Monday, December 2, 2013

Violence From Syria 'Spills Over Into Israel'





This development is worth watching closely:





The Syrian civil war was felt in Israel on Monday as, in two separate incidents, a mortar shell hit the town of Majdal Shams and an IDF unit came under fire in the southern Golan Heights, according to the army.

The unit that came under fire incurred no casualties and returned fire toward the source of the attack. 
The Israeli soldiers returned fire and reported that they hit at least one Syrian soldier, Israel Radio reported.


In the past, Israel has filed complaints with the peacekeeping forces in the Golan, requesting that the UN bring an end to the cross-border shelling.
In late October, two mortar shells landed near Tel Fares on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights.
While most incidents are unintentional spillovers, occasionally IDF soldiers and positions are purposely targeted.




Syrian gunmen directed small arms fire across the Israeli - Syrian border, at the Quneitra Border Crossing on Sunday morning.
An IDF unit which was present on the border returned fire, using small arms fire, accurately striking the target, an army spokeswoman said.
Heavy battles between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad and Syrian rebels have been underway in the Quneitra area.
Ever since the internal Syrian fighting spread right up to Israel’s border, the IDF has been busy implementing a code of conduct in the area, according to which those who fire on Israel – intentionally or accidentally – can expect a response in the form of return fire.
Earlier on Sunday, a Syrian mortar shell crossed into Israel and exploded near the Druse village of Majdal Shams. There were no injuries in the incident.





The Obama administration can’t take the heat. Stung by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaction to the so-called “deal” made with Iran, President Obama has asked the Israeli leader to “take a breather from his clamorous criticism,”according to the Washington Post’s David Ignatius.

Netanyahu’s anger is justified. Despite the ostensible reality that Israel is America’s staunchest Middle East ally, the Obama administration was engaged in six months of secret, high-level talks with Israel’s foremost enemy. Obama informed Netanyahu of this reality on September 30. And while he seemingly took Obama’s announcement in stride, a day later the Israeli Prime Minister delivered a blistering speech to the UN General Assembly, calling Iranian President Hasan Rouhani a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” looking to exploit this latest diplomatic effort to advance his nation’s nuclear weapons agenda. He also made it clear where his nation stood on the issue. “I want there to be no confusion on this point. Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons,” he insisted. “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”

In the following weeks, there was no let up by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, and on November 24 Obama phoned the Prime Minister in an effort assuage his concerns. The two leaders agreed to have an Israeli delegation, headed by National SecurityAdviser Yossi Cohen, ensconced in Washington, D.C. to iron out a deal that keeps Israel in the loop going forward. Obama also assured Netanyahu the both nations were on the same page with regard Iranian policy goals. It was during that phone call that Obama reportedly asked Netanyahu to tone down his rhetoric.

Yesterday, in a response to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s ridiculous criticism of his approach to the issue, Netanyahu reiterated his intention to keep talking. “In contrast to others, when I see that the vital security interests of Israeli citizens are at stake, I will not shut up,” he declared. “It is very easy to keep quiet. It is easy to receive pats on the shoulder from the internationalcommunity, to bow one’s head, but I am committed to the security of my people. I am committed to the future of my country, and in contrast to periods in the past, we have a loud and clear voice among the nations and we will make it heard in order to warn—in time—against dangers,” he added.

Israeli Defense Forces told British newspaperThe Sunday Times that the Israeli leader has ordered Mossad, its international espionage agency, and Aman, its primary military intelligence organization, to search for any evidence that violates the deal signed in Geneva eight days ago. “Everyone has his own view regarding the Geneva agreement,” an Israeli intelligence source was quoted as saying. “But it is clear that if a smoking gun is produced, it will tumble like a house of cards.”


Undaunted, the Iranians continue to push the envelope. On Saturday, Rouhaniannounced that his nation will begin construction on a second nuclear power plant in the Bushehr province in southwest Iran. “The first nuclear power plant is in operation in Bushehr province, and the construction of the second one will soon kick off; development of new atomic power plants in the country will start in earnest and there will be nuclear reactors in most parts of Bushehr province,” the Iranian Tasnim news agency reported Rouhani as saying. Tehran pushed the envelope even further, identifying an additional 16 sites they consider suitable for nuclear power plants.

In the meantime, while the American left is celebrating this “historic” achievement, it is worth remembering two sobering realities. First and foremost, there is no deal. As noted last week, the Iranians contend the White House put out an inaccurate fact sheet regarding what was agreed to, and the State Department was forced to admit that the much-ballyhooed six-month interim agreement has not begun, nor is there any mechanism in place to prevent Iran from continuing to pursue its nuclear ambitions.

