JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER.
1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)
LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people(ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(UPROOTED ISRAELIS AND DIVIDED JERUSALEM)(THIS BRINGS ON WW3 BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED,WARNING TO ARABS-MUSLIMS AND THE WORLD).
THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS
Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week:(7 YEARS) and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
DANIEL 11:21-23
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE ANIMAL SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
JEREMIAH 6:14
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
JEREMIAH 8:11
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:3
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
ISAIAH 33:8
8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant,(7 YR TREATY) he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.(THE WORLD LEADER-WAR MONGER CALLS HIMSELF GOD)
JERUSALEM DIVIDED
GENESIS 25:20-26
20 And Isaac was forty years old (A BIBLE GENERATION NUMBER=1967 + 40=2007+) when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children (2 NATIONS IN HER-ISRAEL-ARABS) struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels;(ISRAEL AND THE ARABS) and the one people shall be stronger than the other people;(ISRAEL STRONGER THAN ARABS) and the elder shall serve the younger.(LITERALLY ISRAEL THE YOUNGER RULES (ISSAC)(JACOB-LATER NAME CHANGED TO ISRAEL) OVER THE OLDER ARABS (ISHMAEL)(ESAU)
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.(THE OLDER AN ARAB)
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob:(THE YOUNGER-ISRAELI) and Isaac was threescore (60) years old when she bare them.(1967 + 60=2027)(COULD BE THE LAST GENERATION WHEN JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED AMOUNG THE 2 TWINS)(THE 2 TWINS WANT JERUSALEM-THE DIVISION OF JERUSALEM TODAY)(AND WHOS IN CONTROL OF JERUSALEM TODAY-THE YOUNGER ISSAC-JACOB-ISRAEL)(AND WHO WANTS JERUSALEM DIVIDED-THE OLDER,ESAU-ISHMAEL (THE ARABS)
ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
After Iran deal, EU bids to restart Israel-Palestinian talks-Reuters By Robin Emmott-SEPT 5,15-YAHOONEWS
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Arab countries will join the Middle East Quartet in New York at the end of September to seek ways to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the EU's top diplomat said on Friday, part of a new European diplomatic initiative.Encouraged by Europe's role in securing a nuclear deal with Iran, the EU believes a broad range of countries could help, more than a year after the collapse of a U.S.-brokered peace push envisaging a Palestinian state co-existing with Israel.On the margins of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and the head of the Arab League will join the Middle East Quartet of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia for talks."We hope that this re-start of the process can lead to improvements on the ground and also to re-open prospective and political horizons to the talks," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.Mogherini sees a chance for EU diplomacy in the absence of a new push from Washington as U.S. President Barack Obama approaches the end of his final term.The Quartet last met in March in Munich, which was the first meeting in about a year, according to an EU official.(Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
09/ 3/2015-vatican insider-“Negotiations with Palestinians must resume”, Pope tells Israel’s President-Reuven Rivlin was received in an audience in the Vatican today, during which, Francis said “the challenge is to unite”. The two also discussed the role of religious leaders and the problem faced by Christian schools-andrea tornielli
vatican city-A communiqué published by the Holy See Press Office stated that “the need and urgency of promoting a climate of trust between Israelis and Palestinians was highlighted” during the audience “alongside the resumption of direct negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement”. Pope Francis received Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in an audience in the Apostolic Palace this morning.The meeting lasted half an hour, after which, the Israeli head of state met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Vatican’s “foreign minister”, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.“During the cordial discussions the Parties focused on the political and social situation in the Middle East, affected by several conflicts, with special attention to the condition of Christians and other minority groups. In this respect the importance of interreligious dialogue was recognised, along with the responsibility of religious leaders in promoting reconciliation and peace.” These words express a clear concern regarding the growing phenomenon of Jewish extremism. Jewish extremists have been responsible for attacks also against Christian targets. As Israel’s President, Rivlin, - who belongs to Likud, the same party Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs to - issued a very clear statement with regard to this, after the killing of a Palestinian boy: “The climate created guaranteed lenience” to extremists. “What is it in the public atmosphere,” Rivlin asked, “which allows extremism and extremists to walk in confidence, in broad daylight?” In recent days, the President visited the Sanctuary of Tagba, which was damaged in an arson attack in June.The issue of negotiations with the Palestinians was touched on during Rivlin’s meeting with Francis and his collaborators. “The need and urgency of promoting a climate of trust between Israelis and Palestinians was highlighted, alongside the resumption of direct negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement respecting the legitimate aspirations of the two Populations, as a fundamental contribution to peace and stability in the Region.”Finally, open questions were discussed. “Various issues were considered regarding the relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See, and between the state authorities and local Catholic communities. The Parties expressed their hope that the bilateral Agreement currently being drafted be concluded promptly, and that an adequate solution be found for various matters of common interest, including the situation of Christian schools in the country.”As is known, Christian schools in Israel - which have a 'recognised but unofficial' status – have seen cuts in state funding halve in recent years. Last week, Rivlin held a meeting with representatives of Christians schools in order to try to resolve the crisis. On that occasion, the President recalled the important role they play in the country.At the end of the audience, greetings were exchanged with the delegation and gifts were presented. “Divisions exist, but the challenge is to unite”, Pope Francis said, presenting the President a bronze medallion depicting a rock that is broken in two, with an olive branch in the middle, keeping the two bits together. Bergoglio read out the Italian inscription on the medallion: “Go in search of what unites, overcome that which divides”.Rivlin, who was joined by his wife, gave Pope Francis a replica basalt stone with an inscription in Aramaic dating back to the 9th-8th century BC. The original is kept in the Israel Museum, with a quote from verse 6 of Psalm 122, which contains the oldest reference to David’s dynasty outside the Bible. The President bid farewell to the Pope saying: “See you in Israel”.
