VFI News December 27, 2022

This beautiful song is a reminder to all that giving thanks and praising God is essential at all times of the day. When we wake, we should praise God for a new day. When we go to sleep, we should thank God for His blessings, and ask Him to allow us to wake up tomorrow. May this song inspire you to focus on gratitude and faithfulness at all times.

Out of 1,000 U.S. American adults polled between December 8-12, 57 percent “believe Christmas should be more about Jesus Christ than about Santa Claus.” Only 22 percent put Santa first and 20 percent are undecided.

“Two years ago, 63 percent said Christmas should be more about Jesus. Support for Jesus as the primary reason for the holiday which celebrates His birth has ranged as high as 76 percent in 2012,” according to the poll, which has a ± 3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

Ninety-percent of adults celebrate Christmas in their family, an increase from 85 percent two years ago. Out of those Americans, 52 percent celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, while 37 percent view it as a secular holiday. Eleven percent are unsure.

The overwhelming majority of every political affiliation celebrate Christmas in their family, including 97 percent of Republicans, 89 percent of Democrats, and 86 percent of unaffiliated.

However, Republicans (73 percent) are far more likely than Democrats (47 percent) and unaffiliated voters (40 percent) to view Christmas as a primarily religious holiday.

Older Americans are also more likely to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday than younger Americans. Sixty-one percent of Americans between the ages of 40-64 and 71 percent of those 65 and older believe the holiday is more about Jesus than Santa. (BB / VFI News)

“God, we thank You for the birth of Yeshua your son, and we hope that these days are filled with love, health and happiness for all Christians around the world.”

The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the terrorist wing of the Fatah organization, praised the terrorists who confronted IDF soldiers as they were securing the entrance of Jewish worshipers to Joseph's Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) overnight Wednesday, December 21.

"The defeated government is watching us and brags to the public and the people about its imaginary victories in order to raise its profile on the Israeli street, but we and you know the failures that occur with every assault on the Balata refugee camp near Joseph's Tomb and on our city of Nablus," the organization said in a statement it published on Thursday.

"Everyone saw the intensity of the pressure the occupation was under for the shooting and explosive charges that injured several soldiers, and as usual it denied any injury," the statement said.

"Today, the government and the Zionist media claim that the prayer at Joseph’s Tomb was safe, and therefore, we warn the occupation against any foolish act it may commit against our Palestinian people, wherever it may be, as the reaction will be overwhelming," the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades warned.

"As we swore, we will not deviate from our focus on the occupation, regardless of the price that will be charged to us," it stated. (INN / VFI News)

“Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.” - Psalm 21:11

Israeli security forces on Wednesday afternoon, December 21, arrested a member of the Hamas terror group suspected of being involved in a shooting attack in the northern West Bank over the previous weekend, police and the Shin Bet security agency said.

On Friday, December 16, Palestinian gunmen opened fire at an Israeli-owned car near the unauthorized outpost of Havat Gilad, south of the West Bank city of Nablus. The Israeli motorist was unharmed in the shooting, but the gunfire — at least four shots — shattered the car’s windows and struck the driver’s headrest.

Border Police troops on Wednesday entered Nablus to arrest Mujahid al-Talfiti, 25, over his alleged involvement in the attack. Two other suspects were arrested over the attack earlier that week.

Palestinian media reports said al-Talfiti was detained after Israeli forces surrounded a building he was in. Al-Talfiti had been formerly jailed in Israel over various terror activities and his affiliation with the Hamas terror group, according to the Shin Bet.

The Nablus-based Lion’s Den terror group claimed responsibility for the attack but did not provide any evidence. In recent months, Palestinian gunmen have repeatedly targeted military posts, troops operating along the West Bank security barrier, Israeli settlements and civilians on the roads.

The incidents have come amid an Israeli anti-terror offensive, mostly focused on the northern West Bank to deal with a series of Palestinian attacks that have left 31 people dead in Israel and the West Bank since the start of the year. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you prevent terrorist plans from materializing onwards, so that Israeli people can feel safe at all times.”

The chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency has warned that Iran plans to deliver more weapons to Russia, while Tehran continues to deny that it has supported Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

David Barnea, Mossad’s chief, spoke to employees at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem and stressed that his agency is "still warning about Iran’s future and intentions, which it is trying to keep secret," including Tehran’s efforts to "deepen and expand the supply of advanced weapons to Russia."

Iran has allegedly provided Moscow with weapons over the past few months, starting with a shipment of Shahed-136 "Kamikaze" drones. Tehran has repeatedly denied supplying Russia with any weapons, saying that it "has not and will not" do so.

But Barnea said in a speech to his agency’s employees that they had shared intelligence with Western allies earlier in the year that proved Iran planned to share the drones with Russia, with plans to prepare more deliveries in the coming months, Persian language UK-based media reported.

