Negotiations on the so-called Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestinian Authority began in earnest today, as the two leaders met for a three hour talk. The discussions were held at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem under the shade of his sukkah. A joint statement is to be drafted by Israeli and Palestinian negotiators over the next few weeks, which is to be presented at the international peace conference in November. The date of the conference may be pushed back by the US President, to give the parties extra time to draft the document.

Quote: "The short text, of about 1-2 pages, will summarize the agreements reached over the past six meetings between Olmert and Abbas regarding Jerusalem, permanent borders, the right of return and security issues. The document will be the basis of a future permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinian state set to be established alongside it, as delineated by US President George W. Bush's road map.

Negotiations towards a final settlement will begin after conference has taken place, according to an official in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. President Abbas had been pushing for the settlement core issues at the November conference, such as the status of Jerusalem and the borders of a Palestinian state. But Olmert is seeking for a more general agreement, which won't been seen to sell the Palestinians short or upset members of his own government. Both leaders did agree however, that final status issues would be discussed following the conclusion of the conference. So it seems both leaders can claim to have got what they wanted.

Quote: "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas agreed Wednesday to begin negotiations over a final status agreement after the Mideast peace conference scheduled to be held in Annapolis, Maryland in November. The international forum, said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, will mark "the launching of permanent-status negotiations in order to achieve the treaty of peace on all the core issues." A senior official confirmed that the sides agreed to begin final status talks. "After the November conference, they will start to negotiate a final agreement but with no timetable," said the official.

According to the Scriptures, the Antichrist will strengthen an existing peace agreement in the Middle East for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:27). It seems an attempt at settling the status of Jerusalem will be made within three and a half years of the agreement being announced. According to Zechariah, the eastern half of the city will be plundered, the women raped, and all the nations of earth will gather together to do battle against Jerusalem. The Jewish people will be airlifted into the wilderness, where they will remain for the three and a half years, divinely protected from the demonic onslaught (Revelation 12:14). It is interesting that the Israeli government is planning on building settlements in the Negev - the desert, and is talking about relocating around 100,000 people from Judea and Samaria to that region. Perhaps the failure of the Israeli government to cede all of East Jerusalem to the Palestinians will result in a third intifada against the Jews. I don't know. But we do know that the fulfilment of all these prophesies mentioned in the Scriptures is beginning to come to pass. 

Revelation 11:1-2
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 12:14
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Source YNet News, Haaretz