European Union Special Envoy to the Middle East Mark Otte has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's statement, that Israel needs to withdraw from almost all territory captured during the Six Day War, will certainly be used as a reference point in future negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Olmert made the comments during a press interview on the eve of Rosh HaShanah, following a last ditch attempt to secure a deal with the Palestinians as his term came to a close. The comments drew praise from the Palestinian Authority, who lamented the fact that Olmert had not made this statement while he was still officially Prime Minister, and protests from Israeli politicians who saw his remarks as further undermining Israel's negotiating position in the talks. Newly elected leader of Kadima, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, has said that Olmert's statement reflects his own personal views on the process and has no legal binding on the process. But with the European Union favouring the Palestinian view, that Olmert's statement will become a starting point for negotiations under the next government, there is no doubt Israel is now in a much weaker position as a result. 

Quote: ""Everyone who has been engaged in the negotiations is bound to come to that sort of conclusion," Otte said, adding that - as Olmert did in the interview - it is not easy for anyone to say that the positions he held before were wrong. "I am encouraged that the Israeli leadership is willing to face the challenges," Otte said.

It's not the first time Olmert has managed to single-handedly demolish Israel's reputation on the world stage. In December 2006 he became the first Prime Minister to acknowledge Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, shattering the government's ambiguity policy which has helped to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Olmert was also the first Israeli Prime Minister to openly call for the division of Jerusalem, which has up until now been declared as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state, as stipulated in the Basic Law. But as was the case with Northern Ireland and the Republic, Basic Laws are easily amended. With the succeeding government set to continue the policy of withdrawing from land in exchange for peace with their enemies, and coming under increasing pressure from the European Union to divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39), there is no doubt the days prophesied of in the Old and New Testaments are at hand. For the Bible states that during the tribulation period, Israel's enemies will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2), and east Jerusalem will fall to the Gentiles for a three and a half year period (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). It seems that Israel will be coerced into making one final attempt to bring peace to the Middle East. But there will be no peace. Instead a time of unparalleled suffering will commence for the Jewish people (Jeremiah 30:7).

But why are the Palestinians so interested in Jerusalem? Why do they demand the east of the city for their capital? Jerusalem has never once been the capital of an Arab country. Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible over 700 times, yet it is not mentioned anywhere in the Qur'an. The answer to this question is found in the Bible. Throughout history Satan has always sought to destroy the seed of the woman, through whom would come the One that would bring redemption for fallen mankind (Genesis 3:15). Satan tempted Cain, who typifies the worldly man, to murder his own brother who represented the spiritual man (Genesis 4:8). But the godly line continued through Seth. When the Messiah was born, Satan had Herod murder all the children of Bethlehem, in an effort to destroy the Deliverer (Matthew 2:18). They killed many children, but they couldn't touch Him. Satan personally tried to tempt Christ to forsake the way of the cross in exchange for worldly power and glory (Luke 4). There was nothing in Him that responded to it. On numerous occasions Satan had the Jewish leaders try to kill Jesus (Luke 4:28-30). He passed through their midst. Satan has totally failed in his mission to prevent Christ from being born into this world and going to the cross to redeem us. But he is still working to hinder His return to the Mount of Olives to set up His Millennial Kingdom. Satan will control the Temple Mount for a period of three and a half years. That has been prophesied in the Scriptures. But 'facts on the ground' won't stop Jesus Christ from returning to redeem this rebellious planet. He is coming back, and He will set up His Millennial Kingdom. But is He coming for you? Jesus Christ bore God's punishment for your sins when He died upon the cross, and God has declared that all who believe on His Son for salvation shall have everlasting life (John 3:16). Why don't you turn away from your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.       

Source Jerusalem Post, YNet News