Hi Everyone,

I will abandon the news today and share with you what struck me...

May seem silly - but it is something I experience daily here in the land of the Bible.

You see, man is part of a chain in history, and while it's true that in our day things have progressed hugely due to technology, how much has man changed?

Everyday I travel out of the stone encasement called Jerusalem, the holy city. When I pass out the gates, I am 'leaving history', and passing by countless folks who've traveled half the world's distance to come and experience this place - to take a step back in time...

There's no doubt about the impact it makes upon people.

The stories that have been read to us from our earliest days of Sunday School reach out to us and grab hold of us - as one sits upon a boat on the Galilee or walks up the Way of Sorrows.

It all becomes so very real.

I understand that for many, the words, promises, and events of the Bible take on a personal note when your a pilgrim here.

So much of that experience is started back home in the relationship with God in our normal cluttered, often rushed and tired lives.

But when here - the stones do seem to cry out...

Man still needs a Savior, God still loves His creation, and that Love came down right here in this land for us to experience wherever we are.

Friends, consider joining a LeSEA tour to this Land of the Bible and see for yourself where Heaven literally came down to earth in Bethlehem. Visit the way of life in Jesus day at Nazareth... And stand upon the Mount of Olives where Jesus spent so much of His time that we have recorded in the Gospels.

We' love to send you some information on what you'll see and do here in the Holy Land - contact us at: www.lesea.com

Brian Bush Middle East Corespondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Sent from my iPad

Hi everyone!

I've missed writing - so it's nice to be back with you.

So Israel turned 64 yesterday!

What lay ahead for this place in the coming year?

Well, you don't have to look too far to see that many in the media have this fateful approach that war looms on the horizon...

Some media types say a third intifada of the Palestinians is on it's way (I personally don't think that's the case), ?I see talk like that serving the scare factory...

Then of course there is Iran - a completely different situation. ?But here too the international community has taken huge calculated steps against Iran and they will take full effect before Iran could manufacter a nuclear bomb.

What I find a little awkward is this emphasis on 'war' right around this period of Rememberance Day when Israel recalls it's fallen... Why would anyone ask for more?

How about the proclamation for a bright future? ?What if peace were toated as the new years' gift to the people?

And if one were to look at one of the hallmarks of this small State it ?is it's accomplishments in medicine and science that could lead the discussion.

Some have said that the study of the human brain is the last frontier of the human body... Here in Israel there is intense study taking place on the brain and how it works.

What about in the face of drought and continued concern for water the accomplishments Israel has made in agriculture?

For me, the future is favorable in one chooses. ?Many in media express the negative and fatalistic approach.... More headlines sell that way I guess.

I'd chose to put our hope in what we can build for a better year ahead. ?And when you think of it, such advances are exponential - they keep growing, and that's good news for all.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi All,

Israel's tension with the United Nations Human Rights Council continues.

At issue is an official investigation by the UN into Israel's policies on West Bank settlements.

Some in the American Jewish community view settlements as disruptive to Israel, and are expressing their view.

Even in Europe, two Ambassadors for Israel have voiced their support for taking a hard look at Israel's settlement policy.

Currently in Washington DC there is a conference of Jewish leadership meeting where voices of moderation have been heard.

This voice isn't new. Back in 1943, American Jewish leader Rabbi Stephen Weiss made a famous remark.

It was at the height of World War II, and he said that, 'American Jews are first and foremost Americans', and since then the identification of U.S. Jews with America has only strengthened.

Israel's settlement enterprise is the most controversial subject in the Jewish community at this time

And at a time when some Israelis, even from the political left, have become accustomed to the settlements, a growing amount of young American Jews are viewing the settlements as a distraction for Israel, and are raising their voices.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Greetings Everyone,

It looks as the main differences between US President Barak Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu seems to be about timetables upon military action against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Mr. Netanyahu, in Washington meeting with the US President and Jewish leaders, clearly stated that from Israel's point-of-view, time is running out on a diplomatic solution.

He focused Israel's concern down to Iran concealing its nuclear installations, claiming Israel won't be able to attack because it lacks the military means to carry out a successful attack.

Basically what Netanyahu did was not to agree to President Obama's request to allow more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work while at the same time saying that the decision to attack has not yet been made.

For his part it seemed President Obama believes that he succeeded in buying time.

