The Battle Over the Temple Mount

Zec 12:3 "It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

One of the main obstacles in previous peace-making efforts has been the issue of dividing Jerusalem and control over the Temple Mount. Muslim denial of Judaism's historical and religious ties to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the Waqf's illegal construction there, and the violent response to Jewish activities there present an obstacle to peace-making efforts...Read more


For Zion's Sake Ministries:

Axis Of Evil: Did U.S. weakness invite North Korea's nuclear provocations? Like Tehran, Pyongyang has rejected Obama administration diplomatic overtures. Are these rogue states seizing a new opportunity? Talked To Death

Paradoxically, despite the alarming ongoing surge of Islamic religious and political extremism in Europe, the European Union and individual European countries seem poised for what could become the ugliest confrontation with Israel since the creation of the Jewish state. Crude threats are being conveyed to the Netanyahu government, making it clear that unless it capitulates to a series of demands, relations will be downgraded and boycotts may even be instituted. Unconfirmed rumors are circulating that the US State Department does not object to these European initiatives. Ugly vibes from Europe


FrontPageMag:

"In the Obama Administration ... It's Easy Being Palestinian"

North Korea and the Real Nuclear Option

Driving Our Allies into Bomb Shelters


Joel Rosenberg:

WILL AHMADINEJAD STAY?

OBAMA HEADED TO EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA: Plans to skip Israel


Lori's links and comments:

Boo chose the wrong venue,"By addressing the "Islamic world" from Cairo, Obama lends credibility to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and other advocates of political Islam who demand that Muslims be addressed globally and on religious terms..... Rather than buttress a loyal ally, Obama's speech undermines him on his home ground. That is a lose-lose proposition. For his trouble, Obama will get more bloodshed in Pakistan, more megalomania from Iran, more triumphalism from the Palestinians, and less control over Iraq and Afghanistan. Of all the available bad choices, Obama has taken the worst. It is hard to imagine any consequence except a steep diminution of American influence.

"NKorea steps up coastal drills amid fears of naval provocation ,

Israeli Reaction To North Korea: ‘We Told You So’ ,

Missing dimension in Middle East peace process,Although I don't agree with the author, he reveals some interesting points: One being... "The current efforts led by President Obama, former Prime Minister Blair, and King Abdullah could hold great new promise in these regards.

"Bibi: Israel won't put settlement life on hold,

Tony Blair flags 'way forward' in Middle East peace process,

Blair: June will be Critical in Arab-Israel Peace,

US administration blocks sale of 6 AH-64D helicopters to Israel - approves 12 to Egypt,

Op Piece: Hillary's Kiss is Still a Kiss, this article doesn't really match the title

'US may reduce Israel support in UN' ,

What will happen if Israel 'defeats' Boo? ,

Boo Backfires: Media Raise Doubts, Egypt Snubs ‘Instant Peace' ,Congress backs Israel

Egypt rejects U.S. plan for Arab-Israel normalization,

Israeli FM To Russia, Belarus Monday,

Russia creates its own version of NATO in Central Asia to be prepared for big war,

What are the powers of the European Parliament? ,"If the EU's stalled Lisbon Treaty is finally agreed on by all 27-member states, the EU Parliament will gain powers over the entire EU budget, many areas of justice policy, and the appointment of the High Representative, the EU's top diplomat."

British Journalists March for Palestine

From Pajamas Media:

Did you like the film Groundhog Day? Well, even if you didn’t you will know what I mean by a “Groundhog Day” sequence of events. Two years ago I wrote in my diary about my anguish and hurt over the behavior of my fellow journalists at an NUJ (National Union of Journalists) magazine branch meeting. You may ask, “What is a good conservative lass doing hanging out with a trade union crowd?” Okay, I admit: I am a union member in Britain because I do think we workers need protection. In fact, that is why I think the NUJ exists, but every time I go to a meeting the obsession is not jobs or wages but — you guessed it — evil Israel!..Read More

...One has to be struck by the remarkable animus toward Israel demonstrated by some of the leaders of this administration, as by various pundits and politicians. It is quite astonishing to see the Obama White House dispatch waves of diplomats to make nice to Iranians–at the very moment that Tehran is stepping up the violence against Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan–while sternly warning Israel not to “surprise” us by taking action against the fanatical ayatollahs who have vowed to destroy the Jewish state....The Ancient Evil

