USA Vice President Mike Pence was met with one standing ovation after another in the Knesset, during his speech rife with Biblical references and expressions of support for Israel and the Jewish people. Pence said, "We stand with Israel, because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, and in liberty over tyranny. The people of the USA have always held a special affection and admiration for the People of the Book. In the story of the Jews, we’ve always seen the story of America. It is the story of Exodus, a journey from persecution to freedom, a story that shows the power of faith and the promise of hope,” he stated. Pence, the first USA Vice President to address the Knesset’s plenary, spoke to a packed room. A devout Evangelical Christian, Pence paraphrased Psalms: "The USA is proud to stand with Israel and her people, as allies and cherished friends. And so we will pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that those who love you will be secure, that there be peace within your walls and security in your citadels. And we will work and strive for that brighter future, so everyone who calls this ancient land home shall sit under their vine and fig tree, and none shall make them afraid.” Pence urged the Palestinians, who are boycotting his visit to the region, to come to the negotiating table. "We recognize that peace will require compromise, but you can be confident in this: The USA will never compromise on the safety and security of the State of Israel. The USA remains committed to peace,” Pence stated, saying that the USA will support a two-state solution if both sides want it. That comment was met by a standing ovation. The vice president announced that the USA embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by the end of next year, emphasizing that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. (J.Post) [Comment]

The USA will not provide $45 million in food aid for Palestinians that it pledged last month as part of the Judea & Samaria/ Gaza Emergency Appeal led by UNRWA - the USA State Department said on 18 Jan. 2018. The State Department said on 16 Jan. 2018 that Washington would withhold a separate $65 million from UNRWA, saying it needed to make reforms. "The United States plans to make this funding available to UNRWA in early 2018,”said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. The United States had made clear to UNRWA that the $45 million was a pledge aimed at helping the agency, but it was not a guarantee, Nauert told reporters. "At this time, we will not be providing that, but that does not mean that it will not be provided in the future,” Nauert said. She repeated the USA view that UNRWA needs reform, saying there are a lot more refugees in the program than previously, and that "money coming in from other countries needs to increase as well to continue paying for all those refugees. So we’re asking countries to do more,” Nauert said. "Fundamentally, we just don’t believe that we have to be the chief donor to every organization around the world.” Despite the decision on the food aid pledge, she said: "We remain the most generous country on the planet.” (Reuters) [Comment]

 USA Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that the USA should cut its funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) until the organization reforms. "We mentioned to UNRWA multiple times it needs to be reformed.” The ambassador said that UNRWA views all Palestinian Arabs as refugees regardless of where they live, where they were born, or whether or not they have citizenship in another country. "What we’re saying basically is that UNRWA considers every Palestinian as a refugee. What they’re teaching in schools is also not necessarily the right way to have things run, and the organization is very top heavy from an administration standpoint." She also said that the USA would not continue to reward the Palestinian Authority if it continues to reject USA mediation and refuses to engage in peace negotiations. "We’re not going to reward bad behavior. Here you’ve got the Palestinians who are basically saying they’re going to cut the USA out of the peace process. They’re saying they no longer want to have anything to do with us. They go and take us to the United Nations and are very hostile in what they say and what they do. We’re not going to pay to be abused. It doesn’t make sense." She accused the Palestinian Authority of being "not serious in truly getting to peace."

The USA slashed $65 million from a $125 million grant to UNRWA last week. The United States is the largest single donor to UNRWA, providing approximately a fourth of the organization's budget. For years, UNRWA has been a target for criticism in light of Hamas' activity in its educational institutions and the use of its facilities by Palestinian Arab terrorist organizations in Gaza. UNRWA was documented storing Hamas rockets and weapons "designed to kill Israeli citizens" in its schools, a fact which the UNRWA chief admitted himself. In addition, the organization has actively taken part in inciting anti-Semitic violence. It has perpetuated the status of Palestinian "refugees" for generations instead of working towards their absorption in host countries, continuing to call residents of camps located in the Palestinian Authority refugees. Audits have shown that the number of "refugees" in UNRWA lists is highly inflated. (Arutz-7) "Gaza will shave her head in mourning” Jer. 47:5

