VFI News January 19, 2021

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 protect the world from the threat of nuclear war.”

Likud ministers on Wednesday refrained from confirming whether Israel was behind a raid in Syria overnight, but said the incoming US administration must not “appease” Iran, and warned Tehran the Jewish state will not tolerate its military presence in Syria or its development of nuclear weapons.

In one of the most forceful statements made by an Israeli official, the Likud’s Tzachi Hanegbi, considered an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatened that Israel could attack Iran’s nuclear program if the United States rejoined the nuclear deal, as US President-elect Joe Biden has indicated he plans to do.

“If the United States government rejoins the nuclear deal — and that seems to be the stated policy as of now — the practical result will be that Israel will again be alone against Iran, which by the end of the deal will have received a green light from the world, including the United States, to continue with its nuclear weapons program,” Hanegbi said in an interview. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you work Your will as nuclear tensions are dealt with. We pray that You protect Your people and stop evil in its tracks. We pray that you will hold stop the enemy in its tracks and bring peace to the region.”

Whoever digs a pit will fall in it, and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back upon him. - Proverbs 26:27

In what many are saying is a forewarning against an imminent Iranian strike, a rather ominous video was published on Wednesday by the IDF’S Homefront Command. The Army’s clip instructs Israeli civilians to keep a radio in their bomb shelters in case of massive power or internet outage.

In the video, the presenter explains that if there is a power cut, the only way to get information or warnings is via radio.

Although the IDF tried to keep the video lighthearted, reports from Tehran indicate that their nuclear ambitions have only gained steam. The US Reports: Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it intends to install metallic uranium production equipment at the Isfahan site, which could be used to develop nuclear weapons. (I365 / VFI News)

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” - Isaiah 54:17

Iran has sent drones to Yemen, enabling the creation of a base for so-called “suicide drones” or what are known as loitering munitions, according to Newsweek. The report claims that “Shahed-136” drones are now based in Al-Jawf. These are supposedly “advanced UAVs.”

The report is unclear regarding most of the details, only noting that these drones might have a range of some 2,200 kilometers – which puts them conveniently just within range of Israel.

In the past, Iran has claimed long ranges for its drones. It operates drones that are basically like cruise missiles: They are given a target coordinate and fly to it without needing to communicate with their base. In this sense they operate as a German V-1 rocket more than a modern drone; they don’t really “loiter” over a target. (JPost / VFI News)

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

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Israel and like-minded Arab states have a shared message ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week: Don’t reduce the pressure on Iran.

The countries aligned with Israel on this matter are not just its new allies in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, but also include Egypt and Jordan, an official involved in the matter said on Thursday.

“Our message to Biden is that we would hope he would take into account the attitudes of Middle East allies before he went ahead and did anything with Iran,” the official said. “Many Arab states are on the same page on this issue.” (JPost / VFI News)

Israel and the United Arab Emirates will allow visa-free travel between the countries after the UAE ratified an agreement on the matter on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said, “the ratification of the agreement is a central element of the full and quick implementation of the many agreements being worked on these days with the Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.”

Ashkenazi credited the Foreign Ministry with “quickly advancing the relations with these countries.”

The visa-free agreement will go into effect on February 12.

The UAE was originally expected to authorize the agreement in late December or early January but deferred the final ratification. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless those who bless Israel, and continue the cause of peace and friendship within the region.”

The Jerusalem Municipality’s Building and Planning Committee approved plans for a new US embassy building in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion called it a “historic and exciting moment,” and that he thinks it will inspire other countries to move to the capital.

“After two years, we’re thrilled the local planning committee finally approved it,” Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum said. “We’ve been waiting for a very, very long time and we’re happy it finally passed.”

The approved plans include expanding the current embassy site in Arnona, as well as the construction of a new embassy on Derech Hebron. They will need additional approval from a district council, but it's expected to pass easily. (JPost / VFI News)

The Palestinian Authority on Friday announced it will hold its first national elections in more than a decade, in the latest of many attempts to end years of infighting between President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement and his Islamist rival Hamas.

Palestinians' last parliamentary ballot in 2006 resulted in a surprise win by Hamas, widening an internal political rift that led to the group's seizure of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and contributed to a long delay in setting further elections.

The PA, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank, will hold legislative elections on May 22 and a presidential vote on June 31, a decree from Abbas's office said. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you raise leaders who will work peacefully and in good faith with the people of Israel.”