A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel


FrontPageMag:

Muslim Persecution of Christians


Joel Rosenberg:

THE BIG DAY


Lori's Links & comments:

Thirteen Ton Temple Corner Stone to Be Presented to the People of Israel ,

Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement Documentary 34:42 min,

Attention English speakers: Israel wants you to teach their over-crowded classes ,

Pope: Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land must make peace,

Roman mayor visits Israel,

ElBaradei: Israel would be 'utterly insane' to attack Iran,

Turkish PM: Islamophobia is a crime against humanity,

Turkish president urges Israel to accept Syria's overtures,

Pentagon Preparing For War With The Enemy: Russia,"Withdrawal from the 1972 ABM Treaty signified a switch to the testing and deployment of a global missile defense system, with a view to fully removing the deterrent potential of China, and partially that of Russia.

Boo: Iran existential threat to Israel,

Hamas reiterates its refusal to recognize Israel,

IAF Chief: 'Iron Dome' Price Tag 'Not So Terrible' ,

US declines to disclose Middle East peace plan,

Deal or no deal: Israel will go it's own way,

How does an Israeli diplomatic visit to the U.S. work? ,

Netanyahu 'won't back Palestinian state' in US,

Assad doesn't want actual peace,

Peres: Time is ripe to advance Mideast peace,

Boo urged to speak from Mosque,

US has new Mideast peace plan: Jordan king,

US to Israel: Tone down rhetoric on Iran,

Whose side is Boo on? ,

Pakistan vows to attack Bin Laden lair ,

GPS-linked lethal security device,

European countries sign gas pipeline deals with Russia,

Putin urges Turkey to maintain high levels of trade,

Russia ready to help build 4 nuclear plants in Turkey,

EU regions do not beg for funds,

EU seeks to extend global reach,"...Solana is ... EU's veteran High Representative for Foreign Policy. Members of his team talk confidently of the EU as an indispensible power, whose crisis management is needed to deal with the world's big conflicts and disputes, wherever they occur.

The 10 Regions according to EU,

Around the globe, religious freedom under assault,

Are You a Christian Zionist?

This is an excellent article!

Around the world, the mantra is heard with increasing volume. "Down with the Zionist Satan!" "Zionism is illegal … and racist and imperialist!" Within intellectual circles, books, articles and tracts are carrying the same message. And it's not only the Israeli settlers who are targeted. Those who support modern Israel are equally blamed by the same groups. A growing number of churches believe that Christian support for Israel as a divinely ordained nation is naïve and destructive...Read More


From Joel Rosenberg:

REPORT FROM AIPAC: Iran priority #1, but Netanyahu, Peres say Israel ready for “final peace” agreement

NETANYAHU COMING TO WASHINGTON ON MAY 18: New ambassador appointed


From FrontPageMag:

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the Palestinian Youth Parliament last week, rejected Israel's identity as a Jewish state, mocking the idea. Bringing the audience to smiles and cheers, Abbas said with a grin that as far as he is concerned Israel can call itself "the Zionist Republic, the Hebrew, the National, [or] the Socialist [Republic]."... The "Good" Palestinian Rejects Israel

In Praise of Extraordinary Activists


From CAMERA:

One oft-cited principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches is a commitment to the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Unfortunately, the preaching of Rev. Tim Kutzmark, who leads the UUA church in Reading, Massachusetts, fails to meet this standard. His commentary about the conflict is free, but not responsible...UUA Pastor Remembers the Holocaust, Ignores the Hate


Lori's links and comments:

EU, Canada in free trade talks,

Egypt: Israeli nukes 'greatest threat',

Jordan, Egypt agree on outlines of Arab vision for Mideast peace,

As the US retreats, Iran fills the void,

Rahm Emanuel: Thwarting Iran easier with Israeli-Palestinian talks, "...Clinton warned Israel that it risks losing Arab support for combating threats from Iran if it rejects peace negotiations with the Palestinians."