Palestinians: We have enough votes for UN flag-raising move-Associated Press-September 3, 2015 12:01 PM-YAHOONEWS
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Palestinians say "you bet we have the votes" to approve a draft resolution that seeks to raise the flags of the United Nations' two non-member observer states outside U.N. headquarters. The other state is the Holy See.A vote in the 193-member General Assembly on the draft, which has angered Israel, is set for Sept. 10.Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters Thursday that the flag-raising would "keep hope alive" as talks with Israel are at a standstill.The Holy See's U.N. mission distanced itself from the effort last week. It noted that no state can oppose the tabling of a draft resolution, and it will accept what states decide. Approval would still affect its flag.Twenty states from mostly the Middle East and North Africa co-sponsor the draft.
Israel opposes Palestinian flag-raising at the UN-AFP-September 1, 2015 4:37 PM-YAHOONEWS
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Israel on Tuesday expressed strong opposition to a draft resolution that would allow the Palestinian flag to be raised at the United Nations ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders later this month.Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor appealed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Sam Kutesa, the General Assembly's president, to block the move, which would break with the UN practice of flying only the flags of member states.Prosor said in a letter to the UN leaders that the Palestinian move was an attempt to "score easy and meaningless points at the UN" and that this was "not the path to statehood, this is not the way for peace."A draft resolution was presented last week to the General Assembly requesting that the flags of Palestine and the Holy See be hoisted alongside those of the 193 member states.Both the Vatican and Palestine have non-member observer status at the United Nations.The draft resolution, co-sponsored by 21 countries including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, is expected to come up for a vote before September 14.UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was up to the General Assembly to decide whether the flags of Palestine and the Holy See should be raised at UN headquarters in New York.Raising the flags of non-member states is "unchartered territory" and Ban will look to the General Assembly "for guidance" on how to respond, said Dujarric.The General Assembly upgraded the status of the Palestinians to that of non-member observer state in 2012.Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the world leaders converging on UN headquarters as of September 25 for an anti-poverty summit and the annual General Assembly debate.Pope Francis is to make a much-anticipated address on September 25. The Vatican has officially recognized Palestine as a state.The Holy See, which is not co-sponsoring the draft, said it would abide by the decision of the General Assembly. But it also noted that the tradition at the United Nations was to fly the flags of full members.The battle over the UN flags comes as the Palestinians seek to bolster their bid for statehood despite fierce opposition from Israel.Prosor accused the Palestinians of attempting to "hijack the UN" by pushing through the draft text with little discussion.
