 WHY FAST AND PRAY FOR ISRAELI BELIEVERS?
By Katy Sorsher Smith
 Tomorrow, February 10, 2010, hundreds of believers from all corners of the world will join us in a day of prayer and fasting - for the Israeli Messianic believers in general, and for those among them persecuted for their faith in particular.
If you, like many of our partners, are asking yourself how come in Israel, the Land of the Bible, Jews who became complete in their Jewishness by finally meeting their long-awaited Messiah in Yeshua are being persecuted, you have to WATCH this week's VIDEO.
As I wrote to one of our partners just this week, the ultra-Orthodox Jews - known in Israel as Haredim - have as their ultimate authority not the pure Word of God, the Tenach [the Old Covenant], but books upon books upon books of commentaries and expansions on that pure Word of God written by Rabbis throughout history (like the Talmud and Halacha). Rabbinical authority is not questioned and their claims are certainly not verified through God's Word. It is simply accepted as law for all purposes of life.
Thus, for centuries, even in Yeshua's time, these ultra-Orthodox communities, enticed by their leaders, persecuted those who dared to question their beliefs, traditions, customs and laws. They persecuted Yeshua Himself until they saw Him die on the cross, not understanding the Scriptural promises given by God centuries before Yeshua's birth.
But instead of being smitten with anger, bitterness and frustration, we, the Messianic believers, choose to believe Paul, who in his letter to the Romans explained that it is because the ultra-Orthodox esteemed their traditions more than God, they were blinded in part (to the revelation of who the Messiah really was) - so that the mercy of God would be revealed to the Gentiles - to everyone who will hear. [For a more in-depth description from Paul read Romans, Chapters 9 through 12.]
We believe that because, like Paul, these ultra-Orthodox who persecute believers in any way they can - legally and illegally - have a zeal for God, it's just a matter of time until they, too have a Damascus Road experience and accept Messiah Yeshua as their own! And when this happens, the only way Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote, "...How much more their [Jews'] acceptance [of Messiah Yeshua] be, but LIFE FROM THE DEAD [for the entire world]."
So as we fast and pray - we will lift up the believers in the land, asking the Lord's protection for them; we will plea for mercy and justice for those persecuted (several court cases will be heard this year about the bombing in the Ortiz home in 2008, the riots of the ultra-Orthodox in a congregation in Beersheva, Pnina's case about her Kosher certificate); we will pray for protection of the next generation of believers in Israel; and we will most definitely be on our faces before the Lord for our brothers and sisters who are blinded "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."
If you would like to join us in prayer and fasting tomorrow and you haven't contacted us yet, please email us so that we would be encouraged by knowing you're standing with us - until all Israel is saved...
NETANYAHU CALLS FOR SANCTIONS ON IRAN NOW
 In the wake of an Iranian announcement that it began enriching uranium to a higher level over the vociferous objections of the US and its allies, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday urged European Union ambassadors to help promote immediate, "crippling sanctions" against Teheran.
"In the last two days the brutal regime in Teheran has made more outrageous statements, including the implicit call for the extermination of my country," he told the envoys at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. "Israel expects all responsible governments, including all those represented here, to forcefully condemn these outrageous statements."
"But I think what is required is a lot more than words," the prime minister continued. "Iran is racing forward to produce nuclear weapons in brazen defiance of the international community. And the international community must decide if it is serious about neutralizing this threat to Israel, the region and the entire world. I believe that what is required right now is tough action from the international community."
"This means not moderate sanctions or watered down sanctions, this means crippling sanctions, and these sanctions must be applied right now," Netanyahu stressed. (Extracted from JPost, 2/9/10)
HAMAS SEES NO PEACE PROSPECTS
 The leader of Hamas said Monday he sees "no prospects" for a Mideast peace settlement, a stand that could reduce Russia's chances of holding a Middle East peace conference that includes the Palestinian militant group.
Khaled Mashaal said that Israeli leaders bring "war and occupation, thus blocking meaningful negotiations regarding the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon.
"In the nearest future we see no prospects of peace settlement in the region, in Syria and Lebanon," Mashaal said.
He spoke after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and his statement leaves in doubt Moscow's repeatedly stated hope of hosting a Mideast peace conference and to involve Hamas, despite strong opposition from Israel and the US.
Mashaal, however, praised Moscow's position to promote his group's stance in relations with Israel. "It's enough that Moscow tells the world that Hamas is a movement of freedom fighters, not a terrorist group," he told journalists.
Addressing the negotiations for the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, Mashaal said they are at a stalemate because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thwarted the efforts of the German mediator. Mashaal stressed that Hamas would not release Shalit unless Israel meets its demands. Israel has agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, but has so far refused to free a few prominent prisoners without a guarantee that they would be deported to Gaza or abroad. (Extracted from Ynet News, 2/8/10)
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