September 16, 2005

Israeli Rabbi Makes Katrina Comments
Chicago Tribune Fri, 16 Sep 2005 3:57 AM PDT
JERUSALEM -- Ovadia Yosef, the former Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, is being criticized for a televised sermon that called Hurricane Katrina a punishment from God for President Bush's role in forcing Israelis to leave the Gaza Strip.

The Changing Right of Armed Struggle
Baltimore Chronicle & Sentinel Fri, 16 Sep 2005 7:01 AM PDT
M ajor new developments are muddling the right to armed struggle. The UN Draft Outcome Document (2005) that the leaders of the world have gathered to discuss and possibly approve has nothing to say about the right of armed struggle.

Security Official: Gaza Now 'Armed To The Hilt'
WorldNet Daily Thu, 15 Sep 2005 10:06 PM PDT
JERUSALEM  After four consecutive days of thousands of Palestinians including known terrorists passing unrestrained between Egypt and Gaza, militants have been able to smuggle tons of weapons into the Gaza Strip for use against Israel, security sources told WND.

Iran Produces 5,000 Centrifuges
LONDON [MENL] -- Iran, aided by China, was said to have been producing thousands of gas centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons production.

The Iranian opposition said the Islamic regime plans to manufacture 5,000 centrifuges in the first stage of its nuclear program. The National Council of Resistance of Iran, which since 2002 disclosed about a dozen Iranian secret nuclear facilities, asserted that Teheran plans to manufacture 50,000 centrifuges.

PA Plans To Open Border Without Israel
GAZA CITY [MENL] -- The Palestinian Authority plans to imminently open and control border points with Egypt without the intervention of Israel.

PA officials said Palestinian leaders have agreed with Egypt on the resumption of the Rafah border terminal without Israeli input. On the eve of its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Sept. 12, Israel 's military closed Rafah for six months and ordered Palestinians to enter and leave the Gaza Strip through Israel's terminal at Keren Shalom.

Palestinians Fire Mortars Into Israel
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- For the first time, Palestinian gunners have succeeded in firing mortars into Israel.

Israeli military sources said Palestinian insurgents have managed to fire mortars from the eastern and northern Gaza Strip into Israel. So far, there have not been injuries in Israel.

Comments
A major change in policy is evolving within the U.N.   The UN Draft Outcome Document (2205), which leaders from all over the world have gathered to discuss and more than likely will adopt, has nothing to say about the right of armed struggle.  In fact, it condemns “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, as it constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

This poses a real problem for terrorist groups who for many years have had the sympathy of the world.  If this document is adopted that could change things dramatically.  

"Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns claims that the draft language excludes the proposal that would have exempted liberation movements from the domain of terrorism. The UN Security Council is poised to adopt a resolution that urges countries to enact laws against incitement of terrorist acts, a resolution that some states might interpret to criminalize even intellectualization of the right to armed struggle."  http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2005/091605AliKhan.shtml

I look for the UN Draft Outcome Document to pass.  Countries such as Iran and Syria are beginning to lose the respect of the rest of the world and have been branded as terrorist nations.  If you haven't figured it out by now most terrorist organizations (or nations) survive and thrive on world opinion. I have a feeling the winds of world opinion are about to change.

Since the pullout, Israeli officials say that Gaza is now armed to the hilt and is a haven for terrorists.  Apparently, Israel's worst nightmare has come to fruition and has given terrorist groups a much better position for attack.  But who in their right mind didn't see that coming.  I can't imagine what it's going to take to clean up that mess.  If I wasn't a Bible believing Christian I'd certainly be worried about Israel, but in the end, God will cause their plans to backfire and destroy their enemies.  That day is drawing closer with every Israeli concession and withdrawal. 

In a recent sermon by Ovadia Yosef, the former Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, he said that Hurricane Katrina was punish for the U.S. forcing Israel to give up its land.  Many of my readers have voiced the same theory. Whether it was or not is not for me to say.  One thing that does concern me is that New Orleans shows no sign of repentance and look to continue as if the devastation never occurred.

I don't know if you've heard but President Bush is in talks with Russia to secure a deal that would make the U.S. less dependent upon Arab oil. The problem with this is we're only switching beds. Russia would love to hold the U.S. hostage.  If this deal goes through look for it to play a part in why the U.S. does not come to the aid of Israel during the Russian-Arab attack.

Everyday I look for something earthshaking to happen, but up to this point the Holy Spirit has held back satan from following through with his evil plans.  How much longer that will happen is up to the Lord.

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not, your time is running out!