Israel Update for July 2008



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Bizarre Terror In Jerusalem

The capital city that Olmert once ruled over was the target of two bizarre Palestinian terrorist assaults during July, leaving several dead and scores wounded and both of the attackers shot dead. On the first day of the month, a 30 year old Palestinian construction worker from the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sur Bahir suddenly exited a construction site and navigated his Caterpillar bulldozer onto Jerusalem's main commercial street, Jaffa Road. He quickly rammed the bulldozer's heavy blade into several cars, crushing them in the process, and then used it to overturn two city buses. Three Israeli women were slaughtered in the unprecedented assault, and dozens of other civilians wounded. The startling attack, which took place close to the international media's main center of operation, Jerusalem Capital Studios, was recorded by several TV film crews.

Three weeks later, a 22 year old Arab construction worker from another eastern Jerusalem neighborhood carried out virtually an identical assault, although this time on King David Street, close to the world renowned hotel which also features the name of Israel's ancient monarch. The incident left several cars and buses damaged or destroyed and around two dozen people wounded. It came just hours after British PM Gordon Brown left the nearby hotel, and just before presumed American Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama arrived for an overnight stay there. Security measures were quickly stepped up for the Illinois Senator's visit. The twin assaults prompted current city mayor Uri Lupolianski to announce that he was considering banning Arab residents of Jerusalem from working on construction sites in Jewish portions of the capital city.

Despite the latest displays of regional malevolence and arrogance against the Lord's chosen people, the God of Israel WILL have His way in the end. In the meantime we can only rest in Him, living our lives in the sure knowledge that "The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil" (Proverbs 19:23). CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.