President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority has said he supports the idea of an international peacekeeping force being deployed in Judea and Samaria, paving the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Abbas made the comments yesterday, following remarks by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the international donor's conference in Paris on Monday. Sarkozy stated it was "time to put an end to the occupation", and proposed deploying an international police force in Judea and Samaria to aid the Palestinian security forces in keeping the peace. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has recently been holding discussions with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on the possibility of an international force being stationed in the region. Up until now the idea has received a cool response, due to prior NATO commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and strong opposition from Hamas. Abbas received a significant boost from the donor's conference on Monday, as around 90 international delegations pledged over $7 billion to aid the creation of a Palestinian state. The leader of the Palestinian terrorist organization Fatah publicly thanked British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his support, stating, "You play a major and pivotal role in the region and your personal involvement is a source of power for us". The French President has also strongly backed President Abbas, not only calling for a peace agreement to be reached before the end of US President Bush's final term in office, but for the actual establishment of a Palestinian state by 2008. 

Quote: "Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy opened up the Paris international donors' conference for Palestine on Monday by calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state before the end of 2008. The donors conference is aimed at "the creation, before the end of 2008, of an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security beside Israel," Sarkozy told the representatives of 86 nations congregated in the French capital. That state would extend "from Gaza to the West Bank to East Jerusalem," he said.

Deadlines for the establishment of a Palestinian state have come and gone. As did the deadlines in my own country of Northern Ireland for many years. We were told repeatedly by our government every chance for peace was the last. But as soon as one deadline passed, another one would appear. One deadline did not pass however, and peace was finally declared. A false peace, but a peace nonetheless. It's amazing how much public perception is moulded through the media. All of a sudden, politicians in the north were shaking hands with those in the south, and what were once sworn enemies were sworn into public office. It was like a new era of peace and prosperity was upon us. In reality, very little had actually changed. The criminality and violence continue, although it is largely brushed under the carpet for the sake of the "sacred peace".

The Middle East seems to be heading towards a similar situation. Some think that Northern Ireland was a test case, to see whether or not the same thing could be achieved in the Middle East. I don't know whether that is true or not, but Northern Ireland is being used as a prime example of conflict resolution. It is possible that peace in the Middle East could come before the end of 2008. And as we witnessed in Annapolis, if peace does come, it looks like it will be a sham of an agreement. The Bible states in 1st Thessalonians 5:3 that "when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape". Israel does not enjoy peace or security just yet. A world leader is prophesied to arrive on the scene, who will strengthen a peace agreement between Israel and their enemies for a period of seven years. In the middle of the 7 year period the Antichrist will turn against the agreement. The failure of the agreement will result in the greatest period of persecution the Jewish people have ever experienced. Judea will fall into Arab hands (Zechariah 12:2), and east Jerusalem will once again go into captivity. The armies of the Antichrist will gather together in Megiddo to do battle against Jerusalem. And when the Jewish people have nowhere else to turn, then they shall look unto Him whom they pierced for deliverance (Zechariah 12:10). Jesus Christ is coming back. The Prince of Peace will one day take His rightful place (Ezekiel 27:21). There will be no sham peace then (Isaiah 9:7), for God's peace is not based on compromise but on the principles of truth and righteousness (Psalm 72:7). The once rejected King of the Jews will be acknowledged as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).  

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Praise God that Jesus Christ is become our righteousness. Jesus Christ has made true peace between God and men through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20). Trust in Him for salvation today.

Source IMEMC, Jerusalem Post, Google, Earth Times