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LISTEN NOW! John and Pat discuss the most recent happenings in the Middle East.  First, President Barack Obama gives Syrian President, Assad, a strict warning; “The use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable and if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there will be consequences and you will be held accountable.”  The administration states that this is a red line for the United States.   John shares how interesting this Administration, was able to see clearly where the red line needs to be, and John agrees, but how the same administration did not agree with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanayahu’s red line, in terms of Iran’s nuclear weapon development.   They continue to discuss Israel’s immediate plans to build 3,000 homes near east Jerusalem allegedly in retaliation for the United Nations recognition of Palestine.  In protest 6 other countries/allies, summoned their ambassadors from Israel.  Israel also has withheld more than 100 million dollars in tax rebates it collects on behalf of the Palestinians according to USA Today.  Although Abbas, Palestinian President said he was not interested in taking Israel before the ICC, International Criminal Court and seek war crime charges on Israel, one of his senior aides, Nabil Shaath allegedly said that, “by continuing these war crimes of settlement activities on our lands and stealing our money, Israel is pushing and forcing us to go to the ICC.”  John and Pat continue to share that again this is still yet another proof positive sign that you can’t negotiate with evil.  They also share Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton’s comments regarding Israel, “I’m not making excuses for the missed opportunities of the Israelis, or the lack of generosity, the lack of empathy that I think goes hand- in hand with the suspicion.   So yes, there is more that the Israelis need to do to really demonstrate that they do understand the pain of an oppressed people in their minds, and they want to figure out, within the bounds of security and a Jewish democratic state, what can be accomplished.”  They continue to share that if this wasn’t so tragic it would be hilarious.  They continue to share the need to be informed and educated so our prayers can be about specific issues regarding Israel.