Tourism to Israel Reaches Highest Number Since Country's Inception - Israel Ministry of Tourism

June 2017 Newsletter

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism revealed that 349,000 tourists visited Israel in the month of April -- the highest amount of visiting tourists since the inception of the state in 1948.

The figure marks a 40 percent increase from 2015. Since January 2017, the state has earned a record NIS 6 billion in revenue from tourism (some $1,700,000,000.00)

The Israeli Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin praised the achievement and said that the progress was due to the ministry's shift in policy and a calculated effort to bring more tourism to Israel.

“When there is clear policy, we see results," said Levin,

"Every month, we are witnessing exceptional statistics that illustrate the progress we are spearheading in the tourism industry and its tremendous contribution to the Israeli economy and workforce.

This important and exciting milestone is part of a positive trend that has been taking place over the last half year or more. I hope and believe that, with hard work, we will continue to reap the benefits of this investment.”

Israel Tourism "Wine Ambassador" 

Featured on CNN.com

Israeli wine-maker and sommelier Roni Saslove was recently featured at "Israel's Pioneering Female Winemaker" for a feature on CNN.com.

The feature story comes on the heels of Saslove's 10-city North American tour to promote Israel's wine region on behalf of The Israel Ministry of Tourism.  Local media, industry experts, and influencers were invited to hear Saslove's engaging seminar while sampling world-class Israeli wines.
 

The Tel Aviv-based viticulturalist made stops in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Nashville, and San Francisco to share her expertise on Israel's burgeoning evolution of Israel's wine region.

Wine Spectator Magazine featured wines of Israel for their cover of their October 2016 issue, as Israel continues to receive worldwide acclaim for its culinary and wine offerings.

The store that took on the boycott Israel movement and won! - ISRAEL VIDEO NETWORK

This is the way to take on the BDS bullies In June, StandWithUs Canada alerted the local community about a store being bullied by boycott Israel (BDS) activists for carrying SodaStream products. They asked the community to show their support the following Sunday with a Buy Israeli Goods (BIG) day. What happened next was amazing! See for yourself.

NBA All-Star Stephen Curry: Christ Lives Inside Me - DEBORAH HAMILTON CHARISMA NEWS

NBA All-Star Stephen Curry: 

Christ Lives Inside Me

 2/12/2016 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

Steph Curry has quite a weekend ahead of him. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day, but the Golden State Warriors star will take the court in Toronto on Sunday for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. (Reuers)

Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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Steph Curry has quite a weekend ahead of him. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day, but the Golden State Warriors star will take the court in Toronto on Sunday for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.

Undoubtedly, Curry appreciates of the honor of being an All-Star, but the standout point guard and 2015 NBA MVP knows there's a much bigger prize in life, long after the buzzer sounds. Curry has talked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Magazine about this faith, writing that his trust in Christ identifies him more than his jersey.

Curry told FCA about the moment he began living for Jesus—and never looked back: "I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made."

And of his journey to the NBA, he said, "I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson (College) that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.

"God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.

"There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me."

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Special Report: Pro-Palestinian Protests Turn Violent Across North America - BIN

Special Report: Pro-Palestinian Protests Turn Violent Across North America

By Raphael Poch July 25, 2014  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the servant of rulers: ‘Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’” (Isaiah 49:7)

Pro-Palestinian protesters from the US Pales­tin­ian Com­mu­nity Net­work in Chicago. (Photo: ADL Blog)

Pro-Palestinian protesters the world over have turned violent and begun physically assaulting, committing property damage, and theft in certain instances, all in the name of “Palestine”. Often the response from local police is too little and too late to protect the well-being of bystanders or people who show up in support of Israel during dual or counter protests.

In a response to two recent protests that turned violent in Canada, one in Toronto the other in Calgary, one TV interviewer, from Sun News said; “This is not even about Israel and Gaza. This is about the right to peacefully protest, and for the police to do their job properly, and not become political.”

The protest in Calgary left a woman unconscious after being beaten by pro-Palestinian thugs during a ‘peaceful’ protest. The protest turned violent and numerous pro-Israel protesters were accosted, beaten and had flags and other items stolen during the protest. One participant, Shane Hamilton, was concussed and even bitten by Palestinian supporters.

While in Toronto, one pro-Israel rally participant was stabbed and rushed to the hospital. In both cases, police have declined to press charges. In Calgary, police had neglected to show up to the protest, even though they had received advanced notification of both both protests, and been asked to show up to keep the peace.

The Sun News network has hired a criminal lawyer, Rebecca Snukal, who will be looking into creating a criminal lawsuit as well as a possible civil lawsuit in reaction to the incidents that took place in Calgary.

In New York, in one of the largest pro-Israel rallies organized by Jewish City Council members and the Jewish Community Relations Council, pro-Israel activists were surrounded by a pro-Palestinian counter rally, who began chanting anti-Israel slogans defaming Israel.

Protests in Boston took place with a “die-in” by pro-Palestinian supporters mimicking the deaths of Palestinians caused by the IDF. The demonstrators swarmed Jewish students who later reported that police had to “rescue them”. They then began pushing, shoving, and screaming at the students, “Jews back to Birkenau” and “Drop dead, you Zionist whores.”

Meanwhile in Chicago, thousands of people took to the streets, while smaller numbers protested in Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas, Portland, Atlanta, Kansas City, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles and even Tempe, Arizona. While violence in the US so far has only been reported during the Boston and Los Angeles protests, very real threats have been uttered and even sent via text message to some of the pro- Israel supporters.

