USA HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH ISRAEL BEFORE STRIKE ON SYRIAN REACTOR: The Bush administration days ago released detailed photographs to support its claim the building in Syria which Israel destroyed in an air strike last year was a nuclear reactor constructed with help from North Korea. The administration said it withheld the pictures for seven months fearing Syria would retaliate against Israel and start a broader war in the Middle East. A senior official said the White House had extensive discussions with Israel before the air strike. The CIA confirmed last week the installation was meant to produce plutonium and that Israel bombed the reactor before it attained its planned capacity to make the chemical element necessary for nuclear weapons. (NY Times) "You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" Ps 4:8

SYRIA ACCUSES US OF AIDING ISRAEL IN STRIKE ON NUKE FACILITY: Syria on Friday accused the US of involvement in an Israel Air Force attack on Syria that destroyed a suspected nuclear reactor. Damascus continued to deny involvement in nuclear activity and dismissed Washington's accusations as part of a campaign to discredit its government. Syria's ambassador to the UN denied any link nuclear to North Korea. (Haaretz)

ASSAD WANTS PEACE PROCESS MORE THAN PEACE: Syrian President Bashar Assad confirmed last week PM Ehud Olmert had declared a willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. Syria is insisting on public negotiations, with the US playing an active role in the process. Analysts suspect Assad is trying to divert attention from reports about a Damascus nuclear agreement with North Korea and views the process itself as means for Syria to pave its way back into the good graces of the West. (J. Post) "Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in Your sight." Ps 9:19

ISRAEL SAYS SYRIA MUST CUT TERROR TIES: Western officials said reports Israel was willing to withdraw from the Golan Heights as part of a peace deal missed stating what the Syrians would have to do. They said Israel made it clear any peace agreement would necessitate Syria ending its support for Hamas and throwing Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal out of Damascus; ceasing support for Hezbollah; and distancing itself from Iran.  Syria hosts at least 10 terrorist groups. (J. Post)

HEZBOLLAH - NEW ATTACK ON ISRAEL NOT 'IF BUT WHEN': Two years after the Second Lebanon War, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization has increased its recruitment efforts at an unprecedented rate in preparation for a fresh war with Israel. A Hezbollah fighter said there's no question if the war is going to happen with Israel, it's simply a matter of waiting until the terror group's chief, Hassan Nashrallah, gives the command to attack. (Haaretz) "Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men. Ps 140:1

HAMAS CHIEF SAYS CEASE-FIRE A TACTIC: Hamas leaders have admitted their recent request for a cease-fire with Israel has nothing to do with moving towards peace with their avowed enemy.  It is rather a means to regroup and gain strength to resume attacks against the Jewish state.  Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal said Saturday the Islamist group's request for a ceasefire with Israel was "a tactic in conducting the struggle." Mashaal explained in a press interview "it is normal for any resistance to sometimes escalate, other times retreat a bit."  He said Hamas has implemented ceasefires in the past and has later resumed attacks. (INN)

ISRAELI ENVOY TO UN CALLS CARTER 'A BIGOT': Israel's ambassador to the UN, Dan Gillerman, last week called former President Jimmy Carter "a bigot" for meeting with the leader of the Hamas terrorist movement in Syria. "During Carter's visit Hamas was shelling our cities and maiming and wounding Israeli babies and Israeli children," said Gillerman. He further emphasized Hamas is armed and trained by Iran, whose president has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."  The ambassador summed up Carter's unwelcome visit as "a very sad episode in American history." (AP) "Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own." Prov 26:17

MUSLIM ANTISEMITISM DEEMED A STRATEGIC THREAT: Muslim anti-Semitism is growing to the point it has become a credible strategic threat for Israel, according to a 180-page report compiled by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. Many states in the region have educated generations of Muslims to hold a deep hostility toward Israel and Jews. This anti-Semitism holds back the peace process and normalization efforts between Israel and Muslim countries. It also forms the intellectual justification for eliminating the Jewish state. "This isn't ordinary prejudice," explained ITIC director Dr. Reuven Erlich. "This prejudice is evil because it is ideological incitement by states and organizations with the practical means of translating it into action." (J.Post)

KINNERET DROPS BY 6CM. DURING PASSOVER: The Water Authority announced April 27th the water level in the Sea of Galilee, Israel's largest freshwater source, dropped six additional centimeters during last week's Passover holiday. There are three threshold lines on the lake: The Upper Red Line, the Lower Red Line and the Black Line. The Black Line is the most extreme lower level below which additional water pumping is impossible. The lake is expected to reach the Black Line by July ushering in one of Israel's most severe known water shortages. (J.Post)

ISRAEL IS MOST UP-AND-COMING REAL ESTATE MARKET: Forbes business magazine has rated Israel as the world's most up-and-coming real estate market. Forbes projects positive growth in the future, stating macro conditions in Israel favor more wealth creation, as the economy has corrected its deflation problems and grown at a 5% rate for two years. (INN) "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be." Job 8:7

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