"He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." Ps 102:17

ISRAEL, US AT ODDS OVER EAST JERUSALEM HOUSING PROJECT: A senior Israeli diplomatic official on Sunday said Israel would continue to build in Jerusalem, responding to a demand from the US that the government put an end to a housing project in east Jerusalem. Following a complaint by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren was summoned to a meeting at the US State Department over the week-end where he was told the Obama administration wanted Israel to put an end to work at the site of the historic Shepherd's Hotel in east Jerusalem. Abbas told the Americans that allowing Jewish housing in the Muslim neighborhood would shift the demographic balance in east Jerusalem. According to the diplomatic official, "Israel builds in Jerusalem and will continue to do so in the future as well. (J.Post)

PM FLATLY REJECTS US DEMAND TO HALT J’LEM HOUSING PROJECT: Jerusalem is the "unified capital of Israel and the capital of the Jewish people, and sovereignty over it is indisputable," PM Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday, responding to an American demand to put an end to a housing project to be built in east Jerusalem. "Hundreds of apartments in the west of the city were purchased by Arabs and we didn't get involved. There is no prohibition against Arab residents buying apartments in the west of the city and there is no prohibition barring the city's Jewish residents from buying or building in the east of the city," Netanyahu added. "That is the policy of an open city that is not divided." (Ynet)

PA SOURCE; US STANCE ON J’LEM CONSTRUCTION ENCOURAGING: Hatem Abdel Kader, who, until last month, served as the Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem Affairs said the US administration's position on construction in east Jerusalem is encouraging. "But we need to see this stance translated into actions and pressure on the ground, because for now no change can be seen in Israel's conduct" said Qader, currently an advisor to PA President Abbas. (Ynet)

IRAN’S NUCLEAR ARMS WORST THREAT TO SECURITY: Iran's nuclear ambitions are the greatest current threat to global security, according to US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He told the Economic Club of Chicago the threat rests not only in Iran's apparent determination to seek a nuclear weapon, but in the "inability of the international community to affect their determination to do that." Gates says he has struggled to convince other nations, particularly Russia, the Iranian situation does not simply threaten the US. "Iran's going to have the capability to deliver nuclear weapons to the people in their region a lot sooner than they're going to have the capability to deliver them to us," he warned. (AFP) "Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth." Ps 2:10

SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI DIMINISHED IN IRANIANS’ EYES: For two decades, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was considered to be above petty political squabbles. His decision to so stridently support Ahmadinejad after a disputed election has dramatically changed his image among his people. "Public respect for him has been significantly damaged," said one analyst. "Opposing him is no longer the same as opposing God."(LA Times)

SHOPPING MALLS SEE 5.4% DROP IN SALES: The first half of 2009 recorded a 5.4% drop in the sales of shopping centers in Israel compared to the first half of the previous year, according to data compiled by the Retail Information System (RIS). The fashion industry's sales fell by 7%. (INN)

NORTH: GUESTHOUSES STANDING EMPTY: The economic recession has caused a 45% decrease in guesthouse occupancy in northern Israel. The chairman of the Moshavim Movement's Tourism Council, said days ago, "In a normal summer we see 70% occupancy in July and 100% occupancy throughout August. This year there has been a sharp drop in reservations and there are vacant rooms in August, which is unprecedented." (Ynet)

KEEPING PIGS AND BEES HEALTHY WITH A CHIP: Israeli start-up, CartaSense, has created technology that can pinpoint a sick pig or cow and help the farmer isolate sickness without contaminating the rest of the animals. CartaSense has developed a small chip-based sensor that can be attached to the ear of a pig. The sensor tracks a number of parameters for all kinds of livestock. "It could spare us from future outbreaks of mutant viruses transmitted from livestock to humans," said Sharon Soustiel, vice president at the start-up. Soustiel also notes the company has a solution for monitoring bee colonies to protect them from colony collapse disorder (CCD). CCD is the mysterious condition that's decimating bee population. By placing sensors in a thin platform that's placed below a hive, CartaSense can track its weight. Tracking the growth of a hive on a graph, CartaSense can see any deviations from normal hive growth and alert a hive owner immediately. (Israel 21c)

PACK TO SCHOOL: Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse assemble backpacks containing essential materials and supplies to assist poor children each school year. As we prepare to provide thousands of needy youngsters with school bags and supplies for September 2009, we realize there are not enough collected funds to cover the total cost of this year’s project. Meeting the needs of Israel’s children is a cause close to God's heart and we trust Him to bring in the lacking finances. Please remember that our treasures are stored in heaven and help us to bless thousands of poverty stricken Israeli children this coming school year.