4/30/20

* Netanyahu calls on Hezbollah to be banned worldwide Germany outlaws Hezbollah, raids mosques and local leaders' homes.

* Israel celebrates 72, yet in PA world Israel still does not exist April could be called "creative map month" in the PA. As Palestinian Media Watch has documented, the PA as policy always completely erases Israel in maps and replaces it with "Palestine."

* Top PA official: 'We were "owners" of this land for more than 6,000 years' - it will be liberated Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) reports Supreme Shari'ah Judge and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah, Mahmoud Al-Habbash said: "They [Israel] know that this land has had people and owners for more than 6,000 years, and that we were here before them, before they were even known in history.

* Abbas to dismantle Palestinian Authority if Israeli annexes an inch of land Mahmoud Abbas has urgently summoned PLO and Fatah leaders to Ramallah next week to rally around his decision to dissolve the Palestinian Authority if the Netanyahu-Gantz government annexes one inch of the West Bank.

* Israel expects 'huge wave' of new immigrants this year despite coronavirus Approximately 100,000 immigrants are expected to immigrate to Israel in 2020.

* Arab foreign ministers condemns Israeli plan to annex parts of occupied West Bank Arab countries condemned Israel's plan to de facto annex parts of the occupied West Bank as a "new war crime" against Palestinians, the Arab League said in a statement after a video conference of Arab foreign ministers on Thursday.

* Special Report: Trump told Saudis: Cut oil supply or lose U.S. military support - sources As the United States pressed Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, President Donald Trump gave Saudi leaders an ultimatum.

* Militants, fringe groups exploiting COVID-19, warns EU anti-terrorism chief The coronavirus pandemic is fuelling extremism on the far-right and far-left in Europe and giving Islamic State and other militants cover to regain influence, the European Union's counter-terrorism chief has warned.

* Researchers say Vatican archives show pope Pius XII knew of WWII killing of Jews German scholars exploring newly opened trove of documents find letter indicating pope was aware of massacre of Jews in Warsaw and Lviv from own sources, but denied it to Americans.

* Is the Dead Sea Dying? This week, we're distilling the salty truth about the Dead Sea, starting with the shocker that it's neither a sea and nor is it dead. Yet.

4/29/20

* Israel: Unusual Independence Day celebrated under nationwide curfew conditions Open trucks crisscrossed the streets blasting festive music to citizens indoors.

* The secret of Israel's military - revealed IDF reveals the secret to its continued success. Hint: It's not the weapons.

* Ahead of Arab League session, Russia reiterates opposition to 'annexation' The Russian announcement came on the eve of an extraordinary meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss the "dangers" of the Israeli "annexation" plan.

* The United Nations Human Rights Council Praises Iran One of the worst examples we can identify as a conscious distortion of reality is the way in which the UN Human Rights Council, in its February-March 2020 five-year report on the Islamic Republic of Iran, lavished praise on the despotic regime.

* Israel Independence Day: A Day to Praise Hashem As the day to memorialize Israel's fallen went out on Tuesday evening, Israelis and Lovers of Zion around the world wiped away their tears and began to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the modern manifestation of God's promise to the patriarchs.

* Europe is worried about Chinese corporate takeovers tied to Covid-19 As Europe enters a recession induced by the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials are bracing for another possible wave of takeovers and acquisitions by Chinese companies, much like they saw after the 2008 financial crisis.

* Afghanistan: America Moving Out, China Moving In - with Help from Iran Both the United Kingdom and the U.S. State Department have complained to China about the free flow of Chinese weapons to Iran, which then wind up with the Taliban. These include surface-to-air missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, artillery shells, and land mines.

* Go battle Covid-19 at home! Chinese Navy 'expels US warship from territorial waters' A US warship was "expelled" from disputed South China Sea waters after Beijing's navy scrambled fighter jets and naval assets to escort it away, accusing Washington of "provocative" actions at sea.

* If Moscow and Riyadh think they can put the U.S. shale industry out of business, they'd better think again U.S. companies may go bankrupt, but Putin and MBS need petrodollars to keep their citizens from rioting.

* Why Kim Jong Un dying may not be a good thing As stories continue to bubble to the surface regarding the health and potential demise of North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, social media has already taken to making memes about the leader of the reclusive state, celebrating the death of a man many see as a modern day tyrannical despot.

4/28/20

* Netanyahu: 'We will always be prepared for war' to defend Israel Caretaker PM honors memory of fallen soldiers in solemn Remembrance Day ceremony at Mount Herzl.

* US to recognise annexation of occupied West Bank, Jordan Valley Palestinians reject application of Israeli law on occupied WB areas, saying it will shut the door on two-state solution.

* Will annexation destroy Israeli-Jordanian peace, set kingdom aflame? "The peace treaty with Egypt and the peace treaty with Jordan are in a way, the two cornerstones, of our [regional] policy and our security for the last 30 to 40 years."

* Up against the clock and the constitution, new coalition is far from a done deal 9 days remain for Netanyahu and Gantz to form government. As they rush to alter Israel's constitutional order, and new loopholes become evident, 4th election is still very possible.

* Coronavirus: China's Global Intimidation Campaign Chinese envoys have been especially aggressive on Twitter, which they are using to attack, intimidate and silence Western journalists, lawmakers and think tank scholars - essentially anyone who contradicts China's official version of events.

* Monotheistic Religions and the Coronavirus Crisis The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on the world of religion.

* Evangelicalism and US Politics: Impact of Religion on Iran-US Ties Mohammad Masjed-Jamei, a scholar of religion and a former diplomat, has weighed in on the impact of evangelical Christianity on the US politics and the country's foreign policy, especially during the tenure of President Donald Trump.

* Israel Is Not Normal Let's face it. Israel is not a normal country.