Barnea also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) —known as the Iran nuclear deal — an "absurd" agreement, echoing criticisms voiced by Prime Minister-Elect Benjamin Netanyahu. In a previous interview, Netanyahu said that the deal is "probably dead" after "the entire world saw what the true face of this regime is." (FN / VFI News)

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” - Psalm 37:1-3

Iran on Thursday, December 22, criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he told the US Congress in his speech on Wednesday that Iran is providing Russia with drones for use in the war against Ukraine. “Russia found an ally in this, in this genocidal policy: Iran,” Zelenskyy said in his speech.

“Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds and hundreds became a threat to our critical infrastructure. That is how one terrorist has found the other.” “It is just a matter of time [before] they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now. We must do it,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that Iran has repeatedly responded to “baseless accusations” regarding drones leveled by Ukrainian officials against the Islamic Republic.

He once again stressed “that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not supplied any military hardware to any side for use in the Ukraine war.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also noted that Iran has always respected the territorial integrity of all countries including Ukraine and added that “Zelensky had better know that Iran’s strategic patience over such unfounded accusations is not endless."

In July, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the US had intelligence indicating that Russia is looking to Iran for UAVs. In August, it was reported that Iran had begun training Russians to use its drones, though it was also noted that Russia is experiencing “numerous failures” and technical glitches with the drones it purchased from Iran. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you protect Ukrainian people from the war, and that any country that is currently supporting the invasion will be exposed, so that steps to prevent further hostilities can be taken accordingly.”

Members of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s paramilitary organization Basij on Monday, December 19, sprayed slogans on the British Embassy in Tehran in the second act of vandalism since the previous Friday.

According to a report in British media, the “pro-regime group daubed the slogans seemingly in response to UK support for ongoing anti-government protests.” The Basij members wrote on the walls of the UK embassy the slogans “den of spies” and “terrorist center.”

According to the same media outlet, “Last Friday, volunteers and passers-by helped the UK Ambassador in Tehran Simon Shercliff, to wipe slogans of ‘death to England’ and ‘close down this spying center’ from the walls - but on Monday morning they appeared again. “

The London-based Iranian media reported that Tehran’s municipality erected a banner near the British embassy that reads: “Shame cannot be erased with paint.”

“The Basij militia are the only group believed to have the regime's blessing to take this type of action against a foreign power, and the language used is a hallmark of its members.”

The Basij is a part of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The United States designated both the IRGC and Basij terrorist entities. (JPost / VFI News)

“They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” - Proverbs 4:17

More than a hundred senior Israeli corporate executives and fund managers on Tuesday, December 20, joined an appeal initiated the previous week to warn Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu that his coalition’s desired policies are threatening Israel’s image of a stable democracy in the world.

One of the signatories, Elah Alkalay, chairperson of IBI Mutual Funds, which manages about NIS 10 billion ($2.9 billion) in assets, said that the main concern of the business sector is that the looming legislation could alter the country’s checks and balances and lead to a politicization of Israel’s judiciary system, and entrench its principles of democracy.

Netanyahu’s incoming coalition bloc plans to curtail the judiciary, make changes to quasi-constitutional Basic Laws and grant sweeping powers in the West Bank to far-right lawmakers.

“The main concern is that if the judicial system is politicized, we are regarded by the international community like countries such as Hungary or Poland or even Turkey where political needs preside over economic and judicial considerations impacting transparency, and predictability increasing the risk and the cost of doing business,” Alkalay said.

The appeal letter to Netanyahu was initiated by Erez Shachar, co-founder of Tel Aviv-based venture capital firm Qumra Capital, and signed by tech executives and serial entrepreneurs. Among the 110 signatories of the petition are Zvi Stepak, chairman of the Meitav Investment House and its CEO Ilan Raviv; Amit Mashiach, CEO at the McCann Israel advertising company; Israel Makov, former Teva CEO, and others. (TOI / VFI News)

The Government Pension Fund of Norway, one of the largest funds in the world, has decided to stop investing in Israel, media reported on Thursday, December 22.

According to the report, the fund announced that it decided to conduct a probe of the entire Israeli banking system, in order to make sure that the money it transfers to Israeli companies operating in Judea and Samaria will not be used for investments.

The Government Pension Fund of Norway manages more than $1.3 trillion in assets, collects all of Norway's excess investments and invests around the world.

The decision to stop investing in Israel began to be discussed already last year, but gained momentum in recent weeks.

An Israeli source with knowledge of the details said that, although the process began before the elections in Israel, the nature of the new government certainly plays a role.

The Norwegian decision also came about following the blacklist of companies operating in Judea and Samaria published by the UN Human Rights Commission, which included 112 companies, including banks.

The Government Pension Fund of Norway is conditioning the continuation of its investments on the fact that those blacklisted banks will stop transferring funds to companies operating in Judea and Samaria. (INN / VFI News)

“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.” - Proverbs 28:25

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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