The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
“I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; and My own fury, it sustained Me.” (Isaiah 63:5)
1. Hizbullah not ruling out another confrontation with Israel - Ynet News
Hizbullah has not ruled out another confrontation with Israel this summer and is rearming, according to a report by the Guardian, Wednesday. "We are prepared for the possibility of another adventure or the demand of American policy that might push the IDF in that direction," the British paper quoted Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qasim as saying.
2. U.S. to send $59 million to Palestinians' Abbas - CNN
Nearly $60 million in U.S. aid to the Palestinians has been cleared for transfer to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the State Department said Tuesday.
3. Israel rejects Hamas prisoners swap list - ICEJ News
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected the list of security prisoners that the Palestinian Hamas terror party wants released in exchange for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Defense establishment sources told Ha'aretz that Hamas' list of prisoners "appears unacceptable" due to the inclusion of senior terrorists convicted of the murder of Israelis.
4. Concern deepens for kidnapped BBC reporter - ICEJ News
The Jerusalem Post reports that fears mounted Monday within the Israeli defense establishment regarding the fate of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was abducted a month ago by Palestinians in Gaza. This is the longest a foreign national has ever been held captive, and Israel recently allowed a delegation of Arab diplomats and security officials from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel - including Saudi Arabia - to enter Gaza on behalf of the British government.
5. Israeli-Arab MK disappears, possibly to Europe - ICEJ News
The Israeli media is reporting on the storm of rumors surrounding the international travels and seeming disappearance of outspoken Israeli-Arab MK and Balad party leader Azmi Bishara, with MKs from his party denying that he would remain abroad. It is thought that Bishara is currently somewhere in Europe. Israel Channel 2 reported that Bishara was afraid that if he returned to Israel, police would prevent him from leaving the country again. The station reported that Bishara had been to seven countries on three continents in recent weeks, but that to quit the Knesset legally, he would have to return to deliver his resignation letter in person.
