As preparations intensify ahead of the international peace conference to be held in Annapolis on Tuesday, the European Union has published a document detailing its efforts to help strengthen any future agreement between Israel and the surrounding nations. The document was co-authored by High Representative for the EU Common, Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner. It was endorsed by the 27 Foreign Ministers of the European Union last week. As my friend Patsy pointed out, the 60th anniversary of the UN vote to partition "Palestine" falls on the day following the Annapolis peace conference (November 29th). In 1947 the British Mandate of Palestine had already been partitioned once, the government handing over four fifths of the territory for the creation of an Arab state now called Jordan. The remaining land was originally promised for the Jewish people, but the Arab nations weren't happy with the idea of a Jewish state being established at all, and most voted against the partition plan of 1947. Once again the nations of the world are gathering to barter over the division of God's land. In these latest negotiations, it seems that the issue of Palestinian terrorism is taking a back seat, while Israel will be in the dock. For this "peace" conference is not being advertised as such, rather it is being promoted as the beginning of negotiations to divide the land. And behind this process stands the European Union, ready to assist in "statebuilding for peace". 

Quote: "Comprehensive peace in the Middle East is a strategic objective for the European Union. Any lasting and just settlement to the conflict should be based on the principle of land for peace, relevant UNSC resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Roadmap and previous agreements reached between the parties. The EU considers that the present opportunity should not be missed and is ready to take its responsibilities, in accordance with the vital European interests involved. The EU is therefore committed to supporting current efforts in a serious and substantive way, offering a comprehensive and coherent contribution to the process, including during the crucial implementation period. The European Union calls on all other interested parties to support the current process, bearing in mind the high cost of failure for everyone involved.

If you read this article in full, you will see that the European Union's contribution towards peace in the Middle East is quite substantial. The EU is presently assisting the Palestinian Authority in training a police force (EUPOLCOPPS), establishing governmental institutions, supporting the Palestinian economy through aid and by encouraging trade through its monitoring of the Rafah border. The European Union is planning to increase its involvement in these areas during the transition period between the signing of an agreement and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The EU is also ready to contribute to a solution on final status issues, through supporting Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, supporting agencies working with Palestinian refugees and offering its services in policing any future agreement.

Quote: "Security arrangements: if requested, the EU will be ready in due course to contribute to a system of security arrangements that would be agreed between the parties in the framework of a permanent settlement.

So there we have it. The nations of the world are once again pressing for the division of God's land, and the EU stands ready to strengthen (Daniel 9:27) and monitor (Daniel 11:31) any future agreement, just as the Scriptures predicted. As I commented last week, the external pressures on Israel and the Palestinians to agree a deal are becoming greater than the forces keeping them apart. That's basically what the EU is saying in asking other parties to "bear in mind the high cost of failure for everyone involved". What actually happens at Annapolis is anybody's guess. My guess is that there will be no dramatic announcement made, but that it will be yet another step along the road towards the division of the land and the ultimate fulfilment of end time prophecy.

Joel 3:1-2
For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem (Judea, Samaria, East Jerusalem), I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Source EJPress, Wikipedia