January 2017
Israel Helps Syrian Wounded
Fighting in Syria as seen from the Israeli border (Photo: Reuters)
Over the past six years Israel’s neighbor, Syria, has been at war. Many wounded Syrians now approach Israel’s borders for help. During the night, they come to known spots in the Golan along the Israeli-Syrian border. Israeli patrols are on the lookout for the wounded and army medics come quickly to protect them from more injuries by taking them to local hospitals for treatment. Israel will not accept Syrian refugees, but over the years Israel has accepted 2,600 Syrians for medical treatment. Many patients do not want to give their real names or have their pictures taken for fear of retribution once they return to Syria. Because Israel has treated Syrians with such kindness, many of their perceptions of Israel as the enemy are changed.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4912188,00.html
Please pray for these Syrian refugees who are wounded and seeking healing in Israeli hospitals.
Numbers of Holocaust Survivors in Israel Today
Survivors after The Liberation of Auschwitz, January 1945 (Photo: AP)
Data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics just before International Holocaust Remembrance Day say that there are 200,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel. The definition of Holocaust survivors changes between organizations but the Bureau says that a Holocaust survivor is one who was exposed to the Nazi regime. There are three groups within the number. The first are the 63,000 Israelis who lived in a ghetto, in hiding, or in a concentration or extermination camp from the years 1933-1945. The second were 30,000 who were forced to leave their places of residence, and the third are the 109,000 who lived in countries under Nazi control. All of these Holocaust survivors are entitled to government help and stipends. By 2020, their numbers will decrease by 23%.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4913224,00.html
Please pray for these precious people who suffered so greatly.
New Software to Combat Worldwide Internet Antisemitism
Visualization detailing real time internet anti-Semitism
In its annual report to the Israeli government, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs gave its review of antisemitic activity on the Internet around the world. It saw an increased number of incidents from Germany, mainly because of the refugee crisis. Compared to 2015, the incidents of antisemitism have increased 200%. England also saw a huge spike whereas France saw a 65% decrease in response to the government making efforts to combat racism and antisemitism. The report also showed a 45% increase on United States campuses with many students and faculty receiving harassment, swastika graffiti, and verbal and physical abuse.
Former members of the Israeli Defense Forces Technology and Intelligence Units have developed a new system for identifying antisemitic material on the Internet in real time using an interactive map. By doing so, it can show how many messages and posts are being shared from countries and specific areas within the country. Since the Internet reaches billions of people, it will help companies remove racist content and deal with the sender. Antisemitism and hate incitement has increased exponentially online and is cause for much concern.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4910922,00.html
Please pray against worldwide antisemitism, that negative words, media and bias would be stopped.
