Current Events and Links

Prophetic Significance of Israel

'Person' of the year in energy and environment: A girl named Tamar

Dec. 29, 2013 - Since natural gas began to flow from the the 282-cubic meters Tamar natural gas field in March, it became a symbol of Israel's forthcoming energy security and freedom. The development is expected to save Israel about NIS 13 billion per year on energy costs.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel's Gas Ambitions Put National Security at Risk - OilPrice.com

Prophetic Significance of Israel

Christian group plans 100-foot-tall Jesus statue in Muslim-dominated Nazareth

Dec. 20, 2013 - Nazareth is an important tourist town for Christians, but about 70% of the population there is Muslim and the number is growing. Bishara Shlayan, a Christian merchant seaman who lives in Nazareth, is planning to build a 100' high statue of Jesus similar to the "Christ the Redeemer" statue over Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, but it will be even larger. Israel's Minister of Tourism has given his blessing to the project.

Source: Fox

Israel, Jordan, Palestinians ink water-sharing deal

Dec. 10, 2013 - Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians signed a historic water-sharing initiative at the World Bank in Washington Monday.

The project envisions a new desalination plant at Aqaba as the lynchpin of a sharing deal involving end-users in all three parties to the deal.

Source: Global Post

Netanyahu says nuke negotiators must demand Iran change 'genocidal policy'

Dec. 9, 2013 - At a forum on U.S.-Israel relations hosted by the Brookings Institution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded attendees that Iran is committed to Israel's destruction. Therefore negotiators in the next round of talks with Iran must demand that Iran "change its genocidal policy" toward the Jewish state.

At the same forum a day earlier President Obama also expressed skepticism about the talks.

"If you ask me what is the likelihood that we're able to arrive at the end state ... I wouldn't say that it's more than 50-50," Obama said. "But we have to try."

Source: Fox

Iran Announces Refusal to Recognize Israel at United Nations Session - The Algemeiner

Netanyahu: A nuclear Iran will preclude Israeli-Palestinian peace - Prophecy Central's Peace Section

Israel’s fateful decision - A cost-benefit analysis points to an attack on Iran’s plutonium reactor - S. Fred Singer - Washington Times

Germany selling Israel two guided missile destroyers

Dec. 7, 2013 - An arms deal between Germany and Israel promises to deliver two guided missile destroyers to protect Israel's gas pipelines. Each of the destroyers is worth one billion euros. In return Israel may sell Germany technologically advanced attack drones.

Source: Times of Israel

Israel's new focus on the Iran nuclear deal

Dec. 2, 2013 - What will Israel do now that Iran has a temporary arrangement that stops it short of developing a nuclear weapon but leaves its capability to do so intact? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will apparently now wage a diplomatic campaign to influence the eventual outcome. Meanwhile he will maintain Israel's ability to deal with this most serious threat to their national security.

Source: The Guardian

Netanyahu: I will not 'shut up' when Israel's interests are at stake - Jerusalem Post

Israel's Netanyahu Meets With Pope; Talks Tough on Iran - NewsMax

Rohani: Iran will not dismantle nuclear sites - YNetNews

Israelis distrust Iran deal but overwhelmingly value alliance with US - Times of Israel

Netanyahu orders Mossad to expose Iranian breaches of interim deal

Dec. 1, 2013 - According to the UK's Sunday Times, Israel has asked the Mossad and the Military Intelligence Directorate to uncover any deception by Iran about the nuclear agreements they made last week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the heads of Israel’s intelligence community to look for proof that Iran is violating an interim deal signed with the international community last week over its nuclear program.

The spying effort is seen as a direct challenge to President Barack Obama's efforts to convince Congress to go along with the deal.

Source: Times of Israel

‘US freed top Iranian scientist as part of secret talks ahead of Geneva deal’ - Times of Israel

Secret talks with Iran led Obama to nix strike on Syria - WND

Netanyahu Vows to Cast Out 'Darkness' of Iran Nuke Program

Nov. 29, 2013 - Unhappy with the outcome of talks between Iran and six leading nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that, "The largest darkness that threatens the world today is a nuclear Iran.”

“We are bound to do all we can to prevent this darkness. If possible we will do this diplomatically, if not we will act as a light unto the nations.”

Source: NewsMax

'Washington Post': White House omitting facts about Iran nuclear deal - Jerusalem Post

Israel Renews Warnings of Military Action After Iran Nuclear Deal

Nov. 24, 2013 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that the Geneva nuclear deal with Iran was a big mistake and Israel will not be bound by it. He said,

“Israel has the right to protect itself in the face of any threat. I wish to reiterate that as the Prime Minister of Israel — Israel will not allow Iran to develop nuclear military capabilities.”