One Israeli news source said that Obama and Bibi are playing poker against the Iranians, but also against each other.

Israel 'bangs the drum' that it is going to attack Iran. America won't sanction such a move nor will it promise one because it has worked hard on a diplomatic solution.

But Netanyahu also knows that if he attacks Iran, he probably will not be able to control the situation diplomatically - and potentially militarily.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everybody!

Good news on the tourism front – as a record in incoming tourism this last November when 315, 000 visitors came to Israel.

LeSEA tours was a part of that!

There was a 2% increase in numbers compared to last November. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, since the beginning of the year through November, 3.1 million visitors have come to Israel, a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Of those visitors, 2.6 million were tourists staying in Israel for more than one night – a 1% increase compared to the same period last year. When you think about it, despite the economic situation in Europe and the United States, which are the pillars of tourism in Israel, Israel has done well.

Then there is all the regional instability and political upheavals affecting the image of the Middle East... This goes to show you that people understand Israel is not to be understood as part of the 'mess' they see on the nightly news. Israel believes that the experience of a visit here is worth the tourists time - and the State is putting it's money where its mouth is as they have approved investment plans for 16 new hotels, the renovation of existing hotels and the refurbishment of old buildings into hotels. All these positive things wouldn't be happening if it were safe here in the holy land.

Our next trip is in February – won't you consider joining LeSEA for a pilgrimage experience of a lifetime?

Contact www.leseatours.com for more information!

See you here!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everybody,

It was great to have the show live from Jerusalem yesterday – to see everyone and meet new people too!

Lets talk today about the headlines, which don't necessarily speak to Iran or Gaza – but rather more of the internal challenges facing Israel.

Within Israel's Knesset there are several controversial pieces of draft legislation, regarding Non Governmental Organization's (NGO) funding and judicial appointments.

The controversy isn't limited to here in Israel though. These specific bills are very unpopular amongst the international community and could make things more difficult for Israel in mobilize support for future moves against Iran.

It is interesting... today we have seen the international community somewhat speak with unity against a military strike on Iran.

The international community has taken note of this law concerning NGO's being proposed because Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been a vocal supporter in the legislation that's geared to dry up funding for organizations that promote human rights amongst other things.

In a democracy, that's fairly basic, but the political right sees it as subversion.

Netanyahu gains his power from the right, which has a majority in the government, although not in Israeli society, and they admittedly are pushing their agenda to rid the country of organizations that are part of a process that keep democracies accountable.

Even Israel's President Shimon Perez has said the bills are a 'digression from democracy'. Regarding judicial appointments; here it is being called the battle over Supreme Court – and its image. In a nut shell, the 14 legal leaders that are charged to guard Israel's legal system could be shifting more to the political right.

Following a stormy discussion in the Knesset, Israel's lawmakers approved – in preliminary and first readings, two controversial laws in support of this.

Then there are major problems at Israel's hospitals as both medical residents and some senior doctors are on strike over pay and working conditions. Some doctors have suggested that they'll have no choice but to leave the country in order to work.

Then in the Army, there has been noted over the past several months a push of Jewish religious extremism. The most recent thing to pop up is a letter to the Chief of Staff (Israel's top soldier) from top reserve Generals to stop the extremism leading to the discrimination against women soldiers in the name of religion.

All this has a lot of people worried here that a trend with far-reaching consequences is taking place.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everyone,

As I mentioned in yesterday's report on the Harvest Show, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's poll numbers have climbed after they were down from his handling of domestic policies.

You'll recall there were massive popular protests over the high cost of living here in Israel.

So what happened to those big protests and the tent cities?

Well – much of the tent gatherings were ordered removed by legal forces except for small symbolic numbers.

The organizers, in a de-facto way, after the huge gathering of over 460,000 Israelis on the street said 'OK, we made our point, we got an official committee of inquiry that the government will have to listen to and act upon – so lets go home.'

But now that committee has released it's findings and the social protest leaders aren't impressed – in fact they are angry.

After 50 days of discussions, the so-called Trajtenberg committee submitted its recommendations in various areas, but there are no far-reaching changes suggested. Overall the committee recommendations were received with doubts and criticism. One of the main points listed was to cut 3 billion Sheckles (~ $850,000) from the Israel Defense Forces budget. But the main gripe is that 80% of Israelis will not feel significant positive change. Those who will are parents of young children who will receive an increase in their government assistance.

