Hi friends

ICFI had a memorable celebration of the Jewish Feast of Purim on Sunday 16th March on Johnstown Parish Centre with 120 present, of which perhaps 60/70 were never at one of our events before which is very encouraging. We thank Brendan Creed and his worship band for the lovely worship and our 2 speakers Yanky Fackler and Bert Van Emden. We took up an offering and donated $700 to the pro life ministry in Israel – Bead Chaim. Praise God.

Yanky explaining the joyousness of the Jewish Celebration of Purim, Johnstown Parish Centre.

We enclose the 6 items from the attached Newsletter

  1. Another Massive Tunnel discovered:IDF officials said the tunnel reached hundreds of meters inside Israel, "near civilian communities," and went as deep as dozens of meters underground. Lord thank you for this discovery. Give wisdom to the IDF to find all further such tunnels
  2. Protest by 150 Israeli Christian in Tel Aviv: Protest, held at the EU’s delegation in Tel Aviv, was against the EU's silence on the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the Middle East. Father Gabriel Nadaf, demanded the attacks on Christians be stopped and thanked Israel for being a warm home for Christians. Praise God that Israeli Christians are starting to speak out.
  3. Hamas’s Hatred of Jews: Hamas lawmaker called for a “massacre” of Jews, explaining the Koran indicates this must be done. In a TV address, Yunis Al-Astal, also said Jews must be forced to pay the “jizya” tax. Pray that Irish Foreign Minister will understand the real nature of the conflict.
  4. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas Demands:No Jewish communities to remain in the PA, 5 million “refugees” worldwide to right to “return” to Israel, no settlement “blocs” in PA state. In addition, Abbas says that there will never be recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Meanwhile a senior PA official on PA TV called Israelis "an advanced instrument of evil," claiming "Allah will gather them so that we can kill them."At the same timeUS Secretary of State John Kerry has said it was wrong for Israel to insist upon being recognized by the Palestinians as a “Jewish state” as a condition for peace. Please continue to pray for PA Netanyahu that he will have wisdom from God on these negotiations, which seem fruitless.
  5. Why Are Christians the World’s Most Persecuted Group? Excellent recent article by Raymond IbrahimAnother question he also answers is why is their persecution is occurring primarily throughout the Islamic world? (In the category on “Countries with Very High Government Restrictions on Religion,” Pew lists 24 countries—20 of which are Islamic and precisely where the overwhelming majority of “the world’s” Christians are actually being persecuted.). He outlines 3 reasons for Muslim persecution of Christians. Please continue to remember persecuted Christians in prayer.

6.Daughter of Egyptian military intelligence chief left IslamNonie Darwish, the founder of Former Muslims United was born in Cairo. She tells her story below. “As a child she was taught to believe the Jews were monsters that wanted to kill Arab children. By God’s grace, she overcame a culture of hatred and found a new reason for hope after she settled in the US…. In the summer of 2001 she visited Egypt with her daughters for the first time in 20 years. She was shocked to discover the level of hatred and propaganda against Israel and the U.S. was even worse than when she left.One result of her conversion to Christ and the 9/11 attacks is that God completely changed her heart toward the Jews. Now she sees them as victims of Islam.Darwish sat down at the computer and wrote an article, “Why I support Israel.” …. I am trying to wake up America and protect the Judeo-Christian culture.” Praise God for Nonie’s courage to speak out and pray that many more Muslims will, like Nonie, be delivered from Islam and find a living relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Blessings

Paddy Monaghan

On behalf of ICFI

JNN News Update March 26th 2014, P.O. Box 7411, Jerusalem 91073, Israel

ARAB SUMMIT TO BACK REJECTION OF JEWISH STATE: Arab leaders meeting Tuesday in Kuwait were set to back a Palestinian Authority (PA) refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The summit stresses a "categorical rejection" of the demand for recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, according to a draft statement endorsed by foreign ministers. The statement also rejects "all pressures exerted on the Palestinian leadership" to force it into agreeing. In February, the League also stated there would be no peace without a Palestinian state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. So far, the Arab League has continued to back the stubbornness of Abbas, who has consistently said that unless all his preconditions are met, there will be no peace with Israel. (Israel National News)

HAMAS LAWMAKER: KORAN SAYS WE MUST MASSACRE JEWS: A lawmaker from Hamas recently called for a “massacre” of Jews, explaining the Koran indicates this must be done. In a televised address the lawmaker, Yunis Al-Astal, also said Jews must be forced to pay the “jizya” tax, which under the strict Islamic Sharia doctrine, non-Muslims living under Muslim sovereignty must pay in return for the ruler's protection. Jihadist rebels who have taken control of areas in Syria have imposed such a tax on Christian minorities. Arab incitement against Israel has continued throughout the peace talks with the Palestinian Authority (PA). It is not only Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by most Western countries, that has incited against Israel, but also the PA under Mahmoud Abbas, who is often described as a “moderate peace partner.” The Israeli government only recently released its annual "Palestinian Incitement Index" which showed that incitement against Israel and the Jewish people is continuing on official media channels by bodies that are very close to the PA Chairman and in educational and religious networks. Such incitement ranges from the glorification of Nazism, to programs on official PA television featuring heavily-stereotyped Jews as villains and encouraging violence against them. In addition, top officials in Abbas’s Fatah party have also openly supported Hamas’s efforts to kidnap Israeli soldiers. One of these officials, recently declared that "Allah will gather [Israelis] so we can kill them." (Arutz-7)

