Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, has declared that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is "doable" within a nine month period, following the international peace conference scheduled for the end of this month. Solana has recently stated that Syria should be involved in the two-day conference, and that the issue of the Golan Heights should be addressed at the gathering. That opinion contradicts that of the Israeli government, which has said it is willing to discuss the issue of the Golan Heights, but that the Annapolis conference is not the right venue to do it.

Quote: ""What we have in mind now is to finish the (Israeli-Palestinian) agreement after Annapolis in, let's say, eight, nine months -- during the period of time in which the administration, the present American administration, will stay in power," the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, told Reuters in the West Bank town of Jericho. "It's doable. It requires political will. It requires effort. It's not easy. But it's doable," Solana said.

Solana has also stated that the conference should focus on three main aspects for a successful meeting, "the creation of a new political scene, the need to modify current economic situation of the Palestinians and implementation of sufficient changes in the field". In other words, a "new political scene" in which both the Israeli and Palestinians are willing to make serious compromises for the sake of "peace", the lifting of the economic embargo against Hamas, and "changes in the field" possibly referring to the evacuation of settlements in Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem.

I've commented before how I believe a peace agreement could eventually be forced upon Israel and the Palestinians, whether they like it or not. If the outside pressures on Israel and the Palestinians become greater than the pressures keeping them apart, they will make peace. A nuclear Iran, Syria and Hizbullah threatening a ballistic war, radical Islam spreading throughout the Palestinian territories, pressure from the international community, etc. The exact same situation has occurred in Northern Ireland. Ian Paisley, a Christian and leader of the DUP, was pressured to form a government with Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA. The outside pressures were the threat of water taxes being added to our rates bills, the threat of dissolving the Stormont assembly and London and Dublin taking over the running of the country, the British government re-housing sexual predators in this country, the promise of £1 billion in aid if an agreement was reached, etc. Ian Paisley did form a government, for what he said was the good of the country. And there is peace. There may be no justice, but there is peace to a certain extent. Of course there is still violence. Two police men shot this past week, and one person beaten to death by the IRA. There are hoax bomb alerts. And some terrorist organizations still refuse to dispose of their guns. Will this "peace" last? I think so, because it is a "new political scene". A false peace is better than no peace at all, and the politicians will not do anything to rock the boat, even when the water is coming up around their ankles. My guesses are the same will be true of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli government will, and is turning against the ideals the state was established on. The Palestinian Authority is fighting against terrorism to a limited extent. Why? Perhaps because of the outside pressures. Failing to achieve an agreement in the near future will mean surrender to Iran, Hamas, Hizbullah and every other Islamic organization that seeks to destroy Israel and dominate the world.

Peace in our time? Perhaps. But as the Bible states, it will not last and there will be no peace, until the Prince of Peace comes.

Ezekiel 13:15-16
Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it; [To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Source Reuters, Prensa Latina