PURIM: Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. Jews young and old wear costumes and give presents of food and sweets to loved ones, neighbors, and the poor. According to the book of Esther the king of Persia, Ahasuerus, was nearly convinced to kill all the Jews in his land. His chief advisor Haman despised Jews, especially a man named Mordechai who had refused to bow before him. Mordechai's niece, Esther, was Ahasuerus' queen. Haman wanted to punish all Jews for Mordechai's actions and convinced the king of his position. Ahasuerus, unaware his queen was Jewish, accepted Haman's plan to cast lots, or Purim, to determine a day for murdering the Jews. Esther intervened on behalf of her people by telling the king that she was Jewish. Upon hearing this, Ahasuerus ordered Haman's death instead and Mordechai assumed Haman's position as chief advisor. The story is a reminder year after year that when the enemy seems on the verge of wiping out the Jewish people - deliverance comes. This year Purim begins Thursday night March 20. In Jerusalem it is celebrated on Sunday, March 23. A delightful holiday to all from Vision for Israel staff members.  

HEAD OF ISLAMIC JIHAD IN BETHLEHEM KILLED: Four senior wanted terrorists from Islamic Jihad were killed last Wednesday in Bethlehem. Muhammad Abed Ta'amari, 45, was involved in several terrorist attacks in which many Israeli civilians were wounded and killed. The three other slain terrorists were a part of the Islamic Jihad leadership in Bethlehem. The group is suspected to have been involved in this month's terrorist shooting in which 8 Jerusalem yeshiva students were shot dead. ( J.Post) "There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide." Job 34:22

GERMANY'S MERKEL FIRST CHANCELLOR TO ADDRESS KNESSET: German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Israel, March 16, for a three day visit in honor of Israel's 60th birthday. She was the first chancellor ever to address the Knesset. Merkel held talks Monday with PM Ehud Olmert addressing relations between the two countries in commerce, security, tourism, culture and law. Israel's concerns over Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons will also be discussed at length during her stay. (Haaretz)

NETANYAHU: 'POLITICAL PERSECUTION' BY MEDIA: Likud Party Chairman Netanyahu filed a NIS 2 million libel suit against Israel's channel 10 television station this week. He did so in response to a report claiming he had used public funds to pay for a six-day public relations trip with his wife to London during the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Netanyahu deemed the television report to be "political persecution," and an attempt to prevent the Likud and himself from achieving leadership of Israel. He said he paid for the entire stay in London out of his own pocket. (INN) "My salvation and honor depend on God..." Ps. 62:7

FALASHMURA REFUSED IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL: The Falashmura community in Ethiopia are recognized as descendants of Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity several generations ago. Thousands wish to immigrate to Israel.  Many have waited for years to hear if their immigration requests are approved, and thousands have been rejected. Only one official was hired to deal with thousands of applications. Conditions in Ethiopian camps where Falashmura live steadily worsen. There is often a lack of sufficient food and medical supplies and community members in Gondar recently reported babies had died due to the shortages. (INN) "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay." Psalm 40:17

MORE "HONOR KILLINGS" IN ISRAEL: Several Arab men ambushed and shot a 40-year-old woman as she drove to work in Israel this week. Her crime in the eyes of her male relatives was having a relationship with a Jewish man. She sustained light wounds to her head and neck, and was listed in stable condition at a hospital where she was taken after the attack. Her would be executioner was a bad shot. In this victim's household eight women have been murdered in the past six years, all in connection with "family honor." Last week a Muslim family in northern Israel proudly congratulated their son after he announced having shot and kicked his young sister to death for dating. However, the girl survived the attack, and was rescued by an Israeli medical crew. (Haaretz)

TEL AVIV TO PROMOTE HOMOSEXUAL TOURISM TO ISRAEL AT DANISH EVENT: The mayor of Tel Aviv has accepted an invitation from Copenhagen to send representatives of Tel Aviv to an upcoming international homosexual event in the Danish capital. Mayor Ron Huldai is hoping to promote homosexual tourism to Tel Aviv – and to the rest of Israel by setting up a compound at the  "World Outgames" homosexual competitions scheduled for summer 2008 in Copenhagen. Israeli musicians, dancers, film makers and other cultural figures will participate in the event. "This is an opportunity to put Tel Aviv on the world map of gay tourism," said one City Council member who was tapped by the mayor to organize the project. (INN) "Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame." Jeremiah 3:3

RAINFALL 75% OF AVERAGE: Country-wide there has only been 75% as much rainfall this year as there is - in an average year - by this point in the rainy season, says the Israel Meteorological Service. The Kinneret, which is dependent on run-off from mountain streams, is now 3.26 meters below the desired level. It has risen only 23 inches (58 centimeters) since the beginning of the rainy season. (INN)

Jerusalem On The Line, a weekly prayer and news update, conveys the pulse beat of Israel and surrounding Middle East countries with concise, hot-off-the-press information.  Writing and editing staff members heed the cry from those who love the Jewish nation and desire to pray intelligently to please keep sending accurate news from Jerusalem as there is so little in the foreign media.  We seek to alert, inform and educate on events and concerns locally, as well as trends developing abroad that pertain to Israel and the Jewish people. Jerusalem On The Line is translated into German, Dutch, French and Polish. Consider making a donation in support of this important global outreach at: www.jnnnews.com/donations.htm

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 USA in Charlotte, NC – April 10-12, 2008. Speakers include: Michael Brown, Jay Sekulow, Howard Morgan, Bob Weiner, Barry Segal and Claren McQueen.  Conference theme is:  The Restoration of Israel and the Nations.

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