The Israeli cabinet met this morning to discuss Vice Premier Haim Ramon's evacuation compensation bill, which will provide monetary incentives for Israelis wanting to relocate within the Green Line prior to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Green Line is the 1948 Armistice Line which was established following the defeat of the Arab nations by Israel during the War of Independence. The international community now considers the Green Line to be Israel's defacto border. Around 250,000 Israelis live outside the Green Line in the territories now known as the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Around 180,000 of those live in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians now claim for the capital of their own state. The evacuation compensation bill has been in existence for around a year, but until now the government has not supported its implementation. Many in the Israeli government have opposed it, as it undermines Israel's negotiating position with the Arabs ahead of any peace agreement. Many also feel that the discussion of the bill comes at an inopportune time, when the Prime Minister is facing the threat of indictment over his corruption scandals and is due to step down within a matter of weeks. But others feel that the issue of compensation needs to be addressed prior to the establishment of a Palestinian state, so as not to cause a repeat of the chaos that ensued following Israel's disengagement from Gaza in August 2005. 

Quote: "At the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting, Olmert said that Israel would likely have to uproot West Bank settlers as part of a future peace agreement with the Palestinians. In light of Israel's continuing peace talks with the Palestinians, he added, it would be proper to think about providing cash incentives for settlers to leave voluntarily. Advertisement Olmert said it was important to learn from the mistakes of Israel's last evacuation of settlers - the 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip - and it was important to plan ahead.

As I said the first time I commented on the existence of this bill, the fact that government is willing to discuss this issue proves that they are planning for the eventuality that Israel will have to forcibly evict anything from 100,000 to 250,000 Israelis from their own homes in a peace agreement with the Palestinians. In any other country this would be called ethnic cleansing. It seems that unless you are an Arab Muslim, you will not be welcome in a future Palestinian state. And yet the Palestinians are demanding that millions of their own people, most of who were encouraged to flee their homes prior to the outbreak of war with the Jewish state, be allowed to return to Israel proper? The international community condemns Israel for being an 'apartheid state', but if anything it is the Arab states that are guilty of this. As you can see, this whole 'peace process' is destined for complete disaster. And that is exactly what the Bible says will happen. For Zechariah 12:2 states that in the last days, Israel's enemies will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem. And for a three and half year period, the east of Jerusalem will fall into the hands of the Gentiles (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). The Israeli government is now making preparation towards that day.

The Bible says we must make preparation too. In the words of Amos 4:12, "Prepare to meet thy God". Have you made adequate preparation? Jesus Christ is coming back. Will you meet Him as your Saviour (Hebrews 9:28), or will you meet Him as your Judge (Acts 17:31)? Trust in Him for salvation today.

Source Haaretz, BBC

This link from my friends Alison and Deb. Astronomers have reported that the sun has reached a record low in solar activity, when for the first time in roughly one hundred years, no sun spots have been detected on its surface for an entire month. Solar activity varies over an eleven year cycle, and we are presently in the low period of that cycle. But astronomers have been surprised by just how low the solar activity is at present. For the first seven months of this year, the number of detected sun spots averaged around three, while no spots have been detected for the entire month of August.  The last time solar activity reached a level similar to this was in the year 1913. While scientists believe that solar activity does not overtly affect the total solar irradiance which governs the overall temperature on earth, they believe the reduction on the solar magnetosphere which produces sun spots can affect cloud formation on earth. And some scientists are now predicting that Earth may be in for severe global cooling if the data from previous extreme solar minimums is anything to go by. With record snow falls recorded last year in China, the United States and South Africa, they could be right. 

Quote: "Meteorologist Anthony Watts, who runs a climate data auditing site, tells DailyTech the sunspot numbers are another indication the "sun's dynamo" is idling. According to Watts, the effect of sunspots on TSI (total solar irradiance) is negligible, but the reduction in the solar magnetosphere affects cloud formation here on Earth, which in turn modulates climate. This theory was originally proposed by physicist Henrik Svensmark, who has published a number of scientific papers on the subject. Last year Svensmark's "SKY" experiment claimed to have proven that galactic cosmic rays -- which the sun's magnetic field partially shields the Earth from -- increase the formation of molecular clusters that promote cloud growth. Svensmark, who recently published a book on the theory, says the relationship is a larger factor in climate change than greenhouse gases.