Pope Francis prepares for most political trip yet-AFP By Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere-SEPT 5,15-YAHOONEWS
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis is gearing up for potentially his most politically charged trip yet, an eight-day whirlwind visit which will take him from Havana's Revolution Square in Cuba to the headquarters of the United Nations.The Argentine, who will become the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, has taken advantage of a summer lull at the Vatican to fine-tune his hotly awaited speeches, sources at the Holy See say.For his three-day visit to Cuba, beginning on September 19, Francis can expect a warm reception from the Castro regime following recognition of the key role he played in Havana's reconciliation with the United States this year.But anticipation ahead of the US leg of the trip, which will kick off in Washington on September 22, has already sparked conflicting reactions -- as well as a boom in Francis-themed souvenirs and trinkets.The welcome from some American politicians is expected to be chilly. The 78-year-old's decision to visit Havana before Washington has not gone down well, particularly as Congress has yet to lift the embargo against Cuba.His environmental encyclical and recent impassioned speeches in Latin America against the free market system, blind capitalism and rabid exploitation by multinationals of natural resources, have seen him accused of Marxism.Asked in July how it felt to have been termed by one American television presenter "the most dangerous man on the planet", Francis merely replied that "every criticism must be received, studied, and then dialogue must ensue".His speech to Congress will be a historic moment, and the outspoken pope will likely make no bones about the superpower's responsibilities in leading the way on tackling pollution and embracing renewable energy.- Abortion, contraception, gay marriage -The fifth visit by a pope to the UN, dubbed the "Glass Palace", will see the Argentine hold forth on the social and ecological themes most dear to him, particularly ills such as the "culture of waste" and "globalisation of indifference".Francis is expected to urge member states to make concrete commitments at the Paris climate change summit in December. He is also likely to call for renewed efforts towards securing peace in the Middle East and greater dialogue with Islam, as well as insisting on the need to defend persecuted Christians around the world.The fate of migrants, the plight of the poor and the scourge of human trafficking will likely be raised, and some conservatives fear he might weigh in on contentious political subjects, such as the Iran nuclear deal.The pope, a champion of the oppressed, is set to meet with America's downtrodden, from homeless people to immigrant families, and will visit Ground Zero, the site of the September 11 attack.Some feathers may be ruffled by his decision to canonise a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Junipero Serra, who was involved in converting to Christianity the native Indian population in California in the 18th century.In Philadelphia, where he will arrive on September 26 for the closure of the 2015 World Meeting of Families, huge crowds are expected to gather to hear his message on marriage and the modern family.The speech will come just one week ahead of a key Church meeting in Rome on the hot-button topic, which has raised hopes among liberals of an opening towards homosexuals and divorced people, but is unlikely to result in concrete change.The pope is supported by 87 percent of American Catholics and 66 percent of Americans, according to a recent survey. But he is decidedly out of favour with some US bishops, amid complaints he has not given them enough support against the Obama administration over abortion, contraception and gay marriage.
LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people(ISRAEL) and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.(UPROOTED ISRAELIS AND DIVIDED JERUSALEM)(THIS BRINGS ON WW3 BECAUSE JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED,WARNING TO ARABS-MUSLIMS AND THE WORLD).
THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS
Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week:(7 YEARS) and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
DANIEL 11:21-23
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE ANIMAL SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
JEREMIAH 6:14
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
JEREMIAH 8:11
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:3
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
ISAIAH 33:8
8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant,(7 YR TREATY) he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.(THE WORLD LEADER-WAR MONGER CALLS HIMSELF GOD)
JERUSALEM DIVIDED
GENESIS 25:20-26
20 And Isaac was forty years old (A BIBLE GENERATION NUMBER=1967 + 40=2007+) when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children (2 NATIONS IN HER-ISRAEL-ARABS) struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels;(ISRAEL AND THE ARABS) and the one people shall be stronger than the other people;(ISRAEL STRONGER THAN ARABS) and the elder shall serve the younger.(LITERALLY ISRAEL THE YOUNGER RULES (ISSAC)(JACOB-LATER NAME CHANGED TO ISRAEL) OVER THE OLDER ARABS (ISHMAEL)(ESAU)
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.(THE OLDER AN ARAB)
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob:(THE YOUNGER-ISRAELI) and Isaac was threescore (60) years old when she bare them.(1967 + 60=2027)(COULD BE THE LAST GENERATION WHEN JERUSALEM IS DIVIDED AMOUNG THE 2 TWINS)(THE 2 TWINS WANT JERUSALEM-THE DIVISION OF JERUSALEM TODAY)(AND WHOS IN CONTROL OF JERUSALEM TODAY-THE YOUNGER ISSAC-JACOB-ISRAEL)(AND WHO WANTS JERUSALEM DIVIDED-THE OLDER,ESAU-ISHMAEL (THE ARABS)
ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
After Iran deal, EU bids to restart Israel-Palestinian talks-Reuters By Robin Emmott-SEPT 5,15-YAHOONEWS
