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Clay and Iron Cannot Hold Together Very Long!

March 16, 2007

http://www.tribulationperiod.com/

The three articles, which follow our introduction, are living examples of how difficult it is for the “clay and iron” Islamic nations to make lasting unions for long periods of time. They follow the characteristics of their common ancestor Ishmael.

The character of Ishmael, the son of Hagar and Abraham, has indeed been passed on to his Arab descendents. They are like “wild asses” that dwell alongside their half brothers across the Middle East, having the same ancestor for a father, but a different mother.

The words which describe Ishmael-like characteristics are found in the words spoken to Hagar by the angel of the Lord in Genesis 16:12.

Genesis 16:12 – And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

The promise of a land grant in Genesis 15:18 was not given to Ishmael, but to Isaac.

Genesis 15:18 – In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 17:20,21 – And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. [21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

The descendents of Ishmael fought among themselves and worshipped idols like the moon god until Muhammad united them into what is Islam today, but after the demise of the caliphate, formed by his immediate followers, it finally fell completely apart during the Ottoman Empire, and they have been at each others throats ever since. They have been iron and clay nations, a mingled (Arab) people, impossible to hold together long enough as a united body to defeat Israel. But that is changing by the spirit of Jihad, and soon ten Arab nations will unite. The Hebrew word translated as “mingle” in Daniel 2:43 is “Arab.”

Daniel 2:42-44 – And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. [43] And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. [44] And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The kingdom set up by the God of heaven will be the kingdom of his Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

It will take an act of God to keep the iron and clay “wild asses” of Ishmael descent from war with each other long enough to fight united against Israel.

God will put it in the hearts of the ten Islamic leaders to unite under a single leader, the Antichrist, and the clay and iron Arab nations shall hold together for some three and one-half years.

Revelation 17:12,13,17 –And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. [13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. [17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

The “words of God” will begin to be fulfilled when Zechariah 13:8 occurs, and “shall be fulfilled” completely when the last phrase of 13:9 closes three and one-half years of tribulation for Israel in the Negev.

Zechariah 13:8,9 – And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. [9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Revelation 12:6 – And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Jeremiah 30:7 – Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Begin Excerpt from Jerusalem Post

Palestinian Intelligence officer gunned down in Gaza Strip

JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST

March 16, 2007

Despite the formation of a Palestinian Authority unity government, a PA Intelligence officer affiliated with Fatah was shot and killed Friday morning in the village of Deir el-Balah, in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Radio reported that armed Palestinians, whose identities were unknown, stopped the vehicle in which two PA Intelligence officers were traveling.

After a brief argument with the gunmen, both officers were dragged out of the car and shot.

The second officer was seriously wounded in the attack, which came just one day before the newly-formed PA government was set to be sworn in at the Palestinian parliament.

The PA Military Intelligence is affiliated with Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and many of its members have been involved in clashes with Hamas in the recent infighting.

Earlier this week, Palestinian gunmen from Hamas and Fatah exchanged fire in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, killing a local Hamas leader and wounding seven people in the most serious flare up of violence since the power-sharing deal was struck last month.

Begin DEBKAfile Excerpt 1

DEBKAfile Exclusive: Al Qaeda-Gaza declares war on both Palestinian rivals: Hamas and Fatah

March 12, 2007, 10:16 PM (GMT+02:00)

As Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Mahmoud Abbas and Ehud Olmert finished discussing the Gaza Strip’s fate Sunday, March 11, three events showed how little they and Hamas are in control.

Al Qaeda’s No. 2, Ayman Zawahri issued a declaration of war on the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in a videotape aired by the Arabic TV Al Jazeera.

An hour later, the Islamic Brotherhood of Justice (another name for al Qaeda’s operational branch in the Gaza Strip) announced the launching of its Operation White Land, targeting the political and military leaders of Fatah and Hamas.

DEBKAfile’s military sources also reveal that a rebellion has sprung up against the top Hamas leadership.

Olmert and Abbas nonetheless continue to act out a Pan-Arab diplomatic process at Washington’s behest (see separate item on this page), which has as much chance of getting off the ground in Gaza as Fatah’s Abbas’ assurance that the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilead Shalit, would be freed very soon.

The Zuwahri statement assailed the legitimacy Saudi Arabia extended to moves for a Palestinian unity government at the Mecca peace conference as recently as Feb. 8. Negotiations between the two factions are bogged down anyway.

“The leadership of Hamas government has committed an aggression against the rights of the Islamic nation by respecting international agreements,” thundered Ayman Zawahri Sunday. “I am sorry to have to offer the Islamic nation my condolences for the Hamas leadership as it has fallen into the quagmire of surrender.”