* Egyptian Plagues are Recurring in 2020 as Prophesied in Malachi The COVID-19 pandemic is a global catastrophe but hidden within that great darkness are the sparks of the final redemption.

* Are these the fracture lines that will break the EU? Europe's border closures due to coronavirus go against a fundamental freedom enshrined in the Schengen Agreement.

4/27/20

* Defense Minister Bennett: Israel goes from containing Iran in Syria - to expulsion Israeli warplanes were alleged to have struck targets near Damascus early Monday, April 27, hours after Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said: "Keep yours ears open. We have moved from containing Iran's military presence in Syria to expulsion."

* Netanyahu: Land of Israel is National Home of Jewish People according to Bible Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked the 100th anniversary of the San Remo conference on Sunday in a Facebook post where he said: "The Land of Israel is the national home of the Jewish people, according to history, the Bible, justice, and international law."

* Arab League calls urgent meeting to torpedo Israel's annexation plans The secretary-general accused Israel of "exploiting the world's preoccupation with the novel coronavirus to impose a new reality on the ground."

* Palestinians and the Virus of Normalization If Hamas is opposed to any form of cooperation with Israel, why does it continue to allow medical supplies to be transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip on an almost weekly basis?

* Waqf Threatens to Overpower Israeli Police to Control Temple Mount The manager of the Al-Aksa Mosque and high ranking official in the Wakf Omar Al-Qiswani warned that "if Israel opens the Mughrabe Gate for Jewish pilgrims, we will open all of the gates to the Muslims."

* Israeli population hits 9.2 million By 2030, Israel's population is expected to reach 11.1 million, 13.2 million by 2040 and 15.2 million by 2048, which will be Israel's 100th anniversary.

* On centenary, San Remo Conference hailed as 'seminal moment' in Zionist history World leaders praise April 1920 summit as first anchor of Jewish state's legitimacy in international law; Pompeo says it marked world's embrace of Jews' unbreakable ties to Israel.

* Data: Coronavirus Likely to Spark Mass Immigration Wave to Israel The global coronavirus pandemic will likely spark a massive wave of immigration to Israel, with some 100,000 expats and new arrivals expected to move to the country once the crisis is over, according to Ministry of Absorption statistics.

* Jordan urges foreign governments to discourage Israel from annexing West Bank Jordan is lobbying foreign leaders to put pressure on the new Israeli government not to move forward with annexation of the Jordan Valley - the settlements and other parts of the West Bank.

* Cold War Foes U.S., Russia, Spark Biggest Military Spending Jump In A Decade Global military spending surged the most in a decade last year, boosted by Cold War foes the United States and Russia, as well as China, Saudi Arabia, and India.

4/25/20

* Iran: US warships will be destroyed if threaten Iran's interests in Gulf "Security of the Persian Gulf is part of Iran's strategic priorities."

* Israel's Netanyahu and Gantz sign unity government deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Benny Gantz, have signed an agreement to form an emergency unity government.

* Will the new government push ahead with annexing the West Bank? DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: For the newborn Israeli government, it’s time to decide.

* UN, EU warn Israel against West Bank annexation UN's Middle East envoy says move would be 'devastating' to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day virtually Memorial ceremonies dedicated to survivors have been forced to go virtual in light of coronavirus pandemic.

* Remembrance Day with a difference, honoring the fallen from afar The announcement follows the decision to enforce another nationwide lockdown for Israel's Independence Day.

* Global Jewish population hits 14.7 million - but remains far below pre-Holocaust peak Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, report shows global Jewish population tops 14.7 million - but remains far below pre-Holocaust level.

* The European Union is Dead but Does Not Yet Know It The new coronavirus appears to be tearing apart the fragile framework of the European Union.

* Hezbollah Is the World’s Most Heavily-Armed Non-State Actor Hezbollah’s missile arsenal occasionally snatches headlines. Here is what they have.

* Pope, on eve of summit, urges fractured EU to find unity over coronavirus Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Europe to remain united in overcoming the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, speaking on the eve of an EU summit to discuss a huge but divisive economic stimulus package.

* Lutherans Publish New Version of Bible Without the Word ‘Israel’ in It A recently published translation of the New Testament has one glaring omission: it has excised all references to the place and the people of the Bible.

4/24/20

* PA Deal With Jordan Establshes Muslim Conquest of the Temple Mount Muslim officials announced to all the major media that, as part of the global community, they would observe social distancing restrictions by refraining from public worship including in the Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

* Will the new government push ahead with annexing the West Bank? DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: For the newborn Israeli government, it's time to decide.

* UN, EU warn Israel against West Bank annexation UN's Middle East envoy says move would be 'devastating' to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* France threatens Israel ties over settlement annexation An Israeli diplomatic source said that more EU member states opposed Borrell's remark than came out against any previous EU statement on Israel.

* Pandemics, Palestinian Incitement and Peace A few weeks ago, officials in Israel's Health Ministry were calling for Israel to "medically annex Judea and Samaria" for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

* After Holocaust Day:Germany-EU Warn that Jews Should be Restricted From Living in Judea-Samaria Rather than congratulate Israel on forming a unity government after three elections, many governments responded by warning the new alliance against annexing Biblical Judea and Samaria thereby allowing Jews to fulfill prophecy by returning to the homeland promised to them by their covenant with God.

* Europe after the plague President Trump, you've got company. The European Union also is on the hot seat for its tardy and ineffectual response to the coronavirus pandemic.

* Blair comeback is a terrible idea... unless the UK wants to join a US war on China For many observing the British government's fiasco over the Covid-19 pandemic, it is like watching a rerun of the Dad's Army sitcom.

* Opinion: Why Trump shouldn't send corona aid to Palestinians The PA considers the suicide bombers and other mass-murderers to be "heroes." That includes, by the way, the terrorists who have murdered more than 150 American citizens in recent decades.

