Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. (Psalm 51:18)

1. Hamas Seizes Control of Main Gaza Road as Civil War Breaks Out - AP

Fierce battles over key security positions spread to central Gaza early Wednesday, with Hamas fighters wresting control of the coastal strip's main north-south road - and putting themselves in position to cut off reinforcements to beleaguered Fatah forces.

2. Hamas to Fatah: Surrender within 2 days - Jerusalem Post

Hamas has given Fatah-linked security officers in northern Gaza a two-day ultimatum to lay down their arms, according to a statement sent by text message and announcements made on Hamas-linked radio stations Wednesday.

3. Olmert mulls int'l force to stop Rafah arms smuggling - Ha'aretz

The deployment of a multinational force along the Philadelphi Route in Rafah should be seriously considered, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday.

4. Secret UN report condemns US for Middle East failures - UK Guardian

The highest ranking UN official in Israel has warned that American pressure has "pummelled into submission" the UN's role as an impartial Middle East negotiator in a damning confidential report.

5. Shimon Peres - 9th President of the State of Israel - Jerusalem Newswire

Shimon Peres Wednesday became the 9th President of the State of Israel. The veteran left-wing politician - he has been in politics for more than half a century - was born Szymon Perski in Poland in 1923.