24 Hour Prayer Chain - Prayer Points

FULL UPDATE TEXT

 
1.  Keeping on the Same Page
2.  Israel's Government Hit from Within and Without on New Housing
3.  Thousands of Tons of Aid Enter Gaza
4.  Abdullah Barghouti: I Will Keep Fighting Occupation
5.  Israel, Egypt May Unite on Solar Project
6.  Britain Honors Bravery of Saviors of Jews during Holocaust
7.  Israel Wants to Build Nuclear Power Station with Arab Neighbors
8.  Investment in Israeli Venture Capital Drops
9.  Salt Therapy Is Like a Breath of Fresh Air

US Vice-President Joe Biden, who arrived in Israel on January 8, had a meeting with President Shimon Peres on January 9. The visit by Biden is particularly significant because he is the highest placed United States official to come to Israel since President Obama was elected.

There is no doubt that the reason for the visit is in part to encourage Israel not to go it alone in trying to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon. Biden is also making clear that the US administration does not want Israel to risk any military action against Iran while the United States is seeking a wide coalition for sanctions on Tehran.

Another important reason is to push what is being described as "proximity talks" between Israel and the Palestinians. There is still a vagueness that pervades Israel-American relations often papered over by diplomatic euphemistic phrases, such as the two countries "are keeping on the same page." 

However Vice-President Biden was keen to stress the depth of friendship between America and Israel, while at the same time stressing that the US will not allow Israel to be threatened by any rouge state. In President Peres, the US vice-president could find a real soul mate, as he knows that Peres holds very dovish views and speaks the language of reconciliation, even if the Palestinians do not respond in kind. 

"Israel captured my heart; I make no bones about it," said Joe Biden. "I know that does not mean I do not understand and have great empathy for the circumstance of the Palestinians, but Israel captured my heart and my imagination. I have had the great privilege of not only knowing you [Peres], but knowing every prime minister and president since the days of Golda Meir." 

The vice-president concluded his visit to the Israeli president by saying, "I know you understand it about me, and I know you understand it about President Obama. There is absolutely no space between the United States and Israel in terms of Israel's security and our mutual security. None. None at all."

Later in the morning, the vice president held a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking after the meeting between the two men, the vice-president said, "Our ties have been strengthened by our deep cooperation in many fields, including science and economic development and a range of other policy areas as well, but the cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute total unvarnished commitment to Israel's security…

"We're determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and we're working with many countries around the world to convince Teheran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist.  Iran must also curb its other destabilizing actions in the region, well beyond their desire to acquire nuclear weapons, and that is their continued support for terrorist groups that threaten Israel and, I might add, our interest as well."
 
Joe Biden was to meet later with Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

(Excerpts of an article by Edgar Asher, Isranet, March 9, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Pray that the United States will be true to Biden's word of commitment to Israel's security and not push Israel to do anything that would compromise the safety of their people.

Scripture
"And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God" (Ezekiel 28:26).

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Criticism from Israel's political opposition echoed an onslaught of international censure following the announcement that the Netanyahu administration has approved 1,600 new apartments for a Jerusalem neighborhood located on land acquired in the 1967 war.

Such land is claimed by the Palestinians for a future state and is one of the most contentious issues preventing progress in the ongoing peace process. The Interior Ministry's announcement on Tuesday [March 9] that the approvals for new apartments have been given touched off a wave of protest. Domestically, opposition politicians called it "political stupidity."

International disparagement came from visiting American Vice President Joe Biden and from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud 'Abbas called it a "provocation."

Although Prime Minister Netanyahu declared a self-imposed 10-month ban on building in post-1967 communities, like other prime ministers before him, he specifically excluded building within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem-a caveat rejected by both the Palestinians and by Washington.

Regarding the new situation, some Israeli media suggest that Netanyahu was blind-sided by his own cabinet, the announcement coming from the interior minister allegedly without respecting the prime minister's request to be informed of such decisions before they are made public.
 
(By The Media Line, March 11, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Pray that new growth for Israel's capital, Jerusalem, will not be impeded.

Scripture
"And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4).

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Almost 14,000 tons of humanitarian aid was transferred to the Gaza Strip via Israel's crossings during last week alone, as Israel continues to open their border with blockaded Gaza for humanitarian reasons, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces.

In addition to allowing key items in, Israel is also allowing some items out, presumably to help the Gaza economy: eight truckloads of carnation flowers were sent from Gaza to Europe. Almost 200 medical patients and accompanying individuals were also let into Israel and the West Bank region [Judea and Samaria] from Gaza for medical treatment reasons.

Fuel, a key commodity for the Gaza Strip, was also allowed in, to the tune of 1.3 million liters [3.4 million gallons] of diesel fuel and 832 tons of cooking gas. Among the humanitarian products that crossed into Gaza included flour, meat, fish, agricultural produce, animal feed, hygiene products, and medical supplies.

Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza, which in the past has smuggled in weapons for use against Israel. Hamas also still holds kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, March 9, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Praise God that Israel continues to bless their enemies and allows others to bless them. Pray that all the goods will be delivered to those who need them and not be confiscated by the corrupt.

Scripture
"For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail…" (Psalm 9:18-19a).

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Abdullah Iyad Barghouti-who has been mentioned as one of the Hamas officials currently jailed in Israel that the organization demands in return for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit-does not believe he will be freed in the near future and blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for sabotaging the deal.

 "There is no way the deal will be executed soon. Netanyahu does not want to execute the deal. He is busy with many other things," Barghouti said Sunday afternoon [March 7] at a hearing on the conditions of his imprisonment at the Nazareth District Court. The hearing addressed whether or not Barghouti should remain in confinement.
 
After he told the court that there is "no way" he believes in the Israeli court system, he responded to questions by reporters-in fluent Hebrew. He stated that if he were to be released, he would continue to "fight the occupation." When asked if he was referring only to the occupation in Gaza or in other places, such as Nazareth, he said: "The occupation in all of Palestine."

Of the prisoner exchange deal, he said, "I was the third name in the deal, Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat were before me. Hagai Hadas signed, the German mediator signed, and Hamas signed. When it reached Netanyahu, he zigzagged and caved. He is more concerned with other things. For example, he is far more concerned with [political opponent party] Kadima."
 
In response to a question on the captive soldier's condition, he said, "As far as I know, he is 100% okay, he is normal, he eats, he drinks, he sleeps. We do not hurt our prisoners."

Barghouti-a relative of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti but a member of the rival Hamas organization-is considered the movement's "engineer." He was convicted of involvement in terror attacks that claimed many victims, including the suicide attacks in Café Moment and Sbarro in Jerusalem, the Sheffield Club in Rishon Lezion, and the bus 4 line in Tel Aviv. In total, Barghouti was responsible for the murder of 66 Israelis and the injury of some 500. In 2004, Barghouti was sentenced to 67 life sentences.

In the past two years, Barghouti's name has come up repeatedly as one of the "four officials" that Israel refuses to release and that make up the main obstacle standing before the completion of a prisoner swap. The list also includes Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, and Hamas member Ibrahim Hamed, who is considered head of the organization's military wing in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria].

According to other reports, the list of prisoners Israel refuses to release includes other members of Hamas' military wing such as Abbas a-Sayed, Jamal Abu al-Hija, Hassan Salameh, and a number of female terrorists.

(By Sharon Roffe -Ofir, Ynetnews, March 7, 2010)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3858938,00.html

Prayer Focus
Pray that those jailed with blood on their hands will not be released.

Scripture
"Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war, they sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps in under their lips" (Psalm 140:1-3).

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At the recent Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference, it was announced that Israel and Egypt may collaborate on a mega solar project. Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, revealed at the conference that during his recent visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he launched discussions with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak about the possibility of establishing a huge joint solar project in Egypt's Sinai Desert-a prime location for such a project with its clear skies, flat topography and high annual solar concentration.

According to Ben-Eliezer, the project would provide enough energy for both Israel and Egypt. "Egypt has the requisite space and Israel would contribute its technological know-how," says Ben-Eliezer, adding, "In our discussions with President Mubarak, he expressed much interest in the idea, and we will be working together with Egyptian government representatives to advance the idea."

Also at the conference, Mr. Salah Azzam-Director of the Bio-Fuels Division at the National Energy Research Center in Jordan-outlined his plans for the establishment of an Israeli-Jordanian bio-diesel plant by the end of 2010. The plant would be built along the border between Jordan and Israel and operated by representatives from both countries.

The Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference encourages discussion and debate of policies, technology, business and investment practices to lead to cost effective, practical solutions.

(By Israeli 21c, March 8, 2010)
http://www.israel21c.org/201003087771/briefs/israel-egypt-may-unite-on-solar-project

Prayer Focus
Praise God for this project. Pray that it will lay ground for a more solid peace between Egypt and Israel.

Scripture
"Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore" (Psalm 37:27).

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Prime Minister Gordon Brown has decorated Britons who saved Jews and others from the Nazi onslaught during World War II with the new "Hero of the Holocaust" medal. Brown had announced the creation of the award last year during a visit to the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz.

The medal bears the inscription "in the service of humanity" and, on the backside, recognizes that the recipient's "selfless actions preserved life in the face of persecution." Two surviving heroes, Sir Nicholas Winton, 100, and Denis Avey, 91, received their medals in person at the prime minister's official residence in 10 Downing Street, while another 25 Britons will be recognized posthumously.

Brown said all were "true British heroes and a source of national pride for all of us. They were shining beacons of hope in the midst of terrible evil because they were prepared to take a stand against prejudice, hatred, and intolerance. We pay tribute to them for the inspiration they provide now and for future generations to come."

Nicholas Winton organized the rescue of 669 mainly Jewish children by train from Prague in 1939. Denis Avey exchanged places with a Jewish inmate at Auschwitz while he was a prisoner of war, helping an inmate survive by sharing supplies.

The Holocaust Education Trust (HET), which had campaigned for the creation of such an award, welcomed the move. HET Chief Executive Karen Pollock said, "We are delighted that our initiative received widespread support and that the British government has given these brave people the recognition they have long deserved. They provide a template of courage for today's young people-and clearly highlight the difference that can be made by standing up against injustice, hatred and prejudice."

(Excerpts of an article by the World Jewish Congress, March 9, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Praise God for this recognition. Though too late for so many, pray that it will help bring healing for surviving family members and for nation of Israel.
 
Scripture
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

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Israel has presented a plan to jointly build a nuclear power plant in the Negev in cooperation with neighboring Arab states. The project was aimed at meeting the region's energy needs and promoting peace, Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau told a conference in Paris.
The reactor would be the first nuclear power station in Israel for civilian use and be built in the northern part of the Negev desert, Landau said. "Nuclear energy can be an area of regional cooperation with the objective of promoting peace," he told a forum on the civilian use of nuclear energy held in the French capital.

Israeli officials said the new plant would be a joint project between Israel and Jordan and that France would supervise and provide technology. "Naturally, any nuclear power plant to be built in Israel will be subject to all the international safeguards," Landau was quoted by AFP as saying. He added that any nuclear plants built in Israel would be subject to strict safety and security controls.

Israel is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has said it would not sign up for a Middle East nuclear-free zone that is being promoted by the United States and others. As an arid country with no possibilities for hydroelectric power generation and no natural oil reserves "Israel is an energy island" and "has to import all its energy resources in order to provide its energy needs," Landau told the conference.

[French] President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the 65-nation gathering in Paris on Monday [March 8] by offering French know-how to build nuclear reactors to be a safe and efficient source of clean energy all over the world. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mekdad told the delegates his country was looking at "alternative energy sources, including nuclear energy" to meet its growing energy needs.

"The peaceful application of nuclear energy should not be monopolized by the few that own this technology, but should be available to all," Mekdad said, but did not elaborate on specific plans.

(By World Jewish Congress, March 9, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Pray that this will be a shining example of what can be accomplished with nuclear energy for good, not just for the energy it produces, but for the relationships of the nations involved.

Scripture
"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).

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Israeli venture capital firms are finding it difficult to find investors for the country's high-tech sector, a recent report found. According to a report by the Israeli Venture Capital Research Center (IVCRC), 2009 was the third worst year in the last decade for the country's venture capital funds, as only US $228 million was raised compared to US $803 in 2008, a drop of 72%.

"Foreign institutional investors, who before the crisis had been the lead source of capital invested in Israeli funds, have suffered serious losses due to the credit crunch," said Koby Simana, CEO of IVCRC. "These losses have reduced capital available for investments."

Marianna Shapira, research manager with IVCRC, agreed, saying investment in high-tech had a knock-on effect for other industries and that the findings pointed to wider "current trends in venture capital in Israel."

The report predicted that US $500 million would be raised in 2010 by Israeli venture capital funds for investment in Israeli start-ups and high-tech companies. Shapira said that the predicted venture capital investments were based on "data received from some of the leading venture capital funds," but pointed out that, "It's our estimation and not what will be."

The drop in capital invested in Israeli venture capital funds was also reflected in other statistics from the IVCRC that noted 77 first investments were made in technology companies during 2009, compared to 119 investments in 2008.

The findings come on the backdrop of a general global decline. In the United States, venture capital funds suffered a 48% decrease in their fundraising figures in 2009, according to the report.

(Excerpts of an article by Adam Gonn, The Media Line, March 09, 2010)

Prayer Focus
Pray that God will raise up investors for new Israeli businesses and that He will bless those who bless Israel, as He has promised.

Scripture
"May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 115:14-15).

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After three years of unsuccessfully treating his five-year-old son's chronic ear infections with conventional medicine, Jonathan Kestenbaum, an immigrant to Israel from New York, started to explore alternative therapies.

"We were at a point where it was either tube surgery or antibiotics for an undetermined amount of time," explains Kestenbaum, 32, who lives with his wife and four kids in Jerusalem. He researched several alternatives before he stumbled upon salt therapy, a natural remedy for respiratory and sinus problems dating back to salt caves in Greece in the Middle Ages.

The therapy is based on the idea that inhaling microscopic particles of sodium chloride-rich rock salt, 0.5 to 0.3 microns in size, dries up and disinfects mucous membranes in the sinuses and lungs, easing expectoration and allowing the patient to breathe more easily.

After just six one-hour sessions at a salt room, Kestenbaum's son showed signs of improvement. By the time he completed the 14-session course, he was cured of his chronic ear infections, claims Kestenbaum. His first order of business was to scope out the Israeli market, learn from it, and then enter the US market-a move that is scheduled for the next 6 to 12 months.

In Israel, he found some 12 existing one-off salt rooms. Kestenbaum gathered them together and created a central body. He also opened the first Breathewell clinic in Jerusalem in February. It's the first and only salt room facility in the world with both Speleotherapy and Halotherapy rooms.

The former is a room constructed with large blocks of salt that naturally emit salt particles into the air; the latter, a more aggressive form of salt therapy, features salt-coated walls and a machine, called a "salt generator," that crushes the salt and blows the particles into the air.

The clinic has helped hundreds of people, from those with allergies, chronic ear or sinus infections, to sufferers of severe asthma, bronchitis, and even lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"We have asthma sufferers who have come in, in the throws of an asthma attack, and after 20 minutes in the therapy room, they are breathing steadily," he says. Each treatment runs about an hour, twice a week. The salt used for the treatments is imported from a mine in Ukraine. It has a much higher concentration of sodium chloride than Israel's local sea salt (90+% compared to 16%). It is ingested at a rate of about five milligrams per session.

Although salt therapy is popular in Russia and Eastern Europe, where there is a long history of using salt caves and mines for therapeutic purposes, and there are salt rooms in Canada, Australia and Asia, the US remains virtually salt therapy free. "Most people walk out and say, 'Wow, that worked!' We all know, you don't breathe, you don't live."

(Excerpts of an article by Jenny Hazan , Israel21c, February 21, 2010)
http://www.israel21c.org/201002217711/health/salt-therapy-is-like-a-breath-of-fresh-air

Prayer Focus
Praise God for His marvelous works and all the healing qualities imbedded in His creation. Pray that many who suffer will find healing in these salt rooms.

Scripture
"But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause-Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" (Job 5:8-9).

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Note: All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.