The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Praise waits for You, O God, in Zion : and unto You shall the vow be performed. O You that hears prayer, unto You shall all flesh come." (Psalms 65:1-2)
1. Cheney to visit Mideast allies - Washingon Times
Vice President Dick Cheney arrived yesterday in the Middle East for talks with the leaders of U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in an effort to stem the spiraling violence in Iraq and clamp down on Iran's rising influence in the region.
2. Abbas fails to sway Hamas on US plan - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has failed to persuade Hamas and most Palestinian factions to accept the latest US plan for easing restrictions on Palestinian movement and improving security for Israel. It also has been rejected by some of Abbas's top aides and political allies.
3. UN attacked for spreading Christianity? - Ynet News
A deadly attack Monday against a United Nations school in the Gaza Strip was carried by an Islamist extremist group, according to a statement faxed to WND which claimed the UN was targeted because the international body was "spreading Christian missionary activity."
4. Kadima officials: Party must begin search for Olmert replacement - Ha'aretz
The Kadima Party must begin preparing to choose a replacement for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, senior Kadima officials said on Tuesday in response to a public statement by Ehud Barak urging Olmert to resign.
5. Israel Examines Possible Gaza Buffer Zone As Rocket Attacks Continue - All Headline News
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) this week submitted an plan to create a 300-yard buffer zone inside northern Gaza to curb ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. The plan was submitted for review by the government, and is the latest tactic to try and curb the attacks.
6. U.S., Israel Contradiction on Why Rice Cancelled Visit - IsraelNN.com
A spokesman for American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has maintained that the cancellation of her planned visit to Israel was coordinated with the government, despite officials' statements that they were surprised she is not coming. "We work very closely with Prime Minister Olmert. We are working very closely with him and his government as we speak on Israeli-Palestinian issues and how to move that process forward," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters at a daily briefing.
