Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced this evening that he intends to step down from his post following the election of a new chairman for Kadima in September. The Prime Minister has come under increasing pressure to resign after it was revealed that he received bribes from a New York businessman. He is also under investigation for submitting duplicate claims of travel expenses when he was mayor of Jerusalem. Olmert came to power in January 2006 following the lapse of then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon into a coma. He presided over a caretaker government until the former Prime Minister was officially declared unfit to govern, after his one-hundredth day in the coma. Two and a half years later, Ariel Sharon remains in a stable condition in a Tel Aviv rehabilitation centre, but still in a comatose state. Last January Ehud Olmert paid tribute to his ailing predecessor. It was widely perceived that Sharon's illness was a result of his Gaza disengagement policy, which was effected just a few months before his debilitating stroke. The Gaza disengagement itself was also seen as a judgement upon Israel, for it began on Tisha B'Av, the exact date on which the First and Second Temples were destroyed by the Babylonian and Roman armies. So it was seen as a double tragedy for the Jewish people. During his tenure, Olmert lead Israel into the 33 day war with Hizbullah, which was widely perceived as a strategic failure. Although Israel didn't lose the war, Hizbullah continued to rain down over 120 missiles on Israel on a daily basis, until Western nations allowed the UN to intervene. Israel's free reign against Hizbullah resulted in US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's famous declaration, that the world was now witnessing the "birth pangs" of the new Middle East. Unfortunately the UN ceasefire has allowed Hizbullah to regroup and rearm, and the organization is now in possession of more rockets than they were at the start of the Second Lebanon War. And of course Olmert official recommenced peace negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the Annapolis peace conference last year. His premiership was unique. He was the first Prime Minister to admit that Israel possessed nuclear weapons, in a dreadful gaffe during an interview with a German reporter about Iran. He was also the first Israeli Prime Minister to consider dividing the city of Jerusalem. Olmert's departure will be seen as a hindrance to peace by the international community. Even the Palestinian Arabs said they would be reluctant to lose him. But the United States government has declared that they will continue to press on for a peace agreement by 2009.

Quote: ""We will continue to work on a deal before the end of the year," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said when asked how Olmert's departure would affect the fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace process. US officials had played down the potential fallout from Olmert's departure, saying he is not the only Israeli leader committed to peacemaking. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice launched a round of talks in Washington on Wednesday with former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is considered a possible successor to Olmert. Meanwhile senior Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat said the PA "decided today that we are going to continue pursuing to reach an agreement before the end of the year." 

As we have seen, end time prophecy is being fulfilled. The Israeli government is actively pursuing peace with their enemies, something which they were commanded by God never to do (Deuteronomy 23:6). And they are handing God's land (Leviticus 25:23) over to their enemies, land which is being used as a terrorist base from which to destroy them. Whoever wins the upcoming elections, there is no doubt they will be railroaded by the international community into making peace with their Muslim neighbours, who are bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state. The international community thinks, if only Israel can give up enough land, maybe the Arabs will be happy. But this conflict is not about land. It is about the Jewish people. Satan has sought to destroy God's chosen people throughout history. Hitler was responsible for wiping out some 6-8 million of them, even when there was no nation of Israel. Satan is bent on destroying God's people, for He knows God's promises to this world are wrapped up in them. For Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) is to return to Jerusalem to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Micah 4:2). And Satan is bent on doing his utmost to prevent that from happening. Peace will only come for Israel when they are willing to recognize Yeshua as their Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And you will only have true peace in your heart when you invite Jesus Christ into your life. He died so that you might know peace with God (Colossians 1:20). Confess to God that you are a sinner. Turn away from your sins. And turn to Jesus Christ for salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Source YNet News, Aish, YNet News