Workers’ Strikes Hit Israel

Israel recently suffered a day of strikes to protest low wages, long hours, and job insecurity. The strike affected government offices, universities, and the national bus networks. Some hospitals also reduced their manpower, and Ben Gurion airport even closed for two hours. The strikes were meant to send a message to the Knesset and the Prime Minister to take stronger actions to help these workers. (JPost)

Please pray for a peaceful and just solution to the tensions between Israeli workers and the government.

Cyber Attack on Israel

A group of hackers crashed the websites of the Israeli Defense Forces, the Mossad (Israel’s secret service) and various other government ministries. The anonymous hackers said the attack was in response to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla. Although Israel’s websites suffered external problems, their internal computer networks remained unharmed. In the spring, Israel launched a national task force to prevent cyber terror attacks by foreign countries on its strategic computer networks and defense systems. (Haaretz)

Please pray for those who are responsible for keeping Israel’s computerized systems protected and functional.

Commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin’s Death

Thousands attended a ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The ceremony took place in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, which was the site of the murder. Rabin was killed by a fanatical Israeli Jewish man who is now in jail for life. (JPost)

Please pray for the protection of Israel’s leaders.

Palestinian Authority Will Provide Housing for Released Prisoners

477 prisoners who were released in the swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have returned to the West Bank and Gaza. The Palestinian Authority plans on providing housing for these former prisoners, and Hamas is giving each one a cash reward of several thousand dollars. 300 of the freed prisoners will also take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, their expenses paid by Saudi Arabia. (JTA)

Pray that these recently-released Palestinians will not continue to terrorize Israel.

Anniversary of Kristallnacht

On November 9-10, 1938, a fourteen-hour rampage of Nazi violence swept through Germany and parts of Austria, leaving Jewish storefronts and synagogues burned and broken. During Kristallnacht (“Night of the Broken Glass” in English) thousands of Jewish people were arrested, their businesses destroyed and licenses taken away. It was one of many key events that led up to the Holocaust. (JTA)

Pray for the protection of Jewish homes and businesses in areas of the world that are prone to antisemitism.

Palestine Gets UNESCO Membership

UNESCO, an organization that calls for the protection of education and culture as well as the sharing of scientific knowledge, voted to give Palestine full member rights. Although this has nothing to do with full membership in the United Nations, Palestinian leaders see it as a stepping stone to increased international recognition. In response, the United States cut its funding to UNESCO, as U.S. law prohibits aid being given to UN bodies that recognize Palestinian statehood. (JTA)

Americans Support an Israeli Strike on Iran

In a recent poll, 57% of Americans said they see Israel as a crucial ally and would support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites to prevent Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. The survey also found that nearly half of all Americans said that they sympathize with Israel, and 63% said they believe that Israel is serious about peace. Recent reports from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association) have said that Iran is seriously working towards building a nuclear bomb. (YNet)

Please pray for wisdom in dealing with the nuclear threat coming from Iran.

Israeli Teenagers Come to Faith in Messiah

Chosen People Ministries recently hosted a children’s camp in Israel, and one of the highlights was that two teenage boys prayed to give their lives to the Lord! Staff members report that it was also encouraging to see the growth and servants’ hearts in several of the helpers (previously campers, who returned to be on camp staff this year).

Please pray that God would continue working in the hearts and lives of those who attended the camp.