Latest Bible Prophecy Commentary
UN backs Palestinians preparations for statehood by August
The
United Nations backs Palestinian efforts to be ready for statehood by August and
believes they will achieve that goal, the organization's Special Coordinator for
the Middle East Peace Process Robert H. Serry said Tuesday.
"All international players are now in agreement that the Palestinians are
ready for statehood at any point in the near future. We are in the homestretch
of your agenda to reach that point by August next year, and you have our full
support," said Serry.
He added, "Palestinian statehood is not only a right, and in everyone's interest: it is also doable."
Serry's remark came in reference to Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's declared goal of achieving an independent Palestinian state by the summer of 2011 by incrementally building up national institutions in the West Bank to prepare Palestinians to successfully manage their own affairs. Fayyad stated that he set the two-year time frame for statehood back in August 2009 (Jpost.com).
This is a disaster for the Israeli government, but could be quickly overcome by a US rejection of the proposed UN mandate for Palestinian statehood. Whether or not US President Barack Obama will be in any mood to stand with Israel is the question. One, Israel is viewed by the international community as the villain who refused to freeze settlement building in the West Bank effectively dooming Middle East direct peace talks. Two, after what is expected to be a Republican turnaround in both the House and the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, many believe that Obama will punish Israel post election.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's set a timetable back in August of 2009 to bring about a Palestinian state within a two-year time limit. According to UN officials, statehood can be achieved by the August of 2011.
Several scenarios do come to mind. One, the US could bow to Israeli pressure and reject the proposal out of hand effectively killing it for now. Two, the US could embrace the proposal as a bargaining chip to get the Israeli government to resume the settlement building freeze. Three, the US could endorse (confirm) the proposal, force Israel to accept it (sanctions, loss of military aid, etc.), and require the Arab League to normalize relations with Israel.
There is a fourth scenario that could come into play. The US could abstain from using its veto power and allow the international community to go forward with recognizing a Palestinian state. This would include formal recognition worldwide by every member country and an official seat at the UN. They may also choose to distance themselves from the peace process and allow another nation or group of nations to take the lead role.
During several interviews and public appearances over the last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that UN recognition of a Palestinian state is merely symbolic and accomplishes little as far as they are concerned. That may be true for now but t Bible is clear in Daniel 9:27 that peace is coming and the peace it describes indicates that it will be played out over a seven-year timeframe. Presently, the direct peace talks call for the full peace agreement to be played out over a time limit.
In time, I have to believe that Israel will given into pressure and reinstate the settlement freeze. I also believe that the goal of creating a Palestinian state by August of 2011 will become the target date of the talks.
In other news, for the first time Iran has begun injecting fuel into the Bushehr nuclear reactor. "Today, we witnessed an important development in the start up process. After fuel is injected into the heart of the reactor, the reactor door is closed. Then, it will take one or two months to reach a 40 or 50 percent nominal power," Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi told a press conference broadcast on state TV (Associated Press).
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has ordered a report on how to respond to the Iranian threat from this day forward. Israeli leaders have long given up on the international community's efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. They eventually will have to respond.
One thing is for sure, the next 10 months will be very interesting in the world Bible prophecy.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
Calvary Prophecy Report
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