Implementing the recommendations in the report will take years as it is, and the protest leaders are simply disappointed – they feel it's not enough.

Their response; "We asked for root canal and got a teeth cleaning."

Israeli's understand that there cannot be any change without, a dramatic change in the composition of the Knesset. Otherwise, it will be politics as usual, if the politicians don't heed the people's voice for change.

Protest organizers say they will be back in the game on the street in mass numbers at the end of October.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everyone,

There were some interesting linkings in the press today here in the Middle East.

The social justice protests continue with some mild gains. The thing that started this all off was, believe it or not, the price of cottage cheese. It dealt with the monopoly on the market.

But this lead to the awareness of the need to take a stand against the continued rise in the cost of living – with the focus on housing – which takes the biggest bite out of everyone's pocketbook.

The largest advance, as seen by many, is that in the shadow of criticism over the protest leaders' demands, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu made it clear: "There are no negotiations here. I will not meet with you."

Bad move for the head of government to not listen to one's constituency. It's also a bad move amidst the protest for the government to pass a measure for their clothing allowance to be increased by an extra 4,000 Shekels (~$1,200).

For his part, President of Israel Shimon Perez invited the protest leaders to meet with him, saying complimentary words to the protest leaders efforts: "This is the generation that is fashioning our future. This is their right and it is our obligation to help."

One of the protest leaders has expressed her opinion in a recent interview with the foreign press that, "Our great concern at the moment is that Netanyahu, out of fear over what is happening, will start a war."

Her comment is interesting in light of a report in the foreign media that purportedly quotes a senior Israeli security official admitting that it's Mossad Agency eliminated the young Iranian scientist last week along with two other recent hits.

Then there is last Friday's blast in Beirut, Lebanon.

According to reports, Israel received information that Hezbollah's Secretary General Sheik Hassan Nasrallah was expected to meet with senior organization officials in building where the explosion occurred on Friday. Some reports say that Nasrallah was likely wounded in the attack.

Apparently, there were was a wave of arrests in the organization afterwards. Hezbollah leaders say blast was result of technical problem.

But the point of the protest leader's comments was to get people here in Israel to think.

What is happening in the tent protest is not a revolution. It is an invitation to a revolution.

In a democratic country, revolutions take place in the parliament. Two years from now, in the next elections, different people must be elected to represent the public in the Knesset. Officials who are ready to act on behalf of the common citizen and their Israeli home. Perhaps then a revolution will come.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Eveybody,

Yesterday here in Jerusalem – and elsewhere in Israel – was quite a day.

We've spoken about the Tent Demonstrations protesting the high cost of housing. That group was joined by thousands pushing baby strollers through the streets outraged over the continued rise in the cost of living. Their organizers claim 16,000 Israelis throughout took part having signed up on a Facebook page.

Then there has also been, for more than two weeks, a doctor's strike – complete with the head of the doctor's union on a self imposed hunger strike. Yesterday he led a march on the Prime Ministers office here in Jerusalem and was joined by the government opposition head Tzipi Livni. He and his colleagues are marching for better pay and working conditions for Israel's doctors and hospital staff.

And to top it all off – the Gay Pride parade held in Jerusalem overflowed into all three protests - and we had one big party of unhappy people with one voice saying: Government – Take Care of Your Citizens!

For those who will have patience, it may be said that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu will eventually create packages with reasonable benefits that will off set the raising costs of living here.

But the fact is the pressure is off because Knesset elections are due to be held in another two years, and while this will motivate Mr. Netanyahu to act, he need not do it swiftly.

The government has time to draft and implement a plan to market cheaper housing and reverse the consumer prices. And timed right, all this will pay at the ballot box if Netanyahu can push reforms through and show for it.

Many of the protesters are open about simply wanting to topple the current Government regardless of what it does – and there number is growing.

The police and the government must be careful, particularly in light of the 'Arab-Spring' uprisings, to show the Arab world that Israel allows for demonstration – particularly since an eviction order has been served to one of the main tent cities that has been erected in a Tel Aviv area.

Israel's government must show that it heeds the people's will and works towards their betterment. In doing so it will show itself a model to the rest of the Middle East.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting