INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL PULSE

END-TIME CHURCH / PLURALISM

 
 

 

 
Sister Nirmala, was Chosen to Succeed Mother Teresa Four Years Ago
 
August 3, 2001 - The International Jerusalem Post voiced it's disapointment of Mother Teresa's movement having only four nuns in Jerusalem. Sister Nirmala, who was chosen to succeed Mother Teresa
as the leader of the Missionaries of Charity, spends much of her time visiting the order's 650 houses in 127 countries. 'Last year when we started to think of places for new houses, I was praying and said: 'Lord, where do you want me to go this time?' And immediately it came: 'Jerusalem!'

Catholic Cardinal Calls for Re-evaluation of the Papacy

Newly elected Catholic Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Germany is calling for a re-evaluation of the office of the pope. In an interview with La Stampa, a newspaper in Italy, Lehmann called the papacy "the principal obstacle" to ecumenical progress. He was quick to state that he was not calling into question the role of the pope, but that "it is time to think about the manner in which the Church should make future decisions on fundamental pastoral questions." Some Protestant leaders, including a former Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, have said that they could accept the papacy if it were modified. The Catholic Church is in the process of metamorphizing itself to digest the vast ecumenical movement. The unscriptural office of the papacy has been in a process of change throughout its 1600-year history, and it will not be surprising to see it change once again to further Rome's agenda.

New Ecumenical Charter Signed in Europe

April 27, 2001 A new ecumenical contract called "Charta Oecumenica" was signed April 22 in Strasbourg, France, by Protestants and Catholics from across Europe. The gathering was held at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Speakers included Catholic Cardinal Miloslav Vlk and Orthodox Metropolitan Jeremie, president of the Conference of European Churches.

High Ranking French Lutheran Converts to Catholicism

EWTN - July 18, 2001 - A high-ranking Lutheran priest in Paris has announced his conversion to Catholicism, in what may be the first of its kind since the 16th century Reformation. Michel Viot, 57, was a Lutheran ecclesiastical inspector, an office that would be the equivalent of bishop in other churches. He told the Catholic newspaper, La Croix, that the joint declaration on justification signed by the Catholic and Lutheran churches in 1999 was the linchpin of his conversion. "In order that the world believes, it is necessary that Christians are united," Viot said. http://www.harpazo.net/news.html

Pentecostal Church Joins Rome

April 27, 2001 The pastor and members of the Maranatha Christian Church in Detroit, Michigan, joined the Catholic Church on April 14. The pastor, Alex Jones, likened the move to "returning to a spiritual home." The former Pentecostal pastor is studying at Sacred Heart Seminary toward ordination as a Catholic deacon. He said the transition began with intense study of church history. This reminds us of the danger of the weak and inaccurate church histories that are commonly available today. It is difficult to obtain sound histories. Most of the ones available in the bookstores are written either from a blatantly Catholic or a weak Protestant perspective, treating the Catholic church as a true church and whitewashing its wretched history.

Arguments over Women Pastors, Homosexuals, Insignificant, carter Tells CGF Gathering

July 2, 2001 - "The complexities and details and arguments about political intrigue and control and women deacons or women pastors or homosexuality," Carter paused, "those things in God's eyes fade into relative insignificance, as did circumcision in the first few days of the church." http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=11234

'Erotic' Pictures to Bring Bible Back Into Fashion

May 27, 2001 A GLOSSY magazine-style version of the Old Testament, featuring leading models pictured by the world's leading fashion photographers, will be unveiled later this year.

Claudia Schiffer and Markus Schenkenberg are the models expected to portray Eve and Adam in a project designed to attract young people who rarely read the bible.

Gustaf-Wilhelm Hellstedt, one of four Swedish entrepreneurs behind the idea, said: "Forget those old sketches in the Bible. Instead of a boring drawing of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we may well have a couple walking down a New York street, kissing."

Who is to be pictured in the new Illuminated Bible, which will retain the traditional King James text, is being kept under wraps by the group, which trades under the name Fishtank. It has revealed, however, that its list of fashion photographers rivals that of Vogue.

Among those signed up is Paolo Roversi, who has often photographed Miss Schiffer and Madonna. The venture has been greeted with shock in some quarters. David Phillips, the general secretary of the Church Society which promotes Christianity with the Church of England said: "It sounds like a gimmick that is entirely unnecessary." http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000118613908976&rtmo=V1jlx4Gx&atmo=rrrrr rrq&pg=/et/01/5/27/ wbib27.html

Religious Groups Attacking Corporate Avenger Lyrics

NEW YORK, July 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Avenger was dealt another blow this week when lyrics on their upcoming album ignited a rampage within a few national Christian groups. The band has been receiving death-threats due to the album's content and it seems an ethical frenzy is beginning to snowball around the album. KOCH Records has been asked to halt the album's release by several organizations and now the groups are taking their fight to the stores intent on stocking the title.

'Freedom is a State of Mind' Under Attack by Conservatives

Lead by The Promise Keepers and The American Family Organization, religious groups all across the country are banning together to try to keep the album, Freedom Is A State Of Mind, from reaching store shelves. Songs like "The Bible Is Bullsh*t," "Drug Dealing God" and "Jesus Christ Homosexual," were taken a bit too literally by the conservative groups, who missed the deeper meaning of the songs. KOCH Records has received a number of complaints and some retailers have informed the label of protests in light of the album's release.

Several stores have chosen not to stock the album due to the controversial song titles and lyric content. Planet Grooves in Clearwater, FL refuse to carry the album, along with Play It Again Sam in Macon, GA and The Sound Lab in Johnson City, TN. Ed Franke, VP of Sales at KOCH Records states, "I've never had such a backlash of feedback from retailers relating to a specific title before. This is a band that has garnered both positive and negative reactions across the board."

Corporate Avenger is hitting the road with Insolence in two weeks and their debut album on KOCH Records, Freedom Is A State Of Mind, is in stores on July 24, 2001. Copyright 1996-1999 PR Newswire. All rights reserved http://199.97.97.16/contWriter/endprnewswire/2001/07/03/XXbXe/6578-0221-NY-Koch-avenger...html

Catholic - Muslim Statement on Globalization

see file http://www.cephasministry.com/catholic_muslim_statement_on_globalization.html

Bookstores Pull the God-Chasers

Southern Baptist and Assemblies of God stores have yanked Tommy Tenney's popular The God Chasers off their shelves because of doctrinal disputes (6/01 Charisma). Tenney says the decision stemmed from his unwillingness to forsake his United Pentecostal Church ["Oneness"] roots. One LifeWay (SBC) manager listed some problems: 1) Tenney's description of the Bible as "old letters." 2) A statement in the book that "a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." 3) Tenney's belief in "presence evangelism."

Lawmakers File Suit Over College Play

Today, July 5, 2001 these state lawmakers will file a lawsuit against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, which is putting on the play Corpus Christi: State lawmakers make up 21 of the 32 people filing suit today against a public university for allowing students to put on a play they deem anti-Christian.

Is that supposed to send a message? The group wants to halt a student production of the controversial play Corpus Christi at the university. The play is the story of a group of gay men in Corpus Christi, Texas. In it, Christ's life is portrayed through the life of a modern American homosexual, Joshua, and 12 other men, most of whom bear the names of Christ's disciples.
The play, which drew protests when it was presented at an Indianapolis theater, is scheduled to be performed next month in Forth Wayne. Demand for tickets has been heavy. "When the university community is thumbing its nose at public opinion and the legislature, ultimately that has to be reflected in my attitude towards them," Espich said.

Congressman Souder said he was not threatening the $2.5 million the campus is set to receive in next year's federal budget for construction projects. But Souder added he could not be certain of the ultimate consequences.

The lawsuit argues that taxpayer funds are being used to attack religion, portraying Christ as a purple-dress-wearing, homosexual liar and blasphemer.Defenders of the production say it's a matter of free speech. Anthony S. Benton, an attorney for the university, said in a letter to Price that shutting down the play would infringe on students' academic freedom. http://starnews.com/print/articles/corpus05.html

Jehovah's Witnesses Get Win Ruling

The Jehovah's Witnesses have won a second chance from Germany's highest court to prove they should be recognized in the country as a religion. The high court on Tuesday lifted a 1997 lower court verdict that denied special tax status to the group because it urges followers not to vote in elections. The court said fresh proceedings must establish whether to recognize the Jehovah's Witnesses as a religion. Tax status for religious groups is particularly important in Germany because authorities collect and distribute taxes to recognized groups. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20001219/wl/germany_witnesses_1.html

NEA Rejects Homosexuality Resolution

(MCNS) July 6, 2001 -- The National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers' union, dropped a proposal Wednesday designed to make schools more hospitable toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and staff.
Instead, officials said the union would form a task force to further explore the issue... Between 400 and 600 protesters picketed the NEA meeting on Tuesday. Maranatha Christian News Service http://www.mcjonline.com/news/01b/20010706a.shtml

Vatican Virgin Mary Sightings True

Newsday © July 6, 2001 - Now, the Vatican press office has issued a statement saying an investigation has found credible reports that the Virgin Mary appeared to three young people in Kibeho, Rwanda, over several months starting on Nov. 29, 1981.