“The tenor at some of the anti-Israel rallies has been extreme,” said a spokesman for the Anti- Defamation League, “with protesters chanting ‘Death to Israel’ and other hateful messages and slogans.”

As protesters’ rhetoric heats up across Europe and the Western World, it is not surprising that many Jews feel safer in Israel. While some would have us believe that what we are witnessing in many of the world’s most cosmopolitan capitals is boiled-over frustration with Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, what we are really seeing is the need for Israel more than ever.

Pro-Palestinian protesters from CODEPINK and the Wash­ing­ton, D.C. Metro Jew­ish Voice for Peace. (Photo: ADL Blog)

As the protests turn to riots, and the police sometimes, if not often, turn a blind eye, the message becomes abundantly clear. Only in Israel can Jews know deep down, that with every resource available, and without any overriding agenda, they will be defended to the death.

In spite of what these protesters may try to convince the world of, Israel’s operation in Gaza is not causing deep-seated prejudices, it is revealing them. And behind all of that hatred lies the need for Israel—the case for Jewish sovereignty is the case for Jewish safety.

Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/18914/special-report-pro-palestinian-protests-turn-violent-across-north-america/#A1Fkc4mvxxKEJ4UC.99

Canadian PM to Visit Israel in January, Expresses Support

YEAH CANADA!

Canadian PM to Visit Israel in January, Expresses Support

Posted by: Staff Writer December 5, 2013, BREAKINGISRAELNEWS

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“And I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Photo: Facebook)

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, long a supporter of Israel, spoke at a Jewish National Fund fundraiser dinner in Toronto this week, pledging Canada’s support for Israel and announcing a planned visit for January.  The PM also entertained the crowd by performing with his band.

The dinner was held in Harper’s honor, and a new bird sanctuary in his name, to be established in the Hula Valley Reserve, the Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor & Education Centre in Israel, was announced.  “I am honored by this particular gift…I value it [because] it is where it is. It is in that homeland of the Jewish people and that light of freedom and democracy in what is otherwise a region of darkness — the State of Israel,” Harper said.  This marks the first time in its 65 years that the JNF has honored a sitting prime minister.

JNF Canada CEO Josh Cooper explained to the National Post, “The prime minister’s outstanding support of the state of Israel, his efforts towards combating anti-Semitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust made him an obvious choice.”  On the bird sanctuary, Cooper commented, “Given his well documented love of animals, we felt this would be an appropriate project to present to him.”

Harper elaborated on Canada and Israel’s common values, as well as the common threats they face.  “In the world of diplomacy, we know how easy it is to drift away from Israel. We understand that the future of our country and of our shared civilization depends on the survival and the thriving of that free and democratic homeland of the Jewish people in the Middle East.”

“Israel will always have Canada as a friend in the world,” Harper added.

It is important to remember that Harper is a member of a large evangelical church and has noted many times that his support for Israel also stems from his faith.

Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his appreciation for Harper via televised video message.  “Stephen doesn’t follow the herd,” Netanyahu said. “He has stood up for the truth, time and time again. Stephen doesn’t want to be politically correct, he wants to be correct. He had the courage to stand up for what he believed.  I salute you Stephen, not only as a personal friend, and a friend of Israel, but as a great leader.”

Harper’s announcement of a planned visit for January was also welcome news.  Critics have noted that although he has been a staunch supporter of Israel in his words, he has yet to visit the country in his seven years as Prime Minister.

David Koschitzky, chairman of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), praised Harper’s decision following the latter’s speech.  “This official trip is an important indicator of the dynamic relationship that exists between two great countries, which has grown and strengthened under the prime minister’s leadership. This visit will provide Israelis with an opportunity to thank the prime minister for his steadfast friendship and support over many years.”  In Cooper’s words, Harper has “raised the bar of what is considered to be a true friend of Israel.”

Not everyone was enthusiastic about Harper’s professions of support for Israel, or the JNF’s activities in the Negev.  Some 200 demonstrators gathered outside the dinner venue, protesting the Prawer Plan, an Israeli government initiative which calls for the relocation of tens of thousands of Bedouin residents in the Negev region.  This demonstration came on the heels of the International Day of Rage held Saturday across Israel and in Europe against the same plan.

Approximately 200,000 Bedouins live in the Negev, most concentrated in an area around the city of Beersheba.  Many live in illegal settlements without basic services such as roads and sewage systems, and are spread out over vast tracts of land.  There is concern that with a growing population, the land will not be able to accommodate such an expansive lifestyle.  The Bill on the Arrangement of Bedouin Settlement in the Negev, also known as the Prawer-Begin Plan, or simply the Prawer Plan, calls for Israel to officially recognize most of the current Bedouin settlements, while relocating the residents of the remaining 35 settlements to towns built for their needs.  The Israeli government claims this will improve their economic situation and access to services, but critics claim the urbanization will not allow them to maintain their traditional occupation of herding livestock.  Some have called the plan a “land-grab” and accuse the government of anti-Arab racism.

JNF chairman Efi Stenzer, however, said the overwhelmingly positive response to the Negev dinner and Harper’s attendance put the demonstrations in perspective.  “KKL-JNF and its supporters all over the world will continue to strengthen the State of Israel with all its strength and will act fearlessly to reinforce it,” he told The Jerusalem Post.

Editor's Note: Blessings on ye heads O Canada!

Steve Martin

Love For His People