Source: TIME

Bachmann uncorks on Obama, Armageddon - WND

Israel sends team to US for Iran talks - Telegraph

Obama hails Iran nuclear deal
as
Netanyahu slams 'historic mistake'

Nov. 24, 2013 - The Geneva meeting of six world powers about Iran's nuclear program extended the time allotted for talks and finally produced a compromise agreement that President Obama called “first step toward a comprehensive solution." Iran will be able to keep its centrifuges and other physical aspects of its program, but will have to limit its uranium production to 5 percent enrichment and neutralize its stockpile of near 20 percent enriched uranium. In exchange, sanctions will be eased on Iran's exports, allowing them to sell some $4.2 billion of oil. The deal is only good for six months.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that the agreement "makes a nuclear Iran more, not less, likely," and called the deal "a blow to our allies in the region."

Iran is pleased with the deal. Conservative U.S. lawmakers say it is "too little, too late." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a historic mistake. He told his Cabinet that the world had become a "more dangerous place" as a result of the deal, and once again he warned that Israel "has the right and the duty to defend itself by itself."

Source: Fox

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton: 'Abject Surrender by US' - American Thinker

US, Iran nuclear deal spurs bipartisan concern in Congress - Fox

Iran's President Rouhani says nuclear deal with West allows Iran to enrich uranium - Jerusalem Post

Obama to call Netanyahu to 'assuage Israeli concerns' regarding Iran deal - Jerusalem Post

Netanyahu 'promises' Iran will not get nuclear weapons

Nov. 21, 2013 - Speaking to a group of Russian Jewish leaders Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran's nuclear progam must be stopped. He added,“And I can promise you they won’t have nuclear weapons.” He also said,

[T]he “true” Iran was not the one of propaganda films produced by Foreign Minister Javad Zarif smiling and speaking about a peaceful future, but rather that of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calling Jews “rabid dogs.”

Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday in hopes of convincing the Russians, who have close ties with Iran, to promote an acceptable agreement with Iran similar to the one they brokered with Syria about their chemical weapons. It is not yet known whether he persuaded Putin.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Iran says enrichment 'not negotiable' as Geneva nuclear talks begin - Telegraph - UK

Iranian Supreme Leader: Israel 'Doomed to Collapse'

Nov. 20, 2013 - In the past Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called Israel an "illegitimate and bastard regime." Now, on the eve of renewed negotiations with Iran about their nuclear program, he declared that Israel is a "regime doomed to collapse."

Khamenei called Israel "the rabid dog of the region" and claimed Israel poses a threat to the world, not Iran.

Source: Israel National News

Iran nuclear talks: Tehran 'will not step back one iota' - BBC

France says Iran comments on Israel complicate nuke talks - Times of Israel

US Jewish leaders feel misled by White House over Iran deal - Times of Israel

Minister Bennett: Now is Most Fateful Time for Israel Since Yom Kippur War - The Algemeiner

Former Security Chief: Israel Can Hit Iran Nuke Facilities at Will

Nov. 19, 2013 - Former Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror told the Financial Times that Israel is able to set back Iran’s nuclear program “for a very long time.”

Israeli pilots have spent years practicing long-range flights to prepare for the possibility of an military operation against Iran, he said. Asked whether Israel military capabilities included strikes against underground sites, Amridror replied “including everything."

He said that Israel is a sovereign nation that does not need anyone's permission to defend itself. Israel is not bluffing. It knows that it "might have to defend itself by itself.”

Source: NeswMax

Amid rising tensions, Kerry postpones visit to Israel - Times of Israel

In Israel, Hollande says France won’t waver on Iran

Nov. 18, 2013 - French President Francois Hollande was given a hero's welcome in Israel when he arrived yesterday to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“France will not make concessions on nuclear proliferation,” Hollande pledged during a ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport, upon his arrival. “France will maintain all its measures and sanctions until we are certain that Iran has renounced nuclear weapons.”

Netanyahu praised Hollande for his dedication to the Jewish state and said that if Iran does obtain nuclear arms it will not only endanger Israel, but also "France, Europe and the entire world."

Source: Times of Israel

Obama on Defensive as Israel, Democrats Line Up Against Iran Deal - NewsMax

Netanyahu hosts Kerry, French President as Iran Talks Resume

Nov. 17, 2013 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has plans to meet separately with French President Francois Hollande and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. They will discuss the vital issues of the Iranian nuclear talks and peace with the Palestinians. He will also spend time with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. A new round of negotiations with Iran will convene in Geneva on Nov. 20. Netanyahu said,

"I hope we'll be able to convince our friends this week and in the following days... continuing to apply pressure and even increasing it can yield a much better diplomatic result."

Hollande has said France will not accept the proliferation of nuclear arms. He plans to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial while he is in Jerusalem.

Source: NewsMax

Report: Mossad working with Saudis on contingency plans for potential attack on Iran - Prophecy Central's Iran Section

‘Netanyahu open to interim Iran deal — if the terms are right’

Nov. 15, 2013 - An anonymous Israeli official told a reporter that he heard Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly say that Israel would consider an temporary agreement with Iran. However it would have to be a "real freeze for a real freeze." This would mean that Iran would completely stop enriching uranium, and the world powers would continue existiing sanctions but offer not to add additional restrictions.

