Senior officials in the Palestinian Authority have denied that any significant progress has been made in the Middle East peace process of late, contradicting recent statements made by the Israeli government to that effect. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev had said that talks held following the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were the "most serious" to date, and that a peace agreement by the end of 2008 was achievable. Regev stated that the two sides had made "significant progress on two issues: definition of national boundaries for the future state of Palestine, and in the field of competences over security between Israel and the state of Palestine". But at the time of Rice's visit to the region, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia had rejected a proposed map drawn up by Israeli negotiators, stating they will accept nothing less than the 1949 armistice lines for the borders of a future Palestinian state. And Palestinian officials now claim that no significant progress has been made in the negotiations, and believe that the recent announcements made by the Israeli government are just an attempt to divert attention away from Olmert's latest financial scandal. 

Quote: ""This is a big lie," one official told The Jerusalem Post. "The statement was issued by Olmert's office even before President Abbas returned to Ramallah and it came as a surprise to us. We still don't know what progress he's talking about." Another PA official said he was convinced that the "optimistic" announcement was aimed at diverting attention from the police investigation into the new financial scandal involving Olmert. "If Olmert has problems with the police because of financial corruption, that's his problem," he said. "But he should not use the peace talks as an excuse to divert attention from the police inquiry."

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have been under intense pressure to be seen to be making progress in the negotiations, ahead of US President Bush's upcoming visit to the region next week. Condoleezza Rice once again urged both sides to agree on final status borders, exclaiming that they need to "draw a map and get it done". It had been hoped that the two sides could have made some sort of joint-declaration, to reflect on progress made since the Annapolis peace conference last year. But that seems unlikely to happen. President Bush's visit has already been marred by controversy over his decision not to pray at the Kotel, the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount. Some feel the President has snubbed them over fears of inciting the Muslims by visiting the holy site. His trip will instead focus on Masada, the mountain-top fortress, where the Jewish rebellion against the Roman occupation was quashed. Hundreds of Jews committed suicide atop the mountain fortress rather than surrender to the advancing Roman armies. Thus it seems that President Bush's visit to Masada will be symbolic, for in effect his support for the policies of 'land for peace' and the 'two-state solution' is driving Israel towards national suicide. For Hamas and Fatah see the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as just a stepping-stone towards the ultimate destruction of the Jewish state. The only disagreement they have is how that should be accomplished. We have a saying, "things can only get better". Unfortunately in the case of the Middle East, we know that the reverse is true. Things seem to only get worse, and they will get much worse according to Bible prophecy. A new map of Israel will eventually be drawn up, by the Antichrist himself (Daniel 11:39). East Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria will be handed over to the Gentiles (Zechariah 12:2, Revelation 11:2), and the greatest period of persecution the Jewish people have ever experienced will commence. But there is good news. Jesus Christ is coming back.

When Joseph told his brothers of the dreams that he had, the Bible records that his brothers replied, "Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words", Genesis 37:8. Fifteen hundred years later, the religious leaders of Jesus' day would do the same when confronted with the claims of Jesus Christ, crying out, "We have no king but Caesar", John 19:15. Just as his brothers conspired to slay Joseph (Genesis 37:20), the Jewish leaders did the same to the Father's well-beloved Son (Genesis 37:3, Matthew 3:17). What the Jews meant for evil in crucifying the Messiah, God meant for good (Genesis 50:20). For through the blindness of Israel, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). Today the identity of the true Messiah has been hidden from the eyes of the Jewish people, just as Joseph's identity was hidden from his brothers in Egypt (Genesis 42:7). But one day Yeshua will reveal Himself to His earthly people, just as Joseph revealed himself to his brothers when their hearts yearned over him (Genesis 45:3).

Genesis 45:1-4
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Today Jesus Christ weeps over you, because your sins have separated between you and your God (Isaiah 59:2). He beckons you to come near unto Him. Call upon Him for salvation today.

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Source Jerusalem Post, AGI, Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7

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

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

Syrian President Bashar Assad has said that Syria is interested in closing a peace deal with Israel, but is demanding a written guarantee that it will receive the entire territory of the Golan Heights in return. Following the Second Lebanon War in 2006, contacts between Israel and Syria increased and Turkey became involved in mediating the negotiations. Last week Syrian sources revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed his willingness to hand the territory back to Syria. But so far Israeli leaders have been unwilling to countenance the prospect of a peace deal with Syria, so long as the state continues to support and arm terrorist organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Last week the United States published its photographs of the Syrian nuclear installation, which was bombed by Israel last year. The Israeli strike was met with an angry response from Iran, Syria and North Korea at the time, and it was later revealed that North Korea was heavily involved in the project. Syria has officially stated that the photographs are fraudulent, and President Assad has questioned the effectiveness of nuclear weapons to fight a Middle East war. 

Quote: "Assad told the newspaper on Sunday that the time has not yet come for peace because "the Israeli side has still not given its guarantee." The Syrian president also said Damascus was not interested in producing nuclear weapons, adding that he predicted regional wars would remain conventional even if Iran did acquire nuclear capabilities. "Where would we use them?" he was quoted as saying, in reference to nuclear arms. "In Israel it would kill the Palestinians... that's not logical." He added that Iran had a similar outlook on the matter.

But there is no doubt Syria has a very unhealthy interest in North Korea's weapons programme. Just last year it was revealed that North Korean engineers were killed while trying to fit a chemical warhead to a Scud C missile in Syria. And while a nuclear warhead on Jerusalem may kill many Arabs, Tel Aviv remains a prime target for those who are seeking to wipe Israel off the map. And if they couldn't use it for fear of international retaliation, the very fact that they possess a nuclear weapon could be enough to hinder Israel's response in any future attack. Regarding peace between Syria and Israel, I personally can't see it happening, not so long as Assad and Iranian President Ahmadinejad remain in power. And that is why I didn't comment much on the Syrian peace initiative last week. The Bible also seems to indicate that Damascus may be completely destroyed in a future war with Israel, and previous Israeli governments have said they would consider using nuclear weapons on Damascus if Syria launched a chemical weapons attack on Israel. But there is good news for Middle East. Jesus Christ is coming back. And when He returns, the Bible says He shall "judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more", Micah 4:3. Is your citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20)? Are you a child of the King? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

1st Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Source Haaretz, YNet News, YNet News