* How the US can learn from Israel to counter Iran During the COVID-19 crisis, one would have thought the United States and Iran would find ways to reduce tensions.

4/23/20

* Iran: US warships will be destroyed if threaten Iran's interests in Gulf "Security of the Persian Gulf is part of Iran's strategic priorities."

* 'Monstrous' coalition deal neuters Knesset. Should judges intervene? Will they? The 23rd Knesset began legislating Thursday the many convoluted amendments to Israel's constitutional Basic Laws demanded by the coalition agreement signed Monday between Likud and Blue and White.

* 'In End of Days, We'll Demand Freedom Like in Egypt. But this time: it'll be from the Vatican' say Rabbi In the book of Micah, we learn that in the End of Days, the final redemption will mirror that which took place in Egypt.

* Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews take to internet in coronavirus lockdown Israel's religiously devout Jews, who traditionally shun the use of internet or smartphones, are increasingly going online to shop, study and video chat as the coronavirus outbreak forces them to stay largely home.

* Israel's New Laser Weapon Could Be Decisive Against Hamas' Terror Attacks Hamas has been known to launch flaming kites and explosives against Israel.

* Israeli Scientists Reveal New Properties of Arrokoth: the most Distant Object in the Solar System Fourteen years ago, the New Horizons robotic spacecraft was sent for the first time to get a close look at the most-distant planet in the solar system, Pluto - which was had not yet seen up close - and to study its features and terrain.

* Coronavirus: World risks 'biblical' famines due to pandemic - UN The world is at risk of widespread famines "of biblical proportions" caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the UN has warned.

* EU leaders meet by video amid fears coronavirus could destroy European unity EU leaders are heading back into their fourth video call summit tasked with continuing to build the bloc's response to the coronavirus crisis.

* The Role of Christianity in the 6,000 Year Hebrew Calendar of Redemption A scientist applied his mind to the Bible and established a 6,000 year framework culminating in the final Redemption.

* PA to Palestinians: Al-Aqsa is more precious than your children - in PA TV filler A filler between broadcasts on official PA TV reinforces the PA's message to Palestinians that the Islamic holy places and the struggle for "Palestine" are worth the sacrifice of their children.

4/22/20

* Remembrance Day with a difference, honoring the fallen from afar The announcement follows the decision to enforce another nationwide lockdown for Israel's Independence Day.

* Can Israel's overweight government of mismatched components do the job? That depends on the disparate Binyamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz bonding at the head of Israel's first working government in nearly two years.

* Israeli Annexation of the Jordan Valley Last October marked the 25th anniversary (October 26, 1994) of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, signed by Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin and King Hussein, witnessed by President Bill Clinton.

* Coronavirus: Another 9/11 Moment for the West Commentators and politicians today worry that the current situation might trigger a new cold war with China.

* Russia, Turkey, and Iran To Meet On Syria The foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, and Iran will hold a video conference on April 22 to discuss Syria and a de-escalation deal in the last rebel-held enclave in Idlib.

* The coronavirus could double severe hunger around the world to 265 million people without 'swift action,' UN warns The coronavirus pandemic could precipitate a second crisis, the United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.

* Iran saber-rattling in the Persian Gulf despite coronavirus woes Iran is preparing to reprise the saber-rattling and aggression that brought the United States to the brink of a clash in the Persian Gulf last year, according to U.S. sources and analysts.

* Iran, Russia should increase cooperation against coronavirus, continue trade: Rouhani Iran and Russia should increase their cooperation in the fight against the new coronavirus outbreak and continue to trade with each other, President Hassan Rouhani told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the Iranian presidency website said.

* Pope, on eve of summit, urges fractured EU to find unity over coronavirus Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Europe to remain united in overcoming the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, speaking on the eve of an EU summit to discuss a huge but divisive economic stimulus package.

* Trump to US Navy: Destroy Iranian ships if they harass us at sea Tensions between Iran and the United States increased earlier this year after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a drone strike in Iraq.

4/21/20

* Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day virtually Memorial ceremonies dedicated to survivors have been forced to go virtual in light of coronavirus pandemic.

* Israeli Survivors Remember Holocaust amid Coronavirus Quarantine With the global coronavirus pandemic ravaging the elderly, Israel's aging population of Holocaust survivors finds itself on the country's annual Holocaust Remembrance Day this year much like they were during World War II - alone and in fear of the unknown.

* Israel's Netanyahu and Gantz sign unity government deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Benny Gantz, have signed an agreement to form an emergency unity government.

* Israel's new 'unity' government is neither united nor likely to govern well The deep distrust between Netanyahu and Gantz shapes every facet of the new coalition deal, transforming the nascent government into a two-headed hydra of contradictory impulses.

* Palestinians decry Netanyahu-Gantz deal, warn 'annexation' ends peace deal Some Palestinian officials and factions called on the Palestinian leadership to immediately halt all forms of cooperation with Israel.

* Netanyahu aims for West Bank annexations by July The Israeli prime minister plans to realize a US-backed blueprint before the end of Trump's first term.

* The Palestinian Virus: Abbas's Role Models Abu Jihad was not assassinated by Israel because of any political activities or ideology. His assassination stopped him from masterminding more attacks and killing more Israelis.

* Palestinian leaders to Israel: Don't you dare annex Judea and Samaria With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and formal rival Blue and White leader Benny Gantz joining hands, it is expected that Israel will move forward in its plans to annex Judea and Samaria.

* Oil Prices at All-Time Low as Coronavirus Creates a 'Pre-Messiah Economy' Oil prices plummeted -305 percent on Monday, going into the negative for the first time ever.

* Liquor stores & gun shops open for business, but churches closed. Why are US governors trashing the First Amendment? At a time when Americans could use some spiritual support to see them through the coronavirus pandemic, states have banned worshipers from assembling under a single roof.

