Former defence officials propose peace planPrint
Israel
Written by Chris Perver  
Tuesday, 05 April 2011 05:44
Former Israeli defence officials are proposing to publish a peace initiative for the Middle East conflict tomorrow, as preparations intensify ahead of a planned Quartet summit later this month. Just last week sources within the United Nations revealed that Britain, France and Germany, the major foreign policy makers of the European Union, were seeking for the outline of a peace agreement to be drafted by the EU and UN in an effort to kickstart negotiations on the establishment of a Palestinian state. The US administration, the EuroMed parliamentary assembly, and the Palestinian Authority all hope that a Palestinian state can be declared by September of this year. Having been bolstered by support from South American states along with growing impatience in Europe, the danger is that unless a negotiated agreement is forthcoming, the Palestinian Authority may unilaterally declare a Palestinian state, and it is not clear that President Obama would veto such a resolultion. With all the volatility in Arab world, the West may be tempted to see a 'quick fix' in the Middle East as the short-term answer to their own problems.

Quote: “The two-state solution outlined in the plan is reminiscent of the 2000 Clinton outline, recognizing the Palestinian state as a nation-state, based on the 1967 borders. The plan also includes a land exchange – which will not exceed 7% of the West Bank.
The outline further states that the east Jerusalem would be the new state's capital, with the city's Jewish neighborhoods remaining under Israeli sovereignty, and its Arab neighborhoods under Palestine sovereignty.
Temple Mount, which Muslims hold sacred, would not be governed by either side, but the Western Wall and Jewish Quarter of the Old City would remain under Israeli sovereignty.

Of course there is nothing really new in this proposal that has not been seen before. What is significant here is the timing of it. The fact that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority have completely broken down, and both sides now seem to be playing to the gallery and preparing for an internationally mediated solution to be imposed upon them. The Palestinian Authority is trying to garner as much support as possible for recognition of a state in Judea and east Jerusalem, while the Israeli government is trying its best to prevent it by lobbying Russia and putting forward their own ideas. Israeli officials have warned that if peace is not forthcoming with the Palestinians, that an imposed solution could isolate Israel internationally on a scale that would be no less severe than war.

And that is what the Bible predicts will eventually take place. For according to Zechariah's prophecy, the battle over the division of the land and the city of Jerusalem is set to continue right through to the tribulation period (Zechariah 12:2-3). Indeed it is that which will ultimately trigger the battle of Armageddon. And all the nations of the world will gather together in the vale of Megiddo (Revelation 16:16), in northern Israel, to do battle against Jerusalem. As you can see, world opinion is already stacked against Israel in this matter. But this is accortding to the will of God. For Revelation states that “He gathered them together”, and again in Joel 3:2, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land”. Jehoshaphat in the Hebrew means 'the Lord has judged'. As you can, all of this is happening according to the will of God. He is in complete control of world events, and is bringing things to a head in order to fulfil His will. And soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will return out of heaven as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He will judge the world in righteousness and in truth (Acts 17:31). He will use the great tribulation to bring the Jewish people back to Himself (Zechariah 12:10). All those that put their trust in Him shall be saved, even “every one that shall be found written in the book”, Daniel 12:1.

Is your name written in the Lamb's book of life? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31)

Source YNet News, Haaretz, Haaretz

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