ICEJ NEWS

Headlines from Jerusalem, 31 January 2017

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You” Psalm 86:5

TOP STORY

Iran Tests Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile

Intelligence reports confirmed Monday that Iran had conducted a test of a nuclear-capable missile in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. The reports also indicated that the the re-entry vehicle on the Khorramshahr medium-range ballistic missile failed to function properly, resulting in the missile’s destruction after flying approximately 600 kilometers. Also on Monday, France vowed to “defend” the JCPOA nuclear deal against attempts by the Trump Administration in the US to undermine it.
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NEWS BRIEFS

Netanyahu to Visit White House on 15 February

White House press secretary Sean Spicer announced on Monday that US President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 15 February, for a discussion which is expected to center on security issues, particularly the threat from Iran’s renegade nuclear program. “I look forward to discussing with him the areas of cooperation between us that are so vital to the security and well-being of our two countries,” Netanyahu said in response.
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IDF Warns Amona Residents to Peacefully Evacuate

The IDF issued a notice to 40 families living in the outpost of Amona in the West Bank that they must leave the area by midnight Wednesday, after which the area will become a closed military zone. The notice comes in the midst of intense legal action by the families and their supporters in an effort to save the settlement. Border Police and IDF units are preparing to enforce the order if residents do not comply and/or resist.

Attorney-General Closes Investigation of Herzog

Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced on Monday evening that he was closing an investigation into allegations of corruption against opposition leader Isaac Herzog due to insufficient evidence. However, his statement hinted that although he couldn’t prove Herzog was guilty, he didn’t believe he was entirely innocent either. The accusations relate to incomplete reporting of financial contributions made during the 2013 Labor primary, with several of Herzog’s senior aides still under investigation.

Home Front Command Making Feverish Preparations for Next War

The IDF Home Front Command recently issued a series of reports outlining the preparations it is making for what the defense establishment considers to be the inevitability of hundreds of rockets a day landing in Israel during the next war. Large amounts of money have been spent upgrading bomb shelters, building strategic capabilities and preparing procedures for the estimated 150,000 residents of the North who are expected to require temporary evacuation.

OPINION

Russia, Turkey and Iran in the Middle East
Brandon Friedman, Tel Aviv University

The meeting between Iran, Turkey, and Russia in Astana, Kazakhstan on January 23-24, in advance of the next round of U.N. sponsored Geneva III meetings, has been characterized as a new anti-West axis meant to marginalize the U.S. in Syria and the region. Yet Moscow’s reset with Ankara is not primarily directed at the West.
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SPECIAL FEATURE

Analysis of Security Issues in Light of Mass Immigration

Experts gathered recently for a conference at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) think tank at Tel Aviv University to discuss Security in and Age of Instability with a special focus on refugee flows from Middle East wars and related issues.
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GET INVOLVED

ICEJ-Israel in Crisis Fund

Currently the ICEJ is working to provide bomb shelters to communities in need, funding for treatment of Psycho-trauma (commonly known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD) for those immediately affected by acts of terror and other crisis-related services.
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Feast of Tabernacles 2017: 6-11 Oct

The 2017 Feast will be an historic convocation with great prophetic significance as Israel celebrates 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem. You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate this Jubilee feast in the “City of God”!
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Today’s news was written and compiled by Aaron Hecht.

ICEJ News is a free email service providing news and comments on Middle East affairs compiled by journalists at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and supported by donations from subscribers.

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