VFI News May 26, 2020

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. —Isaiah 12:2

Hezbollah is preparing the Syrian Arab Army’s 1st Corps for a future war, training its commanders and soldiers, as well as deploying it for intelligence gathering against the IDF in the Golan Heights.

Following the return of regime forces to the south of the country, and the rebuilding of the SAA which was decimated over the course of the ongoing civil war, the influence of Lebanon’s Hezbollah on the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has been increasing dramatically.

While Israel does not believe that Hezbollah plans to provoke a war with Israel in the near future, the IDF is concerned that any major event which threatens the regime in Tehran, such as a miscalculation by Washington against Iran in the Persian Gulf or in Iraq might lead Hezbollah to attack Israel. (J. Post / VFI News)

Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou claimed during a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, organized by the American Jewish Committee, that he considers declaring Hezbollah a terror organization.

Lacalle Pou took part in an AJC program named “AJC Advocacy Anywhere,” where he was interviewed by Dina Siegel Vann, Director of the AJC Institute of Latin American Affairs. The Uruguayan president participated in the AJC’s Project Interchange in the past.

Siegel Vann asked Lacalle Pou several questions as well as read questions from the audience, one of which asked him if he intends to blacklist Hezbollah as a terror organization, as other Latin American countries like Argentina, Paraguay and Honduras have done.

In his answer, Lacalle Pou related to the last time he was asked that same question 10 months ago, when he said “we follow the UN list, because Uruguay does not have its own.” This time, Lacalle Pou answered sincerely, claiming that “I am in the process of changing my mind.” (J. Post / VFI News)

Hungary will continue to stand up for Israel in the European Union, United Nations and the International Criminal Court, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Thursday in his first call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

The call came less than a week after Hungary and Austria were the only two EU member states to oppose threatening sanctions if Israel moves forward with its annexation plans for parts of the West Bank.

The EU’s foreign policy is set by consensus, which meant its High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell made a warning statement in his own name, as did several EU states.

Borrell’s statement released on Monday night, with the support of 25 out of 27 EU states, said: “We strongly urge Israel to refrain from any unilateral decision that would lead to the annexation of any occupied Palestinian territory and would be, as such, contrary to International Law.” (J. Post / VFI News)

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman posted a video on Thursday evening wishing Israelis a happy Jerusalem Day.

"Yom Yerushalayim sameach (Happy Jerusalem Day). This is the fourth time that I've had the privilege of celebrating Yom Yerushalayim as the United States Ambassador to Israel," the ambassador said in the video.

"Today, we are all Jerusalemites, thanking G-d that we have lived to see the restoration of this ancient city established by King David some 3,000 years ago as the capital of Israel," Ambassador Friedman declared.

"As King David wrote in Psalm 122: 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.' Chag sameach, and may G-d bless Israel," the ambassador concluded. (VFI News)

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell condemned calls by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for a 'final solution' to destroy the State of Israel.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the call by the Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei to fight Israel. This is a threat to international peace and security. The security of Israel is of paramount importance and the EU will stand at its side."

On Tuesday, Khamenei posted a tweet which included an illustration of a gunman dancing on the Temple Mount, behind him a portrait of himself, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini.

The poster reads: "Palestine will be free. The final solution. Resistance is referendum."

Following condemnations by Israel and the US, Khamenei claimed that he had not referred to all Jews but only to the State of Israel in calling for a 'final solution.'

“Eliminating the Zionist regime doesn’t mean eliminating Jews. We aren’t against Jews. It means abolishing the imposed regime & Muslim, Christian & Jewish Palestinians choose their own govt & expel thugs like Netanyahu. This is ‘Eliminating Israel’ & it will happen,” Khamenei claimed. (VFI News)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday accused Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of "echoing Hitler's call for genocide" after Zarif backed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s call for a “Final Solution” such as the one the Nazis implemented against Jews.

“We stand with Germany and Israel against this oldest & most vile form of hatred, and say ‘Never Again,’” tweeted Pompeo.

On Thursday, Zarif had blasted Germany for condemning Khamenei’s use of a poster evoking Nazi Germany’s “Final Solution” to destroy Israel.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell had already condemned Khamenei as well, after which Khamenei claimed that he had not referred to all Jews but only to the State of Israel in calling for a “final solution.”

