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| PA threatens to scupper Dead Sea canal project |  |  |  |
| Israel |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Wednesday, 08 July 2009 17:41 |
| Marking five years since the Hague ruling which deemed the construction of Israel's peace wall illegal under international law, Prime Minister Fayyad has called on the United Nations, the United States and the international community to pressurize the Jewish state into dismantling the barrier. The project was begun by the former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and is responsible for dramatically reducing the number of terrorist attacks committed in Israel. But the Palestinians accuse Israel of using the wall to expropriate land they are now claiming for a state. The court's ruling is not legally binding and is disputed by Israel, but it has been formally adopted by the UN General Assembly, which has called on Israel to halt construction of the wall and freeze all building work in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The Israeli government has been planning to link the east Jerusalem settlement of Ma'ale Adumim ro the rest of the city through the development of an area designated E1. This would ensure that Jerusalem remains the undivided capital of Israel, and would provide a security buffer against terrorist attacks in the city. But the Palestinian Authority have now threatened to sabotage the Dead Sea canal project if Israel presses ahead with the plans. The World Bank is currently funding a feasibility study into the possibility of linking the Red Sea with the Dead Sea through a canal system. If water levels at the Dead Sea continue to drop at the present rate, it is estimated that the sea could disappear altogether within the next 40 years. The canal would stop that from happening. It would also provide a much-needed source of fresh water to the Middle East, as well economic revitalization for Jordan and the Palestinians. A decision on whether to proceed with the project is expected to be taken next year. Quote: ""If Israel does not halt this plan, the Palestinian National Authority will ask the World Bank to stop the two-seas project, linking the Red Sea with the Dead Sea," said a Cabinet statement issued by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's office. When my grandfather visited Israel some 25 years ago, an Israeli MK was explaining to his group how Israel was planning to construct a canal linking the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. They had all the money to build it and were planning to start construction the following year. But the Christian tour guide told the group he believed it would never happen. And it never did. The next year inflation went up and the plan was subsequently shelved. This latest canal project has also faced similar problems. It has been opposed on scientific grounds, over concerns that an earthquake could break the pipes and flood fertile farmland with deadly, salinated water. The Jordanian government has also objected to it on political grounds, fearing that a joint project with the Palestinians could result in Hamas gaining a foothold on their border. And now the Palestinian Authority are preparing to scupper the project over the settlement issue. And that may be the final nail in the coffin for this two-seas project. The truth of the matter is, the plan will never be realized, because the Bible states that this will only happen when Christ returns. As we have been thinking of late, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the Mount of Olives at the end of the great tribulation period, an earthquake is prophesied to split the mountain in two. And living waters from beneath the Temple Mount will flow out of Jerusalem, and towards the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, and these waters shall be healed (Zechariah 14, Ezekiel 47). Geologists have now discovered massive reservoirs of water underneath Jerusalem and the surrounding area. It is believed that an earthquake in the Jordan Valley Transform could be the trigger that releases this water, which will flow down from Jerusalem - 2500 feet above sea level, to the Dead Sea - some 700 feet below sea level. You have seen for yourself how accurate the Bible is when it comes to predicting future events. That's because it was written by someone who knows the end from the beginning (Revelation 1:8). The fact that the Lord must come before the Dead Sea disappears completely shows us just how close we may be to His return. The question is, are you ready to meet Him? The Bible says that living waters will one day flow out of the rock at Jerusalem. But greater than that, the Lord has promised that living waters can flow out of your inward parts, when you trust in Him for salvation. Why don't you trust in Him for salvation today. John 4:13-14 Revelation 21:6 Source Jordan Times, Abbas Watchman |
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