Over six months ago, Hamas was swept to power in the Palestinian Authority government by a landslide victory. Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip had created a political vacuum which was easily filled by a terrorist organization that is responsible for hundreds of murders and openly calls for Israel's destruction. The result of the election created a legal and moral dilemma for the international community, who could not continue to financially support a government that was now run by a terrorist organization. Hamas was initially isolated politically and financially, apart from a few who broke ranks with the Quartet's official line. Today the current EU President and Finish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomiojafin has stated the European Union must talk with Hamas. What has changed? Apparently not Hamas, even though the current EU President seems to think so. Hamas still retains its weapons, still calls for the destruction of Israel and still has not honoured previous PA agreements, all of which were the three basic preconditions set down by the Quartet after Hamas' election. Yet the President trusts Hamas enough to give them a central role in the peace process? No, Hamas remains the same. Apparently the EU blinked first...

Quote: ""The European Union must conduct talks with Hamas," Finnish Foreign Minister and current EU President Erkki Tuomiojafin was quoted as saying on Friday. Tuomiojafin told a German newspaper that the EU needed to change its stance towards Hamas and conduct negotiations if the movement was willing to take a central role in a peace process. "Hamas is not same movement since the Palestinian Authority elections," said Tuomiojafin.

If one thing has changed within the past six months, it has been Lebanon. With Israel and Hizbullah unable to end to conflict (surprising considering Israel's military might), the EU has been forced to act as a mediator in order to bring about peace in the region. EU ministers are currently meeting in Finland to discuss both Iran and the current situation in the Middle East. Javier Solana, the High Representative of the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, will be meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Larijani in Berlin next week, but not to press for sanctions after the country breached the UN deadline for ending Uranium enrichment. Instead Europe plans to continue dialogue with Iran on the nuclear issue. Once again Europe has blinked first... And as European Union troops land in Lebanon, EU leaders are discussing the best way to use their military might to create an environment in which a peace agreement could be signed. Exactly what we've been predicting for a long time. Meanwhile, Javier Solana is pressing Europe to pave the way for new peace talks based on a return to Israel's pre-1967 borders...

Quote: "EU President Finland is hosting the meeting in a 17th century fortress in the town of Lapeenranta, where ministers will study how to leverage their growing military presence as peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to bring about regional talks. European officials argue that the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hizbullah guerrillas and continuing Israeli-Palestinian violence can be resolved only by a political process leading to a negotiated settlement. In efforts to win a wider Middle East peace, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he would urge ministers to pave the way for new talks based on a return to Israel's 1967 borders "plus or minus agreed minor adjustments".

All President Abbas needs to do now is get his "National Reconciliation Document" - which calls for the creation of a Palestinian state on land captured during the Six Day War, agreed with Ismael Haniyeh. Once that happens, Solana will press Israel and the surrounding nations to agree to it. And they will for the sake of peace, even if it's a fudge. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has already stated he hopes Israel could soon sign an "eternal covenant of peace" with their neighbours.

Friends, there is no doubt we are now nearing the beginning of the tribulation period, for the tribulation period will begin with a seven year peace agreement in the Middle East, brokered by the European Union. Everything seems to be falling into place exactly the way the Bible predicted. Are you ready?

Exodus 19:10-11
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Source Jerusalem Post, Reuters, Reuters