The Israeli cabinet met this morning to discuss Vice Premier Haim Ramon's evacuation compensation bill, which will provide monetary incentives for Israelis wanting to relocate within the Green Line prior to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Green Line is the 1948 Armistice Line which was established following the defeat of the Arab nations by Israel during the War of Independence. The international community now considers the Green Line to be Israel's defacto border. Around 250,000 Israelis live outside the Green Line in the territories now known as the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Around 180,000 of those live in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians now claim for the capital of their own state. The evacuation compensation bill has been in existence for around a year, but until now the government has not supported its implementation. Many in the Israeli government have opposed it, as it undermines Israel's negotiating position with the Arabs ahead of any peace agreement. Many also feel that the discussion of the bill comes at an inopportune time, when the Prime Minister is facing the threat of indictment over his corruption scandals and is due to step down within a matter of weeks. But others feel that the issue of compensation needs to be addressed prior to the establishment of a Palestinian state, so as not to cause a repeat of the chaos that ensued following Israel's disengagement from Gaza in August 2005. 

Quote: "At the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting, Olmert said that Israel would likely have to uproot West Bank settlers as part of a future peace agreement with the Palestinians. In light of Israel's continuing peace talks with the Palestinians, he added, it would be proper to think about providing cash incentives for settlers to leave voluntarily. Advertisement Olmert said it was important to learn from the mistakes of Israel's last evacuation of settlers - the 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip - and it was important to plan ahead.

As I said the first time I commented on the existence of this bill, the fact that government is willing to discuss this issue proves that they are planning for the eventuality that Israel will have to forcibly evict anything from 100,000 to 250,000 Israelis from their own homes in a peace agreement with the Palestinians. In any other country this would be called ethnic cleansing. It seems that unless you are an Arab Muslim, you will not be welcome in a future Palestinian state. And yet the Palestinians are demanding that millions of their own people, most of who were encouraged to flee their homes prior to the outbreak of war with the Jewish state, be allowed to return to Israel proper? The international community condemns Israel for being an 'apartheid state', but if anything it is the Arab states that are guilty of this. As you can see, this whole 'peace process' is destined for complete disaster. And that is exactly what the Bible says will happen. For Zechariah 12:2 states that in the last days, Israel's enemies will be in siege both against Judea and Jerusalem. And for a three and half year period, the east of Jerusalem will fall into the hands of the Gentiles (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 11:2). The Israeli government is now making preparation towards that day.

The Bible says we must make preparation too. In the words of Amos 4:12, "Prepare to meet thy God". Have you made adequate preparation? Jesus Christ is coming back. Will you meet Him as your Saviour (Hebrews 9:28), or will you meet Him as your Judge (Acts 17:31)? Trust in Him for salvation today.

Source Haaretz, BBC