FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS?
By Randy Loudenslager
The 'Green line fence' also known in some circles as the 'Ben-Eliezer fence' (after its main proponent Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer) has just received the go-ahead from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The fence is a security measure with the designed purpose of separating the Israeli and Palestinian populations by installing fencing and detection technologies, augmented with Israeli Defense forces along what is known as the Green line. The Green line is the pre-1967 border between Israel proper and the occupied territories taken by Israel during the 1967 war with her Arab neighbors.
Although Sharon has okayed the first 110-kilometer fence segment that will stretch from Kafr Salem near Megiddo to Kafr Kassem, there is still debate over where the final fences will be placed. Internal cabinet debate appears to be against the re-division of Jerusalem. This coincides with popular opinion polls showing little support by Israelis for the division of Jerusalem itself.
The annual Israeli 'Peace Poll' has released some very surprising results. The majority of Jews believe that the fence will help reduce terrorism and that unilateral separation of Jews and Palestinians is necessary. While this is not surprising what is surprising is the fall of support for the Jewish settlements in the territories. Last year's poll showed a majority (58%) support for the settlements, but this year support is sharply down and no longer in favor. The polls show Israelis (54%) believe the settlements are harmful to the security and national interests of Israel, a complete reversal from last year. 65% say they are prepared to evacuate the settlements and give up the territories to the Palestinians immediately, truly a startling change in public opinion.
Most in Israel do not pretend to believe that 'the fence' is just for security purposes alone. They now concede that the fence is demarcating the future border between a Palestinian state and Israel. The U.S. State Department headed by Colin Powell is about to submit to President Bush its proposal to go ahead with a plan that would recognize a Palestinian State along the pre-1967 borders (as per the Saudi peace plan) and acknowledgement of the remainder of Israel as a Jewish state.
Pressure is increasing exponentially from all directions in the international political spectrum for the implementation of the Saudi initiative and separation to take place along the pre-1967 borders. The pressure comes in the form of a call for haste with all calling for the immediate declaration of a Palestinian state before terrorists destroy the possibility. The Israeli left-wing parties have joined the chorus as they see the polls showing favor for the 'fence' and the sacrifice of the settlements and territories. The immediate declaration of a Palestinian state, being pushed by Arab moderates Egypt and Jordan to President Bush, would be followed up by a three year implementation plan as specified in the U.S. State Department initiative.
This plan is a mirror to most of the peace initiatives being floated by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the EU and Russia. Biblically such a plan, if acted on, would begin the rebellion against the covenant. The three years found in most plans would take us through the 'birth pains' period spoken of by Jesus Christ and depicted by Daniel as the first half of the seven year covenant before the antichrist breaks the peace and invades Israel as depicted by Ezekiel.
Will Israel really abandon their settlements and territories? The Bible shows us that this will happen. The majority of settlements are now literal fortresses. They are ringed with walls, security devices, barbed and razor wire and post armed sentries. But the Israel to be attacked, spoken of in Ezekiel 38:8-12, is a land where "all of them" are living in "unwalled villages . . . without walls and without gates and bars." Yes, it can be argued that the green line fence would contradict this but then again the scriptures are precise, they speak of unwalled villages and not the borders between nations. Israel will abandon her settlements and territories as the delusion God promised to send on the world descends upon Israel and her people, as evidenced by the huge swing in the polls, and they begin to believe the lie. They will rebel against the covenant thinking that this choice is the lesser of two evils!
We are being prepared for the 'birth pains' period by the LORD Jesus. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!