EVP at Christians United for Israel (CUFI) DC 2012
A team of senior EVP officials recently returned from the Christians United For Israel (CUFI) DC summit in Washington DC.
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| Part of the EVP team at CUFI 2012 |
During the summit, hundreds of delegates visited the EVP booth. The outpouring of love and commitment was far, far in excess of anything we have ever experienced. We met with many people who care for Israel and who support our mission. However, the almost palpable power and the strength at the CUFI conference was, for me and the EVP members with me, an empowering experience that we will carry with us for a long time.
We have uploaded hundreds of photographs from the Summit on the EVP web site. You can find them at www.EVP.org.il
A few words about CUFI 2012 planning and operations team. These wonderful and amazing people worked day and night planning, preparing and making possible one of the most important pro-Israel conventions in the United States. Yet, despite their enormous work load, they still found the time to assist and help us prepare our booth and appearance at CUFI 2012. To you all - my thanks and those of all in the EVP.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of myself, the EVP President,Board of Management and Advisory board and all EVP volunteers, some very special people without whom none of this would have been possible.
Pastor John Hagee and his wife, Diana. No words can ever adequately express our appreciation to these two wonderful people for their concern and commitment to the State of Israel. Through many years of constant work and total commitment, they have forged an unbreakable bond between Christians around the world with the Jewish people and the State of Israel. They work ceaselessly to advance Israel's cause both in the United States and across the globe. Their support of the EVP, the honor they give us, their dedication to preserving Israel from her many enemies are a constant source of strength that gives us the courage and the will to continue.
David Brog, the CEO of CUFI. David works tirelessly for the realization of CUFI's mission and is the driving force behind many vital CUFI projects such as "CUFI on Campus" which goes to universities across the United States developing student leadership and providing them with the tools and means to become effective advocates for Israel. David's invitation to take part in CUFI 2012 means a great deal to us. His commitment to Israel ,the help he provided us during our stay and the understanding that he has of our mission are what made it all possible. As we say in Hebrew - יישר כוח (Yishar Koach) - May you go from strength to strength!
The dedicated team of EVP volunteers who came with us to CUFI. You are the people that make the EVP - your dedication, your commitment, your willingness to sacrifice are a beacon to us all.
Once again, my thanks to you all and I hope that we will meet again soon.
With great respect
Adi Zahavi
EVP CEO
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Act Today - Tomorrow may be to late!
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta acknowledged recently that increasingly tough international sanctions have yet to force Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. But he argued that increased pressure could eventually lead Iran to "do what's right."
 Iran's disputed nuclear program, which Tehran contends is only for "peaceful purposes" is a prominent backdrop to Panetta's five-day tour of the Middle East and North Africa. He will be in Israel on Tuesday and is expected to be having high level talks with political and military leaders.
Israel has consistently stated that, while it does not wish for a confrontation with Iran, Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear capabilities and its endless threats to wipe Israel from the map, could place it in a position, if sanction fail, where the military option is the only one left.
 The Obama administration, however, wants Israel to give sanctions and diplomacy more time to steer Iran off its nuclear course. Panetta has repeated the administration's standard line that "all options" are on the table in the event that non-military pressure does not work. However yesterday, according to sources, he added that the US is committed to Israel's safety and that, if within 18 months, the Iranians have not stopped their nuclear development program, the US would be compelled to use force against their nuclear facilities.
Other sources say that, in his talks with Israel's political and military leadership, Panetta is expected to discuss options open to both sides but to also ask Israel to refrain from military action until all other avenues have been exhausted.
Unattributed sources within both the US and Israeli military have said that Israel will continue to hope that sanctions and international pressure will do the job and will give the process time.
An Israeli defense official who declined to be named also said the: "We don't want a war with Iran. We know that the consequences for Israel and the entire region could be dire. But, on the other hand, Iran with a deliverable nuclear capability, with nuclear warheads that can strike every Israeli town and city is just not an acceptable scenario. The Teheran regime has repeatedly said that Israel will disappear, that they will wipe us from history and the face of the earth. Whatever the consequences, whatever the cost to Israel, we cannot let this happen because, if they do succeed in their murderous intentions, the cost to Israel will be far, far greater."
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| Iran's missile range - growing further every day! |
The source went on to say: "We don't want this to happen - but we reserve the right, we have an obligation to our country and people, to take whatever action we feel is justified, whenever we feel the time is right. If the Iranians succeed in destroying Israel or crippling her, who knows where their attention will turn after that in their Jihad against the Western World.
These statements, by Panetta and Israeli sources, bring home, yet again, the need for the EVP and its volunteers. Volunteers who, when the call comes, will work with Israeli emergency services, saving lives in Israel.
We have two tasks ahead of us:
- We must begin long term planning and preparation for the possibility of a US led strike against Iran's nuclear facilities in 18 months. Any such strike will bring retaliation and reprisals from Iran, directed primarily against Israel. We must be prepared with thousands of fire fighter, medics and community volunteers, all of whom have been trained by the EVP and who will deploy to Israel when called. We have a known deadline - preparing now will save lives then.
