News from Jerusalem

Holy Water from the Jordan River in a unique Cross shaped bottle. Made in the Holy Land. Size: 120ml / 4 Fl. Oz.

New EU sanctions will have drastic effect on Iran’s economy.
Hamas leader visits Jordan; may move there.
Organization to move HQ from Syria.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal reached an agreement in Cairo on 22 December on national reconciliation and a strategic partnership. A new temporary leadership was formed for the PLO, for the first time in tandem with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Israel worried over fate of Syrian non-conventional arms.
Israel wants relations with pending Egyptian government.
Jordan a key partner in MidEast peace.

The motor boat was filled with AK-47 assault rifles, magazines and additional weaponry, AFP reported. The two men aboard the boat were apprehended. It has not been confirmed whether they are of Palestinian or Jordanian origin.

Gas exports to Israel pump $300m. into Egyptian economy.
Israeli companies employ thousands of Egyptians.
Arab Spring presents new opportunities for economic cooperation

It is well known that Israel is the cause of all strife in the Arab world (not to mention the world at large.) Here are some recent examples: In Egypt, some video of peaceful Egyptian police beating Coptic rioters with billy-clubs, January 3, 2011.

Here’s an old joke that applies to the contemporary Middle East. The Lone Ranger was a Western lawman who chased bad guys with his friend, a Native American named Tonto. One day, they were surrounded by dozens of Native American warriors.

JERUSALEM – Israel and Saudi Arabia have stepped up their behind-the-scenes coordination to deal with the threat of Iranian nuclear ambitions, according to informed Middle East security officials.

If Israel and the Palestinian Authority fail to reach an agreement within the next year, the Obama administration could support a United Nations resolution that would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state…