Israel’s coronavirus cabinet decided Thursday night to institute a full lockdown over the entire State of Israel beginning the night of Friday, September 18, the first night of Rosh Hashanah. The lockdown will last for two weeks and will encompass the Yom Kippur holiday.
The decision will be brought to the government for final approval on Sunday.
Interestingly, the lockdown will occur during the ten days known as The Days of Awe. More details below from Chosen People Ministry.
The following Jewish Holidays start at sundown on the first date and end at sundown on the last date.
Rosh Hashanah – Sept. 18–20
Yom Kippur – Sept. 27–28
Sukkot – Oct. 2–9
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Parallel challenges for Netanyahu and Trump
Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing enormous personal and political challenges since the Israel-UAE deal, a deal which I continue to favor in substance and purpose. However, it stopped extended sovereignty and elevated the Arab Peace Initiative as the plan of the hour. That is why, based on historical patterns documented in “Eye to Eye,” Netanyahu and President Trump continue seeing significant and disruptive political and personal challenges.
The headline today in the leftist Haaretz newspaper: “Israel’s COVID-19 Tragedy: How Hubris, Hasbara and Netanyahu Downed the Start-Up Nation.” There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has cost Israel and the United States enormously and will continue to do so.
Netanyahu’s last seven days
Jerusalem breaks 120-year heat record
Heat wave causes power outages across Israel
Settlement leaders feel betrayed by Netanyahu and call for his ouster
Israel’s attorney general called to disqualify Netanyahu as Prime Minister during legal challenges
The COVID-19 crisis has exploded
Israel’s coronavirus czar: The High Holy Days terrify me
1.3 million Israelis locked down as curfew kicks off in virus hotspots
Israel's coronavirus czar Gamzu: Coronavirus infection rates in red cities among highest in world
Israel hits new high with over 3,400 infections in a day, as curfew snarl persists
Full lockdown beginning Rosh Hashanah night and encompassing Yom Kippur
Lockdown rebellion: Business heads warn Netanyahu of disaster, threaten defiance
Trump’s last seven days
Kushner: Our plan is a bid to save two-state solution; Israel was eating up the land
Kushner says Saudi Arabia, Bahrain to allow all Israeli flights to use airspace and that Saudi airlines could fly over Israeli airspace
Buffer to Kushner optimism: Saudi Arabia favors comprehensive solution to Israel-Palestinian conflict, no mention of Israel-UAE deal
Record heat in the Western United States continues
Los Angeles County sets record temperature as scorching heat wave wallops Southern California; 121 in Woodland Hills
California grid operator warns of rotating power outages in record heat wave
Trump blamed once against for COVID-19 response
500,000 flee from their homes in Oregon
Trump bailing out of Iraq and Afghanistan while China and Russia are aggressively moving into positions of influence (articles below)
Under the COVID-19 cover, the election integrity battlefield becomes more ominous by the week as Dems threaten to take the 2020 election results to court
Mail-in ballot fraud concerns Republicans, who are hiring hundreds of attorneys to watch local races and go to court if necessary; it will probably grow into the thousands.
The new accusatory spin from the media: Democrats may not trust the results of the election if Trump wins
On Thursday:
Washington Post: The D.C. area had six inches of rain and massive flooding in a few hours. This was at the time the Trump team was finalizing the Bahrain normalization agreement and then in his early afternoon press conference President Trump mentioned the possibility of another country normalizing relations.
The last time massive rain hit D.C. within a few hours was when Vice President Pence spoke to CUFI last July 9, 2019, on the future Trump peace deal (https://watch.org/eye-to-eye/vice-president-mike-pence-speaks-trump-admi...)
Today, the Jerusalem Post reported that Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalize relations with Israel, President Donald Trump said, a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. Trump tweeted out the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.
Within four hours of President Trump's1:00 pm announcement at the White House with Vice President Pence and Jared Kushner each making comments, Tropical Depression 19 formed off the Florida coast. Early Saturday afternoon, TD-19 became Tropical Storm Sally and is expected to strengthen to Hurricane Sally Monday afternoon and come ashore Tuesday morning, near the time of the Trump's Israel-UAE-Bahrain "Abraham Accord" signing at the White House. The event is scheduled for 12:00 pm EDT.
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Israel’s national shutdown to begin on Rosh Hashanah
Israel National News
What are the Ten Days of Awe? – From Chosen People
https://www.chosenpeople.com/site/what-are-the-ten-days-of-awe/
We are about to observe the civil Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which literally means, the “head of the year.”
The festival is one of the seven great festivals. It is appointed by God to be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, Tishrei.
All seven of these Holy Days are found in the Bible in Leviticus chapter 23, as well as in a number of other passages in the Pentateuch/Torah. There is also a vast amount of rabbinic material describing the festivals and how they should be observed.
The Holy Days are prophetic in nature, and over the course of the year provide a roadmap to redemption; Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, the New Year, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles.
The holidays are similar as each one involves a rest from labor, worship, offerings, and usually a reminder of a great event in the history of Israel. Oftentimes, a holiday is also tied to the agricultural season and in some way is connected to the harvest.
