Europe: The Missing Key to Middle East Peace

An Israeli soldier and Palestinian students at a checkpoint in Hebron. Photo: NAYEF HASHLAMOUN

The below news report agrees with Bible prophecy and the time when Israel will be under an international ruling body. It seems that this ruling body will be the European Union.

GHASSAN RUBEIZ 17.02.2010 @ 17:32 CET - EUOBSERVER

The latest American Middle East peace initiative has been launched in the absence of change in the attitudes of the protagonists or in the political landscape. Is America gambling with a new round of dead-end diplomacy by packaging old wine in new bottles? 

The United States urgently needs Europe if it wants to break the deadlocked peace negotiations and Europe needs to take additional responsibility for resolving the conflict. Indeed, Israel may also need to reassess Europe's relevance for its future.

The problem is that the White House has been working with the wrong assumption. The current deadlock does not stem from a dispute over the order of topics to negotiate, for example the place of a settlement freeze in relation to other controversial subjects. Rather, it lies in the predisposition of the stakeholders in the conflict: America has too close a relationship to Israel to be able to twist its partner's arm to take a risk for peace. Israel is too comfortable with the occupation and the Palestinians are divided. Moreover, Arab rulers do not convey credibility. 

Strong international pressure is needed to break the deadlock. But Washington alone is losing political muscle. Close co-ordination between the United States and Europe could both strengthen the power of mediation and provide international security to enforce a peace agreement.

To better understand Europe's credentials for peace promotion, consider some historical facts: Europe played a major role in the formation of the state of Israel. The British government authorised the "Homeland for the Jews." The apocalyptic tragedy of the Holocaust, a central factor that in the promotion of a Jewish state, was a Nazi German undertaking. Indeed, Jews who fled from Europe formed the essential backbone of the early state of Israel. And the first peace mission to the region after the 1967 occupation was undertaken by a European - Gunnar Jarring, the Swedish envoy to the United Nations. 

Over the years, Europe's role as a mediator receded, giving way to an expanding US role in the region. But in more recent decades, European states have achieved excellence in policing peace in many places: in the Middle East, the Balkans, West Africa and elsewhere. Given the opportunity, Europe could provide the Israelis and Palestinians with the necessary international security that is crucial for enforcing a two-state solution. 

This international security is necessary, as most Palestinians strongly feel that a future Palestine would require a national army (albeit, possibly a symbolic one). Palestinian skies and borders must be free. But Israel considers an armed, independent Palestinian state, including armed movements such as Hamas within it, a threat to its current and future security.

Stationing international forces of peace on the borders of Israel and an envisioned Palestine state, backed by Europe would simultaneously give Palestinians the independence they need and Israel the security it yearns for.

Despite its limitations, a peace-keeping model is already on the ground in the region in the shape of Unifil, the UN force in southern Lebanon, which largely consists of and has been led by European states. This force could be modified, strengthened and broadened to cover the West Bank, Gaza, and possibly the Syrian Golan borders. 

Currently, the EU itself has a police mission along the border with Egypt, and despite its observer status, it could further contribute through an expansion to the 1967 borders. Indeed, Palestinians are more likely to be tolerant of a European force, bearing in mind Europe's perceived balance in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Europe, or rather, the EU can further contribute to a future agreement by offering, as an incentive to Israel and future Palestine, a "special status," similar to the EU's recent offer to Morocco. Also, Europe is urging the two factions of Cyprus to make peace in order to qualify as a united country for EU membership. Why not link the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict to the prospects of securing Israel and establishing a viable Palestinian state within a protective, suitable regional framework? If Cyprus is a candidate for the EU why not Israel and Palestine?

The long-term future of Israel could depend more on Europe than on the United States. Hopefully, one day, should Israel decide to withdraw from the 1967 territories, it might discover that Europe could be its bridge to the Arab world. 

____________

It is interesting that this secular news report asks questions about Israel's future disposition that are already answered in Bible prophecy. 

Note the emphasized text above mentioning the 'international security force' that will be initiated to keep peace in this region of the world. 

Revelation 11 prophesies a time in the very near future upon which there will be an international peace keeping force in Jerusalem for 42 months (3.5 years). This event will occur directly ahead of Jesus Christ returning to this earth to set up His own government. A government that will last for all eternity (Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:13-14).

Daniel 11:41 also tells us that the King of the North (the same charismatic leader mentioned in Revelation 13:5) will take up residence in Jerusalem as a result of some type of military strike coming from the King of the South  (Daniel 11:40) and a confederation of countries supporting the King of the South (Psalm 83). 

The initial military action made by the King of the South will probably be sparked by a political disagreement made between the King of the North and the King of the South. This political disagreement could even have something to do with what this news reporter eludes to - possible EU membership.  The King of the South and its predominant Islamic followers, however, will be virtually wiped out by the King of the North (Daniel 11:41-43).

Do you remember the old Gene Wilder movie, 'Silver Streak'? Remember that train barreling into Chicago with nothing but the terminal to stop it? That's how one should look at the end-time events prophesied in a Bible that's probably collecting dust right now on your shelf. These end-time events are lining up, even as I write this blog entry and they WILL blast right on into your life whether you are ready or not and whether you believe them or not. The final three and one half year 'Great Tribulation' spoken of by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 is coming whether you see it or whether you don't.

It's time to sit up and pay attention. That's right - you! The same person slouching in your nice, comfortable leather recliner watching news reports on your 60 inch plasma TV, hoping they end quickly so you can get to the latest drama on 'American Idol'. 

If you are being called by God (John 6:44), don't put Him on hold! If you wait to long to answer His call, there may not be anyone on the other end.