Introduction:

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Zechariah 12:3

      Jerusalem is a holy city to three faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  As such, the debate over who should control the city is more than just a political one; it is a battle over which god is God, and which religion is the truth.  Centuries have passed since the founding of Jerusalem and, as Scripture has predicted, it has become a stumbling block for anyone who tries to pick it up.

      The sons of Israel could not hold it when they abandoned their convenant with God and were conquered by Babylon and Solomon's Temple destroyed. Centuries later the Romans again left the city in ruins, including Herod's temple as predicted by Jesus.  The battles over Jerusalem continued when Christian Crusaders tried in vain to drive out the Muslims who occupied the city.  The Ottoman Turks finally succeeded in gaining control over the city for hundreds of years and yet their empire also crumbled.  More recently, the British, who governed Jerusalem during the turbulent years leading up to the rebirth of Israel, discovered just how true the prophecies were regarding the difficulty of managing this city.

      The modern state of Israel won control over Jerusalem during the 1967 war. They later relocated their capital to Jerusalem amid much controversy.  The much debated, highly emotional status of Jerusalem is scheduled to be discussed in future peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.  However, as history has shown, there are no easy answers to this question.

NEW! New Initiative Would Build Temple Next To Dome of The Rock June 23, 2009

Netanyahu and Obama At Odds May 19, 2009

Happy Birthday Israel April 28, 2009

Bibi Presents New Israeli Government March 31, 2009

Israeli Elections Come Down To Netanyahu and Livni February 03, 2009

Ontario University Workers Call for Ban on Israeli Professors January 13, 2009

The Israeli Targets and the Christians of Gaza December 30, 2008

Israel to Hold Early Elections November 04, 2008

Bringing Scripture to Life September 16, 2008

A Day of Mourning August 05, 2008

Who Will Be Israel's Next Prime Minister? August 05, 2008

Could Israel Give Up Golan? July 22, 2008

Mid-East Update: Five Basic Arguments Against a Palestinian State by Professor Paul Eidelberg

Book Review: Schmoozing with Terrorists by Dan Stolebarger, Executive Director of Koinonia Institute

A Timely Study: The Betrayal of the Chosen by Chuck Missler

Book Excerpt: Prophecy Past and Future: An Example by Chuck Missler

Updated Briefing: The Next Holocaust and the Refuge in Edom: Part 2 by Chuck Missler

Mid-East Update: What the Hamas Victory Means by Barry Rubin

Mid-East Update: What Happens Now? by Chuck Missler

Trip Update An Insider's Briefing on Israel by Chuck Missler

Betrayal of the Chosen? The New Bush Doctrine by Chuck Missler

Middle East Update: No Hurry for Peace by Barry Rubin

To the U.S. Senate: An Appeal on Israel's Behalf by Benjamin Netanyahu

Strategic Perspective: The Case for Jerusalem by John Loeffler

News Sources

NEW! Israeli Experts Divided Over Iran's Mousavi - Israeli experts disagree on whether the Jewish state is better off with Mahmoud Ahmadinjad as Iran's president, or with his challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi. While Mousavi is seen as more moderate than the incumbent, many experts think this actually makes him a greater threat – because the danger he poses is harder to see. Mossad director Meir Dagan told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee last week that "if the reformist candidate Mousavi had won, Israel would have had a more serious problem because it would need to explain to the world the danger of the Iranian threat."

Sorry Carter: No Certainty of Two-State Solution - Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu may have agreed to demilitarize the PA state, but a two-state decision is not actually in the bag. "There is no consensus in Israel regarding the two-state formula," Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin told former US President Jimmy Carter on Monday. "We will not, under any circumstances, allow the establishment of a neighboring state that will be a genuine threat on our existence."

