VFI News November 6, 2020

Tens of thousands of Muslims, from Pakistan to Lebanon to Jerusalem, poured out of prayer services to join anti-France protests on Friday, as the French president’s vow to protect the right to caricature the Prophet Muhammad continues to roil the Muslim world.

Hardline Islamic groups across the region have seized on the French government’s staunch secularist stance as an affront to Islam, rallying their supporters and stirring up rage.

Demonstrations in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad turned violent as some 2,000 people who tried to march toward the French Embassy were pushed back by police firing tear gas and beating protesters with batons. Crowds of Islamist activists hanged an effigy of French President Emmanuel Macron from a highway overpass after pounding it furiously with their shoes. Several demonstrators were wounded in clashes with police as authorities pushed to evict activists from the area surrounding the embassy. (TOI / VFI News)

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. - Proverbs 25:26

The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist organization on Monday urged its followers to kill anyone insulting the Prophet Mohammed and threatened French President Emmanuel Macron over his remarks on Islam.

"Killing anyone who insults the prophet is the right of each and every Muslim," the jihadist group said in a statement.

The call follows Macron’s recent defense of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed on the grounds of freedom of speech.

Macron's remarks came after the beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty near Paris by a suspected jihadist after Paty had shown his students cartoons of the prophet Mohammed during a lesson on freedom of expression.

That followed the re-publication of the controversial cartoons in September by the satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, which itself was targeted by Islamist terrorists.

Macron has vowed to defend freedom of speech, but anger has spread among Muslims worldwide, with many vowing to boycott French products. (INN / VFI News)

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:38-39

The Islamic State terror group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the shooting attack in Vienna the night before, which left four dead and 15 wounded.

In a statement delivered over an IS-linked Telegram channel, the terror group said: “The Caliphate’s soldier, Abu Dajana al-Albani” attacked “gatherings of Crusaders” in downtown Vienna.

The alleged perpetrator, Kujtim Fejzulai, was shot and killed by police during the incident. Fejzulai was an ethnic Albanian, which could explain his Arabic nom de guerre, which literally means “the Albanian.”

In a video distributed by the terror group, Fejzulai can be seen pledging allegiance to the IS caliph, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, while he holds a gun and a long, serrated knife.

Fejzulai, a 20-year-old Austrian-North Macedonian dual citizen, had a previous terror conviction for attempting to join the Islamic State group in Syria. Police searched 18 properties as well as the suspect’s apartment, detaining 14 people associated with the assailant who are being questioned, Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said. (TOI / VFI News)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11

The Hampton Synagogue and the Synagogue in Bahrain will join together in historic solidarity to participate in the March of the Living’s “Let There Be Light” campaign, in which synagogues around the world will illuminate their buildings to commemorate Kristallnacht.

The two synagogues will keep their lights on during the evening of November 9 as a symbol of mutual commitment in the shared battle against contemporary anti-Semitism, racism, hatred, and intolerance.

“As the only indigenous Jewish community in the Gulf, it’s incredibly meaningful and impactful to have the synagogue in Manama partner with us,” said The Hampton Synagogue Founding Senior Rabbi Marc Schneier.

“This is far more than symbolic," Rabbi Marc Schneier added. "This is truly an opportunity for the Jews of Bahrain to join with their brethren around the world in this commemoration. Kristallnacht is a commemoration of the destruction of Jewish communities and today, the Jewish community of Bahrain represents just the opposite – a community which is in the process of enhancing its synagogue and growing its Jewish community.” (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you never allow us to forget the horrors of the Holocaust—so that we may never repeat them.”

If you had asked Israeli businessman Yehonatan Ben Hamozeg earlier this year where he'd be pitching his palm tree saving technology in October, there was no chance he would have said the United Arab Emirates.

But after a surprise US-backed normalization agreement between the UAE and Israel, the soft-spoken, grey-haired entrepreneur found himself doing just that in a Dubai hotel last week.

Ben Hamozeg is the founder and chief executive of Agrint, a company that uses seismic sensors to detect insects that eat -- and destroy -- palm trees from the inside.

He was one of the 13 business leaders who joined a four-day trip to the UAE organized by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), a venture capitalist firm.

Before normalization, there had been discreet links between the Gulf nation and Israel's flourishing high-tech sector.

But after the deal, those links have come to the surface and are poised to expand.

"We're learning, we're opening our eyes, friendships and personal ties are being formed," said JVP founder Erel Margalit, who led the Israeli delegation. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless these new partnerships—that they would lead to greater peace and prosperity in the region.”

Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday instructed the IDF to be prepared to assist Turkey in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that hit the country earlier in the day.

Gantz said in a statement that Israel relayed its condolences and willingness to help to the Turkish military attaché in the country.

Israel is ready to immediately dispatch a team that would assist with search and rescue operations in areas affected by the quake as well as establish a field hospital, the statement added.

"The State of Israel and the security forces will always reach out to offer humanitarian assistance to injured civilians everywhere, using the capabilities and experience gained in the IDF over the years to deal with emergencies," Gantz said.

At least 14 people were killed in Friday’s earthquake, which caused buildings to collapse. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you protect those in danger, and those who are putting themselves in harm’s way to save them.”

Israel and India share a close bond of friendship and complement each other, Israel's Ambassador to India Ron Malka said.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation in the outskirts of Guwahati, the ambassador praised the close collaboration the two countries have had in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

This followed a meeting between a Malka-led delegation and Sarbananda Sonowal, chief minister of the Indian state of Assam, where they discussed several issues benefiting both India and Israel. This includes the Centre of Excellence, which Sonowal has said will be a valuable addition to government efforts at boosting farmer income through the infusion of new technological innovations in agriculture and food processing. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to foster friendship and cooperation between Israel and others.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday made the following remarks after the Corona Cabinet meeting:

"We just convened the Corona Cabinet. Just as we promised at the previous meeting, we will open street stores this coming Sunday. We are allowing four customers at a time, no more.

"We also know that there has been a certain increase in morbidity; therefore, if we see this coming weekend, ahead of the major third stage, that there is an increase in morbidity, we will need to stop and maybe tighten the restrictions.

"At this stage, this is our decision – opening the stores and allowing four customers. And I request that everyone respect these rules." (INN / VFI News)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. - Proverbs 11:14