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Remembering the unthinkable: Yad VashemBy: C4i

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Israel is a land rich in history. From temples, to ruins, to scenic vistas, there are plenty of life affirming, breathtaking, and wondrous spectacles to behold. But, the history of the Jewish people is also one of struggle and opposition. One of resilience and faith in the face of despair.

Yad Vashem is where Israelis go to make sense of the senseless. To remember a chapter in history many would prefer to forget. It's where they go to face the memory of the Holocaust.

Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is a museum and a memorial of the Holocaust. Dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews, and millions of other "undesirables” who were murdered in a systematic act of genocide perpetrated by the Nazis. 

With exhibits including photographs of Jewish families from before, during and after the Holocaust, firsthand victims’ accounts, and artwork dedicated to the memory of the persecuted, Yad Vashem offers a vivid look into the absolute pitch-black evil of the Holocaust. It is one of the most moving and important museums in the world. While the subject matter may be grim, it is something you should see with your own eyes if you ever travel to Israel.

Of it's many noble goals, one of the most interesting is Yad Vashem's commitment to honoring non-Jews who risked their lives or liberty to assist the Jewish people during the Holocaust. The brave few who stepped forward during Germany's tyrannical and brutal oppression of the Jews to show compassion, humanity, and kindness to the persecuted.

The stakes involved in such actions cannot be overstated. In Eastern Europe, the punishment for sheltering a Jew was not just imprisonment or death. Instead, the Nazis would kill you and your entire family. The compassionate were made examples of in Hitler's brutal regime, grim warnings used to intimidate anyone who would dare to assist the Jews and stand up to the state. 

Yet even in the face of such perils, some made the supreme ethical and moral choice to shelter, hide, feed, and spirit away Jews caught under the heel of the Holocaust. This includes conscientious German citizens who helped individual Jews stay hidden from the Gestapo, to historic figures such as Irena Sendler, a Polish nun who saved 2,500 Jews during the Holocaust and was arrested and tortured by the Nazis for her actions. Or Père Marie-Benoît, a French priest who helped smuggle 4,000 Jews to safety at great personal risk. Members of the courageous Belgium Resistance who held up a convoy train bound for Auschwitz, directly saving the lives of 250 people held captive on those cattle cars, on their way to certain doom.

The names and stories of these heroes are commemorated in Yad Vashem's "Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations” a powerful exhibition of the strength of the human spirit in the face of evil. A concrete example of the power of individuals to stand up for what is right.

"And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial... an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 56:5)
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5 ways to help the homeless in your communityBy: C4i

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 As Christians, we all should feel the need to help the less fortunate among us. Unfortunately, as individuals, we often feel helpless to confront a societal ill as great and vast as homelessness and poverty.

While it's true that larger reforms and movements are necessary to make change on a national level, we're far from powerless in our own community. You can help those in your city in direct and simple ways that make a meaningful difference. 

Here are five simple ways you can help the homeless in your community.

Treat them like Jesus would

One of the great examples Jesus demonstrates again and again in the Bible is not just that he helped the unfortunate and downtrodden, but he did it with kindness and dignity. He always took the time to not just minister to their needs, but to talk with the poor, the shunned, and the outcast on a human level. We should strive to be like that when we interact with the homeless.

Extreme poverty is corrosive, it burns away at a person's sense of self-worth. Imagine having people walk over you all day, barely acknowledging you as anything but a bump in the sidewalk. Imagine the shame of having to shelter your family in the back of a failing station wagon, unsure of where you can park where you won't be hassled in the middle of the night. It is a hostile and isolating way to live. 

When that is your reality, a gentle smile or a kind greeting can mean the world. When you want to give your neighbour a "cold cup of water” to soothe them, start by soothing their spirit.

Donate socks 

Obviously donating clothing is always helpful for the homeless. Rounding up some old clothes and dropping them off at a shelter is never a bad thing. But, you might be surprised at what article of clothing is most in demand – socks.

Socks are the most needed but least donated piece of clothing in most homeless shelter. It makes sense. While we tend to out or under size things like shirts and slacks with as we diet (or not), or fall out of love with some fashions, most of us wear our socks into the ground. By the time we're done with them, socks are ready to be tossed out, not donated. 

And that's exactly why shelters need them in particular. Frostbite of the extremities is a real danger for many homeless, resulting in painful blisters, discoloration, and even the loss of toes in extreme situations. Imagine, to lose a part of your body for such a little thing, a simple piece of cloth to put over your feet. For the needy, a good pair of socks could make all the difference in the cold months. While giving an old sweater or jacket to a shelter is always a good thing, consider tossing in some gently used socks, or even going to a big box department store and picking up a bulk pack. It might be the most effective $15 of giving you make all year.

Making care packs out of totes and gift bags

Do you attend conferences or events as part of your job or as part of membership to an association or group? Then chances are, you have plenty of small knapsacks or tote bags kicking around. Over the past few years, it's become de rigueur to hand out logo-emblazoned, complimentary bags at many events. These bags tend to get tossed into closets and drawers as soon as you get home and stay there, dusty and forgotten. It's a nice gesture, but it often results in meaningless waste.

Why not put those bags to better use? Next time you receive a knapsack or tote you have no real intention of using, fill it with a few supplies and pass it on to someone in need. Even a bag with just basic supplies such as toothpaste, deodorant, socks, gloves, and some non-perishable snacks (think granola bars and nuts) can have a big impact for someone lacking these items. Adding in a note with contact info for local services and charities can also be a good idea. 

It doesn't cost much to fill a bag with some helpful necessities and it is a much better use of one than taking up space in a closet somewhere.


Help isn't limited to one season

While the homeless and vulnerable among us obviously need extra care during the cold winter months, don't forget about them during the more temperate seasons either. Hunger doesn't care whether it's hot or cold outside and the need for dignity and compassion never fades.

In the sweltering heat, a change of a clean t-shirt can be a welcome relief. Extra water during these hot months can make a big difference as well. A cheap umbrella or rain poncho during the rainy season can help a person stay dry, comfortable, and clean. And there are always small items the homeless need that they lack access to no matter the season. Small things like chap stick and hand lotion can measurably improve the life and comfort of the needy living under rough conditions.

Don't forget about your brothers and sisters just because the sun is up.  

Listen to their stories and share them 

One of the biggest reasons homelessness is allowed to fester in our communities is because we've been trained to ignore and marginalize the victims of homelessness. While you should always be careful and not place yourself at risk, there is an undue amount of fear and score directed at the unfortunate. Their are many ways a person can become homeless. It can be as simple as losing a job, or in the case of the working poor, keeping a job that isn't paying enough. It could be the result of a home fire or expensive medical care. Some struggle with addiction or mental illness. Regardless of the reason, they are still children of Christ who deserve your compassion.

Find out how people are reduced to their circumstances. Ask them. Share their stories with others to help reduce the misconceptions and stigmatization around homelessness. Be a voice for the voiceless. 
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Israeli mysteries: The helmet of the ancient warriorBy: C4i

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Israel is a land of history and stories, but not every Israeli tale originates from within its boarders. Such is the strange case of the "helmet of the ancient warrior,” a 2,600 year old helmet of mysterious origin found at the bottom of Haifa Bay. How did it get there, and who did it belong to? These are questions experts are still asking to this day.

A lucky fluke

You might think an important archeological find like this was the result of carefully planned and coordinated dig. A three-year plan to carefully excavate one of Israel’s lost temples, or an exploration into a newly discovered tunnel under Massada or something like that. You might think that, but you'd be wrong.

The discovery of the helm was a complete and total accident. A lucky fluke, like something out of a fantasy novel. A piece of shining armor resting at the bottom of a busy bay for thousands of years until it just so happened to be scooped up. The helmet was discovered during a 2007 commercial dredging operation. It didn't take the workers long to realize they stumbled on something special and they soon turned the helmet over to the Israel Antiquities Authority who immediately understood the significance of their discovery.

Glittering like sunken treasure

Covered in gold leaf, this bronze helmet is a masterwork of its day. Despite heavy corrosion (as one might expect from thousands of years underwater), the specialists of the Israel Antiquities Authority were able to clean it up and expose many fine details that might have been lost to time. 

While the helmet might seem simple to people used to the theatrical helms or Lord of the Rings or other fantasy shows, the ancient helm is quite ornate for its time in history. Most surviving helmets from the same era are simple, prioritizing safety above fashion. But, with a gilded gold exterior and intricate figures of snakes, peacocks, and roaring lions etched above the eyes and cheeks of the helm, its clear that this sunken treasure was more than just protection, it was a status symbol.


Who's was it and how did it end up in Hafia Bay?

The ostentatious design leads archeologist to believe it likely it belonged to a warrior of means and prestige. Possibly a wealthy mercenary or an officer of some importance. Whoever was wearing it, they were definitely more than a mere foot-soldier.

While it's unclear where the helmet was made, its design hints at one of the Greek colonies. Experts determined that the helm was created from a single sheet of bronze metal, heated and hammered and forged into shape as was common with Greek smithing. The front of the helmet is noticeably thicker than the back. Whether this is a simple quirk of its construction, or denotes a certain philosophical bent (better to face the enemy than run) is a matter of speculation.

As is the identity of its owner. How does a Greek made helmet end up in Israel exactly? At the time of the helmets construction, 600 B.C, Greek colonies spread throughout the Mediterranean, but they never reached into Israel. However, around this time Judah, Assyria, and Babylon were all engaged in conflict with Egypt. The pharaoh Necho II not only assaulted these lands with his own troops, he also rallied forces from all over to aid him in battle with the lure of coin and plunder. This leads experts to believe that the helm must have belonged to a mercenary under the employ of Egyptian forces.

But, how did it end up in the drink? Who can say. Maybe it was the result of a ferocious battle where the ancient warrior was thrown overboard. His body consumed by time and sea, a lone helmet the only remaining proof of his fall. Or, perhaps it was deliberately pitched into the water in frustration as Necho II's boats were forced to retreat following King Nebuchadnezzar's triumph. Or still, it could have simply been knocked overboard by accident, the glorious helmet of an elite warrior dropped into the water like a stone. We'll never know for sure!

It's a mystery that belongs to Israel now. You can view the helmet yourself and wonder at the National Maritime Museum in Haifa where it is now proudly displayed among other national treasures and artifacts.
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Former Israeli Air Force pilot invents device to save senior's hipsBy: C4i

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Every year, nearly 3 million seniors across the world are hospitalized by hip fractures. These poor seniors see their lives changed in a single, traumatic moment. Many go from active and independent to helpless and stationary in the blink of an eye. Through expensive surgery and invasive procedures, some may recover - but many never reclaim the mobility or freedom they once hand. For most of the afflicted, it is an injury that spells the end of happiness. The snap that precipitates a sudden decline in joy and quality of life.

This is exactly what happened to former Israeli Air Force pilot Amatisa Rannan's mother. Not once, but twice, his mother had to endure the pain of a fractured hip. While she recovered from her first break, the burden of a second injury was too much to bear and she slowly succumbed, spending her last days in a wheelchair. It was this pain that convinced Rannan that something had to be done.

An industrial engineer with a background in aviation, Rannan understood that prevention is always superior to repair. When you're in a jet skimming over the desert at mach one, you can't just pull over and pop the engine open if something doesn't seem right. You need to be prepared, equipped, and have your emergency devices ready to go before you need them, not after.

Hence the design behind the Hip-Hope, a wearable device designed to prevent the catastrophic hip injuries associated with a senior fall. 

At first glance, the Hip-Hope seems slightly comical. The belt, made of nylon and plastic, looks somewhere between Batman's utility belt and a fanny pack. A seat-belt that you wear while walking about. But, the technology behind what it does is nothing to giggle at. A high-tech multi-sensor detection system can tell when a person wearing it is on their way to the floor and deploy hip-saving airbags just before they hit the ground, reducing ground impact by 90%. 

It turns a near-certain calamity into a slightly goofy looking tumble. What's more, an automated smartphone app inside the device will send an alert message to pre-selected family members or neighbors, letting them know their loved one needs a hand.

Rannan isn't content to stop there either. Plans for future versions of the device include monitoring and predictive data analysis. Essentially, the device would monitor certain vital signs and health indicators like heart rate, sweat, walking speed, balance, and so on. When those signs start to show an increase in fall risk, the device will notify the wearer and family through the app, encouraging them to take a moment to sit or seek medical treatment.

This isn't just fantasy either. Medical professionals are taking notice of the Hip-Hope. It won the Innovation Award at the March 2015 MEDinISRAEL international conference, is being actively tested in Canada, and awaits approval under the FDA in the US and CE in Europe.

Anyone with a family member who has suffered from a hip fracture can tell you, its an absolute nightmare. Aside from the sheer pain of the event, the loss of independence and dignity is often the start of a sad decline for our elderly loved ones, a pain that weights over the entire family.

If the Hip-Hope can help at-risk seniors avoid this fate and maintain an active, enjoyable, and confident lifestyle long into their golden years, it will be something worth celebrating. 
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Celebrating Israeli icons: Judea Pearl By: C4i

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The story of the Pearl family is one of accomplishment marked with senseless tragedy. A family of intelligence, science, creativity, and philosophy that met the worst of human barbarism in a very personal way.

When you discuss Judea Pearl, there are two men to talk about. The first is the noted academic and computer scientist who is responsible for some of the most important advances in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The other is the father of slain Jewish reporter Danial Pearl, kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in 2002. 

Judea was born in Tel Aviv in 1936. A gifted and curious student, Judea enrolled in the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology where he would first be exposed to the systems and computers that would become his life's work. He studied there until graduating with a B.S. In Electrical Engineering in 1960 before moving to the United States for further education at the Newark College of Engineering and Rutgets University. 

It was in America where Judea's career accelerated. He became a prolific academic, publishing hundreds of scientific papers on emerging technologies and leaving his own mark on the field. In the field of superconductivity, an off-shoot of quantum mechanics, the term "Pearl vortex” is named after his own theories and contributions to the literature. In 1965 he published Vortex Theory of Superconductive Memories, a seminal work in the field. He joined the faculty of UCLA in '69 where he still teaches today as the director of the Cognitive Systems Laboratory.

Judea's work dives into areas of science and reason that few people comprehend. An expert in Bayesian networks, a kind of complex statistical model for determining probability, causality, the multidisciplinary and highly abstract study of how and why events occur, and artificial intelligence, Judea has been at the very forefront of scientific through for the past 60 years. He has spent his career breaking down the fundamental questions of not only how our world works, but how we perceive it to work and why. 

While the stereotype of a UCLA scientific alumni may suggest that Judea would be a heartless atheist, driven only by what can be seen under a microscope, the reality is far from that. Judea mixes science with philosophy, recognizing the value of traditional Jewish beliefs, the importance of daily prayer, tefillin, and Kiddush. In addition to his academic writing, Judea has also published works on morality and the need to identify right from wrong in a very human way.

It is likely this background that has allowed him and his wife Ruth to take the devastating crime committed against their son and turn it to a force for good.

In 2002, while working as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, investigating links between the "shoe bomber” Richard Reid and Al-Qaeda, Daniel Pearl was kidnapped by Pakistani terrorists. 

Held for nine days, the terrorists sent the US government a series of bizarre and unrealistic demands in exchange for Daniel's release. During this time, his captors filmed and released images of them abusing and threatening Daniel, forced him to repeat anti-Israeli and anti-US propaganda at gunpoint, and subjected him to a series of ludicrous accusations, insisting the journalist was actually a "Jewish spy.”

Despite his grave situation, Daniel retained his composure and even while being threatened and made to repeat propaganda showed glimmers of defiance. In the tapes, Daniel references his family's Jewish heritage and in particular notes that a street in Beni Bark that was named after his grandfather. While the statement seems to be an obscure tangent, Judea Pearl would later interpret it as an attempt of his son's to reference the Jewish tradition of city building and creation as opposed to the nihilism and violence of his captors. 

After nine days of hellish captivity, Daniel was executed by beheading. His death filmed as an attempt to intimidate Western governments and Jewish citizens around the world.

That would not be Daniel's legacy however.

Judea and Ruth Pearl took their grief and heartache at murder of their son and channeled it towards a productive defiance of hate. They called on artists, scholars, and rabbis across the world to send their thoughts and responses to the crime and published them in a collected volume entitled I am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl.

Since then, in addition to his academic work, Judea has also been a voice in social advocacy. He and his wife Ruth established the Daniel Pearl Foundation to forward the cause of fearless journalism, and the quest for peace around the world. 

Judea's writings and personal work has focused on improving relations and establishing a dialogue between Muslims and Jews. Co-existence and peace are at the forefront of his thoughts, but so is justice. Judea draws clear lines between the need for tolerance and understanding versus those who allow themselves to become apologists for barbarity and hatred. It is a frank and honest approach to what has become a dialog mired in half-measures and exceptions.

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5 small ways to point your children towards a happy, healthy futureBy: C4i

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Live your values in front of them

It might not always feel like it, but your children are always learning from you. They take their cues from you, both from what you say, and (perhaps more importantly) from what you do. That's why it's not enough to share your values with them, you need to demonstrate them in real practical ways every day.

Go out of your way to find teachable moments where you can demonstrate Christian values in real, practical ways. Show them the power of forgiveness, the beauty of charity and grace, the kindness of Christ. As Christians, it's always important to back our words up with deeds, but it is extra crucial when you're shaping a young life by what you do (and what you don't do).

Be there for the small moments

When you're busy balancing work with raising a family, time can seem like a commodity more precious than gold. Small interruptions can feel like jarring diversions, and deviations from a schedule seem like the first domino is a chain reaction of a ruined day. Even so, you'll always want to make time for the small moments when your child wants to share something with you.

Yes, it can be frustrating when your little guy or girl tugs on your pant leg to show you something while you're just trying to get dinner in the oven or dash off a quick email for work, but take the time to pay attention and focus on them. Dinner won't spoil with an extra 30 seconds to a minute on the counter, and work will be there tomorrow, but children grow up in the blink of an eye. Be there to enjoy the small moments with your kids while you can, it will make them feel loved and you'll enjoy the memory later more than anything else you could be doing.

Encourage your children, but let them find their own path

One of the joys of having children is sharing what you love with them. This can be a beautiful thing, when you pass on the passion and joy you have for a hobby to your son or daughter and it becomes a bonding activity you're able to share together. However, remember that the point of having children is not to make another carbon copy of yourself. Share what you love, but don't push something on them if they just don't care all that much. Instead, celebrate what they do love. Let them find their own joy and passion. Who knows, they might just introduce you to some cool new things.

Give each of your children their own special moments of attention 

Love your children equally, but make sure to take the occasional moment to give each child special attention. The idea isn't to make anyone feel left out or play favourites, but to make sure each child knows they are loved as an individual, not just as "one of the kids.”

This doesn't need to be a lavish thing. One of my happiest memories as a child comes from Saturday breakfasts with my dad. My older brothers would always sleep in on Saturdays, and dad would take the opportunity to make a special pancake breakfast for just me and him that nobody else joined in on. It was a small special bond we had that made me feel loved and appreciated and he enjoyed. 

Show your kids what a loving, real marriage looks like

Consciously or unconsciously, your kids will always model their idea of a relationship after what they see between you and your spouse. Be sure to set a positive example for them. Be affectionate to your husband or wife in front of them, let them see you hug and kiss (even if they're going through a "ewww” phase). Set the standard for them that healthy relationships are built on kindness, mutual respect, and love.

At the same time, let them see you work things out. No relationship is devoid of disagreement or tension, and hiding every hint of it behind closed doors will only set unrealistic expectations for their own future relationships. Show them that partners work things out together in a constructive manner, by sharing and listening to each other and reaching compromise. Not every matter is appropriate to discuss in front of your kids obviously, but when you can, show them that mommy and daddy can argue and still love each other.

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ISRAELIS WARNED OF INCREASED ISIS THREAT ABROAD AHEAD OF PASSOVER HOLIDAY: By: Colin Wingfield

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Leading into the Passover and summer travel seasons, Israel has raised travel warnings to the highest level, cautioning Israelis against traveling to Egypt's Sinai region. Counter-Terrorism Bureau Chief, Eitan Ben David, said on 27 March 2017 that "the threat has grown and is the gravest level of threat. Attacks on the Egyptian military, on Coptic Christians, ISIS rockets fired at Eilat and videos from ISIS against Israelis show the high motivation and power of terror groups there to attack Israelis," said Ben David. While Sinai has the highest level of warning at level one of four, other countries also have high warning levels – with Turkey at level two (without special heightened warning for merely stopping over in Turkey’s airport) and Jordan along with Egypt at level three. Level one signals "a very high concrete threat” with advice to avoid any travel to a destination and leave immediately. Level two means "a high concrete threat” with advice to avoid travel to a destination and leave as early as possible. Level three means "a basic-level concrete threat” with advice to avoid travel to a destination. Ben David emphasized that they did not disregard threats from Iran, Hezbollah or others, but that in general the increased threat stemmed mainly from ISIS-related groups. (J.Post) [Comment]

FATAH: RECRUIT TENS OF THOUSANDS TO FIGHT ISRAEL: By: Colin Wingfield

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In an article published by the Palestinian Authority daily Al Quds, Fatah official Abbas Zaki called on the terror organization to "recruit tens of thousands Fatah activists to rise up against Israel." PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is also a Fatah member. According to Zaki, if Fatah recruits members and begins another uprising (intifada) against Israel, the other terror organizations will act similarly, and Fatah will be returned to the leadership position it held in 1967, when it returned "the Arabs' national hope" by means of "revolutionary acts." In his article, Zaki wrote, "The sword continues to be aimed, and the gun continues to precede the olive leaf." He also called on Arab officials to continue their attempts to harm Israel in international courts. "We need to do something concrete to integrate tens of thousands of Fatah activists into our civilian uprising against the settlers and the occupation's forces," Zaki wrote. "The numbers of these activists will immediately double, when other national and Islamist organizations join them, together with civilians of our great nation. This is because what binds us is the fight against Israel, and not the dialogue with Israel, which has already lost its efficiency in every way." Zaki also called on Fatah activists to "close off the roads leading to towns in Judea & Samaria, in order to push Israeli forces out of the Palestinian Authority's territory." In fact, while Jews are not allowed to enter Arab villages - and would lose their lives if they did - Arabs often enter Jewish villages to murder residents and set fire to buildings. (INN) [Comment]

WORLD SHRUGS AS HEZBOLLAH PREPARES MASSIVE CIVILIAN DEATHS:By: Colin Wingfield

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 Lebanon has made the Hezbollah terrorist group, whose rocket launchers are in homes and villages, part of its official army, making it responsible for civilian deaths on both sides should war erupt. Where is the UN? Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently warned Israel that his Iran-backed terror group could attack targets producing mass Israeli casualties, including a huge ammonia storage tank in Haifa, and a nuclear reactor in Dimona. Also last month, sources reported that since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, Iran has provided Hezbollah with a vast supply of "game-changing,” state-of-the art weapons, despite Israel’s occasional airstrikes against weapons convoys. In a future conflict, Hezbollah has the capacity to fire 1,500 rockets into Israel each day. Should such a scenario materialize, Israel will be forced to respond with unprecedented firepower to defend its own civilians. Hezbollah’s advanced weapons reportedly are embedded across a staggering 10,000 locations in the heart of more than 200 civilian towns and villages. The Israeli military has openly warned about this Hezbollah war crime and the grave threats it poses to both sides, but that alarm has generated almost no attention from the global media, the UN, or other international institutions.

Hezbollah’s very presence in southern Lebanon is a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, which called for the area to be a zone "free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons” other than the Lebanese military and the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The resolution also required Hezbollah to be disarmed, but the terror group today has an arsenal that rivals that of most armies. Hezbollah possesses an estimated 140,000 missiles and rockets, and reportedly now can manufacture advanced weapons in underground factories that are impervious to aerial attack. "Israel must stress again and again, before it happens, that these villages [storing Hezbollah weapons] have become military posts, and are therefore legitimate targets,” said Yoram Schweitzer, senior research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. But even a concerted campaign to showcase Hezbollah’s war preparation is unlikely to change things, said Eyal Zisser, a senior research fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies. Hezbollah exploits the fact that "the international community is too busy and weak to do something about it,” Zisser said. All of "these talks and reports have no meaning. See what is happening in Syria.” (Arutz-7) Pray that Israel will be prepared with effective strategies - and alliances that can be trusted - to deflate the Iran-backed Hezbollah that sits on Israel’s northern borders.

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BDS FOUNDER ARRESTED FOR TAX EVASION: By: Colin Wingfield

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 Omar Barghouti, founder of both the BDS movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, was arrested on suspicion he committed tax evasion over the past decade, concealing $700,000 in earned income from tax authorities. During a raid of Barghouti’s house, police say they found credit cards and purchase records confirming the allegations against him. Investigators say Barghouti received the money from a company in the Palestinian Authority which sells and rents ATM machines, where Barghouti has served as director. Barghouti has openly advocated for the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state and the end of Zionism. Barghouti rejects the two-state solution, and has compared Israel to both Apartheid-ridden South Africa and Nazi Germany. The BDS movement pushes for boycotts of Israeli products and institutions, divestment from companies and institutions "complicit” in the violation of Palestinian rights (through investments in Israel), and sanctions against Israel, such as pushing for the rejection of its membership in international forums. (Times of Israel) [Comment]

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