4/20/20

* BREAKING NEWS: Netanyahu, Gantz sign a unity government agreement  After three elections and 17 months of election campaigns and coalition negotiations, Netanyahu and Gantz had signed a deal for the establishment of a new government.

* World War III Cometh: These Are 2020s 5 Most Dangerous Hotspots The prospect of global conflagration in 2020 is low. Everyone awaits the result of the U.S. election, and a better understanding of the direction of US policy for the next four years.

* Stirrings of unrest around the world could portend turmoil as economies collapse As more than half the people in the world hunker down under some form of enforced confinement, stirrings of political and social unrest are pointing to a new, potentially turbulent phase in the global effort to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

* The European Union is Dead but Does Not Yet Know It The truth is that there is no "Union".

* 18% spike in physical acts of antisemitism in 2019 - report Coronavirus antisemitism phenomenon shows 'revival of medieval blood libels'.

* Global Jewish population hits 14.7 million - but remains far below pre-Holocaust peak Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, report shows global Jewish population tops 14.7 million - but remains far below pre-Holocaust level.

* Hezbollah Is the World's Most Heavily-Armed Non-State Actor Hezbollah's missile arsenal is mostly "small, man-portable and unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets," that serve to terrorize Israel, despite the fact they are not precise guided munitions.

* Settler leader: 'yes' to West Bank sovereignty, 'no' to Trump's peace plan Negotiations to form a government coalition and the Palestinian Authority diplomatic campaign against West Bank annexation have kept the topic of annexation in the headlines.

* Denmark: Israel references removed from New Testament edition Some 60 direct references to land of Israel removed from new translation published as part of 'Bible 2020'.

* Europe needs €1.5 TRILLION to recover or single market could 'break in two' - EU economy commissioner The European Union urgently requires financial injections to stay afloat and survive the coronavirus epidemic currently ravaging the continent, the European commissioner for economy, Paolo Gentiloni, has warned.

* A Historic First: Al-Aqsa Mosque Closed for Ramadan Prayer at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City will be banned during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, Muslim clerics said on Thursday.

4/18/20

* Did Xi Jinping Deliberately Sicken the World? PRC moral turpitude forces us to consider the unthinkable.

* China Actively Promoted Biological Warfare for Over 20 Years, new Report Reveals It could very well be. That’s because since 1996, the Chinese Military has pushed the idea of biological warfare as a legitimate means of fighting battles a new expose in Japan Forward reveals.

* China Blasts Trump’s Move to Pull WHO Funding, Pledges Support China criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to temporarily halt funding to the World Health Organization and pledged to support the global health body.

* TIMELINE: What to expect after Knesset is tasked to form a gov't Here's what to expect in the coming weeks and months as the Knesset works to form a government.

* Pro-Israel Group Warns Israeli Leaders That West Bank Annexation Would Damage US-Israel Alliance A pro-Israel group is warning Israeli leaders that reports of planned annexations of parts of the West Bank would cause “long-term damage” to the U.S.-Israel alliance.

* North Korea is setting up a post-Covid-19 gambit by staging missile launches while everyone is busy North Korea has been test-firing ballistic missiles on a scale that suggests 2020 will be its busiest year of testing. 

* How the Syrian war is lifted into Libya’s Battle for Tripoli Russia has just airlifted into Libya the 350-strong Syrian rebel “Fifth Legion,” once linked to Israel, to combat a second Syrian rebel unit, this one deployed by Turkey, in the battle for Tripoli.

* Coronavirus: Future of Europe at stake, warns Pope Francis Pontiff’s words come at time of mounting political tension and mistrust among EU leaders.

* Coronavirus and Macron’s Vision for Europe After years of falling in line with German priorities at the EU by focusing on economic matters, French president Emmanuel Macron is now an advocate for change.

* Turkey Is Building a Geopolitical Alliance Between Sunni and Shiite Islamists The recent news about the involvement of Iranian diplomats in the murder of an Iranian dissident in Turkey sparked a flare of international interest from within the all-encompassing coronavirus pandemic coverage, largely thanks to unflattering comparisons with coverage of the Jamal Khashoggi murder in 2018 (which the Iranian press promoted with gusto).

* Israeli patriotism strong as ever despite pandemic, poll finds The recent news about the involvement of Iranian diplomats in the murder of an Iranian dissident in Turkey sparked a flare of The reactions of those surveyed scored consistently high, conveying optimism and hope.

4/17/20

* Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound closed to worshipers for Ramadan Body administering the compound said the decision was 'painful'.

* TIMELINE: What to expect after Knesset is tasked to form a gov't Negotiations are floundering between Blue and White and Likud and, as of Friday, the two parties continued to fail to reach an agreement to form a national unity government within the time allotted by President Reuven Rivlin.

* Israel 'heading towards record fourth election' Israel is facing the growing prospect of an unprecedented fourth election in just over a year after a deadline to form a government expired.

* Which way is Iran leaning as coronavirus, nuke embarrassments mount? Regime thought election win would stabilize power.

* The EU must not let the four horsemen of the Apocalypse weaken Europe's security Were there not four horsemen of the Apocalypse? Just as the virus was spreading in China, Europe was having to deal with the border crisis with Turkey, a humanitarian crisis in Syria, a civil war in Libya, keeping Russia at bay and responding to instability and terrorism in the Sahel.

* Jerusalem police clash with worshipers as they defy social-distancing rules Riots shook Jerusalem yesterday night (April 16) after police attempted to disperse a religious gathering that was infringing social-distancing rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Moscow rolls out digital tracking to enforce lockdown. Critics dub it a 'cyber Gulag' Moscow has introduced a digital tracking system to enforce a coronavirus lockdown -- but critics say the technology represents an unprecedented threat to privacy.

* Why Is Turkey Embracing Hamas? If the reports about Erdogan's readiness to invite Hamas leaders to live in Turkey are true, that would also turn Erdogan into the spiritual father of a terrorist group that seeks to destroy Israel and replace it with an Islamic state.

* 10 Signs Revealing that the Messiah's Arrival is Imminent More than 1500 years ago, rabbis discussed many signs that would precede the coming of the Messiah and the inauguration of the messianic era.

* From Tel Aviv's Beaches to the World's Holiest Sites, Here's How to Take a Virtual Tour of Israel While it may not be safe to hop on a plane just yet that doesn't mean you can't still explore the world.

4/16/20

* Pro-Israel Group Warns Israeli Leaders That West Bank Annexation Would Damage US-Israel Alliance A pro-Israel group is warning Israeli leaders that reports of planned annexations of parts of the West Bank would cause "long-term damage" to the U.S.-Israel alliance.

* Blue and White: We will pass anti-Netanyahu bill if no agreement by Monday Rivlin hands mandate to Knesset, bypassing Netanyahu. says he doesn’t see possibility of forming a govt, hopes Knesset members can form majority to prevent fourth elections.

* Russia is about to face its biggest test yet in Syria Assad has been loyal to Putin, and Putin to Assad, but the Syrian people are growing poorer by the day.

* The Quds Force Commander's Visit to Iraq The recent visit to Iraq by the new Quds Force commander, Esmail Qaani, had several purposes: to display the continuity of Tehran's involvement in the country, to rally the Shiite factions against the formation of a pro-US government by Adnan Zurfi, and to enable Qaani to stake a claim as a worthy successor to Qassem Soleimani.

* Iranian Health Ministry Sponsors Coronavirus Cartoon Contest with Antisemitic Submissions The Iranian Health Ministry took a break from lying about how many people have died in Iran from the Wuhan virus to sponsor a "We Defeat Corona" cartoon contest, which reportedly received over 4,200 submissions from entrants in 88 countries - including the source of the pandemic, China.

* Photo Surfaces of W.H.O. Chief Meeting Chinese Officials with Shiva: Hindu 'God of Destruction' A photo posted to Twitter over one year ago by the head of the World Health Organization appears benign at first glance but a closer look reveals that the image depicts a meeting between the WHO and a Chinese organization focused on the domination of global markets.

* Pakistan: Christians yet again denied food aid, coronavirus relief distribution for Muslims only Jihad Watch reports Christians forced to make Islamic profession of faith to get food aid.

* The EU Has Failed Europe over Coronavirus All the evidence suggests that the majority of European governments are ignoring the EU's advice, and acting unilaterally to tackle the impact of the pandemic on their citizens.

* Volcanic activity worldwide 15 Apr 2020: Stromboli volcano, Klyuchevskoy, Popocatepetl, Semeru, Duk... A new lava flow has started to descend on the Sciara del Fuoco since this morning, INGV Catania reported.

* Poll: Israeli patriotism at height even during pandemic The reactions of those surveyed scored consistently high, conveying optimism and hope.

4/15/20

* North Korea is setting up a post-Covid-19 gambit by staging missile launches while everyone is busy North Korea has been test-firing ballistic missiles on a scale that suggests 2020 will be its busiest year of testing.

* Israeli UAV strikes Hezbollah vehicle on Syria-Lebanon border: report An Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacked a vehicle belonging to Hezbollah in Syria near the border with Lebanon, according to reports from Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon.

* Sidelined in unity talks, religious right may be better off walking away The right-wing religious-Zionist Yamina party is watching the unity talks now underway between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White's Benny Gantz with growing frustration and fear.

* PA Calls Israel 'Agents of This Epidemic' A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Israel of as being "agents of this [COVID-19] epidemic" in April 13 remarks to reporters.

* How the Syrian war is lifted into Libya's Battle for Tripoli Russia has just airlifted into Libya the 350-strong Syrian rebel "Fifth Legion," once linked to Israel, to combat a second Syrian rebel unit, this one deployed by Turkey, in the battle for Tripoli.

* Mideast Debt, Unemployment to Spike in Coronavirus Recession: IMF Debt levels, unemployment and budget deficits will spike as the Middle East endures a coronavirus-led recession, piling pain on economies already hit by conflicts and an oil price slump, the IMF said Wednesday.

* Turkey: Erdogan's Post-Corona, Existential Economic Challenge Before the coronavirus, Turkey hoped its tourism revenues might reach as high as $45 billion this year.

* China Blasts Trump's Move to Pull WHO Funding, Pledges Support China criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's move to temporarily halt funding to the World Health Organization and pledged to support the global health body.

* Coronavirus Reveals the Lack of Unity at the EU and the UN The coronavirus crisis is rattling 19 highly indebted European nations and exposing a potentially fatal lack of communitarian spirit within the EU.

* Did Xi Jinping Deliberately Sicken the World? We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People's Republic of China leader Xi Jinping's actions have forced us to rethink this assumption.

4/14/20

* Palestinian girl to Trump: "Brother of a whore, [if] you want war - we will declare war" After US President Trump revealed his peace plan for the Middle East, the PA organized numerous protest rallies.

* Netanyahu, Gantz resume talks in effort to finalize deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and their negotiators will reconvene on Wednesday evening after failing to finalize an agreement in six hours of negotiations at the Prime Minister's Residence on Tuesday.

* Turkey Is Building a Geopolitical Alliance Between Sunni and Shiite Islamists The recent news about the involvement of Iranian diplomats in the murder of an Iranian dissident in Turkey sparked a flare of international interest from within the all-encompassing coronavirus pandemic coverage, largely thanks to unflattering comparisons with coverage of the Jamal Khashoggi murder in 2018 (which the Iranian press promoted with gusto).

* Pro-Israel group warns Israel annexation would damage US-Israel alliance 'We cannot overstate the long-term damage such a move would have on the US-Israel alliance'.

* New Study Reveals: Temple Incense Ingredient May Help With Coronavirus As physicians struggle to find a cure for COVID-19, an ancient resin with known medicinal qualities may be helping some people.

* Pope Francis pushes for universal basic income Pope Francis said in an Easter letter to members of various social movements that the crisis caused by the coronavirus could be a time to consider a universal basic income.

* China's 'mask diplomacy' wins support in Eastern Europe Some Eastern European countries like Serbia, Hungary and the Czech Republic are praising China for its shipments of medical aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, while also playing down assistance they have received from the European Union.

* From the Black Death to AIDS, pandemics have shaped human history. Coronavirus will too Hernan Cortes fled the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan in 1520 under blistering military assault, losing the bulk of his troops on his escape to the coast.

* Shilo residents pray from home courtyards for coronavirus patients in Israel, around world Attorney Nati Rom: 'We'll emerge from this global crisis so we can strengthen relationship and unity between Diaspora and Zionism.'

* Is EVERYTHING broken? Earth has a 'leaky core' resulting in iron-rich lava eruptions, researchers find Amid growing anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic, it would be nice if we could at least rely upon the solidity of the Earth.

4/13/20

* China Actively Promoted Biological Warfare for Over 20 Years, new Report Reveals Was the coronavirus pandemic a blatant act of war?

* South Asian nations to face worst economic slump in 40 years as coronavirus cripples economies - World Bank The Covid-19 pandemic will likely slow South Asia's once-bustling economies to the lowest level seen in decades, the World Bank has warned in its latest report.

* Coronavirus: Future of Europe at stake, warns Pope Francis Pontiff's words come at time of mounting political tension and mistrust among EU leaders.

* Coronavirus and Macron's Vision for Europe After years of falling in line with German priorities at the EU by focusing on economic matters, French president Emmanuel Macron is now an advocate for change.

* Maybe Nature Shouldn't Be Worshipped After All A statement widely attributed to the great British thinker G. K. Chesterton describes the modern period as perfectly as any single idea can: "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing; they believe in anything."

* Massive Earthquakes, Volcanoes now Erupting Worldwide The waves of earthquakes are rocking the center of the U.S. and the sudden awakening of several volcanoes around the world may be a sign of the pre-Messiah shake-up predicted by the prophets.

* French Economist: EU Risks 'Suicide', Could Collapse over Coronavirus French economist Jean-Paul Fitoussi is the latest financial expert to sound the alarm that a lack of solidarity in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic could spell the end of the European Union (EU).

* From the terminally divided EU to the failing WHO, the fantasy of a new liberal world order is crumbling, says John Gray Like a bolt of lightning, the coronavirus has lit up the world in which we really live.

* Coronavirus: What's the latest with Brexit and other big stories? Over the past few months, the coronavirus pandemic has absorbed all the energy of the news cycle. There hasn't been an event like it in our lifetimes.

* Dr. Fauci Echos Bill Gate's Forced Immunity Tracking for Employment, Travel  Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci confirmed in an interview with CNN on Friday that the idea of Americans carrying "certificates of immunity" is a possibility being considered to identify people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus and help jump-start America's economy in the coming weeks.

4/11/20

* 'Limited' Priestly blessing at Western Wall to be broadcast online In most years, tens of thousands of Jews crowd the Western Wall Plaza to receive the priestly blessings.

* Holy Week in the Holy Land: Easter in Jerusalem amid coronavirus The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is closed to the public for the first time in nearly seven centuries

* Happy Passover: ‘Festival of freedom’ marks birth of Jewish nation Jews mark weeklong Passover holiday with traditions and symbolism inspired by the biblical exodus from slavery to freedom.

* Netanyahu Considers Pascal Lamb Sacrifice on Temple Mount for First time in 2,000 Years The Sanhedrin tasked Shimshon Elboim, head of the Temple Mount Organizations, with submitting a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu to perform the ritual korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) in its proper place, the Temple Mount, and in its Biblically mandated time, Wednesday afternoon, the eve of the Passover feast.

* Iran’s Khamenei Praises Islamic Response to Coronavirus: Applauds ‘Powerful Hand of the Infallible Imam’ Western civilization is facing decline and fall as it struggles with the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Thursday.

* Hamas Threatens to Suffocate Six-Million Israelis Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar threatened last week that if Gazans start dying of COVID-19 due to a lack of ventilators, the terrorist group would make “six million settlers unable to breathe.”

* Chinese-Russian Military Cooperation Is Booming: Here's What They Are Making Russia may be the junior partner, but Moscow still benefits.

* Macron Calls On Iran To Respect Nuclear Obligations In Call With Rohani French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Iran to respect its nuclear obligations as the world focuses its attention on the coronavirus pandemic.

* Coronavirus: The Looming Collapse of Europe's Single Currency As the coronavirus unleashes economic shockwaves across Europe, the European single currency, the most visible symbol of European unification, is facing collapse.

* The Real Possibility of War With Iran During a Global Pandemic In the middle of February, I began writing an article that examined the roots and implications of the undying Iran/US conflict from the perspective of Iranian Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

* Behold! See the Hubble telescope's iconic 'Pillars of Creation' view in infrared Scientists have revisited one of the most iconic images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, revealing incredible details in infrared light.

4/10/20

* Historic First: Israel's top Rabbis Call on Netanyahu to Allow Temple Service to Begin on Temple Mount Last month, the Sanhedrin tasked Shimshon Elboim, head of the Temple Mount Organizations, with preparing the way for the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) to be performed in its proper place, the Temple Mount, and in its Biblically mandated time, Wednesday afternoon, the eve of the Passover feast.

* IDF to Syrian army chief: 'We see you -- consider this a warning' Israeli army releases footage of Syrian Armed Forces 1st Corps chief visiting Hezbollah fighters in Syria.

* Syria allows Hezbollah to gain foothold in Golan Heights - IDF New footage shows the commander of the new First Corps in the Syrian Army on a tour of the sites known to be used by Hezbollah accompanied by Hezbollah's southern commander.

* Pope guides locked-down world through virtual Easter Church doors will be shut and the Vatican sealed off when Pope Francis leads 1.3 billion Catholics in Easter Sunday celebrations held under a worldwide coronavirus lockdown.

* Holy Week in the Holy Land: Easter in Jerusalem amid coronavirus The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is closed to the public for the first time in nearly seven centuries.

* Coronavirus hasn't slowed Iran's terrorism and proxy wars, analysts say Coronavirus has torn through Iran in recent months, prompting calls from the international community that the United States lift heavy economic sanctions to help them fight the contagion.

* 'After coronavirus: Iran may provoke more on nuke front' - ex-CIA official Iran may push the envelope even further on the nuclear front after the novel coronavirus crisis, but will still probably stop short of a threat which might bring about an Israeli or US preemptive strike, a top former CIA official has told The Jerusalem Post.

* Trump, Putin speak for second consecutive day President Trump on Friday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the second time in as many days, discussing oil production and the coronavirus pandemic.

* Coronavirus: Are EU divisions banished after the deal? After two tortuous weeks of wrangling, EU finance ministers have agreed a number of common financial measures to protect the workers, businesses and EU countries most in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

* Behold! See the Hubble telescope's iconic 'Pillars of Creation' view in infrared Scientists have revisited one of the most iconic images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, revealing incredible details in infrared light.

4/9/20

* "Exterminate Christians!" The Muslim persecution of Christians that occurred in just one month.

* Iran's Khamenei Praises Islamic Response to Coronavirus: Applauds 'Powerful Hand of the Infallible Imam' Western civilization is facing decline and fall as it struggles with the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Thursday.

* Pompeo speaks with Netanyahu about coronavirus, Iran's 'destabilizing behavior' Secretary of state says US 'commitment to Israel's security is unwavering'; conversation comes amid growing calls for eased sanctions on Tehran due to virus outbreak.

* Passover in Israel looks like Yom Kippur - roads empty due to coronavirus Israel's highways, intersections and back streets were deserted during Passover on Thursday, as coronavirus restrictions and a holiday curfew left the country looking more like Yom Kippur, when almost all road traffic stops.

* Haredim Are Being Scapegoated for Coronavirus in Israel After the deluge of negative headlines over the last two weeks, when COVID-19 is finally beaten back, it will be the scenes of police cordoning off Bnei Brak like a medieval plague city that will define the corona crisis for most Israelis and international observers.

* The European Dream Could Be The Next Coronavirus Victim Countries closed their borders and failed to help neighbors respond to the pandemic. Amid the squabbling, the far-right threatens democratic principles.

* What way for NATO? Hungary follows Turkey down the authoritarian path Critics claim Hungary has turned into an elective dictatorship, with parliament voting to give Prime Minister Viktor Orban power to rule by decree.

* China's Growing Relations with Russia: What's In it for Moscow? Russia, nevertheless, has had to pay for the Chinese support. Virtually every analysis of the relationship concedes that China is the rider and Russia the horse, to use Bismarck's metaphor for alliances.

* Iran urged to declare newly revealed nuclear weapons site to IAEA The Islamic Republic of Iran's activities at the Shahid Mahallati facility show deception, according to the report.

* Pope Francis Says Pandemic Is 'Nature's Response' to Human Inaction over Climate Change Pope Francis said he believes the Chinese coronavirus pandemic is "certainly nature's response" to humanity's failure to address the "partial catastrophes" wrought by human-induced climate change.

4/8/20

* Happy Passover: 'Festival of freedom' marks birth of Jewish nation Jews mark weeklong Passover holiday with traditions and symbolism inspired by the biblical exodus from slavery to freedom.

* Israelis mark Passover, a celebration of freedom, in virtual isolation The Jewish Passover holiday typically draws crowds of Israelis outside to burn heaps of leavened bread, commemorating the Biblical exodus from slavery in Egypt.

* Netanyahu, Gantz, agree to resume talks Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz to wish him a happy Passover holiday on Wednesday afternoon.

* Rivlin: Passover reminds us that the Jewish people are all one family 'This is our story, our anchor, what binds us together - even when we need to be apart.'

* Hamas: A New Pretext to Attack Israel These Hamas leaders, who have done virtually nothing to provide basic healthcare in the Gaza Strip, are now trying to hold Israel responsible for the shortage of the ventilators in Palestinian hospitals.

* Head of EU's top science body quits after Covid-19 response plans get bogged down by Brussels bureaucracy The head of EU's main science organization has resigned just months after taking the job.

* Israelis Notice Eerie Similarities between Passover in 2020 and Original Holiday in Egypt On Wednesday night, Jews around the world will be observing the Biblical Passover holiday commemorating a Passover unlike any other in the 3,332 years since God brought the descendants of Jacob out of slavery in Egypt.

* A Pivotal Year Reexamined Fathom is marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the British Mandate with a series of essays. Yisrael Medad explains why 1920 was such a pivotal year in the Arab conflict with Zionism.

* Coronavirus: UK's Boris Johnson in stable condition after 2nd night in ICU The 55-year-old British leader received oxygen support but was not put on a ventilator and his designated deputy, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, said he would soon be back at the helm.

* Year's brightest supermoon rises over world battered by pandemic NASA encourages public to look skyward for a respite from coronavirus outbreak as full moon moves closer to earth than usual.

