QASSAM ROCKETS LAND IN SDEROT, ONE NEXT TO KINDERGARTERN: It is only the first week of school and Qassam rockets, launched from the Gaza Strip, are exploding into kindergartens and downtown areas of Sderot. Soldiers rushed to evacuate babies from a day care center on Monday after a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists plunged into the courtyard. None of the 15 babies at the center were hurt, but 12 Sderot children were hospitalized for shock. Seven rockets were fired by mid-day Monday Sep. 3rd. Residents are furious at the lack of protection on the part of the government in the wake of ongoing Qassam rocket assaults. They accuse PM Ehud Olmert of lying by claiming the fortifications of schools are adequate. (INN) Pray for the protection of Sderot children and adults.

SDEROT PARENTS LAUNCH UNLIMITED STRIKE: Following Monday's rocket attack on Sderot, the town's parents committee decided to launch an unlimited strike in local schools starting Tuesday Sep. 4th. Shortly after the assault PM Olmert said Israel will respond to the attack with severity. "We will hit all those in the chain of command who harbor terrorists and act against the State of Israel." (J.Post)

80,000 ILLEGAL ARMS IN TERRORISTS HANDS IN W. BANK: Over 80,000 illegal weapons are in the hands of West Bank terrorists, according to the IDF's latest assessments. Defense officials said this week the Hamas terrorist organization is just as strong as Fatah in the West Bank and could pose a genuine threat to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' security forces. (J.Post)

OLMERT AGREES TO GIVE AWAY JUDEA, SAMARIA, DIVIDES JERUSALEM IN DRAFT ACCORD: PM Ehud Olmert has agreed, in writing, to hand over 6,250 square kilometers of land, the equivalent of Israel's entire biblical heartland, to an Arab terror state. Most of the Jewish communities built in Judea and Samaria over the past 40 years are to be demolished and their inhabitants expelled, according to the draft plan. Olmert also agrees to redivide Jerusalem. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is unhappy with the agreement because it doesn't address the refugee return issue. He is insisting tens of thousands of Arabs descended from those who fled Israel in 1948 be allowed to return to Israel, thereby flooding the Jewish State with Arab citizens. Both Israelis and Palestinians anticipate nothing will come of the draft, but it is outrageous for PM Olmert to sign his name, on behalf of Israel, to such nonsense. (INN) "The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his." Proverbs 14:14

INTERIOR MINISTRY PREVENTING CONVERTS FROM IMMIGRATING TO ISRAEL: Some 500 new converts to Judaism are waiting to receive papers allowing them to immigrate to Israel from a government panel in charge of screening their cases, but the group has not convened in three months. Sources say the committee's work is being held up by members from the Interior Ministry with the aim of creating obstacles for converts. One such measure requires gentiles who have converted to Judaism abroad to live a year within the local Jewish community before they are entitled to make aliyah under the Law of Return. The Ministry is continuing to make this demand despite a High Court ruling from 2005 prohibiting the practice. (Haaretz) "Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith." Isaiah 26:2

MUSLIM WAQF DESTROYING TEMPLE WALL IN UNSUPERVISED DIGS: Israeli archaeologists say a Second Temple courtyard wall is in danger of being destroyed by unsupervised digs being carried out at night by the Muslim Waqf (religious trust). In July 2007, the Waqf began digging a trench more than 1,300 feet long, endangering artifacts as well as the wall. Man-worked stones have been found in the trench, as well as remnants from an outer courtyard partition in the Holy Temple. Archaeologists are furious such important work is being done without supervision of the Antiquities Authority. (INN) "They will break down your walls and throw your stones, and rubble into the sea." Ezekiel 26:12

IRAN CLAIMS 3,000 CENTRIFUGES BENCHMARK: The Islamic Republic has not been deterred by two sets of UN imposed sanctions from attaining its nuclear goals. Sanctions have largely been ineffective due to Russia and China's insistence they be watered down. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proudly announced this week his country is running 3,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium for its nuclear program. He taunted the West for being so foolish as to think Iran would give in to such mild UN measures. A recent International Institute for Strategic Studies report said if Iran could smoothly operate 3,000 centrifuges, one bomb could be produced within nine to 11 months. (J.Post) "To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.'" Psalm 75:4

ANGELA MERKEL NAMED RECIPIENT OF HIGHEST GERMAN JEWRY HONOR: Chancellor Angela Merkel has been named the recipient of a top German Jewry award, the Leo Baeck Prize. The Central Council of Jews in Germany singled out Merkel for her "continuous and credible commitment in the area of rapprochement between Jews and non-Jews as well as between Germany and Israel." Merkel continues to win hearts of Israelis with her unwavering support of the Jewish nation and her stand against Iran for questioning Israel's right to exist. (Ha'aretz)

ISRAEL LEADS MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES IN TERMS OF NATURE RESERVES: Israel has allocated extensive areas to nature conservation and leads Mediterranean countries in the amount of territory it protects. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) reported nature reserves, national parks and forested districts in Israel constitute 16% of the country's total acreage, as opposed to 11.7% in France, 7.7% in Spain, and 0.5% in Lebanon. The report reflects the Israeli enjoyment of beauty and life. (Ha'aretz) "You will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married." Isaiah 62: 4-5

Succot 2007: Plan early to join us, September 25 - October 7, for the 7th year anniversary of the Succot Celebration and 40 years of a united Jerusalem. This is going to be a very special year for Israel. Our coming Succot event will be a combination of teaching and worship and touring the Land during the one major Feast that has not yet been fulfilled by Yeshua. For more details go to the website: www.succotcelebration.com. The USA price is now listed at the tour page of the website, but we have only 40 seats available from the USA on flights reserved. So pray, don't delay. First come, first served.

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