Assad vows 'strategic revenge' on Israel, modeled on Hezbollah

By ISRAEL HAYOM— Syria will “give Hezbollah everything” in recognition of its support and will follow the terror group’s model of “resistance” against Israel, a Lebanese newspaper on Thursday quoted President Bashar al-Assad as saying, AFP reported. Assad’s comments, published by Al-Akhbar, reportedly came during meetings with Lebanese visitors in Damascus and appeared intended to…

Details

Kerry betting on the wrong horses

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH, GATESTONE-— The Arab League foreign ministers who met with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington last week were convinced that they had a mandate from the Palestinians to talk about possible land swaps between Israel and a future Palestinian state. Ahead of their departure to the US, the ministers…

Details

The 11th century Shavuot poem

Before the reading of the Torah, on the first day of Shavuot, a beautiful 11th century poem called Akdamut is recited in the Synagogue. This poem was written by Rabbi Meir bar Yitzchak from Worms, Germany. Akdamut consists of praise for God, His Torah, and His people.  In most synagogues the poem is read responsively:…

Details

Israel's objective in Syria

By EDMUND SANDERS and PATRICK J. MCDONNELL— With three airstrikes against Syria since January, Israel has inserted itself forcefully into the Arab Spring’s most intractable conflict, heightening fears that Syria’s civil war could spiral into a regional conflagration. The bombings of targets near the Syrian capital — including two strikes in a 48-hour period beginning…

Details

McCain: Israel strikes could force Obama to act on Syria

By REUTERS— Israel’s air strikes on Syria could add pressure on the Obama administration to intervene in Syria, a key Republican said on Sunday, but the US government faces tough questions on how it can help without adding to the conflict. Hours after Israeli jets bombed Syria on Sunday for the second time in 48…

Details

A message to Iran

By ISRAEL HAYOM— Although the veil of secrecy over the strikes that occurred in Syria in recent days has not yet been lifted, something is clear: Israel appears to be working to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Syria and Hezbollah are reluctant to respond and the Obama administration continues to be…

Details

Prayer Points from an Intercessor & Friend in Israel

–Pray that the two IAF planes, which lost contact with their base control, while over Syria, have been (or will be) found safe and back home. –Praise YHVH that Israel made the pre-emptive attacks against these advanced and toxic weapons before they could make their way into the caches of Hizbullah in Lebanon. –Pray that…

Details

Our shared Islamist enemy

By YAIR SHAMIR, FOREIGN POLICY— George Orwell wrote in his seminal tome, 1984, “The object of terrorism is terrorism … Now do you begin to understand me?” Unfortunately, we live in a world where too many still do not understand. After the recent terrorist attacks in Boston, there was immense incredulity when the ethnic nationality…

Details

Shabbat Shalom: Lecha Dodi song

Lecha Dodi is a Hebrew-language liturgical song recited Friday at dusk, usually at sundown, in syn’agogue to welcome Shabbat. Lecha Dodi means “come my beloved,” and is a request to join together in welcoming Shabbat that is referred to as the “bride.” During the singing of the last verse, the entire congregation rises and turns…

Details

Iranians accuse Jews of witchcraft

By TIMES OF ISRAEL— As if freak explosions and sneaky computer viruses weren’t enough, Iranian public figures have recently accused Jews and Israelis of wielding magic and sorcery against the Islamic Republic. But not against the country’s suspicious nuclear program. No, no: Those sneaky Jews just wanted to rig the Iranian elections, with magic. In…

Details