JUSTICE IN ISRAEL: In a landmark decision last week, Israel's Supreme Court ratified a settlement between twelve Messianic Jewish believers and the State of Israel.  The change states being a Messianic Jew does not prevent one from receiving citizenship in Israel under the Law of Return or the Law of Citizenship, if one is a descendant of Jews on one's father's side (and thus not Jewish according to halacha). This is yet another battle won in the war to establish equality in Israel for the Messianic Jewish community just like every other legitimate stream of faith within the Jewish world. (Institute of Justice) "You have enlarged the nation, O Lord; you have enlarged the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land." Is 26:15 

UPDATE ON AMI ORTIZ:  Ami Ortiz, the Messianic youth who was injured in a hate-crime bombing several weeks ago continues to recover but still experiences a great deal of pain. Ami's physical wounds are healing well and he was able to walk around his room last week for the first time since he was hospitalized. The doctors hope he will be back to full physical capacity within a year and a half. Continue to pray for emotional healing for the whole family. The Kentucky House of Representatives last week passed a resolution in honor of Amiel Ortiz that calls Israel to account for the prosecution of persecutors of Messianic Jews. (Institute of Justice)

SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK GAZA CROSSING: Palestinian suicide bombers from Gaza drove three explosives-laden vehicles into the Kerem Shalom goods crossing on the border with Israel early Saturday, detonating two of them. Three bombers were killed in the blasts and 13 Israeli soldiers were wounded. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, the fifth along the border with Israel in the last ten days. (Haaretz)  Editor’s Note:  This is the humanitarian aid/goods crossing.  The world should be protesting against Hamas!

HAMAS VOWS HARSHER ATTACKS ON ISRAEL: A Hamas spokesman on Monday said the Islamic terrorist group will carry out harsher attacks on Israel-Gaza crossings - worse than recent ones that killed five Israelis. Spokesman Abu Jandal said previous attacks on crossings between the coastal strip and Israel were just practice.  He called them "a walk in the park" in comparison to what was coming. (Haaretz) "They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression."  Ps 73:8

CARTER: HAMAS WILLING TO ACCEPT ISRAEL AS NEIGHBOR: Last week former US President Jimmy Carter was hugging Hamas terrorist leaders and placing flowers on Yasser Arafat's grave. Monday he told Israel's lawmakers that Hamas is ready to receive the Jewish state as a neighbor who has the right "to live next door in peace." Mr. Carter must not have heard about the Hamas-orchestrated terrorist attack against IDF soldiers Saturday morning. The former president must also have missed poll results from a survey taken over the weekend and published Monday April 21st.  The study indicated over 65% of Gazans are highly in favor of continued terrorist attacks against the Jewish nation" (Ynet)  "Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?" Job 12:11

ABBAS HONORS SBARRO KILLER'S DRIVER: Fifteen people were killed - including 7 children - and 130 were injured in an August 2001 suicide bombing at the Sbarro pizzeria that once stood at the corner of King George Street and Jaffa Road in downtown Jerusalem.  Ahlam Tamimi, the terrorist who was sentenced to 16 life terms in jail for her involvement in the attack said she had no regrets for what she did. The Al Kuds Mark of Honor, the PLO's highest medal, will be given to this female terrorist who helped murder innocent Israeli children and adults. Upon whom the honor is conferred is decided by PA President, Mahmoud Abbas. Israel's "peace partner" had the final say that Tamimi should win the Al Kuds award. (J.Post) 

PARDONED TERRORIST BEHIND PLOT TO POISON ISRAELIS: Two Palestinian youths, living in Israel illegally, were recently arrested for planning to poison diners at a Ramat Gan restaurant where they worked illegally. The pair admitted being recruited by a Nabulus terrorist cell. According to a subsequent defense report the terrorist cell that planned the poison attack was led by jihadists who were recently granted amnesty by PM Ehud Olmert as part of a "good will" gesture to PA President Mahmoud Abbas. (World Net Daily) "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness." Is 26:10

PRICE CONTROLLED BREAD RISES 4% IN ISRAEL: Israel's Ministry of Labor, Trade and Industry announced last week the cost of bread had risen 4%. Bakery owners petitioned the ministry for the increase to cover their losses due to rising global costs of both wheat and fuel. The UN World Food Program recently warned the increasing scarcity of food is the biggest crisis looming for the globe. Record oil prices and the use of crops for biofuels have strongly contributed to rising food costs worldwide. (J.Post) "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows."    Mark 13:8 

ISRAEL'S WATER DEMAND SET TO OUTWEIGH SUPPLY IN 2008: Israel is 350 million cubic meters short of the expected water demand over the coming year. A substantial cut in water designated for agriculture has been imposed alongside reducing water used to irrigate municipal parks and gardens. Professor Haim Gvirtzman of the Hebrew University referred to Israel's water shortage a severe crisis. (Haaretz)

MUSLIM BOYCOTT HURTS DENMARK'S ECONOMY: Cartoons considered offensive to Islam printed in the Danish press in 2006 and again in 2008 have resulted in a blow to Denmark's Economy. Islamic religious leaders instigated a boycott on products from Denmark following the second publication of the cartoons in Danish newspapers.  Another explosion of Islamic protest broke out across the Muslim world following last month's release of Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders' "Fitna."  Islamic leaders threatened to sever ties with the Netherlands and launch a campaign to boycott Dutch products because of Wilder's film which depicts stark truth about Muslim violence endorsed by the Quran. (INN)

TOUR GROUPS COMING TO ISRAEL:  We are preparing packages for families and are in critical need of specific items.  We need groups to assist us by bringing some desperately needed items in an extra suitcase or in your belongings.  You can email us at info@visionforisrael.com to receive a list of the most needed items.  This act of kindness and generosity, would bless these families greatly. "Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do." Deut 15:10

Shop on-line at: www.greetingsfromjerusalem.com.  Purchase high quality Messianic and Judaica gifts, a wide assortment of books, praise and worship music, videos, jewelry and study materials. This is a tangible way to show support and solidarity with our people in Israel. (For N. America only at this time.)

SAVE THE DATE AND PLAN AHEAD:

VFI & JSH Conference in The Netherlands – June 6-8, 2008.

VFI & JSH Conference in Bromsgrove, England – June 28, 2008. Join us for a day of praise and thanksgiving for 10 years of The Joseph Storehouse at Bromsgrove. Celebrations will include a dedication of the UK Storehouse which is presently being reorganized and expanded.

Succot Tour & Celebration: October 12-24, 2008 – for USA participants there will be a direct flight with Delta from Atlanta leaving on October 11th. The package price, including tips, is $3,099. Call JDI Tours in the USA at 248.340.9191.  There are only 30 places left for this exciting tour group from the USA.  Sign up now, otherwise alternative flights will have to found.

We are so grateful to all our wonderful volunteers who come from so many different places to work tirelessly at The Joseph Storehouse in Israel. We are always glad to have more volunteers, there is so much work to do, and if you have the opportunity to come and work with us, please contact us at info@visionforisrael.com and you will be most welcome in Jerusalem.

Special Request: If you are visiting Israel soon we have an urgent need to receive supplies of vitamins and toiletries at The Joseph Storehouse. If you have spare luggage capacity we would be really grateful if you would bring some with you. Please visit www.visionforisrael.com for more information.

Blessings from Jerusalem,
Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff