Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has stated that his terrorist organization would be willing to accept the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1948 armistice lines if an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was reached. But they are still unwilling to recognize Israel's right to exist. He made the comments following his meetings with former US President Jimmy Carter in Damascus last weekend. Meshaal's comments are being portrayed by the media as a "softening" of the group's position, but in reality Hamas' stance has not changed at all. Hamas was always willing to recognize the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. That is not a problem, so long as they aren't required to recognize Israel's right to exist. To Hamas, the borders of any future Palestinian state are only considered 'transitional', and can be expanded at a later date to cover all of 'Palestine' once the state of Israel is destroyed. As was the case with the ill-fated Palestinian Prisoners document, you need to interpret Hamas statements in light of their racist ideology, and not with our amiable Western mindset. Hamas believes that the whole land of 'Palestine' belongs to Allah and that the Israeli 'occupation' will be ultimately destroyed. So no wonder Carter now thinks Hamas had agreed to something completely different than what they are now proclaiming.

Quote: "Abu Zuhri also noted Hamas would see any future Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as "transitional". Speaking later to reporters, Carter said Hamas leaders whom he met "didn't say anything about transitional". Unlike Abbas, who sought a Palestinian state side-by-side with the Jewish state, Abu Zuhri said Hamas's outstanding position not to recognize Israel's right to exist remained unchanged despite its acceptance of a state in 1967 borders.

As we can see, for the Jewish state, any agreement with Hamas is an agreement with hell itself. Once Israel withdraws to pre-1967 borders, the whole country will be in range of Hamas and Hizbullah rockets. And if Israel is not destroyed militarily, she will be destroyed demographically, as the Palestinians insist on a "right of return" for millions of Palestinian Arabs to Israel proper. The Bible states that during the tribulation period, the Gentiles will be in siege against Judea and Jerusalem, and these territories will be given into their hand for three and a half years (Zechariah 12:2, Revelation 11:2). And towards the end of this period, the nations of the world will come against Jerusalem to do battle (Zechariah 12:9, 14:2). As we can see, Hamas agrees to the establishment of a Palestinian state within these territories mentioned in Bible prophecy. And so the fulfilment of these prophecies may be close at hand. The Bible says of the tribulation period in Joel 3:4, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision". The day of the Lord is near. What decision will you make? Will you call upon Christ for salvation, or will you be calling on the mountains and rocks to fall on you and hide you from the face of the Lamb (Revelation 16:6)? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Psalm 86:5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Source Reuters

A spokesman for Hamas has stated in an interview with WorldNetDaily's Aaron Klein that they hope former US President Jimmy Carter's upcoming meeting in Cairo will prompt other delegations to come clean about their secret contacts with the terrorist organization. Hamas rose to prominence after its landslide victory in the Palestinian elections of January 2006. Following their refusal to adhere by the conditions laid down by the Quartet (EU, US, UN, Russia), namely to recognize Israel's right to exist, to renounce violence and to abide by previous agreements negotiated between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the group was placed under an international economic and political embargo. But the isolation of Hamas was never watertight. When it became clear that the terrorist organization had no intention of amending its charter which calls for the destruction of the state of Israel, some ministers such as Britain's former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw sought to water down the Quartet's three principles. Straw said that Hamas should not be compelled to recognize Israel's "right to exist", rather the terrorist group need only recognize the "fact" of Israel's existence. Although the British government distanced itself from those remarks, several other governments have considered ending or amending the Hamas boycott. Some ministers in the European Union suggested staggering the three principles, to try and give Hamas more time to change. And there were attempts made by the mainstream media to make it look like Hamas had implicitly recognized Israel's right to exist. Those attempts failed after Hamas categorically denied the claims. There were allegations made that senior ministers in the British government covertly met with Hamas officials. Those rumours later proved to be true. And not only was Britain guilty of breaking the Quartet's rules, but Norway went one step further, sending their Deputy Foreign Minister to Gaza to meet with the former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Just a few months later Hamas would launch a bloody coup in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and the ousting of President Abbas' party from power in the region. As you can see, it is not the economic embargo or the political isolation of Hamas that has brought about this dire situation, it is the international community's failure to abide by its own principles that is encouraging the terrorist organization to persist in its defiance of Israel. And now Hamas is using Carter's plans to meet with their leaders in Cairo as a publicity stunt, to help break the resolve of the Quartet and to catapult the organization towards its ultimate goal, the destruction of the Jewish state.  

