“GANG OF 54” CONGRESSMEN SLAMMED FOR CENSURING ISRAEL:  An American-Israeli action group has strongly criticized 54 US Congress members for accusing Israel of inflicting “collective punishment” on the residents of Gaza. Harvey Schwartz, chairman of the American Israeli Action Coalition, called the Congress members' charge “preposterous,” and said it “amounts to nothing more than outright, outrageous Israel-bashing." The 54 lawmakers, all Democrats, called on President Barack Obama in a recent letter to pressure Israel into lifting its blockade on Gaza. The letter charged the blockade imposed a collective punishment of the residents of the Gaza Strip.  Schwartz responded, “Nowhere do the 'Gang of 54' point out the well-being of Gaza's population is solely the responsibility of Hamas - which they elected in 2007 - and not Israel. The financial assistance given to Gaza by numerous European countries, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in aid pledged by the US, has been used by Hamas to further its terrorist activities or to line the pockets of its leaders, rather than to provide for the needs of Gazans,” Schwartz said. (INN)

PRIME MINISTER: J’LEM TO REMAIN UNDIVIDED, NO PA OFFICES TO OPEN: According to a senior official in the office of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Israel has silently agreed to allow the PA to open official offices in the eastern section of the capital. The report claims the US has also been helping the PA develop infrastructures within the Jerusalem municipal boundaries. Dmitri Ziliani, a spokesman for Fatah, confirmed the PA holds regular official meetings in Jerusalem in anticipation of a future PA state that would encompass the eastern portion of the city. When asked about the PA's claims, PM Netanyahu’s spokesman said, “The prime minister's position is clear - Jerusalem will remain the united capital of Israel.” (INN)

PA TV SERMON: “JEWS ARE ENEMIES OF ALLAH AND HUMANITY – KILL THEM”:  A sermon calling for the genocide of Jews was broadcast on Jan. 29 by PA TV, which is under the control of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. "The Jews are the enemies of Allah and of His Messenger. They are the enemies of humanity in general and of Palestinians in particular."  "The Prophet says, 'You shall fight the Jews and kill them.' This land will be liberated only by means of Jihad."  In a recent interview with a leading Israeli newspaper, Abbas proudly declared that there is no more incitement in the mosques. (PMW)  In addition to PA television broadcasts calling for destruction of the Jews; Holocaust Denial and hatred of Israel is rampant in PA School Textbooks. Taking a realistic view at what is at the heart of the Palestinian people and their leaders in terms of future peaceful co-existence with Israel; one must examine what is being taught to the next generation.  It has been long been known PA school textbooks lack any positive information regarding Israel. School maps do not even indicate Israel exists.  In 12th grade textbooks, the PA is now teaching its young people to deny the Holocaust.  In addition, new materials are directed at educating PA Arab children toward Jewish genocide and are opposed to forwarding peaceful co-existence with Israel. Text books refer to the founding of the Jewish State as a “catastrophe unprecedented in history.” New PA history books while including detailed information of World War II make no mention of the Holocaust or the Jews.  It must also be remembered PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas considered to be a moderate force in the camp of Israel haters, in his doctoral dissertation written in 1982, denied documented facts about the Holocaust. One would almost have to will to be deceived to buy into the lie that Fatah, or the PA society as a whole are desirous of, or planning toward a future peace with Israel.  The single hope for peace is for the good news of Yeshua to penetrate through Muslim strongholds.  Please pray to that end.

BERLUSCONI AT KNESSET: GOLDSTONE TRIED TO INCRIMINATE ISRAEL: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lashed out at the Goldstone report on Wednesday during a special session at the Knesset. He said the report tried to "incriminate Israel for its legitimate response" to Palestinian terrorists' rocket attacks. The Italian leader also had strong words to say against Iran, arguing that the world "cannot accept" a nuclear-armed Iran and defended the Jewish state's much-criticized war against Hamas in Gaza last year. (J.Post)

RESPONSE TO HAMAS ROCKETS: ISRAEL STRIKES IN SOUTHERN GAZA: Israel Air Force craft attacked two Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza on Wednesday. One tunnel between Gaza and Egypt used for smuggling terrorists, and another one used for arms and weapons, were bombed and destroyed. The planes returned safely to their base. “This operation was in response to the recent Hamas terrorist attempts,” the IDF Spokesman stated. The most recent terror incident was the maritime dispatch of at least two explosives-barrels towards the Ashdod and Ashkelon beaches on Monday.  The barrels, loaded with explosives, were designed to explode upon Israel’s naval craft in the area. (INN)

IRAN LAUNCHES RESEARCH ROCKET INTO SPACE: Iran announced Wednesday it has successfully launched a 10-foot-long research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space - a feat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said showed Iran could defeat the West in the battle of technology. Western powers fear the same technology used to launch satellites and research capsules could also deliver warheads. (J.Post) “The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people.” Zech 9:16

JERUSALEM PREPARING FOR SNOW: The Jerusalem municipality is preparing for snow at the end of the week. The mayor instructed the Social Welfare Department and the Division for the Advancement of the Youth to prepare in advance for facilitating "Operation Warm Home" for the elderly, special needs residents, and the homeless. (INN) Pray for this storm to be a continued outpouring of much needed water for Israel and that poverty stricken people here will have enough heat - also for prevention of accidents due to icy conditions.

MEETING ISRAEL’S NEEDS DURING INCREASINGLY TROUBLED TIMES: The National Insurance Institute's annual Poverty Report released Nov. 2009, paints an extremely grim picture: There are 1,651,300 needy people living in Israel, including 783,600 children. Hardship is mounting. Please continue to enable us to assist terrorist victims, entire households suffering from poverty, the elderly and others in need in Israel. Your donations are needed and welcomed at www.visionforisrael.com Make your online donation today. For residents in the UK and outside North America you can visit www.josephstorehouse.co.uk  If you prefer to send your donation by check, you can mail it in to the Israel address or the addresses in the USA and the UK or one of our other branches in The Netherlands and Germany:     

Vision for Israel   P.O. Box 7265   Jerusalem, 91073 Israel

The Joseph Storehouse Trust  P.O.Swindon, SN3 4FB Box 5    England

Vision for Israel P.O. Box 7743 Charlotte, NC  28241 USA

Blessings from Jerusalem,
Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff