December 30, 2017 -- Public Demonstrations in Iran

In a recent development, there are reports coming out of Iran that public demonstrations are taking place in the streets calling for the removal of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others in the government.  If there was a change to take place in the government of Iran, the regime’s influence in Syria, ties with Hezbollah, and enmity toward Israel and the United States might also change.  Hopefully there would be a change in momentum for a better and more peaceful resolution in the Middle East, Israel, and the Palestinians. 

Three Iranian protestors have been killed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.  Not surprising the Iranian government attributes British, US, and Israeli spies as the master minds of the unrest. 

An Iranian woman raises her fist amid the smoke of tear gas at the University of Tehran during a protest. (AFP)

December 29, 2017 -- New Jewish Synagogue under Ground near Western Wall

After 12 years of construction, a new synagogue was dedicated and opened last week (Dec 19) under the Jewish Temple Mount within the Western Wall tunnels.  The dedication was done during Hanukkah, or Feast of Dedication.  The synagogue is centered on a unique spherical ark that holds Torah scrolls and the words of the Shema Israel prayer and the Song of Songs cast in metal around the circumference of the ark. The building project was funded by the Delek Group owned by Yitzhak Tshuva.
 

For more information, including criticisms see here. 

    

Western Wall Synagogue (photo credit: WESTERN WALL HERITAGE FOUNDATION)

December 28, 2017 -- Trump Station?

Do you remember when President Trump visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem on May 23, 2017 (as the first sitting president)?  Well, because of that and his recent recognition of Jerusalem, Yisrael Katz, who is Israeli’s Minister of Transportation, has stated that he will name a future railway station near the Western Wall after Trump. 

Not everyone in the Israeli government is excited about the idea.  Journalists have even expressed concerns.  On his Twitter account, the columnist Chemi Shalev kiddingly stated, “Why stop with train station, ingrates? Kotel should be renamed Trump Wall and the praying area - Ivanka Square.”

President Trump at the Western Wall in May. A plan to name a proposed rail station after him has generated debate. CreditStephen Crowley/The New York Times

December 27, 2017 -- Iran recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Palestine.

Today the Iranian government recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinians.  This comes in response to President Trump’s announcement concerning Jerusalem earlier this month.  At first the Iranian recognition might appear to be a favorable response both for Palestinians, and for a forthcoming peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  However, if the Twitter account that bears his name truly expresses his thoughts, the leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hostile toward both the US and Israel.  Khamenei is the supreme leader of Iran and commander in chief of its armed forces.  He has very few kind words for Israel.  In fact, I remember back in February 2012, I came across an article entitled, دلایل فقهی ضرورت نابودی اسرائیل, “Legal Reasons for the Annihilation of Israel,” in which Khamenei presented legal arguments for the destruction of Israel.  A tweet dated November 9, 2014 lists nine key questions and responses from Khamenei on how to eliminate Israel.        

December 25, 2017 -- Muslim scholar's perspective on Jerusalem conflict

Liaquat Ali Khan

I came across an article entitled, “First Judeo-Christian Crusade for Jerusalem,” written by Liaquat Ali Khan.  I know nearly nothing about Ali Khan, except what is provided here.  He is an Islamic scholar, and the author of several books including Contemporary Ijtihad (2011), A Theory of International Terrorism (2003), and A Theory of Universal Democracy (2003).  Khan argues that the first Judeo-Christian Crusade to retake Jerusalem can be seen in the 1917 Balfour Declaration.  June 1967 is realistically the date of the actual conquest of Jerusalem by Israel.  Finally, December 2017 is when the United States openly sided with Jews against Muslims.  Khan also holds the view that Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, and Yemen have been intentionally destroyed in order to strengthen Israel’s grasp in the region.  Iran is next in line.  I may not agree with everything, but Khan provides a unique perspective. 

December 25, 2017 -- Pope calls for two-state solution.

In his Christmas address, Pope Francis called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict surrounding Jerusalem while acknowledging the importance of a two-state solution. 

December 24, 2017 -- Guatemala embassy moving to Jerusalem.

Guatemala plans to follow President Trump’s lead and move their embassy to Jerusalem. 

December 24, 2017 -- Mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman said US President Trump ruined Christmas.

News from Bethlehem

The Mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman said that US President Trump ruined the joy of Christmas with his recognition of Jerusalem.  Bethlehem is around 70 percent Moslem and 30 percent Christian.  Salman himself is said to be Roman Catholic.  Jerusalem is holy to both Christians and Muslims. 

December 24, 2017 -- Israel to exit UNESCO.

Israel has announced that it will withdrawal from UNESCO following the US example last October when the US made it known that they will be leaving because of UNESCO’S bias against Israel.   It takes a year for the withdrawal to take place.  Both the US and Israel will remain as observers during that time.   

December 24, 2017 -- Pierre Rehov rejects UNESCO's version of the Temple Mount.

The recent film by Pierre Rehov, “Unveiling Jerusalem," presents evidence that reveals the Jewish historical past surrounding Jerusalem and the Temple Mount  in order to debunk UNESCO’s rejection of the Jewish roots on the mount.

December 23, 2017 -- Turkish visiters (with Turkish flags on shirts) arrested later released.

Israel police arrested three Turkish tourists at the Temple Mount who refused to remove their shirts marked with Turkish flags on them.  A skirmish ensued.  They were later released without charges.    

December 23, 2017 -- Israeli youths arrested for prayer on Temple Mount.

December 21, 2017

Three Israeli Jewish youths were arrested on Wednesday for praying the “Shema Israel” on the Temple Mount (Deut 6:4). 

December 23, 2017 -- "Pray for peace, people everywhere"

The famous Christmas song, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” was a prayer for peace written during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.  The song was written by a husband and wife team Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in response to the crisis in which the Russians installed nuclear missiles within easy striking distance of the United States who in response threatened military intervention.  Americans were anticipating nuclear conflict.  The last verse ends with a prayer, “Pray for peace, people everywhere….the Child…will bring us goodness and light.” 

December 22, 2017 -- Hamas’s Yahya Sinwar calls for "red bloody day."

Hamas’s Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar called for Friday to be a “red bloody day,” following the UN vote against US President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

December 22, 2017 -- Netanyahu tells CNN other nations considering moving embassies to Jerusalem.

Following the UN rejection of President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN that several other nations are considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. 

December 22, 2017 -- United States Peace Plan

I am reflecting on President Abbas recent statement following the UN's decision to reject the recognition of Jerusalem by the US.  President Abbas reiterated he will not accept US involvement in the Israeli and Palestinian peace process.  At first it would appear that peace is doubtful.  However, Abbas may have simply (perhaps really) disqualified himself from the peace process.  

What if peace and justice grows up from within Jerusalem and Israel?  What if the nations that surround Israel and Palestine are not really favorable toward peace in the Middle East?  It is like the seed of an oak tree planted in the ground.  The nations surrounding Israel are like the earth.  The seed has two halves surrounded by the ground around them.  Sensing pressure, new life will emerge like a tender shoot that will arise anew.  May peace arise with help from heaven above!   

December 21, 2017 -- Rabbi Eliezer Melamed ascends to Temple Mount.

On Thursday, Orthodox Rabbi Eliezer Melamed went up to the Temple Mount, believing it is permissible to ascend to the mount.  Asaf Fried welcomed Melamed’s ascent saying that this greatly reinforced the redemption of the mount and the return of the Temple.  While many rabbis encourage Jews to go up, there are many who forbid ascending. 

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed on the Temple Mount (Photo: Yaakov Weinberger)

December 21, 2017 -- UN Resolution rejects US decision to move Embassy to Jerusalem.

The UN passed a non-binding resolution on Thursday (results, 128-9), which rejected the US decision to move its Embassy to Jerusalem.  The resolution was approved even after President Trump had warned he would cut aid to countries that voted against the US decision.  Nikki Haley stated that “no vote in the United Nations will make any difference” concerning the US decision to move its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  She also hinted that the US will remember the UN resolution when it is called upon in the future to make the “world’s largest contribution to the United Nations.”  David Harris, who is the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, was dismayed by the enormous support for the UN resolution that condemned the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.  Harris argued that the UN had sided with President Abbas’s attempt to internationalize the conflict between Palestinians and Israel instead of negotiating directly with Israel.

© Spencer Platt, Getty Images The voting results on the Jerusalem measure are displayed on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Thursday.

December 20, 2017 -- Turkey's President Erdogan plans to open an embassy in East Jerusalem in response to President Trump's announcement December 6.

THE NEW YORK TIMES/REUTERS

December 17, 2017

Turkey intends to open an embassy in East Jerusalem, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, days after leading calls at a summit of Muslim leaders for the world to recognize it as the capital of Palestine.

It was not clear how Turkey would carry out the move, since Israel controls all of Jerusalem and calls the city its indivisible capital.

But Palestinians want the capital of the state they seek to be in East Jerusalem, which Israel took in the 1967 war and later annexed in a move not recognized internationally.

The Muslim nation summit was a response to President Trump’s Dec. 6 announcement that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. That broke with decades of American policy and with the international consensus that the city’s status must be left to Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/world/middleeast/turkey-embassy-east-jerusalem-erdogan.html

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, following President Trump’s example, said he would move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Credit Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Palace, via Reuters

December 20, 2017 -- Haredim Jews ascend to Temple Mount: they look to the rebuilding of the temple.

A group of around 50 Haredim Jews, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, visited the Temple Mount last week.  They were led by Rabbi Yitzhak Brand and Rabbi Eliyahu Veber.  The group performed a ceremony and prayed for Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman who passed on last week.  Rabbi Brand spoke on the importance of ascending to the Temple Mount as a step towards the rebuilding of the Temple.

The group on the Temple Mount

(Haim Kroiser, Benei Aliyah)

December 19, 2017 -- Pope Francis and King Abdullah II meet at the Vatican

Pope Francis met today with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the Vatican.  They discussed the “peace and stability” of the Middle East, the importance of Jerusalem, and the sovereignty of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon for the protection of the Holy Places.  There was a renewed commitment “to encourage negotiations among the interested parties, as well as promoting inter-religious dialogue.”   The conversation included the importance of Christians remaining in the Middle East and the contribution that Christians, “bring to the societies of the region, of which they are an integral part.”   

December 18, 2017 -- Jerusalem church leaders meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II: Opposed to USA's recognition of Jerusalem.

NEWS FROM THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

A delegation of church leaders from Jerusalem who met with Jordanian King Abdullah II reiterated their opposition to US recognition of the city as the capital of Israel and censured “attempts to Judaize” it, Jordanian state media said Sunday.

Abdullah convened with Christian clerics and dignitaries from Jordan and Jerusalem ahead of the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-church-leaders-in-jordan-condemn-judaization-of-city/

King Abdullah II of Jordan, 4th from left, attends an event with Christian leaders from various churches at the Baptism Site Convention Center in Jordan, December 17, 2017. (AMEL PAIN/AFP)

December 18, 2017 -- Weiss, Ariel, Fried - Temple Service Possible

In a recent article, Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz stated that it was possible for Jews to perform the Temple service quickly.  He includes comments from Rabbi Hillel Weiss, Rabbi Ariel, and Asaf Fried.

December 16, 2017 -- Pope Francis to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II

FROM THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

VATICAN CITY, Holy See — Pope Francis will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the Vatican next week, the Holy See announced Friday, as Palestinians continued to clash with Israeli forces over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The pope and King Abdullah, who is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, are likely to discuss the ongoing tensions, though the Vatican never indicates topics of discussion for such meetings in advance.

On Sunday, the pope called for “respect of the status quo” in Jerusalem and warned against “a new spiral of violence.”

Abdullah has denounced the Jerusalem announcement as “a violation of international rights.”

Pope Francis (2nd-L) is greeted by Jordan's King Abdullah II (R) and his wife Queen Rania (L) at the Royal Palace in Amman on Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Andrew Medichini/AFP)

December 15, 2017 -- Dome of the Rock as the Third Temple?

Nuba Inscription

In 2016, Assaf Avraham and Peretz Reuven presented evidence (based in large part on the Nuba Inscription) that early Islamic tradition associated the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount with the Biblical Temple, calling it the Bayt al-Maqdis, the “House of Sanctuary,” or “Holy Temple.”  In other words, the Dome of the Rock was understood by the Moslems as the reestablishment or reconstruction of the Jewish Temple.  The work of Avraham and Reuven can be found in its Hebrew original on Academia.edu.  A video is available on the Nuba Inscription that identifies the Dome of the Rock with the Jewish Temple.

December 14, 2017 -- President Trump, the Temple Mount, and rebuilding of the Third Temple

While I was in Israel this past summer, there was talk among some that President Trump might help in the building of the third Jewish temple.  What?  A third temple?  We have heard it all before, but it is worth mentioning it again in the context of President Trumps’ acknowledgement and declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.  The concept of a third temple is highly debated.  Some accept and others reject the notion that the temple needs to be restored upon the Temple Mount.  Among those calling for the rebuilding of the temple are Asaf Fried, Yakov Hayman, and Hillel Weiss.  Hayman is to have said, “the people of Israel are returning to their roots while simultaneously the non-Jews of the world are realizing the authenticity of our claim to the Temple Mount and our right to build a Jewish Temple as a House of Prayer for All Nations.”  Weiss is to have stated, “one year ago, the Sanhedrin called on Trump to build the Temple as Cyrus did 2,000 years ago….He has clearly moved in this direction but there is still a long way to go and many pitfalls that could prevent that from happening.”

For more information, see https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/99002/trumps-jerusalem-declaration-next-step-third-temple/#e2IFlSZROsKIgmQG.99

December 13, 2017 -- Wait A Minute: Is President Trump Like King Cyrus?

Allison Kaplan Sommer has recently pointed out that Christians and Jews compare Trump with the Persian King Cyrus.   Back on March 21, 2017, Lance Wallnau believed that Trump is like the Persian King Cyrus.  Even earlier on March 10, 2016, Michael Brown had pointed out that some Christians were making the comparison between Trump and Cyrus, though Brown is cautious with the analogy.  More recently (December 10, 2017?), Tamar Yonah discusses the topic of the parallel between President Donald Trump and King Cyrus.  She and her guest Dr. Mordechai Ben-Menachem address the topic (18:35-22:00), though Ben-Menachem is hesitant of the parallel.

December 13, 2017 -- Turkey’s President Erdogan Calls for Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital of Palestine

VOA: ISTANBUL — Leaders of majority Muslim nations gathered in Istanbul Wednesday and condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as unlawful. The meeting came as unrest in the Middle East continues, along with growing criticism over the Jerusalem move.

The gathering was under the auspices of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, OIC. Turkey currently leads the OIC and the emergency summit was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"I am inviting the countries who value international law and fairness to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," Erdogan told leaders at the start of the meeting Wednesday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Bangladeshi President Abdoul Hamid and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are among the 22 heads of state and government attended. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, along with 23 other countries, sent lower-level delegations.

December 13, 2017 -- Palestian President Abbas: US No Longer Fit to Broker Peace

MSN: ISTANBUL — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Arab and Islamic leaders on Wednesday that the United States is no longer fit to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal and should be replaced as mediator by the United Nations, outlining a significant policy shift in response to President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In an impassioned speech, Abbas said his people will no longer accept the United States as a peace broker but added that they remain committed to international resolutions that have formed the basis of the process. Abbas was speaking at the gathering of heads of state and top officials from Islamic nations at a summit in Turkey that is expected to forge a unified Muslim world's stance against Trump's move.

Abbas said Trump's decision was a "crime" that came at a time when the Palestinians were engaged with Washington in a new push to reach what he said was anticipated to be the "deal of our times."

"Instead we got the slap of our times," Abbas said. "The United States has chosen to lose its qualification as a mediator ... We will no longer accept that it has a role in the political process from now."

December 12, 2017 -- World Betar Leader Neria Meir Calls for Recognition of Temple Mount

JPOST: Less than a week after the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, leader of the Zionist movement World Betar is calling for international recognition of the Temple Mount, Nablus and Hebron.

The groups are challenging part of US President Donald Trump’s speech which called on all parties to respect the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, including the Temple Mount.

[Neria] Meir said, “Just as the Balfour Declaration did not create the right of the people of Israel to the Land of Israel – it was only the result of 20 years of Zionist activity begun by Herzl began – it is not the Trump Declaration that gives us the right to the unified city of Jerusalem, but our activity, tours and strength in the struggle for the sake of Jerusalem, is what gave birth to the Trump Declaration.”

He added: “We are privileged to be the first tour to visit east Jerusalem since Trump’s declaration, and we will not stop touring the Temple Mount, Nablus and Hebron until the nations of the world recognize these places as well.”

December 12, 2017 -- JD Farag and His Scenario

JD Farag is pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, Hawaii.  He recently commented on President Trump's acknowledgment of Jerusalem and the parallel between the words "peace and security" spoken by President Trump in his announcement about Jerusalem and the passage in 1 Thess 5:3.  Farag applauds the president's statement.  However, Farag seems to think Israel is moving toward a crisis.  

Based on Zech 12:1-3; 1 Thess 5:3; and Dan 9:27, Farag presents, what he thinks, is a plausible scenario for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount, and the coming Anti-Christ who will somehow, he thinks, unite Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism under the banner of a one world religion. 

December 11, 2017 --Iran Defense Minister: Trump's Recognision Will Hasten Israel's Destruction

MSN: Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital will hasten the country's destruction, Iran's defense minister said on Monday, while a top Revolutionary Guards commander phoned two Palestinian armed groups and pledged support for them.

Leaders of Iran, where opposition to Israel and support for the Palestinian cause has been central to foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution, have denounced last week's announcement by the U.S. president, including a plan to move the U.S. embassy to the city.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

"(Trump's) step will hasten the destruction of the Zionist regime and will double the unity of Muslims," Iran's defense minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, said on Monday, according to state media.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-trumps-jerusalem-move-will-hasten-israels-destruction/ar-BBGBsnS?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartanntp

December 11, 2017 -- Hassidic Rabbi Slams Trump: Zionist State Not a Jewish State

ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS.COM:  The head of one of the two rival groups of the staunchly anti-Zionist Satmar Hassidic movement ripped into President Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week.

Satmar, known as one of the most dogmatically anti-Zionist Hassidic sects, refuses to recognize the State of Israel and calls on members living in Israel not to vote in national elections, even for haredi parties and not to accept any funding from the state, including National Insurance payments. Satmar, however, does care for the welfare of Jews and runs the free meals for those staying in hospitals for Shabbat to care for loved ones.

Speaking before thousands of his followers at a celebration on Saturday night at the New York Expo Center in the Bronx, the head of one of the two Satmar groups that split after the previous Grand Rabbi's death, Rebbe Aharon Teitelboim, said that Trump had no right to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

read:http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/239129

December 11, 2017 -- President Trump and Cyrus the Great

NEWS WEEK: In the wake of President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, some Jewish activists argued that the U.S. president was being guided by God to restore Jewish control over sacred sites.

Activists lobbying for the construction of a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem said Trump was playing a similar role to the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great, who allowed the Jews to return to Israel from exile. 

Jews also praised Cyrus for helping them build a second Jewish temple in the same place where the first had been destroyed. 

http://www.newsweek.com/jews-trump-persian-king-babylonian-exile-third-temple-judaism-744698

December 11, 2017 -- "Returning to the Mount" group calls for "Freedom for Jews on the Temple Mount"

ISRAEL NATIONL NEWS.COM
Dozens of activists from the "Returning to the Mount" organization protested on Sunday evening at the Old City of Jerusalem's Lions Gate, near the Temple Mount, insisting the site be opened to Jews during all hours of the day. The activists chanted slogans including "Enough with the racism on the Temple Mount!", "Freedom for Jews on the Temple Mount!", and "Remove the Muslim Waqf from the Temple Mount!" The Jerusalem Waqf office, which is subordinate to the Jordanian Waqf, or Islamic trust, maintains the Temple Mount. The Waqf views the Temple Mount as an Islamic holy site, and declared that the Temple Mount is "for Muslims only." In a statement, the Waqf said it does not recognize the authority of "the Zionist courts.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/239158

December 10, 2017 -- Comfort My People

One of the readings from the second week of advent.

    Comfort, O comfort my people,
    says your God.
    Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
    that she has served her term,
    that her penalty is paid,
    that she has received from the LORD’s hand
    double for all her sins.

NRSV: Is 40:1–2

December 9, 2017 -- North Korea condemns President Trump over Jerusalem

MSN: North Korea has lambasted US President Donald Trump for recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital, renewing its description of him as a "dotard" in a statement released Saturday on state media.

Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of war and personal insults in recent months as tensions remain high over the North's missile and nuclear threats.
Now the hermit state has joined near-universal condemnation of the US president's decision on Jerusalem, calling it a "reckless, wicked act".

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/n-korea-condemns-dotard-trump-over-jerusalem/ar-BBGq7BU?ocid=spartanntp

December 9, 2017 -- Palestian President Abbas refused to meet VP Mike Pence

ABS - CBN NEWS: Ramallah, Palestinian Territories - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will refuse to meet US Vice President Mike Pence later this month following Washington's controversial policy shift on Jerusalem, an Abbas aide said on Saturday, as protests gripped the Palestinian territories for a third straight day.


http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/03/17/palestinian-israeli-covers-the-world-in-viral-one-minute-videoshttp://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/03/17/palestinian-israeli-covers-the-world-in-viral-one-minute-videos

December 9, 2017 -- Coptic Pope cancels meeting with VP Mike Pence

THE TIMES OF ISRAEL: Egypt’s Coptic Church head Pope Tawadros II canceled a meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence in Cairo set for later this month in protest at Washington’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the church said Saturday.

US President Donald Trump’s decision “did not take into account the feelings of millions of Arab people,” the church said in a statement, adding it decided not to receive Pence when he visits Egypt.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypts-coptic-pope-rejects-pence-meeting-over-jerusalem/

December 8, 2017 -- Ghana President Akuffo Addo on President Trump

Ghana President Akuffo Addo of Ghana discusses President Trump, the moving of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  A video was posted by Alex Citizen on Facebook.  However, the date and location of the video were not provided at the time I watched the video.  Addo seems to be speaking to a crowd of people before the moving of the embassy to Jerusalem.  When the move happens, according to Addo, the next important event will be the rebuilding of the temple.  At present it is difficult for me to verify the video and its contents.  However, if it is authentic, it happens to express the point of view in the minds of some that the temple needs to be rebuilt.

https://www.facebook.com/alex.citizen/videos/163457814402302/?hc_ref=ARTX1tnk725pld_CV2yGIy5kIXy6oma7Ugcq1nGAApqNArpitXUvEMxCQs5FXYpQDAA&fref=nf

Video of President Akuffo Addo

December 6, 2017 -- Pope Francis Defends the "Status Quo"

Pope Francis defended the "Status Quo" of Jerusalem shortly before President Donald Trump made his official statement concerning the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pope-francis-defends-jerusalem-status-quo/ar-BBGi2S1

December 6, 2017 -- Trump recognizes Jerusalem

President Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and orders the moving be the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/world/middleeast/trump-jerusalem-israel-capital.html?_r=1

November 28, 2017 - Trump is considering how and when to move US embassy to Jerusalem.

Ynetnews.com

Speaking at event marking 70 years to UN vote in favor of founding State of Israel, US VP Pence says that Pres. Trump is looking into specifics of moving the embassy to Israel's capital; Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump vowed to move embassy to Jerusalem, though as president he delayed the move 'to give peace with Palestinians a chance.'

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5049217,00.html

November 28, 2017 -- Roger Waters to Play for Palestinians for Christmas

Roger Waters is showing his solidarity with the Palestinians.  He is planning to perform a closed-circuit pre-Christmas concert to be broadcast in Bethlehem's Manger Square on December 22.  Waters is known to have become critical of Israel in recent years and is a BDS activist calling for the boycott of Israel.

https://israelnewsonline.org/roger-waters-to-serenade-bethlehem-palestinians-for-christmas/

November 10, 2017 - Murder in Germany over Temple Mount Crisis

Jerusalem Post
Germany's federal prosecutor charged a Palestinian man with murder and attempted murder in six additional cases on Friday.

The man carried out a lethal stabbing attack at a supermarket in Germany after Israel placed metal detectors at the entrance to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, blaming the country for inaction.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Palestinian-indicted-for-murder-in-Germany-was-inspired-to-act-over-Temple-Mount-tensions-513945

November 3, 2017 - Special Security for Temple Mount

Special security force to guard the Temple Mount.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Special-police-unit-to-be-established-for-Temple-Mount-510982

November 3, 2017 - 68% of Israeli Jews think Jews should be able to pray on Temple Mount

In a surprising development, the Jerusalem Post has stated that 68% of Israeli Jews think it is important to allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount in opposition to the "status quo" that allows only Muslims to pray on that location.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/68-percent-of-Israeli-Jews-want-Jewish-prayer-on-Temple-Mount-poll-513227

October 14, 2017 -- Nearly 3000 Jews Visit Temple Mount During Sukkot

TIMES OF ISRAEL

2,265 Jews visit holy site during Sukkot holiday; Amman decries influx as 'storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers and Jewish extremists'

https://www.timesofisrael.com/jordan-condemns-provocative-jewish-visits-to-temple-mount/

October 5, 2017 -- WAQF rejects Israeli courts call to ban soccer on Temple Mount.

ARUTZ SHEVA 7

The Jerusalem Waqf office, which is subordinate to the Jordanian Waqf office, condemned the decision of the Jerusalem police to prevent Arabs from playing soccer on the Temple Mount.

In a statement, the Waqf said that it does not recognize the authority of the "Zionist courts" to intervene in the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and therefore refused to respond to the summons sent by the courts to hear claims filed against it.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/236383