The Myth About "Christ-Killers"

   Recently, there have been disturbing words in the press about the Catholic and Anglican leadership taking a stand against Israel and the Jewish people.  Sadly, evidence shows this to be a reocurring theme throughout Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican history.  Much of this “animosity” is based on incorrect understanding of the New Testament. The first, and possibly the leading motivation for antisemitism, is the completely false assumption that the Jews killed Jesus alone and are forever cursed and guilty of an unforgivable sin.
   Let’s set the record straight once and for all about who killed Jesus according to the Bible!!!!
   First, Jesus, himself, tells his 12 disciples, “..the Son of man will betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.”  (Matthew , chapter 20, verses 18 & 19)
   Again, in the Book of Acts, Peter and John led the believers in prayer saying, “For truly against your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.” (Acts chapter 4, verses 27 & 28)
   There are several glaring truths in this that totally eradicate all fables relating to who killed Jesus. It clearly states in both these passages that the Jews, the people of Israel, were not the only people involved in Jesus’ death. Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles were equally responsible.  
   However, according to Peter and John’s fellowship prayer, Jesus’ death had been determined beforehand by the One they were praying to.....Whooooaa! What about all the pogroms, all the crusades, all the historical events based on the Jews being “Christ (Messiah) Killers”? If the Bible says both Jews and Gentiles were responsible for Jesus’ death, and if G-d was behind it all, then why would there be any strife over this?
   BUT, why would G-d do this? Why would He “determine beforehand” Jesus’ crucifixtion and death? G-d is good, and where in the scriptures would it even suggest He would do this?
    The prophet Isaiah may shed some light on this. In the middle of chapter 53, verses 8-11, G-d says:  “For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of my people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked - but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many. For He shall bear their iniquities.”
   Now, I understand that some of you reading this do not agree that this describes Jesus; however, those who follow Jesus – that includes Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Anglicans – do believe this. So it makes very little sense that they would solely blame the Jews for Jesus’ death or believe that their crime was so great that they are forever doomed. In fact, the fact that the Jews were part of it - their “transgression”- is what brought salvation to the Gentiles! The Bible says it! The book to the Romans, chapter 11, verses 11 & 12!!!  Jesus’ death brought their salvation! It brought them into a relationship with the G-d of Israel! These scriptures also make the point that everyone was responsible for Jesus’ death because all people have sin in their heart that must be forgiven. It’s not just one group! So, we can rightfully conclude that these followers of Jesus should be bending over backwards to bless the Jewish people!

What Are They talking About? The "Hebraization of Jerusalem"?