The Gaza al Qaeda cell then defined the four missions of Operation White Land:

1. Targeting the most senior figures of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaders.

2. Focusing on group abductions rather than individuals, especially symbols of political corruption.

3. Beheading is ordained for members of these groups. Their executions and confessions will be videotaped and aired as they are in Iraq.

4. Blowing up Internet cafes and businesses selling alcohol; putting prostitutes to death to cleanse the streets of Gaza of prostitution.

Announcing these missions have won the sanction of Palestinian religious scholars, the communiqué ends with the words: “Operation White Land has begun.”

As for the revolt in Hamas, its Executive Force chief Jemal Jarah and his deputy, Yusouf a-Zahar (brother of Hamas foreign minister Mahmoud a-Zahar), accuse prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of being too soft with Abbas and Fatah and failing to follow through to victory on the battles they fought for weeks against Fatah. Determined to finish the job, Hamas rebels were back on the streets of Gaza this week, shooting and abducting their rivals, the Mecca Reconciliation Accords already a dead letter.

DEBKAfile adds: Shalit, who was abducted in June 2006 has become a counter in internecine Palestinian rivalries.

He is guarded by two of the groups which kidnapped him, including members of al Qaeda.

With the control of affairs in the Gaza Strip slipping out of the hands of prime minister Haniyeh, it is hard to see how any progress can be achieved towards gaining his freedom.

Begin Second DEBKAfile Excerpt

Fatah-Hamas clashes in Gaza mar Palestinian unity government accord due for legislature’s approval Saturday

March 15, 2007, 10:33 AM (GMT+02:00)

In the 24-line-up, Hamas gets 9 cabinet posts, Fatah six. The other portfolios are shared out among “independents” and smaller factions.

DEBKAfile notes: One putative “independent,” the designated foreign minister Ziyad Amar, is a known Hamas adherent. Pro-American Salam Fayed is retained as finance minister as bait to draw US recognition and international assistance.

Israel has announced it will boycott all the new ministers, including the new Fatah office-holders. The Olmert government faults Mahmoud Abbas for accepting a power-sharing accord dominated by Hamas, whose platform continues to deny Israel recognition and refuses to terminate violence. Abbas also reneged on his promise to get the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilead Shalit released before forming a unity administration.

DEBKAfile reports that Abbas and Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh (who retains the post) worked against the stopwatch to get their Saudi-brokered unity act together in time for the Riyadh Arab summit on March 28.

The fragility of their deal was apparent on the day of its signing: Wednesday, March 14, internecine gunfights were sparked by the assassination of Hamas’ Gaza commander Ala Haddad in a hail of bullets by the Muhammad Dahlan’s Fatah death squads. Whereas Haddad had been targeted for months by Fatah, now the chief of those death squads, a professional terminator called Samir Madhoun, became the quarry of Hamas’ special executive arm. Nine people were injured, including three bystanders, in the ensuing shoot-outs. The air rang with gunfire as Abbas and Haniyeh shook hands in Gaza City.

The cynical performance proceeded with Abbas pledging to deliver European recognition and aid funds to the new government, and Haniyeh vowing to end Palestinian government reliance on Iran – if Abbas delivered. Both promises were hollow, as they both knew, just as the framework they contrived changes very little.

The kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston and the Israeli soldier remain in the hands of a band of captors that includes al Qaeda-Gaza, Hamas continues to take delivery of missiles and other war materiel and build its fortified bunkers.

If anything, Abbas lost points; any agreements or deals he may conclude with Israel will be subject to ratification by the Palestinian national assembly which has a Hamas majority.

But because the unity deal is in the bag, the Palestinians will be represented at the Arab summit this month by a Hamas prime minister.

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“The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men do Oft-Times go Astray!”

March 16, 2007

http://www.tribulationperiod.com/

The massive joint Israeli-Jordan-Palestinian Prpject, which is planned to link the Dead Sea to the Red Sea via the Arabah Desert and the Aqaba Gulf, will never be completed by man.

It is already scheduled to be accomplished by God through massive tectonic changes during the great biblical tribulation period. I know massive geological changes will occur between Revelation 6:12 and 16:18, and believe a likely time for them to begin will be at some point in time between 2008 and 2012.

The First Earthquake in the Book of Revelation

Revelation 6:12-14 – And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; [13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. [14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

The Last Earthquake in the Book of Revelation

Revelation 16:18-20 – And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. [19] And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

The plan outlined in the following Jerusalem Post article will indeed be accomplished, but by God rather than man, between the first and last earthquake in Revelation.

Begin Jerusalem Post Article

Government positive on Peres’s ‘Peace Valley’ plan

Herb Keinon, THE JERUSALEM POST

March 11, 2007

The government on Sunday gave a bureaucratic push towards joint Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian projects, which were termed the “Peace Valley” when first proposed by Vice Premier Shimon Peres.

