“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers
together the outcasts of Israel.” Ps. 147:2
NEW JERUSALEM MUSEUM LOOKS AT THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY: The Terra Sancta Museum’s newly-reopened archaeological wing displays objects depicting how Yeshua might have lived 2,000 years ago. Located on the Via Dolorosa the museum features coins, mosaics, and unique inscriptions from biblical times. Most of the items on display were collected by the Franciscan friars over the centuries. Although the archaeological wing is already open to the public, construction is ongoing. “We succeeded in opening just part of the new museum,” said Father Eugenio Alliata, director of the museum. “We hope it will be completed in maybe two years. We want people to understand that the life of Yeshua is very closely connected to this land.” “Part of the museum dates back to 1902 and then we have a part that is much older and that probably dates back to the time of Yeshua,” said Sara Cibin, the project director of the museum. Though it mainly focuses on the origins of Christianity, the museum is also geared toward non-Christian visitors who wish to learn more about daily life in the Holy Land thousands of years ago. “The time of the life of Yeshua is interesting not only for Christians, but also for Jews as part of what they call the Second Temple period,” Father Alliata explained. “We think that the figure of Yeshua will be an attraction for everybody.” (Medialine)
HELPING ISRAEL’S POOR: Please continue to enable us to assist terror victims, children at risk, the elderly, entire households suffering from poverty and others in need in Israel. Your generous donations are vital and appreciated at
www.visionforisrael.com. For residents in the UK and outside N. America visit our website at
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FREED PASTOR BRUNSON TALKS ABOUT HIS DEVASTATING DETENTION IN TURKEY: Evangelical Christian pastor Andrew Brunson, who was released from Turkish imprisonment on Friday 12 Oct. 2018, spoke to Sean Hannity last week about his detention and his meeting with President Trump. Brunson, who was at the center of a Turkish-USA diplomatic dispute that even had sparked outcry from American evangelical groups, was released to house arrest after almost two years in jail. The pastor, who was detained on terror-related charges, was convicted days ago yet released from custody for time served. Hannity asked Brunson about his detention, held in a cell designed for eight, and there were 21 people. “It was a very difficult time. I was surprised because I had never considered prison as a possibility and the costs for that,” the pastor replied. “I was isolated by culture and by language but especially by religion.
“It was very difficult to be the only Christian among them.” Brunson told Hannity: “What was surprising is that they told me I was being held for terrorism and for trying to overthrow the government. The truth is we had been preaching Jesus Christ [Yeshua] — that’s why we were in Turkey — to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with Turks. We did that openly and never had a problem. It was very shocking to be accused of terrorism.” The pastor said that although he lost a lot of hope in jail, “I began to see there was value in my suffering especially as time went on.” Through visits from his wife, Norine, he said he received the encouragement he needed to endure, and he was sure God had a plan to end his suffering for him. Brunson returned to the USA aboard a military jet shortly before meeting the president. Trump welcomed Brunson to the White House on Sat. 13 Oct. 2018 to celebrate the pastor's release. When Brunson asked Trump if he could pray for him, the president replied, “Well, I need it probably more than anyone else in this room, so that would be very nice, thank you.” (Fox)
CABINET INSTRUCTS IDF TO STEP UP RESPONSE TO GAZA VIOLENCE: The security cabinet has instructed the military to step up its response to violent riots at the Gaza border and to the rocket fire that damaged a home in Beersheba. After a 5.5-hour discussion that ended around 2 a.m. Thur. 18 Oct. 2018, the cabinet says the “rules of the game” must change and the severity of the IDF’s strikes should gradually increase. The new policy came into effect on Friday 19 Oct. 2018, as Hamas-led mass riots continued on the Gaza border. During the overnight meeting, the military brass presented two operational plans to tackle the violent border clashes and to handle the incendiary balloons launched from the Strip into Israel, with the first being air strikes against terror targets in the Strip, while the second is containment of the violence while gradually Intensifying the army's response to breaching attempts and launching of incendiary balloons. (Times of Israel/Ynet)
EGYPT ORDERS HAMAS TO DEFUSE BORDER RIOTS: A new report says that Egypt had ordered Hamas to defuse the weekly riots on the Gaza border in order to avoid an escalation with Israel. According to media sources, Egypt told Hamas to keep rioters at least 500 meters from the border fence and to prevent them from tangling with Israeli soldiers. Egypt also told the terror group that the UN humanitarian projects must be given a chance to succeed. The “March of the Return” border riots have been ongoing every Friday since 30 March 2018, but in recent weeks have become more frequent. The violent demonstrations often deteriorate into full-scale riots, with demonstrators throwing grenades at IDF soldiers and burning tires. Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated recently after rockets were fired into Israeli territory last week. One of them, launched towards the sea, fell off the coast of Gush Dan. Another rocket hit a residential building in Beer Sheva. The family members were saved a few moments after the mother rushed her children with her into a bomb shelter. Israel's security cabinet stressed on Thur. 18 Oct. 2018 that it would decide whether to embark on a military operation in Gaza after viewing the Friday border riots. (Arutz-7) Hamas continues to feed its men, women and children on hatred and jihad. An entire population is starving on such a diet. Pray that the ruling Hamas terrorist group in Gaza will be overthrown and that others with a positive eye towards rebuilding the Gaza Strip and co-operating with Israel will be put in place.