  Once again, the lease on the city of Jerusalem, the capital of the nation of Israel, is being disputed. Words  like “stop the Hebraization of Jerusalem” and  stop the  “Judeaization of Jerusalem” are continually included in political dialogue. Every time I see these phrases, a laugh comes out from my heart – When was Jerusalem the capital of any other culture or nation besides Israel? Since when did the “City of David” become the “City of Mohammed” or even “the city of Jesus”? Yes, we refer to it as “the Holy City”, but if we trace the Christian history of Jerusalem, we see that all that happened there in the New testament was to fulfill prophetic words from the Tanakh.
   Events  like Jesus’ death in Jerusalem were prophesied throughout the early scriptures. David says in Psalm 22: 16-18 that Jesus’ hands and feet will be pierced and people will weep for him as for the first-born. Others will stare and gloat over him (verse 17) and they will divide his garments among them (verse 18). They will give him vinegar to drink like David prophesied in Psalm 69:21 and just as Zechariah prophesied, pieces of silver were thrown into God’s house, the Temple. (Zechariah chapter 11, verse 13)  Jesus was forsaken by his disciples just like Zechariah says in chapter 13, verse 7. He was buried in a rich man’s tomb like Isaiah prophesied and was cut off and died like Daniel prophesied. The earth turned dark at noon like Amos prophesied (chapter 8, verse 9) All these events that fulfilled  prophecy took place in Jerusalem. Jesus even rode into Jerusalem on a donkey like Zechariah said he would! (Zechariah chapter 9, verse 9).    Nowhere in the Qu'ran, is Jerusalem even mentioned! Yes, other cultures have squatted on the city, but it has NEVER been the capital of any other nation besides Israel!  Furthermore, when did all faiths have the freedom to worship in Jerusalem except when Israel and the Jewish people have had control? To call Jerusalem an “international city” or “the Palestinian Capital” would be like calling Washington, D.C. “the capital of the world” or “a British District”. Obviously, common sense has been thrown out, and there is something much deeper at work here.
   Military victories are most effective when the invading nation takes the capital! So, yes, it makes sense that the “Palestinian” people would want to take Israel’s capital and make it their own, BUT it does not make sense that the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican communities would join their plan. Don’t they read the same Bible prophets that the Jews read? For instance, Isaiah prophesies: I have set watchmen upon your walls , O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day or night. You that make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest, until He establishes and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in all the earth. (Isaiah chapter 62, verses 6-7) Who is “He”? “He” is the G-d of Israel!
   Zechariah, the prophet saw a vision of the high priest Joshua standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right side accusing him. Chapter 3, verse 2 says: the Lord said to Satan, “the Lord rebuke you Satan! The Lord, WHO HAS CHOSEN JERUSALEM, rebuke you!”  “The Lord” is the name “Yhvh” or as is familiar today, “Yehovah” or “Yahveh”. This Lord has chosen Jerusalem. He is the G-d of the Hebrews, the G-d of the Jews!  So what are the world leaders and church leaders talking about?
   The Book of Psalms, a key to every part of Jewish and Christian faith, emphasizes over and over again that the G-d of Israel is forever connected to His city, Jerusalem. Psalm 102:21 says: The Name of the Lord (Yahveh) will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem. Psalm 125:2 says: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people , both now and forevermore. And, if there’s any question who lives in Jerusalem, Psalm 135:21 says: Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to Him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!  There is nowhere in the New testament where it says the G-d of Israel, Yahveh, moved out of the city or changed His mind about His word! Christians believe that Jesus came to fulfill the messianic promises in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and he is the Messiah. So what are these churches referring to when they say they want to “stop the Hebraization of Jerusalem”or they want to stop the “Judeaization of Jerusalem”. My conclusion is they better start reading their Bibles, the foundation for their beliefs, before they completely miss the mark!!

With Whom should Christian Leaders Be Aligned?

