The Arab League has announced that it would be willing to accept minor, mutually agreed changes to the borders between Israel and a Palestinian state.

The statement was made by Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani following a meeting with US Senator John Kerry. The senator had been tasked by President Obama with kick-starting the stalled Middle East peace process. Israeli President Shimon Peres and opposition leader Tzipi Livni have welcomed the news, claiming that the Arab League is finally coming round to their way of thinking.

Quote: “"On behalf of the President, I reaffirmed, as did the vice president, the US commitment to pursue an end to the conflict based on the vision that President Obama outlined in May of 2011: Two states living side by side in peace and security brought about through direct negotiations between the parties," the secretary of state said. "The US and Arab League delegation here this afternoon agreed that peace between Israelis and Palestinians would advance security, prosperity, and stability in the Middle East. And that is a common interest for the region and the whole world. The US and Arab League delegations this afternoon also agreed about the importance of this particular dialogue, and so we agreed to continue consultations on a regular basis and to meet as a group as needed in order to try to advance the efforts towards peace and an end to the conflict."

While there have been hints before that the Arab League could soften its stance in demanding a full Israeli withdrawal in return for recognition and normalization of relations (whatever that means), there is no doubt the present turmoil in the Arab world has greatly influenced this recent announcement. Western leaders are beginning to recognize that Israel can no longer be blamed for everything bad that happens in the Middle East. And with the fall of Egypt, the civil war in Syria, and the Iranian nuclear threat on the horizon, many Arab leaders can no longer be certain they will still be in power this time next year. 'Peace' with Israel is perhaps becoming a welcome distraction from their own troubles, and a way of strengthening existing alliances with more stable Western nations. Economics are also playing their part in the region, with Russia and other Arab states now seeking to benefit from Israel's recent gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea. With the Tamar and Leviathan fields promising to turn Israel into a major gas exporter within a few years, and the World Energy Council estimating at least 250 billion barrels of untapped oil reserves in the region, achieving 'peace' with Israel will soon become an economic necessity. As the Bible prophesies concerning the regathering of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, “because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces (wealth) of the Gentiles shall come unto thee”, Isaiah 60:5.

Of course the Bible also predicts that this conflict over the land of Israel, and in particular the city of Jerusalem, is set to continue right up until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. So we can be sure that although a 'peace' agreement may eventually come (Daniel 9:27), it will not last. For Zechariah 14:2 and Revelation 11:2 state that immediately prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the city of Jerusalem will be once again be redivided. All nations will be gathered together against the city to do battle (Zechariah 12:2), but the Lord will return to defend Jerusalem and to judge those nations that have scattered His people and parted His land (Joel 3:2). And He will reveal Himself to His chosen people, the nation that at one time had rejected Him (Zechariah 12:10), and they will turn to Him for salvation.

What a wonderful day that will be. Men think they can solve the problems of the Middle East and bring peace to the world. But without the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7), they can do nothing. Do you know Him as your Lord and Saviour? He died for you. He bore God's punishment for sin when He died upon the cross of Calvary. All who trust in Him for salvation can know their sins forgiven and have everlasting life. Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation? Turn away from your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Isaiah 53:11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Source YNet News, YNet News, Forbes