This issue looks at the European Union's support for a divided Jerusalem, shocking anti-Semitism in a U.S. middle school, Iran's plans to increase its nuclear program, Islam's view of women, and a suggestion for more powerful writing.
OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION
One Jerusalem reports
Led by Sweden, 27 member states of the European Union reportedly are prepared to recognize a portion of Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian State. This unprecedented campaign has united Israel's political parties as never before. Even Prime Minister Netanyahu's bitter rival, Tzipi Livni, has condemned this action.
The Europeans have become aggressively active in a desperate attempt to save the collapsing government of Palestinian Authority. Ever since Hamas won the “elections” in Gaza, the PA has been fighting an uphill battle to stay relevant. All indicators are reporting that with each day the PA and its President Abbas are growing weaker and weaker. With negotiations with Israel at an impasse, Hamas is fully engaged in talks over a possible prisoner exchange to gain the freedom of abducted soldier Shalit. Hamas is effectively acting like the representative of the Palestinians.
Caught in this bind, Abbas has reached out to his European allies and subsidizers to marginalize Israel by recognizing a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital. Even Israelis like Livni and Peres who support this solution adamantly oppose this conclusion being imposed on Israel. They believe this should be a result of final status talks.
Israel is now faced with a very serious challenge. How can it function in an international community that feels it can impose its will on Israel without consent of this democratic government?
Anti-Semitism Alive and Well
We expect anti-Semitism to rear its ugly head in the radical Islamic madrassas of Iran and Saudi Arabia. We've grown accustomed to the pictures of Palestinian school children chanting “death to Israel.” We've learned by bitter experience that hatred of the Jewish people is not a thing of the past. We don't expect to find it right here in America…but it is growing.
Ten middle school students in Naples, Florida, were suspended after taking part in what they called “Kick a Jew Day.” School authorities assured worried parents that they were taking the incident seriously and would institute “sensitivity training” and encourage students not to be bullies.
IT’S NEWS TO ME
Jerusalem Prayer Team
reports
In defiance of efforts by America and most of the civilized world, the government of Iran has announced that not only will it continue its nuclear program-it is going to expand it. The public statement that Iran will build an additional ten uranium enrichment plants is a grave threat to the future survival of Israel…and America as well.
Rather than placing this enriched uranium in traditional nuclear missiles, which can easily be traced back to their source, Iran is likely to distribute this material through the terrorist networks it sponsors-Hamas and Hezbollah-and urge them to use it as so-called “dirty bombs” against civilian populations in Israel and America.
To the radical Islamic extremists running Iran, the death of hundreds of thousands of innocents is a small price to pay for uniting the world under sharia law and Islamic rule. There is no question that they will use their nuclear program for military purposes.
According to the Qur'an
Men are superior to women (Surah 2:228).
A woman's share of an inheritance is half that of a man (Surah 4:11).
The witness of two women equals the witness of one man (Surah 2:282).
A man's wife is his possession (Surah 3:14).
If a Muslim man touches a woman before praying, he is unclean for prayer (Surah 4:43).
A wife is subject to punishment by her husband. As a punishment, beating a wife or abstaining from sexual relations with her is allowed )Surah 4:34).
WRITING TIPS
Avoid passive voice.
Generally, active voice is more powerful and specific than passive voice.
Politicians use passive voice to avoid blame while supposedly admitting guilt
Poor: Mistakes were made.
Better: We made mistakes.
Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.