Second, Americans either forget or are unaware of the reality that Rouhani is a front man for the real power in Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. That would be the same Ali Khamenei who continues to refer to the United States as the “Great Satan,” and who told thousands of Iran’s Basij militiamen late in November that Israel is the “sinister, unclean, rabid dog of the region.” “The real threats to the world are evil powers including the Zionist regime and its supporters,” Khamenei said. “The Zionist regime is doomed to destruction, because this despicable regime was formed by power and imposed on the world, and nothing which is imposed will last,” he added.

The Obama administration’s reaction to Khamenei’s rhetoric? According to theWashington Post, it was “brushed off” by officials shortly before the talks in Geneva began. Peace at any price requires nothing less.








Israel will not stand silent as its security is compromised and will take action to dispel any threat leveled against the state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

Speaking at the Great Synagogue in Rome, Netanyahu shot back atcritics of his policies, and said that he was concerned more with Israel’s safety than with his public image.

“In contrast to others, when I see that interests vital to the security of Israel’s citizens are in danger, I will not be silent,” the prime minister said.


“I am committed to the future of my state and in contrast to periods in the past, we have a loud and clear voice among the nations and we will sound it in time in order to warn of the danger.”
These remarks were apparently directed at his predecessor Ehud Olmert, who earlier Sunday slammed Netanyahu’s public feuding with the US over the best way to thwart Iran’s nuclear weapons drive.

Netanyahu went on to directly address Iran’s nuclear program, and said that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Islamic Republic would not only endanger Israel, but the entire Middle East.
“I would like to dispel any illusions. Iran aspires to attain an atomic bomb,” he said, adding that Tehran was also spreading violence across the region.
“Today there is a regime in Iran that supports terrorism, facilitates the massacre of civilians in Syria and unceasingly arms its proxies – Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad – with deadly missiles.”
Netanyahu concluded his remarks by stressing that the lifting of sanctions on Tehran would pave the way for the Islamist regime in Tehran to produce nuclear weapons.







Also see:
























20 comments:

WVBORN56 said...

Is it me or does there seem to be a waning on the part of watchmen. Things seem to have slowed down from the watchman's perspective. Fewer people are posting or so it seems, here and other message boards. We seem to come to a tipping point and then the proverbial can gets kicked down the road again. The signs are continuing as we see from Scott's abundance of posted articles but the tipping point seems elusive. Maybe that is why the coming of the Lord is as a thief in the night. Let's not give up now. Keep looking up.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.

Sandra said...

Hi WV,

So true, it seems everyone is weary, but still watching. For myself, this past week has been busy, my daughter just had our first grandchild (grandson) Aaron. What a joy to hold a new baby!
Sandra

WVBORN56 said...

Sandra, Congratulations. I now have 3 grandchildren and they are surely a blessing from the Lord. Little Sam and twin girls! :)

Yes I can see how many are growing weary but we surely do not want to quit the race coming down the home stretch!

I just read the Nearing Midnight article at RR and the site owner there Todd wrote somewhat the same theme I just wrote. I think the Holy spirit must be speaking. Don't quit now!

Blessings!

Sandra said...

Spoken with true words of wisdom which comes from the Holy Spirit. The finish line is almost in sight!
I guess that is why Paul compared this to a marathon race...Anyways WV as many on this site I always appreciate your words.
Sandra

Dutch Treat said...

WV, Sandra, one of the problems as I see it is that sometimes you just run out of things to say; and I'm not the type to comment just to comment. Also if you keep saying the same thing over and over again even if it's The Truth, after a while people will start to tune you out, just as they tuned ut the Old Testament Prophets; yet everything they prophecied came true. So just keep looking up, speak the Truth in love, and be ready to go in the twinkling of an eye be it today or a few years down the road.

harnessandleash said...

WV wrote: "Is it me?"

It's not just you. I read recently "the deer in the headlight" phenomenon is a human response that psychologists believe is a natural reaction when we feel stressed. "Stressed" seems an understatement in light of what's happening in the world today (even though prophesied). The good news is we can take comfort in the fact that we are trainable to overcome inborn tendencies-- Just as any firefighter, policeman, or soldier can be trained mentally-- we, too, have the words of our Lord to help us stay alert, mentally, as watchman. We have to counterbalance the "headlights" with our continued fixation on the One True Light.

DT, wise words.
Congratulations Sandra.

Karalee

Waterer said...