PM Netanyahu addressed at the opening of the cabinet meeting on Sun 21 Jan. 2018, the upcoming visit of USA Vice President Mike Pence, who landed in Israel later that evening. "Tonight, a great friend of the State of Israel will arrive - Mike Pence,” Netanyahu said. "We will receive him happily and will discuss efforts of the Trump administration to curb Iranian aggression and advance peace in the region.” Netanyahu attacked Arab MKs who announced they would boycott Pence’s speech in the Knesset. "It is a disgrace that MKs seek to boycott the speech. We will all be there, and will give the Vice President the honor due to him.” The Prime Minister also shared with the cabinet some of the positive experiences from his official visit to India last week. Israel’s Culture Minister Miri Regev hailed Netanyahu's trip to India, saying the premier was received "like a king". (Arutz-7) Pray for the safety of V.P. Mike Pence during his time in Israel and for the honor due him to be expressed wherever he travels in the Land. [Comment]

A day after USA President Donald Trump extended the waiver on Iran nuclear sanctions, thus keeping the nuclear deal signed in 2015 alive, a senior Iranian official stressed that the Islamic Republic will not step back from its ballistic missiles program. The chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said, "Trump is the most hated president of the American history whose hatred has crossed USA geological boundaries and become a global phenomenon. While many European countries and the signatories of the nuclear deal have repeatedly protested to the irrational behavior of Trump, he is still considered as a serious violator of JCPOA,” said Boroujerdi, using the acronym for the Iran deal. In addition to extending the sanctions relief, Trump on 12 Jan. 2018 also slapped new sanctions on 14 Iranian corporations and individuals connected to Iran’s ballistic missile. In addition to its nuclear aspirations, Iran's ballistic missile program remains a concern as well. The Islamic Republic has several times test-fired ballistic missiles in recent months, raising the ire of the West. Iran said 13 Jan. 2018 it won't accept any changes to its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after President Donald Trump vowed to pull out of the accord in a few months if European allies did not fix its "terrible flaws." (Arutz-7) Pray according to scripture: "O Lord our God, will you not judge them? We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chron. 20:12 [Comment]

 Iran said on 14 Jan. 2018 it would retaliate against new sanctions imposed by the United States after President Donald Trump set an ultimatum to fix "disastrous flaws" in a deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program. Trump said this weekend he would waive nuclear sanctions on Iran for the last time to give the United States and European allies a final chance to amend the pact. Washington also imposed sanctions on the head of Iran's judiciary and others. Russia - one of the parties to the Iran pact alongside the United States, China, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union - called Trump's comments "extremely negative." The ultimatum puts pressure on Europeans, key backers of the 2015 nuclear deal, to satisfy Trump, who wants the pact strengthened with a separate agreement within 120 days. While approving the waiver on USA sanctions related to the nuclear deal, Washington announced other sanctions against 14 Iranian entities and people, including judiciary head Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, a close ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Describing sanctions against Larijani as "hostile action," Iran's Foreign Ministry said the move "crossed all red lines of conduct in the international community and is a violation of international law and will surely be answered by a serious reaction of the Islamic Republic." (J.Post) [Comment]

 Iran said on 14 Jan. 2018 it would retaliate against new sanctions imposed by the United States after President Donald Trump set an ultimatum to fix "disastrous flaws" in a deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program. Trump said this weekend he would waive nuclear sanctions on Iran for the last time to give the United States and European allies a final chance to amend the pact. Washington also imposed sanctions on the head of Iran's judiciary and others. Russia - one of the parties to the Iran pact alongside the United States, China, France, Britain, Germany and the European Union - called Trump's comments "extremely negative." The ultimatum puts pressure on Europeans, key backers of the 2015 nuclear deal, to satisfy Trump, who wants the pact strengthened with a separate agreement within 120 days. While approving the waiver on USA sanctions related to the nuclear deal, Washington announced other sanctions against 14 Iranian entities and people, including judiciary head Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, a close ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Describing sanctions against Larijani as "hostile action," Iran's Foreign Ministry said the move "crossed all red lines of conduct in the international community and is a violation of international law and will surely be answered by a serious reaction of the Islamic Republic." (J.Post) [Comment]

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee on 13 Jan 2018 held a meeting in Ramallah under the leadership of the PLO, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas. At the end of the meeting, a statement was issued in which the PLO Executive Committee praised the "uprising of the Palestinian people" in response to the USA recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and stressed the importance of further strengthening the "popular struggle.” The Executive Committee expressed its support for the convening of an international conference with full powers under the auspices of the UN in order to ensure the establishment of an independent state of "Palestine" with eastern Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of 4 June, 1967, and a solution to all final status issues. In addition, the PLO Executive Committee rejected proposals for an interim solution, a phased solution or the establishment of a state with temporary borders, as well as the demand to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Abbas is now planning to bypass the USA and Israel altogether, by asking EU foreign ministers to recognize a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 territories with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. (INN) Intercede that as in days of old the Lord will send a spirit of panic into the camp of every terrorist organization, including Fatah – route the enemy – let them turn on themselves and flee seven ways. Deut. 28:7The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee on 13 Jan 2018 held a meeting in Ramallah under the leadership of the PLO, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas. At the end of the meeting, a statement was issued in which the PLO Executive Committee praised the "uprising of the Palestinian people" in response to the USA recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and stressed the importance of further strengthening the "popular struggle.” The Executive Committee expressed its support for the convening of an international conference with full powers under the auspices of the UN in order to ensure the establishment of an independent state of "Palestine" with eastern Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of 4 June, 1967, and a solution to all final status issues. In addition, the PLO Executive Committee rejected proposals for an interim solution, a phased solution or the establishment of a state with temporary borders, as well as the demand to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Abbas is now planning to bypass the USA and Israel altogether, by asking EU foreign ministers to recognize a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 territories with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. (INN) Intercede that as in days of old the Lord will send a spirit of panic into the camp of every terrorist organization, including Fatah – route the enemy – let them turn on themselves and flee seven ways. Deut. 28:7 [Comment]

IDF planes finished on 14 Jan. 2018, demolishing a terror tunnel that passed under the Kerem Shalom Crossing from Gaza into Israel. The IDF says with certainty that the tunnel belonged to Hamas. The tunnel penetrated 180 meters (2,953 feet) under the gas pipeline that runs between Egypt and Gaza. It started in the Rafiah area 900 meters (591 feet) into Gaza and extended into Israeli territory. IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis said, "Last night, we carried out a professional and precise operation over a blatant violation of Israeli sovereignty. The demolition of the attack tunnel system is an important factor in the policy of harming Hamas' strategic ability. The message to Gaza leadership and residents is clear: Invest in the sanctity of life, and not in burial tunnels." (INN) Intercede that every terrorist tunnel leading into Israel will be discovered and destroyed. May the enemy become weary of hatred, waste of money and destruction and new leaders with a vision for peace be raised up in Gaza. [Comment]

The "drop tomato" is about the size of a blueberry and the Kedma company says it is the smallest one ever cultivated in Israel, perhaps even in the world. Says a grower: "It just explodes in your mouth." They say bigger is better, but in the succulent world of cherry tomatoes, one Israeli company is going smaller than ever before. It’s a point of pride in a country known for its agricultural innovation, where fruits and vegetables are taken seriously and where several strands of the cherry tomato were first invented. "The idea is that it is comfortable,” said Ariel Kidron, a Kedma grower. "You can throw it in a salad, you don’t need to cut it. It just explodes in your mouth.” The seed, originally developed in Holland, was modified to match the arid growing conditions in southern Israel. Rami Golan, of the Central and Northern Arava Research and Development center, who accompanied the project, said it was definitely the smallest ever to be grown in Israel - where tomatoes are incredibly popular. The tiny tomato, smaller than a one shekel Israeli coin, is offered in red and yellow varieties and will be presented to the public at a international agricultural fair in Israel later this month. Early indications are it could be a big hit. (Google) [Comment]