BE SURE TO NOTE THE NEW SCHEDULE FOR ROOTS & REFLECTIONS VIEWERS IN THE USA: http://jnnnews.com/RR2011.pdf

ISRAEL’S POPULATION STANDS AT 7.8 MILLION: Israel's population stands at 7.836 million, the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday. Jews comprise 75.3% of the population, with 5.9 million, with Arabs comprising 20.5%, or 1.6 million. Approximately 4.2%, or 325,000 are non-Arab Christians and others. 166,800 new babies were born and 17,500 new immigrants arrived. (Ha’aretz) “We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Ps 66:12

IDF CHIEF: NUCLEAR IRAN A THREAT TO ENTIRE REGION, NOT JUST TO ISRAEL: IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said Friday that a nuclear Iran is a regional threat no less than it is a threat to Israel. He assured, however, that through appropriate International and Israeli preparations, the challenge can be met. Speaking before high school students, Gantz was asked about Iran's nuclear program. "Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons and this topic should concern us," he answered. Gantz spoke about security developments in the region and said current events in neighboring countries may lead to the rise of radical Islamist organizations. "I would be happy if this phenomenon leads to democratic neighboring countries, but in case of negative developments there is room for apprehension.” Gantz concluded poverty and economic hardship will likely strengthen radical Islamist elements. (Ha’aretz)

IRAN FIRES LONG-RANGE MISSILES DURING NAVAL DRILL: Iran fired long-range missiles during a naval drill in the Persian Gulf on Saturday.  Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, deputy commander of the Iranian navy said the firing of the projectiles was the final part of the drill to prepare the navy for confronting the enemy in war situations.  Iran began a 10-day naval drill in the Gulf last Saturday to show its resolve to counter any attack by foes such as Israel or the US.  Tuesday, Iran threatened to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which at least a third of the world's oil must pass in order to get to markets in the West, if it became the target of an oil export embargo over its nuclear ambitions. The US subsequently warned Iran against closing the strait, saying any disruption will not be tolerated. Washington has expressed concern about Tehran’s missiles, which include the Shahab-3 strategic intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of up to 1,000 km (625 miles), the Ghadr-1 with an estimated 1,600 km range and a Shahab-3 variant with a range of up to 2,400 km. (INN) Continue to intercede for G-d’s wisdom, alertness and strategy to be manifested through world leaders to avert this growing nuclear threat to the entire planet. Israel leads the list of Iran’s most hated foes, which it has the utmost desire to destroy. 

PLO PLANS TO DISENGAGE FROM ISRAEL: Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officials said Friday their decision to return to “popular resistance” is aimed at “disengaging” from Israel. PLO Executive Committee member Tayseer Khalid said the new unified Fatah-Hamas strategy will spread into PA enclaves in Judea and Samaria. Analysts conclude Fatah has decided to turn the PA enclaves in Judea and Samaria into a second Gaza. Leaders have also threatened to end economic and security ties with Israel, which is a direct violation of the 1993 Oslo Accords. It remains unclear what PA officials believe is to be gained by cutting all ties with the Jewish state. PA security officials expressed concern earlier this year that a direct confrontation with Israel could have disastrous consequences, while Ramallah's senior economic advisers have warned discontinued Israeli participation in the PA economy would lead to fiscal insolvency. (INN)

SENIOR MINISTERS: FUTURE ABDUCTIONS WILL TRIGGER WAR: "The next abduction of an Israeli soldier will lead to war," Israel's forum of eight senior ministers said on Friday. Government officials accepted a recommendation from senior IDF commanders in the "Shamgar report" that any kidnapping of an Israeli soldier or civilian would serve as a trigger for war. The ministers were unanimous in approving the measure. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, a member of the forum of eight, is expected to formally implement the conclusions of the Shamgar report, which prescribes rules and clear procedures for action following the abduction of Israelis, in the coming week. Officials say the conclusions of the report encapsulate Israel's "national ethics," which require a clear message to the enemy that future kidnappings will not be profitable. A senior diplomatic source said this week "our restraint ends if Israelis are kidnapped - the price paid by their abductor may be the end of their reign." After the release of Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 terrorists, which caused dismay among many Israelis who believed the deal showed weakness and capitulation, the Hamas terrorist group declared victory over Israel, saying kidnapping had proven itself a winning tactic. Hamas leaders promised more abductions would be forthcoming. Israeli leaders mull a large scale operation in Gaza to root out the terror infrastructure there. Earlier this week, IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz said Israel could "not escape" such an operation in the long run. Over one million Israelis live under the routine threat of missile and rocket attacks from terrorists in Gaza. (Arutz-7) “Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness.” Isa 26:10