So resonate with these thoughts. In Luke 12 the watcher keeps looking for the Masters arrival but is also doing the work. Imagine the Lord's point in the parable as a warning to keep at it. The tendency is to grow tired at being disappointed.To feel foolish even in expecting Him when He "never"comes. But He will come and when we do not expect Him..And He will put an apron on and serve at the feast those who were watching..and doing His commands in times of not knowing but only hoping.
Hoping with you all today.

WVBORN56 said...

Thanks Sandra. Dutch I agree. I often run out of things to say and sometimes when I do speak, I wish I had run out of words sooner... before I post. LOL

That is true especially knowing God's words are the words of truth and life. We should chose ours carefully. We know we will be held accountable for our idle words.

Anyway we do see prophecy continue to march forward as Scott faithfully keeps us well informed with such an avalanche of daily relevant news stories. Part of the loss of interest may be from being desensitized from so many birth pains that it almost feels normal?

WVBORN56 said...

Waterer, good point from Luke 12. I think keeping "at it" is even more difficult as "that day" rapidly approaches. Remember when we were children? When was it the hardest waiting for Christmas morning? The week before Christmas or the middle of the summer?

I think that is my problem. We are super close to the rapture therefore it gets more difficult to be patient.

Karalee, nice observation with the deer in the headlights. That has many of us standing with our mouths wide open as we see our nation going down the drain and Israel being betrayed.

ChristineInCleveland said...

That is sooo true, WV! You know what? I am moving into my first apartment separated from my verbally abusive Bipolar spouse after15 years, this Wednesday. I am so excited to be finally making a clean, cozy home for my son & me to live in. Its going to be rough earning enough to sqeak by, but I went into this from the inception asking the Lord to open the doors if it was His will to grant me a way out. Now that its about to come true, I still will not think of this apartment as more than a temporary abode... I sense my REAL home with Jesus may be right around the corner, & I hang on to nothing in this life too tightly! This is really my last wish while on earth being granted, before I go home to live with the Lord forever with all my brothers & sisters in Christ. Oh what a wonderful day that will be! :)
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb!

WVBORN56 said...

Praying for all to go well Christine!

Caver said...

WV and all....your comments are so dead on. Here, I'm still interested and read daily, but its almost like I'm punch drunk. What can you say to most of this stuff???? Its so beyond anything I ever suspected to see...or experience...words just fail most of the time.

Stephen said...

Stocks are going down, but not much. Dow down less then 100 pts.

still, down is down. Bulls have been pumping up stocks for nearly
5 years now, and 11 APR 2014 is
fast approaching.

about 4 months away.

I noticed on debka that the Jews
are making deals with the Pope and
with the new PM in Italy.

Why ??

is this new PM the AC ??

we will see.

The Pope has this so called
peace platform set up for this
purpose.

any FURTHER weakness in stocks
will be VERY CONCERNING since
Horizon 2020 is about to begin.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Scott said...

A lot of good points being made.

Yes - prophecy watching is veru very hard for so many reasons - and I believe it takes certain personality types to do so. We have to be pretty independent thinkers, as it isn't easy to go against the 'mainstream' - even when the mainstream is so clearly wrong and we have the scriptures to support our POV. It takes strength. It takes some degree of thinking out of the box.

But the hardest part is what is being said here. VW - you hit it best with the Christmas analogy.

Most of us appropriately wait as if Jesus will come at any second. We are told to do so, so thats a good thing. But that can become very tiresome when it doesn't happen. I beieve it is MUCH harder to be a watcher with that minute-minute anticipation, as contrasted with those who are not watching and planning their daily routine.

If there is no anticipation, then there is no fatigue from watching.

But I do believe the reward will be great (after all, it is one of the five crowns mentioned, so it is obviously important.

Scott said...

If you want a 'shot in the arm' go back and read Luke 12:35-56 and you'll get a feel for how important it is to Jesus that we watch.

Then supplement that with the closing statements in Mark 13, and Matthew 24/25 - and note all of the times that Jesus states that He wants us watching for His return.

He was emhatic that we know the signs, that we watch the signs and that we love Him enough to care about His return.

Thats what its all about right there :)

Scott said...

Stephen - what kind of deals?
And peace platform?

I'm interested - give us some more info or links!!

Thanks

Stephen said...

SCOTT

this is all I have right now

http://www.debka.com/newsupdatepopup/6539/

maybe u can find more.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Stephen said...

OH MY GOD

it is all over the place now.

type PM netanyahu
into yahoo news search.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>

Scott said...

The book on the spanish inquisition that his father wrote?

Unknown said...

The inquisition.........what a show !!