   Ismail Haniyeh, the “Prime Minister” for Hamas, governs the Gaza Strip. This is the land the Israelis were forced to abandon in 2006, leaving their homes, stores, businesses and entire communities behind with little in return. Yes, this is the same Gaza Strip!  Haniyeh recently spoke in Tunis, Tunisia promising “Hamas will never recognize Israel.” He went on to say, “We promise you that we will not cede a single part of ‘Palestine’ . We will not cede Jerusalem. We will continue to fight, and we will not lay down our arms.”  He brought his point home by announcing, support for “Palestine” should be a “religious and nationalist commitment” for Arabs. (Does that include the many Bible believing Arabs?)
   On Saturday, December 31, Haniyeh spoke in Khartoum and called for the establishment of a “Jerusalem Army” who will “conquer Jerusalem from the Jews” During Hamas’ 24^th anniversary celebration,  Haniyeh reiterated that Hamas’ long term goal is to “eliminate Israel.”  He reemphasized that “Hamas will NEVER recognize Israel and will never give up Jerusalem. Hamas won’t relinquish one inch of the land of ‘Palestine”.
    So we start off here with an understanding of the heart of Hamas’ leader.  Is this the heart of a man worthy of leading his people into a brighter future? Is he more honorable than the Israelis who were previously governing areas of Gaza? Let’s examine how he has dealt with the “basics of life” for the “Palestinians” living in Gaza.
   Most people would agree that an important part of any society’s infrastructure is the flow of electricity to the people. Without power, the basic functions cannot succeed. In the spring of 2008, fuel was sabotaged by “Palestinians” two times within a few weeks.  The first time, “Palestinians” arrived at the fuel terminal area at Nahal Oz and started firing on Israeli citizens working there while at the same time firing 24 mortar shells on the region. This is a fuel supply terminal supplying fuel o the Gaza Strip. Two Israeli citizens working at the terminal were killed. Only a week after this first lethal terror attack,  (as the Palestinian leadership was complaining of fuel shortages) terror groups from Gaza again targeted Israelis supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip. They opened fire on trucks supplying fuel to Gaza again, at the Nahal Oz fuel terminal. The Israelis were attempting to make up for the fuel loss the previous week. Meanwhile, security officials had noted that despite these attacks and setbacks, fuel reserves were still available in the Gaza Strip, BUT the Palestinian Electric Company cut out the power to some areas anyway. This prompted power outages in sections of Gaza City and in the northern part of the Strip. So the question asked here is , “who has the best interest of the “Palestinian” people in mind?  The Israelis helping to deliver fuel or the “Palestinians” sabotaging the fuel’s transport?
    In 2009, approximately 14,000 “Palestinians” came from Gaza from hospitals in Gaza to hospitals in Israel.   (28,000 came from the other PA Territories). In August, 2009, Palestinians in an ambulance on their way to receive Israeli medical care were at the border crossing and were fired upon by “Palestinian Jihadists”.  In Feb. the next year, the Palestinian leadership abruptly cut off all funding for the majority of “Palestinians” needing medical help in Israeli hospitals. This was one of the few “humanitarian” connections that was kept intact.
   When Israel captured Gaza in 1967, officials wanted to improve the standard of living that existed under the Jordanians and Egyptians. Universities were opened, Israeli agricultural innovations were shared, modern conveniences were introduced and health care was upgraded. More than 100,000 Palestinians were employed in Israel and paid the same wages as Israelis which stimulated economic growth in the Gaza Strip.
    In the 90’s, “Palestinian” terrorists began attacks on Israel and its citizens so that  by 2000, the “Palestinian” economy was feeling the effects. Israel was forced to protect its citizens (which includes Arab Israelis) from suicide bombers and other terror attacks, the government had to limit the people coming from Gaza into Israel to reduce risks. Unemployment resulted, but it was created by the “Palestinian” terrorists, not the Israelis.
   Does anyone remember those high-tech greenhouses Israeli settlers built in Gaza, that provided employment for “Palestinians” and produced an amazing assortment of fruits and vegetables in the middle of the desert? 

Or the ones “rich Americans (like Bill Gates) bought and presented to the “Palestinians” when Israel withdrew from Gaza?
                                                              
After looting and burning, here’s how they’re now being used - tunnels for
                                           smuggling weapons.

