israeli soldiers into the sea.

She concluded the programme by asking, "what about the aid the IHH said was the reason for their mission? Some of it has arrived in Gaza from Israel, and is sitting in a warehouse… but I found that two thirds of the medicines are out of date and useless". "At the end of the day, the bid to break the naval blockade wasn't really about bringing aid to Gaza. It was a political move designed to put pressure on Israel and the international community… the IHH presented the dead as martyrs". Many people will have seen this balanced report by the BBC, however the Islamists are outraged that the program revealed that the activists were intent on premeditated violence and accuse the BBC of bias for revealing it. The Islamists were planning large scale protests outside the BBC London and Manchester. So... do please consider sending a note of appreciation to the BBC for this program. Doing so will offset the many complaints that are arriving, and allow the BBC to reply to the complainers that much praise has also been received. Please send your comments to: https://faq.external.bbc.co.uk/templates/bbcfaqs/emailstatic/emailPage If you haven't seen the 30 minute program you can view it on BBC iPlayer at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00thr24/Panorama_Death_in_the_Med/

Ahmadinejad's speech and Russia's delivery of nuclear fuel rods As protests continue over the proposed building of a new Mosque at Ground Zero in New York, news group Reuters reported on the 8th August, 2010 that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed the September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Centre attacks were "exaggerated" in a fresh outburst at the United States just days after US President Barack Obama voiced willingness to talk to Iran. According to Reuters, Ahmadinejad also repeated his denial of the Holocaust.

Ahmadinejad said the September 11 attacks with hijacked airliners on New York and Washington DC had been "trumped up" as an excuse for the US to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. Speaking at a Tehran conference, Ahmadinejad said there was no evidence that the death toll at New York's World Trade Centre, destroyed in the attacks, was as high as reported and said "Zionists" had been tipped off in advance. "What was the story of September 11? During five to six days, and with the aid of the media, they created and prepared public opinion so that everyone considered an attack on Afghanistan and Iraq as (their) right," he said in a televised speech. No "Zionists" were killed in the World Trade Centre, according to Ahmadinejad, because "one day earlier they were told not to go to their workplace... They announced that 3,000 people were killed in this incident, but there were no reports that reveal their names. Maybe you saw that, but I did not," he told a gathering of the Iranian news media. Yet evidence is clear, and there is a published list of September 11 dead from more than 90 countries available online.

Ahmadinejad had previously said the "9-11" attacks were a "big fabrication" and has rejected the historical record of the Holocaust. Ahmadinejad repeated his belief that the Holocaust had been invented to justify the creation of Israel. "They made up an event, the so-called Holocaust which was later laid as the basis for the innocence of a group," he said. On top of this, Ahmadinejad has made it clear his intentions to "wipe Israel off the face of the map". So how should Israel feel regarding the news that Russia is providing fuel for the Bushehr nuclear reactor plant in Iran? As mentioned earlier, the first fuel was transferred into the reactor on Saturday, and the plant is expected to begin producing energy in approximately one month.

There has been much talk of a possible IDF air strike from Israel on Iran. US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton stated earlier this week that Israel had only a few days left to attack Iran's main nuclear facility. Bolton, who also previously oversaw US nuclear non-proliferation policy, was referring to Russia's delivery of nuclear fuel rods to the now-complete Bushehr nuclear reactor. Bolton stated , "Once that uranium, once those fuel rods are very close to the reactor, certainly once they're in the reactor, attacking it means a release of radiation, no question about it," Bolton told Fox Business Network. "So if Israel is going to do anything against Bushehr it has to move in the next eight days." These eight days are now almost up, however Bolton said he did not know if Israel intends to strike or not, but was certain that Israel would not attack the Bushehr reactor after it had gone online for fear of releasing radiation on the nearby population.

Recognition of outstanding contribution of CFI And finally this week, I thought I would finish on this nice short clip. His Excellency Ambassador Ron Prosor, who was appointed Envoy of the State of Israel to the Court of St James in Autumn 2007 met recently with Outgoing Director of Christian Friends of Israel, Geoffrey Smith. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to CFI, the Ambassador presented Geoffrey Smith with a symbolic gift. He also welcomed Jacob Vince as the new Director of the organisation.

HE Prosor began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1986. After appointments as Senior Deputy Director and Chief of Policy Staff to the Foreign Minister, he was named Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2004. To see more on this, along with photographs, go online to the Israeli Governments official website here: http://london.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/missionhome.asp?MissionID=34&

David Soakell

Sources: Unless otherwise stated: Personal sources throughout Israel along with The Jerusalem Post,
BBC News, CFI Jerusalem, Arutz-7 News, Israeli Embassy London & Israel National Radio

CFI UK Website: www.cfi.org.uk
CFI Jerusalem Website: www.cfijerusalem.org
CFI UK Young Adults website: http://www.isrelate.com/

Sources: Unless otherwise stated: Personal sources throughout Israel along with The Jerusalem Post,
BBC News, CFI Jerusalem, Arutz-7 News, Israeli Embassy London & Israel National Radio