Why a Reliable News Source is Important

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff

The fog of war is one thing, but when media outlets covering a conflict are, for one reason or another, publishing contrary reports, it can be very difficult to discern fact from fiction.

The war in Gaza is a very good example of this problem. Despite enormous, up-to-the-minute media coverage of what is a relatively small conflict in a very confined space, the details are often very blurry.

More often than not, that is by design as Hamas and its terrorist allies try to turn coverage of the Gaza war into a numbers game devoid of context.

Over 1,000 Palestinians have died, while only a few Israeli civilians have been killed, the implication being that Israel must be the aggressor and, therefore, in the wrong.

But by reading the news of casualty figures in proper context, a very different picture emerges.

Earlier this week, Israel Today ran a story about foreign correspondents confirming that they had been abused, intimidated and exploited by Hamas while reporting from Gaza.

Their revelations made clear that it is impossible to rely on the mainstream international media for a clear picture of the situation in times of conflict.

Israel Today is different. We are Israelis. We have sources within the military and government, as well as amongst other people on the ground near Gaza, who owe no allegiance to, nor fear the intimidation of Hamas.j

We can and do provide the context that others leave out.

We invite you to Subscribe Today to our monthly in-depth, feature-filled magazine to gain the full advantage of a reliable news source that truly understands the land and the conflict.

Our latest issue includes, among other things, the following important articles:

1. A touching, faith-filled interview with Rachel Frenkel, mother of slain Israeli teenager Naftali Frenkel;
2. The cries of a young Palestinian activist in Gaza (name withheld for security reasons) who is not alone in hoping for Israel to simply reconquer the coastal enclave;
3. An interview with an Israeli Messianic Jewish pastor who was honored in his hometown for years of outstanding service in the defense of Israel;
4. An analysis of the long-term implications of the current Gaza war, what Israel is doing to tackle the new challenge of terror tunnels, and what impact America’s waning focus on the Middle East will have on the Jewish state.

You don’t want to miss these and other important articles that provide real context from a Messianic perspective on what is happening here in Israel.

CLICK HERE to Subscribe Now >>

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CAROLYN AND RICHARD HYDE of Heart of G-d Ministries From The Galilee, Israel

CAROLYN AND RICHARD HYDE

SHALOM, SHALOM!

I N V I T A T I O N!
Highway to Zion Assembly!
Worship, Dance, Shabbat Candle-lighting
With 
CAROLYN AND RICHARD HYDE
of Heart of G-d Ministries
 From The Galilee, Israel

Richard and Carolyn freely give their considerable gifts of worship, music, evangelism, teaching and the prophetic 

proclamation of Aliyah to the body of Messiah for the glory 

of Yeshua ha Mashiach.

Last week Carolyn ministered to children in bomb shelters in Ashkelon who have 

been spending days in the shelters due to the conflict in 

Gaza.  We are looking forward to hearing about her ministry to the children 

and receiving up to the minute reports from both Richard and Carolyn.

www.heartofg-d.org

  Friday, August 15, 2014
At:  Raintree Country Club
8600 Raintree Lane
Charlotte, NC
7:00-9:30 pm

RSVP:  highwaytozion@aol.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Blessings and love in Messiah Yeshua!

Cathy

Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.
www.highwaytozion.org

Obama Using Hamas Terror as Leverage Against Israel - ISRAEL TODAY

Obama Using Hamas Terror as Leverage Against Israel

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff

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TOPICS:

America

Israelis were once again left dumbfounded by the behavior of the American Administration after US President Barack Obama on Monday appeared to be using Hamas terrorism as leverage to get Israel to resume peace negotiations under Palestinian terms.

Earlier in the day, the White House was found whining to the press as US Secretary of State John Kerry once again became the recipient of a diplomatic tongue-lashing by senior Israeli officials after he proposed a Gaza ceasefire deal that some in Jerusalem described as “offensive.”

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki insisted that Kerry’s truce plan was consistent with an earlier proposal that Egypt had put forward and that Israel had accepted. However, the fact that the Palestinian Authority also rejected Kerry’s deal, which it said had been authored by the “Friends of Hamas,” called into question Psaki’s grasp of the details.

At any rate, Psaki complained that Israel’s manner of rejecting Kerry’s plan is “not how you treat your partners.” Not a few Israelis retorted that the same could be said of Kerry’s plan, not to mention incessant American complaining over Israeli military actions.

By the end of the day, Kerry appeared to have drawn closer to the Israeli position, suddenly declaring his support for the demand that any ceasefire lead to the disarmament of Hamas and the entire Gaza Strip.