“The World bank estimates that 75% of Gaza’s factories have closed and more than 68,000 Palestinian workers have been laid off.” Journalist Charles Johnson says, the “Palestinian” voters voted for this: “Palestinians in Gaza voted overwhelmingly for Hamas, and got exactly what they wanted – a radical Islamic government that cares less about their welfare.”
     AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY, THE INFORMATION ABOVE LEADS US TO ASK
                                     THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Why would 8 Catholic Bishops from Europe and North America say that “Gaza Christians are living in a big prison and terrified of Israel?” (As recently as August 2011, “Palestinians” fired more than 120 rockets, including up to 10 Grad-type Katyushas, missiles and mortars over one weekend into the towns of Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Beersheva.  There was a direct hit on a school and one infant seriously injured.  So who is it that is terrified?)
Why would the Aux. Bishop of Birmingham, William Kenny , say to  Israel, “Violence is evil especially when it blocks humanitarian relief desperately needed?” (In addition to attacks on their own people and sabotaging their own fuel supplies, the Hamas government has received in early 2010 alone, 94,500 tons of supplies for Gaza. To understand how much this is, it breaks down to: 40,000 tons of wheat, 2,760 tons of rice, 1987 tons of clothes and footwear, 553 tons of milk powder and baby food.  During Muslim holidays, The Israeli government has supplied 11,000 heads of cattle that provides 8.8 million meals of beef, 3000 tons of hypochlorite for water purification, and 4883 tons of medical equipment equaling 360,000  260-piece mobile trauma first aid kits.  Why does he blame Israel?)
Why on December 1, 2011 would Christian and Muslim dignitaries meet in Beit Sahour for a conference on “HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER IN A FUTURE PALESTINIAN STATE?”  (In addition to the irresponsible actions already recorded by Hamas’ government, On June 3, 2010, in Iskenderun, Turkey, the personal driver of Bishop Luigi Padovese who was the Head of the Catholic Church in Turkey, Murat Altun, a Muslim, repeatedly stabbed and decapitated the Bishop and proceeded to say, “I killed the Great Satan. Allahu Akhbar.”  The brutal murder shocked the small Catholic community in Turkey, because the Bishop had been spearheading the Vatican’s efforts to improve Muslim-Christian relations in Turkey.)
Why would the Head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales preach to the Israelis,  “We are to be freshly attentive to the needs of those, who like Jesus, himself, are displaced and in discomfort.” (The only time I remember Jesus being displaced and discomforted was when his parents fled to Egypt, but they were well supplied for the trip with gold, frankincense and myrrh! And they were able to return when those out to kill them were gone. In His ministry he multiplied food if there was lack!   As for  “displaced” and “discomforted” , what about the Israelis who were kicked out of their homes in Gaza, kicked out of their livelihood and given no place to go? What about the Israelis living in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheva who have continual bombs lobbed on their communities?)
THIS NEXT QUESTION REALLY ADDRESSES THE GENUINE CHARACTER OF THESE “CHRISTIAN LEADERS” Why would Father Manuel Masalam, the Head of the Latin Church in Gaza, say “Anyone who reads The Protocols of the Elders of Zion feels that we are in this period with the Jews.” – This requires some extra information for those who are unfamiliar with this piece of literature:
 
The “Protocols” is entirely  a work of fiction, intentionally written to blame Jews for a variety of ills. Those who distribute it, claim it documents a Jewish conspiracy to dominate the world. The conspiracy and its alleged leaders, the so-called elders of Zion, never existed. Beginning in 1903, portions of the writing were serialized in a Russian newspaper, Znamya, but the version that has endure and has been translated into dozens of languages was first published in 1905 by a Russian writer and Mystic, Sergei Nilus. Following the Russian revolution of 1917, anti-Bolshevik emeigres brought Protocols  to the west and circulated it across Europe, the U.S.A., South America and Japan. An Arabic translation first appeared in the 1920’s. Also in 1920, Henry Ford in his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, published a series of articles based on Protocols.  The International Jew,  was a book that included these articles and was translated into at least 16 languages. Ford was praised by both Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels for The International Jew.  However, by 1921 the London Times  presented conclusive proof that the entire book was “clumsy plagiarism” It was copied in large part from a French political satire that never mentioned Jews – Maurice Joly’s Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (1864).  Also, one chapter from a Russian novel inspired Protocols as well.  Hitler referred to the Protocols in some of his early political speeches, and often exploited the myth that “Jewish-Bolshevists” were conspiring to control the world. Protocols  was an important tool in the Nazis propaganda arsenal.  Following the Nazis seizure to power in 1933, some schoolds used Protocols to indoctrinate children.  In 1935, a Swiss court fined 2 Nazi leaders for circulating a German-language edition of Protocols in Switzerland.  The judge ruled the book, “libelous,” “obvious forgeries,” and “ridiculous nonsense.” In 1964, the U.S. Senate issued a report calling Protocols “fabricated.” In 1993, a Russain court ruled Pamyat, a far-right nationalist organization had committed an anti-Semitic act by publishing Protocols.  According to the U.S. Department of State’s “Report on Global Antisemitism-2004” “The clear purpose of The Protocols is to incite hatred of Jews and of Israel.” (From the Holocaust Memorial Museum)

