Quote: "Earlier this year Pakistan hosted a conference on the Middle East which included representatives from Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey. Israel holds full diplomatic relations only with Egypt, Turkey and Jordan; Saudi Arabia and Israel are officially enemy states observing an armistice, Malaysia holds no relations with Israel and Indonesia has no official relations, even though in 2006 a trade agreement was signed between the two countries. Israel did not issue any official response to Musharaf's statements.

But after criticism from hardliners, Musharraf responded that Pakistan would not normalize relations with Israel until Palestinians had a state of their own - which it seems may be never. Israelis have welcomed Musharraf's offer, but do not believe he could make real progress in an intermediary role as Pakistan's relationship with Israel is not strong enough.

Quote: ""Israel believes that moderate Muslim countries like Pakistan can play a very important role in helping and strengthening the Middle East peace process," Regev said. "Having said that, experience has clearly demonstrated that the most successful mediators have always been those that have established and solid relationships with both sides." 

"Established and solid relationships with both sides". There's only one regional power that fits that description in my mind. It's not the US - especially after Afghanistan and Iraq, etc. There aren't many Islamic states that have normalized relations with Israel, let alone enjoy the trust of the Israelis. To me the European Union is the only power that can say that it has well established and solid relationships with both Israel and the Palestinians. And to me that fits the Scriptures, that the Antichrist will be of the people that destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, and that he will grow great towards the south and the east (Daniel 8:9), and the pleasant land (Israel).

Daniel 9:26 
And after threescore and two weeks (69th week) shall Messiah (Jesus) be cut off, but not for himself: and the people (Romans) of the prince that shall come (Antichrist) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Temple); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

In other news, I checked up on the Israel trip this afternoon. The October trip has been postponed until May 2008. So perhaps in the will of God, "Next year in Jerusalem".

Source Jerusalem Post, YNet News