In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Special Section:P.M. Netanyahu in America
• Inside the Obama-Netanyahu meeting
• The Daily Jot
• Covenant to Pray for America
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. . . to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1: 67,74,75)
SPECIAL NOTE:
Due to a number of technical difficulties, an abbreviated edition the Daily Brief will be published this week. We should return to our full format next week. Thank you!
The Daily Brief
1. US Commander Says Northern Iraq May Need UN Peacekeepers - VOA
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says United Nations peacekeepers may be needed to protect disputed areas in the northern part of the country after U.S. troops leave in 2011.
- Father, give our officials a detailed plan of protecting and preserving these disputed areas. We pray that any progress gained during this time will stand firm. Surround this area with your shield of protection.
- Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. (Psalm 115:11)
2.UAE Diplomat Endorses U.S. Strike on Iran - Fox News
The United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States said Tuesday that the benefits of bombing Iran's nuclear program outweigh the short-term costs such an attack would impose.
- Father, we pray you surround our government officials with wise counselors. We pray your plans prevail in this dangerous, but necessary decision. Let them inquire of you like David did at Ziklag, "Shall we pursue?"
- Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand. (Proverbs 19:21-22)
3. Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Challenging Arizona Immigration Law - ABC News
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit today challenging Arizona's new immigration law, which takes effect July 29.
- Lord God, have mercy on Arizona. Open the eyes of our government so they can see clearly. Instead of accusations and lawsuits, let there be a working together to solve this ongoing problem in our land.
- Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. (Isaiah 41:11)
4. Hawaii Gov. Vetoes Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill - Fox News
Hawaii's governor on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have permitted same-sex civil unions, ending months of speculation on how she would weigh in on the contentious, emotional debate.
- Lord, thank you for this decision by Hawaii's governor. We pray more governors would follow in agreement for their respective states.
- If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God: (1 Samuel 12:14)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it." (Neh. 2:20)
1.Abbas wants more 'trust-building' steps - Ynet News
The Palestinian Authority was following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Barack Obama Tuesday, and officials expressed hope that the latter had pressed the Israeli leader on issues up for negotiation.
2.Hamas arrests alleged collaborators with Israel - Ynet News
A Hamas security official said Wednesday that security forces in Gaza are rounding up suspected collaborators with Israel.
3.'Up, Up and Away' for North American Jews - Israel National News
American and American Jews resumed their annual one-way trek to Israel Wednesday morning, with 232 new immigrants arriving on the first of nearly a dozen flights that will bring 2,500 Jews to their new home this summer.
Special Section:P.M. Netanyahu in America
1. OP-ED: Obama's new approach - Ynet News
The change in Obama's attitude stems from a combination of diplomatic and political elements. The strategy of exerting brutal pressure on the prime minister and creating a crisis in US-Israel relations did not produce the hoped-for results, did not improve America's status in the Arab and Muslim world, did not promote talks between Israel and the Palestinians, and did not prompt strategic shifts in Netanyahu's policy.
2. Obama, Netanyahu Discuss Iran's Nuclear Program - VOA
In wide-ranging talks at the White House, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed what both leaders say is the threat posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Mr. Netanyahu says Iran's nuclear program has been de-legitimized by new U.N. Security Council sanctions, while President Obama underscored the U.S. commitment to Israel's security.
3. Barack Obama urges direct Mideast peace talks by September - Jerusalem Post
US President Barack Obama said Tuesday he hoped for direct Middle East peace talks to start before the end of September, as he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports of a rift.
4. Israel Offers Peace Steps, in U.S. and Mideast - Wall Street Journal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Barack Obama his government was prepared to take "concrete steps" to bring about direct Middle East peace talks, as the two leaders sought to heal ties that have frayed during the past year over the issue of Palestinian statehood and Israel's blockade of Gaza.
5. 'US agrees to nuclear cooperation' - Jerusalem Post
The US sent Israel a secret letter, in which it committed to nuclear cooperation between the two states, Army Radio reported on Wednesday. In the letter, the US reportedly promises to cell Israel materials used to produce electricity, as well as technology and other supplies, despite the fact that Israel did not sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty
6. NY: Guns missing from PM's bodyguards - (WNBC)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's security detail lost four handguns in Washington, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) confirmed Wednesday morning. US television station WNBC first reported the incident, saying that the weapons were discovered missing at New York's JFK Airport. The glock-type pistols were packed in luggage belonging to Netanyahu's bodyguards.
- Pray much for the safety and protection of P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, all during their stay in the United States.
- "He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)
Inside the Obama-Netanyahu meeting
ON DEFENSE, OBAMA TRIES TO IMPROVE U.S.-ISRAELI RELATIONS
By Joel C. Rosenberg
CIA Director Panetta says sanctions won't stop Iran from getting the Bomb; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs agrees
(Washington, D.C., July 7, 2010) -- If this was the first meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, it would have been great. The President was warm and friendly. He reaffirmed the "special relationship" and "unbreakable bond" between the U.S. and Israel. Netanyahu publicly invited Obama to come to Israel and meet there, and Obama smiled and said, "I'm ready."