So, again we ask, “Why would a Christian Leader refer to such a hate-filled piece of literature?” “Why do all these leaders find overwhelming fault with the Jews/Israelis, yet see the “Palestinians and their leaders without any fault ?”    Here at WhataboutIsrael we call on those Jews and Christians who believe the scriptures to call these “Leaders” to account. It is time we take G-d’s Word seriously and believe Him with all our hearts. We cannot afford to be sucked into the plans of those who choose to prove our G-d is NOT who He says He is by using propaganda and false information to persuade people.
     And just in case there is any doubt with those of you who believe the Word of
G-d, the Book of Joel, chapter 3, verse 2 says, “I will gather ALL nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.  There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided MY LAND.”

  

HAPPY HANUKKAH and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas everyone! I always enjoy this time of year….a season of miracles!  That is the huge difference between the G_d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all false gods. He is a miracle working G_d! I have met many people recently who celebrate both holidays. “WHAT?” YOU SAY, THAT IS NOT RIGHT! Actually the only reference to Hannukah in the Word of G_d is in the New Testament where there is mention of Yeshua celebrating “The Feast of Dedication” (The Book of John chapter 10, verses 22,23). The reason for this is that Judah Maccabee had his huge victory in between the historical recordings of Israel’s history around 163 BC so Hanukkah is not part of the writings.
   The Holy Land was ruled by Syrian-Greeks (the Seleucids) who forcefully Hellenized the people of Israel. They even slaughtered pigs in the Temple! Miraculously, a small number of zealous Jewish men led by Judah Maccabee defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth at the time. They successfully drove the Greeks out of the Temple and out of Jerusalem. They rededicated the temple to the Almighty One of Israel, Yahovah, and restored it’s godly purpose so that future prophecies could be fulfilled. They purposed to keep G_d’s light burning in the Temple, but they found only enough oil to burn one day. It took 8 days to make the oil according to Temple law. Miraculously, when they lit the oil, it continued to burn for 8 days until they new oil was ready to be used! That is why a Hannukah Menorah has 9 candles instead of 7! The middle candle is the “Shamash” or “servant” candle and lights the other candles every night Hanukkah is celebrated.

    The New Testament records Yeshua’s birth, but the date is not mentioned. The tradition of celebrating in Dec. began with Constantine. He tried to assimilate Greek pagan holidays with biblical holidays, thus Dec. 25^th became the “traditional” date. Since there is not an exact date historically recorded, (although a census was being taken and shepherds were out so it probably was not winter) the world uses Dec. 25^th. The recording of Yeshua’s birth though is mentioned twice and from 2 different perspectives. These are written in the Book of Matthew and the Book of Luke.

    What is so amazing is that on the 8^th day, according to the law, Mary and Joseph brought their baby to the Temple to be dedicated. If Judah Maccabee had not fought and won back the Temple from the Greeks, this WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE! So we can say that the two holidays are miraculously connected by G_d! We can say of both events, the oil burning 7 extra days and the birth of Yeshua in Bethlehem that “A GREAT MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED HERE!” The G_d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a miracle working G_d. He does not change! He shows off His greatness to the honor of His Name. Blessings on you all, your families, your nations as you celebrate The Almighty One!

