Israel Celebrates its 64th Independence Day
The modern State of Israel recently celebrated the 64th anniversary of its establishment. In 1948, the U.N. voted to partition the Holy Land into a Jewish and an Arab state with Jerusalem as the shared international capital. Old newsreels show dancing in the streets and joyous celebrations by the young Jewish people who came to Israel to start new lives in peace and freedom. The celebration of the Jewish State's existence is much the same today!
The day before Israel Independence Day is a day of remembrance for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Sirens mark a moment of silence as ceremonies take place around the country, in places such as Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, named after the assassinated Israeli Prime Minister. At sunset, Independence Day begins with fireworks and the following day, all the parks are filled with families celebrating with picnics and barbecues. Israelis mourn the loss of Israel's soldiers and civilians due to war and terrorism, then celebrate the birth of their country with joy, thanksgiving, and hope for a bright Israeli future.
Pray that these two events will encourage Israelis to see God's love and faithfulness in their lives -- in good times and difficult times.
Activists in Pro-Palestinian "Fly-Tilla" Denied Entry to Israel
The days after Passover were some of the busiest travel days of the year, as people returned from their holidays. During this time, Israeli authorities quietly prevented hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from entering the country. The activists were part of a "fly-tilla" (a play on words originating from the flotilla from Turkey two years ago) and were attempting to enter the country to join potentially violent demonstrations in Jerusalem. However, their names had been compiled months in advance and sent to foreign airlines, that either canceled the flights or did not allow them to board. (Jpost)
Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Two Terrorists from Shalit Prisoner Swap Arrested
In October 2011, Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in a deal with Hamas, bringing home captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit after five years' captivity in the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian terrorists who were released in the prisoner swap for Shalit have been arrested as they attempted once again to engage in anti-Israel terrorist activity. Both are Hamas operatives and have been working to recruit Palestinians from the West Bank to join the Hamas ranks, as well as coordinating plans to kidnap Israeli soldiers, illegally obtain weapons and establish more terror cells. (Jpost)
Please pray for Israel's safety, and that the other prisoners released in the deal would not return to terrorist activities.
Chosen People Ministries Prepares to Receive Summer Outreach Teams
Several groups of volunteers will soon be arriving in Israel to participate in Chosen People Ministries' various outreach activities in the Holy Land. Some of their days will be spent helping to accomplish work projects for struggling single moms. These women face the challenge of raising their children alone, paying the bills, and keeping the house in order, while dealing with a number of other difficult issues. Chosen People Ministries has a thriving ministry to single mothers, which includes both practical and spiritual help.
Pray for the Lord to bless our short-term teams with fruitful outreach throughout Israel this summer.
Three Names Added to List of Nazi War Criminals
The Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, which registers Nazi war criminals and tracks antisemitism, announced three new names on its list of most-wanted Nazis. All three fled to Canada after the War and have had their citizenship either revoked or suspended. Over the past eleven years, about ninety Nazi war criminals have been convicted of their wartime deeds by courts around the world. In addition, eighty new indictments have been filed against those suspected of war crimes. (Haaretz)
Please pray for those who committed horrible war crimes to be brought to justice.
Netanyahu one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the TIME Magazine list of 100 most influential people. He is praised for being a strong, iconic, determined leader. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor wrote the column for TIME, saying, "Netanyahu is one of these iconic Israelis, a strong leader who has excelled during a lifetime of service to the state of Israel. He deserves credit for drawing attention to the threat Iran poses to Israel, to America, to the region and to the free world. He is the right leader for Israel and the right partner for America." (Haaretz)
Please pray for Netanyahu's continued leadership of the State of Israel.
Little Time Left to Reach Holocaust Survivors
Findings from a special report on Holocaust survivors highlight the needs of this aging population. Over the past year, 12,000 survivors passed away. Currently, there are about 198,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel; 88% of them are over the age of 75 and nearly 20,000 require special home visits and rely on others for help with their day-to-day needs. (JPost)
Please pray for the Lord to provide for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of these survivors. Pray especially that they will hear the Gospel and put their trust in Messiah.
Israel Remembers its Fallen Soldiers
On Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day – April 24, 2012) Israel remembered its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, which now number 22,993. In 2011, 126 names were added to the list. The records of fallen soldiers and civilian casualties of terrorism have been kept since the 1948 War of Independence. (Ynet)
Please pray for the families of those who have been killed in war or because of terrorism.
Israeli Water Technology to Clean the Ganges in India
Indian engineers are considering using Israeli water technologies in a national initiative to clean up the Ganges River. The river is an important fresh water source as well as a ritual Hindu holy site – but it is currently a source of infection and disease as well. The Indian delegation will meet with several Israeli companies that work with sewage purification, solid waste treatment and desalination. Israel is considered a world leader in water technologies. (Ynet)
Pray for those who will be blessed by Israeli technology and ingenuity.