"There are more good reasons to believe it than to deny it," Rwanda's Bishop Augustine Misago said in "The Declaration of Definitive Judgment on the Apparitions of Kibeho," which the Vatican press office released June 29.

Church authorities have not issued such a judgment for the reported apparitions at Medjugorje. One reason for this finding is that the young women appeared to anticipate the genocide in Rwanda 13 years later, saying they saw "a river of blood, people who killed one another, abandoned bodies with no one to bury them, a tree on fire, an open chasm, a monster and decapitated heads."

In 1994, the Hutu massacred thousands of Tutsis who sought refuge at the Kibeho church compound where the visionaries said they saw Mary. Seven people had claimed to see the visions; the bishop found three credible: Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka and Marie Claire Mukangango, ages 17, 20 and 21 at the time. They said a dark-skinned Mary, wearing a seamless white dress and veil, appeared under the name Nyina wa Jambo, or "Mother of the Word." The Virgin urged them to pray and repent, they said.

There were also claims that Jesus appeared, starting in July 1982, but the document does not address them. The Holy See's press office said there were "persistent perplexities." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/world/962545

State Panel Rejects Teaching Creation - Science Standards Endorse Evolution

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. July 12, 2001 -- A state education committee yesterday recommended adoption of proposed science standards that strongly endorse the teaching of evolution in Pennsylvania public schools.

The new standards also would eliminate loopholes that critics say encourage the teaching of creationism.

The Council of Basic Education voted unanimously to recommend the standards be adopted. The state Board of Education is expected to approve them today. For the whole story go to: http://www.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20010712evolution0712p4.asp

House Passes Bush's Faith-Based Initiative

PETA Targets Boy Scouts Fishing Merit Badge (CNSNews.com) July 18, 2001 - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is now targeting the Boy Scouts of America because of a merit badge given to members who exhibit a mastery of fishing, an activity PETA claims "[teaches] young people that hooking, maiming, suffocating, and killing [fish] is acceptable." To spread its message, PETA has begun running television advertisements calling on the Boy Scouts to retire its "Fishing" and "Fish and Wildlife Management" merit badges.

Boy Scouts, Gay Activists Reach Agreement in Miami-Dade In marked contrast to the vitriolic battles over human rights laws in Miami- Dade and Broward counties, local Boy Scout officials and gay activists announced an agreement Tuesday after year-long discussions that both sides say will lead to better understanding and respect.

Without making any concession to the national policy of excluding gays, the Boy Scouts of America's South Florida Council said it will work with gay and lesbian organizations to educate Scout leaders on ways to deal more sensitively with members who identify themselves as homosexuals. Sun Sentinel - http://www.harpazo.net/news.html

Republican Led House Voted 233 - 198 to Funnel More Tax Money to Religious Charities

WASHINGTON (Reuters) July 19, 2001 (excerpt) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill to funnel more money to religious charities, a controversial cornerstone of President Bush's ''compassionate conservatism.''

On a largely party line vote of 233-198, the Republican-led House sent the measure to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where its fate is in doubt because of complaints it would violate separation of church and state and permit federally funded discrimination in charitable efforts.

The bill would boost support for religious charities by making them eligible for more federal grants and by expanding tax deductions for charitable donations. [ A single person will be able to get $25 tax free deduction, which was automatic already without documentation we found out in an audit. $200 for a couple even if they file on a short form.]

Proponents -- who include the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity International and the United States Catholic Conference -- argue the measure would provide a needed escalation in the war on poverty.

Critics charge that the bill would allow for the first time federally funded discrimination since it would provide grants to church groups that now have an exemption from the 1964 Civil Rights Act so they can hire persons based on their beliefs.

Watts, the only black Republican in Congress, said as a beneficiary of the nation's civil rights laws he does not want to weaken them or violate separation of church and state. There would be little new money for social services in the legislation, only a chance for religious groups to compete equally for the money with secular organizations.

Initially, the bill would have provided about $90 billion over 10 years for additional tax breaks for charitable giving, but the figure was cut back to $13.3 billion. http://www.wnd.com/frame/direct.asp?SITE=dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010719/ts/congress_faith_dc_1.html

Habitat for Humanity Launched New Partnership with National Council of Churches

THE CALVARY CONTENDER July 15, 2001 NCC, HABITAT FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP-The National Council of Churches and Habitat for Humanity formally launched a new partnership May 31 (6/18 CN). NCC's Bob Edgar and HFH's Millard Fuller hope to partner NCC's Church World Service with HFH. Edgar said HFH is about more than just building houses. He said Habitat also builds a "spirit of collaboration." We would add that [President Carter's] Habitat is also very much about promoting an ecumenical movement (12/1/94 CC), a global religion, and about money (see 1/1/97 & 9/1/97 CCs).

National Association of Evangelicals Leader Quits

NAE LEADER QUITS- Kevin Mannoia, pro-charismatic president of the National Association of Evangelicals, resigned under pressure last month at an executive board meeting. Donations had dropped sharply, requiring staff layoffs. Other factors influencing his decision include: His welcoming overtures to charismatics and denominations within the liberal National Council of Churches, allowing NCC denominations to be members of both the NCC and NAE. He forged cooperative ties with the Catholic Bishops. And a major factor was the National Religious Broadcasters' recent decision to withdraw from the NAE, opposing the latter's new coziness with the NCC. Mannoia's predecessor, Don Argue, had tried to revitalize the NAE, calling it "too old, too white, and too male."

Baylor University Won’t Allow Home Schoolers to Enroll

7.26.2001 for complete story go to http://www.worthynews.com

700 Club Becomes Part Of Disney

(CHARISMA) July 28, 2001 -- The Christian Broadcasting Network's (CBN) "700 Club" program has a new home with Walt Disney - whose welcoming of "Gay Days" celebrants at its Orlando, Fla., theme park has in the past been criticized by CBN founder Pat Robertson. The unlikely arrangement follows Disney's $5.3 billion purchase of the Fox Family Channel, which it is turning into ABC Family, "The Washington Post" reported yesterday. Disney inherited the agreement to continue to broadcast the "700 Club" and other CBN shows from Fox, which made the deal when it bought the Family Channel from CBN in 1997.

  Disney chairman Michael Eisner said that CBN founder Pat Robertson had "never been in the group that's criticized us for our policies about insurance to all employees," referring to Disney's same-sex partners' coverage. Nor had he ever talked with Robertson about "problems" at Disney film production divisions or at ABC, he said. But, the "Post" reported, Eisner "forgot" that Robertson had been a signatory to a full-page trade paper ad attacking the Disney-produced sitcom "Ellen" for its homosexual character, and once warned that Orlando would be visited by earthquakes and terrorist bombs because Disney World hosted a "Gay Days" event. According to the Associated Press, Eisner said that he spoke last weekend with Robertson, who said that he supported the transaction. "He believes that Disney and what we stand for is not inconsistent with what he stands for." © 2001 Maranatha Christian News Service (Post date: July 25, 2001)•

Graham Revisits Florida Roots

The Tampa Tribune, The Rev. Billy Graham slipped into the North Florida town of Palatka on Sunday - where he was baptized and ordained more than 60 years ago - to see a new mural of himself and meet with friends.

About two dozen people came by City Barber Shop to visit the ailing 82-year-old evangelist, who is being treated as an outpatient at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Graham was baptized in nearby Silver Lake in 1938 and ordained at Palatka's Peniel Baptist Church the next year. "I won't tell you what's wrong with me because I'm not sure I know myself," he told the crowd, adding that he is getting better a little at a time." Graham has Parkinson's disease.

Rev. Billy Graham identifies with the Southern Baptist Convention in which David W. Cloud grew up. David writes that most of his relatives are still Southern Baptist, when he converted in 1973, he joined an independent Baptist congregation.

He lists 12 reasons why he left:

1) The denominational system itself is unsciptural. The Lord did not build denominational structures without biblical authority.

2) The Southern Baptist Convention is radically ecumenical which is unscriptural. He has documented the apostasy of the Baptist World Council of Churches in his book: "Has the Southern Baptist Convention Been Rescued from Liberalism, by David W. Cloud. The SBC further yokes together with modernism by its longstanding alliance with the China Christian Council. In November 1997, Louis Moore, associate vice president for communications with the SBC foreign mission board stated that the Southern Baptist Convention has worked closely with the China Christian Council (CCC) from its beginning and there are currently eight "career Southern Baptist workers" assigned to the Council. K.H. Ting, longtime head of the CCC, is a rank modernist who denies that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, denies that sinful men will be judged by God, praises liberation theology, and believes truth is found in all religions. In chapter six of this book we have documented the unbelieving modernism which permeates the China Christian Council. The SBC has also conducted formal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, and Roman Catholic priests have spoken in many SBC pulpits. The Baptist convention of South Carolina warmly welcomed Pope John Paul II to America in 1987.