CHRISTIANS, JEWS BANNED FROM TEMPLE MOUNT IN JERUSALEM

By Aaron Klein
© 2011 WND
Temple Mount in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM – The Israeli government is currently banning all non-Muslims from ascending the Temple Mount, considered the holiest site in Judaism.
"It seems freedom of religion in Israel is only for Muslims and not for Christians and Jews," Danny Danon, deputy speaker of the Knesset, told WND, referring to the new restrictions.
Jerusalem Police spokesman Shmulik Ben Ruby confirmed to WND that Jews and Christians are restricted from entering the Temple Mount due to safety concerns over the main access gate for non-Muslims, known as the Mughrabi Bridge.
Yesterday, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat officially ordered the bridge to be indefinitely closed due to petitions from the city's Antiquities Authority citing fears the weakened wooden structure may collapse or catch fire.
There are 15 gates leading into the Temple Mount compound, 10 of which are in use, but for Muslims only.
The Mughrabi Gate, located at the Western Wall plaza, is the only access for non-Muslims to enter the site, meaning its closure now prevents Jews, Christians and any tourists from visiting until a replacement structure is built.
Ben Ruby said there are no immediate plans for any of the 10 entrances to the Mount to be opened for non-Muslims, citing security concerns.
A replacement bridge could take several months to build. Arab countries are already warning any construction in the sensitive area could lead to violence, claiming the Jewish state is using the bridge renovation to threaten the al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the mount.
"This is a serious step that shows the Zionist scheme of aggression again the Al Aqsa mosque," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told Agence France-Presse.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said the Israeli government received warning messages over the bridge reconstruction from the Egyptian and Jordanian governments.
"The Muslim Brotherhood is exerting pressure on them," he said of Egypt.
Jordan's foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, similarly weighed in, telling the Arabic-language Al-Rai network, "Jordan rejects any Israeli attempt to influence the holy sites in Jerusalem and the character and heritage of the city."
The Mughrabi Bridge is in serious need of repair. It was scheduled to be demolished and replaced with a sturdier structure, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Jerusalem municipality two weeks ago to postpone the demolition due to the sensitivity of the issue and warnings from Egypt and Jordan.
Danon, from Netanyahu's ruling Likud party, told WND he spoke with the prime minister yesterday about finding a solution to accommodate Jewish and Christian visits.
"I believe we will see in the near future non-Muslims will be allowed to go back on the Temple Mount," he said.
Meanwhile, nationalist politicians and Temple Mount activist groups here are strongly protesting the new restrictions.
Knesset Member Uri Ariel said, "The closing of the Mughrabi Bridge cannot be an excuse for why Jews going to the Temple Mount will be delayed for even one minute.
"However, there is a vital need to build a replacement bridge," he added.
Yehuda Glick, chairman of the Temple Mount Heritage Foundation, told WND of the new restrictions: "The Israeli government doesn't know how to assert its own independence. When it comes to the Temple Mount, they are afraid of their own shadow."
Rabbi Chaim Richman, the international director of the Temple Institute, told WND, "This is another indication of the political, moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the Israeli government. The issue is not simply a bridge. It's about what direction we are going in as a people. Do we care about our heritage?"
Richman also blasted the international news media for "only reporting about the Hamas threats over the bridge. The big story is the barring of the non-Muslims by a Jewish government."
Temple history
The First Temple was built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Second Temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C. after Jerusalem was freed from Babylonian captivity. That temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire in A.D. 70. Each temple stood for a period of about four centuries.
According to the Talmud, the world was created from the foundation stone of the Temple Mount. It's believed to be the biblical Mount Moriah, the location where Abraham fulfilled God's test to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.
The Temple Mount has remained a focal point for Jewish services for thousands of years. Prayers for a return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple have been uttered by Jews since the Second Temple was destroyed, according to Jewish tradition.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque was constructed in about A.D. 709 to serve as a shrine near another shrine, the Dome of the Rock, which was built by an Islamic caliph. Al-Aqsa was meant to mark what Muslims came to believe was the place at which Muhammad, the founder of Islam, ascended to heaven to receive revelations from Allah.
Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Quran. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible 656 times.
Islamic tradition states Muhammad took a journey in a single night on a horse from "a sacred mosque" – believed to be in Mecca in southern Saudi Arabia – to "the farthest mosque" and from a rock there ascended to heaven. The farthest mosque became associated with Jerusalem about 120 years ago. According to research by Israeli author Shmuel Berkovits, Islam historically disregarded Jerusalem as being holy. Berkovits points out in his book "How Dreadful Is This Place!" that Muhammad was said to loathe Jerusalem and what it stood for. He wrote Muhammad made a point of eliminating pagan sites of worship and sanctifying only one place – the Kaaba in Mecca – to signify the unity of God.
As late as the 14th century, Islamic scholar Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyya, whose writings influenced the Wahhabi movement in Arabia, ruled that sacred Islamic sites are to be found only in the Arabian Peninsula and that "in Jerusalem, there is not a place one calls sacred, and the same holds true for the tombs of Hebron."
A guide to the Temple Mount by the Supreme Muslim Council in Jerusalem published in 1925 listed the Mount as Jewish and as the site of Solomon's Temple. The Temple Institute acquired a copy of the official 1925 "Guide Book to Al-Haram Al-Sharif," which states on page 4, "Its identity with the site of Solomon's Temple is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which 'David built there an altar unto the Lord.'" *(Which he paid for!)
The Temple Mount was opened to the general public until September 2000, when the Palestinians started their Intifada, or "uprising," by throwing stones at Jewish worshipers after then-candidate for prime minister Ariel Sharon visited the area.
Following the onset of violence, the new Sharon government closed the Mount to non-Muslims, using checkpoints to control all pedestrian traffic for fear of further clashes with the Palestinians.
The Temple Mount was reopened to non-Muslims in August 2003. Until the closure this week, the Mount was open to non-Muslims only Sundays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and not on any Christian, Jewish or Muslim holidays or other days considered "sensitive" by the Waqf, the Mount's Islamic custodians.
During "open" days, Jews and Christians are allowed to ascend the Mount, usually through organized tours and only if they conform first to a strict set of guidelines, which includes demands that they not pray or bring any "holy objects" to the site. Visitors are banned from entering any of the mosques without direct Waqf permission. Rules are enforced by Waqf agents, who watch tours closely and alert nearby Israeli police to any breaking of their guidelines.