SHARIA LAW ENSHRINED IN BRITISH LEGAL SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME: Sharia law is set to be enshrined in the British legal system for the first time ever, as lawyers will be given guidelines for drawing up "Sharia compliant wills." The Law Society has produced guidelines by which lawyers can draft Islamic wills that exclude non-believers and refuse an equal share of inheritance for women. The guidelines also allow for excluding illegitimate or adopted children from an inheritance. Law Society President Nicholas Fluck said the guidelines, which would be accepted by British courts, would promote “good practice” in applying Islamic principles in the British legal system. The issue of integrating the country's 1.8 million Muslims has been widely debated since July 2005, when four British Islamists carried out suicide bombings on London's transport network, killing 52 people. (Jerusalem Post) Sharia is the legal code ordained by Allah for all mankind. According to the dictates of Islam; to violate Sharia or not to accept its authority is to commit rebellion against Allah, which Allah's faithful are required to combat. There is no separation between the religious and the political in Islam; rather Islam and Sharia constitute a comprehensive means of ordering society at every level. The stoning of adulterers, execution of apostates and blasphemers, subjugation of women, repression of other religions, and a mandatory hostility toward non-Islamic nations are to be the norm.

LONE WOLF JIHADISTS TOLD TO TARGET QUEEN AT HIGH-PROFILE SPORTING EVENTS: Al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria have been ordered to target the Queen at British sporting events such as Wimbledon and Cheltenham races, with 'martyrdom bombers' advised to detonate explosives at the final whistle. In a series of recommendations published in the terror group's English-language magazine, jihadists are told to act as a 'lone wolf' and use car bombs for 'killing individuals'. More than half the 400 extremists who travelled from the UK to fight in Damascus have returned home, sparking a surge in security measures. Inspire magazine, published in the Arabian Peninsula, lists Britain as al Qaeda's biggest target after America. It suggests attacks on London's Savoy hotel and French seaside towns popular with UK tourists as places where terrorists can cause 'maximum carnage'. 'Hit two birds with one stone; both the English and the French,' it states. (UK Mail Onli ne)

PRO-ISRAEL STUDENTS CALLED ‘KIKE,’ ‘DIRTY JEW’ AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: The University of Michigan would not explain how it is responding to death threats and racial epithets that were issued by pro-Palestinian activists at students who oppose a resolution to divest from Israel. University of Michigan police were first contacted last week after two pro-Palestinian activists shouted “threats of violence” at a student who refused to support their boycott initiative during a “sit-in” at the student government’s headquarters. Later, the pro-Israel student received death threats and others have allegedly been called “kikes” and “dirty Jews” by backers of the virulently anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to delegitimize the Jewish state through economic means. The atmosphere of intimidation and violence could leave the University of Michigan vulnerable to legal action and political retribution on a national scale, according to multiple sources in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere who are monitoring the situation. (Free Beacon)

CHRISTIANS RALLY IN ISRAEL AGAINST EU SILENCE ON ETHNIC CLEANSING OF MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS: 150 Christian citizens of Israel demonstrated on Sunday outside the European Union’s delegation in Tel Aviv against the EU's silence on the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the Middle East. The protesters demanded that the EU act on their own cry for human rights and fight for the Christians who are quickly becoming extinct everywhere but Israel. Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nazareth, demanded the attacks on Christians be stopped and thanked Israel for being a warm home for Christians. Shadi Halul, spokesman of the Christian Lobby (CL) which organized the protest, said: "We constantly receive reports from our Christian brethren throughout the Middle East imploring that they be helped, envious of our status as Israeli citizens." (Jewish World) Pray for the increasing numbers of Christians in Muslim countries who are being subjected to cruel persecution, including loss of lives, homes and dignity. May there be voices of influence raised up to effectively stand against this kind of oppression.

JNN News Update March 23rd 2014, P.O. Box 7411, Jerusalem 91073, Israel

ISRAEL SAID TO BE BUDGETING BILLIONS FOR IRAN STRIKE: Israel is still preparing for a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including a specific military budget running to $2.89 billion, despite the developments in talks between world powers and Tehran. Details of the budgeting came to light during Knesset joint committee sessions on Thursday. Three MKs, who were present during the hearings said the funding was to cover preparations throughout 2014 and was similar in size to the Iran strike budget for 2013. IDF officials said they had received instructions from the highest levels of government, apparently PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, to continue with preparations for a strike. Netanyahu publicly slammed the November interim deal as a “historic mistake,” and he has demanded the full dismantling of Iran’s “military nuclear” capabilities under a permanent deal, whereas US President Obama has spoken of allowing Iran to maintai n a supervised low-level enrichment capability. (Times of Israel) Pray for strategy and divine wisdom to be given to Israel’s government, security, and military leaders in their dealings and decisions regarding Iran.