- Israel has left all her options open. Nobody knows if and when Israel will decide that the threat against her is too great to be ignored. This is not new, we have known this ever since the Iranians chose their course. But, as time passes, the possibility of action by Israel becomes ever more possible. Here to, we have an obligation to be prepared. That's one f the reasons why we are having a massive training program this October in Israel for EVP volunteers, old and new. We must increase the numbers of trained volunteers so that, if and when Israel acts, we are ready to provide the vital help and support that she will need.
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Prime Minister extends powers - in preparation for an attack on Iran perhaps?
The government of Israel, this Sunday approved amendments which expand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's powers against the backdrop of the Iran strike debate. The amendments give the Prime Minister power to delay motions passed by ministerial committees and the option to decide government voting orders.
The prime minister's office explained that the move is meant to "improve governance." In effect, the amendments mean that Netanyahu would be able to easily obtain a majority for critical decisions.
The move sparked widespread criticism. MK Amir Peretz said that the move supports the claim that "the prime minister will do anything to avoid comprehensive and transparent discussions." He described the amendments as "undemocratic." Peretz also criticized ministers for approving the amendments.
Earlier, Opposition leader Shaul Mofaz said the plan further undermines the prime minister's decision making process. "We are facing critical decisions and the attempt to weaken opposition only increases concern over the lack of judgment in those decisions," he said.
Labor Party Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich claimed the move jeopardizes the State of Israel's democratic nature. Under the amendments, the prime minister is able to delay the implementation of ministerial committee decisions and schedule further discussion on those decisions.
Seeing as the PM controls the cabinet's agenda, he will be able to run his proposals repeatedly until they are approved or conversely "bury" decisions made by ministers, pending further discussion. The amendments stipulate that decisions can be reached through phone voting - 12 hours after the first call is made. The PM will also have the power to shorten or extend this time frame. The PM's aides explained this amendment is meant to prevent a situation where ministers change their positions days after a decision is made. Until now, ministers were given a week to respond to proposed resolutions not discussed at the meetings.
The new protocol will grant the PM virtually unprecedented power. The PM will be able to restrict voting to present participants only, thus ending the practice of voting in absentia. Only ministers on overseas trips who appointed replacements will be able to vote in absentia. The PM will also be able to attend any ministerial committee meeting and have the same voting power as any other member. This could affect the ministers' voting patterns.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu addressed the Iranian threat at the weekly cabinet meeting. "All of the threats on the home front shrink in the face of another threat - Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons," he said. The prime minister also noted his conversation with UN chief Ban Ki-moon over the weekend in which he urged the secretary-general not to attend a conference in Tehran.
Also on Sunday, ministers Yuval Steinitz and Daniel Hershkowitz said the debate surrounding the question of a strike on Iran should be restricted to closed forums and not be held in public.
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The Next War in the North will be worse
Six years after the Second Lebanese War, the IDF warns: The next conflict will be a much more violent. A senior officer from the Northern Command: "The Goldstone Report will pale in comparison to what will happen here".
Yossi Yehoshua, Military Correspondent, Yediot Ahronot
"Every peaceful day in the sector is an achievement", say sources in the IDF, six years after the outbreak of the Second Lebanese War.
A senior officer in the Northern Command said in a recent, special briefing: "Israel's response next time will be a lot stronger. The Goldstone Report will pale in comparison to what will happen here". The Goldstone Report was issued after Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip and severely criticized Israel's actions. "A deterioration of the situation could result, within hours, if rockets and missiles start falling on the center of Israel. The next war will be different. We will need to attack with more force, with more violence in order to halt the rockets and the damage to the civilian sector". According to the officer, civilians need to know what to expect, how deep the missiles will reach into Israel and Israel's expected response to the other sides actions.
The officer also referred to the Lebanese Army which is stationed along the Northern border stating that more and more Shi'ite Moslems are taking senior posts in the army. "Our policy in such cases is not to fire the first bullet. But, as soon as the other side stars firing, we will respond quickly, decisively and painfully: our aim will be to kill 13 out of every 15 soldiers on the other side so that the remaining two left alive will tell their commanders about what happened".
The Commander of the Galil Brigade, Brigadier General Hertzi HaLevi said yesterday (Thursday): "The IDF is making all the preparation necessary for another war. The next time, there will be heavy exchanges of fire on both sides and we will have to attack forcefully including a lot more damage and destruction to the larger Lebanese villages. This isn't a punishment but because that's where the enemy has its positions. Lebanon will suffer more damage than during the Second Lebanese War. We will give the Lebanese Army the opportunity not to be our enemy but we will respond with extreme force if it attacks us. Attacking the Lebanese army will be lot easier than attacking the Hezbollah."
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For further information please visit our web site at www.EVP.org.il or contact the EVP Volunteer Liaison Director, Philip Barnea, at philip@EVP.org.il.
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
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