Peres Says He And Sharon Will Make Peace With Palestinians
The Daily Star Wed, 15 Dec 2004 1:23 PM PST
ROME: Israeli Labor party leader Shimon Peres said he would work with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to achieve peace with the Palestinians, in an interview published Wednesday.

Egypt Signs Trade Deal With Israel, U.S.
MSNBC Tue, 14 Dec 2004 8:33 AM PST
Egypt wants jobs. Israel wants a meaningful peace. On Tuesday, they signed an agreement that they hope will fulfill both their goals and maintain the momentum for revitalized Mideast peace negotiations.

Abbas Has Support Of Israel And International Community
Midway Driller Wed, 15 Dec 2004 1:45 PM PST
JERUSALEM - The armed uprising against Israel is a mistake and must end, interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published Tuesday, signaling his determination to change direction after Yasser Arafat's death.

Palestinian Hardliners Reject Call By PLO Chief To Lay Down Weapons
AFP via Yahoo! News Wed, 15 Dec 2004 9:52 AM PST
Palestinian hardliners rejected a call by new PLO chief Mahmud Abbas to lay down their weapons as a spiralling death toll in Gaza threatened to undermine his efforts to bring calm to the region.

US Reacts Coolly To French Call For Mideast Summit
AFP via Yahoo! News Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:24 PM PST
The US State Department reacted coolly to a French call for an early international conference on the Middle East, saying the priority was to make progress with the Palestinians and Israelis on the ground.

Israel Works Against Iran Nukes
HERZLIYA, Israel [MENL] -- Israel has been active in preventing Iran's drive toward nuclear weapons, a senior official said.

Aryeh Levite, deputy director-general of the Israel Atomic Energy Agency, said Israel has been working behind the scenes to stop Iran's nuclear program. Levite said, however, that Israel was allowing other countries, a presumed reference to the United States, to lead the nonproliferation drive.

Bush Warns Syria, Iran Against Meddling In Iraq
Reuters via Yahoo! News Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:44 PM PST
President Bush on Wednesday warned Iran and Syria not to meddle in Iraq ahead of elections scheduled for January 30 and voiced new hopes of forging peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Comments
Israel has re-embraced the U.S. Roadmap.  Of course, that may change several times before peace is finally established.  The good news is everyone looks to be working toward a common goal.  Whether or not Israel's Arab partners are serious is a matter of debate.  

Everyone from Egypt to France is doing their part to make peace a reality.  Some are authentic in their desires while others will prove their real motive in time (Ezekiel 38 & 39).  But for whatever their reasons, God has placed an urgency in the hearts of leaders worldwide for such as a time as this.

As you know, Israel has signed a neighborhood agreement with the European Union, but they claim full membership is no where in sight.  Eventually, I believe it will come to pass, but if not, the neighborhood agreement could certainly lead to a seven-year plan.  At this time, their neighborhood agreement is for three to five years.

Take a look at the articles I have listed.  I believe they chronicle the world perspective on the urgency of peace in the Middle East.

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not your time is running out!