Thursday, March 30, 2017

Former British PM: Israel 'a Cause for Hope in the Region' - CBN News Tzippe Barrow

Photo, GPO, Amos Ben Gershom

Former British PM: Israel 'a Cause for Hope in the Region'

03-30-2017

JERUSALEM, Israel – Former British Prime Minister and Middle East E.U. envoy Tony Blair says the Israel he's come to know over the years is open minded, tolerant and willing to work with others.

Blair, who spoke at the AIPAC conference earlier this week, says the Middle East needs more of what Israel has.

Israel, he said, is "a cause for hope in the region." He described the Jewish state as "creative, innovative and dynamic."

"If you want a cause for hope in the region, well, Israel's a cause for hope," he said. "So the fact is this is a place I've gotten to know well, and I just want to say that it's so important that we get this message across, not just in America but in Europe as well."

Blair, getting ready to make his 178th trip to Israel, says while Israeli politics are "argumentative, full of disputes [and] full of differences," the nation is nonetheless "vibrant and capable and what it's created is amazing."

Blair says there has to be a united front against Islamic extremists.

"It's a battle against extremism in favor of mutual respect across boundaries of race and faith and culture," he continued. "If we want the Middle East to succeed, we need to base this new partnership not just on interests, but on basic human values of dignity, respect and tolerance for all."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is quietly exploring the possibility of inviting the Arab Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel to a summit, the Jerusalem Post reported, quoting an anonymous Israeli source, who said, "I think it's feasible, but the question is what happens after."

Netanyahu Set to Approve First West Bank Settlements in 20 Years - MAAYAN LUBELL/REUTERS CHARISMA NEWS

Benjamin Netanyahu with Theresa May (Reuters)

Netanyahu Set to Approve First West Bank Settlements in 20 Years

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected to sign off on Thursday on building the first new settlement in the occupied West Bank for two decades, even as he negotiates with Washington on a possible curb on settlement activity.

Netanyahu was due to convene his security cabinet later in the day to approve the new enclave, government officials said.

"I made a promise that we would establish a new settlement," Netanyahu told reporters. "We will keep it today. There are a few hours until then, and you will get all the details."

He made the pledge in the run-up to the eviction in February of 40 families from the West Bank settlement of Amona. Israel's Supreme Court said the dwellings had to be razed because they were built illegally on privately owned Palestinian land.

Israel and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are in discussions on limiting the construction of settlements, which are built on land Palestinians seek for a state.

Such settlements, in territory that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, are deemed illegal by most of the world. Israel cites biblical, historical and political links to the land, as well as security interests, to defend its actions.

Establishing a new settlement could be a way for Netanyahu to appease far-right members of his coalition government, who are likely to object to any concessions to U.S. demands for restraints on building.

Trump, who had been widely seen in Israel as sympathetic towards settlements, appeared to surprise Netanyahu during a White House visit last month when he urged him to "hold back on settlements for a little bit."

The two then agreed that their aides would try to work out a compromise on how much Israel can build and where.

Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, this week wrapped up a second trip to the region aimed at reviving Middle East peace talks that collapsed in 2014.

A new settlement would be the first built in the West Bank since 1999. About 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank which is also home to 2.8 million Palestinians. Another 200,000 Israelis live in East Jerusalem.

Palestinians want the West Bank and East Jerusalem for their own state, along with the Gaza Strip.

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Cindy Jacobs: 'I Had a Vision of a Swamp Being Drained' - CHARISMA MAGAZINE

"Suddenly, a big war began over the remaining 'swamp water.'" (Pexels)

Cindy Jacobs: 'I Had a Vision of a Swamp Being Drained'

3/30/2017 CINDY JACOBS CHARISMA MAGAZINE

As I was praying for the nation today, I had a vision of a swamp being drained. However, as it was emptying, there were a number of "swamp creatures" that became visible. There were alligators and poisonous snakes, among others.

Suddenly, a big war began over the remaining "swamp water." The creatures began to turn on each other for territory.

Then, I saw swamp hunters aggressively wade into the mix. The battle was horrific and the hunters suffered injury, but they continued fighting on.

The interpretation of this is that the situation in Washington is going to heat up even more! It is going to get vicious. It will heat up until it will seem difficult to see what is really happening.

I realized this vision was given to me to encourage us, as intercessors for the nation, to have the courage to aggressively fight for righteousness. More things that are hidden are going to come to light. Some of the "swamp creatures" are going to turn on each other.

More exposures are coming. We need to pray for those who are fighting for what is right in Washington. When you see the swamp war getting more vicious, press in deeper in intercession—it is a sign that progress is being made.

Cindy Jacobs is an author, speaker and teacher with a heart for discipling nations in the areas of prayer and prophetic gifts. She and Mike—her husband of 43 years—co-founded Generals International in 1985.

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