Netanyahu Urges New Egyptian President to Honour Treaty
Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's recently-elected president, assumed office on June 30. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent Morsi a personal letter of congratulations and offered to cooperate with the new government. Netanyahu also urged Morsi to uphold and honour Israel's peace treaty with Egypt. (Haaretz)
Please pray for this important peace treaty between Egypt and Israel to be maintained.
IDF Increases Presence along Syrian Border
The Israel Defense Forces are increasing defensive measures along the Syrian border due to concern that terrorist groups are planning an attack in the Golan Heights. Israel is concerned that Syria's advanced weaponry – including Scud missiles and chemical weapons – could fall into the wrong hands. The IDF is also preparing for the possibility that large numbers of Syrian citizens might rush the border in an attempt to flee the Syrian military's violent crackdown. The IDF has readied a number of areas along the border where it would be able to contain the citizens and protect them from Syrian military forces if needed. (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for peace along the Israeli-Syrian border and for Syria's citizens.
Israelis Resume Protests against Rising Prices
Last summer, hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested the country's growing social inequalities by setting up tent cities in every major city. This summer's first organized protest recently occurred in Tel Aviv, where Israelis gathered for a demonstration against the rising prices for rent, food, child care and transportation. In a press release, the organizers said, "Israel is at a turning point; the people are taking responsibility for their fate and returning to the streets. We want to close the social gaps and increase the environmental and social quality of life in Israel. We won't give up." Surveys show that 78% of Israelis support continued protests against the high costs of living. (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for the poor and needy in Israel, who are especially affected by these problems.
Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir Dies
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir died recently at the age of 96, after a long illness. He was buried in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery in a state funeral. Shamir, whose parents had died in the Holocaust, was one of the leaders who helped establish the modern State of Israel in 1948. He served as prime minister from 1983-1984 and again from 1986-1992. Netanyahu said of Shamir, "He belonged to the generation of giants that established the State of Israel and fought for freedom for the Jewish people in its Land." (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for Shamir's family and friends as well as his countrymen who are mourning his loss.
German Ban on Circumcision Angers Jewish and Muslim Communities
The circumcision of baby boys on the eighth day after birth is a Jewish tradition dating back to Abraham, when the Lord established an eternal covenant with the people of Israel. A German court has ruled against circumcision for religious reasons, saying that the child's right to physical integrity outweighs the parents' religious freedom. Muslims also practice circumcision, though the time varies according to family and region. Both Jewish and Muslim groups are protesting the ruling. (Haaretz)
Please pray for religious freedoms to be upheld.
Faith Decisions at Gospel Café in Tel Aviv
Nine people have recently come to faith in Messiah through the outreach at the Gospel Café, in conjunction with a local congregation. Several of them are Jewish, and a few are married to Jewish spouses. Other seekers who have attended the Café are now meeting weekly with a local pastor. The Gospel Café has been drawing an increasing number of people who are not yet believers, but who are open to exploring faith in Messiah.
Please pray for these new believers and for those who are curious about Messianic Jewish faith.
Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's recently-elected president, assumed office on June 30. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent Morsi a personal letter of congratulations and offered to cooperate with the new government. Netanyahu also urged Morsi to uphold and honour Israel's peace treaty with Egypt. (Haaretz)
Please pray for this important peace treaty between Egypt and Israel to be maintained.
IDF Increases Presence along Syrian Border
The Israel Defense Forces are increasing defensive measures along the Syrian border due to concern that terrorist groups are planning an attack in the Golan Heights. Israel is concerned that Syria's advanced weaponry – including Scud missiles and chemical weapons – could fall into the wrong hands. The IDF is also preparing for the possibility that large numbers of Syrian citizens might rush the border in an attempt to flee the Syrian military's violent crackdown. The IDF has readied a number of areas along the border where it would be able to contain the citizens and protect them from Syrian military forces if needed. (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for peace along the Israeli-Syrian border and for Syria's citizens.
Israelis Resume Protests against Rising Prices
Last summer, hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested the country's growing social inequalities by setting up tent cities in every major city. This summer's first organized protest recently occurred in Tel Aviv, where Israelis gathered for a demonstration against the rising prices for rent, food, child care and transportation. In a press release, the organizers said, "Israel is at a turning point; the people are taking responsibility for their fate and returning to the streets. We want to close the social gaps and increase the environmental and social quality of life in Israel. We won't give up." Surveys show that 78% of Israelis support continued protests against the high costs of living. (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for the poor and needy in Israel, who are especially affected by these problems.
Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir Dies
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir died recently at the age of 96, after a long illness. He was buried in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery in a state funeral. Shamir, whose parents had died in the Holocaust, was one of the leaders who helped establish the modern State of Israel in 1948. He served as prime minister from 1983-1984 and again from 1986-1992. Netanyahu said of Shamir, "He belonged to the generation of giants that established the State of Israel and fought for freedom for the Jewish people in its Land." (Jerusalem Post)
Please pray for Shamir's family and friends as well as his countrymen who are mourning his loss.
German Ban on Circumcision Angers Jewish and Muslim Communities
The circumcision of baby boys on the eighth day after birth is a Jewish tradition dating back to Abraham, when the Lord established an eternal covenant with the people of Israel. A German court has ruled against circumcision for religious reasons, saying that the child's right to physical integrity outweighs the parents' religious freedom. Muslims also practice circumcision, though the time varies according to family and region. Both Jewish and Muslim groups are protesting the ruling. (Haaretz)
Please pray for religious freedoms to be upheld.
Faith Decisions at Gospel Café in Tel Aviv
Nine people have recently come to faith in Messiah through the outreach at the Gospel Café, in conjunction with a local congregation. Several of them are Jewish, and a few are married to Jewish spouses. Other seekers who have attended the Café are now meeting weekly with a local pastor. The Gospel Café has been drawing an increasing number of people who are not yet believers, but who are open to exploring faith in Messiah.
Please pray for these new believers and for those who are curious about Messianic Jewish faith.
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