VFI News May 28, 2021

Hundreds of people rallied for Israel in New York City days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and following a string of antisemitic assaults and harassment in the United States.

The demonstration on Sunday in lower Manhattan, organized by the Israeli-American Council and other pro-Israel organizations, principally featured traditional messages of supporting Israel. Speakers asserted that Israel and Jews in New York City faced a common enemy.

“We are here today against terror, united against terrorism,” said Tal Shuster, one of the event’s organizers, in a speech. “We do not accept any type of terror, not in New York, not in Israel, not anywhere in the world.” (TOI / VFI News)

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

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 incident occurred on Sunday in downtown Naperville, a city of roughly 150,000, less than 30 miles west of Chicago where dozens of Israel supporters gathered outside of city hall Sunday to express support for the Jewish state, before marching through downtown Naperville, organizers said.

In the week leading up to the event, the Instagram account created for the march received over 1,300 comments containing anti-Semitism, hate speech, calls for violence at the event, and death threats toward the organizers said Daniel Raab, one of the people behind the rally.

Raab said that a counter-demonstration, dubbed the “Naperville Protest for Palestine”, was later planned, “with the explicit intention to intimidate the Jewish run rally and march onto city hall to confront the 50 Jews and allies gathered for Israel. Violent intentions were expressed as the goal of the confrontations.” (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you protect the Jewish people from hatred and violence.”

A group of leading Israeli media outlets has sent letters to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey expressing deep concern about the sharp rise in threatening and dangerous content on Facebook and Twitter directed against journalists, editors, and media group executives.

The companies – which include TV channels Keshet 12, Reshet 13 and channel 20; KAN 11’s News Company (the public broadcaster); the daily newspapers Globes, Yediot Aharonot, Maariv and The Jerusalem Post; the websites Ynet, Walla and Mako; and radio stations 99 FM, 103 FM, and 104.5 FM – demand that Zuckerberg and Dorsey take a stand against incitement on their platforms. (JPost / VFI News)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

On Tuesday, scores of Palestinians demonstrated in Ramallah in protest at US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the city.

The demonstration was organized by the National and Islamic Forces, an alliance of various Palestinian factions.

Chanting “America is the head of the snake,” the protesters said they were opposed to “receiving the enemies of the Palestinian people on our land.” They also chanted: “Our people want the [rocket-propelled grenade] RPG.”

The protesters also denounced the security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. “Security coordination is shameful,” the Palestinians chanted. “The Olso Accords are gone.” (JPost / VFI News)

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The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers.

“A country enriching at 60 percent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview on Wednesday.

“Sixty percent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [percent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.” (TOI / VFI News)

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. - 2 Samuel 22:3-4

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the United States should avoid rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, one of President Biden's campaign promises.

"I can tell you that I hope that the United States will not go back to the old JCPOA because we believe that that deal paves the way for Iran to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons with international legitimacy," Netanyahu said, referencing the acronym for the nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

"We also reiterated that whatever happens, Israel will always reserve the right to defend itself against a regime committed to our destruction, committed to getting the weapons of mass destruction for that end," the Israeli prime minister added. (Fox / VFI News)

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. - Isaiah 54:17

"Lord, we pray that You will protect Israel from the threat of nuclear weapons. We thank You that You are more powerful than any weapon and we put our trust in You."

Israel may act on its own to counter the Iranian nuclear threat, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday night, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the region.

Blinken's Tuesday visit to Israel comes just before the fifth round of indirect negotiations between the US and Iran to return to the 2015 Iran deal on Thursday.

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said of the negotiations, "The latest round of talks was constructive and saw meaningful progress. But much work still needs to be done." (JPost / VFI News)

Israeli businesses lost 1.2 billion shekels ($368 million) during 11 days of fighting between Israel and the Hamas militant group in Gaza, the country's main industrial group said on Monday.

The Manufacturers' Association, which represents some 1,500 firms and 400,000 workers, said the loss was mostly due to employees choosing to stay at home due to the nearly nonstop Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza.

About a third of workers were absent from work in southern Israel and about 10% stayed home in areas closer to the commercial hub of central Israel, the association said. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask for healing and restoration of all who have suffered because of this war.”

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