VFI News September 18, 2020

Marking the "dawn of a new Middle East," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed on Tuesday historic and groundbreaking normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the third and fourth ever between Israel and Arab states.

The text of the peace accord with the UAE and the declaration of peace with Bahrain was not made available to the public before the signing. Among the details, Israeli officials divulged before the signing ceremony were that the agreements would not go into effect until the Israeli cabinet ratified them. UAE officials said there would be references to a two-state solution.

The agreement opens the door for Muslims from around the world to visit the holy sites in Israel, including the Al Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu reminded the audience that the Jews have prayed for peace for thousands of years and the citizens of Israel have for decades. The day “brings hope to all of the children of Abraham," he said. (JPost / VFI News)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. —Colossians 3:15

The following is an excerpt from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s speech at the signing of the peace agreement between Israel, UAE, and Bahrain.

“This day is a pivot of history. It heralds a new dawn of peace.

For thousands of years, the Jewish people have prayed for peace. For decades, the Jewish state has prayed for peace. And this is why today we're filled with such profound gratitude.

I am grateful to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates and to you, Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed. I thank you both for your wise leadership and for working with the United States and Israel to expand the circle of peace.

I am grateful to King Hamad of Bahrain and to you, Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, for joining us in bringing hope to all the children of Abraham.

This week is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and what a blessing we bring to this new year, a blessing of friendship, a blessing of hope, a blessing of peace.” (INN / VFI News)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. —Hebrews 12:14

Thirteen people were injured after two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Ashkelon and Ashdod in southern Israel on Tuesday. Rocket sirens sounded as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed normalization deals with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

One of the rockets was intercepted by the IDF. Police sappers handled a rocket that fell in Ashdod.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that its paramedics were treating a man in his 60's hit by shrapnel who was moderately injured upon admittance but whose condition has since worsened to serious. A man in his 20's was lightly injured by shards of glass and four people were treated for shock.

Asuta Medical Center in Ashdod received 13 patients, including one person in moderate to serious condition, four people lightly injured by shrapnel, and eight people suffering from shock.

Palestinian factions have expressed outrage at the normalization deals, protesting against them at multiple demonstrations in the West Bank on Tuesday in a "day of rage." (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless, heal, and protect all who have been targeted by these attacks.”

Palestinian protests against the normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain could lead to an intifada, Palestinian activists warned on Tuesday.

The warning came as Palestinians held protests against the “treacherous” agreements in some parts of the West Bank. The protests, organized by several Palestinian factions that are part of a new group called the Unified Leadership of the Popular Resistance, were held under the banner: “Normalization is a crime.”

“We are on the brink of a third intifada,” a Fatah activist said. “The Palestinian people feel betrayed by the Arabs and will show the world that the Palestinian issue remains the central issue of all Arabs and Muslims.”

Other activists belonging to various Palestinian factions expressed hope that the Palestinian “day of rage” on the day of the signing ceremony of the normalization agreements at the White House would spark an intifada against Israel. (JPost / VFI News)

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. —Proverbs 21:15

“God, we ask that you act to prevent war and further violence—that you protect the innocent, and move conflicts to a peaceful resolution in your infinite wisdom and mercy.”

The American-Israel Public Affairs Council (AIPAC) today praised the agreement signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and the United States.

In a statement, AIPAC said: "We applaud the leadership of the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for achieving this momentous agreement.

"Today’s ceremony sends a clear message that it’s a new era for Israeli-Arab relations. Peace in the region is possible through diplomacy, mutual recognition, and negotiation.

"We hope other nations in the Middle East and the Palestinian leadership will follow this inspiring example to bring conflicts in the region to an end and promote prosperity and cooperation," AIPAC said. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless this peace agreement. That it be the harbinger of good things to come, for all who call the region home.”

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was congratulated by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on the signing of the Declaration supporting the normalization of ties between Bahrain and Israel.

According to Bahrain News Agency, The FM thanked the monarch for "fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the region." (INN / VFI News)

The United Arab Emirates Health Ministry announced an "emergency permit" to use a coronavirus vaccine, to be administered in the coming days to health system workers and anyone at high risk of contracting the virus.

UAE Health Minister Abdul Rahman al-Oueis said study findings in the final stages of clinical trials in the third phase of the vaccine have shown the vaccine effective and provides a strong response by generating antibodies to the virus.

"The safety of the vaccine has been tested and the results show it is safe to use," the Health Minister claimed in a press briefing.

National Clinical Committee for Coronavirus and lead researcher on the third phase of clinical trials on the coronavirus vaccine Dr. Nawal al-Kaabi also spoke in detail about the new vaccine.

She said 31,000 people from 125 countries took part in the clinical trials of the vaccine for six weeks, but the vaccine has been successfully tested on 1,000 volunteers suffering from various chronic diseases.

"Preliminary results are encouraging, but studies will continue. The side effects are relatively simple and come as expected just like any other vaccine. No side effects or dangerous symptoms have been reported," al-Kaabi said. (INN / VFI News)

Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. —Jeremiah 33:6

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday spoke of her "shame" over rising anti-Semitism in Germany as the Jewish community warned the coronavirus was acting as a "catalyst" stirring up anti-Jewish hatred.

"It is true that racism and anti-Semitism never disappeared. But for some time now they have been more visible and uninhibited," Merkel said

"It is a disgrace and a source of deep shame for me to see the expressions of racism and anti-Semitism in our country in these times," Merkel said, calling on German citizens to "never remain silent" over the phenomenon.

The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein had warned in April that hatred against Jews was spreading in Germany along with the new coronavirus.

He cited conspiracy theories circulating online such as false claims that the pandemic was the result of a failed bioweapon test by the Israeli secret service.

Anti-Semitic crimes have increased steadily in Germany in recent years with 2,032 anti-Semitic offenses recorded in 2019, up 13 percent on the previous year. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you expose the evil of antisemitism for what it really is—and that you would inspire love, healing, and understanding to all who would otherwise sow hatred.”