PALESTINIANS WIN VOTE TO CHAIR GROUP OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AT UN: The UN General Assembly, in a 146-3 vote with 15 abstentions, approved a resolution giving the Palestinians "the rights and capacity required" to head the 135-nation group of developing countries that includes China. USA deputy ambassador Jonathan Cohen urged the assembly last week to vote "no" on the resolution, saying: "We cannot support efforts by the Palestinians to enhance their status outside of direct negotiations." He said the USA doesn't recognize "a Palestinian state" and "if this misguided resolution is adopted," when the Palestinians speak as chair of the group, the USA will remind UN members that "no such state has been admitted as a UN member state." Israel and Australia also voted against the resolution. Most Western European countries supported the measure while many Eastern European countries abstained. (AP) Again we remind our readers that the UN does not have the authority to establish states. Additionally, Palestinians are not in a position to promote themselves or to act as members of a legitimate and recognized state. Internationally accepted criteria for statehood include unified territory, capability of responsible governance and readiness to abide by international obligations. With Judea & Samaria dominated by Fatah that continues to promote and glorify terrorism and with Gaza controlled by Hamas/Iran, lobbing rockets and incendiary devices into Israel's towns, and building terrorist tunnels to carry out kidnappings and attacks against Israel’s border communities, the Palestinians have a long way to go until they fulfill these requirements.
USA ENVOY NIKKI HALEY: PALESTINE IS NOT ANY STATE AT ALL: “The Palestinians are not a UN Member State or any state at all. The United States will continually point that out in our remarks at UN events led by the Palestinians,” USA Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said. She spoke after the UNGA placed the PA at the head of a group of 134 nations, known as the Group of 77. To do so, it had to temporarily confer additional rights on the Palestinians, who have a non-member state status at the United Nations. “Today’s UN mistake undermines the prospects for peace by encouraging the illusion held by some Palestinian leaders that they can advance their goals without direct peace negotiations”. Her office added, “The United States does not recognize a Palestinian state, notes that no such state has been admitted as a UN Member State, and does not believe that the Palestinians are eligible to be admitted as a UN Member State.” USA deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told the UNGA that it planned to remind the UN that the Palestinians had not achieved statehood. His words were consistent with the United States position that recognition of Palestinian statehood should only occur after an agreement is reached ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (J.Post)
LOUIS FARRAKHAN: JEWS ARE TERMITES: Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan posted a video segment to his Twitter account last week in which he tells his followers that he is not an anti-Semite but, rather, “anti-termite.” Twitter said in response that it would not be suspending Farrakhan’s account in the meantime, noting that its policy barring "dehumanizing" language, which was announced in late Sept. 2018, has not yet gone into effect. Therefore, the company established, “Louis Farrakhan's tweet comparing Jews to termites is not in violation of the company's policies.” Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, responded to Farrakhan’s words by tweeting, “Comparing Jews to termites is anti-Semitic, wrong and dangerous. The responsive laughter makes my skin crawl. For everyone who condemned President Trump’s rhetoric when he spoke about immigrants ‘infesting our country,’ this rhetoric should be equally unacceptable to you,” she added. (Arutz-7) “My God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.” Ps. 59:10
REPORT: BY 2040 ISRAELIS' LIFESPAN WILL SOAR, PALESTINIANS' TO DROP MOST: Painting a stark contrast in health conditions, a just-published study projects that Israel will skyrocket to seventh in the world for life expectancy in coming decades, whereas Palestinians' life expectancy will make the world's sharpest drop. The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Education (IHME) at the University of Washington in Seattle, concludes that Israelis will live to 84.4 years by the year 2040. Palestinians are expected to live to 72.2 years. However, the study does show that life expectancy overall is on the rise. From 2016 to 2040, Israel gained 2.3 years and Palestinians gained 0.3 years in lifespan. From 2016 to 2040, Israel is predicted to move from 13th to 7th place in the world, while Palestinians will move from 114th to 152nd. The study predicts in 2040 that among the top 10 longest living nations are: Spain, with an expected 85.8 years; Japan with an expected 85.7 years; Singapore with an expected 85.4 years; Switzerland with an expected 85.2 years; Portugal with an expected 84.5 years; Italy with an expected 84.5 years; Israel with an expected 84.4 years and France with an expected 84.3 years. (J.Post) “With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Ps. 91:16
