While Americans come out of their holes upon hearing the news that the latest domestic terrorists (a.k.a. snipers) have been thwarted, Israel is losing her fortitude to defy terrorism.
A recent Israeli poll showed 60 percent of Israelis want peace negotiations to start now! And 78 percent would go along with the dismantling of settlements to further this goal!
Just what is happening? Under-Secretary of the United States William Burns has been touring the Middle East to sell the 'Quartet's' version of peace. In case you may not know, the 'Quartet' is the name given collectively to the US, EU, UN and Russia. They are unified to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Their long awaited answer? Israel is to give up some of her God given Covenant lands to the Palestinians so that they can create their own state.
Burns has been sent to gather support from the Arab world and has gained it. He was to also get Israeli support. This he tacitly received with reservation from Israel and after applying much strong arming. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon doesn't want to proceed until the Palestinians stop the homicide bombings. Unfortunately the timing of this new poll couldn't be worse for the fate of Israel. Her leaders, believing they are doing the best for Israel, will make further compromises to the Palestinians to appease the voters. In short, Israel is losing her nerve.
The once patriotically conservative Likud party has been hijacked by centrists whose very credo is to compromise, even the truth itself. They will do almost anything for peace and the Palestinian homicide bomber knows this very well when he dons his tools of death.
Israel, at the insistence of the U.S., has not retaliated against the Palestinians for the recent deaths of 14 of her citizens in the latest bus bombing. Will Israel's show of restraint impress the world? NO! Israel was the bad guy long before this modern conflict began. The world hates Israel and one day will demonstrate this hate in very real and war like ways.
You are entering the final chapters of history. Every one of you had better mark my words, Israel will compromise soon. The Palestinians will have their state on covenant lands and the world will give Israel her coveted peace for 3.5 years. If George W. Bush has his way, and so far he always has, then the count down will start next year!
If you have never loved your neighbor you had better start now. If you are not in an obsessive love affair with Jesus Christ then what are you waiting for?
Events will happen very quickly and it will be easy to be thrown off guard by the seeming tranquility that will come over Israel. The majority of those claiming to be Christians will be talking of an expected rapture and many of them will later be 'caught up' in the excitement of the false messiah who will come with powerful armies and miracles. He will be enthroned in the temple as Christ for the Christians, Messiah for the Jews and Mohammed for the Muslims. He will unify all religions under him and he will be worshiped as if he were God himself.
Dear brothers and sisters, being a good Christian will get you far, but keep watching for your LORD to come on the clouds! The sign to us will be righteousness coming on the clouds and wickedness from the earth!
Special Note: Live your lives! Are going to be married? Get married! Thinking about children? Have children! Starting a career? Go for it! Just keep the motives of your heart pure and your eyes heavenward, even when there is fire at your feet.
The following are excerpts from the 'Quartet's' Middle East peace
plan draft.
This document was obtained
by The Associated Press and has been presented to Israel and the
Palestinians by visiting US envoy William Burns.
Phase I: October 2002-May 2003 First Stage: October-December 2002 Appointment of new Palestinian Cabinet, establishment of empowered prime minister, including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose.
Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel's right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate end to the armed Intefada and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere.
Palestinian security organizations are consolidated into three services reporting to an empowered Interior Minister.
Government of Israel ends actions undermining trust, including attacks in civilian areas, and confiscation/demolition of Palestinian homes/property, deportations as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction.
Government of Israel dismantles settlement outposts erected since the establishment of the present Israeli government and in contravention of current Israeli government guidelines.
Second Stage: January-May 2003 As comprehensive security performance moves forward, Israeli Defense Forces withdraw progressively from areas occupied since Sept. 28, 2000. Withdrawal to be completed before holding of Palestinian elections. Palestinian security forces redeploy to areas vacated by the IDF.
Palestinians and Israelis conclude a new security agreement building upon Tenet work plan, including an effective security mechanism and an end to violence, terrorism and incitement, implemented through a restructured and effective Palestinian security service.
Government of Israel freezes all settlement activity consistent with the Mitchell report, including natural growth of settlements.
Palestinians hold free, open and fair elections for Palestinian legislative council.
Phase II: June 2003-December 2003 (Transition) Progress into Phase II will be based on judgment of the Quartet, faciliated by the establishment of a permanent monitoring mechanism on the ground, whether conditions are appropriate to move on taking into account performance of all parties and Quartet monitoring. Phase II starts after Palestinian elections and ends with the possible creation of a Palestinian state with provisional borders by end of 2003.
International Conference: Convened by the Quartet, in agreement with the parties, immediately after the successful conclusion of Palestinian elections to support Palestinian economic recovery and launch negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians on the possibility of a state with provisional borders.
Conclusion of transitional
understanding and creation of a state with provisional borders
by end of 2003. Enhanced international role in monitoring transition.
Further action on settlements simultaneous with establishment
of Palestinian state with provisional borders.
Phase III: 2004-2005 (Statehood) Progress into Phase III, based on judgment of the Quartet, taking into account actions of all parties and Quartet monitoring.
Second International Conference: Convened by the Quartet, with agreement of the parties, at beginning of 2004 to endorse agreement reached on state with provisional borders and to launch negotiations between Israel and Palestinians toward a final, permanent status resolution in 2005, including on borders, Jerusalem, refugees and settlements; and to support progress toward a comprehensive Middle East settlement between Israel and Lebanon and Syria, to be achieved as soon as possible.
Arab state acceptance of normal relations with Israel and security for all the states in the region, consistent with Beirut Arab Summit initiative.