The High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, has suggested that the United Nations unilaterally impose a solution on the Middle East conflict in the event that Israel and the Palestinian Authority are unable to come to an agreement within a set timeframe. His stark assessment was made during a lecture in London last Saturday, in which he was asked to address the topic of globalisation and Europe's future in world affairs. During his speech he also touched on the issues of European integration and Middle East peace. In addressing the subject of the Middle East conflict, Solana suggested that an international mediator should set a specific timeframe for the implementation of the 'two-state solution'. If this deadline was not met, the UN would automatically declare Palestine a new state, and would set a timetable for resolving remaining territorial disputes. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has blasted Solana's call for an imposed solution as "dangerous", stating that this contradicts previous UN resolutions which call for a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, and that his comments could harm efforts to reach that. Ironically Solana's speech has also been opposed by the Turkish government, which has previously acted as mediator between Israel and Syria, and has close ties to the Palestinian Authority. 

Quote: "The next ingredient for success is a real mediation. The parameters are defined. The mediator has to set the timetable too. If the parties are not able to stick to it, then a solution backed by the International community should will be put on the table. After a fixed deadline, a UN Security Council resolution should proclaim the adoption of the two-state solution. This should include all the parameters of borders, refugees, Jerusalem and security arrangements. It would accept the Palestinian state as a full member of the UN, and set a calendar for implementation. It would mandate the resolution of other remaining territorial disputes and legitimise the end of claims. International monitoring will then be crucial. As will be guarantees and contributions offered by the international parties regarding security, economic aid and refugees. We all will have to make deposits to that end. Arab states would immediately establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. I strongly believe the time has come to, finally, bring this conflict to an end. The international consensus is there. But time is of the essence. The second half of this year is crucial if we want to offer a real choice to the Palestinian people when they vote in January 2010.

I find it difficult to take in what I am reading here. Not because I didn't believe this could happen, but because we have been talking about this happening for so long, and now it seems to be finally coming to pass. At least, they are now openly talking about what has been speculated on by prophecy scholars for years - whether or not the European Union would impose a peace agreement on Israel. And the fact this statement was made by the leader of the European Union, and not by any other world leader, makes it all the more startling. The Bible foretold that in the last days, an agreement would be made between Israel and many of the surrounding nations (Daniel 9:27). The world is hoping that this peace agreement will result in "peace and safety", or "peace and security" in modern terms, for Israel and the nations (1st Thessalonians 5:3). The Bible states this agreement will be confirmed or strengthened by a ruler of the people that destroyed the Jewish Temple in 70 AD (Daniel 9:26). The Scriptures also declare that the Antichrist, the world leader who will rule over Israel during the years prior to the return of Christ, will divide the land of Israel for his own gain (Daniel 11:39). Other prophecies in Zechariah 12:2, 14;2, and Revelation 11:2 appear to depict the outcome of that division. Zechariah states that the city of Jerusalem will be divided in two, and Revelation indicates that the Gentile nations will occupy the Temple Mount area and the Old City shortly before the return of Christ. Whether this 'solution' will be imposed by the European Union, or agreed by the Israeli government, is not certain. But the fact that this period of time is called by Jeremiah, "the time of Jacob's trouble", Jeremiah 30:7, and the fact that both Daniel and Jesus Christ describe it as the greatest time of trouble the Jewish people will ever experience (Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21), suggests it could be imposed by the Antichrist himself.

As you can see, we are not far off the fulfilment of these prophecies. The international community believes that by dividing God's land and the Holy City, that they can bring peace to the entire Middle East and indeed the whole world. But the Bible indicates that this will simply bring us one step closer to Armageddon. What the world doesn't realize is that this is a spiritual war. God's promises to mankind are wrapped up in the Jewish people, and in the return of the Messiah to Jerusalem to rule and reign over the earth (Luke 1:32). That is why the Palestinians are so eager to establish their state on Jewish soil. That is why they are demanding east Jerusalem, which includes the Temple Mount, as their capital city. Their aim, whether they realize it or not, is not so much the creation of a Palestinian state but the nullification of God's promises to mankind. But God cannot break his promises, and Jerusalem will stand, even though Satan should muster the armies of the entire world against it (Zechariah 12:2-3). For Christ will return to defeat the armies of the Antichrist and to set up His Eternal State (Isaiah 9:6-7). There won't be any 'two-state solutions' then. Will you be in God's Kingdom? The Lord Jesus Christ said that only those who are born again of the Spirit of God will be permitted to enter in (John 3:3). Why don't you turn away from your sins, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Isaiah 42:6-7
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Source Europa, YNet News, AFP