UNESCO Gives Palestinians the Church of the Nativity
July 1, 2012 14:55 by Pesach Benson
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Today’s Top Stories:
1. UNESCO gave the Church of the Nativity “World Heritage” status. I wish CNN coverage had pointed out that church officials oppose UNESCO.
2. The NY Times reports that several high-level figures in the Syria-based Palestine Liberation Army have been found murdered this year.The most recent one was Col. Ahmed Salih Hassan. Who’s knocking ‘em off? Depends on who you ask:
He was shot in his car in Sahnaya, about six miles south of Damascus, becoming the sixth Palestine Liberation Army officer assassinated in Syria since January, according to opposition activists inside the country; the highest-ranking victim was a brigadier general, Anwar al-Saqa, killed on June 5.
The government says that opposition gunmen killed them because of their role in supporting the Syrian military. Although technically a military wing of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Palestine Liberation Army in Syria is incorporated into the Syrian military. Opposition activists say the officers were killed because they refused to participate in Syrian crackdowns.
Meanwhile, Hamas now points a finger at Syria for assassination of Kamal Ranaja. Writes YNet:
“Israeli assassins would have done it quicker and cleaner and would not have wasted time needlessly abusing the body.”
Pantsir-S1 surface to air launcher
3. This development could get ugly. The Sunday Times (paywall) reports that Russian technicians likely played a key role in shooting down last week’s Turkish jet — “to send a message to NATO.”
“It definitely has Russian fingerprints on it,” said a diplomat, who summarised the Russian message: “Syria is not Libya and any attempt to impose a ‘no fly zone’ over Syria will face one of the most formidable air defences on Earth and will cost any attacker dearly.”
Three years ago Russia supplied Syria with the advanced Pantsir-S1 (SA 22 Greyhound), with 36 launchers. Russian specialists are believed to have trained the Syrians and diplomats say some are still stationed at the missile battery control centres.
“We would not be surprised if these Russian experts, if they didn’t push the button, at least were beside the Syrian officers who did it,” an Israeli air force source said.
On a related note, US intelligence is coming around to the belief that the Turkish jet was indeed shot down over Syrian airspace. More on that assessment at the Wall Street Journal.
Israel and the Palestinians
• AFP: The PLO’s calling for an emergency Security Council meeting on settlements.
• The Abbas-Mofaz meeting scheduled for today was cancelled because of Palestinian protests and Israeli party politics. More at the Jerusalem Post.
• Fearing Public Backlash, Israeli Settlers Speak Out Against Their Own
jeb stuart
3:50 pm
Jul 01, 2012
It’s a foregone conclusion the Russians would have to send trainers with the new AA batteries, and may have had to operate them. The reports that the Turkish pilot was in intl waters when shot down isn’t likely; one report had the shooting down 1 mile from Latakia. It is also likely that the SAS has sections as deep as 10k in Syrian territory to step up the action and hasten Assad’s fall. The Turks continue to sit on the side lines, it is unlikely Turkeyish Islamic leaders who will not admit the killing of Armenians was a crime of genocide, as a matter of Shariah Law, is sitting on its hands not because it doesn’t wish to project “colonial” “power has judged the time inopportune.
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jeb stuart
3:56 pm
Jul 01, 2012
One of the conditions for the Partion of the Palestine Mandate, was a UN presence to protect Holy places of all denominations. Clearly the UN has abrogated its responsibilities with it’s decison to place the Church of the Nativity under Muslim control for destruction, blackmail or defilement at a later date. This being the fact of thematter the UN has clearly abrogated it’s moral duties and prior Resolutions should no longer be considered binding on matters that concerns the Jewish States capital, Jerusalem.
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Moll
4:04 pm
Jul 01, 2012
RE: UNESCO gave the Church of the Nativity “World Heritage” status.
The reading/viewing world noted how the nonstate tribal arabs claiming squatter’s rights in judea and samaria treated the Tomb of Joseph site! We can expect the same disrespectful, dishonorable treatment upon the Church of the Nativity. And we should remember, that whatever any United Nations body is manipulated into decreeing does not over-ride what the G-d of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob has decreed. The land upon which the Church of the Nativity stands is still in Bethlehem of Judea. The funds for maintenance and upkeep are gone, & tourists will be protected by barbarians.
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Jan Freed
4:32 pm
Jul 01, 2012
Hopefully, protests by the Christian community worldwide will reverse the UNESCO decision. If not, it will be a window into the differing ways other religious institutions are treated by the Muslims vs. the Jews.
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yp
5:09 pm
Jul 01, 2012
who cares who’s killing the PLO in Syria. Good work whoever’s doing it!
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yp
5:10 pm
Jul 01, 2012
Keep up the good work whoever is killing those PLO’s in Syria.
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Paula
4:32 pm
Jul 02, 2012
Bethlehem deportee held for robbery in Belgium JPost 12/19/03 One of 13 Palestinians deported from Bethlehem following the siege of the Church of the Nativity in May 2002 has been arrested along with seven others during a police raid in Belgium on Tuesday.
Khalil Nawawreh, 27, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in two armed robberies of post offices in Brakel and Court-Saint-Etienne in February, in which the thieves managed to escape with 213,000. Nawawreh had been working in Belgium as a mason. He was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of participating in a number of armed robberies of local post offices. More here:
http://www.unitedjerusalem.org/index2.asp?id=385070&Date=12/19/2003
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Weekly Intelligence Summary – 1 July 2012 « Armageddon 2015
5:35 am
Jul 03, 2012
[...] Weekly Intelligence Summary – 1 July 2012 OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS 1. The emerging situation in the Middle East is one of increasing Russian influence against a serious decline in American credibility. Russia is now extending its presence into the Middle East through unwavering support of the Shia controlled Persian crescent (Iran, Iraq, Syria). Putin’s warning to Netanyahu against an attack on Iran is a clear challenge to Israel’s US support. And Saudi Arabia searching for an oil for nucs deal with China further demonstrates the loss of confidence America’s allies have in US commitment. 2. The downing of the Turkish jet by Syrian air defense missiles (probably operated by Russian “trainers”) and NATO’s unwillingness to bolster the Turkish position, further demonstrate the growing impotence of the West against the resurgent Communist block sphere of influence. The proposal to hold the next round of “Peace Talks” in Moscow also clearly highlights the waning influence that the US has in Middle East affairs. 3. The growing strength of Russia’s presence is giving Iran cause for increased belligerence leading to statements that war is inevitable and “we will win”. Also the sharp shift to the Islamic policies of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and statement that Jihad is our path must be giving Israel growing concern. 4. Israel’s decision to attack Iran before the US presidential election and the proposed war games in October are a clear snub to Obama. Israel is also now resigned to war and is massing troops on it border with Egypt as a precaution against the growing rhetoric from President Mursi and his claims for an Islamic caliphate centered in Jerusalem. 5. Syria is still the most likely flash point between US/NATO forces led into conflict by a bellicose Turkey against the Russian/Iranian backed Assad regime. The active presence of the SAS supporting rebel forces against the regime as a snub to Moscow could result in the tensions in Syria rising even further and faster than anyone would wish. PROPHETIC ANALYSIS 1. The first seal of Revelation – The White Horseman – which represents Islamic ambition can be clearly seen emerging in Syria, Iran and Egypt. 2. The second seal of Revelation – The Red Horseman – representing the Communist block initiating the Third World War can also be observed. 3. The Psalm 83 confederacy came much closer with Egypt’s descent into Islamism and the alignment of Russia, Iran and Syria indicate the Ezekiel 38 – 39 participants. Information Sources 1. Egypt President to rethink treaty with Israel – wants closer ties with Iran 2. Turkey turns to NATO after jet downed by Syria 3. US – Israel War game against Iran planned for October 4. Putin in Israel to boost power in Middle East 5. Hamas Minister demands use of force to Liberate Israel from Jews 6. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood President – Jihad is our Path 7. Putin warns Israel not to strike Iran 8. Russia warns NATO against action against Syria for Turkish jet 9. Netanyahu has decided to attack Iran before US presidential election 10. Norwegian jihadist operational -waiting for target 11. Danger of attacking Iran less than Iran obtaining Nuc Bomb 12. Abbas calls for peace conference in Moscow 13. Furious Turkey mobilizes troops to Syrian border 14. Turkey to Syria – Rules of Engagement have changed 15. SAS operating in Syria 16. Assad declares Syria at war 17. Egyptian President vows to declare Sharia Law 18. Muslim Brotherhood starts move to Islamic Caliphate 19. Muslim Brotherhood pushing for destruction of Israel 20. US Russia deal to allow Assad two more years 21. US grants China and Singapore exemption from Iran sanctions 22. Did Russians shoot down Turkish jet? 23. Iran – there will be war and we will win 24. Russia enlists China and Iran to defeat US Middle East interests 25. Russian Technicians assisted in shooting down Turkish jet to send message to NATO [...]
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PATRICIA JONES
4:49 am
Jul 13, 2012
HOW CAN UNESCO GIVE THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY TO PALESTINE? THERE IS NO COUNTRY OR STATE CALLED PALESTINE. THEY SHOULD STOP PLAYING BIG BROTHER AND MAKING DECISIONS FOR PEOPLE.
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