The Rabbinical Congress for Peace have called on Jews worldwide to voice their concern over the Israeli government's plans for partitioning Jerusalem.  The organization, which comprises of 350 Rabbis, some of whom hold prominent positions in Judaism, made the statements during a press conference in Tel-Aviv yesterday. The conference was held following suggestions by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he would be willing to cede Arab-majority quarters of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority. The group of Rabbis expressed their concern that no public outcry had been made over the government's plans to divide the capital, despite announcements from Olmert and Vice Premier Haim Ramon that this issue would most certainly be discussed at the upcoming international peace conference.

Quote: "Rabbi Gerlitzky, chairman of the Rabbinical Congress, commented, "It has been several months now that the government has been discussing dividing Jerusalem, but it was done quietly behind our back. Now when it came out in the open, there is no outcry. I feel as though the public has been sprayed with some kind of sleeping gas." A Rabbinic Congress resolution, passed at yesterday's meeting, urged the Olmert government to "come back to your senses." "The Congress calls on the government to abandon the 'land for peace' formula. It never worked in the past, it doesn’t work now and will never work in the future. This formula is obsolete, outdated, leads to bloodshed."

Israeli President Shimon Peres, who's name means "hearkens to division", stated today that as far as he was concerned there were no concrete plans to divide the capital. As far as I know, Shimon Peres has never advocated dividing Jerusalem, and so is telling the truth when he says he desires a "unified Jerusalem". 

Quote: "During a visit to Safed, the president said, "The only thing the State of Israel must ensure is a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. To the best of my knowledge, there is no agreement on Jerusalem, but in any case it is clear that the holy sites must remain under our control. Currently we all want a unified Jerusalem."

But Peres is willing to relinquish Jewish sovereignty over the city in return for a peace agreement with the Arab nations. In 1994 Peres is reported to have signed an agreement with the Vatican granting the Catholic Church special status over Jerusalem's holy sites, in the event that it becomes an international city. Interestingly the Vatican also has a similar agreement with the Palestinians, so even if the Vatican supported the division of Jerusalem, the Catholic Church will still be granted control over the holy sites. As for the apathy regarding the proposed division of Jerusalem, that is hard to understand. It seems this present Israeli government has become so wearied with Palestinian issue that they are prepared to do just about anything to wash their hands of it. International organizations have urged Israel to divide the land now before the two-state solution becomes physically impossible to implement. The Scriptures state that during the tribulation period, the land of Israel (Daniel 11:39) and the city of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2) will be divided, under the authority of the Antichrist. A false peace will be established in the Middle East, but it will not last (1st Thessalonians 5:3). The Bible indicates that during the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Israeli-Arab conflict will be finally resolved. Arabs and Israelis will live in the land in peace, not in separate states but together under the government of Yeshua HaMachiach - the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). I believe the following verse seems to speak about the Palestinian Arabs that would remain in the land following the regathering of Israel.

Zephaniah 3:12
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

It is true that many of the Palestinians are a poor and afflicted people, but praise God that He has not forgotten them, even though much of the world may want to. Today believing Jews and Arabs worship together in many of the Messianic congregations in Israel. Many Arabs who once despised Israel now have a God-given love for His chosen people. This sort of reconciliation is only possible through Jesus Christ. If God can reconcile sinners to Himself, surely the reconciliation of Jew and Arab must be counted a small thing in His sight? But will you be reconciled to God?

2nd Corinthians 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Source WorldNetDaily, YNet News