There was still a gap between Kerry’s position and that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told Israelis in a televised address that an acceptable Gaza truce must include, not lead to, Hamas’ disarmament.

And then Obama stepped in and dropped his bombshell, suggesting that he’d only press the issue of Gaza’s disarmament in the context of a final status peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The latest round of US-brokered peace talks broke down after the PA unilaterally sought UN recognition outside the framework of an agreement.

“The President stressed the US view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza,” the White House press secretary announced.

What is really angering a lot of Israelis is the fact that the demilitarization of Gaza was a primary Palestinian obligation when the so-called “Oslo Accords” were signed 20 years ago, as Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has pointed out in a number of recent interviews and press briefings.

“Gaza was supposed to be totally demilitarized. That is a Palestinian commitment signed on the White House lawn 20 years ago,” Steinitz told CNN, noting that former President Bill Clinton and those involved at the time all recognized the necessity of disarming Gaza as a fundamental step toward peace.

That Obama is now using, and allowing the Palestinian Authority to use the overly exaggerated militarization of Gaza as leverage against Israel is further proof to many Israelis that the American government cannot be trusted to honor or guarantee any agreement signed by the Jewish state.

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'Ground Zero' Cross to Stay at National Memorial - CBN News

'Ground Zero' Cross to Stay 

at National Memorial

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

The famed Ground Zero Cross won't be removed from The National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum for now.

The U.S. 2nd Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to the cross by The American Atheists on Monday.

The cross, found in the rubble of the World Trade Center buildings became a strong symbol for rescue workers and victims' families in the aftermath of Sept. 11.

But the atheist group said acknowledging faith amounts to improper "religious promotion."

The court disagreed. The Supreme Court has long held that accurately telling human history often requires referring to religion.

The American Center for Law and Justice filed an amicus brief to protect the Ground Zero Cross.

"We argued from the beginning that this was a flawed legal challenge designed to re-write history and eliminate a powerful historical artifact," Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, said.

"This bizarre legal challenge from an atheist group was exposed for what it was - a skewed legal challenge that had no merit," he added.

"This decision is a significant constitutional victory that protects the freedom to display religiously themed artifacts of historical or artistic significance without running afoul of the Constitution," he said.

The ACLJ said they believe The American Atheists will likely appeal.

Liberals Go Crazy After Simon Cowell Donates $150,000+ to the Israeli Military

Simon Cowell

Liberals Go Crazy After Simon Cowell Donates $150,000+ to the Israeli Military

Conservative Tribune

Small government, free markets, and traditional values.

They say that difficult times bring out the best in people. That appears to be true among some of the Hollywood elite during this most recent period of bloody conflict between the Israel Defense Forces and the radical Islamic terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Celebrities like Joan Rivers and Howard Stern–neither known for their history of insightful political commentary–have recently weighed in on the Israeli side of the conflict, condemning the pro-Palestinian bias of the liberal international media. John Voight also spoke recently at a pro-Israel rally.

Now comes news from ynetnews of a generous gift from reality television producer and star Simon Cowell. Cowell, a pop culture figure best known for mocking contestants of questionable talent on television programs of questionable value likeAmerican Idol and Britain’s Got Talent, reportedly gave over $150,000 to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces at a fundraiser.

The left, of course, is going ballistic in its usual classy way. Cowell’s Twitter account has been flooded with anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian comments, as if what Cowell does with his money is anyone’s business but his.

Comments claiming that Cowell now has “blood on his hands” for supporting Israel, or that he gave the impressive sum “to the IDF to impress his Jewish girlfriend” are typical of the tweets he has received.

Cowell himself is Christian, although one of his grandparents was Jewish, according to the report. This is apparently enough for one terrorist supporter to accuse Cowell of following his “masters in Tel Aviv.”

Cowell joins the ranks of a surprising number of Hollywood celebrities–including Scarlett Johansson, Jay Leno, and even Robert De Niro–in expressing support for Israel in the face of leftist criticism.

Perhaps Cowell should create a new program on which he brings his trademark scalding commentary to bear on the ridiculously biased coverage of the Gaza conflict–and, for that matter, basically any other important issue making headlines today.

We’d tune in for that.

Please share this article on Facebook and Twitter if you support Simon Cowell’s generous donation to the Israeli people and his right to give to whatever causes and organizations he chooses.

Source: Conservative Tribune

You saved my soul from death - ISRAEL365

For You saved my soul from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life. PSALMS (56:14)   כִּי הִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִמָּוֶת הֲלֹא רַגְלַי מִדֶּחִי לְהִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי אֱ-לֹהִים בְּאוֹר הַחַיִּים תהילים נו:יד kee hi-TZAL-ta naf-SHEE mi-ma-VET ha-LO rag-LAI mi-de-KHEE l'-hit-ha-LAYKH lif-NAY e-lo-HEEM b'-OR ha-khai-YEEM

Today's Israel Inspiration King David lived through many difficult times, and his poetic words are eternal and applicable to the many challenges we face in our own lives. An organization named "Karmey Chesed" reaches out to bring the "light of life" to Israelis in desperate need of support. Now it has joined with the IDF to help soldiers in need. "We are providing snacks and easily prepared food to the soldiers, which raises their morale significantly,” said Aryeh Weingarten, founder of Karmey Chesed.  “It’s a great feeling when a soldier receives a care package, and especially in an intense situation like this. It helps them feel that they are important, wanted, and respected.” Join Karmey Chesed in caring for the soldiers » 10 Minutes About Living on Gaza Border Give ten minutes of your time to Dana Bar-On, a young woman who speaks from her family's kibbutz in Southern Israel. Last week, a few meters from her home, Hamas terrorists appeared out of a tunnel from Gaza with the intent to massacre her kibbutz.   Watch here » IDF Soldiers' Secret Battle at Home Upon learning that a particular IDF combat brigade has a number of soldiers who come from low-income families in difficult straights, "Karmey Chesed" jumped right in to help.   Read more » Hebrew Leather Bracelet This adjustable and stylish leather bracelet includes a Star of David pendant that says "Israel" in English and Hebrew. Wear it with pride, and at this price, you'll want to grab up a few for your friends!   Get this Great Deal » Israel Photo Trivia Do you know where today's photo byGrace & Rick Knelsen was taken? Send me an email or post your answer onFacebook!   Guess on Facebook » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “So Grateful for the Updates” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!   Stay in Touch »   I am so grateful for the updates of what is happening in Israel and for the encouraging words that are shared from Scripture. Thank you for all you do. Sheila Welch in Summerville, South Carolina Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

Copyright © 2014 Israel365, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website,www.israel365.com. Our mailing address is: Israel365 36 Ein Gedi Street Ramat Beit Shemesh 99000 Israel

Foreign Reporters Reveal Depths of Hamas Depravity

Monday, July 28, 2014 |  Yossi Aloni  ISRAEL TODAY

Terrorists disguised as women, a gunman hiding his weapon under a baby blanket close to his chest as though it were a child, and a Hamas spokesman giving an interview against the backdrop of destruction while sitting comfortably in a hospital commandeered as a war-time headquarters.

These are just a few of the examples of Hamas’ depravity as reported by foreign media correspondents doing their best to report from terrorist-ruled, war-torn Gaza.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has been collecting these reports and distributing them to all Israeli embassies as talking points in their efforts to prove that Israel is fighting cruel criminal organization that uses both civilians and journalists as human shields.

These are just some of those reports:

• “…as journalists arrived at the scene in Shejaia Sunday afternoon, several men with guns were scurrying from the scene. Some bore their weapons openly, slung over their shoulder, but two, disguised as women, were seen walking off with weapons partly concealed under their robes. Another had his weapon wrapped in a blanket and held on his chest as if it were a baby.” (Patrick Martin, Globe and Mail, July 20)
• “Inside Shejaiyya we also saw several #Hamas gunmen. One passed dressed in a woman’s headscarf… tip of a gun poked out from under cloak.” (Janis Mackey Frayer, Canadian journalist via Twitter, July 20)
• “At the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, crowds gathered to throw shoes and eggs at the Palestinian Authority’s health minister, who represents the crumbling ‘unity government’ in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The minister was turned away before he reached the hospital, which has become a de facto headquarters for Hamas leaders, who can be seen in the hallways and offices.” (William Booth, The Washington Post, July 15)
• “During the lull, a group of men at a mosque in northern Gaza said they had returned to clean up the green glass from windows shattered in the previous day’s bombardment. But they could be seen moving small rockets into the mosque.” (William Booth, The Washington Post, July 17)
• “You have to wonder [with] the shelling how patients at Shifa hospital feel as Hamas uses it as a safe place to see media.” (Nick Casey, Wall Street Journal correspondent via Twitter)
• “Hamas complains that Israel is massacring civilians, but at the same time is trying to take advantage of civilians and journalists alike by preventing them from leaving and demanding they return and serve and human shields… This strategy of human shields includes foreign journalists … during the battle, Hamas would not allow a group of 20 journalists to leave the area.” (Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun, July 21)
• “The Israeli side of the border with gaza was briefly open today, but Hamas did not let journalists leave Gaza.” (Sophia Jones, Huffington Post via Twitter, July 20)

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