(Birmingham News, Aug. 22, 1980). Southern Baptist agencies were active in "Mission 2000," a consortium of "400 New Evangelical denominations, mission agencies and para-church groups which advocate and adhere to ecumenical evangelism" (Fundamentalist Digest, March-April 2001, p. 9). We could document hundreds of other such things involving SBC congregations and schools. The Southern Baptist Convention has strongly supported the radically ecumenical Promise Keepers movement, which had a Roman Catholic on its board of directors and which has had Roman Catholic priests as key speakers at some of its events. Much of the support for Promise Keepers has come from SBC congregations across the country.

3) The SBC has refused to discipline Billy Graham, a member of former SBC president W.A. Criswell's First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. [ He has been instrumental in ] this generation to break down the wall between truth and error and to muddy the waters of the gospel by his association with and recognition of men who preach abominable false gospels. Dr. Graham has sent multiplied thousands of converts back to Roman Catholic and modernistic Protestant churches to be devoured by wolves in sheep's clothing. We have carefully documented this in our book 'Evangelicals and Rome', by David W. Cloud.

4) The SBC is not governed spiritually. Nowhere does the Bible give authority to govern to deacons.

5) Worldliness is rampant is SBC churches and schools.

6) Shameful politics is practiced by SBC conservative leaders, who claim on one hand to be zealous for the Word of God, while at the same time refusing to separate from those who question and deny the Word of God.

7) Hundreds of women are allowed to hold leadership roles in the SBC. 1,225 ordained women in the SBC and roughly 200 of those are pastors and associate pastors.

8) The Charismatic movement is growing within the Southern Baptist Convention. An example is Pastor Ron
Phillips and the Central Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This SBC congregation had a "Fresh Oil & New Wine" conference on March 7, 1999, that was attended by more than 500 SBC pastors.

9) The SBC is permeated with theological modernism.The fact is that the Southern Baptist Convention was permeated at every
level with modernism in the 1970s. This was documented extensively in S.B.C. House on the Sand by Dr. David O. Beale (1985, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC 29614) and Inside the Southern Baptist Convention by Dr. R.L. Hymers (1990, Bible for Today, 900 Park Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108). Though many positive changes have occurred since then, the Southern Baptist Convention, sadly, is still permeated with Modernism at the state and local level.

10) The SBC is filled with men and women who are yoked with pagan Anti-christ organizations such as the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star. Calvary Contender editor Jerry Huffman summarizes the spiritual abomination of the Masonic Lodge: "Freemasonry is a secret society of six million members worldwide. It often claims it is not a religion, but its writings say it is. It teaches that Jesus is not God. It has worship and funeral services, and places the Koran and 'holy books' of other religions on the same level as the Bible (Calvary Contender, May 1, 1992).Of the 3.5 million Masons in the U.S., 1.3 million are Southern Baptists. Fourteen percent of SBC pastors and 18 percent of deacons are Masons (Calvary Contender, June 1, 1993)

The Home Mission Board was assigned the task of preparing a report, but the chairman of the Board, Ron Phillips, displayed his prejudice when he stated that he did not agree with the conclusion that Masonry is incompatible with Christianity and that he knew many "dedicated Christian men" who are Masons (Christian News, March 15, 1993)

Southern Baptist physician Dr. James Holly, who led the attempt to root out Freemasonry, said, "Southern Baptists have become the first Christian denomination that essentially blesses the Masonic Lodge" (Christian News, Dec. 20, 1993). ED Note: We carry his book: 'The Southern Baptist Convention and Freemasonry, Vol I & II', by James L. Holly, M.D. President of Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc.

11) The vast majority of Southern Baptist Congregations refuse to exercise church discipline. In 1998, Dean Register, president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, testified: "It's very unusual for Southern Baptist churches to take disciplinary action against an individual" (The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi, Sept. 13, 1998).

12) Southern Baptists are at the forefront of the church growth philosophers that promote the use of worldly music and dress to attract large crowds. Southern Baptist conservatives in Virginia and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary co-sponsored a church planting conference in November 2000 which featured guest speaker Aubrey Malphurs, a Dallas Theological Seminary professor. Malphurs, author of Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century, encourages churches to use "culturally relevant" music to gain young people. Another example of this is Rick Warren, Southern Baptist pastor of Saddleback Community Church in southern California and author the Purpose Driven Church, an extremely influential church growth manual. Warren doesn't use theological terms such as sanctification, justification and propitiation in his sermons. He encourages the use of Christian rock music to communicate to the unsaved. He is very ecumenical. In his book he uncritically praises Robert Schuller, David Yonggi Cho, and other heretics and recommends ecumenical ministries such as Campus Crusade for Christ. [ Way of Life Literature - O Timothy Magazine - http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud. ]

SBC Church Plans Joint Worship with Jewish Synagogue

Memorial Day weekend Southside Baptist Church (So. Baptist) in Birmingham opened its doors to members of the oldest Jewish congregation in the city, Temple Emanu-El. Rabbi Jonathan Miller's congregation will use Southside's facilities and sanctuary during the 14-month remodeling of their synagogue (6/7 Ala. Baptist). Southside pastor Steven Jones said Jesus commanded us to "love our neighbor." Miller said: "We plan to work together for social action and social justice … and hold joint adult education programs to teach and broaden our perspectives on faith and religious life."

Jones said future joint worship services are planned. He said: "Through this time of sharing we expect to get better acquainted with our respective faith traditions but more than that we hope to tear down some of the walls that exists between Christians and Jews and to dispel some of the fears." But we are not to "tear down the walls" separating Christians and Christ rejecters. But Jesus has already "broken down the middle wall of partition" between those Jews and Gentiles who accept his sacrifice on the Cross. (Eph. 2:14)

Hate Crime Laws Violate Freedom of Thought and Belief

CNVIEW.COM May 15, 2001 - From a religious standpoint, it is frightful to think of the government's penalizing certain beliefs. Such a practice can potentially criminalize any religious teaching that is not politically correct. For example, the freedom to so much as quote Bible passages that call homosexual behavior an abomination to God cannot stand long in a society laced with hate crime laws protecting homosexual behavior. (4/01 Baptist Bulletin)

Colorado Governor Signs Faith Healing Bill

Religion Today 4.23.2001 - Colorado Gov. Bill Owens April 16 signed into law a bill which makes faith healing a crime, under the state's child abuse law, when used in place of medicine for a child in danger of dying. The law was prompted by the illness of Amanda Bates, 13, who died Feb. 5 of complications from untreated diabetes. Her parents, members of General Assembly Church of the First Born, did not believe in medical treatment for their daughter. Since 1974, 13 children of parents in religious sects have died in Colorado from lack of medical care. (CNVIEW.COM)

Confessions of a Charismatic

Lee Grady is the editor of Charisma, the main charismatic magazine. He had this to say in the May issue: "We charismatics have been blessed with a season of spiritual refreshing during the last seven years….We soaked in the anointing. We saturated ourselves in the glory. We saw heavenly gold dust on the pews, felt oil running from our hands or smelled the fragrance of the Lord. We fell to the floor, overcome by His power. We trembled, shook, shouted and danced as we celebrated our own personal Pentecost…." He could have said "we have brayed like donkeys, barked like dogs," etc. (see 6/15/97 CC).

He continued: "Many of us are addicted to the charismatic euphoria of yesterday, not realizing that God has moved on…. It's time to get off the floor. How many more doses of the anointing do we need before we will go out into the harvest where the Lord is waiting to demonstrate His power?" That last question (change "anointing" to "sermons") should challenge fundamental Christians to see that it is "high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11) and get busy about the task of world evangelism and world missions. (CNVIEW.COM)

Alcohols: the 'Most Damaging Substance in Society'

The director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism calls alcohol "the most widespread and damaging substance we have in society." The May 7 U.S. News has an 8-page article showing, among other things, how alcohol alters brain chemistry. New science uses new imaging techniques and shows how alcohol can rewire the circuitry of the brain, eroding its ability to feel pleasure and act wisely, and replacing it with a locus for intense craving and destructive behavior. The article terms alcoholism a disease [the Bible calls it sin, drunkenness] that interferes with home life, work, interpersonal relationships, and eventually with health."

It says "excessive drinking can ruin lives through betrayal, broken promises, lost jobs, car accidents, and a host of other personal tragedies." Bingers can suffer impaired concentration, slowed reflexes, disrupted sleep and high blood pressure. "For active alcoholics, drinking trumps reason. It distorts judgment. It severs the connection between behavior and consequence. It lays waste to marriages, friendships, and careers. It leaves children stranded." Some 14 million people in the U.S. are alcoholics or abuse alcohol. Moderate drinking is not an option for a true alcoholic. Be warned, be wise, beware! (CNVIEW.COM)

New Aids Czar is Open Homosexual

Scott Evertz has been appointed to head the president's Office on National AIDS Policy. He is "the first ever openly gay GOP appointee, and the first homosexual AIDS czar…." (4/21 World) This has drawn fire from conservatives. Dr. James Dobson says: "This appointment sends a disturbing message that the problem of AIDS can be resolved without dealing with the (rampant) promiscuity of many in the homosexuality life…." (5/01 NLJ) Evertz has called the Boy Scout policy of banning openly homosexual leaders "absurd." He has urged black ministers to stop describing homosexuality as a sin. How long will our president try to please both "gay" activists and pro-family conservatives? (CNVIEW.COM)

Hero George W. Bush Comes A Riding A White Horse?

Messengers of Christ Ministries CNV News Service 7/3/2001: President Bush has nominated Scott Evertz, a Log Cabin Republican activist, to head the president's Office on National AIDS Policy. Evertz is the first-ever openly homosexual GOP appointee. Evert's comments to The Washington Post indicate that he may want to use his office to stop the stigma of homosexuality. He said that the AIDS infection rate of young gay black males is, according to some, "related to a stigma in the African American community about homosexuality. If that's a fact, then we need to look at how we, with our prevention strategies, prevent this." In the past, Evertz fought "mean-spirited" legislation against homosexual marriage in Wisconsin, and he "declared his 'elation' when a New Jersey court overturned the 'absurd' and 'antiquated' Boy Scout policy of banning openly homosexual leaders."

The Bush administration has already appointed a supporter of homosexual rights, Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci, to serve as ambassador to Canada. Massachusetts is the only state to assign taxpayers' money for homosexual activism-$1.5 million for the Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth (World, 4/14/01 - 4/21/01).

[Editor of CNV News] GETTE UP COMPROMISE. HI-HO COMPROMISE, away. Did Bush have you fooled? Well, don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Anyway, what do you expect from a socialist/cooperative United Methodist? Tolerance and a social gospel in order to make "this world" a better place to love, that's what. I like it when I answer my own questions. I agree with me a lot, you know. What say YOU?

Kung Wants Term Limites for Pope

Hans Kung, a prominent theologian and a frequent critic of the Vatican, has proposed term limits or a mandatory retirement age for popes (C.E.C. Journal News, 4/24/01). He said it was "unbearable" that the church is currently headed by someone "not fully present from a psychic or physical point of view." Pope John Paul II, 80, suffers from Parkinson's disease and has undergone several operations that have reduced his mobility. The Vatican has acknowledged he has been slowed physically but deny it has affected his mind. Most popes have served until their death. Kung, a modernist globalist whose mandate to teach as a Catholic theologian was withdrawn by the Vatican years ago, thinks the next pope will be Italian.

Mormons Make Converts from Baptists

Mormons claim that they have more converts from Baptists than from anybody else (4/16 Christian News). SBC's Paige Patterson says it could be partially true because "we have not taught our people the truths of the Word of God. If we had, they wouldn't be sitting ducks out there on the pond for every 'ism' that comes along."

Franklin Graham Awarded Dregrees to his Son and Daughter-in-law at Liberty University

Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and president of Samaritan's Purse, was the commencement speaker for Liberty University's 1,507 graduates. He awarded degrees to his son and daughter-in-law (6/01 Nat'l Lib. Journal). LU chancellor Jerry Falwell and president John Borek led the processional. Billy Graham was LU's 1997 speaker.

LaHayes Give $4.5 Million to Liberty University to Build Tim LaHaye School of Prophecy

Popular author and pastor-theologian Tim LaHaye and his wife Beverly, founder of Concerned Women for America and a member of the Liberty University Board of Trustees, made a dramatic $4.5 million donation to Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. Dr. Tim LaHaye was the Baccalaureate speaker May 11. The funds will match an earlier $4.5 million commitment for constructing a $9 million Tim & Beverly LaHaye Student Center on the LU campus (6/01 Nat'l Lib. Journal). LaHaye no doubt came into big bucks from being co-author of Left Behind. A new Tim LaHaye School of Prophecy is set to open Jan. 1, 2002 at Liberty with LaHaye serving as president.

Falwell announces 'Tim LaHaye School of Prophecy' In the May National Liberty Journal, Dr. Jerry Falwell wrote: "Dr. John Borek, president of Liberty University, and I are pleased to announce the formation of the Tim LaHaye School of Prophecy to be unveiled in January." Dr. LaHaye, co-author of the popular Left Behind series of novels, will be president and Dr. Ed Hindson will serve as dean. Adjunct and guest faculty includes Drs. John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, Thomas Ice, Robert Gromacki, Renald Showers, Earl Radmacher, and John Ankerberg. Falwell is to speak June 10 at the SBC Pastors Conference. He says: "I firmly believe that the New Testament church is poised-with the SBC in the vanguard-for spiritual awakening across America and unprecedented world evangelization."

'Jesus First' Wants Women Pastors in LCMS

A Christian News (4/23) headline reads: "Jesus First: An Umbrella Group Open for LCMS [Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod] Liberals, Uninformed Conservatives, Supporters of the Ordination of Women Pastors, Evolutionists, Charismatics, Church Growthers-Supporting Kieschnick for President-Diekelmann for First Vice-Pres." The drive for women pastors is said to be gaining momentum in the LCMS, as its July convention in St. Louis nears. The names of 661 LCMS members who support Jesus First are listed in the 4/23 CN. [Messengers of Christ Ministries - Earnestly Contending for the Faith - Exposing Deception in Politically Correct Churches - http://cnview.com/)

GLOBAL POLITICS
     
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin Called for the Setting Up a Pan-European Security Structure that Would Replace NATO and include Russia

Speaking at a Kremlin press conference yesterday, before heading to the G8 Summit in Genoa, Mr Putin said that we won’t be able the achieve unity in Europe unless we create a common security and defense zone.” Options for creating this common security zone include dismantling NATO, admitting Russia in NATO, or starting from scratch with a new structure encompassing both Europe and Russia.
http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2964

Germans Offer Plan to Remake European Union

NEW YORK TIMES: FRANKFURT, April 30 (excerpt) Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's governing party proposed a far-reaching plan today to turn the European Union into a more centralized federal system, a plan that would give much more power to the European Parliament but will raise national anxieties in countries like Britain and France.

The proposal reflects Germany's increased self-assurance and willingness to play a leading role in European affairs, and it comes just a few months after the French government failed in its attempt to persuade member nations of a plan to reform Europe's current tangled system for making decisions.

The plan unveiled today by Mr. Schröder's Social Democrats would create a federal system modeled after Germany's. It would give the European Parliament the power to set budgets and would try to establish clearer divisions of authority between a European government and individual national governments...

The plan calls for creating a two- chambered system of government, with one chamber being the popularly elected European Parliament .. and a second made up of ministers from each country.
The proposal is important, because Germany is by far the largest member of the European Union and pays a disproportionately large share of its annual budget... While German officials said the plan reflected their willingness to transfer more of their sovereignty to a European government, leaders in other countries suspect that Germany would end up with more influence than ever... nations should not be expected to give up too much sovereignty. In Paris today, a spokesman.. added that it was a "reflection of the German position that we know well." Britain, where fears of being ruled by Continental "eurocrats" have kept the country from adopting the euro as a common currency.. [there is resistance to] a "European superstate" as a reason to avoid further entanglements.

Queen Elisabeth Stated Publically Full Steam Ahead with Euros and the Various Treaties

[ED Note: Queen Elisabeth, at Toni Blair's reelection, stated that they would now allow the EU requirements full play. Prime Minister Blair's reelection was a green light from the British people to go ahead with Toni's agenda.]

What Will the Consequences of President Bush's Leadership Bring?

[Ed Note: Unexpected events from the U.S. will have a tendency to drive the European Union to compete for power and ultimately cause faster integration due to the "unknown" factor they are now presented with by the U.S.. Errors will be made in guessing games. President Bush is worried about enemies attacking the U.S. which will inflict the same sentiments in other nations.

If he is the most powerful leader in the world and his example is fear, what will the rest of the world learn from that, but fear. Members of the EU fear each other but as of President Bush's last visit to Europe, they now fear his agenda, a bigger enemy.

On July 29, 2001 CSPAN brought on the the new German Ambassador to the United States. When asked about his past he said he was an exchange student and graduated from an American High school and got his law degree from Harvard University. Wouldn't you know it, the think tank.

The New York Times continues: "Few Europeans doubt that the European Union badly needs structural reform. Under the current structure, power is divided in a very uneven way between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. But the requirement that big decisions require unanimous agreement has made it very difficult to push through much-needed changes in areas like agricultural policy. Mr. Schröder also called for strengthening the executive arm of the European Union, the European Commission.

Perhaps the most urgent area in need of better decision-making is farm subsidies, which account for nearly half of the European Union's annual budget of 95 billion euros, or $84 billion. European leaders made limited progress last year in reducing the volume of subsidies, but the system is still on track to rupture the budget if, as expected, countries like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic join the European Union in the next several years.

"The current system doesn't have the necessary transparency," Franz Müntefering, the party's secretary general, said at a news briefing in Berlin. "We want to make sure that citizens can see who has responsibility for what areas of policy."

Part of the proposal calls for national governments to assume much greater control in some areas, like agriculture and welfare policy. Agricultural policy in all the member nations has long been determined by the European Union and administered by the bureaucracy in Brussels, but Mr. Schröder believes that it would be more democratic to let individual nations take more responsibility for policies directly affecting their farmers. But France, the greatest beneficiary of the agricultural policy, opposes such a change.

German officials were careful to avoid controversy that would result from being too specific, and did not mention taxation, one of the most vexed issues. Germany and other nations have long advocated "harmonized" tax systems which would block tax breaks to lure individual companies or immigrants but Britain is strictly opposed.

