VFI News February 12, 2021

The number of coronavirus patients listed in serious or critical condition fell to its lowest level in over a month on Wednesday, Israeli Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch (Likud) said Wednesday morning.

Speaking with Reshet Bet, the deputy minister said that the number of patients hospitalized in serious condition with COVID has fallen below 1,000 for the first time since early January, with 993 patients in serious or critical condition.

That is the lowest number since January 8th, according to data released by the Health Ministry.

In addition, the infection rate continues to decline, with the percentage of COVID tests returning positive falling to 7.8% on Tuesday, down from 8.8% of tests conducted Monday and Sunday, and 9.5% of tests conducted Saturday. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to bless Israel with healing and improved health.”

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 murder of three women has provoked outrage in Lebanon, as authorities revealed a doubling of domestic abuse reports in a country that recently won praise for new laws to protect women.

The most high-profile death was that of model Zeina Kanjo, who was strangled at home. An arrest warrant has been issued for her husband, who was charged with her murder after fleeing to Turkey, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

A local news channel invited Kanjo's husband, Ibrahim Ghazal, on to share his version of events, triggering anger on social media over what many see as a culture of victim-blaming. (JPost / VFI News)

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. - Proverbs 6:16-19

News of rapprochement between Israel and Turkey is heating up after years of ebb and flow in their diplomatic ties. According to Turkish officials, the once-close allies are eager to kick-start their renewed relations soon.

Both countries expelled their ambassadors in May 2018 over the killing of dozens of Palestinians by Israeli forces along the Gaza border and following Washington's decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem.

In December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would like to have better ties with Israel but Israeli policy toward the Palestinians remained "unacceptable."

Erdogan champions the Palestinian cause and has a contentious relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to sow the seeds of peace, especially in places where it isn’t easy.”

Iran is at an unprecedented “low point” due to actions carried out by Israel and the US, but it has not stopped investing in its nuclear project, OC IDF Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Tamir Heiman said this week.

“In its current situation, Iran considers a nuclear deal the only way out of the crisis, and hence it is trying to go back to the deal it signed in 2015,” he said at a press briefing.

According to IDF estimates, it would take Iran about two years to build a bomb once it decides to do so.

Israel reportedly has launched a multitude of operations against Iran to undermine its nuclear program. An explosion at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the assassination in November of Iran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, were attributed to Israel in recent reports. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to prevent nuclear war and any escalations toward it.”

The United Arab Emirates’ mission to Mars is a major achievement for the Gulf country and comes seven months after the country launched its first interplanetary mission.

The Hope spacecraft made its way to Mars amid important developments in the region. The Abraham Accords were announced and signed, and more than 100,000 Israelis traveled to Dubai. The UAE and Israel have become leaders in vaccinating their publics. Both countries also face challenges ahead, but in general, they represent leading technology sectors in the region.

Back in July the Hope spacecraft took off at dawn from Japan and made its way to Mars. It was reported at the time that the concept dated back to 2014 and was intended to inspire a new generation while celebrating the country’s 50th anniversary. This was a big deal for the UAE, the Gulf, and the region. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, praised the effort last year. He harkened back to the years of hard work and dedication it took. (JPost / VFI News)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. - Revelation 21:1

Germany and Hungary have voiced their opposition to the International Criminal Court’s ruling that it can investigate Israel for alleged war crimes.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: “Our legal view on jurisdiction of the ICC regarding alleged crimes committed in the Palestine territories remains unchanged. The court has no jurisdiction, because of the absence of the element of Palestinian statehood required by international law.”

Maas added that Germany supports the ICC in general, as well as the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The German foreign minister’s statement came the day after he spoke with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless those who seek the truth, and bring justice to those who would work against it.”

"There isn't another cybersecurity company doing what we are doing," said Noy Saban, the chief financial officer of Herzliya-based CYE. "We found that for many enterprises, the security head's job is learning about and setting up some of the many security tools that are available. In contrast, we do a complete security assessment of the enterprise's entire system, including live hacking attempts, and provide tools for mitigating the most likely attacks."

Saban spoke the day before CYE announced that it completed a massive $100 million financing round. The round was led by the global investment organization EQT, with participation from existing investor 83North.

"The money will allow us to scale up at a much faster pace," Saban said. "Our company is already profitable and growing extremely rapidly. We are not looking to do a fast exit. We expect to be leaders in our market, and we believe this investment round will allow us to get there more quickly." The company has 70 employees, and plans to double that in the coming year, he said. The company's name is short for Cyber Eye, like a trusted adviser looking from above, Saban said. (JPost / VFI News)

“Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” - Psalm 122:7

Some 1,800 years ago, a traveler was making his way through the Carmel area and a coin fell from his pocket. Almost two millennia later, the artifact was found by an Israeli soldier during a training exercise, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.

“This coin joins only 11 such coins from known locations in the National Treasures Department collection,” said Dr. Donald Tzvi Ariel, head of the IAA’s Numismatics Department. “All the coins were found in northern Israel, from Megiddo and Tzipori to Tiberias and Arbel.”

The artifact bears images and text that allowed researchers to precisely identify its origin and dating. One of its sides reads: “of the people of Geva Phillipi,” [civic] year 217 (158-159 CE) together with the image of the Syrian moon god, Men. The other face carries the portrait of Roman emperor Antoninus Pius. (JPost / VFI News)