A Frustrating Peace Process

I trust you had a blessed Passover and/or Easter Season  Truly we can say "Hosanna!" and "He is risen, indeed!" 

I find the news coming out of the on-gain, off-again peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians to be frustrating.  From the very start of the peace process during the time of PA Chairman Yassar Arafat, the Palestinians keep adding to the term of pre-conditions in order for them to either come to the negotiating table or to remain there.  The current Palestinian Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, learned well from his predecessor.  On Tuesday, Chairman Abbas said that he is prepared to extend the peace talks with Israel for another nine months if Israel will agree to three conditions: a three month freeze on building in East Jerusalem and in other settlements, a release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, and a discussion of the matter of borders. 

What makes this so interesting is that also on Tuesday, a meeting was held in Gaza between Hamas, the ruling faction within the Gaza Strip, and members of the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Abbas.  A report coming from those talks relates that some type of unity government could occur within the next five weeks, although most doubt whether that will happen as there have been other attempts at a unity government in the past that have failed. 

Now, to add a third component just to show you how confused the situation really is.  Also on Tuesday, Abbas indicated that if Israel did not return to the negotiating tables that he might just dismantle the Palestinian Authority and let Israel pick up the pieces.  So, on the same day we have the following: 1) The Palestinian leader saying that in order to return to the negotiating table Israel had to meet three more conditions; 2) The Palestinian leader was involved in conversations to form a unity government with rival Hamas; and 3) The Palestinian leader said that he would dismantle his government if there were no peace talk resumptions.  Are you confused?  Just imagine how the Israelis must feel.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared, "Every time we get to the point of re-launching the negotiations, Abbas stacks on an additional condition which he knows that Israel cannot give.  So instead of moving toward peace with Israel, he's moving toward peace with Hamas.  He has to choose.  Does he want peace with Hamas or peace with Israel?  You can have one but not the other.  I hope he chooses peace, but so far he hasn't done so." 

It seems like there is no ending in sight in the peace negotiations.  Every American President since Jimmy Carter has sought to bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but to no avail.  Will there ever be peace?  The Bible assures us that it will happen when an unnamed world leader - we know him as the Antichrist - signs a peace-agreement with Israel as described for us in Daniel 9:27.  How will this person be successful whereas other leaders have not, the Bible does not explain.  It simply states that he will confirm a covenant with Israel for seven years, a period of time we know as the Tribulation.

So, what are we to make of what is happening today?  First of all, the focus is upon that centerpiece in God's plan - Israel and the Middle East - which is important for us to understand.  It is God's desire for Israel to be at peace.  Second, God will allow that peace process to be fulfilled when He desires it and for His purposes.  So, friends, I encourage you to keep your eyes focused upon what happens in Jerusalem for that will be center stage for God's great climatic act.