Bolivia recognizes Palestinian statePrint
Israel
Written by Chris Perver  
Sunday, 19 December 2010 14:36
Bolivia has now become the third South American country to officially recognize a Palestinian state, following similar announcements made by Brazil and Argentina earlier in the month. Bolivian President Evo Morales is reported to have told President Abbas that his government "recognized the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders", referring to the 1949 armistice lines which were established following Israel's War of Independence. In a recent interview with Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Abbas also remarked that he expected Ecuador to follow suit, in becoming the third South American nation to officially recognize a Palestinian state. Uruguay has already announced that it intends to recognize a Palestinian state in August of next year, a deadline which has been adopted by the international community for the establishment of a state. Abbas has also requested official recognition from around a dozen EU states. While the official EU policy is that recognition will only follow a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, several EU states have already upgraded the political status of the PA General Delegation to that of Diplomatic Mission.

Quote: "Bolivia’s recognition [of Palestine] comes approximately two weeks after both Brazil and Argentina announced their official recognition of the State of Palestine. This also comes just 24 hours after Norway raised the Palestinians diplomatic status from that of a "general delegation" to a "diplomatic mission" with the head of the Palestinian diplomatic mission now enjoying diplomatic immunity in Norway. This follow a similar move by France in July 2010 which saw Paris raise the diplomatic status of the Palestinian mission to its country from that of a "delegation" to a "diplomatic mission" led by an ambassador. In the past few days, the Palestinian Authority has also official requested –for the first time – that European countries recognize a Palestinian State should one be declared, even in the absence of a peace agreement with Israel. Palestinian officials announced that the Palestinian Authority had formally contacted Britain, France, Sweden, and Denmark to officially recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

The Bible states that just prior to the return of Christ, the status of Jerusalem would become such a contentious issue that one day the whole world would be gathered together against it (Zechariah 12:2-3). The fact that countries around the world are now recognizing 'Palestine' as an independent nation, within the '1967 borders', proves to us the veracity of these Scriptures. And the fact that recognition is being offered, even in the absence of a peace agreement between Jew and Arab, shows us that indeed the entire world will one day be gathered together against Jerusalem to do battle. For no nation on earth presently recognizes Israel's legitimate claims over east Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, at least in the absence of a negotiated agreement. And official recognition of a Palestinian state within the '1967 borders' will only serve to bolster the PA position and further reduce the likelihood of peace. Indeed the prophecies of Zechariah and Revelation seem to indicate that Israel will eventually be forced to cede the eastern half of Jerusalem to the Gentiles (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2), thus beginning a time of unparalleled persecution for the Jewish people (Daniel 12:1). 

While the world may not recognize Israel's claims over the land, the Lord still does, and the Bible declares that there is coming a day when He will judge those nations which have scattered His people and divided His land (Joel 3:1-2). But the Bible also speaks of another day, one in which God will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained (Acts 17:31). That man is Jesus Christ. He is the only one who is able to judge the world, because He is the only one who is without sin (1st John 3:5). He cannot be accused of hypocrisy, and His judgement cannot be impeded. He does not judge after the sight of the eyes or the hearing of the ears (Isaiah 11:3). He is also the only one who is worthy to judge, because He is the only one who has given His life a sacrifice in our place, providing a way whereby anyone can receive the forgiveness of sins. Would you like to know your sins forgiven, and have everlasting life in heaven? Confess to God that you are a sinner and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Acts 10:42-43
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Source Aawsat, Jerusalem Post

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