Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addressed the Security Council on Monday afternoon in New York, telling them among other things that Israel’s existence derives legitimacy from four things, including the Bible, history, legality and the pursuit of international peace and security. “This is our deed to our land,” he said, pointing to a Bible.

Following the launching of a rocket into Israeli territory from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip overnight Monday, which was claimed by the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad faction, Israel reduced the zone open to Gazan fisherman to six miles off the coast starting Tuesday morning. In related news, reports indicate that the Palestinian Authority has not had much success appealing to the Arab world for financial assistance following its decision to refuse to accept tax revenue transfers from Israel because they were garnished at the same rates as the PA transfers monies to the families of Palestinians who have been killed or imprisoned by Israel for carrying out terrorist attacks.

The 21st Knesset was scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, including the induction of 46 first-time elected Members. Many MKs brought their families to the day’s events, which included several speeches and much pomp and ceremony, as well as festive music by the IDF band, as well as some official business in the afternoon following a swearing-in ceremony by President Reuven Rivlin.

The movement to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Israel suffered another defeat on Monday when Jerusalem’s Bible Lands Museum announced that the Louvre in Paris, one of the world’s most prestigious and visited museums, will be opening an exhibition in the coming weeks entitled: “Forgotten Kingdoms: From the Hittite Empire to the Arameans” and featuring artifacts from the Bible Lands Museum. Officials from both institutions expressed the hope that this is only the beginning of increased cooperation and joint projects.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani made a live speech on national Iranian TV Tuesday morning in which he said, among other things, that “In future months, the Americans themselves will see that we will continue our oil exports. America’s decision that Iran’s oil exports must reach zero is a wrong and mistaken decision, and we won’t let this decision be executed and operational.” Some analysts assessed that Rohani’s words indicate a rising level of desperation in the regime that rules from Teheran.

European governments have failed to stand in defense of Christian communities in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, to avoid being perceived as enemies of Islam. Jihad, however, made its way to European shores a while ago. Europe still believes that burying its head in the sand is the best way to cope with the challenge posed by radical Islam, but denying the existence of a problem doesn’t solve it.

The Prophet Ezekiel Calls it an “Ancient Hatred” (Ezekiel 35:5). This hatred takes pleasure in the shedding of blood and is driven by demonic forces that want to annihilate the Jewish people. It is directed against the purposes of God. As these acts of terror and violence are not likely to cease, our ministry to the Jewish people must adapt to the needs each new wave of terror brings.