The problem is that this wasn't their first meeting. It was their fifth, just the first to go well. President Obama wasted the past 14 months. He has treated Netanyahu like he was the head of BP oil rather than the leader of our most faithful friend and ally in the epicenter. Thus, President Obama came into the Oval Office meeting yesterday on defense. Jewish support for him in the U.S. has plummeted over the past year as the White House and State Department have treated Israel with unprecedented hostility. Fewer than 1-in-10 Israelis believe Obama is pro-Israel because of the administration's long string of deeply unfriendly statements and actions.
The real challenge: behind the smiles of the two leaders, nothing decisive was said about how to stop Iran from getting the Bomb. And time is running out. CIA Director Leon Panetta said on June 27 that it would take Iran a year to convert the uranium they currently have to weapons grade, and another year to produce a deliverable bomb. In remarks at the Aspen Institute last week, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agreed with Panetta and said this was consistent with his own assessment.
During his Q&A session, Admiral Mullen indicated that the U.S. believes Iran has not yet made a final decision to build nuclear weapons, while the Israelis believe Iran has made that decision.
CIA Director Panetta says he believes the new round of economic sanctions imposed on Iran will cause pain, but will not force Iran to stop its development of nuclear weapons. "I would agree with that," said Mullen. This is important news that is getting overlooked by the mainstream media.
So the question remains: if sanctions aren't going to stop Iran from getting the Bomb, and Iran is dangerously close to building the Bomb, what is President Obama prepared to do next? Will he take military action. I don't believe he will. Will the President support the Israelis taking military action? That remains to be seen.
[For more analysis and links to key articles, please go to Joel's weblog, http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/.]
The Daily Jot
White House Refuses To Defend Border, but Sues Arizona for Enforcing Immigration Laws
On June 16, Fox News reported that the federal government, through its Fish and Wildlife Service closed off some 3,500 acres of Southern Arizona along its border with Mexico because it is unsafe for US citizens and it cannot be defended. Refuge manager Mitch Ellis told Fox, "The situation in this zone has reached a point where continued public use of the area is not prudent." Indeed, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu told Fox News, "Its literally out of control...We need support from the federal government. Its their job to secure the border and they haven't done it." The Sheriff lamented that the man who occupies the Oval Office suspended construction of the border fence and has given up trying to enforce border security.
Other news reports indicate that the 80 mile section along the Mexican border has become a war zone where drug cartels daily fight one another and anyone who appears to be an outsider will be threatened at the very least or killed. It is this kind of lawlessness that prompted Arizona to pass an immigration law giving state enforcement officers the ability to do what federal law enforcement is supposed to do, but is not--secure the Arizona border against illegal activity. But now the federal government is suing Arizona for trying to do the job the feds refuse to do. The Justice Department has filed in Phoenix federal court to stop Arizona from enforcing SB 1070, an Arizona immigration law designed to send illegals back to Mexico.
Strangely enough, the White House believes it's being undermined by Arizona. The suit claims, "Arizona impermissibly seeks to regulate immigration by creating an Arizona-specific immigration policy that is expressly designed to rival or supplant that of the federal government. As such, Arizona's immigration policy exceeds a state's role with respect to aliens, interferes with the federal government's balanced administration of the immigration laws, and critically undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives. S.B. 1070 does not simply seek to provide legitimate support to the federal government's immigration policy, but instead creates an unprecedented independent immigration scheme that exceeds constitutional boundaries."
Attorney General Eric Holder said in the Justice Department statement that the feds can ill afford to defend the border with Mexico. He says ". . . diverting federal resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with criminal records will impact the entire country's safety . . . Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves." The Administration's logic is that it is too busy defending the nation against dangerous aliens that it cannot defend the nation against dangerous aliens. Romans 1:22 says, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Its time to apply Godly wisdom lest our nation be overrun with lawlessness.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Covenant to Pray for America
Praying for America every day from July 4, 2010 - Nov. 2, 2010
Led by: Dr. Michael Youssef
About the Covenant
Covenant to Pray for America About the Covenant Dr. Youssef is asking for 100,000 Bible-believing Americans to join him in praying for our nation from July 4, 2010 to November 2, 2010. Together, we will be:
• Thanking God for the rich Christian history of America
• Offering prayers of repentance for individual and national sin
• Petitioning God for His blessing on America
• Praying to God for wisdom and discernment for elected officials
• Asking God for boldness and strength to share truth with friends and neighbors
The Covenant includes weekly prayer email updates that will unite Dr. Youssef's prayers with all of those praying for America.
To join Dr. Youssef in praying for our nation, go here.
