The Israeli Tourist Ministry has been asked by the British Advertising Standards Authority to remove a photograph of the caves of Qumran in an tourism advertisement, after the agency pointed out that viewers could be misled into thinking that the visitor attraction was located within the 'green-line'. The Israeli Tourist Ministry has complied with the ASA's ruling, and the offending photograph has been replaced with one of Masada, the mountain top fortress at which the Jewish people made their last stand against the Romans. While Qumran is not located within the 1948 armistice line, which has become the internationally recognized boundary for the state of Israel, the site was part of Israel's heritage and is of significant historical interest to the Jewish people. And as another official in the Israeli government pointed out, advertisements run by the Palestinian Authority show Ben Gurion airport as the major airport of 'Palestine', yet there hasn't been a whisper of complaint from the ASA.

Quote: "Moshe Feiglin, head of the Likud's Jewish Leadership faction, responded with sarcasm to the British stance. "They’re right," he said. "After all, everyone knows that the famous hidden 'Palestinian' scrolls were found in those caves." Feiglin added that "not far away, in Masada, the heroic battle took place between the 'Palestinian' zealots and the Roman Legion. In addition, the Western Wall is of course nothing more than a remnant of the 'Palestinian' Holy Temple that was destroyed 2,000 years ago."

Unfortunately this is just the latest in a long line of anti-Semitic pronouncements now emanating from Britain. Most recently the University and College Union proposed reviving a motion calling for the boycott of Israeli academia, designed to punish Israel for its 'occupation' of the Palestinian territories, even after the move was declared illegal last year. It seems that Britain is drowning in a sea of anti-Semitism, with condemnations of Israel emanating from our mainstream churches, our trade unions and our universities. What is it about the Jewish people and the state of Israel that seems to attract such scathing criticism from the nations? Why is the United Nations Human Rights Council preoccupied with condemning Israel, while human rights abusers such as Saudi Arabia and Iran are given a clean slate? The answer is their unique relationship with the God of Israel. The Bible states that following their rejection of the Messiah, the Jewish people would be driven out of their land. They would suffer terrible persecution, and would wander from place to place, finding no rest for the sole of their feet. And history shows that in every place where the Jewish people have settled, they have been driven out.

Deuteronomy 28:64-65
And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

But the Jewish people have been brought back to the land of Israel. Not because they were greater than any other nation, for the Bible says they are a stiffnecked and hard hearted people (Exodus 32:9). But the Lord was jealous for His holy name which they had profaned among the nations, and in His mercy and love He brought them back to the land He gave to their fathers.

Ezekiel 39:25
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

It took the Holocaust to bring them back to their land, and it will take the time of Jacob's trouble to bring them back to their God (Jeremiah 30:7). But praise God that through the blindness of Israel, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). Praise God that we can know the Living and True God, the Mighty God of Jacob, through faith in Jesus Christ. God has not cast off His people (Psalm 94:14, Romans 11:2). He will deliver them in a coming day, and as we see hatred of Israel increasing, we can rejoice that the day of deliverance is at hand. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

Genesis 49:22-24
Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Source Arutz 7, Jerusalem Post

"I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry." - Psalm 40 V1

"O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble." - Isaiah 33 V2

Every prayer when prayed with an earnest heart is heard in heaven and the Lord hears the cry of His people in the time of trouble. Our gracious Lord is always willing and ready to help His people. Call upon His name and seek the joy of His redeeming presence.

The Palestinian Liberation Organization Ambassador to Lebanon has stated that it is their intention to drive Israel out of Palestine, during an interview with Lebanese NBN TV last Wednesday. The PLO, now headed by Mahmoud Abbas, had previously agreed to recognize Israel's right to exist, although its charter still calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. The PLO ambassador goes on to say that the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees to Israel-proper is guaranteed by their will, their weapons and their faith, and that they will use whatever means necessary to achieve victory. He added that he supports any Palestinian martyrdom operation that inflicts a heavy toll on Israel. 

Quote: ""In light of the weakness of the Arab nation and the lack of values, and in light of the American control over the world, the PLO proceeds through phases, without changing its strategy. Let me tell you, when the ideology of Israel collapses, and we take, at least, Jerusalem, the Israeli ideology will collapse in its entirety, and we will begin to progress with our own ideology, Allah willing, and drive them out of all of Palestine," added Zaki.

As we can see, what Palestinian leaders tell their Western audience often totally contradicts the message they are giving their own people. The most recent example of this was Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas himself, who stated that the PLO was embracing the democratic process, but only until a more opportune moment to continue the armed struggle presents itself.

Quote: ""I do not support a return to armed struggle at this point in time. But, at a later date, this could be an option for the Palestinian people," Abbas said on Thursday during an interview with the Jordanian newspaper Al-Duster.

There are some similarities between the Middle East peace process and the situation in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams once stated that the IRA would use the twin tracks of the Armalite and the Ballot Box in order to get their way. In other words, it was up to the law abiding citizens of Ulster to choose which track would ultimately succeed. If we gave them what they wanted, there would be no need for bloodshed. If we didn't, they would continue their campaign of terror. Yasser Arafat said much the same thing when he addressed the United Nations assembly, wearing an empty gun holster and carrying an olive branch in his hand. If we give the Palestinian terrorist organizations what they want, they will give us peace. If we don't, it will be all-out war. But the difference between the situation here and that of the Middle East is the religious element. Our conflict was not based on religion, it was primarily about politics. But the conflict in the Middle East is based on religion, and this is why a political solution will never be found to this conflict. No matter how much land Israel gives up, it will never be enough, for it is Israel's existence they cannot tolerate. One day the Arab nations, and indeed the entire world, will attempt to solve the problem once and for all (Revelation 16:13-16). And only when the Jewish people have nowhere else to turn, will they look unto Him Whom they pierced (Zechariah 14:4), and out of Zion shall come forth the deliverer (Romans 11:26). Praise God that of the increase of His government and of peace, there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7). And when Jesus Christ returns, there will be true peace on earth and goodwill to all men. Then the Arabs will seek the Jewish people, not to fight against them, but to go up with them to Jerusalem to worship God (Zechariah 8:23). Do you know Him? He has not hid Himself, but He has showed Himself openly to the world (John 14:9). His name is Yeshua HaMashiach - Jesus Christ. Trust in Him for salvation today. Praise God for His wonderful grace.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Source Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7, Haaretz, Fox News

"... You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know." - John 7 V28

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding , that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." - 1 John 5 V20

Christ revealed to us many heavenly things, the things He has seen while He was with the Father. He performed great miracles and spoke of the truth. Christ bridged the gap which sin had created between God and man and made it possible for us to live in His eternal presence. Our Father in heaven sent His Son that we may know Him and believe in Him, the true God and eternal life.

"Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me." - Psalm 69 V9

"Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up." " - John 2 V17

Christ Jesus has set for us an example and showed great zeal in serving the Father. We ought to serve the Lord with the same zeal and passion, as Christ displayed. Let us pray to God to give us the strength to serve Him faithfully and to put in us the zeal to serve Him forever more.