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4 high-tech devices saving lives and defending Israel todayBy: C4i

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One of the most pressing concerns for the IDF is how to secure the safety and lives of their soldiers while also effectively defending Israel from terrorist actions. The answer? Technology that takes more humans out of the line of fire while also providing better information and intelligence to soldiers behind the lines! The following are just a few of the technical innovations saving lives in Israel right now. 

1. The Iron Dome Rocket Defence System

One of the most insidious, and persistent methods Hezbollah has used to attack the people of Israel over the decades has been with rocket attacks. Simple high-explosive munitions casually launched towards Israeli neighbourhoods with no concern of where they land or who they target. Soldier? Military base? Child? School? All the same to the people launching the weapon. And what can be done about it? Once a missile is launched, you can only duck in cover and pray, right?

Not anymore. The Iron Dome system, originally deployed in 2011, has represented a sea change in the IDF's ability to protect the people of Israel. This high-tech missile response system detects hostile launches, locks-on to incoming munitions, and fires a highly accurate, lighting fast missile of it's own to intercept the rocket and detonate it mid-air before it can cause any harm. While missile interdiction systems are not a new idea, the Iron Dome is the first truly successful program of its kind to see practical application. 

2. The Trophy Active Tank Defence System

While the Iron Dome defends the country of Isreal, think of the Trophy as its little brother, defending the lives of servicemen in active duty. Much like the Iron Dome, the Trophy is an active rocket interception system, but designed to be mounted on, and defend, armoured vehicles. 

How does it work? The Trophy has a 360 degree scanning view that constantly monitors for high-speed, high-heat projectiles approaching in the direction of the vehicle. When one is detected, the system plots the rockets trajectory and launches a canister of ball bearings in it's path. Think of it like shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun, only MUCH faster. 

Anti-tank weapons rely upon making contact with a vehicle's armour and punching through with a directed explosion. By detonating the warhead a few feet away from the tank, the explosive force is misdirected and lacks the punch to barely scrape the paint let alone penetrate the armour. Clever stuff. 

3. The EyeBall Bot

Sometimes, you need to know what's going on inside a building or over a wall. But, sticking your neck out and taking a peek isn't always the best idea, especially when there could be hostiles with weapons just waiting to take a shot at you! Enter the EyeBall Bot, a portable surveillance device the size of a softball.

The EyeBall Bot is exactly what it sounds like, a miniature camera (and listening) device that can be tossed into a room or problem spot to provide a 360 view of what's going on. The video, both regular and night-vision capable, is wirelessly transferred to a tablet so soldiers can know exactly what's waiting for them behind a door or corner. It's a sci-fi solution for a situation IDF soldiers find themselves in everyday. 

4. The Elbit Skylark

Drones are the big thing in defence right now. Hovering high and silent over a battlefield without endangering a pilot, drones have redefined modern conflict over the past decade. However, most drones are still surprisingly big and bulky, more like a small plane than the high-tech gizmo you might imagine.

The Elbit Skylark is the exception. About as large as one of those premium styrofoam model kits you might have played with as a child, the Skylark  is designed to be carried by a single person and can be deployed in mere minutes. While it carries no weapons to speak of, the function the Skylark provides is far more essential than just another gun – it provides instantaneous, live video-feed from a sky high perspective wherever and whenever it's needed with three-hours of flight time. This is the kind of rapid information gathering technology that helps the IDF distinguish between Hezbollah fighters setting up a rocket attack, and a couple of kids playing too close to the boarder. In it's way, the Skylark is saving lives and ensuring that force is only used in situations where it is appropriate. 
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TRUMP ENVOY, USA AMBASSADOR TO UN TO VISIT ISRAEL: By: Colin Wingfield

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USA President Donald Trump may have left Israel, but his special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt will be returning to the region on Thurs. 25 May 2017 in an attempt to promote Trump's peace policies. The USA ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley will also be paying a three-day visit to Israel at the beginning of June 2017 with her Israeli counterpart Danny Danon. Haley, who has championed Israel's cause from her first day at the UN, will meet with President Rivlin and the Prime Minister and will take a helicopter trip over Israel. She will also visit the Old City, the Western Wall and Yad Vashem. She is also expected to visit the Palestinian Authority. (Arutz-7) [Comment]

SAUDIS REJOICE OVER ‘DEATH’ OF OBAMA’S POLICIES: By: Colin Wingfield

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Israel was not the only country in the Middle East happy to see Barack Obama out of the White House. President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia last weekend served as a very public slap in the face of his predecessor. And it was the Saudis, not Trump, who delivered the blow. Saudi newspapers Okaz and Al-Madina noted that there was a lot of frustration with Obama's defeatist policies regarding Iran, and that Saudi Arabia sees Trump as heralding a new era of strength in the face of such enemies. Al-Sharq al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned newspaper published in London, went a step further, publishing a caricature of a wreath being laid at a tombstone reading "Obama's Policies." In the days leading up to his trip, a number of regional officials, like the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, said that Trump understands the Middle East far better than Obama could ever hope to. (Israel Today) [Comment]

1,800 MEDALS AWARDED TO SIX DAY WAR VETERANS: By: Colin Wingfield

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Jerusalem Day began Tues. evening, 23 May, 2017 with the official ceremony marked at the Western Wall, attended by officials that included President Reuven Rivlin, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin. Rivlin called Jerusalem the "heart of the State of Israel” and described the Western Wall as the heart of the city. "We gave our all for Jerusalem because we knew that on Jerusalem we must insist,” Rivlin said. "We will always insist on Jerusalem. There never has been, there never will be any other reality. Here, in these stones, beats the heart of the Jewish people. Jerusalem is the heart of the State of Israel and the Kotel is the heart of Jerusalem.”

Rivlin said he clearly remembered the moment he heard confirmation of the liberation of Jerusalem’s Old City while serving as a reserve intelligence officer in the Jerusalem Brigade. "When I heard over the two-way radio the voices of my fellow soldiers, we could hardly believe it: ‘The Temple Mount is in our hands!’ I can never forget this,” the president said. "We all felt the history – and the future – of Israel, of the Jewish people, rested on our shoulders. And with that, a great joy filled us all, across the city, across the world. We had returned home – to Jerusalem, to Yerushalayim.” A ceremony was held earlier in the day at Ammunition Hill to honor the soldiers who fought in the battles for Jerusalem. During the ceremony medals were awarded to some 1,800 commanders and veterans of the Six Day War, as well as to the families who lost loved ones to the war. More than 180 Israeli soldiers fell along the Jerusalem front over the course of three days of fighting against Jordanian troops, in what was considered one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles of the war. (J.Post) "Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her,” Joel 3:17 [Comment]

NETANYAHU LAUDS TRUMP FOR ‘REASSERTION OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE EAST’: By: Colin Wingfield

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 After their meeting in Jerusalem on Mon. 22 May 2017, Israeli PM Netanyahu thanked USA President Donald Trump for his "reassertion of American leadership in the Middle East.” Netanyahu said in remarks before the two leaders, joined by their wives, sat down for dinner, "I look forward to working closely with you to confront the dangers we face together in this violent and volatile Middle East. I believe that together we can roll back Iran’s march of aggression and terror in this region and we can thwart Iran’s unbridled ambition to become a nuclear weapons state.” Furthermore, Netanyahu praised Trump for his deep commitment to Israel’s security, its well-being and its future. "I have no doubt that as we work together, the alliance between our countries will grow ever stronger,” he said. Trump responded, "We have so many opportunities in front of us. But we must seize them together. We must take advantage of the situation and there are many, many things that can happen that would never have been able to happen before.” Regarding a potential Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Trump stated, "I have a feeling we’re going to get there eventually, I hope.” (Algemeiner) [Comment]

TRUMP ADMIN. DECLARES JERUSALEM PART OF ISRAEL IN MAJOR POLICY SHIFT: By: Colin Wingfield

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The Trump administration declared this week, the President is in "Jerusalem, Israel," for a series of meetings with Israeli officials, a proclamation that breaks with years of American policy refraining from stating that the city of Jerusalem is part of Israel. Senior Trump administration officials had ignited a wave of controversy over the past several weeks when discussing Jerusalem, with some top officials refusing to say that the ancient city is part of Israel. Decades of USA policy has refrained from formally labeling Jerusalem as part of Israel due to concerns this could negatively impact the Middle East peace process, in which Palestinian leaders have staked a claim to the city as their future capital. Ahead of a joint press conference with Israeli PM Netanyahu, the White House, on its official website, provided a live stream of the event. Prior to its start, the White House included a frame stating, "President Trump gives remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu." The location provided was "Jerusalem, Israel." The statement appears to be part of an effort to normalize this language, which is widely backed by USA lawmakers and senior officials in the administration, sources said. (Wash. Free Beacon) [Comment]

NETANYAHU ON JERUSALEM DAY: “WE DIDN’T OCCUPY, WE LIBERATED”: By: Colin Wingfield

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Speaking at celebrations on Sunday 21 May 2017, marking 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem, PM Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Fifty years ago, we didn't occupy, we liberated. By the heroism of our warriors and the love of our people, Jerusalem was liberated. Jerusalem was and always will be the capital of Israel. The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty." The event included an audiovisual show projected on the walls of the Old City and the Tower of David. (Ha'aretz) "I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the Lord your God.” Amos 9:15 [Comment]

JERUSALEM’S CELEBRATES 50th YEAR OF REUNIFICATION:By: Colin Wingfield

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 Jerusalem Day is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in the aftermath of the June 1967 Six-Day War. On Wed. 24 May 2017, Israel will celebrate 50 years of Jerusalem's reunification. During the week of 21 May to 25 May 2017, the Jerusalem Municipality is offering a wide variety of attractions and shows for the benefit of residents and visitors. The event "Jerusalem Celebrates 50", which includes a breathtaking audio-visual display shown on the Old City walls and a variety of performances, will take place across the city. Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat said, "50 years have passed since Jerusalem has been united, and this year we will celebrate this with a wide variety of events, allowing more and more people to connect with Jerusalem and take part in the festivities. I invite all the residents and visitors to come join the celebrations in honor of the reunification of our nation’s capital." (Janglo) "Rejoice with those who rejoice,” Rom. 12:15 [Comment]

Jaffa, the old cityBy: C4i

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If Tel Aviv has become a city of the future in the past few decades, featuring a skyline of lights and office blocks of tech companies, Jaffa is the city of the past. A small, thriving old city that has managed to retain its own unique style and charm in the face of rapidly encroaching modernity. 

Walking the streets of Jaffa is like stepping into another world. An exclusive mix of Jewish, European, and Arab sensibilities not found anywhere else on the planet. Smell the air, breathe in the scents of hot spices and traditional cooking. Listen to the people, hear conversations taking place across three different languages. Look at the walls, decorated by artists, lonely travellers, and dreamers. Layer after layer of history on every surface, a different view into the past around every corner. That is Jaffa, the old city -  a must-see location anyone travelling to the Holy land should make time to see for themselves.

The salt of the sea

The history of Jaffa is long, and the city remembers. The first seaport in the world was located on its beaches. The so-called "Bride of Sea,” Jaffa was a bustling shipping and trading spot. An essential stop for any sailor or merchant on their way to Jerusalem. The city still has that feel, the unique heartbeat of trade, and laughter, and cultures mixing together and creating something new and original.

The glory days of Jaffa's had faded over time. For years her famous Old Port had fallen into a state of decline. It became a place known more for vagabonds and dubious sailors than its history and culture. Thankfully, the city has recently reclaimed these ports. Renovation and re-investments in the area have brought new business to the Old Port, a collection of warehouses, unique one-of-a-kind shops, dotted with cozy cafes and trendy bookstores. The nightlife is back, with clubs and hip hang out spots trendy with Israel’s more adventurous youths. 

Maybe this smells like gentrification to you. A thoughtless bulldozing of the past to make way for crass commercialism. In other places, maybe this would be the case, but not Jaffa. While the Old Port has been revitalized, it is still a seaport. While tourists shop and locals enjoy a fine meal, fishermen still ply their trade, casting nets, unloading supplies. It is a mix of the old and new in one concentrated spot.

A city of beauty

It's impossible to walk the streets of Jaffa without noticing how beautiful and storied every building seems to be. Jaffa is a city with a history of art, an appreciation for the beauty of life and the imagination.  Many years ago there was a municipal effort to attract artists, painters and sculptors were awarded with small studios and modest grants. Since then, the momentum has just kept going, the city's reputation as a destination for artists attracting generation after generation of would-be Picassos.

This makes Jaffa a great place to visit when you want a truly unique souvenir of your time in Israel. The streets are lined with carts offering everything from tiny homemade ceramics, to murals, to jewellery and richly dyed clothing, and more exotic options than that. Stop in on some of the small galleries and shows tucked away in Jaffa's side streets and bustling neighbourhoods, discover something unique that nobody else has seen on your trip!

The Old City is also an architectural treat. Built and rebuilt over the centuries, the site of countless historic moments, battles, and triumphs, the city has been shaped by history. Steeples from Churches pop out above closely packed neighbourhoods. The arched domes of the older buildings give the skyline texture and character. You can find stairs that lead underground to shops, temples, and restaurants – who knows what is around the next corner?

Step into history 

Any trip to Israel is an exercise in trying to do everything at once. There are so many precious sites and important spots to visit that it can be difficult to work anything else into your schedule. But, make time for Jaffa. Even a short trip just to see it for yourself is worth it. Come and see the culture of the Holy Land up close and personal and carry a part of it back with you in your heart. 


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Reach out to your neighborsBy: C4i

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A few years ago it occurred to me that I didn't know the name of a single one of my neighbors.

They weren't bad people, we weren't locking horns over noise complaints, or un-raked leaves. Everything was perfectly cordial. We'd exchange friendly nods if we happened to be getting in or out of our cars at the same time. Sometimes, there would even be a wave.

All the same, I only knew the people who lived near me by vague, lazy descriptions. "The lady with the hair” or "that guy who drives a jeep.” As someone who usually considers himself a fairly friendly person, I had to step back and wonder why that was. It's because our modern lives are designed to place partitions between us that those around us.

It's so easy to become isolated from your neighbors these days. To live next to someone for months or even years and not know a single thing about them. Thanks to urban sprawl and modern inventions like the sub-division, many of us are dedicated commuters these days. Don't walk down to the corner store, or meander about the sidewalks. We drive to work in the morning, we pull the car into the driveway at the end of the day. Everything in-between is just a blur of street signs and crosswalks, the other homes a collection of mysterious cyphers.

When we relax we do it inside, where the central air, TV, and computers are. Or we go out, destination hoping – a park several blocks away, the store, a mall. When we do hang out in our yards, its in the backyard with the barbeque, behind the fence. Or out front with the lawnmower – and it's difficult to hold a conversation with a roaring engine going.

This isn't a bad thing. Habits change from year to year and generation to generation. New technology changes how we live, and it is a little too easy to say it's always for the worse. Still, it's hard not to think that we're missing something in our daily lives now. That feeling of community, the friendly familiarity between neighbors who know each other. It doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel Christian.

I suppose that's because the Bible is filled with stories about communities and strangers reaching out to one another and becoming stronger for it. Jesus might have lived a traveling life for much of his adulthood, but that never stopped him from making connections with everyone he stayed with. He never settled for giving anyone a half-friendly nod, or pretended to be looking for his keys to avoid a conversation.

Jesus gave us an example of how to treat our neighbors. With kindness, love, and respect. He treated everyone with empathy and welcomed them with open arms. As Christians, we need to do the same.

When you don't know your neighbors, it's easy to always assume the worst. When the lawn is looking shaggy, you can just assume they're lazy, or take their home for granted. When they're dog is always barking, you can write it off as a poorly trained annoying little mutt.

But when you know people, you build empathy and understanding. Maybe the lawn hasn't been mowed not because they're lazy, but because the husband was recently in an accident and doesn't have the mobility or strength to keep up with his usual lawn care regime. Sure, that loud dog two doors down might be an annoyance, but it might also be an aging empty nester's only friend.

Next time you see your neighbor in the driveway, take the time to say hello. Reach out to those around you and build the community you want to live in. 
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