4/7/20

* Netanyahu Considers Pascal Lamb Sacrifice on Temple Mount for First time in 2,000 Years The Sanhedrin tasked Shimshon Elboim, head of the Temple Mount Organizations, with submitting a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu to perform the ritual korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) in its proper place, the Temple Mount, and in its Biblically mandated time, Wednesday afternoon, the eve of the Passover feast.

* Samaria Regional Council Head urges PM not to 'miss this historic opportunity' Yossi Dagan hopes PM Netanyahu won't cave in to pressure from Blue & White.

* Macron Calls On Iran To Respect Nuclear Obligations In Call With Rohani French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Iran to respect its nuclear obligations as the world focuses its attention on the coronavirus pandemic.

* Many Iraqi politicians resent IRGC meddling in their affairs The visit of Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani to Iraq last week received a great deal of attention and provoked controversy on the local political scene.

* 'Limited' Priestly blessing at Western Wall to be broadcast online In most years, tens of thousands of Jews crowd the Western Wall Plaza to receive the priestly blessings.

* Coronavirus: The Looming Collapse of Europe's Single Currency In Spain, which recently overtook Italy as the epicenter of the coronavirus in Europe, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez committed €200 billion - 20% of the country's GDP - to alleviate the economic and social consequences of the pandemic.

* The Real Possibility of War With Iran During a Global Pandemic In the middle of February, I began writing an article that examined the roots and implications of the undying Iran/US conflict from the perspective of Iranian Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

* An Eroding European Union At the end of a frustrating six-hour teleconference with European Union leaders at the end of March, French president Emmanuel Macron warned that the Covid-19 pandemic was challenging "the survival of the European project."

* Israel's Nuclear Missiles Could Smash You Back to the Stone Age Israel's missile capabilities are perhaps among the most advanced in the Middle East.

* WHO: Abortions Must Continue even at Expense of Spreading Coronavirus The World Health Organization (WHO) has been targeted by criticism that it bungled the current pandemic but criticism of a different sort is plaguing the organization now.

4/6/20

* Chinese-Russian Military Cooperation Is Booming: Here's What They Are Making Russia may be the junior partner, but Moscow still benefits.

* Travel between cities to be banned Government to approve measure banning travel between cities before Passover Seder, travel between neighborhoods in major cities.

* Netanyahu denounces 'wild incitement' against ultra-Orthodox community Bnei Brak came under fire after residents seemingly failed to adhere to Health Ministry rules.

* Israel, Hamas commence talks to prevent confrontation: report Contacts between sides may include prisoners exchange deal, according to various reports.

* Hamas Threatens to Suffocate Six-Million Israelis Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar threatened last week that if Gazans start dying of COVID-19 due to a lack of ventilators, the terrorist group would make "six million settlers unable to breathe."

* Privacy-minded Germans wary as Berlin develops nationwide Covid-19 tracking app & calls for EU-wide system Germany is pushing for the creation of a smartphone app that will monitor Covid-19 cases across the European Union. Its own plan to create a nationwide system has already raised eyebrows.

* What Europe Must Do to Avoid Falling Apart European finance ministers will meet on Tuesday to try to come up with something resembling a common response to the unprecedented economic crisis create by the coronavirus outbreak.

* Coronavirus: Boris Johnson in 'good spirits' in hospital The PM was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday evening with "persistent symptoms" - including a temperature and a cough - for routine tests.

* China's Fake News: Its 'Superior System' Defeats Coronavirus The virus is hitting China in a second wave. The second wave is claiming victims, including the Party's propaganda narratives.

* 'Complete collapse of economies' ahead as Africa faces virus Some of Uganda's poorest people used to work here, on the streets of Kampala, as fruit sellers sitting on the pavement or as peddlers of everything from handkerchiefs to roasted peanuts.

4/4/20

* Analysis: Iran now has enough enriched uranium to build bomb Accompanied by 10 warships, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier on Wednesday, April 24, deployed opposite the Syrian coast in a dramatic show of strength against Russia and Iran.

* Trump peace plan a sticking point in Israel's Netanyahu-Gantz pact The implementation of President Trump's Middle East peace plan is one of the main stumbling blocks in negotiations for an emergency government between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Benny Gantz.

* Amid last-minute threats, Netanyahu and Gantz try again for unity deal Facing growing anger from his right flank, PM appears to retreat from agreement, but compromises have been reached on all key issues — except West Bank annexation.

* Israel fears Iran may make break for nuke as world focuses on corona Intelligence circles say that Tehran may take advantage of world’s attention on pandemic.

* Holy Week ceremonies in Jerusalem to proceed in limited format Eastern Orthodox churches will still receive Holy Fire from Jerusalem.

* Stones for Altar of Pascal Lamb Sacrifice Now Being Collected Due to Health Ministry restrictions relating to the coronavirus pandemic, the Sanhedrin was forced to cancel the korban Pesach (Passover offering) reenactment for the first time in nine years.

* Coronavirus: Boris Johnson faces fresh pressure to delay Brexit transition period British economy faces ‘double whammy’ of coronavirus disruption and no-deal threat, warns largest grouping of MEPs

* Macron’s vision: a European role for the French nuclear deterrent Carlo Trezza looks at President Macron’s speech at the Ecole de Guerre last month on the possible role of French nuclear deterrence in the context of European security and defence.

* Gordon Brown calls for global government to tackle coronavirus Ex-PM at centre of 2008 banks rescue suggests taskforce of leaders and health experts.

* Millions of Americans say coronavirus a ‘wake-up call’ from God With the coronavirus pandemic causing unprecedented lockdowns and economic distress in the US and around the world, a new national poll provides a fascinating and surprising look at how Americans are viewing the crisis and how it is altering their spiritual habits and interest in the Bible and biblical prophecy.