The modern State of Israel recently celebrated the 64th anniversary of its establishment. In 1948, the U.N. voted to partition the Holy Land into a Jewish and an Arab state with Jerusalem as the shared international capital. Old newsreels show dancing in the streets and joyous celebrations by the young Jewish people who came to Israel to start new lives in peace and freedom. The celebration of the Jewish State's existence is much the same today!
The day before Israel Independence Day is a day of remembrance for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Sirens mark a moment of silence as ceremonies take place around the country, in places such as Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, named after the assassinated Israeli Prime Minister. At sunset, Independence Day begins with fireworks and the following day, all the parks are filled with families celebrating with picnics and barbecues. Israelis mourn the loss of Israel's soldiers and civilians due to war and terrorism, then celebrate the birth of their country with joy, thanksgiving, and hope for a bright Israeli future.
Pray that these two events will encourage Israelis to see God's love and faithfulness in their lives -- in good times and difficult times.
Activists in Pro-Palestinian "Fly-Tilla" Denied Entry to Israel
The days after Passover were some of the busiest travel days of the year, as people returned from their holidays. During this time, Israeli authorities quietly prevented hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from entering the country. The activists were part of a "fly-tilla" (a play on words originating from the flotilla from Turkey two years ago) and were attempting to enter the country to join potentially violent demonstrations in Jerusalem. However, their names had been compiled months in advance and sent to foreign airlines, that either canceled the flights or did not allow them to board. (Jpost)
Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Two Terrorists from Shalit Prisoner Swap Arrested
In October 2011, Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in a deal with Hamas, bringing home captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit after five years' captivity in the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian terrorists who were released in the prisoner swap for Shalit have been arrested as they attempted once again to engage in anti-Israel terrorist activity. Both are Hamas operatives and have been working to recruit Palestinians from the West Bank to join the Hamas ranks, as well as coordinating plans to kidnap Israeli soldiers, illegally obtain weapons and establish more terror cells. (Jpost)
Please pray for Israel's safety, and that the other prisoners released in the deal would not return to terrorist activities.
Chosen People Ministries Prepares to Receive Summer Outreach Teams
Several groups of volunteers will soon be arriving in Israel to participate in Chosen People Ministries' various outreach activities in the Holy Land. Some of their days will be spent helping to accomplish work projects for struggling single moms. These women face the challenge of raising their children alone, paying the bills, and keeping the house in order, while dealing with a number of other difficult issues. Chosen People Ministries has a thriving ministry to single mothers, which includes both practical and spiritual help.
Pray for the Lord to bless our short-term teams with fruitful outreach throughout Israel this summer.
Three Names Added to List of Nazi War Criminals
The Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, which registers Nazi war criminals and tracks antisemitism, announced three new names on its list of most-wanted Nazis. All three fled to Canada after the War and have had their citizenship either revoked or suspended. Over the past eleven years, about ninety Nazi war criminals have been convicted of their wartime deeds by courts around the world. In addition, eighty new indictments have been filed against those suspected of war crimes. (Haaretz)
Please pray for those who committed horrible war crimes to be brought to justice.
Netanyahu one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the TIME Magazine list of 100 most influential people. He is praised for being a strong, iconic, determined leader. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor wrote the column for TIME, saying, "Netanyahu is one of these iconic Israelis, a strong leader who has excelled during a lifetime of service to the state of Israel. He deserves credit for drawing attention to the threat Iran poses to Israel, to America, to the region and to the free world. He is the right leader for Israel and the right partner for America." (Haaretz)
Please pray for Netanyahu's continued leadership of the State of Israel.
Little Time Left to Reach Holocaust Survivors
Findings from a special report on Holocaust survivors highlight the needs of this aging population. Over the past year, 12,000 survivors passed away. Currently, there are about 198,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel; 88% of them are over the age of 75 and nearly 20,000 require special home visits and rely on others for help with their day-to-day needs. (JPost)
Please pray for the Lord to provide for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of these survivors. Pray especially that they will hear the Gospel and put their trust in Messiah.
Israel Remembers its Fallen Soldiers
On Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day – April 24, 2012) Israel remembered its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, which now number 22,993. In 2011, 126 names were added to the list. The records of fallen soldiers and civilian casualties of terrorism have been kept since the 1948 War of Independence. (Ynet)
Please pray for the families of those who have been killed in war or because of terrorism.
Israeli Water Technology to Clean the Ganges in India
Indian engineers are considering using Israeli water technologies in a national initiative to clean up the Ganges River. The river is an important fresh water source as well as a ritual Hindu holy site – but it is currently a source of infection and disease as well. The Indian delegation will meet with several Israeli companies that work with sewage purification, solid waste treatment and desalination. Israel is considered a world leader in water technologies. (Ynet)
Pray for those who will be blessed by Israeli technology and ingenuity.
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