Israeli Prime Ministry Invites Ambassadors to his Bible Study-2 

Draft Resolution Seeks to Raise Palestinian Flag at UN

"Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth."  (Psalm 73:9)

Three years ago, the Palestinian Authority (PA) won its fight for "non-member observer state" status at the United Nations.  The political entity is now pushing to raise the Palestinian flag at the UN to further entrench itself among legitimate world states. The PA is requesting this move on behalf of all non-member states, whose flags "shall be raised at the United Nations Headquarters and Offices following the flags of the member states of the United Nations," as stated in the draft resolution.  (Reuters) The other non-member state flag that would fly next to the Palestinian flag belongs to the Vatican, which officially recognized a “state of Palestine" in a treaty with the PA in May.
 

United Nations Headquarters with flags of the members of the UN

The Vatican, however, released a friendly note, stating, “The Holy See does not intend to co-sponsor a draft resolution that the State of Palestine may eventually present on the matter.” Adding, "The Holy See asks the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations kindly to remove in its draft resolution any reference to the 'Holy See' and any generic reference 'on behalf of the Observer States.'"  (Reuters) Riyad Mansour, the PA's representative to the UN says the resolution "is a symbolic thing, but it is another step to solidify the pillars of the state of Palestine in the international arena and give our people a small hope that the international community is still supporting the independence of the state of Palestine."  The draft resolution on flying the Palestinian flag, to be considered Sept. 10, 2015, would counter a set policy that only full-member states—established world governments—raise flags at the UN's New York headquarters. Israel's ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor on Tuesday described the move as a "cynical misuse" of the UN for scoring political points.  (JPost) "Even though the Palestinians are attempting to change longstanding protocols and traditions, they have not deemed it appropriate to allow the member states of this organization to debate, discuss, or reflect on the consequences, and implications of this proposal,” Prosor said. Capturing greater recognition for the PA is a way to validate a Palestinian state—the end goal for many Arab political movers who have continuously rejected a State of Israel, as well as generous offers for peace and statehood. The draft resolution is sponsored by 21 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Algeria. If the flag bid is adopted, the UN must comply by Sept. 30—a day on which Abbas has already made plans to visit and five days after Pope Francis is scheduled to address the assembly.  (Times of Israel)

"How great is her arrogance!—of her conceit, her pride and her insolence; but her boasts are empty."  (Jeremiah 48:29)
 

Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN

Found: Second Temple Era Stairs in the City of David

"Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—Mount Zion, where you dwelt.  Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary."  (Psalm 74:2–3)

A pyramidal stack of Second Temple era stairs was found in the City of David National Park along an ancient road leading to the Temple, convincing some archaeologists that the structure was used as a podium to address pilgrims on their way to the Holy House. "It would be very interesting to know what was said there 2,000 years ago," said dig directors Nahshon Szanton and Dr. Joe Uziel in a press release. "Were messages announced here on behalf of the government?  Perhaps news or gossip, or admonitions and street preaching—unfortunately, we do not know."

 
Dr. Joe Uziel, co-director of the excavation, sits on the unique set of
Second Temple era stairs.

Szanton and Uziel noted that the stairs are unique.

"To date, such a structure has yet to be found along the street in the numerous excavations that have taken place in Jerusalem and to the best of our knowledge outside of it.  For this reason, its exact use remains enigmatic," the archaeologists stated. "The structure is built along the street in a place that is clearly visible from afar by passersby making their way to the Temple," they added.  "We believe the structure was a kind of monumental podium that attracted the public’s attention when walking on the city’s main street." Ongoing archaeological excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the City of David Foundation, and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority uncovered the staircase along with dozens of glass, stone, and clay vessels at the base of the steps, which might provide a clue to the podium’s purpose. Rabbinic commentaries in the Mishnah and Talmud tell of “stones” during the Second Temple period that were used for public purposes, such as an auction block and the "Stone of Claims," an ancient lost-and-found. Whoever found an article "stood and proclaimed" and whoever lost an article "submitted his identification marks and received it back."  It is not known at this time if the articles of glass, stone, and clay found at this podium were among such objects.  (IAA)
 

The Pool of Siloam is mentioned in both the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the
Brit Chadashah (New Testament).  In John 9:1–9, we read that Yeshua
(Jesus) healed a man who had been blind from birth.  Yeshua made mud
with His saliva and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes, telling him,
“Go wash yourself in the Pool of Siloam.”  The man returned healed.  

The structure is located beside a road that led to the Temple from the rock-cut Pool of Siloam, which lies south of the City of David and draws water mainly from the Gihon Spring above the Kidron Valley that sits east of the City. While the street has not been excavated entirely, huge stone slabs from the first century AD that are identified with a major Second Temple period building project are visible. The national park where the podium of steps was found is zoned to safeguard the Old City from construction work taking place beyond its walls, in the newer part of Jerusalem. Also called the Jerusalem Walls National Park, the City of David's features include the gates and the promenade of the Jerusalem Old City, the Tower of David Museum and surrounding antiquities site, Mount Zion with David's Tomb, Mount Zion Cemetery, and the Kidron Valley with the tombs of Absalom and the Prophet Zechariah. "Come near me and listen to this: 'From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.'  And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed with his Spirit.  This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ’I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'"  (Isaiah 48:16–17)

Germany's Merkel Condemns Anti-Israel Rhetoric

"The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.  I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.  I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’"  (Exodus 15:9)

Despite the nuclear deal, Iran continues anti-Israel rhetoric. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed Tuesday that Iran is ready to work with others in a "united front" against Israel. "We are ready to cooperate with all friends that believe in the necessity of forming a united front against the Zionist enemy and against divisive attempts," said Zarif, meeting in Tunis with Rashid al-Ghannushi, the head of the Ennahda Party—Tunisia's main Islamic faction.  (Tasnim)
 

US Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Foreign Minister
Javad Zarif of Iran in Vienna, Austria, on November 23, 2014, before the
two begin a one-on-one meeting amid broader negotiations about the
future of Iran's nuclear program.  (State Department photo)

  

In words, deeds, and media that seem to illustrate the great battles of Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, Iran has continued to call for Israel's destruction, even while talks over its nuclear program were in motion. During the negotiations, for example, Iran refused to consider lifting pressure on Israel by stopping Iranian activity in Syria, Yemen, and Gaza. Last Monday at an international conference to remember Iranian terror victims, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Israel, not Iran, has a foundation and a legacy of terror. "This [Zionist] regime began its work on the basis of intimidation, terror and occupation, and is continuing the same anti-human path today," Rouhani said. While many in the West ignore such statements, believing that they do not reflect the real Iran, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Iran last Monday for its comments against Israel."It is not acceptable how Iran continues to talk about Israel," Merkel said.  "It is a disappointment that there has been no change as far as the recognition of Israel goes."
 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel