French Prime Minister François Fillon has said that France is willing to deploy French troops in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem as part of an international peacekeeping force, if and when their presence is requested by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. He made the comments during an address to the American Jewish Committee in Washington on Thursday evening. 

Quote: ""The Palestinian Authority must shoulder its responsibilities and reform its security services," he said. "France and Europe are prepared to provide assistance in this effort and, if the parties so wish, take part in an international force to support the Palestinian security services."

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has supported calls for the deployment of a peacekeeping force in the past, but up until recently the Israeli government has preferred not to have a third party involved in the conflict. Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, has said that the EU is willing to deploy a peacekeeping force in the region if both sides request it. EU politicians have also repeatedly called for such a force to be deployed, and the Prime Minister of Italy has promised to contribute troops. The Gaza Strip still poses a big problem for any peacekeeping force, for Hamas have declared that they will regard any foreign force as an occupying force. But the situation in Gaza, along with the inability of the Palestinian Authority to guarantee Israel's security, is causing the Israeli government to rethink its position. In 2005 the European Union became the first third party to become directly involved in Israeli-Palestinian conflict, when they sent a mission to monitor the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have said that Israel would be willing to consider the deployment of a peacekeeping force in Gaza, if it had similar powers to the UNIFIL force stationed in south Lebanon. And the Israeli government have stated that an international presence will be required in the event of an IDF withdrawal from Judea and Samaria, and that international troops will be required to train the Palestinian forces until they are ready to take control.

The Bible states that east Jerusalem shall be "given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months", Revelation 11:2. I never really thought about that word "given" before, in the context of what we are talking about here. Nor did I really think about the "Gentiles" treading the city under foot for three and a half years. These verses seem to imply that the Israeli government will eventually cede the eastern half of the city to the Palestinians, and that a large international peacekeeping force will be stationed there. Of course we know that the terrorism will not end. Zechariah 12:2 predicts that close to the end of the tribulation period, Israel's enemies will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem, and that this will be a time of unparalleled suffering for the Jewish people. We may not understand it, but we know that this will happen according to the will of God. And He will allow it, in order to bring His chosen people back to Himself. When the Lord came to earth the first time, He said, how often would He have gathered Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chickens under her wing, but they would not come (Luke 13:34). When He comes the second time, they will cry out to Him for salvation. And He will deliver them. What a God we serve! I would not want any other, not Mohammed, not Ghandi, not Buddha. They don't love me. But, "the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me", Galatians 2:20. If you are a Muslim, Mohammed didn't die for you. He doesn't love you. Ghandi didn't die for you either. The Queen of England wouldn't even die for you. But God's Son Jesus Christ did, because He loves you and wants you to be with Him in heaven forever. Trust in Him for salvation today.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Source JTA

Residents of a remote Mexican village have reported sightings of a mysterious flying figure that has been terrorizing the locals. But sightings of the 'flying witches' weren't taken seriously until one man captured an encounter on his video camera. Now other witnesses are coming forward, claiming to have experienced similar encounters with the strange beings. Members of the local UFO club have examined the video and concluded that the footage is genuine, and that the creature is indeed humanoid in appearance. The video shows what looks to be a caped figure floating across the tops of mountains. Two police officers claim to have had unpleasant encounters with the beings, and one officer received medical treatment after claiming to have been attacked by what he believes was a 'flying witch'.

Quote: ""I saw a person dressed in black, with huge claws. She had her head hanging down. I stepped back to the room and saw the creature looking at me". According to the officer he saw two humanoid creatures flying above this cemetery in circles. The cemetery is right under the flight path of the flying humanoid video. This scared police officer also saw the flying creatures. "She was dressed in black with huge eyes, dark skinned. She wore a long, pointy hat. She was flying through the air". The officer received medical attention after what he says was an attack by a witch.

While I believe that around 95% of UFO photographs are either hoaxes or mistaken identity, I think this video is probably genuine. It would be possible to fake an incident like this, with a large helium balloon or some sort of flying contraption. But taking into consideration the testimonies of the two police officers, I doubt this to be the case. I have heard of cases in Africa were people have been terrorised by flying witches. I did hear of one case where a flying witch confronted a Christian man, and he commanded her to stop in the name of Jesus Christ. The demon that was holding her up fled, and the witch came crashing down to the ground. And a Christian friend of mine has a sister who was heavily involved in the occult. I remember her saying that her sister travelled to Australia every year, but she didn't go by plane. The sad thing is, with the advent of books like Harry Potter, witchcraft is being presented to our children as make-believe. The broomsticks are real. The flying carpets are real. It's not magic, it's demonic. And what's worse is, their minds are being conditioned into accepting witchcraft as good. There is no such thing as a 'white witch'. Witchcraft is real, and God hates it. Praise God that greater is He that is in you (the Holy Spirit), than he that is in the world (Satan), 1st John 4:4. The disciples rejoiced when they realized that even the evil spirits were subject unto them in the name of Jesus Christ. But the Lord said, rejoice not because of this, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Is your name written in heaven? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Luke 10:18-21
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Source Sun, YouTube

World leaders gathered in London today for the follow- up meeting to the Palestinian Donors Conference, to review the progress that has been made so far in regards to the Middle East peace process. The first Palestinian Donors Conference was held in Paris following the Annapolis peace conference last November, at which Israel, the United States and the Palestinian Authority committed themselves to work together towards the establishment of a Palestinian. Over $7 billion in aid was pledged by the international community to strengthen the Palestinian economy and establish governmental institutions. This figure was much greater than President Abbas had initially requested, but so far most of that money has yet to materialize. The Arab League pledged around $717 million to support the creation of a Palestinian state, but so far only $153 million has actually been received. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Algeria are the only Arab League members that have honoured their pledges.   

Quote: ""The Quartet called for all donors to follow through on pledges made...The Quartet encouraged the Arab states to fulfil both their political and financial roles in support of the Annapolis process," the statement. The statement voiced "deep concern" over humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip which has been under a stringent Israeli blockade, imposed by Israel since the Islamist Hamas movement took over power there in June 2007. Israel says the blockade is aimed at stopping Hamas rocket attacks into Israel. "The Quartet called for continued emergency and humanitarian assistance and the provision of essential services to Gaza without obstruction. The Quartet expressed its continuing concern over the closure of major Gaza crossing points given the impact on the Palestinian economy and daily life," it said. It also called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, which the Palestinians and other countries say are an impediment to the peace process.

The Arab League's lack of enthusiasm towards the Palestinian 'cause' may seem surprising, but since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, Arab nations have done little or nothing to accommodate Arab refugees. And Arab leaders have stated that they were opposed to creating a Palestinian state in east Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and Gaza in the 19 years that they controlled the territories, for fear of causing instability in their own countries. If a Palestinian state is to be created, they say, it must be done on Jewish land. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also attended today's conference, and warned that the window of opportunity for implementing the two-state solution is closing fast. She urged both sides to agree on final status borders as soon as possible. 

Quote: ""Ultimately the best answer is to determine what's going to be in Israel and what's going to be in Palestine," Rice said before meetings with negotiators and leaders on both sides in London and the Mideast. Determining final borders is "the best thing we can possibly do," Rice said, suggesting she has heard Palestinian, Arab and other complaints that there is little momentum and less clarity in peace talks that are supposed to frame an independent Palestinian state before Bush leaves office.

Yesterday Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia had angrily rejected a map drawn up by Israeli negotiators of the proposed borders of a Palestinian state, exclaiming, "we know what our rights are and will fight for them using all means and ways. We reject any demand, any position, or any Israeli statement regarding territory outside the 1967 borders". Despite the months of negotiations, the Palestinian Authority position remains essentially unchanged. President Mahmoud Abbas had previously stated that he is opposed to leaving a "single stone of the Israeli settlements on the 1967 borders". We are not told in the Scriptures exactly how it will come to pass, but it seems that Israel will be forced into disengaging from Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, in a last drastic attempt to find a resolution to the conflict. During the tribulation period, the Bible states that the Antichrist will divide the land of Israel for gain (Daniel 11:38), and Judea and east Jerusalem shall go into captivity (Zechariah 12:2, Revelation 11:2). Hundreds of thousands of Jews will be airlifted into the desert, where they will remain until the three and a half years have run their course (Revelation 12:14). The very fact that the Israeli government is contemplating these things shows how close we may be to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.

As we have seen with recent news updates, the time of the Lord's coming is drawing near. I believe the Lord is revealing the signs of His coming to all those who "love His appearing" (2nd Timothy 4:8). Do you love the Lord's appearing? Or do you fear His coming? At one time I feared His coming. Before I was saved, I knew that I was a sinner, and that if Christ came I would be left behind. I knew that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. My sister asked me if I wanted to be saved, and I said I did. And she told me to ask the Lord to forgive my sins, and thank the Lord Jesus for dying for me on the cross. I did, and immediately I knew that I was saved, and I ran in to tell my mum what had happened. The same can happen to you, if you will just trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

Source Reuters, YNet News, YNet News

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has stated that the Middle East conflict must not be allowed to hinder the creation of the Mediterranean Union, and that the creation of the bloc may help to bring peace and stability to the region. He made the comments during a three day visit to Tunisia. Leaders from the EU and sixteen Mediterranean states are expected to formally announce the establishment of a Mediterranean Union on July 13th of this year. Under the original plan, Sarkozy had initially proposed that the Mediterranean Union would comprise of only those nations that border the Mediterranean sea. But Germany objected to this idea, fearing that the special status for southern European states could create division within the union. There were also fears that the establishment of a Mediterranean Union could undermine progress being made through Javier Solana's European Neighbourhood Policy. At the time it was announced I didn't believe such a union could come about, for the Scriptures seem to indicate that the last world empire will be a revived form of the old Roman Empire, not a separate entity from it (Daniel 7:23). And it seems that my suspicions were at least partly correct. European leaders met on the 14th of March to discuss the issue and decided that the new Mediterranean Union should include all twenty seven EU states, and that the project should be promoted as an upgrade to the Barcelona Process. Thus the Mediterranean Union will effectively become an extension of the European Union itself. Sarkozy has said he believes that the establishment of the Mediterranean Union will "change the world", for as he previously stated regarding this issue, "in the Mediterranean will be decided whether or not civilisations and religions will wage the most terrible of wars...whether or not the North and the South will clash".

Quote: ""I know that, inside the project of the Union for the Mediterranean, there is the issue of Israel and the issue of Palestine," Sarkozy said. "I'm fully aware that all this is in the background ... but this should not stop us acting. It should encourage us to act." He was addressing university students at the end of a three-day visit to Tunisia to boost cooperation on trade, nuclear energy and migration between the two countries. "Failure ... would mean taking a terrible responsibility towards our children and all future generations," said Sarkozy, adding that the new Union "will change the world".

And it does seem that the Mediterranean is fast becoming the focal point of world politics. When the Apostle John was exiled to the isle of Patmos, which is located on the coast of present day Turkey, he received a vision from God of what will come to pass in the days prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In his vision, John is standing upon the seashore, and he sees a Beast rising up out of the sea. Although the vision is symbolic and the word 'sea' is often used in the Bible to refer to the Gentile nations, the Scriptures do seem to indicate that this final world empire will rise out of the Mediterranean region. As we can see from today's news, the European Union is already seeking to extend its influence over the Mediterranean, in an attempt to bring about peace and stability there. And peace will come. The Bible says that the Antichrist, the leader of this revived Roman Empire, shall strengthen a covenant between Israel and the surrounding nations for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27). But the agreement will fail. 1st Thessalonians 5:3 states that "when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape". And following the collapse of the covenant, Sarkozy's "most terrible of wars" will commence. The Jews call it the 'last battle', during which they believe their Messiah will come and deliver them. The Christians call it Armageddon (in the Hebrew, Har Megiddon), when the armies of the world will be gathered together to do battle against Jerusalem (Revelation 16:16). And the Muslims are taught in the Qur'an that they must make war against the Jews before the day of resurrection will come. The Scriptures make it clear that this time of trouble will be so great that there will be none like it, even since the time when Israel became a nation (Daniel 12:1). But praise God that Israel shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7). For when they have no-one else to turn to, the Jewish people will call upon their Messiah for salvation (Zechariah 12:10), and Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, will return out of heaven with all His saints, and defeat the armies of the Antichrist and deliver His chosen people.

We are not looking for the day of the wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 6:17), nor are we awaiting the appearance of the Antichrist. We "wait for His Son from heaven", who has "delivered us from the wrath to come", 1st Thessalonians 1:10. God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1st Thessalonians 5:9). Jesus Christ is coming back. And He will take all those who have trusted in Him for salvation, to be with Him where He is (John 14:3). Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

1st Thessalonians 5:4-10
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Source Reuters, Likud