The government of Argentina followed Brazil's lead today in officially recognizing the Palestinian Authority as an independent Arab state, despite loud protests from the United States and Israel. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made his announcement last Friday in response to a recent request from PA President Mahmoud Abbas, even as efforts to revive talks between Israel and the PA flounder. The government of Uruguay has also announced that it intends to recognize a Palestinian state in 2011, a deadline for independence which was first set by the EU's Javier Solana and subsequently adopted by US President Barack Obama and PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. The US and Israel have criticized the Brazilian announcement, which will provide added incentive for the Palestinian Authority to seek international recognition without having to make peace with the Jewish state. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu remarked that the move was a violation of the Oslo accords, which stipulate that international recognition of a Palestinian state would only follow the implementation of a negotiated peace agreement. 

Quote: "Rabbo said Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner confirmed in a phone call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday that her country would recognize an independent Palestine within the 1967 borders. Kirchner also said that her recognition was not just a political gesture but a moral stand. Abed Rabbo said he believed the recognition of Brazil and Argentina would encourage many other countries to follow in their footsteps. Brazil announced its official recognition last Friday, November 24, in a letter from Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva to Abbas.

While the US may condemn this unilateral move on the part of the south American states, in reality much of Europe is ready to follow suit. Within the past few months the United Kingdom signed a treaty with the Palestinian Authority, recognizing it as an agreement 'between nations', despite there being no historical Palestinian national identity. Other states within the EU have also made similar gestures, with Spain granting the General Delegation of the PA Diplomatic Mission status, effectively recognizing the Palestinian Authority as the future government of an independent 'Palestine'. Their motivation for doing this may be less about reaching a peace agreement in the Middle East, and more about shoring up the 'moderate' government of President Abbas. As recent WikiLeaks documents revealed, the Israeli government offered to let President Abbas' Fatah organization oust Hamas and take control of the Gaza Strip following Operation Cast Lead. It would have removed the need for the embargo of the Gaza Strip and strengthened Abbas' position as leader of a unified Palestinian population. They refused. And now the West fears that Hamas could topple Fatah in the 'West Bank', which would lead to an escalation in the conflict with Israel. Western promises of independence in two years and pressure on Israel to halt construction in Judea and Samaria have only complicated matters further. While they may have strengthened Abbas' position as leader, they have also given him added incentive to seek Palestinian independence without a peace agreement, a scenario which can only lead to further conflict.

As you can see, the day is not far off when the international community will press for the recognition of a Palestinian state, with east Jerusalem as its capital. And the Bible states that when this happens, and the city is divided, that Israel's prophesied time of great tribulation will begin (Zechariah 14:2). The leaders of the world are now pressing for a two state solution. They are pressing for a state with 1967 borders, a state in which no Jewish person will ever be permitted to enter. Some, like Dutch politician Geert Wilders, are now saying that Judea and Samaria should belong to Israel, and that Jordan should become the Palestinian state. But according to Scripture, even that would be too little. The Bible states that in a future day, the territory of Israel will encompass all the land of Jordan and most of Iraq. For that was what was promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18). But even that is too little for the Lord. Praise God that He is coming back. And when He returns, "of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). Psalm 72:8 says of Jesus Christ, that "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth". He is the one who is worthy to reign. Does He reign in your heart? Will you have this Man to reign over you? (Luke 19:14). He is your Creator. He wants to be your Saviour too. Trust Him for salvation today.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Source Palestinian News Network, Arutz 7, Arutz 7