Israel Ties Cut Will Overshadow Abbas Inauguration
Reuters via Yahoo! News Fri, 14 Jan 2005 5:05 PM PST
Mahmoud Abbas's inauguration to succeed Yasser Arafat on Saturday will be overshadowed by Israel's decision to cut ties with the new Palestinian president after a militant attack that killed six Israelis.

Israel Tells Abbas He Must Fight Militants
Telegraph.co.uk Fri, 14 Jan 2005 5:39 PM PST
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, breaks off contact with the newly elected Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, until he acts against militants

Report: Israeli Attack On Iran Would Be Harmful
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- An Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would pose greater risks than benefits, a report said.

The Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies said an Israeli attack on Iran would fail to either destroy all of its nuclear facilities or halt the program. The report said Teheran could retaliate by launching massive rocket and missile strikes on the Jewish state -- from either Iran or Lebanon.

Comments
It's been a few days since I have had a report but it looks like more of the same for the Israeli/Palestinian situation.  Israel has broken ties with the Palestinian government due to another terrorist attack on Israeli settlers.  This put a damper on today's inauguration of new Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.  

If you were thinking that Abbas would be different he's not.  Same snake different poison.  But there is one difference!  Abbas will work with the quartet to obtain his goals of a Palestinian state and to rid the region of all Jews.  Certainly that was Arafat's goal but he wasn't as politically correct.  Abbas wants to come off as a real political figure rather than a terrorist and he knows he must make some concessions and stop the violence. 

I'm still between two theories though.  First theory, that the quartet will finally workout a deal in the Middle East and peace between Israel and Palestine will be established in the short run.  Within a year, a Russian led coalition will shock the world and attack Israel.  The Arab's will be very much involved and the Bible says the attack will be for the purpose of taking a spoil (Ezekiel 38:12).  At this point, Israel has no substantial resources to plunder, but I believe that will soon change.  The Bible also says that Israel will be living in safety when this attack occurs  (Ezekiel 38:11).  

Following the attack, Israel will make an agreement with the E.U. as part of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).  Of course, each instrument term is seven-years in length.  

The second theory is violence will continue to threaten the peace process and a Palestinian state.  The quartet will work toward negotiations but the roadblocks will hamper any real progress.  In time, the E.U. will take a commanding role in the process at the insistence of the U.S.  I believe that they will sweeten the pot financially for both sides through the ENPI and get the job done.

This will entail protection, financial security, and a host of other promises.  It will be a deal that will be to good to pass up.  I'm sure the U.S. will be firmly behind it and will push the Israeli government toward taking it.

I do lean toward the second theory but see merit in the first.  Although, it is generally believed that the Russian-Arab attack of Ezekiel 38 &39 will take place during the tribulation period it's not mandatory so the possibility still exists that it could occur before.

Keep watching the direction of this situation.  This only plays as a timing issue and not a delay.  I can assure you God knows exactly when His plan will be unfolded.

Pastor Malone