SAT-7 KIDS, the first and only Arabic Christian satellite TV channel dedicated exclusively to the children of the Middle East and North Africa, celebrates its first anniversary on December 10, 2008.

The channel launched as a Christmas present to the millions of children living in the Arab world during the 2007 holiday season, and this year SAT-7 KIDS will continue to bless viewers with a variety of Christmas specials. Over the next weeks, children in the region can watch Arabic cartoons (such as VeggieTales® “The Toy Who Stole Christmas” and Hermie & Friends® “Fruit Cake Christmas”) films including “Legend of the Candy Cane” and “The Miracle Maker” and many locally produced specials including SAT-7 KIDS’s first ever live telecast.

SAT7 Press release, Dec 4, 2008

The following is the statement issued by Sabeel's seventh International Conference Held in Nazareth and Jerusalem on NOVEMBER 12-19, 2008 under the title "THE NAKBA: MEMORY, REALITY AND BEYOND"

Special for Come and See, Nov 22, 2008

In his column in the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, 'Abd Al-Nasser Al-Najjar criticized the persecution of Christians in Arab countries,
with a particular emphasis on the Christian population of the Palestinian Authority.
From Memri web site, Nov 12, 2008

BibleLands has been at work in Israel and the Occupied Territories, Lebanon and Egypt for more than 150 years, working with indigenous partners to help ease the suffering of impoverished communities.

In Israel and the Occupied Territories in particular, that work continues in the face of daily acts of terrorism, military action, curfews, travel restrictions and perpetual shortages of the most basic necessities.

Christian Today Interview, October 7, 2008

Around 300 Catholics gather for mass every Saturday evening in the home of the Nigerian ambassador to Israel, in the luxury neighborhood of Kfar Shemariahu, north of Tel-Aviv.

The people in attendance are mainly Filipinos and Indians who are domestic workers in the area of Herzliya, Herzlya Ha Pituah and Nof Yam.

Written by Fr. Arturo Vasaturo ofm

Director of the Holy Land Secondary School in Jaffa, Cutodia.org, Nov 20, 2008

Archaeologists in Israel said on Thursday they had unearthed the oldest Hebrew text ever found, while excavating a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath.

The dig's uncovering of the past near the ancient battlefield in the Valley of Elah, now home to wineries and a satellite station, could have implications for the emotional debate over the future of Jerusalem, some 20 km (12 miles) away.

By Ari Rabinovitch, Reuters, Oct 30, 2008

“Maariv”,the second largest Hebrew nationwide Israeli newspaper ran a 2 page article by Efrat Zemer on the 13th of October about best schools in Israel.

Under the title “Being a Student – Schools That Have Amassed the Best Reputation” Maariv wrote the following in the subtitle:

“Eight Israeli high schools enjoy a high standing in Israeli education. The formula for success is not clear – but with their sparkling lists of graduates, it’s hard to argue.”

Special for Come and See, Oct 27, 2008

In a strategic gathering of Middle Eastern, European and American Christian leaders, westerners were given an inside view of the Middle Eastern Church’s struggle in a war-torn land.

Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding’s (EMEU) Sounds of Hope II conference was held in Amman, Jordan on Oct. 15-18. It was a time for over 70 select individuals from various ministries to hear from 11 speakers with experience in the Middle East Church.

According to Dr. Ray Bakke, EMEU chair, the conference was held out of a concern that ignorance in the West was negatively influencing the worldwide Church. “We had people who are evangelical who thought that every Arab was a terrorist or a fat oil sheik,” he said.

Press Release by Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding, October 23, 2008

Thousands of Iraqi Christians living in the northern city of Mosul fled for their lives this past week, many leaving behind everything and, as one refugee put it, taking “only our souls”.

At least 744 Christian families, or about 3,750 people, fled the city dubbed by US and Iraqi commanders as the last urban stronghold of Al-Qaeda for refuge with relatives in churches and at Christian centres in several towns and villages to the north and east of Mosul, according to the UK-based persecution watchdog ministry, Barnabas Fund. Some are even sleeping in their cars.

These displaced Iraqi Christians are said to be in desperate need of food, clothing, bedding, personal hygiene items and other basic necessities.

by Michelle A Vu, Christian Post, October 14, 2008