Netanyahu Would Remove Illegal Outposts - Deeply concerned about the Iranian threat and eager for US support, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to remove illegal outposts while allowing natural growth in existing West Bank settlements. "We are not in regular times," Netanyahu said. "The danger is approaching, and the most dangerous thing for a live organism is to not recognize the danger on the way." Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman disagreed, urging the government to ratify the road map.

Forty Percent of Israeli Arabs Deny Holocaust - Two out of every five Arab citizens of Israel say that the Shoah, or Holocaust, never happened. This figure is up from 28 percent who denied the Holocaust in a similar survey three years ago. Only 41 percent of the Arab citizens of Israel recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state, down from 65.6 percent who did so in 2003. A mere 53.7 percent recognize Israel's right to exist as an independent state at all, compared with 81.1 percent in 2003.

Peace Talks Will Not Depend on Recognition of Israel - The US State Department on Sunday rejected as unacceptable the prime minister's demand last week that Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people as a condition for renewing peace talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to begin negotiations with the Palestinians without demanding they first recognize Israel as a Jewish state, sources in his office said on Sunday. However, the sources added that Netanyahu would condition future developments for a peace settlement on this demand.

Obama Prepares to Bump Heads With Netanyahu - In an unprecedented move, the Obama administration is readying for a possible confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by briefing Democratic congressmen on the peace process and the positions of the new government in Israel regarding a two-state solution. The Obama administration is expecting a clash with Netanyahu over his refusal to support the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Abbas Wishes Netanyahu A Happy Passover - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called the new Israeli Prime Minister on Sunday to offer him wishes for a good Pesah. Netanyahu's office called the conversation warm and friendly, and both men spoke of their interest in cooperation and peace. Abbas has proven himself a relatively pragmatic man interested in economic prosperity rather than in intifada and violence.

Barak's Labor Party Makes Agreement With Netanyahu's Likud - With both sides making some concessions, Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak worked out an agreement that could allow Labor to potentially join the Likud-led government in Israel's Knesset. Netanyahu promised his government would seek peace with the Palestinian people and would halt illegal settlement construction. While there would be no two-state solution considered, the government would honor all previous international agreements made with the Palestinians. The Labor delegates still have to vote on whether to join the coalition government.

EU and Israel Destined to Bump Heads - Netanyahu's government is unlikely to work toward a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, which will stiffen relations with the European Union. When asked what the EU's relationship would be with the new Israeli government, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said. "We will be ready to do business as usual, normally with a government in Israel that is prepared to continue talking and working for a two-state solution. If that is not the case, the situation would be different." Very vague, Mr. Solana.

Netanyahu's Predicament: Handling Both Terrorists and Liberals - Negotiations between Likud and its coalition partners towards the formation of Israel's next government have only just begun. But the campaign to undermine the government-in-formation is already well underway. For Israel, a US-supported Hamas-Fatah government is a hellish prospect. The political support such a government will lend to the terror war against Israel will be enormous. But beyond that, such a government, supported by the US will likely cause Israel security nightmares.

UN Anti-Racism Conference Is Also Anti-Israel - The draft document for the United Nations anti-racism conference, dubbed Durban II, is problematic both for Israel and western democracies in general. "As far as we believe, Durban II is going to be the anti-Semitic event of 2009," said Amos Hermon, the head of the task force. "It looks worse than we expected, even though it's not yet clear what the end result will be."

Benjamin Netanyahu Chosen As Israel's Next Prime Minister - President Shimon Peres confirmed that he had asked the Likud leader, who finished a close second in the country's election, to build a coalition. Giving an acceptance speech that did not mention the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process or a two-state solution, Mr Netanyahu instead placed much of his focus on Iran's enrichment of uranium.

Israeli Race Too Close To Tell - Neither party emerged a clear winner in Tuesday's election, with Kadima winning only one mandate more than Likud – a slim majority that may well disappear after the votes are counted from soldiers, hospital shut-ins and members of the diplomatic corps abroad. Final election results won't be posted until February 18.

Netanyahu Rules Out Rotation With Livni - Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday during a meeting of the party's Knesset faction that the possibility of a rotation agreement between him and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni in the role of Prime Minister is not an option. Most analysts estimate that President Shimon Peres would entrust Netanyahu with the assignment of forming a government.

The Treacherous Road Ahead for the New Israeli PM - The next Israeli Prime Minister has an astoundingly difficult job ahead. Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's missiles, the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and a flood of pressure from the opinionated world - these are all treacherous matters to deal with. But, the first challenging task for the new PM is to form a coalition within Israel's own government - a job for a person with an iron stomach.

Egypt Blocks Iranian Weapons Headed For Gaza - An Iranian freighter carrying weaponry for Hamas has been blocked by Egypt from entering the Suez Canal, amid concerns that Tehran is trying to supply the Palestinian militant group with missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv. The ship is docked in the Red Sea outside the Suez Canal after Cairo refused to permit it to cross the waterway to the Mediterranean. 'This is a big test for the Egyptians. So far the Egyptians have prevented the ship from crossing the Suez and we hope it will stay that way.'

Israel Left Gaza But Could Have Gone Deeper - Israel clearly won the latest round with Hamas, but could have gone deeper into Gaza and done greater damage to the organization, according to military analysts in the US media on a visit to the region this week.

Iran Accuses US of Financing Overthrow Plot - Iran has tried four Iranians on charges of trying to overthrow the government with the support of the United States, a judiciary spokesman said Tuesday. Iran has accused the US of giving money and training to the conspirators. Iran's prosecutor general also said in November that Tehran had broken a spy ring run by Israel's intelligence service, Mossad, and that it would seek the death penalty for three of the suspects in custody.

Israeli President Tells Europe to Open Its Eyes - President Shimon Peres on Tuesday told a European Union delegation that the EU must deliver a clear message to Hamas not to use children as human shields. Many Palestinian children have been killed but very few Israeli children, Peres said. This was because Israel did not turn its children into human shields, he declared. "Your mission is not to win anything but peace," Peres told the EU delegation.

News Media Shows Slanted Facts About Gaza War - The Israelis are not only opening the war zone to convoys of medical supplies, they are opening their own hospitals to Palestinians in need. Interesting, however, that a communication from the Israeli Embassy indicated that many of the Palestinian children treated in Israeli hospitals were victims of Palestinian fired missiles.

1,000 People Pray for Israel in Harlem - A church in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem included a special prayer for the people of Israel, the Israeli government and peace in its traditional Sunday prayer. About 1,000 people took part in a special prayer. The bishop, who visited Israel three times this year and was even in Sderot, invited Israel's Consul-General to New York Assi Shariv to attend the 10-minute prayer.

Iranians Chant 'Death' to Israel and America - Thousands of Iranians yesterday chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" as they demonstrated in Tehran against Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. Tehran, which does not recognize the Jewish state, is a staunch supporter of Hamas. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map and even called the Holocaust a "myth."

Hezbollah Snubs Jimmy Carter - Former President Jimmy Carter will not meet with Hezbollah during his current visit to Lebanon – not because he changed his mind about sitting down with a terrorist group linked to deadly attacks against Americans, but because Hezbollah refused to meet with him.

Israel Briefly Opens Gaza to Aid - It is the fifth time in a month Israel has allowed aid into Gaza, which the UN says is facing a humanitarian crisis. Israel tightened its blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory in November after rocket attacks by militants. (Note: pulling Jewish settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005 did not lead to greater peace with the Palestinians.)

Gaza Truce Threatened - Israel launched an airstrike on Gaza early Wednesday after its troops clashed with Hamas militants who fired mortars into Israel, leaving six Palestinians dead. It was the first battle since a June truce mostly quieted violence in the volatile territory.

Archaeologists Find Oldest Hebrew Text - Archaeologists in Israel said on Thursday they had unearthed the oldest Hebrew text ever found, while excavating a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath. In a finding that could have symbolic value for Israel, the archaeologists said other items discovered at the fortress dig indicated there was most likely a strong king and central government in Jerusalem during the period scholars believe that David ruled the holy city and ancient Israel.

King Solomon's Mines Possibly Found in Jordan - The fictional King Solomon's Mines held a treasure of gold and diamonds, but archaeologists say the real mines may have supplied the ancient king with copper. Researchers discovered a copper-production center in southern Jordan that dates to the 10th century B.C., the time of Solomon's reign. Located south of the Dead Sea, the region was known in the Old Testament as Edom.

Israel Faces Early Poll After Livni Plan Fails - Israel is heading for elections early next year after Tzipi Livni, leader of the ruling Kadima party, conceded at the weekend that she did not have sufficient support from other parties to support her bid to become prime minister. The country will now continue to be led by a lame-duck government under Ehud Olmert, who has vowed to step down as prime minister to fight corruption allegations.

Hamas-Fatah Tensions Rising - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' last day as Palestinian Authority president is January 9. The looming end of his tenure has Israeli defense establishment on high alert, as tensions between rival Palestinian factions in West Bank make for volatile situation. Israel is concerned that Hamas may try to assassinate senior Fatah officials.

Livni on Course to Become Israel's Second Female PM - Tzipi Livni yesterday moved one step closer to becoming the next prime minister of Israel after she finally secured a pledge from the Labor party, her party's biggest coalition ally, to stay in the government and support her bid for the leadership.

Hamas Plotting West Bank Takeover - Hamas has been working with Iran and Syria in a campaign to undermine the Abbas regime in 2009. Security sources said Hamas could destabilize the PA and possibly take control.

Livni Wins Election, Must Form New Government - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is one step closer to becoming Israel's first female prime minister in 34 years, after winning a tight race for leadership of the ruling Kadima party. Livni must now form a new coalition government, if she is unsuccessful new general elections will be held.

Hamas Says West Bank is Ours - Mahmoud Al-Zahar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, says because Hamas won the legislative elections in 2006 it should control the entire West Bank just as they rule the Gaza Strip.

Livni Appointed to Formulate New Government - From his official residence in Jerusalem, President Shimon Peres announced Monday night that he has chosen newly-elected Kadima party head and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to assemble a ruling coalition. Livni now has 42 days to cobble together a government under her leadership.

Big Win for Livni - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won Wednesday's Kadima primaries with roughly 48% of the vote, exit polls predicted.

Kadima Primary to be Held on Wednesday - The main party in Israel's governing coalition will choose a new leader Wednesday, and polls indicate that the likely winner will be Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who says her goal is to form a new government without general elections and charge ahead on peace talks with the Palestinians. Her main rival, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former general who is viewed as more hawkish, says his own polling shows him to be the likely victor. One of them must get more than 40 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff, which, if needed, will happen a week later.

US Approves $330 Million Arms Deal for Israel - The U.S. government on Tuesday said it had approved up to $330 million in three separate arms deals for Israel, and sources tracking a much bigger deal for 25 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets said that agreement could be approved later this month.

Dead Sea Scrolls Coming to the Internet - Experts at the Israel Museum are digitally photographing every one of the thousands of fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls with the aim of making the entire file — among the most sought-after and examined documents on earth — available to all on the Internet. The 2,000-year-old scrolls, found in the late 1940s in caves near the Dead Sea east of Jerusalem, contain the earliest known copies of the Hebrew Bible.

Rice Calls for Palestinian Capital in Jerusalem - US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says Israel must agree to a Palestinian state capital in Eastern Jerusalem. The US government is putting pressure on Israel to sign a final agreement by the end of the year.

Proof of Jeremiah Unearthed in Jerusalem - Archaeologists have unearthed proof of another Biblical story at Jerusalem's ancient City of David, this time corroborating the Book of Jeremiah. A completely intact seal impression, or "bula", bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was uncovered. It was found just a few meters from the site where a second seal, belonging to Yuchal ben Shlemiyahu, was found three years ago. In the Book of Jeremiah, both men are mentioned as ministers to King Tzidkiyahu. The men demanded the death penalty for the prophet Jeremiah in response to his plea for the king to surrender the city to the oncoming hordes of the Babylonian conqueror Nebuchadnezzar.

Ancient Bible to Be Reconstructed Online - The oldest surviving copy of the New Testament, a 4th century version that had its Gospels and epistles spread across the world, is being made whole again — online. The British Library says the full text of the Codex Sinaiticus will be available to Web users by next July, digitally reconnecting parts that are held in Britain, Russia, Germany and a monastery in Egypt's Sinai Desert.

Anti-Semitism on the Rise in UK - There was a 9 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2008 compared with the same period last year. Incidents involving Jewish students or academics and at colleges rose 88 percent.

Israeli Prime Minister Olmert Will Not Seek Reelection - Facing burgeoning corruption allegations and plummeting popularity, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he will resign in September, throwing Israel into political turmoil and raising doubts about prospects for peace with the Palestinians and Syria.

IDF Starts Using New Laser System - Alongside production of the Iron Dome interceptor, Israel's leading developer of arms related technology is also in the midst of developing a solid-based laser system that is believed to be the future in short-range missile interception. A prototype of the model is already used by the IDF Southern Command to detonate explosive devices planted alongside the border fence.

Syria Center Stage at Mediterranean Summit - Syrian President Bashar Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made headlines this weekend at the summit for the new Union of the Mediterranean. The two countries are holding indirect peace talks, and while they did not meet one-on-one or even shake hands, they made headlines by sitting at the same table - a historic first.

The Legacy: Israel In Prophecy In MP3 on CD-ROM - Chuck Missler Now in one self-contained CD-ROM; The Feasts of Israel, The Next Holocaust, Betrayal of the Chosen, The Prodigal Heirs, Legacy of Hate, and Jihad: America's New War! Click for more information - MP3 on CD-ROM

Thy Kingdom Come - Audio CD - Chuck Missler In this briefing pack Thy Kingdom Come, Chuck Missler gives insight into the questions, Are you ready?, Do you understand? Does your behavior now matter later? Click for more information - Audio CD with MP3

The Next Holocaust - Chuck Missler What is the purpose of the Great Tribulation? What is the prophetic role of Ammon, Moab, and Edom (now known as Jordan)? Where does Jesus return? On the Mount of Olives or in Bozrah? Click for more information - Audio Cassette

Betrayal of the Chosen - Chuck Missler This Briefing Package summarizes the bizarre, and largely unknown, history behind the State of Israel from the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 to the end of the 20th century. Click for more information - Audio Cassette

The Feasts of Israel - Chuck Missler / Dan Stolebarger The Feasts of Israel, set by God, are not only commemorative in a historical context, but are also prophetic. Click for more information - Audio Cassette

The Prodigal Heirs - Chuck Missler Has God abandoned Israel? Has the Church replaced Israel? Click for more information - Audio Cassette

The Legacy: Israel In Prophecy In MP3 on CD-ROM - Chuck Missler Now in one self-contained CD-ROM; The Feasts of Israel, The Next Holocaust, Betrayal of the Chosen, The Prodigal Heirs, Legacy of Hate, and Jihad: America's New War! Click for more information - MP3 on CD-ROM

A Legacy of Hate - Audio CD - Chuck Missler and Avi Lipkin Avi Lipkin, a former Israeli Defense Intelligence specialist, details many of the reasons for the historic tensions between Islam and the Jews. Click for more information - Audio CD with MP3

Roots of War - Audio CD - Chuck Missler On September 11, 2001, Islamic extremists shook the world. This briefing will update you on the history of the Middle East since the fall of the Roman Empire. Click for more information - Audio CD with MP3