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.
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)
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
