Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara flew to the US on Saturday evening for a five-day visit. Highlights of the trip include a scheduled visit to the White House Monday and an address to the AIPAC Policy Conference Tuesday evening. Back in Israel, the governing coalition Netanyahu leads was under tremendous strain over the unresolved issues of draft deferments for yeshiva students and the 2019 budget.

Iran’s General Masoud Jazayeri told local media outlets over the weekend that the “precondition for negotiation over Iran’s missiles is the dismantling of the U.S. and Europe’s nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.” The remarks came amidst an escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Teheran, even as the French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, arrived in Iran for an attempt at mediation.

A suspected vehicular-ramming attack in the northern city of Acre on Sunday left two IDF soldiers, a border policeman and a civilian injured. The driver of the vehicle, an Arab-Israeli man, was shot and wounded, reportedly by one of his victims. An eyewitness told Ynet the rampage started after the driver was issued a “ticket for NIS 1,000 [$290] for parking in a handicapped spot.”

Heavy fighting between the national army and a local affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) terror militia was reported over the weekend in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Four soldiers and 10 terrorists were reportedly killed, with many more on both sides being wounded. The regime in Cairo announced a broad offensive against extremist groups operating in the Sinai early last month.

Israeli athletes competed in the Ju-Jitsu World Championship for Juniors (under-21) and Aspirants (under-18) over the weekend, returning to Israel in triumph with two gold medals, four silvers and seven bronzes. As has become expected when Israeli athletes compete at international competitions held in Arab countries, the flag and anthem of the Jewish State were not displayed during any of the ceremonies where medals were awarded. But the athletes and coaches nonetheless said they had a positive experience.

While the Syrian civil war is winding down, fighting will not conclude in 2018. Russia, Iran and their proxies have succeeded in reinstating Bashar Assad, who butchered his own people across what’s left of Syria. Iranian entrenchment in Syria will significantly increase the threat posed to Israel by Lebanon and also create a serious threat to aerial and maritime traffic both to and from Israel and its offshore gas rigs.

On February 10th, an Iranian UAV entered into Israeli airspace and was shot down by the Israeli air force. The UAV was operated from an Iranian control room based in Syria. This incident exemplifies both Iran’s threat on Israel and the destabilizing effect of Iran’s growing presence in Syria. Israel will continue to act to prevent Iran from establishing another terror base from which it can attack and threaten Israel.

Arise aims at mobilizing an army of young Christians who are uncompromisingly committed to following God’s plan for their lives. Through an interactive website, bi-monthly newsletter and various tours and programs, Arise informs young adults about Israel and offers them opportunities to take an active role in blessing the Jewish people.