PM Netanyahu Begins Bible Class

                                                                                                                                           

Following in the footsteps of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests.

Netanyahu announced the study group on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher.  Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.

LOVE OF THE BIBLE? Let’s see does this make any sense? Is Netanyahu suddenly becoming a religious fanatic? What significance does the Bible have for today? The history of Jerusalem? The description of Israel’s boundaries? The promises of G_d? The entire book of Isaiah confirmed by the Dead Sea scrolls? The history of victory and defeats for  Israel’s ancestors? Significant?

Just what if the G_d of Abraham, Isaac  and Jacob is real. What if He defines His character, His attributes, His faithfulness through this book? What if Israel’s leaders today, like King Solomon, ask G_d for wisdom and G_d answers like he did for Solomon? Or, what if, like King Hezekiah, Israel’s leaders trust in the Lord and the nation is given a plan to be totally delivered from its enemies? (185,000 of them in one night!). Okay, this one is a keeper!..... What if the economy in Samaria was to change over night because Israel’s enemies (in those days the Arameans) heard “what they thought was the sound of the Israeli military along with her allies” coming upon them. What if they all fled overnight in fear, abandoning all their belongings. And then suddenly, some homeless Israelis came across the town and announced to the surrounding towns that the plunder is to be shared and the whole economy is blessed overnight!

At this point, all you skeptics might be mocking even the thought of these things happening. However, it is wise to consider how many things written and prophesied in the Tanakh have already come to pass? Let’s begin with the rebirth of the land of Israel after 2000 years! The restoration of Israel as described in Jeremiah? Just Jeremiah 31:17 is enough to make one think! “So there is a hope for your future,” declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land,”

Last Sunday, at a ceremony in Sde Boker marking the 38th anniversary of Ben-Gurion’s death, Netanyahu recalled the first premier’s Bible study class, saying that his father-in-law used to attend.  “Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country, as he said in that same unforgettable statement before the Peel Commission in 1936,” Netanyahu said. “He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture.”

