RICE DEMANDS END TO ROCKET ATTACKS: US Secretary of State Rice called for an end to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza. Asked whether she advised Olmert to prevent the military from using disproportionate force in Gaza, Rice said: "I think that's not a good way to address this issue. The issue is the rocket attacks need to stop.'' (Bloomberg)

FIVE HURT IN ASHKELON AS 50 ROCKETS HIT SOUTHERN ISRAEL: Five people were wounded in two separate strikes on the port town of Ashkelon on Saturday as Palestinian terrorists in Gaza launched some 50 rockets at southern Israel. A number of people were treated for shock. Fifty Palestinian rockets also hit Israel last Wednesday. One of them killed a Jewish father of four who was inside his car. (Haaretz) "Confuse the wicked, O Lord, for I see violence and strife in the city." Ps. 55:9

ASHKELON KATYUSHAS CAME FROM IRAN VIA EGYPT: Israel's Foreign Ministry says the Grad-type Katyusha rockets fired at Ashkelon came from Iran. They were apparently smuggled into Gaza via Egypt through tunnels and the recently breached Rafah border fence. Israel has repeatedly warned the international community about the arms buildup taking place in Hamas controlled Gaza. (INN) "Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and  helmets." Ezek. 38:4-6

TWO IDF SOLDIERS, 80 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN GAZA: Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers and at least 80 Palestinians have been killed in an ongoing IDF ground incursion in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF launched raids and air strikes in the coastal territory in the wake of a massive Qassam rocket barrage on the western Negev last week that killed an Israeli civilian. (Haaretz) "If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city." Deut. 20:12

PA THREATENS TO CALL OFF TALKS WITH ISRAEL: Palestinians threatened Saturday to call off peace talks with Israel after 46 Gazans were killed in escalating violence throughout the day. Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia said PA leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, recommended suspending peace talks at a West Bank meeting March 1st. "We can't bear what the Israelis are doing, and what the Israelis are doing doesn't give the peace process any credibility." They made no mention of what ongoing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip are doing to Israel's Negev population. (Y.Net)

ABBAS DOES NOT RULE OUT RESUMING ARMED CONFLICT WITH ISRAEL: PA Chairman Abbas said in a recent press interview he does not completely rule out the possibility of  resuming armed conflict with Israel. He said he is against military confrontation at this time, but things may differ in the future. Abbas also said he objects to Israel's definition as a Jewish state: "We negated the concept in the Annapolis peace conference and it almost ended because of it...they wanted us to state we recognize Israel as a Jewish state in the closing statements, but we wouldn't hear of it." (Y.Net) "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." Prov. 16:7

BEYOND RHETORIC: HEZBOLLAH RETALIATION THREATS: In response to the Feb.12th assassination of its terrorist mastermind, Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah continues to threaten revenge. Israel has put its military on heightened alert and deployed Patriot missiles near Haifa. In Washington, the FBI issued a bulletin warning of attacks on US soil. It clams its concerns about Hezbollah retaliation are well-founded. The group has a global network of terrorist cells said to be ready to strike. Intelligence officials are predicting retaliatory strikes after Mughniyeh's forty-day mourning period. (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

US SENDS 3 WARSHIPS TO MEDITERRANEAN AS TENSIONS MOUNT: The US Navy is sending at least three ships, including one amphibious assault ship, to the Mediterranean Sea. The decision to send the ships appears to be a not-too-subtle show of US force in the region as international frustration mounts over deadlocked political situations in Lebanon. The US blames Syria for the impasse, saying Syria has never given up its ambitions to control its smaller neighbor. (J.Post)
 
PRISONERS, ELDERLY, ILL IN EUROPE TO ENJOY HAPPY PURIM: The Brussels-based European Aleph Institute has announced the opening of its new Purim program for Jewish prisoners, elderly and ill throughout Europe.The program,is designed to bring a happy Purim to many thousands of people in various European countries. The cost of the campaign is expected to reach one million Euros, subsidized largely by the European Jewish Development Fund. Rabbis and Jewish communal leaders throughout the continent have been contacted to sign up. (INN) "These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city." Esther 9:28

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.

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

VFI & JSH Conference in London, England – June 26-28, 2008.

Succot Tour & Celebration: October 12-24, 2008

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