Peace Talks: Who Is Driving the Car?

These are very interesting days if you are a prophetic watcher of the times. Peace talks continue today in Jerusalem between the Israeli government, headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority - claiming to represent the Palestinian people, but that is hardly an unanimous acclamation, just ask Hamas - and their Chairman Abbas. Of course Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell are there representing American interests, or at least what they claim to be American interests - to be honest, they are not my interests.

The subject is peace in the Middle East. I know I have written on this topic almost endlessly since I began this "Christianity for Today" blog over two years ago. But, it is important, not only from the standpoint of today, but from a biblical one as well. Remember, the land whose division is being proposed is the land God gave to Israel as their forever inheritance. It was a promise God made to Abram in Genesis 13 and 17. And, friends, when God makes a promise He does not renege on it.

Since 1948, Israel has been a member of the family of nations in the world. Its birth was predicated upon being a home for Jews, especially those who survived the Holocaust. And, according to the Israeli Constitution, freedoms are accorded all people who live within its borders. There is room in Israel for both Arab and Jew. [You won't find that to be true regarding the Arab lands...they only have room for Arabs...no Jews in Gaza today]. Israel has been threatened and attacked by her neighbors; the 1967 Six-Day War resulted in Israel reclaiming much of the land that God had promised to her, including the Old City of Jerusalem. Armistices were declared creating a greater Israel. Of course the world did not recognize the fruits of war, still using terms like "West Bank" or "Occupied Territories" for identification. [I wonder if I live in an "occupied territory" here in Minnesota; land taken by force from the Indians who lived here first. Ouch! I know that steps on toes!]

Do the Palestinian leaders really want peace? Do they really want to create a Palestinian State that will live in harmony with its neighbor Israel? To gain an answer, I would encourage you to view some of the video clips offered by the Palestinian Media Watch. Just this past Sunday - remember this is only days before talks about peace resume - Fatah TV (run by Chairman Abbas) stated that even cities like Joppa and Haifa should belong to a Palestinian State. Also, on Sunday, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO, which is part of the Palestinian Authority, headed by Chairman Abbas) envoy to Iran stated that if the Arab world would unite the "complete eradication of the fabricated regime of Israel" would happen. Sounds like real interest in peace, doesn't it? Then, today the Palestinian Media Watch shared portions of a Fatah TV documentary released last Thursday for Rosh Hashana, that showed the Western Wall - Judaism's most holy site - and the text stated, "They (Israelis) know for certain that our (Arab) roots are deeper than their false history. We, from the balcony of our homes, look out over (Islamic) holiness and on sin and filth (referring to the Jews praying at the Western Wall)". Another real incentive for peace, don't you think?

Friends, what greatly disturbs me is the American attitude of conciliation toward the Palestinians. Chairman Abbas can do no wrong; Prime Minister Netanyahu is criticized at every turn. It is always pressure upon the Israeli government and the Israeli people to make concessions: give in to whatever demands the Palestinians place upon them. And what of Israeli demands of the Palestinians: forget those!

On this eve of Yom Kippur (which begins at sunset on Friday), the holiest day in Judaism, the day when the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the sins of the nation, Israel is positioned to be the sacrificial lamb so the world might have peace. Will there be peace? There might be a document of peace signed by all parties; but that will not mean peace! The Arab world will not recognize peace until Israel is driven into the sea. Peace can only come with the Prince of Peace arrives in Jerusalem to claim the throne that is rightly His! Until that time comes, we will watch with interest the "pseudo-peace" talks in the city of the King.