VFI News January 15, 2021

By the end of March, Israel will have vaccinated 5.2 million citizens against the coronavirus, according to a plan drawn up by the Health Ministry.

Health officials told Channel 12 Monday that based on the recent agreement reached with the Pfizer pharmaceutical company, each week will see shipments of hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses land in Israel.

It will allow an additional 1,300,000 Israelis to receive their first dose, and 1,800,000 to receive their second dose, this month. The Health Ministry plan will see those as young as 40 beginning to vaccinate in February, with 1,450,000 people receiving their first dose and 1,750,000 receiving their second dose in that month. In March, the remaining population above the age of 16 will be allowed to vaccinate, with 1,700,000 slated to receive the second dose. (TOI / VFI News)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

The European Union said Monday that Iran’s recent move to ramp up uranium enrichment was undermining diplomacy over its nuclear program and urged Tehran to avoid any further escalation.

In a statement on behalf of the 27-nation bloc, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Tehran that its 20 percent enrichment was “a very serious development” with “potentially severe proliferation implications.”

“We urge Iran to refrain from further escalation and reverse this course of action without delay. Continued full and timely cooperation with the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA remains critical,” he said. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you keep watch over your children, and protect them from the violence of their enemies.”

Iran has given a new operational headquarters to al-Qaeda, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday. He added that the Islamic Republic is “the new home base” for the terror group. “Tehran gives sanctuary to the terror group’s senior leaders as they plan attacks against America and our allies,” Pompeo added.

He noted that since 2015, “Tehran has allowed al-Qaida figures in the country to freely communicate with other al-Qaeda members and perform many functions that were previously directed from Afghanistan and Pakistan, including authorization for attacks, propaganda, and fundraising.”

Pompeo went on to say that the Iran-al-Qaeda axis poses a grave threat to the security of nations and to the American homeland itself. The outgoing secretary of state announced that the administration is designating two Iran-based al-Qaeda leaders, Muhammad Abbatay and Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-‘Arif as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you root out the sources of evil in the world, so that we may live in peace.”

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman was honored by a special meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday as he prepares to finish his term next week.

“I am happy to host Ambassador David Friedman for a special meeting,” said Zvi Hauser, chairman of the committee.

“This meeting is not a routine event here in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. It seems to me that it’s even a unique and rare event, but the ambassador is also unique and rare. In Jerusalem, not only will we hear but also say thank you, and we will acknowledge the good of an extraordinary contribution to strengthening the ties between the United States and the State of Israel.” (JPost / VFI News)

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

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Sheldon Adelson, the longtime casino magnate who bet big on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, died Tuesday of complications from treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 87.

News of his death pushed other items off the front pages of Israeli newspapers. It was also widely reported in America’s electronic and print media, as well as in many other publications around the world.

Politicians and public figures in Israel and in the US were quick to voice tributes and to send their condolences to the Adelson family after the Boston-born Jewish tycoon passed away.

Deprived of his social media accounts, Trump could not tweet his feelings about the man who had contributed so much to his campaign. (JPost / VFI News)

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:7

Several Israeli-affiliated restaurants were vandalized with "free Palestine" graffiti over the weekend in Portland, Oregon.

The Portland Police Bureau is reportedly investigating three separate incidents of such restaurants being vandalized at around the same time. These include a vegan hummus restaurant from Israeli chef Tal Caspi called Aviv and two branches of Shalom Y'all, a restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean food, including shawarma and falafel.

Some of the graffiti spray-painted on a Shalom Y'all restaurant read: "Hummus not Israeli,” "Falafel is from Palestine" and "murder,” according to photos posted on social media. Kasey Mills, Jamal Hassan, and Laura Amans, the restaurant's owners, described the assaults as antisemitic. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to bring antisemitism to light so that it can be exposed and confronted at every turn.”

CNN boss Jeff Zucker on Tuesday said that the cable giant is shuttering its CNN Airport Network, which plays exclusively on TVs in airport lounges across the US.

The network, which launched 30 years ago, will close up shop on March 31, Zucker wrote in a memo to staff, citing a “steep decline” in usage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the fact that more travelers now get news from their smartphones.

“The steep decline in airport traffic because of COVID-19, coupled with all the new ways that people are consuming content on their personal devices, has lessened the need for the CNN Airport Network,” Zucker said. “Having to say goodbye to such a beloved brand is not easy … I am sure most of us have a story to tell about which airport we were at when we first learned of a major news event.” (NYP / VFI News)

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. - Proverbs 25:25

Credit rating company Fitch has confirmed Israel’s status at A+ and maintained its forecast at “stable,” the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.

“The confirmation of the credit rating of the State of Israel in this period of uncertainty and global crisis reflects confidence in its diverse economy and the government’s financial and fiscal ability to deal with the consequences of the crisis,” Accountant-General Yahli Rotenberg said.

According to Fitch, Israel’s credit rating balances strong external accounts, a diversified economy with high added value and institutional resilience, and a government debt-to-GDP ratio that is still high relative to reference countries, and ongoing political and security risks. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to bless Israel, enhancing her recovery from the pandemic, and taking us into the future of technology, health, and peace.”