"There is a long tradition in German foreign policy of giving up sovereignty in order to increase, indirectly, Germany's influence over Europe," Professor Seidelmann said. Thus, he said, Germans gave up the mark and adopted the euro as a common European currency yet essentially created a European monetary system modeled on their own, with a central bank whose headquarters are in Frankfurt.

"If you look at the European Monetary Union, this is basically a replica of the German system," he said. "This has been the German recipe for increasing power ever since the end of World War II."

Bilderberg Urges Torries to Support the Euro

EU Observer June 6, 2001. This year's conference was hosted by Sweden's Investor Group, headed by SEB bank chairman Jacob Wallenberg.

"Bilderberg is fearful that the EU might be coming apart; it had expected Britain to be a full partner and to have embraced the euro by now," Jim Tucker, a Bilderberg expert and writer told the weekly newspaper, the European Voice, after having attended the secretive Bilderberg summit of the world's 'power elite' held last week in Sweden [Stenungsbaden (3 days)][100 business leaders and politicians including Mario Monti and Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler].

"Speakers called for Europhiles in the opposition Conservative Party to bring participation in the single currency to the top of the list of priorities as soon as the expected Labour Party victory in the 7 June election is official, Mr Jim Tucker said.

Two EU Commissioners and an executive board member of the European Central Bank took part in the Bilderberg summit .. discussions under 'Chatham House' rules. The summit hotel was protected by a 900-metre-long metal fence and patrolled by secret servicemen.

Other leading participants included NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, Finnish premier Paavo Lipponen, US Senators Chuck Hagel and Christopher Dodd, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Swedish Trade Minister Leif Pagrotsky, ECB executive board member Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa and newspaper tycoon Conrad Black.

Critics say the Bilderberg group, named after a Dutch hotel where it first met in 1954, is an unaccountable shadow government, which seeks to exert its influence over the world's leading politicians. [Written by Lisbeth Kirk, Edited by Blake Evans-Pritchard [European Voice] http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=none&action=view&article_id=2503

Chirac and Putin Discuss Common Economic Zone

02-07-2001 - Chirac and Putin discuss common economic zone French President Jacques Chirac met with his Russian counterpart Vladamir Putin in St Petersburg on Sunday to discuss, among other things, the creation of a common economic zone from the European Union to Russia, reports the International Herald Tribune.

EU Rotating Presidency Passed from Sweden to Belgium

EUobserver 02-07-2001 Belgium takes over EU presidency - The EU's rotating presidency passed from Sweden to Belgium on Sunday. Belgium is one of the most federalist member states, according to the Times, and the next six months will see a deepening of the academic debate on where the EU should go next. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt wants a stronger European Commission with an elected president, a constitution, a European tax and a more powerful parliament. http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2818

Nordic EU Policies Formalized

Nordic co-operation on EU policies formalised: Finland, Sweden and Denmark have agreed to meet before future EU summits and co-ordinate their EU policies, according to a decision taken by Scandinavian leaders at a meeting held during the weekend in Imatra near the Finnish border to Russia.Norway and Iceland are not members of the EU but should also be invited to the meetings. http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2822

Anti-Globalists Protest in Salzburg

Salzburg protests turn violent: Hundreds of anti-globalisation protestors clashed in Salzburg on Sunday, where 15 heads of state and government were gathering for the World Economic Forum's sixth annual European economic summit, reports the Independent. However, tight security measures kept the protests under control compared to last month's riots in Göteborg. http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2821

Greece Participates in EU Presidency in 2002

Denmark to hand parts of EU-Presidency to Greece: When Denmark takes over the EU-Presidency in the second half of 2002, parts of the job will have to be carried out by Greece, because Denmark is not a full member and has reservations to important EU policy areas such as the euro, defence, citizenship and judicial co-operation. http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2823

US Lifts Sanctions Against EU

US lifts sanctions against EU (published on: On Sunday evening, the US formally lifted sanctions that it imposed on EU exports more than two years ago after the EU's failure to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling against its banana import regime, according to the Financial Times. http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2819

Secret Cartel Fined For Price Fixing by EU

EUobserver.com - 19.07.2001 Secret cartel fined for price fixing by the EU The European Commission has fined eight companies, a total of 218.8 million, for fixing the price and sharing the market for graphite electrodes. Thorough investigation revealed that eight producers operated a secret cartel during most of the 90s resulting in considerably higher prices than if the companies had competed freely. [http://EUobserver.com/index.phtml?selected_topic=9&action=view&article_id=2965•

178 Nations Reach Accord for Climate Accord While US Extricates Itself

Agence France-Presse - The chairman of the conference, Jan Pronk, of the Netherlands, and Michael Zammit Cutajar of Malta, the conference secretary. Nations Wrangle in an All-Night Marathon on Climate Treaty

BONN, July 23 2001 - With the Bush administration on the sidelines, the world's leading countries hammered out a compromise agreement today finishing a treaty that for the first time would formally require industrialized countries to cut emissions of gases linked to global warming.

The agreement, which was announced here today after three days of marathon bargaining, rescued the Kyoto Protocol, the preliminary accord framed in Japan in 1997, that was the first step toward requiring cuts in such gases. That agreement has been repudiated by President Bush, who has called it "fatally flawed," saying it places too much of the cleanup burden on industrial countries and would be too costly to the American economy.

Today, his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, said in Rome, where the president met with the pope, "I don't believe that it is a surprise to anyone that the United States believes that this particular protocol is not in its interests, nor do we believe that it really addresses the problem of global climate change." She reiterated that the president had created a task force to come up with alternatives.

The agreement by 178 countries was largely the product of give and take involving Japan, Australia, Canada and the European Union. But Japan's role was crucial because it is the largest economy after the United States and its opposition would have killed any agreement...

The Kyoto accord calls for the 38 industrialized countries by 2012 to reduce their combined annual gas emissions to 5.2 percent below levels measured in 1990. It set a different, negotiated target for each, with Japan, for example, accepting a target of cutting gas emissions back to 6 percent below 1990 emissions. Those targets were included in the Kyoto agreement and were untouched by the compromise today. Developing countries do not have to do anything to reduce emissions.

In general, Japan was in the driver's seat. After Mr. Bush rejected the treaty, Japan became a pivotal player. It sought, and received, extra credits toward its emissions goals for protecting its forests.

The European Union pledged $410 million a year through the first years of the treaty to help developing countries adapt to climate change and build the technological ability to avoid adding to the problem.

"There's really a new force on the world stage," said Philip, the president of the National Environmental Trust, a lobbying group based in Washington. "If the United States will not lead, Europe can and will."

Belgium's Mission to Save the EU From Itself

AFP - July 1,2001 -- The agenda-setting EU presidency comes home Sunday to Belgium, with Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt setting himself a daunting mission: to save the European Union from itself as it grows in size and clout. With the 15-nation club of rich western European nations poised to expand into the poorer, ex-communist east, the boyish Belgian leader sees his six-month turn at the EU helm in nothing less than historic terms.

The Belgian presidency, and Finance Minister Didier Reynders in particular, will also be at the forefront of the January 2002 launch of euro notes and coins in the 12 EU member states that use the single European currency. "This time, more than ever before, the people will be dealing in their everyday lives with a tangible, concrete result of European integration," Verhofstadt has said of the euro. In foreign policy, the Belgians want to beef up the EU's fledgling peacemaker role in the Middle East and the Balkans, and also in Central Africa -- where Belgium used to be a colonial power.

But for Verhofstadt, the success or failure of the Belgian EU presidency will depend in great part on its ability to get enough of a debate on Europe's future going to ignite a new round of talks on EU reforms -- known in Eurojargon as an "inter-governmental conference" or IGC. His goal is for a December 14-15 summit meeting in Laeken, to produce a "declaration... to think about the post-enlargement EU, its powers and responsibilities". Coming from a small country that regards the European Union as protection against bigger neighbors France and Germany, Verhofstadt is personally pitching for a constitutionally-based EU with a popularly elected European Commission president. [Weekend News Today ]•

God Bless and Goodnight England, Writes Ian Cook, It is About "The Treaty of Rome."

To my fellow countrymen and parishioners,

July 8, 2001 - On June 6th, 1944 Allied Forces assault the beaches of Normandy to establish a bridgehead, that will build up to eventually overthrow the evil which has ravished Europe; and killed and enslaved millions of its inhabitants.

June 7th, 2001 My country has an election, the core issue of which, are those very forces (in a different coat of paint).

Today is June 8th. Two days after invading Normandy, my country is sold to the very forces we swore to defeat. And not even sold to the highest bidder, but to the lowest common denominator. For the forces we swore to defeat, are not interested in our welfare, but in our subjection. We are seen simply as a money pit to plunder, until our once proud heritage is reduced to total dependence on the Government of Europe for our welfare. Some might say it is all we deserve, for we have plundered many others in the past. They conveniently forget we have also given many great things to the world, and made many others stronger and richer than they might have been without our influence, and many still come to us to be educated.

