Thursday, December 7, 2006

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before." (Jeremiah 33:6-7)

1. Report: Hamas ministers met with US, EU officials - Ynet News

The Palestinian news agency Maan, quoting a senior member of the Palestinian government, reported Wednesday that "ministers of the Hamas-led government recently held talks with European countries and with a delegation of the American Democratic Party.

2. Baker report: Israel must withdraw from Golan - Ynet News

The Baker-Hamilton report submitted Wednesday evening to US President George W. Bush marks a change in the American policy regarding the Middle East, particularly on the Israeli-Syrian channel.

3. Conservative scholars ease gay rabbi ban - Ynet News

Conservative Jewish scholars eased their ban Wednesday on ordaining gays, upending thousands of years of precedent while stopping short of fully accepting gay clergy.

4. UN requests record $450m in aid for Palestinians - Jerusalem Post

The United Nations will ask donor countries to contribute a record $450 million in aid to the Palestinians, whose economy has been devastated by international economic sanctions on the Hamas- led government, UN officials said Wednesday.

5. Palestinians: Americans realized cause of conflict - Ynet News

The Baker-Hamilton report on Iraq has begun to strike waves in the Mideast on Wednesday. Hassan Harisha, deputy head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, says that the report is of the utmost importance.