Friday, February 2, 2007

The Middle East in Focus 2-1-07

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

"O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare Your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in Your salvation." (Psalm 9:13,14)

1. Bush approves transfer of $86 million to Abbas – Jerusalem Post

US President George W. Bush approved the transfer of $86 million to strengthen the security forces headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Israel Radio reported Tuesday night.

2. Hamas says US is trying to ‘colonize’ the PA – Jerusalem Post

Hamas on Wednesday accused the US of promoting civil war among the Palestinians by transferring $86 million to strengthen forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Other articles

3. Jerusalem registers its first gay couple – ICEJ USA

The city of Jerusalem officially registered its first homosexual couple married on Monday, some three months after a High Court ruling paved the way for same sex couples to be listed in the Interior Ministry’s Population Registry. Following the violent protests over the annual gay parade in Jerusalem, last year, the registration of a homosexual couple in the city is a significant development.

4. Egyptian Forces Suspected of Aiding Palestinian Suicide Bomber – All Headline News

A Palestinian suicide bomber who killed three Israelis in the southern resort town of Eilat on Monday may have received assistance from Egyptian security officials in infiltrating southern Israel via the Sinai Peninsula.

5. Egypt: Form unified Palestinian army – The Jerusalem Post

The Jerusalem Post reports that Egyptian authorities are continuing their efforts to persuade the Palestinian Authority to unify and establish an army composed of members of all armed Palestinian factions. The most recent mediation resulted in yet another “ceasefire” between Hamas and Fatah, which went into effect early Tuesday, although gunmen shot and killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza later in the day. Meanwhile both sides continue to trade allegations about the ongoing crises.

6. IDF won’t change policy of restraint in Gaza – The Jerusalem Post

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided yesterday that despite Monday’s suicide attack in Eilat, the IDF would maintain a policy of restraint in Gaza, mainly to avoid feuding Palestinian factions a reason to unite against Israel.