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Arab countries will join the Middle East Quartet in New York at the end of September to seek ways to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the EU's top diplomat said on Friday, part of a new European diplomatic initiative.Encouraged by Europe's role in securing a nuclear deal with Iran, the EU believes a broad range of countries could help, more than a year after the collapse of a U.S.-brokered peace push envisaging a Palestinian state co-existing with Israel.On the margins of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and the head of the Arab League will join the Middle East Quartet of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia for talks."We hope that this re-start of the process can lead to improvements on the ground and also to re-open prospective and political horizons to the talks," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.Mogherini sees a chance for EU diplomacy in the absence of a new push from Washington as U.S. President Barack Obama approaches the end of his final term.The Quartet last met in March in Munich, which was the first meeting in about a year, according to an EU official.(Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
09/ 3/2015-vatican insider-“Negotiations with Palestinians must resume”, Pope tells Israel’s President-Reuven Rivlin was received in an audience in the Vatican today, during which, Francis said “the challenge is to unite”. The two also discussed the role of religious leaders and the problem faced by Christian schools-andrea tornielli
vatican city-A communiqué published by the Holy See Press Office stated that “the need and urgency of promoting a climate of trust between Israelis and Palestinians was highlighted” during the audience “alongside the resumption of direct negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement”. Pope Francis received Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in an audience in the Apostolic Palace this morning.The meeting lasted half an hour, after which, the Israeli head of state met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Vatican’s “foreign minister”, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.“During the cordial discussions the Parties focused on the political and social situation in the Middle East, affected by several conflicts, with special attention to the condition of Christians and other minority groups. In this respect the importance of interreligious dialogue was recognised, along with the responsibility of religious leaders in promoting reconciliation and peace.” These words express a clear concern regarding the growing phenomenon of Jewish extremism. Jewish extremists have been responsible for attacks also against Christian targets. As Israel’s President, Rivlin, - who belongs to Likud, the same party Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs to - issued a very clear statement with regard to this, after the killing of a Palestinian boy: “The climate created guaranteed lenience” to extremists. “What is it in the public atmosphere,” Rivlin asked, “which allows extremism and extremists to walk in confidence, in broad daylight?” In recent days, the President visited the Sanctuary of Tagba, which was damaged in an arson attack in June.The issue of negotiations with the Palestinians was touched on during Rivlin’s meeting with Francis and his collaborators. “The need and urgency of promoting a climate of trust between Israelis and Palestinians was highlighted, alongside the resumption of direct negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement respecting the legitimate aspirations of the two Populations, as a fundamental contribution to peace and stability in the Region.”Finally, open questions were discussed. “Various issues were considered regarding the relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See, and between the state authorities and local Catholic communities. The Parties expressed their hope that the bilateral Agreement currently being drafted be concluded promptly, and that an adequate solution be found for various matters of common interest, including the situation of Christian schools in the country.”As is known, Christian schools in Israel - which have a 'recognised but unofficial' status – have seen cuts in state funding halve in recent years. Last week, Rivlin held a meeting with representatives of Christians schools in order to try to resolve the crisis. On that occasion, the President recalled the important role they play in the country.At the end of the audience, greetings were exchanged with the delegation and gifts were presented. “Divisions exist, but the challenge is to unite”, Pope Francis said, presenting the President a bronze medallion depicting a rock that is broken in two, with an olive branch in the middle, keeping the two bits together. Bergoglio read out the Italian inscription on the medallion: “Go in search of what unites, overcome that which divides”.Rivlin, who was joined by his wife, gave Pope Francis a replica basalt stone with an inscription in Aramaic dating back to the 9th-8th century BC. The original is kept in the Israel Museum, with a quote from verse 6 of Psalm 122, which contains the oldest reference to David’s dynasty outside the Bible. The President bid farewell to the Pope saying: “See you in Israel”.
Palestinians: We have enough votes for UN flag-raising move-Associated Press-September 3, 2015 12:01 PM-YAHOONEWS
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Palestinians say "you bet we have the votes" to approve a draft resolution that seeks to raise the flags of the United Nations' two non-member observer states outside U.N. headquarters. The other state is the Holy See.A vote in the 193-member General Assembly on the draft, which has angered Israel, is set for Sept. 10.Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters Thursday that the flag-raising would "keep hope alive" as talks with Israel are at a standstill.The Holy See's U.N. mission distanced itself from the effort last week. It noted that no state can oppose the tabling of a draft resolution, and it will accept what states decide. Approval would still affect its flag.Twenty states from mostly the Middle East and North Africa co-sponsor the draft.
