EX-PALESTINIAN SPY TALKS ABOUT EVILS OF ISLAM, HAMAS’ BRUTALITIES:  Mosab Hassan Yousef, who helped Israel's security forces kill and arrest members of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas says he’s willing to expose Hamas' brutalities and the evils of Islam even if it gets him killed. During a 50-minute televised interview, for which he arrived with armed security, he lashed out at Hamas brutalities. He labeled Islam as a religion that teaches people to kill. "It is not a religion of peace," said Yousef, who converted to Christianity.  "The biggest terrorist is the god of the Quran. The more you follow the steps of the prophet of Islam and the god of Islam, the closer you get to being a terrorist."  Yousef’s father, Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan, last week announced his family’s "complete renunciation of the one who was once our eldest son, who is called Mosab." (Fox News) Continue to pray for the safety and courage of Mosab Hassan Yousef to expose the evils of Hamas – also for other terrorists to find forgiveness and new life in Yeshua.

WEST SOFTENS STANCE ON IRAN NUCLEAR SANCTIONS:  A Western proposal for fresh UN sanctions on Iran includes a call for restricting new Iranian banks abroad and urges "vigilance" against the Islamic Republic's central bank. Western diplomats familiar with the draft proposal - which Washington worked on with Britain, France and Germany and then shared with Russia and China - said they were no longer pushing for an official UN blacklisting of the central bank. (Reuters)

SYRIA: NETANYAHU PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE:  Syrian FM Walid Moallem said Friday Israel must first declare its intention to withdraw to the 1967 borders before any kind of Syrian-Israeli talks can take place. This was in response to statements made by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who said last week he was prepared to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad immediately and without preconditions. The Syrian foreign minister said there is no point in "putting the cart before the horse," and that "Israel must withdraw from the occupied territories before Syria and Israel can meet." (Ha’aretz) Israel occupies the Golan Heights and the Shaba farms, which Syria lost to Israel during the 1967 war with the Jewish state. There are dozens of Jewish settlements on the Heights, with more than 30,000 Jewish residents who have cultivated vineyards and orchards and raise livestock. The region is a major supplier of Israel's fresh fruit and vegetables, and rainwater from the Golan provides a third of Israel's water supply.  The nation’s only ski resort is also located on the Golan.  The region, overlooking northern Israel and southern Syria, is strategic to the security of the Jewish state as it enables Israel to monitor Syrian military movements.    

PA DESTROYS 20 TONS OF PLASTIC MADE IN JEWISH SETTLEMENTS:  The Palestinian Authority (PA) is continuing to enforce a boycott of goods made in the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria. The PA-based WAFA news agency reported PA customs agents last week confiscated 20 tons of nylon sheeting intended for wrapping food and destroyed it. Two weeks ago, the PA seized and destroyed cleaning materials manufactured in Karnei Shomron. Their worth was estimated at NIS 20,000 ($5,300). The PA continues its boycott of goods made in Israeli communities even as Israel's government seeks to assist the PA's economy by pursuing a policy PM Netanyahu refers to as “economic peace.” (INN)  “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Prov 18:9

MK: PA BOYCOTTING ISRAELI GOODS? BOYCOTT BACK:  MK Uri Ariel told the Knesset Israel should fight a Palestinian Authority boycott of goods from Judea and Samaria with a counter boycott. He said if the government fails to respond to the PA ban, he will “make every effort so that Israeli citizens refuse all Palestinian merchandise and fire Arab workers.”  The veteran legislator launched a debate in the Knesset following a PA announcement it has established a new “Fund for National Honor and Might” that is aimed at destroying Jewish-made products.  MK Ariel further noted the supposedly moderate Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad recently partook in a ceremony in which such goods were burned, while the PA itself appointed a person who is responsible for the campaign to stop using Israeli products. (INN)

OFFICERS INJURED IN TEMPLE MOUNT CLASHES:  Police forces on Friday raided the Temple Mount to stop youths from throwing stones at passersby at the Western Wall.  Arabs then hurled stones at police forces at the Old City's Mugrabi Gate.  Police removed the rioters and took over the Temple Mount courtyard using stun grenades.  At least 20 officers were injured during the clashes. The previous week, riots at the Temple Mount escalated, partly due to the cabinet's decision to include the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem in Israel's national heritage site plan. (Ynet)

ANTI-ISLAMIST LEADER SCORES MAJOR WIN IN DUTCH POLLS:  Dutch anti-Islamist leader, Geert Wilders, scored major gains in local authority polls on Thursday, making him a serious challenger for power in a June national election. In the first test of public opinion since the collapse of PM Jan Peter Balkenende's coalition government last month, Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) led in the city of Almere and was second in The Hague. The results came on top of an opinion poll showing that the PVV, which campaigns against Muslim immigration as its main platform, would win the most seats - 27 in the 150-member Dutch parliament - in the June 9 election. (Reuters) Pray for the protection of Geert Wilders who has been the victim of death threats from radical Islamist groups.

MAJORITIES IN EUROPE SUPPORT BAN ON ISLAMIC BURKA:  Some 70% of the French think women should be banned from wearing the all-enveloping Muslim burka in public, according to an opinion poll for the Financial Times.  A majority (57%) of Britons say they would support a ban in the UK, as would 65% of Spaniards, 63% of Italians, and 50% of Germans, while only 33% of Americans took this view. (Financial Times)

PASSOVER IS COMING SOON: 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:     

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Blessings from Jerusalem,
Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff