This edition examines Israel’s welcoming of Ethiopian Jews, Secretary Clinton’s latest snub of Israel and more.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

Israel Welcomes Ethiopian Jews
The Israel Project reports that last week, groups of hundreds of Falash Mura, Ethiopians with Jewish ancestry, began arriving at Israe'”s Ben Gurion airport. Israel’s cabinet approved the immigration of 8,000 Falash Mura into Israel in 2010. Under Israel’s Right of Return law, Jews from anywhere in the world have a right to move to and live in Israel. The law was passed after Israel was established to create a home for Jews who had been persecuted in Europe, Russia and elsewhere.

Clinton Undercuts Israel”s Sovereignty
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton clearly showed the Obama Administration”s disregard for Israel’s sovereignty over its capital: Jerusalem. She recently led a chorus comprised of Israel’s enemies in denouncing a private project in Jerusalem involving the demolition of a former hotel that has been empty for years. Following Clinton’s lead, the European Foreign Minister made the outrageous claim that this project was in violation of International law! Clinton”s vigorous criticism of Israel is in sharp contrast to her silence when over 20 Christians were recently killed in Egypt.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Hezbollah to Control Lebanon
Jerusalem Prayer Team reports that the political arm of the Hezbollah terrorist organization appears poised to assume complete control of the government of Lebanon after gaining the support of a key political party that would give it enough seats to rule in Lebanon’s parliamentary system. The announcement by Walid Jumblatt that members of his Druse sect in parliament would not back the outgoing prime minister, but would support Hezbollah, instead brought Hezbollah to the brink of control of the entire nation. Hezbollah already controls most of southern Lebanon and its military power is greater than that of Lebanon’s official army.

Mosques Play Key Role in Egypt’s Uprising
Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Southern Sudan, and now Egypt. The people are rising up and governments are falling. The riots in Cairo have taken center stage as thousands of young Egyptians have ignored the government imposed curfew in their quest to bring an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year regime. Despite the shutdown of the Internet and cell phone service, the word of the protest was disseminated via the country’s mosques. This should be a lesson for us in America as to the strategic value of the mosque as we see more and more popping up in our cities. Then, there’s the issue of just who will replace Mubarak, if his regime is toppled. The face of the Middle-East is changing rapidly, and as voids are created, look for radical Islamic factions to find a way to seize power. As we follow events in Egypt, we should keep an eye on Jordan. It may be next. Read more on mosques.

Meltdown in Nuclear Talks
The Israel Project reports that talks between Iran and six world powers on Tehran’s nuclear weapons program ended in complete failure over the weekend, raising major questions about whether it is even worth continuing such negotiations. The two days of talks in Istanbul ended without the parties setting a date for another meeting. The Persian Gulf nation, widely believed to be developing nuclear weapons, had insisted, along with other preconditions, that Western negotiators not even raise the issue of enrichment of nuclear fuel to weapons grade.

Ground Zero Mosque Plans Faltering
Jay Sekulow reports: In court this week, we learned that there are “”money issues,”” and an attorney representing the developer disclosed that “”we are far away”” regarding the construction of the mosque. Our motion for a temporary restraining order was denied because the judge was satisfied that the admission by the developer”s attorney meant the project is not imminent. We look forward to an opportunity to present our case against the Mosque at Ground Zero to the court on February 22, 2011.

Imam Rauf Steps Down
Last week, Imam Rauf stepped down as the public face of the Ground Zero mosque project, but this represents no real change. He’s still on the board of advisers and as the leading voice for the project.

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