Israel opposes Palestinian flag-raising at the UN-AFP-September 1, 2015 4:37 PM-YAHOONEWS
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Israel on Tuesday expressed strong opposition to a draft resolution that would allow the Palestinian flag to be raised at the United Nations ahead of the annual gathering of world leaders later this month.Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor appealed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Sam Kutesa, the General Assembly's president, to block the move, which would break with the UN practice of flying only the flags of member states.Prosor said in a letter to the UN leaders that the Palestinian move was an attempt to "score easy and meaningless points at the UN" and that this was "not the path to statehood, this is not the way for peace."A draft resolution was presented last week to the General Assembly requesting that the flags of Palestine and the Holy See be hoisted alongside those of the 193 member states.Both the Vatican and Palestine have non-member observer status at the United Nations.The draft resolution, co-sponsored by 21 countries including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, is expected to come up for a vote before September 14.UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was up to the General Assembly to decide whether the flags of Palestine and the Holy See should be raised at UN headquarters in New York.Raising the flags of non-member states is "unchartered territory" and Ban will look to the General Assembly "for guidance" on how to respond, said Dujarric.The General Assembly upgraded the status of the Palestinians to that of non-member observer state in 2012.Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the world leaders converging on UN headquarters as of September 25 for an anti-poverty summit and the annual General Assembly debate.Pope Francis is to make a much-anticipated address on September 25. The Vatican has officially recognized Palestine as a state.The Holy See, which is not co-sponsoring the draft, said it would abide by the decision of the General Assembly. But it also noted that the tradition at the United Nations was to fly the flags of full members.The battle over the UN flags comes as the Palestinians seek to bolster their bid for statehood despite fierce opposition from Israel.Prosor accused the Palestinians of attempting to "hijack the UN" by pushing through the draft text with little discussion.
Pope Francis prepares for most political trip yet-AFP By Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere-SEPT 5,15-YAHOONEWS
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis is gearing up for potentially his most politically charged trip yet, an eight-day whirlwind visit which will take him from Havana's Revolution Square in Cuba to the headquarters of the United Nations.The Argentine, who will become the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, has taken advantage of a summer lull at the Vatican to fine-tune his hotly awaited speeches, sources at the Holy See say.For his three-day visit to Cuba, beginning on September 19, Francis can expect a warm reception from the Castro regime following recognition of the key role he played in Havana's reconciliation with the United States this year.But anticipation ahead of the US leg of the trip, which will kick off in Washington on September 22, has already sparked conflicting reactions -- as well as a boom in Francis-themed souvenirs and trinkets.The welcome from some American politicians is expected to be chilly. The 78-year-old's decision to visit Havana before Washington has not gone down well, particularly as Congress has yet to lift the embargo against Cuba.His environmental encyclical and recent impassioned speeches in Latin America against the free market system, blind capitalism and rabid exploitation by multinationals of natural resources, have seen him accused of Marxism.Asked in July how it felt to have been termed by one American television presenter "the most dangerous man on the planet", Francis merely replied that "every criticism must be received, studied, and then dialogue must ensue".His speech to Congress will be a historic moment, and the outspoken pope will likely make no bones about the superpower's responsibilities in leading the way on tackling pollution and embracing renewable energy.- Abortion, contraception, gay marriage -The fifth visit by a pope to the UN, dubbed the "Glass Palace", will see the Argentine hold forth on the social and ecological themes most dear to him, particularly ills such as the "culture of waste" and "globalisation of indifference".Francis is expected to urge member states to make concrete commitments at the Paris climate change summit in December. He is also likely to call for renewed efforts towards securing peace in the Middle East and greater dialogue with Islam, as well as insisting on the need to defend persecuted Christians around the world.The fate of migrants, the plight of the poor and the scourge of human trafficking will likely be raised, and some conservatives fear he might weigh in on contentious political subjects, such as the Iran nuclear deal.The pope, a champion of the oppressed, is set to meet with America's downtrodden, from homeless people to immigrant families, and will visit Ground Zero, the site of the September 11 attack.Some feathers may be ruffled by his decision to canonise a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Junipero Serra, who was involved in converting to Christianity the native Indian population in California in the 18th century.In Philadelphia, where he will arrive on September 26 for the closure of the 2015 World Meeting of Families, huge crowds are expected to gather to hear his message on marriage and the modern family.The speech will come just one week ahead of a key Church meeting in Rome on the hot-button topic, which has raised hopes among liberals of an opening towards homosexuals and divorced people, but is unlikely to result in concrete change.The pope is supported by 87 percent of American Catholics and 66 percent of Americans, according to a recent survey. But he is decidedly out of favour with some US bishops, amid complaints he has not given them enough support against the Obama administration over abortion, contraception and gay marriage.
