Palestinians mark 2nd anniversary of ArafatPDFPrintE-mail
Israel
Written by Chris Perver  
Friday, 10 November 2006 17:00
Two years ago, Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, renowned terrorist and Nobel peace-prize winner died in France. The cause of his death, as far as I know, was never determined - or at least never made public. Two years on, in relation to terror, not much has changed. Back then, Israel had practically destroyed Arafat's Ramallah compound due to his complete failure to reign in terror. The world condemned Israel for attacking the Palestinian infrastructure, but his was an infrastructure that was dedicated to financing the terror war against Israel. "He promised us peace, and the only peace he gave us was the peace of the grave", someone once said. After his death there were renewed hopes that peace deal could be reached. A "moderate" was elected to replace Arafat, but like his predecessor, Abbas has been unable, even unwilling to do anything about the daily terror attacks on Israel.

Quote: ""Israel kills women, children, and elderly. Not a day passes that the Israeli occupation doesn't commit a crime," said PA President Mahmoud Abbas in his speech at the ceremony in Ramallah. Abbas added: "Israel is taking steps against us of siege and collective punishment. In addition to the settlements and the separation fence, they have turned out cities into large prisons and detainment camps. The settlements are illegal, and ultimately Jerusalem will be our capital." 

But the political situation is very much different 2 years on, with hopes for a Palestinian unity government being formed by the end of the month, according to Mahmoud Abbas. The formation of a unity government, not headed by Hamas who's charter calls for the destruction of Israel, will help bring about the end of the international boycott of the Palestinian Authority...  

Quote: ""I announce to our people the happy news, that we have achieved great progress on the path to establishing a national unity government that can end the siege and open the way toward a political settlement," Abbas said in a speech marking the second anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat. "I expect that, Allah willing, this government will see light before the end of this month," he said.

...and it seems that Israeli Prime Minister Olmert is preparing to meet with Mahmoud Abbas, in order to boost his chances for the formation of a new government...

Quote: "She [Livni] said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wanted to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah to move the process along. "The idea is to strengthen Abu Mazen (Abbas) in order to give him the possibility to send a message to the moderate Palestinians that there is another way, not only the Hamas way but also his way," She said. On Thursday, Olmert said Abbas would be surprised by what Israel could offer him, but did not elaborate.

Of course, the Bible states that there will be a peace agreement in the Middle East that will appear to solve a lot of the problems. There will be peace for a short time, but the peace agreement will fail and all nations will be gathered together to do battle against Israel, and in particular Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3).

Quote: ""Peace and security [safety] will not be realised under occupation and settlement and the inclusion of noble Jerusalem into Israel," Mr Abbas told a crowd of thousands of Palestinians.

Jeremiah 30:4-7
And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

1st Thessalonians 5:2-3
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Source YNet News, Reuters, YNet News, BBC

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