News Briefs 2007
No Room in Bethlehem *12/29/07*
Three Israelis were arrested in Bethlehem because they were found inside Palestinian territory. An 19-year-old Israeli soldier, a 37-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested at the Church of the Nativity by Palestinian police. The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) Military Police took custody of the soldier, while the two civilians were interrogated by civilian police.
Bethlehem is now part of the West Bank, a Palestinian territory. Although the three Israelis were in Bethlehem as tourists, they were there illegally because they were Israelis.
No Peace in Bethlehem *12/26/07*
A battle broke out in the Church of the Nativity between Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests over territorial rights. The brawl, which injured seven people, started during the cleaning of the church. A ladder, belonging to the Greek Orthodox priests was allegedly found in an area controlled by the Armenian priests. A fight broke out between the priests, who reportedly used brooms, iron rods and their fists during the brawl. Unarmed Palestinian police were sent in to restore the peace. Two of the Palestinian policemen sustained injuries.
Different Christian sects are assigned responsibility in maintaining Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem's Old City.
One hundred years ago, another priest was on a ladder in the Jerusalem church, repairing a wall that was cracked by an earthquake. The priest, and his ladder, allegedly encroached on another sect's territory within the church. A similar fight ensued as priests came to blows. That ladder stands today as a reminder.
Israel and Syria Silent About Nuclear Weapons Raid *9/23/07*
Both Israel and Syria are remaining silent about the Israeli military strike that took place on September 6, amid growing media speculation that the raid destroyed a nuclear weapons cache in the Syrian town of Dayr az-Zawr. Reports surfacing from media sources around the world state that Israel brought US officials proof of North Korean nuclear material taken from Syria prior to the bombing of Dayr-az-Zawr. There are also reports that some North Koreans were killed in the air strike. Fueling the Syrian-North Korean connection is the reported trip that Syrian officials made to North Korea's capitol, Pyongyang, last week.
Ahmadinejad's Visit *9/23/07*
Sunday, September 23, 2007 will mark Ahmadinejad's scheduled visit to the United States. His visit to ground zero was cancelled amid protests by 911 family survivors. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to speak at the United Nations also amidst concern over Iran's refusal to abandon its ambitions to produce enriched uranium.
On Monday, Columbia University is scheduled to host Ahmadinejad in a question-and-answer session with students and faculty. Many politicians and some presidential candidates have called for the cancellation of the event.
The furor is over Iran's nuclear stance, Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust and he is considered a supporter of the Islamic militants and insurgents killing Americans in Iraq.
Columbia's president Lee Bollinger is supporting the universities invitation to Ahmadinejad despite strong opposition. It is unconscionable to give a public forum to such a person who has caused America so much pain.
A strong support of solidarity from the students could send a message to Ahmadinejad, the university, Lee Bollinger and other left wing fanatics by simply boycotting the event.
Muslims Prepare For The Mahdi In Karbala *8/26/07*
Shiite Muslims are journeying to Karbala, Iraq today to join the festivities honoring the birth of the 12th imam known as al-Mahdi. As many as 1 million Shiites are expected to be in the city to pay homage to al-Mahdi,who is known to Shiites as the Hidden Imam.
Believers from this Shiite sect of Islam believe that al_Mahdi was born in the 9th century, and was subsequently hidden from the world until the endtimes, when he'll be revealed and bring peace and justice to the earth. Adherents believe that al-Mahdi can not be revealed until the world goes through a period of massive destruction in preparation for the revelation of the Hidden Imam.
Security in Iraq has been tightened in anticipation of increased sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias during this week. Both Sunnis and Shiites consider each other heretics and violence between the two religious cults has historically increased during sectarian holidays.
Netanyahu Calls For Toppling Of Hamas Government *6/18/07*
Former Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for the downfall of the Hamas government in Gaza. "We cannot accept the existence of an Iranian entity on the outskirts of Beersheva and Tel Aviv," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu would like to see Israeli forces "encircle Gaza and bring about the downfall of the Hamas government, both economically and diplomatically."
While some in Israel see the Palestianian civil war as an opportunity for peace, Netanyahu sees it as a sign of the failure of the Israeli government both militarily and diplomatically. Netanyahu blames the crisis on "the result of diplomatic mistakes made by Israel's prime ministers over the past few years."
Specifically, he blames the failure of Israel's leaders and their policy of unilateral concessions and withdrawals. "Our hasty withdrawal from southern Lebanon turned it into Hizbulland, and our hasty exit from Gaza caused it to become Hamastan. If we leave Judea and Samaria, terrorism will increase; the IDF's presence there is preventing it from becoming Hamastan as well."
Patent Sought For "Cloning Synthetic Life" *6/10/07*
In today's news, June 10, 2007, is an article about synthetic cloning. Venter Institute has submitted a US Patent application claiming "exclusive ownership of a set of essential genes and a synthetic 'free-living organism that can grow and replicate' that is made using those genes."
They are attempting to create synthetic life that could produce "plastics, drugs, fuels and cheap energy and make either hydrogen or ethanol for industrial fuels.
Jim Thomas, and ETC spokesman called for the world's patent offices to reject the applications. He said: "These monopoly claims signal the start of a high-stakes commercial race to synthesise and privatise synthetic life forms. Will Venter's company become the 'Microbesoft' of synthetic biology?"
Another vocal critic and colleague Pat Mooney expressed deep concern, "For the first time, God has competition. Venter and his colleagues have breached a societal boundary, and the public hasn't even had a chance to debate the far-reaching social, ethical and environmental implications of synthetic life."
This is mans attempt to create "synthetic life". If these synthetic organisms got out of the lab and reproduced in the wild, there could be world wide chaos of Biblical proportions.
IAEA chief ElBaradei Warns of "Major Confrontation" With Iran *5/29/07*
Dr. Mohammad ElBaradei, the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has warned that his agency is losing its ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program. "We are moving toward Iran building capacity and knowledge without the agency (IAEA) in a position to verify the nature or scope of that program. If we continue in that direction we will end up with a major confrontation."
ElBaradei is posturing the IAEA as the solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, a solution that calls for an increased IAEA monitoring presence Iran in exchange for a nuclear Iran with limited capabilities. "I believe that demand (for enrichment suspension) has been superseded by events," El Baradei has stated. El Baradei's stance puts him directly at odds with the UN Security Council, which has imposed sanctions.
The United States, Great Britain, Germany and France are pushing for stronger UN Security Council sanctions as a response to the expiration of another UN deadline for Iran to halt uranium enrichment. The United States has also sent more warships into the Persian Gulf this past week ahead of a meeting in Baghdad of the U.S. and Iranian ambassadors.
In response, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated, "The enemies want us to surrender so that Iran won't have anything to say in the world," he said Thursday. "With the backing of the Iranian nation, we are not afraid of the enemies' ... psychological warfare, and with God's help, we have come to our ultimate goals."
Nation of Islam Holds Savior Day 2007 *1/20/07*
The Nation of Islam is gathering for Savior's Day 2007 in Detroit, Michigan this February. Detroit's Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has stated that, "We [the City of Detroit] are happy to do business both economically and spiritually with the Nation of Islam and look forward to the Nation of Islam coming home." The Nation of Islam was founded in Detroit in 1934. The keynote speaker for Savior's Day 2007 is Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan has also found favor with the politicians of Detroit. In August of 2005 Farrakhan was given the Key to the City of Detroit by Mayor Kilpatrick who reported that he felt "spiritually filled" after hearing Farrakhan's address to the City Council.
Behind the conference is the idea of reconciling Christian and Muslim believers by their faith in one God. However, reconciliation of the two faiths requires that Christians reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, and convert to Islam. Muslims believe that Jesus Christ was a prophet, and not the Son of God. As Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan, the keynote speaker, has stated "Christ said God is a spirit and them that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Christ never told his disciples worship him, but only to follow him. There is a big difference. If you follow him (Christ), you will worship Allah (God). If you follow Christ, you'll be one with Him and one with his Father." Farrakhan's keynote address is titled "One Nation Under God: The Confusion, The Guidance, The Warning."
It is interesting to note that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has also called on President Bush and the American people to Islamic monotheism in his open letters of 2006.
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