The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
“Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, ‘Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, and take vengeance on My enemies.’” (Isaiah 1:24)
1. Syrian Border Attacks May Be First Shot in New War - (IsraelNN.com)
Syrian terrorists said they tossed mines across the Syrian border into Israel. Israeli officials claimed the attackers were shepherds. The provocative tactics copy those used by Hizbullah ahead of last year's war in Lebanon. In a statement to WorldNetDaily, the new Syrian terrorist group said that it was responsible for planting six mines across the Israeli border Saturday morning. IDF soldiers prevented the attack from succeeding when they discovered the explosive devices before their patrols passed by.
Saturday's incident of placing anti-personnel mines across the Syria-Israel lines, the first such attack on Israel, comes on the heels of reports of unusual Syrian military activity along the border. Golan Heights residents fear that extensive construction on the Syrian side is intended to house soldiers and terrorists in preparation for the same kind of offensive as last summer's cross-border attacks on Israel.
2. PA unity government 'committed to right of return' - Ynet News
Resisting occupation is the Palestinian people's legitimate right, according to the platform of the new Palestinian unity government obtained by Ynet Thursday morning.
3. Hamas, Fatah wrap up unity deal - Ynet News
The rival Hamas and Fatah movements wrapped up months of tortuous coalition talks on Wednesday, saying they would present a national unity government to parliament for approval this weekend.
4. U.S. Foreign Aid Reached Hamas - Washington Times
The Washington Times reported Monday that hundreds of thousands of US foreign-aid dollars have reached organizations with explicit ties to Hamas, a terror organization. The report noted that the Hamas- run Islamic University received funds despite a US law restricting aid to entities or individuals "involved in or advocating terrorist activity." Members of Congress have expressed outrage at the information, but the State Department has concluded that none of the recipient organizations are engaged in terror activities.
5. Israeli officials slam Solana remarks - Jerusalem Post
Israeli officials expressed disappointment Wednesday that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana backed a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights following talks in Damascus with Syrian leaders, rather than publicly calling Syria to task for supporting terrorism.