ABBAS: NO COMPROMISE ON EAST JERUSALEM AS CAPITAL OF PALESTINIAN STATE: The Palestinian leadership will not agree to anything less than a fully-autonomous state with East Jerusalem as its capital, will not cave into pressure and will not relinquish its national rights, PA President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday. The Fatah Central Committee held a special meeting Saturday to discuss the results of Abbas' Washington meeting with US President Obama at the beginning of last week. The committee members expressed their support of Abbas, and called for an Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria, leaving neither military nor civilian presence there. The committee members also rejected Israel's demand for recognition as a "Jewish state." Abbas has consistently said that unless all his preconditions are met, there will be no peace with Israel. The PA has already formally refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state throughout talks, stating that "the Arab states will never recognize a Jewish state." (Jerusalem Post)

THREE PALESTINIANS KILLED IN GUN BATTLES WITH SECURITY FORCES IN JENIN: Three Palestinians were shot dead in gun battles which erupted during a counter-terrorism raid in Jenin overnight on Saturday. A joint force made up of the IDF, Shin Bet, and the Border Police's elite Counter-Terrorism Unit entered Jenin to arrest a Palestinian suspected of plotting terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and military forces. The suspect barricaded himself in his home and refused to surrender. After ignoring calls to end the standoff peacefully, the suspect, armed with an M-16, opened fire on security forces, injuring two soldiers, and attempted to escape. Soldiers returned fire, killing the armed suspect. Soon afterwards, violence broke out in which armed Palestinian rioters fired on security forces and hurled explosives, firebombs, and rocks, the army said. Security forces returned fire, killing two rioters, and injuring six others. (Jerusalem Post)

PALESTINIANS RIOT IN JERUSALEM NEAR DAMASCUS GATE OVER JENIN DEATHS: Hours after three Palestinians were killed in gun battles during a counter-terrorism raid in Jenin early Saturday morning, some 150 protesters rioted at Damascus Gate, outside the Old City, resulting in six arrests. Police said the riot began at approximately 5:30 p.m. when the group, angered over the deaths, began throwing rocks at police. To disperse the crowd, police used non-lethal stun grenades. The IDF is on standby in Judea and Samaria for the possibility of an increase in disturbances in the coming days. (Jerusalem Post)

PALESTINIAN ARABS TRY TO DISRUPT JERUSALEM MARATHON: Some 100 Palestinian Arabs tried to disrupt the annual Jerusalem Marathon on Friday. "Around 100 demonstrators holding Palestinian flags tried, at two separate parts of the course, to disrupt the race," according to a police spokesperson. Police officers arrested four of them and dispersed the rest. The race then continued as normal. Some 20,000 people participated in Friday's marathon, in which Kenyan runner Ronald Kimbly raced to victory. The Palestinian Authority opposes the marathon, because part of its route goes through eastern Jerusalem, which the PA claims as the capital of its future state. (Arutz-7)

FRENCH JEW BRUTALLY ASSAULTED IN PARIS: A Jewish teacher was savagely beaten by a group of Arab men in a brutal antisemitic attack in Paris, according to media reports Friday. The attackers - who shouted "death to the Jews" and "filthy Jew" during the assault - broke the victim’s nose and drew a swastika on his chest after tearing open his shirt. The victim - identified only as K. Richard - told police the men had cursed him in Arabic and French. He was ambushed after leaving a kosher restaurant and was wearing a kippa (skullcap) at the time of the assault. Antisemitism in France has hit headlines in recent years and has seen a marked increase, with the majority of attacks being blamed on extremists from the country's sizable Muslim community. (Israel National News) Pray for the protection of the Jews in France - and that many Jewish families remaining there will decide to settle in Israel.

JNN News Update March 22nd 2014, P.O. Box 7411, Jerusalem 91073, Israel

PALESTINIANS THREATEN TO SEEK STATEHOOD AT UN IF PRISONER RELEASE CANCELLED: The Palestinian Authority threatened to seek full recognition as a member state in the UN if Israel does not release the fourth batch of Palestinian security prisoners as part of ongoing peace talks as scheduled on March 28. "We are waiting for the word from Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas], to take action in the international arena," the PA Foreign Ministry stated. The PA's threats came as Abbas returned to a hero’s welcome in Ramallah from his meeting with US President Barack Obama in the US. Abbas told those assembled he had not made any concessions in his talks with Obama. "We went and returned and did not give up our obligations," Abbas said. One Israeli government source said it was reminiscent of Yasser Arafat's return from Camp David in 2000, when it appeared the Palestinians were celebrating the failure of peace talks. The second intifada broke out shortly thereafter. (Jerusalem Post)