Calvary Prophecy Report

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian president says he'll go to direct peace talks if Israel accepts its 1967 frontier as a baseline for the borders of a Palestinian state.

Mahmoud Abbas also has told a Jordanian newspaper that Israel must accept the deployment of an international force in that state.

The comments published Saturday suggested that Abbas has eased his demands for renewing negotiations. He did not mention an Israeli settlement freeze. In the past, Abbas portrayed a freeze as crucial.

Abbas is under U.S. pressure to resume peace talks. On Saturday, he met with President Barack Obama's Mideast envoy (AP).

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appears to be under pressure from the US to soften on some of his hard-line issues in order to advance to direct talks.  But he is still demanding that some further steps be taken before the progression is made. "These steps include progress in indirect talks on the issue of borders, and also granting the Palestinian Authority security control in broader areas the West Bank. These territories include parts of Area C, which is currently under Israeli control, and Israel will also be asked to allow the PA to open police stations in these areas (Ynetnews.com)."

I do believe that the Bible supports the deployment of a foreign force when a Palestinian state is created.  This would include East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount area.  "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months (Revelation 11:1-2)."  This passage leads me to believe when the Temple is rebuilt, at some point, there will be a foreign presence controlling the Mount other than the Temple itself.  It is a mystery as to what circumstances will take place that will allow the Temple to be rebuilt.  Some believe it will be through diplomacy while others through war and a miraculous act of God (Ezekiel 38 & 39).  I tend to subscribe to the latter.

Speaking at the Brookings Saban Center for Middle East Policy in Washington D.C., U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew J. Shapiro said he will seek to reward Israel for making tough decisions in Middle East peace talks.  He plans on asking congress for almost $3 billion in security assistance funding the largest amount in US history.  He believes this security funding is necessary to further the Middle East peace effort.  "This Administration believes that pursuing peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and Israel and its neighbors can be a mutually reinforcing process," the assistant secretary said, adding that it was "more essential than ever to make progress on all tracks (Haaretz.com)."

Will this latest push bring the Palestinians and Israelis to direct talks?  The Bible is clear that it will, but I believe it will be sooner than later.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realizes that he must conform with US wishes if he is to remain relevant in the international community.  This September, the Israeli imposed building freeze will expire.  If Israel is to stay in good graces with the US the freeze will have to be extended.  There will also have to be significant progress toward direct talks.  Frankly, I believe by September the talks will move to direct negotiations.  How quickly things might move from there could be a whirlwind.