Quote: "Barhoum told WND that prior to Carter's visit Hamas "met a delegation from the European Parliament, and they are supporting the Palestinian legitimate rights and Palestinian democracy; and they emphasized their full support for Hamas, because Hamas is the democratic choice for the Palestinians. "There was a delegation from France, the government, and from Italy and Norway and from the EU parliament and from Carter," Barhoum said, speaking from Gaza. "All of these are supporting Hamas, and they have a plan to support Palestinian rights and interests." The Hamas spokesman said there were "several meetings between Hamas and Europe, and they want finally to support Hamas."

The situation does seem utterly hopeless. Following the signing of a peace agreement between Israel and the surrounding nations, the Bible states that there will be a time of relative peace in the Middle East, but it will be short-lived. Zechariah prophesies that during the tribulation period, Israel's enemies will be in siege against Judea and east Jerusalem, and Revelation predicts that these territories will be handed over to them for a period of three and a half years (Zechariah 12:2, Revelation 11:2). During this three and a half year period, the nation of Israel will experience the greatest period of trouble they have ever witnessed (Daniel 12:1). With Hizbullah massing tens of thousands of rockets in the north, Hamas threatening Israel's destruction from the south, and Iran and Syria seeking to construct nuclear weapons in the east, it doesn't take much to imagine what this period of trouble could be like for the Jewish people. The irony is, Western leaders still believe that if they just talk to these people, they will somehow lay down their weapons and embrace Israel with open arms. It will never happen. The events spoken of in the Bible will take place, just like God said they would. The question is not if, but when these things will come to pass. The nations of the world are bent on obtaining a peace agreement in the Middle East by the end of this year. They may not be successful. But then again, as was the case of Northern Ireland, peace can come when you least expect it. And as we can see from today's news, representatives from the European Union are already involved in mediating a solution to the present crisis, just as the Bible predicted (Daniel 9:26-27). Where do you stand in relation to eternity? Where does your hope for the future lie? When everything around you gives way, what will you have left to cling on to? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Hebrews 6:17-20
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

Source WND

The Palestinian Liberation Organization Ambassador to Lebanon has stated that it is their intention to drive Israel out of Palestine, during an interview with Lebanese NBN TV last Wednesday. The PLO, now headed by Mahmoud Abbas, had previously agreed to recognize Israel's right to exist, although its charter still calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. The PLO ambassador goes on to say that the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees to Israel-proper is guaranteed by their will, their weapons and their faith, and that they will use whatever means necessary to achieve victory. He added that he supports any Palestinian martyrdom operation that inflicts a heavy toll on Israel. 

Quote: ""In light of the weakness of the Arab nation and the lack of values, and in light of the American control over the world, the PLO proceeds through phases, without changing its strategy. Let me tell you, when the ideology of Israel collapses, and we take, at least, Jerusalem, the Israeli ideology will collapse in its entirety, and we will begin to progress with our own ideology, Allah willing, and drive them out of all of Palestine," added Zaki.

As we can see, what Palestinian leaders tell their Western audience often totally contradicts the message they are giving their own people. The most recent example of this was Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas himself, who stated that the PLO was embracing the democratic process, but only until a more opportune moment to continue the armed struggle presents itself.

Quote: ""I do not support a return to armed struggle at this point in time. But, at a later date, this could be an option for the Palestinian people," Abbas said on Thursday during an interview with the Jordanian newspaper Al-Duster.

There are some similarities between the Middle East peace process and the situation in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams once stated that the IRA would use the twin tracks of the Armalite and the Ballot Box in order to get their way. In other words, it was up to the law abiding citizens of Ulster to choose which track would ultimately succeed. If we gave them what they wanted, there would be no need for bloodshed. If we didn't, they would continue their campaign of terror. Yasser Arafat said much the same thing when he addressed the United Nations assembly, wearing an empty gun holster and carrying an olive branch in his hand. If we give the Palestinian terrorist organizations what they want, they will give us peace. If we don't, it will be all-out war. But the difference between the situation here and that of the Middle East is the religious element. Our conflict was not based on religion, it was primarily about politics. But the conflict in the Middle East is based on religion, and this is why a political solution will never be found to this conflict. No matter how much land Israel gives up, it will never be enough, for it is Israel's existence they cannot tolerate. One day the Arab nations, and indeed the entire world, will attempt to solve the problem once and for all (Revelation 16:13-16). And only when the Jewish people have nowhere else to turn, will they look unto Him Whom they pierced (Zechariah 14:4), and out of Zion shall come forth the deliverer (Romans 11:26). Praise God that of the increase of His government and of peace, there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7). And when Jesus Christ returns, there will be true peace on earth and goodwill to all men. Then the Arabs will seek the Jewish people, not to fight against them, but to go up with them to Jerusalem to worship God (Zechariah 8:23). Do you know Him? He has not hid Himself, but He has showed Himself openly to the world (John 14:9). His name is Yeshua HaMashiach - Jesus Christ. Trust in Him for salvation today. Praise God for His wonderful grace.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Source Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7, Haaretz, Fox News

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas today, on the final leg of his diplomatic tour of the Middle East. Earlier in the week, the Russian Foreign Minister had met with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Israeli President Shimon Peres, to discuss the proposal of holding a meeting in Moscow to follow up the one held in Annapolis last year. During his visit to Syria, Lavrov brought up the issue of the Golan Heights, and proposed that both nations should conduct talks on the territory in parallel to negotiations being held by Israel and the Palestinians. But the Israeli President poured cold water on the idea of Israel negotiating with Syria, saying that they wouldn't regard Syria's peace overtures so long as Damascus continued to arm Hizbullah and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also downplayed the idea of a Russian peace conference, saying it was not necessary at this point in time, and that Israel needed to concentrate on the Palestinian track. But President Abbas has been very supportive of the idea of a Russian conference, and urged Lavrov to raise the issue with all the relevant parties. 

Quote: "The international peace conference to be convened in Russia this year will attempt to restart peace talks between Israel and Damascus on the future of the Golan Heights, Lavrov said earlier Thursday during his visit to Damascus. No invitations have been sent at this time, but Russia is looking into how to combine various ideas, Lavrov said during his meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. He also made it clear that the Russia conference will constitute the direct continuation of the Annapolis conference, and noted that all Annapolis participants agreed to attend the Moscow meeting as well. Lavrov called for a "global solution" to the Arab-Israeli conflict and said talks should be restarted with Israel on the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks. His visit comes as relations are strengthened between Russia and Syria after Moscow started delivery of air defense weapons to Damascus amid speculation some of them could be secretly forwarded to Israel's arch-foe Iran.

It's interesting that Russia should be so taken up with resolving the issue of the Golan Heights with Israel and Syria. The Golan Heights are of course on the northern border of Israel. The Bible prophesies that during a time of relative peace, a confederation of Arab nations will mount a massive invasion of Israel. And many believe that according to the prophecy of Ezekiel, it could be Russia that will come up out of the "north parts" to act as a guard to these invading armies (Ezekiel 38:15). The descendents of Meshech, Tubal and Magog (Genesis 10:20), mentioned in Ezekiel as being the people of this end time aggressor, all settled around the Caspian Sea and Black Sea areas. Some of the states bordering these seas include present day Turkey, Russia and Iran. The Iranian government has already declared its desire to wipe the state of Israel off the map, while Russia is seeking to rebuild its naval presence in the Mediterranean region. Peace in the Middle East may be one of the hooks that will bring Gog down upon Israel, but it will be the thought of taking spoil that will cause him to move against the Jewish people (Ezekiel 38:10-12). With Russia laying claim to the Arctic Circle in hopes of exploiting its vast mineral wealth, and Europe preparing for conflict with Russia over energy, its clear that something has to give way sooner or later. And it seems that the Middle East will be the ideal staging ground for this conflict. Some have also speculated that the prophecy of the destruction of Damascus could be fulfilled at this same time. Isaiah 17 states that the destruction of the city is the reward of those that spoil Israel (Isaiah 17:14). Syria has signed a mutual defence pact with Iran, and in the event that Israel launches a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, the city of Damascus - the main sponsor of terrorism in the region - may also find itself high on Israel's target list. As we have seen in southern Israel, with the daily bombardment of Sderot, it would be unthinkable for a nation such as Iran to get its hands on nuclear weapons. Palestinian or Hizbullah terrorists would have no qualms about using them, even if they slaughtered much of their own people in the process.

This is the situation that now presents itself to Israel and the world. The Scriptures have foretold what must come to pass. The question is not if, but when these events will take place. The Lord said that as it was in the days of Lot, so it would be also in the days of the coming of the Son of Man (Luke 17:28-30). Lot's future was secure, but the city in which he lived was wiped off face of the map. The angels warned Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.", Genesis 19:17. Likewise, we would warn those who haven't yet trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, escape to yonder mountain, to mount Calvary upon which the Saviour died. There is eternal security in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:28-29
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Source YNet News, YNet News, China View

Well it seems we have picked the perfect time to be visiting Israel. The week after we arrive in the country, the nation will be holding the largest security exercise in its history, as air-raid sirens sound all over the land in response to simulated chemical and biological missile attacks on Israel's northern and southern borders. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will convene an emergency meeting of his cabinet to formulate a response to the enemy attack. For five days, hospitals, police services, the Israeli Defence Forces and other governmental institutions will be participating in drills designed to prepare the nation for the outbreak of war. 

