JERUSALEM CHURCH OVERNIGHT ARSON: A large church in central Jerusalem was set ablaze before dawn Wed. October 24th and suffered extensive damage. Arsonists forced their way into the Narkiss Street Church late Tuesday night and set three different fires in the main sanctuary. Dozens of chairs were destroyed and wide-spread smoke damage occurred. Jewish neighbors called the fire department and their quick response was what saved the structure, said a pastor at the church, Charles Kopp. The building used by four separate congregations, including Baptists, had been burned down in 1982 by an ultra-nationalist Jewish group and later rebuilt. Pastor Chuck Kopp said, "We all still need to learn the lessons of tolerance and to accept the different among us." (Ha'aretz)

ISRAEL WARNS A WORLD WAR III MAY BE BIBLICAL WAR OF GOG & MAGOG: President George W. Bush, in a press conference last week, warned a nuclear Iran would mean World War III. Israeli newscasts later presented a line up of nations indicated biblically to be major players in the conflict. In the book of Ezekiel 38-39, a great world war is prophesied known as Gog and Magog, which is centered within the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Israel's channel 2 and channel 10 displayed Gog & Magog maps depicting the biblical alignment of countries involved in that clash. On one side were nations known today as Israel, the United States, Britain, France and Germany. On the other side were Iran, Russia, China, Syria and North Korea. (INN) "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." Ezekiel 38:3

KNESSET MAJORITY AGAINST DIVISION OF JERUSALEM: More than half of the Israeli Knesset, including 30 members of Olmert's ruling coalition and 13 from his own Kadima Party, have signed a petition demanding the prime minister not offer up any parts of Jerusalem during an upcoming peace summit with the Palestinians. Olmert insisted in September he did not need Knesset approval for any deal he strikes with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. However, Israel's Basic Law requires a Knesset majority to alter the status of Jerusalem as the "eternal, undivided capital of Israel." The religious party, Shas, has threatened to pull its faction out of the government if the division of Jerusalem is even mentioned in Annapolis. Israel Beiteinu party has warned it will do the same, in which case Olmert's ability to remain in power would be seriously impaired. (Israel Today) "The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous." Psalm 125:3

FATAH MEN TRIED TO KILL OLMERT: Fatah terrorists targeted PM Ehud Olmert as he and his convoy were on their way to Jericho on August 6th for a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli intelligence officials averted the attack by providing the PA with information leading to the arrest of Fatah gunmen planning the assassination. After a mere two months’ detention, last week the terrorists were released from a West Bank prison, causing fury in government circles. Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, sharply criticized the PA revolving door policy taking place with prisoners dangerous to the Jewish state, and said Israel viewed the assassination attempt as extremely severe. (Haaretz)

ABBAS: I'LL RESIGN IF ANNAPOLIS FAILS: PA President Mahmoud Abbas, in a recent meeting with Condoleezza Rice, threatened to resign should the Annapolis conference fail. He added that the US and Israel would then have to face al-Qaida and a third intifada. ( J.Post) "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing..." Psalm 33:10

PALESTINIANS INSIST THEY HAVE FULFILLED ROADMAP OBLIGATIONS: Palestinian leaders claim they have completed Phase One of the performance-based Roadmap. Phase One demands Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist in this region, renounce terror against the Jewish nation, dismantle terrorist organizations, and end all forms of anti-Israel incitement in the Palestinian media and school system. In actuality, PA run-schools and their textbooks continue to teach children to hate the Jewish nation. PA television programs present Israel as the enemy needing to be destroyed by Jihad violence, and use cartoon characters to make their propaganda appealing to small children. On a daily basis, Palestinian terrorists continue to shoot rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel's southern Negev towns. (IHC) "Blessed be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their teeth." Psalm 124:6

SYRIA DISMANTLING FACILITY TARGETED BY IAF: Conflicting reports continue to emerge from Syria in regards to Israel's Sept. 6th bombing of a Syrian facility suspected to have housed a nuclear devise. In what could be an attempt to avoid international investigation, Syria has begun to dismantle and remove the remains of the site. The move will make it difficult for weapons inspectors to determine the precise nature of the facility or what might have been Syria's ultimate intentions for it. (Haaretz )

SPIKE IN UKRAINIAN ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS: Four major physical attacks against rabbis in Ukraine have taken place within the last month. Jews have been beaten, religious property has been desecrated, and neo-Nazis have been allowed to march in Kiev. The government, for the most part, remains silent in response to the recent anti-semitic violence, and Ukrainian law enforcement officials maintain the country does not have a problem with hate crimes. Investigations into the crimes have not resulted in arrests or prosecutions. (JTA)

ISRAEL SWEEPS 36 MEDALS IN 2007 SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Israel cheered its Special Olympics athletes who recently returned from Shanghai, China, sporting 10 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 10 bronze medals. The team participated in eight sports: judo, swimming, soccer, cycling, bowling, track and field, tennis, and table tennis. Members agreed their uppermost goal was to bring honor to Israel, which they have certainly accomplished with their dedication, tested courage and skills. The Special Olympics summer games are held once every four years and promote athletes with mental disabilities. (INN)

Review current events taking place in the Middle East, updated weekly, and summarized for your reading convenience at: www.jnnnews.com . Be sure to click on the report of Uncle Sam,  Wake Up America,  on the lefthand side. Filled with facts, this is a visual expose on radical Islam. It's devastating. Turn the volume up as well.

Visit the new www.greetingsfromjerusalem.com site to purchase Messianic and Judaica gifts, a wide assortment of books, praise and worship music, videos, jewelry and other study materials. This is a tangible way to show support and solidarity with the people of Israel. People in North America can purchase on-line now.

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