Quote: ""There is a fundamental misunderstanding that this (strategy in the Middle East) is about changing policy on Syria and Iran ... in any event that is not where we start." "On the contrary, a whole-region policy should start with Israel/Palestine. That is the core. We should then make progress on Lebanon. We should unite all moderate Arab and Muslim voices behind a push for peace in those countries but also in Iraq," he said.

The "whole-region" policy of course being what is prophesied in the book of Daniel, that a covenant shall be confirmed with "many" nations for seven years (Daniel 9:27). In other news, Hamas and Fatah have finally agreed on a possible candidate for the new Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, and talks are also underway in Jordan in regard to the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit. But it seems there is still disagreement between the EU and the Palestinians over the recognition of Israel's right to exist, a condition that was placed on Hamas after they took control of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has stated that the unity government will not and is not required to recognize Israel, and according to the 18 point National Reconciliation Document, they are right.

Quote: "Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy to the Damascus-based Hamas political bureau leader Khaled Mashaal, said Monday night that the planned Palestinian unity government would not recognize Israel and was not required to. Earlier, the European Union reiterated demands that any Palestinian unity government would have to recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and engage in new peace talks.

Source YNet News, BBC, Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post