Monday, February 12, 2007

The Middle East in Focus - 2-9-07

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

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

1. Gunfire erupts on Israel-Lebanon border - CNN

Lebanese army troops fired Wednesday on Israeli troops hunting for explosives along the Israel- Lebanon border, Lebanese army and Israeli military sources said.

2. Police on high alert ahead of Friday prayers - Ynet News

Police increased security levels throughout the country, and particularly in Jerusalem, in light of growing tensions surrounding excavation works near the Temple Mount.

3. Archeologist: Ancient cistern proves location of Second Temple - Jerusalem Post

An Israeli archeologist said Wednesday that he has pinpointed the exact location of the Second Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.

4. Ben-Eliezer: War a possibility in summer 2007 - Jerusalem Post

National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said Thursday that it was "not impossible" that summer 2007 would see another conflict in the North, one in which Syria was also involved. According to Ben-Eliezer, the IDF was not prepared for such a war.

5. Assad: 'Syria continues to back Hamas, Hizbullah' - Jerusalem Post

Syrian President Bashar Assad said "Syria would continue to support Hamas and Hizbullah," Israel Radio reported overnight Wednesday.

6. Hamas, Fatah sign 'unity deal' in Mecca - ICEJ News

All media sources reported today on the tentative agreement struck between the warring Palestinian Hamas and Fatah factions after just one day of negotiations in Mecca. Following a Saudi Arabian pledge of $1 billion to the Palestinian Authority if a deal could be reached, the two parties signed on to the somewhat vague agreement. The deal includes a highly ambiguous promise that the Hamas terror party will "respect" all previous agreements signed between the PLO and Israel, but does not address the other two requirements for gaining international recognition and ending the aid embargo - renouncing violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist. Click Here for the text of the Mecca Accord for the PA coalition government.