So for all you scoffers out there, maybe it’s time to give G_d’s book another glance. None of the alternatives have been very successful. Peace negotiations based on man’s wisdom and greed have not produced peace. Israel is standing very alone in the international community with nothing more than some lip service on her side. She has huge powerful militaries threatening to wipe her off the map. Maybe it would be wise to turn to a huge more powerful G_d who placed her on the map and seek Him for wisdom.

LET'S BLAME ISRAEL!

   I remember when I was young, and my parents would catch me doing something wrong. My first response was always to blame my younger brother (that was when he was still smaller than I was) or to blame the dog or the poor cat who usually lived a very unattached life when it came to family involvement. I usually got in more trouble for “blaming”someone or something other than myself than I would have gotten for the original crime. It’s now 40+ years later, and I have noticed in life, it seems to be our nature to not admit our mistakes. Of course, there are some who take it to extremes, like blaming George W. Bush for earthquakes, hurricanes and every natural disaster on the planet during his administration! Then there is the more “standard” age-old scapegoat, “Blame-the Jews-and-Israel”. The Jews have been historically blamed for plagues, economic collapses and Arab woes for hundreds, even thousands of years (remember Geshem blaming Nehemiah and the Jews for disobeying the King and messing up the wall in Jerusalem?)

   I have to say though, this new round of “blame-the-Jews” takes the cake for absolutely absurd! We have Howard Gutman, the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium whose parents are holocaust survivors, claiming that anti-Semitism in the Arab world is not the same as anti-Semitism in Europe. Anti-Semitism in the Arab world is justified by Israel’s actions. That’s Israel, the country that takes up less than 1% of the land surface in the Middle East! That’s Israel, who is targeted by “it’s partners for peace” with rockets that range up to 40 kilometers into its nation giving people 50-55 seconds to go into shelters. Of course, we should understand that when Israel was forced to give Gaza to the “Palestinian Arabs” (better known as Hamas) it was done so that peace would be negotiated, and Gaza would flourish as a vibrant community for a displaced Arab people – NOT SO A LAUNCHING PAD WOULD BE CREATED FOR 100’S OF ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL!

    If Ambassador Gutman was a rare occurence, he would not be worth mentioning, but Defense secretary, Leon Panetta became a recent new honorary member of the “Blame Israel” club as well!  Mr. Panetta kind of “lost his temper” with Israel last week and demanded Israel “just get to the damn table” and negotiate with the PA.  As an honorary “Blame Israel” member, Panetta told the audience at a Brookings Institute event that Israel needed to help the United States with its “outreach” to Arab states. He sounded surprised that the “Arab Spring” has resulted in the nations surrounding Israel falling into “Islamist domination” and encouraged Israel to help the U.S. with security objectives……uh, didn’t the President of the United States insist Hosni Mubarek leave? (Even though the man maintained peace with Israel and stability in the nation for over 30 years?) Is there any example of a peace loving Arab democracy in the Middle East? Or for that matter anywhere? I guess it’s just easier to Blame Israel – like there would be no issues if Israel were not stuck on the planet.

   All this aside, the blue ribbon, first prize for the best “Blame Israel” excuse goes to Norway! Yes, beautiful land of the midnight sun! Norway has recently experienced an unprecedented wave of violent rapes. 45 of the 48 recently reported were perpetrated by Muslim immigrants against local Norwegian women. A police report went public in Oslo referencing  that several of the rapists told their victims their religion gives them the right to dominate women in this fashion. SOMEHOW, this became an occasion to Blame Israel! I am sure you are wondering, “HOW?” I know I was! The government of Norway claimed that when the police report went public, it “served Israel and its policy of occupation”. As Norway’s justice minister concluded, “Israel must be glad to hear about it.” Yikes! That’s like getting caught beating up your little sister and your only response is, “she’s probably happy I’m in trouble.”  Stay tuned for future “awards” in the “Blame Israel” club.  Something tells me the competition is ready to gear up for a new season of play!

·         Blame Israel video under “Check This Out” is a must see!