AT LEAST 32 DEAD IN LATEST SYRIAN CLASHES: At least 32 people were killed during protests across Syria on Friday. Activists reported the deaths came as protesters, emboldened by the presence of Arab League observers in the country, took to the streets after noon Muslim prayers. The demonstrations took place in 18 different provinces across Syria. A witness to the clashes between security forces and demonstrators in the Damascus suburb of Douma said government forces opened fire at protesters who gathered at a mosque in the city. The violence comes as the Arab League observer team in Syria continues its mission aimed at determining whether President Bashar al-Assad is implementing a peace plan to end the brutality. Earlier on Friday, video footage showed Arab League observers running from gunfire as security forces opened fire on civilians. The opposition has condemned the observers’ presence as a farce to enable Assad to buy time and avoid more international censure and sanctions. Activists said Friday they doubt Arab monitors are getting the access they need to be able to give a fair assessment of the violence that the UN estimates has left more than 5,000 people dead. (INN)

HAREDIS PROTEST WHAT THEY SAY IS INCITEMENT AND HATRED: Approximately 1,500 ultra-Orthodox men gathered in the haredi neighborhood of Geula in Jerusalem on Saturday night to conduct a bad-tempered protest against the secular community's supposed “oppression” and “incitement” against them. Dozens of men wore yellow Stars of David on their jackets with the word “Jude” in the center, and banners bearing slogans such as “Zionists are not Jews,” and “Zionism is racism” were paraded at the rally. “Orthodox Jews demand the presence of international forces to protect them,” read another sign.  Public attention focused on the ultra-Orthodox community last week following a documentary broadcast by Israel’s Channel 2 highlighting abuse directed at national-religious schoolgirls in Bet Shemesh by haredi extremists, which caused national outrage. At Saturday night’s demonstration, young children were brought up onto a stage erected in front of the square wearing black and white striped clothes and bearing the yellow Stars of David on their lapels. Uniformed police at the demonstration were also followed and harassed by angry crowds who shouted at the officers calling them “Nazis.” (J.Post) “The man who fears the Lord will avoid all extremes.” Eccles 7:18

HUNDREDS OF ULTRA-ORTHODOX PROTESTERS RIOT IN TOWN OF BEIT SHEMESH: Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested on Thursday evening in Beit Shemesh, throwing rocks, blocking the road and burning trash cans. Police arrived in large numbers and arrested several rioters. The incident began as a small local gathering of about 20 people, who waved signs with slogans attacking Zionism. One witness said, "This group has been coming out every night recently with signs. Today, because of the atmosphere and people under arrest, someone decided to set fire to a large trash can and things spiraled from there." Earlier on Thursday, an 8-year-old girl who became the symbol of a recent public struggle against gender segregation and religious extremism returned to school for the first time since a violent incident that sparked a nation-wide protest movement. Na'ama Margolese turned into a household name days ago, after an Israeli television station broadcasted a segment in which the young girl described being spat on and accosted by ultra-Orthodox men over what they deemed to be her indecent apparel. The story soon became a focal point for a rising protest movement against the exclusion of women in the public sphere, with thousands of Israelis amassing in Beit Shemesh, a community nearby Jerusalem, to speak out against gender segregation. (Ha’aretz)

JEWISH INSTRUCTORS TEACH ARAB WOMEN SELF-DEFENSE IN JERUSALEM: In a five-week self-defense course for women run by Arab women in Wadi Joz in eastern Jerusalem, the two female instructors and the three men serving as mock attackers are Jewish, while the participants are Palestinians. Sahra, 37, a mother of three, definitely wants to send her daughter to one of those workshops, initiated by the women's nonprofit self-defense organization El Halev, once she's old enough. And how did she feel about being taught by Jewish Israelis?  "They're great." (Ha'aretz)

THE NEED IS URGENT FOR YOUR DONATIONS: Poverty ranks as the number one concern for people in Israel. An estimated 1.7 million people, 850,000 of them children, live below the poverty line, barely receiving one meal a day. Every week Vision for Israel's vans personally visit families, single mothers and others greatly in need. We bring them food, clothing, household items - all the necessities to make it through the hardship they are experiencing.  With your help, Vision for Israel has been assisting for many years those who have fallen through the cracks of Israeli society.  Please continue to help us to be a comfort to God’s hurting people. Your donations are needed and welcomed at www.visionforisrael.com. Make your online donations today. For residents in the UK and outside North America visit our website at www.josephstorehouse.co.uk.

Save the Dates for the next Succot Celebration in Israel, October 2-4, 2012: Inspiring speakers for Succot 2012 events, include: Lance Lambert, Chuck Cohen, Barry Segal and more to come. To secure your place early, or to obtain glimpses of festivities being planned, click on www.succotcelebration.com.

Meet us in London in 2012: If you can’t participate in Israel’s Succot conference during October 2-4, 2012, plan on celebrating The Feast of Tabernacles with us in London, October 19 and 20 at the Emmanuel Centre.  Better yet, join with us for both events. For registration and more information, please call: +44 (0) 1793-862121.

Save the Dates for the next Roots & Reflections Tour in 2012: “Journey to the Four Seas,” June 8-17 (European dates) or June 7-17 (N. American dates). The UK tour price is £1,699. The USA tour package price is $3,630.  Click on http://www.visionforisrael.com/events for the June tour brochure.

Blessings from Jerusalem,
Barry Segal with the Editorial Staff

Keep informed on breaking Israel-related and Middle East news. To subscribe, at no cost, to twice weekly mailings of JNN News go to: www.jnnnews.com