I don't know much about global warming or global cooling. But I do know that God is in complete control of our weather. And I would be more inclined to believe that the extreme weather conditions we are now experiencing are less to do with changes in the earth's atmosphere and more to do with changes in the hearts of men. Following the United Kingdom's record flooding, not this year's but last year's flooding, ministers of the Church of England called on the country to repent of their wickedness and turn to God. They declared that the floods were a judgement from God for the moral depravity of our nation. In May 2007 Britain had been afflicted with an anti-Semitic fever, after a large number of British universities, trade unions, charities and churches announced their intentions to boycott the Jewish state over its forty year 'occupation' of the Palestinian territories. In June and July 2007 the country suffered its worst flooding in over sixty years, causing around three billion pounds worth of damage. It turns out that the last flooding to occur on this scale was in England in March 1947, just a month after Britain deferred on its promise to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine, and passed the issue on its partition to the United Nations. So it seems that the British people have a short memory. And as the international community presses Israel into making peace with their enemies and giving up even more land, there is no doubt we will face even greater disasters in the coming days. But there is hope.

Isaiah 26:2
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

Our nation may not be righteous, but through the precious blood of Christ, we can be made righteous and become citizens of the heavenly country (Philippians 3:20). For those who have trusted in Christ for salvation are like sojourners in a foreign land. They are citizens of another country, and though they are here on the King's business, they look forward to the day when they can go home. That day is coming. When you come to the end of life's journey, will you hear this welcome invitation from Christ? Or will these words be true of you...

Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today!

Source Daily Tech, BBC, Zionism Israel

A couple of days ago I commented on the fact that although the territory of the Golan Heights is at the centre of the peace negotiations between Israel and Syria, neither side is interested in who actually controls the territory at the end of the day. I said it was more a case of who is on who's side. Israel is seeking peace with Syria in order to drive a wedge between them and Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas. Syria is seeking peace only for the security of its own regime, and for expanding its own sphere of influence in the region. And it seems those remarks have been confirmed today, both by President Bashar Assad and by Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. Israeli politicians are now mourning French President Nicholas Sarkozy's trip to Damascus, for although the prospects of peace between the two nations are now closer than ever, Syria is back in the political game while still holding all of its cards. Assad now knows the West needs Syria for their goal of establishing Middle East peace, because of its close relations to Iran and its influence in south Lebanon. Thus the issue of who actually controls the Golan Heights is insignificant in itself. Syria knows if it makes peace with Israel, it will be required to sever its ties with Hizbullah and Iran. And once Syria does that, its influence in over the Middle East through Iran and south Lebanon will crumble. It is actually in Syria's interests that Israel holds on to the Golan Heights, because as long as they do that, Syria will have an excuse to exert its influence over the region. And that may be what is behind Assad's latest comments on the Middle East peace process.

Quote: "In an interview with Al-Manar, Hizbullah's official news network, the Syrian president was asked whether his country would consider relinquishing relations with the "resistance" in Lebanon and Palestine. "This issue has not come up," he answered. "I believe this issue is very clear to many countries. We are not a country that bestows gifts, we are a country that discusses interests. We tell other countries this, and ask them to present us with their interests, in order to see where the two coincide." He added, "We don't see any interest in abandoning the resistance. Our position has always been clear. Our position toward the resistance against any occupation in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is firm and has not changed. I don't believe it will change until the occupation changes."

And regarding President Bashar Assad's interests, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt had this to say...

Quote: "According to Jumblatt, Assad "only wants to enhance ties with the US at the expense of Syria's special relationship with Qatar and Turkey. He is not seeking an agreement on the Golan, but a far more extensive deal." Al-Sharq al-Awsat has recently reported that Syria does not intend to significantly soften its position vis-à-vis the peace negotiations with Israel. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told the daily that a return to the June 4, 1967 borders was a prerequisite and was not even up for negotiation.

If all Syria and Israel were interested in was the land, peace would have been made between these two nations long ago. But Israel is seeking an end to Syria's support for terrorism, and Syria is seeking a way to retain its influence over the Middle East. Until their interests coincide, peace will not be found. The same thing can be said for the Saviour and the sinner. The Bible declares that it is in God's interests that none should perish, but all should come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9). But until your interests coincide with God's interests, there is no hope that you should be saved. You need to agree with God. First you need to agree that you are a sinner. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of God's righteous standard (Romans 3:23), and if we die in our sins, where He is we cannot come (John 8:21).  Second, you need to come to that place of repentance for your sins. The Bible says God is near those who are of broken heart, and saves those who have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). And thirdly, we need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me", John 14:6. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Source YNet News, YNet News