AIPAC delegates to push two-state solution,

US' Biden urges Israel to support two-state solution,

Israel Outraged at 'Biased' UN Report on Gaza Operation,

Lieberman Gives Iran Three Months - Or Else,

Gates: 'No grand bargain' with Iran ,

Boo whitewashing reality of Islamic threat,

Israeli president: Iran threatens US, Europe,

Khameini publicly rebukes Ahmadinejad,

Iran's Ahmadinejad cancels trip to three Latin American countries,

Without Russian air defense system, Iran a sitting duck,

Russia's Medvedev welcomes new U.S. stance on missile defense ,

Russia amassing ships off Georgian shore,

Armenia officially pulls out of NATO-led drills in Georgia,

Turkey's military facing showdown with PM,

Pope heads to Mid-East as Pilgrim of Peace,

China to hold large-scale military drills in second half of 2009,

NKorea accuses US of plotting war,

EU wants 'Internet G12' to govern cyberspace,

Walking in the Messiah's Footsteps: Israel Opens Jesus Trail,

Shekel Gains on Dollar, Euro

Israel doesn't have much time to attack Iran

From American Thinker:

It was in October 2005 that the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, first said that the "Zionist regime" must "be wiped off the face of the Earth." And it was in April 2006 that he called Israel a "fake regime" that "cannot logically continue to live."

In the years that have since passed, the man who favors a second Holocaust and denies the occurrence of the first one has repeated these genocidal statements almost daily. These are also the years in which Iran's nuclear weapons program has proceeded exponentially. It is a program that endangers the very existence of the Jewish state.

Thanks to David Ben Gurion, Israel's founding prime minister and first minister of defense, and President Shimon Peres, the last surviving member of the Israeli Old Guard, the Israel has a nuclear arsenal. Michael Karpin, the author of "The Bomb in the Basement," calls Israel's nuclear arsenal the "absolute deterrent." But the truth is that Israel can only deter Iran if Iran has the wisdom and the sanity to be deterred.

One often hears the argument that if Iran can live with an Israeli nuclear bomb, why can't Israel live with an Iranian bomb? The answer is that no Israeli leader threatens to eradicate Iran.

Since world public opinion will blame the Israelis for whatever they do preemptively to save themselves, they might as well do what's needed and what works. Israel must, with or without American help, strike first and strike successfully. It must take out not only Iran's nuclear weaponry, but its delivery systems and its command and control centers because it is always better for Jews to be alive and condemned, than dead and eulogized.

An Israeli attack upon Iran will be condemned by the Arabs, the Muslims, the anti-Semites, the anti-Zionists, the anti-Americans, the appeasers, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, the Pope, the Quakers, and the postmodernist "war-can-never-be-an-option-in-the-twenty-first-century" crowd in academia and elsewhere.

But much of the criticism will be phony. In 1981, when Israel destroyed Saddam Hussein's French-built Osirak reactor, located 18 miles south of Baghdad, the Saudi students in my Middle East politics class at Temple University condemned Israel roundly. But the next day, they all came to my office and asked me to tell my secretary to leave. They then insisted that I close the door. Only when he was assured of complete privacy, did the leader of the group say to me: "Thank God that the Israelis bombed Iraq yesterday. For only God knows when that crazy Iraqi would have used a nuclear bomb against Saudi Arabia, with which he contests the leadership of the Arab world?"

When I asked him why he and his compatriots didn't say so in class, he answered: "We were afraid to. At the least, our fellowships from ARAMCO (the Arab-American Oil Company) would have been revoked. And at the most, we would have been ordered home to be imprisoned or killed."

At the news conference at which he announced Israel's destruction of the Iraqi reactor, the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin said that ‘'despite all the condemnations which were heaped on Israel for the last 24 hours, Israel has nothing to apologize for. In simple logic, we decided to act now, before it is too late. We shall defend our people with all the means at our disposal." He added that "Israel will not tolerate any nuclear weapons in the region."

Does Israel's present prime minister have the guts to emulate Menachem Begin, and to emulate him right now? Does the Israel Defense Force have the skill to do to Iran today what it did to Iraq a quarter of a century ago? Is Israel willing to use tactical nuclear weapons if it concludes that conventional weapons won't do the job? And does Israel realize that if Democratic Sen. Barak Obama wins the American presidency next month, it may never have the chance to take out its mortal foe?

There are uncertainties. But one thing is certain, however: Neither Israel's friends, nor my former Saudi students, nor Israel's other foes will ever publicly thank it for taking out the Mad Mullahs of Teheran.

Edward Bernard Glick is a professor emeritus of political science at Temple University and the author of "Between Israel and Death."