And now officials in the Palestinian Authority are calling on all Palestinian Arabs to descend on the Jewish state on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation to exercise their 'right of return'. The plan, entitled "The Initiative of Return and Coexistence", was drawn up by Ziad Abu Ein, Deputy Minister for Prisoners' Affairs in the Palestinian Authority, in an effort to highlight the issue of the 'right of return' for Arab refugees who fled their homes during the War of Independence and Six Day War. The Jerusalem Post article says the Palestinian Authority may turn its back on the vision of two states living side by side in peace and security, and instead opt to implement United Nations Resolution 194, which permits all Arabs who fled their homes prior to the outbreak of war to return to their former homes in Israel. Around 400,000 Arabs living in Palestine were displaced by the War of Independence. Many of these were encouraged to do so by the surrounding Arab nations, who had openly declared war on the new  Jewish state. Around 600,000 Jews also fled their homes in the surrounding Arab nations to seek refuge in Israel. Abu Ein's plan calls for surrounding states, such as Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, to open their borders and allow all displaced Arabs to return to their former homeland. Palestinian terrorist organizations have long advocated a 'right of return' for Arab refugees to Israel proper, even for those born outside the land, in the hopes of demographically destroying the Jewish state.

Quote: ""The Palestinians, backed by all those who believe in peace, coexistence, human rights and the UN resolutions, shall recruit all their energies and efforts to return to their homeland and live with the Jews in peace and security," the plan says. "Fulfilling the right of return is a human, moral and legal will that can't be denied by the Jews or the international community. On the [60th] anniversary of the great suffering, the Palestinian people are determined to end this injustice." Abu Ein's initiative, which has won the backing of many PA leaders in Ramallah, calls on all Israelis to welcome the Palestinians "who will be returning to live together with them in the land of peace." The plan calls on the refugees to return to Israel on May 14, 2008 with their suitcases and tents so that they could settle in their former villages and towns. The refugees are also requested to carry UN flags upon their return and to be equipped with their UNRWA-issued ID cards.

I find today's news particularly interesting. The Arabs aren't the only ones advocating the abolition of the two-state solution in favour of a bi-national state. Orthodox Jews do not recognize the legitimacy of the modern state of Israel, and reject the idea of Zionism, which has brought about the establishment of a national Jewish homeland. They believe that the nation of Israel will only be established once the Messiah arrives. Of course that is true to an extent. Only when the nation recognizes Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah, will Israel be called holy (Isaiah 62:12) and Jerusalem be called the city of truth (Zechariah 8:4). But I believe the Scriptures indicate that the nation of Israel would be reborn before the return of the Messiah and before the Jewish people return to faith in their Messiah (Ezekiel 36:24-25, Hosea 6:2).

But I doubt that many Palestinian Arabs will take up this offer of returning to Israel proper, nor are the Arab governments likely to support any change in the status quo until Israel withdraws to the 1948 armistice lines. The Bible states that during the tribulation period, the Gentile nations will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2). This seems to indicate that the Palestinian conflict is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Of course I wish all Palestinians would come to Israel and live in peace and security alongside their Jewish neighbours. And I desire that they would recognize God's covenant with Israel concerning the land. And I long for the day when both Arabs and Jews would trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. Today this is happening in part. Messianic Jews and Christian Arabs worship together in the Messianic synagogues in Israel. But the Bible states that when Jesus Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, that both Arab and Jew will dwell together in His land, and all will worship the Lord together. What a day that will be. I am looking forward to see it.

Zephaniah 3:12
I will also leave in the midst of thee (in the midst of Israel after the regathering to the land) an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Zechariah 8:21-3
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

But you don't need to wait until Christ returns to meet with the Lord. You can meet Him right now in your heart by faith. Confess to God that you are a sinner, turn from your sinful life, and believe that Jesus Christ died upon the cross for you. God has promised that all who believe on His Son for salvation will have forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven (John 3:16, Titus 1:2).

Jeremiah 31:34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Source Jerusalem Post, Eretz Yisroel, Arutz 7