“Eliminating the Zionist regime doesn’t mean eliminating Jews. We aren’t against Jews. It means abolishing the imposed regime & Muslim, Christian & Jewish Palestinians choose their own govt & expel thugs like Netanyahu.” Khamenei claimed. (Arutz Sheva / VFI News)

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

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday responded to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s latest statement against Israel.

"We say again - those who threaten Israel with extermination place themselves in similar danger," said Netanyahu after Khamenei stated earlier that "Israel is a cancerous growth in the Middle East."

Speaking on the occasion of the Iranian Al-Quds Day in Tehran, Khamenei threatened that "the Zionist virus will not last long and the Zionist regime will not survive - and will be destroyed.”

The comments mark the second time this week that Khamenei has threatened Israel. Earlier this week, the Supreme Leader posted a tweet in which he threatened to implement the Nazi "Final Solution" against Israel.

After Netanyahu responded to those threats, Khamenei asserted that in using the term “Final Solution”, he did not refer to Jews but rather only to the State of Israel. (Arutz Sheva / VFI News)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9

Nickolay Mladenov, the UN envoy to the Middle East, on Friday, condemned the calls by Iranian leaders for Israel’s destruction.

“Dangerous calls for the destruction of Israel should be condemned by all. Such inciteful rhetoric is a modern form of anti-Semitism. The UN will continue to stand against all forms of racism, hatred, and strive for peace and stability in the Middle East,” he tweeted.

The tweet comes after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated earlier that "Israel is a cancerous growth in the Middle East."

Speaking on the occasion of the Iranian Al-Quds Day in Tehran, Khamenei threatened that "the Zionist virus will not last long and the Zionist regime will not survive - and will be destroyed.”

The comments mark the second time this week that Khamenei has threatened Israel. Earlier this week, the Supreme Leader posted a tweet in which he threatened to implement the Nazi "Final Solution" against Israel. (VFI News)

“God, we ask that You continue to protect Your children—and that You spread Your peace and Your love throughout the nations.”

Archaeologists in Israel have discovered ancient treasures—a rare clay seal mark and a 2,600-year-old stone stamp—in the remains of a structure likely destroyed by ancient Babylonians.

The seal and stone stamp both feature ancient Hebrew script, including the first archaeological evidence of the Biblical name Nathan-Melech. The seal mark and stamp likely survived a major fire as evidenced by the presence of charred pottery shards nearby.

Archaeologists have revealed the subterranean system near the Western Wall plaza and its tunnels. Excavations were conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the “Beit Straus” complex beneath the entrance lobby to the Western Wall tunnels.

The subterranean system consists of a courtyard and two rooms arranged in three levels, one above the other. They are connected by staircases hewn from rock.

“This is a unique finding,” said Dr. Barak Monnickendam-Givon and Tehila Sadiel, who directed the excavation, in the statement. “This is the first time a subterranean system has been uncovered adjacent to the Western Wall.” (Fox / VFI News)

Scientists from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa have developed "smart" disinfectants that not only destroy the coronavirus but unlike other commonly used disinfectants that diminish rapidly, remain on surfaces for an extended period of time.

“The materials we developed will be a game-changer because they will block the cycle of infection from contaminated surfaces,” said Assistant Professor Shady Farah, head of the research group.

“Infection from touching surfaces is a serious problem, especially in public places such as hospitals, factories, schools, shopping malls, and public transportation. Our polymers will make these places safer," Farah added.

The novel coronavirus can last on surfaces for an extended time - the length of time depends on several factors - raising the need for a disinfectant that can also last on surfaces for long periods. Findings from the Diamond Princess Ship found that the virus can last on surfaces as long as 17 days. (J. Post / VFI News)

“God, we thank You for the amazing gifts You have given us through the work of human hands. Please continue to bless our scientific community with understanding and wisdom—so that we can end the threat of this terrible pandemic once and for all.”

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Friday gave a speech in honor of the Iranian Al-Quds Day, during which he called for the destruction of Israel and the “liberation of Palestine”.

"Israel is cautious and examines Hezbollah's reactions," Nasrallah said, adding that "the very fact that Israel is deterred by us is an achievement."

He further said that "Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people, it must be restored. Soon we will pray in Jerusalem, we are as close as possible to its liberation. Jerusalem is holy to us. Anyone who believes he can change our position through wars, sanctions or eliminations—is wrong."

He denounced Israel’s plans to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, claiming that "Israel strives for full control and annexation of all occupied lands. It is fueled by the United States which supports it in a security, military, economic and political way. It strengthens and stabilizes Israel, and therefore our real battle is against the US as well." (VFI News)