It is important to note the Hebrew word translated as “holiday” in Leviticus 23 is better when understood as “appointments.” God asks Israel to remember what He did for them in history over 150 times in the Hebrew Scriptures.
He set up these “appointments” (or “appointed times”) to help His people commune with Him and “remember” His good works in their history.
Each of these Holy Days was established by God and revealed to the children of Israel by Moses, who received the calendar as part of the Sinai revelation.
I also believe that every one of these festivals (“appointed times”) was fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Messiah, and along with many scholars, believe the first four Spring festivals pointed to His first coming and the latter three in the Fall are related to His second coming.
These holidays have a variety of themes and customs, and are observed in a similar manner by most Jewish people, whether they be Ashkenazic (Eastern European descent) or Sephardic (primarily from Spain and North Africa), New Yorkers, Brooklynites, or Israelis.
The major themes of the Jewish New Year are Kingship, Remembrance, and the Blowing of the Shofar.
Over the centuries, our rabbis and sages have compiled a book entitled the Machzor, which is used in the synagogue as the prayer book and service guide for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (See Leviticus 23:23- 25; Numbers 10:10; 29:16 for the biblical details).
Rosh Hashanah is the first of three great festivals to be celebrated in the Fall. The other two are Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles).
The great theme of Rosh Hashanah is repentance, and the overarching theme of the High Holiday season is forgiveness.
In fact, the first day of Rosh Hashanah begins a season of ten days of repentance, often called the Ten Days of Awe by the Jewish people. The observance of the Day of Atonement concludes these ten days.
It is understood by most Jewish people that repentance is the path that leads to salvation and the forgiveness of sin, which is secured at the closing moments of Yom Kippur.
Though it is difficult to explain the difference, the Jewish community stresses forgiveness far more than personal salvation, especially as salvation is understood by most Christians. Jewish people are not as apt to think about personal salvation or a secured future beyond the grave in the same way Christians do.
However, Jewish people do think about forgiveness during this time of year, and are usually eager to repent before God and reconcile with whomever they may have offended as well. But forgiveness is viewed as temporal, needing annual renewal, and received on the basis of God’s grace as well as our repentance and willingness to be obedient to His Law, found in the Five Books of Moses. At least this is the traditional Jewish teaching on the subject.
The Ten Days of Awe, or the Ten Days of Repentance, are observed during the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Jewish tradition calls upon us to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others as one vital part of receiving God’s forgiveness at the conclusion of the ten-day period.
The Purpose for the Devotionals:
During the Ten Days of Repentance, we will be providing our readers with ten devotions, one for each day. These devotions are written by Dr. Mitch Glaser, president of Chosen People Ministries.
These devotional thoughts will hopefully be a blessing to you and help sensitize you to what your Jewish family and friends are observing as well.
We will also present a passage or two from the Bible for you to meditate upon, and allow the Lord to speak to you through His word during this important season of the year.
The Apostle Paul suggests the importance of understanding and even experiencing the Jewish festivals in his letter to Timothy. He writes,
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
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Israel and UAE agreement to be signed in Washington will be designated as "peace treaty”
Barak Ravid, Axios
The agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, expected to be signed within the next two weeks in Washington, D.C., will be a "treaty of peace" with the same legal and diplomatic status as peace agreements Israel has previously signed with Egypt and Jordan, Israeli and U.S. officials tell me.
Why it matters: Israel wants the agreement to carry the most serious status, demanding the greatest commitment from both parties, Israeli officials explain. Officials also hope the agreement will send a message of long-term stability, rather than a temporary deal.
The state of play: During talks the U.S. and Israel had with Emirati officials in recent weeks, Israel requested that the document be signed in Washington as a "treaty of peace." Israeli and U.S. officials say the Emiratis agreed.
The economic protocol, which was signed by Israel and the UAE in Abu Dhabi on Monday and which I obtained a copy of, mentions that it is "in advance of the signing in Washington of a treaty of peace, diplomatic relations and full normalization."
Israeli officials say the peace treaty with the UAE must be approved by vote in the Knesset, intended to make the process more consensual. Peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan were also approved by vote in the Knesset and received a significant majority.
What to watch: No date has been set for the signing ceremony in Washington, according to Israeli officials, but the event is expected to take place the week of Sept. 14. The Israeli prime minister's office has already asked El Al to have a plane ready for departure to Washington, D.C., next Saturday or the day after.
The U.S. and Israel are continuing talks with other Arab countries — mainly Bahrain and Sudan — in an effort to get them to agree to normalization agreements even before the signing ceremony in Washington, Israeli officials tell me. If they succeed, the ceremony will be even bigger, but Israeli officials say it is unclear whether things will materialize by then.
The White House plans to invite ambassadors of Arab countries, including those who do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, officials say. In doing so, the White House hopes to show the U.S.-brokered Israel-UAE agreement has broad support in the Arab world.
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September 3, 2020
Jerusalem Breaks 120-year Heat Record
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.highlight-hot-in-the-holy-c...
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Friday, September 4, 2020
US’s O’Brien: We’re committed to 2-state solution; Palestinians need new leaders
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-national-security-adviser-were-committe...