Source: Times of Israel

Israel halts plans to explore new settlements

Nov. 13, 2013 - For many years Israel's construction of settlement housing in the West Bank has been an impediment to peace talks, and now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says continued construction creates an "unnecessary confrontation" with the international community over the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions. Accordingly, he abruptly halted a plan to explore the potential construction of thousands of new homes in West Bank settlements.

The plan announced by Israel's Housing Ministry earlier in the day had prompted a Palestinian threat to walk out of U.S.-brokered peace talks and drew angry criticism from officials in Washington, who said they had been blindsided by the move.

Source: USA Today

PA negotiators resign over West Bank construction - The Times of Israel

Crisis Brewing in Israeli-US Relations

Nov. 10, 2013 - In spite of the good will created by President Obama's visit to Israel earlier this year, two vital issues threaten to generate what diplomatic correspondent Chemi Shalev called a 'superstorm' of U.S.-Israeli relations." The U.S. is promoting a compromise deal with Iran that would supposedly halt it's nuclear production but not dismantle its facilities.

Israeli news reports describe Netanyahu as being in "shock" over the possible Iranian compromise. Netanyahu, who sees Iran as an arch-enemy, has vowed to do anything, including a military strike, to prevent Iran from reaching weapons capability.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also inflamed passions in Israel when he made a statement on Israeli and Palestinian TV questioning Israel's seriousness about peace with the Palestinians. This caused Netanyahu to publicly vow not to cave into concessions to the Palestinians.

Source: NewsMax

'US capitulated' on Iran deal, Jerusalem says - Israel National Hayom

Iranians angry and bewildered after French torpedo Geneva nuclear entente - The Guardian

France scuttles disastrous U.S. nuclear deal with Iran at last minute. - American delegation en route to Israel for high-level talks as crisis erupts in U.S.-Israel relations.- Joel Rosenberg

Khamenei slams French 'imprudent, inept move' to delay Iran nuclear deal - Jerusalem Post

Inaction On Iran Launches Mideast Nuclear Arms Race - Investors.com

Don't Say It Can't Be Done - There is only one way to avoid a nuclear Iran: to attack it • Any deal, bad or somewhat bad, won't change that • The IDF has already proved it can do the impossible; it can also do the unthinkable • Ultimately, we cannot trust anyone but ourselves. - Israel Hayom

Rapidly intensifying crisis in U.S.-Israel relations developing due to disastrous Iran nuclear deal

Nov. 9, 2013 - Prophecy and Middle East expert Joel Rosenberg analyzes the situation with Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. has secretly been easing sanctions for months, and is totally alienating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Middle East leaders who feel betrayed by President Obama's administration

Source: Flash Traffic

‘Crisis of faith’ between Israel and US over possible Iran deal - Times of Israel

Nuclear accord with Iran could create fierce diplomatic storm between U.S. and Israel - Haaretz

Shameless appeasement of Iran - YNet News

US: John Kerry will head to Geneva to push Iran deal in unexpected visit

Nov. 8, 2013 - In a push to reach agreement between six world powers and Iran over their nuclear programs, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will change his own plans in order to join the discussions. President Obama has signaled a compromise with Iran by telling NBC News,

"There is the possibility of a phased agreement in which the first phase would be us, you know, halting any advances on their nuclear program ... and putting in place a way where we can provide them some very modest relief..."

Source: Jerusalem Post

Netanyahu says nuclear deal with Iran would be a 'mistake of historic proportions' - Jerusalem Post

Iranian TV airs animated strike on Tel Aviv - WND

Lapid: Jerusalem is not up for negotiation because the city will never be divided

Nov. 5, 2013 - In an interview on Israel Radio Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that Jerusalem is the "founding ethos" of the State of Israel and cannot be divided under any circumstances." His statement came amid reports that Jerusalem was being discussed in the ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Bolton: Israel must make 'fateful decision' on Iran strike

Nov. 4, 2013 - Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton told WABC Radio’s Aaron Klein that Israel must make “fateful decision” very soon about whether or not to strike Iran’s nuclear sites.

“I don’t think Israel has much time,” Bolton continued. “Frankly, they should have done this years ago because we all know intelligence is imperfect and Iran may have a more developed capacity than we know about, perhaps in cooperation with North Korea.”

Israel has destroyed the nuclear facilities of two hostile neighbors in the past.

Bolton also commented on a statement by former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, that the U.S. has put great pressure on Iran and "may need to use military force to back up our policy.” Bolton's response was that military action against Iran simply, "Isn’t going to happen under the Obama administration."

Source: WND

Obama paying ‘lip service’ on Iran strike option, says top MK - Times of Israel

Rouhani is not 'optimistic' about Iran's nuclear talks with West - Jerusalem Post

‘Compromise will likely lead to nuclear Iran,’ says expert - Prof. Uzi Rabi says window for effective military action against Tehran's nuclear facilities has closed. - Jerusalem Post