As Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority prepare for tomorrow's regional summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert is coming under increasing pressure to be seen to be advancing peace with the Palestinians. Following Hamas' violent coup of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago, the international community is hopeful real progress can be made on peace with Palestinian "moderates", in order to shore up President Abbas' weak government, and to further isolate Hamas. Ahead of the summit, Israel has announced plans to release $350 million in tax revenues to the new Palestinian Authority government. Egypt has urged Israel to make several concessions to Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria...

Quote: "In advance of the Monday talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit phoned Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and called on Israel to take a series of steps aimed at strengthening Abbas. Aboul Gheit asked Israel to "act towards the Palestinian Authority in a way that achieves calm and creates the atmosphere for resuming the peace process," according to a ministry statement. "This requires halting settlement operations, ending construction of the separation wall, stopping raids on cities and removing the checkpoints," he said.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has also warned Israel that Monday's talks must result in an agreed date for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Abdullah has previously warned that unless a Palestinian state is established by 2008, the region would descend into a decade of war. Meanwhile, the US government is continuing to pressure Israel into disengaging from yet more territory, in the hope that peace with the Palestinians can be realized. President Bush has committed himself to achieving a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians by the time he leaves office. US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice reportedly pressed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert into commensing final status negotiations with President Abbas, during his visit to Washington last week.

Quote: "The secretary and her boss have virtually obligated themselves to tie down an agreement by the end of 2008. Having a final status solution already signed and sealed - if not delivered - would pretty much resolve them of having to do anything more. For Israel, however, such an agreement would constitute a second-to-final nail in the coffin as any future Israeli government would be almost required to honor what was agreed upon.

And the Bible states that is exactly what will take place, the disengagement from Judea and Samaria will be a final "nail in the coffin" for the Jewish state. We don't know whether a further disengagement from these lands will happen by 2008, but the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied of this event during His ministry on this earth. The Lord warned His Jewish disciples of the events that would take place in Israel, shortly before His Second Coming to earth.

Matthew 24:15-21
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months (3.5 years). 

Zechariah 14:2
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Luke 21:24
And they (Israel) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 

The disengagement from Judea and the division of Jerusalem is coming, just as the Bible predicted. And with it a time of immense trouble for Israel, and a time of judgement for the nations. Prime Minister Olmert believes he can make peace with the Palestinians, if only he can give up enough of God's land. The international community are urgently seeking a resolution of this conflict. And the European Union is waiting expectantly for a man who will be able to give them peace. But the Bible says there will be no peace. Have you trusted Jesus Christ for salvation? Are your sins forgiven? When Christ returns to judge the world in righteousness, will you be found in Him, or will He have to say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you", Luke 13:27. Only you can make that decision.  

Source The Australian, Haaretz, Israel Insider