Heatwave causes power outages across Israel
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/heatwave-causes-power-outages-across-i...
Israel roasts in extreme heat wave, day after Jerusalem broke all records
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-further-roasts-under-extreme-heat-w...
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Saturday, September 5, 2020
Israel and UAE agreement to be signed in Washington will be designated as "peace treaty"
https://www.axios.com/israel-uae-washington-peace-treaty-e077b187-d9f3-4...
Israel’s coronavirus czar: The High Holy Days terrify me
https://www.jpost.com/health-science/coronavirus-czar-the-high-holy-days...
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Sunday, September 6, 2020
Coronavirus czar: The High Holy Days terrify me
https://www.jpost.com/health-science/coronavirus-czar-the-high-holy-days...
Interior minister says only nationwide lockdown can stem virus spread
https://www.timesofisrael.com/interior-minister-says-only-nationwide-loc...
Los Angeles County sets record temperature as scorching heat wave wallops Southern California; 121 in Woodland Hills
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/record-heat-wave-hits-southern-california-l...
California grid operator warns of rotating power outages in record heat wave
https://news.trust.org/item/20200906022155-95z56
Full lockdown beginning Rosh Hashanah night and encompass Yom Kippur
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287026
Crafting Israel-Saudi peace deal will take time, official says
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/09/06/crafting-israel-saudi-peace-deal-...
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Monday, September 7, 2020
California Wildfires: Extreme Heat Turns State Into a Furnace
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/california-wildfires-extreme-heat-turn...
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Tuesday, September 8, 2020
UAE-Israel deal-signing ceremony to be held Sept. 15 in Washington
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/uae-israel-deal-signing-ceremony-to-...
1.3 million Israelis locked down as curfew kicks off in virus hotspots
https://www.timesofisrael.com/1-3-million-israelis-locked-down-as-curfew...
Israel's Gamzu: Coronavirus infection rates in red cities among highest in world
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/gamzu-infection-in-red-cities-among-hi...
Israel hits new high with over 3,400 infections in day, as curfew snarl persists
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hits-new-high-with-3392-infections-...
Facing Isolation, Palestinians Walk Back Criticism of UAE-Israel Peace Deal
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/facing-isolation-palestinians-w... A view of a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers after
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Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Saudi Arabia favors comprehensive solution to Israel-Palestinian conflict, no mention of Israel-UAE deal
https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/saudi-arabia-favors-comprehe...
Saudi Economic Outlook Sours After Oil Price Crash
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Saudi-Economic-Outlook-Sours-...
The Weather Channel: ‘Once-in-a-Generation Event’: Unprecedented Fire Season Terrorizes the Western US
https://weather.com/news/news/2020-09-09-western-wildfires-california-or...
'Netanyahu has abandoned the Likud's positions; he must go'
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/286949
Health Ministry said to seek immediate, month-long nationwide lockdown
https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-said-to-seek-immediate-mon...
Netanyahu Seeks Full Lockdown, After He's Back From UAE Deal Ceremony in D.C.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.highlight-netanyahu-israel-...
Health minister, virus czar to enter quarantine after staffer catches COVID
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-september-8-2020/#gs.f5w6ec
Donald Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize following Israel-UAE deal
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/donald-trump-nominated-for-nobel-pea...
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Thursday, September 10, 2020
Kushner: Our plan is bid to save 2-state solution; Israel was eating up the land
https://www.timesofisrael.com/kushner-our-plan-is-bid-to-save-2-state-so...
Kushner says Saudi Arabia, Bahrain to allow all Israeli flights to use airspace; said Saudi airlines could fly over Israeli airspace
https://www.timesofisrael.com/kushner-says-saudi-arabia-bahrain-to-allow...
Full lockdown to be imposed for High Holidays as coronavirus infections reach new highs
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287026
Israelis worry about lockdowns: 'Better to get COVID-19 than to starve'
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/better-to-get-covid-19-than-to-starve-...
Daily new cases surpass 4,000 in Israel
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryEimyO4v
California wildfire explodes, burning across 25 miles in day
https://apnews.com/4e293277165179809eab95c8b139a67c
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Friday, September 11, 2020
Bahrain agrees to normalize relations with Israel, Trump announces
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/trump-expected-to-announce-historic-ba...
Citing COVID fears, Netanyahus to fly in private plane to US for UAE ceremony https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-to-fly-in-private-plane-to-us-f...
Lockdown rebellion: Business heads warn Netanyahu of disaster, threaten defiance
https://www.timesofisrael.com/business-leaders-warn-netanyahu-against-lo...
500,000 people in Oregon forced to flee wildfires
https://apnews.com/8e4e0818146a72c713de625e902f9962
Official UAE, Israel visit may be postponed due to coronavirus lockdown: Minister
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/coronavirus/2020/09/11/Official-UAE-Isr...
Bahrain agrees to normalize relations with Israel, Trump announces
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/trump-expected-to-announce-historic-ba...
COVID-19 cases at colleges are fueling the nation's hottest outbreaks
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/09/11/covid-cases-col...
Storm Threats Loom Across Atlantic From Gulf of Mexico to Africa
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-11/storm-threats-loom-ac...