Should astrology, magic and witchcraft be used by Israeli politicians? The topic was explored at last Thursday’s Hebrew University conference on “Magic, Mystery and Witchcraft.” Topics which were addressed by leading university academics included, “Jesus the Magician” and the "New Age: The Secret of Harry Potter’s Success.” “Magic and Politics” was the final session featured; discussing “the role magic plays on Israel’s political scene.” (JPost, 1/12/07) In attendance was former Interior Minister Aryeh Deri who “acknowledged the ways in which his Shas party has routinely used magical elements such as prayers and curses during elections.” (Ibid) Justifying the use of Jewish mysticism found in the writings of the Kabbalah, as a basis for making political decisions, Israeli Rabbi Isaac Batzri, whose father is a world-renowned Kabbalist, suggested that the dates chosen for this past summer’s Lebanese operation “were ‘completely unsuitable’ for the war, so it was not surprising how we fared.” (Ibid) Batzri’s statement upset many in the audience, “who saw it as a sign of religious pressure to use traditional Jewish mysticism in making political decisions.” (Ibid) MaozIsrael Ministries, Grand Prairie, TX 75053 [TBC: Israel would do well to hearken unto the counsel of the prophet Isaiah, “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.“ (Isaiah 47:13).