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.

Tisha b'Av and Sovereignty On The Temple Mount July 28, 2009

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

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

Israel and US Stage Joint Air Defense Exercise - The Israeli and U.S. militaries were set to begin a major joint air defense exercise Wednesday, highlighting military ties between the two allies at a time of heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The drill could have political implications for Israel's regional foes, with the exercise testing technology that could be used to defend Israel against an Iranian attack.

Netanyahu Rules out Freeze on Israeli Settlements - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that a complete halt of Jewish settlements will not happen. Israel recently approved the construction of 455 new units - in addition to the 2,500 already in various stages of construction - in the West Bank, over the explicit objections of Washington

Netanyahu To Approve New Housing Units in West Bank - Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's plan to approve hundreds of new housing units in West Bank settlements before considering a temporary freeze in construction, drew harsh criticism from Washington on Friday, which has called for a total halt. The new construction would be over and beyond the 2,500 units that are already in various stages of construction in the territories, and which will continue to be built.

Abbas and Netanyahu To Meet in September - President Obama is expected to moderate a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in late September, a discussion that could lead to the resumption of peace negotiations, Israeli President Shimon Peres told FOX News.

Swedish Article Accuses Israelis of Smuggling Body Parts - Sweden's fervent defense of free speech has sparked a diplomatic storm with Israel over the government's refusal to condemn an article accusing Israeli soldiers of smuggling dead Palestinians' organs. Israel has urged the Swedish government to condemn the "anti-Semitic" article, which claimed that Israeli soldiers snatched Palestinian youths to steal their organs and returned their dismembered bodies days later.

Netanyahu Visits London With Strong Position On Jerusalem - Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu arrived in London on Monday for two days of meetings with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US Mideast mediator George Mitchell, making clear that he will not allow anyone to question Israel's sovereignty over Jerusalem. The US and Israel have been wrangling for weeks about the nature of a settlement freeze that US President Barack Obama called for in the early days of his presidency, and which the Palestinians have now made a condition for restarting negotiations.

New Site From Hezekiah's Time Discovered - The most recent dramatic archaeological find in Israel is that of a luxurious administrative center from the period of King Hezekiah, over 2,700 years ago. The center was discovered in Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, just south of Jerusalem. Over 100 students and volunteers from Israel and abroad are taking part in the dig, which is a joint project of Tel Aviv University's Archaeological Institute and Heidelberg University in Germany.

Al Qaeda's Plan To Destroy Israel - An Al-Qaeda-centered three-stage plan for the encircling and destruction of Israel has been shared and discussed over the course of the past week among global jihadists. On Monday, Al-Qaeda's number two terrorist released a lengthy video that also focused, in part, on destroying Israel. The plans include promoting jihad and, "Spreading great fear in the hearts of the Crusader enemy."

Netanyahu Would Accept Palestinian State If... - Netanyahu in a policy speech laid down conditions under which Israel would accept a Palestinian state. The two key conditions, the conservative prime minister said, were Palestinian recognition of Israel as the national homeland for the Jewish people; and a requirement that a future Palestinian state would be demilitarized.

Netanyahu Lifts Checkpoints, Encourages West Bank Economy - White House and State Department officials stressed to The Jerusalem Post on Friday that they were pleased by measures the prime minister had taken to lift checkpoints in the West Bank and to foster economic growth, as reports from the region mentioned improved economic and living conditions among Palestinians. The Netanyahu government has carried out several such actions in recent weeks but has felt they have been overlooked by the international community.

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.)

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