PURPOSEFUL LEAKS
By Randy Loudenslager
Although softened by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer the comments made by Secretary Colin Powell exude confidence that comes from knowing the influence you have over the world's most powerful leader. Powell suggested that the President "has not retreated from his goal. He knows that in order to achieve this vision [of peace via the establishment of a Palestinian state], it might be necessary to set up a temporary state as a transitional step." Statements from the White House altered Powell's comments by saying that this was one of many ideas the president was mulling over.
Evidence that this was more than just another idea, but actually an intentional leak came in the form of additional leaks from the recent Sharon/Bush meeting in Washington. Diplomatic sources said, "Sharon did talk about it in a very general way, not ruling out the possibility of a Palestinian state without determining the borders until the final stage of negotiations. It's not something he cannot swallow. He was open to the statehood declaration as one of the phases. Not immediately of course. First there needs to be a cessation of violence and terror," the source said.
This is a significant development. Over the last several weeks I have presented the steps already being taken to establish a so-called Palestine. 1) The margining of religious and conservative parties in Israel. 2) The building of security fences along the 'Green Line' that ultimately will demarcate the future borders between Israel and a Palestinian state. 3) The curses of Deuteronomy 28 beginning to be poured out on Israel (i.e. drought, wild fires, water emergencies and the faltering economy and currency).
Sharon is indeed preparing Israel for the Palestinian state. He has defied his own party, the Likud, and their stand against any Palestinian state from Israeli lands. He has strong-armed the religious parties into compliance or out of his government. He has made bedfellows with the left-wing parties who are adamantly for a Palestinian state. The security fences are now being constructed. And with sudden swiftness the positions of Israel and Arab nations appear to be strangely similar.
This is not a so-called coincidence. The call for an international ministerial conference to establish a Palestinian state is being pushed by all parties and is planned for this summer. All are courting President Bush and jockeying their respective interests into their lobbying efforts at the White House before Bush makes the much touted speech that will set the conference's agenda and define America's vision of bringing Israel into rebellion against God's covenant.
Sharon and many in Israel have made much of the need to remove Yassar Arafat as head of the Palestinian government before any further negotiations. The United States has been insistent that Arafat stays. But after Sharon's last visit to Washington it is becoming evident that Arafat may indeed be looking exile in the eye. Ari Fleischer, speaking on the President's behalf, said in addition to a need to establish a viable Palestinian government new Palestinian leaders will need to be identified in the establishment of a reformed government "because nobody has confidence in the emerging Palestinian government," and concluded that Arafat is "someone who cannot be trusted or be effective." A senior Israeli official said after the Sharon/Bush meeting that Arafat was "not immune" from any Israeli action.
Watch Gaza Preventive Security chief Muhammad Dahlan as someone being groomed and marketed by Israel and the U.S. as a possible successor to Arafat. Dahlan, highly intelligent, articulate and wildly popular with the Palestinians, has often been seen at Arafat's side in ministerial meetings. Arafat, in a shallow reshuffling of his cabinet to appease Israel and the U.S., offered Dahlan the position of interior minister. Dahlan refused on the grounds that he would have no authority to make meaningful reforms. What is more he also resigned his office of Gaza Preventive Security chief. Arafat has never accepted a resignation before, but this has not daunted Dahlan who moved out of his government office. Suddenly a popular senior Palestinian official is available and disassociated from Arafat. Barring his assassination Dahlan is someone Israel and the U.S. feel they can deal with. He is someone to watch closely.
It is time to tell your friends to watch.
This could be the summer of Israel's rebellion against the covenant.
The delusion is now clearly over the hearts of Israel's shepherds.
And the President of the United States believes the lie. They
are crying peace and safety. The humanists will look upon their
handiwork and proclaim glory on the works of man, but in a short
time there will be no peace or safety. Are you like those who
will be untouched though fire rages all around them or will you
be like dry stubble that is consumed by fire? What you do from
now on will answer this question. Repent and gaze upward in eager
expectation of your king!