This story of course is a very old one, but again not many are interested in real history. Augustine came to Canterbury, Europe has sought to interfere, control and dominate these islands. Early, middle and later mideaval history is generally all about the Roman Church's power to control the lives of people both spiritually and temporally. England stood virtually alone against this overwhelming tide. Much as we did against Germany after Dunkerque. The Popes tried to get at us through Spain, Potugal, France, Scotland and Ireland. Even the great Catholic conquerer William, resisted this control ‘in his realm’ as he put it.

Lastly the forces of National Socialism were broght to bear upon us. We survived the Battle of Britain (miraculously) in 1940; and largely with American help and other free Europeans; we overcame. In 1500 years the cost of resisting Europe has been beyond all measure, not least in human suffering. Today my country has said it all counts for nothing in our modern world, and we should change the way history is taught. Today the very forces we have spent so long fighting, are rubbing their hands at the prospect of raping my country of its wealth and spirit.

The whole problem is that people at large, even Christians, just do not understand the religious implications of the European question. They have not bothered to inform themselves about the driving force behind it all. Anybody who has tried to open up the questions has either been removed completely or silenced; and there have been many who have tried to do so. For all the apparent religiosity of its leaders; Europe is basically anti-Christian in its ethos and philosophy. Even here in Britain, we have seen the erosion of (normal) family values and the relegating of Christianity to a lower status in education. I firmly believe we are at the stage just after the writing appreared on the wall. We shall all pay heavilly for our decision or lack of it. It is not for nothing the original treaty that was the foundation of the European dream, is called ‘The Treaty of Rome’.

 
ISRAEL
 

Former Prime Minister Netanyahu Confronts Ariel Sharon

The International Jerusalem Post August 3, 2001 featured Bibi on their cover. They state that party members are increasingly restless and his popularity is increasing once again. "They Want Action and Netanyahu is as determined as ever to succeed, and possibly unseat, the man whose popularity exceeds 70%. Can he do it?

The answer according to the IJP would be an emphatic "yes" if presented to the hundreds of party activists who gathered last week in Tel Aviv's Cinerama auditorium to see Netanyahu adn Sharon measure each other like sume wrestlers bracing for the ultimate engagement."

To lay the foundation for July 2001

 President Bush pulled the plug on the CIA role in Israel in March 2001 • • • which was formalized in 1998 at Wye Plantation in Maryland. The U.S. official said: "Our experience is that the best security talks are those that occur between Israelis and Palestinians directly." The full story at http://www.msnbc.com/news/548119.asp.

This action moved Prime Minister Sharon to travel to the various European countries and meet with leaders in June. President Jacques Chirac of France has warned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to weaken the position of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, that it would be "counter-productive". About 1,000 protesters s marched through the streets of Paris shouting "Sharon, assassin!" and calling for him to be tried for war crimes...

In Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder offered Mr Sharon friendly advice to be more "flexible" on the question of continued expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Mr Sharon did not respond to this, but said Israel's "right to self-defence is a great right and a great duty," and he reaffirmed that he was still committed to a US-brokered ceasefire. [BBC]

Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to Israel on Thursday to immediately halt the "targeted assassinations" of Palestinian militants. Annan said the policy violates international law and "contradicts the spirit, if not the letter, of the cease-fire agreement" brokered by CIA director George Tenet on June 13. [AP]

The Iranian-backed Hizbullah blocked UN peacekeepers from entering many areas along the Lebanese border with Israel. . [Source: http://www.harpazo.net/news.html ]

U.S. Assesses That Next Middle East War Will Include Weapons of Mass Destruction

The assessment was done in June 2001. The war would include ballistic missiles with unconventional warheads. Iraq, Iran • and Syria might launch chemical and biological weapons attacks in any confrontation with Israel.

The assessment has been presented to President George Bush. The White House was told that the Middle East was sliding into a state of war in which all measures could be employed. "Israeli military planners have assessed that Iraq would be the key to any Arab use of WMD. The Israeli military has prepared plans for Iraqi intervention in any conflict between Syria and the Jewish state. [http://menewsline.com ]

Israel, Nato Sign Security Clearance Accord

Weekend News Today: Sun Jul 1,2001 -- Israel and NATO have signed a security clearance accord that would allow Israel to participate in defense programs with the alliance. Israeli and NATO officials said the accord was signed on April 23 and allows Israeli access to NATO military programs and data. Israel and NATO established formal relations in 1997 as part of the alliance's dialogue with six Mediterranean countries.

Iran, Italy Sign Big Oil Contract

UPI - Sun Jul 1, 2001 -- Italian energy group ENI has signed a contract worth more than $1 billion dollars with the Iranian government to develop an oilfield in southwestern Iran, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported Sunday. Iranian officials say the joint project is of the buy-back type in which the contractor provides all financial resources to develop the Darkhuwain oil field in Khuzestan province to increase from the current 4,000 barrels per day to 160,000 bpd in six years. Total capacity of the oilfield is estimated at 1,290 million barrels.

Russia Will Use Veto Against "Smart" Sanctions On Iraq

AFP Sun Jul 1,2001 -- Russia will use its UN veto to reject the US-backed "smart" sanctions on Iraq proposed by Britain, Russian ultra-nationalist lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky predicted Sunday on arrival in Baghdad. "If not, we will demand the resignation of the foreign minister (Igor Ivanov) because we cannot tolerate that he deceives parliament," warned Zhirinovsky, who is heading a delegation of 18 MPs and a group of businessmen and journalists. The MP, who will meet with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, also called for the lifting of the sweeping embargo imposed on Iraq for invading Kuwait in 1990.

Belgium Prosecutor Put Forward Case Against Israel's Sharon

AFP - Sun Jul 1, 2001 -- Belgian prosecutors have requested that a case against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon over the 1982 massacres of hundreds of Palestinian refugees be considered admissible, Le Soir newspaper reported Sunday. The request means that preparations for the case can procede while a Belgian court rules on the case's admissibility. Two class action suits are pending against Sharon in Belgium, charging him with responsibility for the 1982 massacres of hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Sabra and Chatila, Lebanon.

The cases have been brought under a Belgian law which allows for charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to be heard in the Belgian courts, regardless of where the alleged crimes took place, the nationality or residency of either the victims or the accused.

Arab Countries Condemn IDF Attack

Jerusalem Post - Sun Jul 1,2001 - Countries throughout the Arab world have condemned today's IDF attack on a Syrian radar station in Lebanon. The director of the Syrian news agency told Radio Monte Carlo that Syria reserves the right to respond to the attack. He expressed bewilderment at the connection Israel makes between what he called Hizbullah's legitimate opposition to Israel and Syrian installations in Lebanon.

Iran Military Alert For U.S. Attack

Washington Times - Sun Jul 1,2001 -- Iran's military is on alert for a punitive U.S. military attack following the indictment of terrorists in Saudi Arabia with links to Tehran. U.S. defense and intelligence officials said Iranian military leaders warned naval units to watch for some type of U.S. attack. A U.S. official said there are signs that "some in the Iranian regime are bracing for an attack."

"They were warning their forces to be on the alert," said one U.S. official familiar with reports of the warnings. The warnings also included directions to Iranian naval forces to be careful not to be lured into a possible provocation by the U.S. military through an encounter with U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf. Tehran apparently believes the U.S. military might trigger an attack by provoking the Iranians into taking some kind of military action.

Israel Minister: Next Time The Retaliation Will Be Massive

Jerusalem Post - Jul 1,2001 -- National Infrastructure Minister Avigdor Lieberman today issued a strong warning to Syria. "Israel can retaliate much more forcefully. This is the second warning to Damascus, and I hope they will understand that the third time [the retaliation] will be much more massive," Lieberman said in an interview with Army Radio. Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud said the IDF attack on a Syrian radar station in Lebanon earlier today violates a United Nations resolution permitting Hizbullah to take action to secure the Sheba Farms. In an interview with Al-Jazira television, Hammoud declined to say what Lebanon's reaction would be to the IDF attack, saying only that there will be a response. [WEEKEND NEWS http://216.219.160.226/cgi-bin/readnews.cgi?day=01_07_1&item=#994024165 ]

Peres Threatens to Quit Israeli Cabinet

BBC Jul 3, 2001 -- Israel's Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, has warned that the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinians is in "deep crisis". He demanded that Jewish settler outposts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip should be removed, describing them as illegal and a flagrant political mistake. He also warned that a total breakdown in the ceasefire would lead to more victims and bloodshed on both sides.

Mr Peres, a relative moderate in the hardline Israeli Government, indicated that he might step down if his colleagues did not stop trying to undermine Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's leadership. "If I am not allowed to carry out the foreign policy I believe in, there's no point in me being foreign minister," he said.

Syria Replaces Radar Installations in Lebanon

Israel National News - Jul-05-01, Syria Replaces Radar Installation Lebanese defense officials report that Syria has replaced a radar installation that was destroyed in an Israel Air Force retaliatory raid on April 16th. The radar installation is located 45 kilometers (24 miles) from Beirut. Last week, in response to a Hizbullah missile attack into northern Israel, air force fighter planes destroyed another Syrian radar installation located in the Bekaa Valley. [ http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=5873 ]

Muslims Target Blair's Ambassador To The Middle East

BRITAIN - July 8, 2001 - THE multimillionaire former record producer Lord Levy, who is Tony Blair's personal ambassador to the Middle East, is being targeted in a hate campaign by supporters of a British-based Islamic extremist group. Levy, whose brief is to help the American-led peace effort to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, is understood to have taken extra security precautions after police advice that he could be a terrorist target. The full story: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/07/08/stinwenws03038.html?

Saudi Arabia - Maverick Missiles Ordered for Saudif - 16S

Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules - July 5, 2001 Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $ 20.9 million contract to purchase Maverick missiles -- 98 AGM-65D missiles and seven AGM-65Gs -- for the F-16 aircraft in support of foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Dept. of Defense. Work will be performed in Tucson and various locations in Saudi Arabia, and is expected to be completed within 24 months of receipt of the contract. [Source: www.clw.org/cat ]

Arafat's Condolences Heroic Martyrdom

Special Dispatch - PA July 8, 2001 No. 237 Arafat's Condolences to Tel-Aviv Disco Bomber's Family: "The Heroic Martyrdom Operation"..."A Model of Manhood and Sacrifice for Allah and the Homeland..." Embassy of the State of Palestine The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Amman - The emblem of the embassy with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and a map of Palestine [including what is now Israel]. [For more examples and the whole story: The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) - www.memri.org ]

What TheMedia Is Not Telling You...

July 10, 2001 - Yes, there is a water crisis in the Middle East! Yes, the Palestinians do not enjoy the same access to water that their Jewish neighbors do. Yes, there has been shortsighted water management within the Israeli government. What the media is NOT telling you... Numerous foreign countries however, have given Arafat BILLIONS of dollars, for the express purpose of building housing, infrastructure, and YES, WATER PROJECTS! He has not built ANY of them to date. His people still live in the squalor of refugee camps because he places no value on human life or the living conditions of the people he claims to be so concerned about.

He is reported to have over $25 Billion in foreign bank accounts that were supposed to go to these improvement projects. This makes the world support of this madman even more preposterous. Why aren't these governments holding him accountable? Why aren't they threatening him with war crimes in the Hague? Because the NWO crowd have a singular goal in mind, destruction of all notions of national sovereignty anywhere that such ideas are entrenched. And nowhere is the right to land issues more entrenched than in the Middle East, particularly Israel. [ http://www.theisraelreport.com/article1008.html ]

Iraq Calls on Arabs to Unite and Fights its Enemies

July 17, 2001 - Saddam Hussein: Arab People Must be Suicide Bombers Against Israel (IsraelNN.com) Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has issued another call to the Arab world to join together against Israel. "The Arab people must unite against our enemies, primarily Israel."

Hussein explained the Arab nation must unite to fight its enemies, making repeated mention of Israel as its major enemy. He called for the masses to be willing to give their lives to fight the Zionist enemy. Hussein over past weeks has made several declarations seeking to enlist Arab nations against Israel, volunteering funds and manpower for the cause. [ http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=6427 ]

Egypt Threatens Israel - It Will Stand with Syria

ETWN Senior aide to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Osama el-Baz, announced over the weekend that if Israel makes the “major mistake” and attacks Syria, Syrian would not stand alone. Egypt announced it would come to Syria’s side against Israel. El-Baz added that Israel better think twice before launching attacks against any Arab nations, especially Syria “that fulfills an important role in the peace process.” [ israel national news ]

Libia and Malta Sign Security Accord

Libya and Malta have signed a security cooperation accord. The accord was part of an effort by both countries to expand relations. The security agreement was signed on late Sunday in Tripoli. Arab diplomatic sources said the accord would include an exchange of intelligence on suspected insurgents as well as the monitoring of Islamic militants. They said Libya has been seeking Arab support for Tripoli's campaign against Islamic opposition groups. The accord was signed by visiting Maltese Interior Minister Antonio Borg and Libya's security chief Abdul Rahman Abbar. Libya is already said to be cooperating on security issues with Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Gulf Cooperation Council states. [ menl - http://www.harpazo.net/news.html ]

Iraq's Saddam Hits Triumphant Note in His Speech

JULY 17, 2001 - By Hassan Hafidh BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) said on Tuesday the U.S. and its allies would face one disappointment after another after Russia forced them to put off a plan to revamp sanctions on Iraq. Striking a triumphant note in a televised speech marking the July revolution that brought his ruling Baath party to power 33 years ago, Saddam said Western countries' "vicious schemes" against Iraq would be thwarted.

"We are arriving, with the help of God, the Almighty, at what pleases our friends and strikes our enemies with one disappointment after another," he told Iraqis. "Your enemies' vicious schemes will end up in the abyss," he said. The U.S.-British plan aimed to revamp the 11-year-old U.N. sanctions by easing Iraqi purchases of civilian goods but stiffening controls on oil and goods with military uses... WAS SHELVED.. Saddam also said Iraq was stronger than 10 years ago when a U.S.-led multinational force ejected Iraqi troops from Kuwait during the Gulf War (news - web sites) in 1991.

"Our willpower and our capability to build and to make better choices are, with the help of God, stronger now than before the beginning of the confrontation in the eternal Umm al- Marik (Gulf War)," Saddam said. Saddam urged the Palestinians to continue their Intifada or uprising against Israeli troops, calling on them to tell their enemies to"stop abusing the Arab nation."http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010717/wl/iraq_saddam_dc_1.html

EU Wants Third Party to Monitor Mitchell Plan

JULY 17, 2001 - EU wanted third party to monitor Mitchell European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussles yesterday toughened their stand and demanded that Israel recognize PA Chairman Yasser Arafat as its sole partner in the peace process, and stop trying to damage his regime. Ignoring Israeli opposition, the EU ministers called for a third-party mechanism to oversee implementation of the Mitchell peace plan.

An EU diplomatic source said "Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to European capitals caused us to adopt a more blunt position. Sharon proved unable to convince [EU leaders] he wants peace. He was extreme and inflexible - all he wanted to do was to explain why Arafat and the Syrians can't be partners in the peace process." http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=14&datee=7/17/01&id=124489

Saddam Hussein Seeks Closere Ties with Russia

BAGHDAD, July 18 (AFP) - Iraqi President Saddam Hussein told a Russian envoy Wednesday that Baghdad wanted to increase economic cooperation between the countries, the official Iraqi news agency INA reported.
"Iraq wants to develop its commercial and economic cooperation with Russia so they reach the level of the political relations binding the two friendly countries," Saddam was quoted as telling visiting envoy Nikolai Kartuzov in a meeting in the Iraqi capital.

He added that his country "appreciated the Russian position for having blocked underhanded American projects" over the UN sanctions imposed on Iraq since August 1990, and received a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin's message to Saddam touched on the "the prospects for bilateral cooperation in all areas as well as Russia's position at the heart of the (UN) Security Council," according to INA.

At the start of the month, Moscow blocked a US-backed British "smart sanctions" proposal to scrap the civilian trade embargo on Iraq while tightening controls to prevent it from smuggling crude oil and illegal weapons. As a result, the UN Security Council decided to extend the oil-for-food deal by five months, which allows Baghdad to export a limited amount of oil to buy food and medical supplies. Putin on Wednesday condemned the "endless" UN sanctions against Iraq, but also urged Baghdad to accept the return of international arms inspectors, saying "the system of sanctions is not productive." Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov meeting the same day in Rome said they hoped to overcome their difference over Iraq in the Security Council. [Copyright 2001 by Agence France-Presse ]

U.S. Confronts Israel Over Incursions by Troops, Setters

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2001 The Bush administration has denounced Israeli incursions into Palestinian territories and plans to closely monitor movements by troops and settlers. The administration also told Israel of Washington's support for international observer during a meeting on Thursday between Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Melchior. U.S. officials said Armitage demanded that Israeli troops stay out of Palestinian areas.

"Israeli incursions into Palestinian areas must stop," State Department spokesman Phillip Reeker said. "There have been incursions." ..[ The full story: http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_3.html ]

Israel Accepts More CIA Supervisors

IMRA July 22, 2001 Israel Television Channel One diplomatic corespondent Karen Neubach reported this evening that Israel has agreed that an additional 10 "supervisors" from the CIA observe the situation between Israel and the PA. Neubach noted that it remains to be seen if the CIA "supervisors" will have only a "reporting" function or will also take on the function of "judging". [ IMRA- Independent Media Review & Analysis - http://www.imra.org.il]

The Imminence of War

Special Jerusalem Report - 22nd JULY 2001 - From every side I am receiving alerts of imminent war breaking out. David Dolan spoke here in Colorado at a local church this morning and said that war is imminent. A friend of mine in Jerusalem called me this morning and said it cannot possibly go more than a few days without war breaking out. And just now, this report from a Messianic believer in Israel... I hesitated to send it but I must. Read and pray...

"Over the past few months the Iraqis have twice brought their troops to the Syrian border, to assist in the liberation of “Palestine” or better said the destruction of Israel. They are in the process of training their special Jerusalem Army of 7 million so-called volunteers. It is now very common to see about as many pictures of Saddam Hussein as you do Yasser Arafat in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. In fact, the Palestinians are waiting for Saddam to save them or at least come to their rescue.

It has been reported over the past two days that Saddam may launch an attack against Israel at any time. It is also being reported that George W. Bush has called Sharon several times over the past two days to try and hold him back. Knowing that if Israel goes after the Palestinian infrastructure at this time it may be the motivation Saddam needs to launch the attack.

Saddam is making sounds of war over a pipeline the Saudi’s have destroyed or rerouted. He and his two sons are all making the loudest sound of war since the gulf war. At the same time Syria has pulled their troops out of Beirut and rearranged them in what looks like a posture for attack. In today’s Jerusalem Post we read that the IDF is on the highest alert on the northern border and it states plainly that preparations have been made to deal with the troops of Saddam Hussein.

Now the Hizbullah in southern Lebanon have the ball in their court, they know that they can kick everything off by a mortar and missile attack on the IDF and the Northern Israeli towns. It is also known that they have built up a very large arsenal just north of our border, "thanks to Ehud Barak". Knowing that the IDF will go after them very quickly and that would be all it takes to cause Saddam to react.

Israel has known as does many others that Saddam now has a nuclear bomb/s and the means to deliver. Dr. Khidhir Hamza who defected from Iraq in 1994, told the American Enterprise Institute, that there is little doubt that Saddam has the bomb and the way to deliver it. It is known that Iraq has at least 1.3 tons of low-enriched uranium and 12 tons of natural uranium, that more than likely he has or most likely has made at least 6 nuclear bombs. And has the means to deliver them to Israel or to any of his neighbors, thanks to China and Russia.

It could well be that Sharon, has a gun in his back, he knows that if he goes after the Palestinians the war begins. In fact, he has said as much, but didn’t and can’t explain such a thing on TV to the Israeli people. Many in the Knesset are demanding that he destroy Yasser Arafat’s Terrorist organization and that he does it now. Yasser Arafat’s men are killing Jews daily. What is even more troubling is Powell and Burns meet with this murderer as if he is a legitimate Statesman, only causing a prolonged finality to this horror.

It’s understandable that Washington does not want this war to happen. Simply because if it turns nuclear and it will, the whole world gets involved. Once again we are seeing what may be the beginning of a terrible event, prophesied in the Word of God. It may not happen the way a lot of so-called Prophets say it will, but then they are not really in control anyway. God is. And I would suggest that we all spend a little time talking to Him before it’s to late." Shalom, B. [ http://www.foryourglory.org ]

Israel Wants More from the US Before Making a Decision to Accept CIA Observers

JERUSALEM, July 23 (AFP) - Israel said Monday it wanted details from the United States before allowing more CIA agents on the ground to help oversee a truce with the Palestinians and prevent further bloodshed. But officials rejected a call from Group of Eight leaders at the weekend to accept full-fledged international observers, which the Palestinians say are needed to put an end to Israeli "aggression."

An unknown number of US intelligence agents are already in the region overseeing the June 13 ceasefire negotiated by CIA chief George Tenet, which has failed to put a stop to the violence that has left more than 650 dead since late September. But who they are, how they operate and to whom they report has not been disclosed. "Before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon makes a decision we have to discuss it in detail with the United States," a top Israeli official who asked not to be identified told AFP.

"There have been some contacts but so far Washington has not given us any concrete proposal," said the official, who again underlined that Israel will under no circumstances accept any other international observers. Israel believes an international force would in effect serve as a shield that would allow Palestinian militants to carry out anti-Israeli attacks...

The G8 Statement Said Both Sides Would Have to Accept any International Force

The Palestinians hailed the G8 initiative, saying it was "necessary to send observers as soon as possible to stop the spilling of Palestinian blood." .. "The entire world has now confirmed its concern as well as the need for international supervision," Abed Rabbo said. The minister met Sunday with US envoy David Satterfield and said monitors would be the first step toward implementing the internationally backed framework, known as the Mitchell plan, intended to get the two sides back on the road to peace. [Copyright 2001 by Agence France-Presse]

FM Peres Calls For Worldwide Information Campaign Against Suicide-Bombers

(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau) Jerusalem Monday, July 23, 2001 Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met today (Monday), 23.7.2001, at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, with an ADL delegation and called for a worldwide information campaign against suicide-bombers. Foreign Minister Peres noted that Islamic clerics are brainwashing young Palestinians and selling them the lie that they will go straight to Paradise if they commit suicide and murder Israelis. The Foreign Minister called on such clerics to stop dispatching young people to commit suicide, and commit suicide themselves instead. [ IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: www.imra.org.il ]

Strengthen Christian Presence in The Holy Land, Carey Pleads

Jerusalem (ENI). 31 July 2001 - The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, has made an impassioned plea for Christians to strengthen their presence in the Holy Land, warning that the Christian community here is at risk of becoming a vanishing minority. Dr Carey, the leader of the world-wide Anglican Communion, said he was "shocked and disturbed" at the violence and economic hardships in the region that are driving many Christians to flee the area.

Ba'al (Idol) Stamp Issued by Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian Authority has issued a large stamp, valid for international mail, featuring images of the Canaanite god Ba'al as an idol and a bull. In the Bible and in the Koran, Ba'al is an idol and a false god who is in opposition to the one and only true God. Ba'al has also been referred to as the devil (Satan) through the names Ba'ali'za'bub and Iba'lis. Thus, most Christians and Jews would consider this stamp offensive.

Jews, Christians and Moslems hold the Holy Land, where many of their holiest sites are located, to be very important to them, and many come here as religious pilgrims to visit their sites of worship. The fact that this stamp was issued by a government that controls parts of the Holy Land implies a lack of respect for both tourists and inhabitants of the land who hold deep religious beliefs. To see the stamp, go to www.jerusalemite.org or http://www.jerusalemite.com [Source: http://www.bridgesforpeace.com ]

Arafat's Bodyguard Arrested; Admits Involvement in Deadly Terrorist Attacks

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office Press and Information Division) Jerusalem Sunday, July 22, 2001 "..In recent months, while he was serving as one of Arafat's bodyguards, Enis joined a Tanzim group led by Marwan Zaloum. Since the events of last October, this group has carried out many attacks in Hebron involving shooting and the use of bombs activated by cellular phones.

During his interrogation, Enis furnished information on his activities, as well as those of his comrades. Enis has admitted - inter alia - to participating in the 9.7.2001 shooting attack near Adorayim in which Maj. Shai Cohen was killed; Enis has provided the names of others who were involved in the attack. Moreover, Enis admitted having links to the activities of Salam Daraouwi and IbrahimVehaadna, two Tanzim activists who were killed in Beit Tzafafa on 16.7.2001, on their way to perpetrate an attack in Jerusalem...
[ Source: IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis -www.imra.org.il]

Sharon to Powell: Targeted killings will continue

JERUSALEM POST -JERUSALEM (August 2) - Israel will continue its policy of targeting Palestinian terrorists, despite the strong American criticism of Tuesday's helicopter attack on Hamas's Nablus headquarters, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday.

Sharon spoke with Powell and other world leaders to explain Israel's position that it is necessary to target terrorists before they commit attacks in order to save lives and prevent a massive terrorist outrage that would escalate the conflict.

"Israel reserves the right to defend its citizens, just like the US, " Sharon told Powell, explaining that Israel's policy would be unnecessary if Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat would arrest wanted terrorists.•

Settlers: Bring PA to verge of collapse

JERUSALEM POST - JERUSALEM (August 2) - Settler leaders yesterday called on the government to adopt harsher measures against terror and, if necessary, bring the Palestinian Authority to the brink of collapse so it to realizes that terror does not pay.

Benny Kashriel, chairman of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, said that ordering the army to carry out retaliatory action, dubbed by the government "active defense," is not enough.

"Instead of responding tit for tat, the government must launch a widespread and thorough operation against the entire Palestinian terrorist structure, destroy its weapons depots, factories, and storehouses, its military and training bases, and bring the PA to the verge of collapse. Only then will it realize that allowing terrorists to operate against Israeli targets is no longer worthwhile," he said.

The security cabinet met for more than five hours yesterday and decided, based on lengthy briefings from security officials, that it is necessary to continue the policy despite international opposition. However, it decided to reassess the policy on Sunday, depending on whether the terror increases...

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying that the PA is responsible for acts of terror against Israeli citizens, and for not taking preventive action to thwart additional terrorism. Since the Tenet understandings of June 13, there have been some 850 Palestinian terrorist attacks resulting in 94 Israeli casualties, 17 of them fatalities.

The State Department on Tuesday described the Israeli attack, which killed eight, including three wanted Hamas terrorists, as "highly provocative" and "excessive" and described targeted killings as"reprehensible." Yesterday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher insisted again that the US believes "the policy of targeted killings is wrong. We don't believe it should exist at all."

Calling the US condemnation of Israel's strike against Hamas "unwarranted," Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, accused the US government of viewing Tuesday's strike "in a vacuum" and said that "the onus continues to be on the Palestinian Authority to stop the violence." Israel's attack on the Hamas office in Nablus "follows numerous violent attacks against the Israeli people over past days, as well as far too many foiled terrorist attacks in cities across Israel," said Foxman.

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