In its weekly cabinet meeting, the government decided to label the plan “a national project,” a characterization that will push it through various government offices.

The idea behind the project, according to a statement issued by Peres’ office, is to increase reasonable stability through economic development. The project, along a 500 kilometer stretch of land, from the Red Sea to the Yarmuk River, will include a Red Sea to Dead Sea canal, intended to prevent the drying up of the Dead Sea, various tourist projects and a joint Israeli-Jordanian airport in Aqaba.

The project is also to include the connection of Israeli and Jordanian railway tracks and a Japanese-funded industrial park in the Jordan Valley.

The bulk of the funding for the project is expected to come from the World Bank, foreign governments and private investors

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 188B

September 8, 2004

Tectonic Chaos – Chapter 11 – Salty Sea to a Fresh Water Lake!

Figure 47 is a general summarization in a pictorial format of what has been presented thus far by a narrative discourse. It shows the area as I believe it will appear during the Millennium.

Please note that the Dead Sea is forecast to become a living sea.

At the present time, the Dead Sea is so saturated with salt and other solids that aquatic life forms cannot be supported. Fish that enter the Dead Sea from its tributaries perish shortly after their entrance. For centuries the elevated Arabah Fault to the south of the Dead Sea has prevented the waters of the Jordan River from reaching the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat). Consequently, by a process of evaporation, more and more salt has been continuously added to the land-locked body of water Zechariah identifies as the former (eastern) Sea (See Archive Birth Pang Figure 47).

Zechariah 14:8 – And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

When God splits the Arabah Fault, during the tribulation period, a natural graben river valley will be formed between the blocking section of the fault structure, and the Jordan’s waters will finally be able to flow from the Dead Sea into the Red Sea by way of the Gulf of Aqaba. This will eventually clean most of the salt out of the Dead Sea, but the shallow northeastern sections will continue to have salt in coastline marsh areas. (See Archive Birth Pang Figures 47 and 48).

Ezekiel 47:6-12 – And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this

? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. [7] Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. [8] Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. [9] And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

[10] And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. [11] But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. [12] And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. (See Archive Birth Pang Figures 47 and 48).

As we begin with verse six, we have just walked eastward a little over a mile (4,000 cubits) from the utter gate of the Jerusalem Millennial Temple, and have arrived at the brink of the diverted Jordan River.

During our walk, we passed directly through the graben valley created during the tribulation period when the Mount of Olives divided into two sections, one moving to the north, and one moving to the south. The stream along which we walked developed after the Israelites fled to the Negev by way of the valley

of the mountains. The area, through which the entire stream and Jordan River Complex is prophesied to flow, is one of the most fertile soul profiles in Israel. But no matter how fertile and perfectly zoned a soil profile is, unless there is water, no vegetation will spring up. This has been the problem in this dry, arid region for centuries, but God is going to change all that. Trees, and all types of vegetation, will flourish along the length of these two living water rivers as they flow toward the Mediterranean and Dead Seas, and the remnant of Israel will use this new source of water to irrigate the desert lands of Judah and most of southern Israel. I am convinced Israel will become the breadbasket of the Middle East.

When Judah’s water shed, to the west of the line from Geba to Rimmon, lifts up as a fault block ridge, it will increase subterranean water flow into the spring that still flows under Jerusalem. The lifting along the Tyropoean Valley fault, just behind the Temple Mount Complex, will cause the spring to surface on the Temple platform just north of the Dome of the Rock, and it will flow eastward as a stream for a thousand years. As westerly winds being the moist Mediterranean air up the gentle slope of the uplifted western Judean watershed block complex, adiabatic cooling of the moist sea air, coupled with convective heating of the plain, will produce frequent periods of orographic and convective precipitation. Some of this rain will drift off the higher central watershed and fall on what are now arid sections of eastern and southern Judea. I also believe that more frontal activity will affect all Israel by increasing precipitation totals. Increased precipitation will not only water the soil profile directly, but increased occurrence to the west of Jerusalem will keep the water table supplied with ample water to feed Ezekiel’s temple spring continuously through the entire 1000 year reign of Christ. God will so structure the land and the climate that lack of water will no longer be a problem to the east of the line from Geba to Rimmon.

As verse 8 indicates, a part of this fresh water flows into “the east country” (east of the Mount of Olives), then “down (southward) into the desert” (desert of Judah and Arabah), then finally “into the sea” (Dead Sea). Once they are brought forth into the Dead Sea they cause water now there “to be healed” (the salt content is reduced sufficiently to start supporting aquatic life). This is all made possible by the opening of the Arabah Fault into a channel that will allow the Dead Sea to drain most of its salt content into the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba.

Verse 9 gives a clear prophecy that the Jordan River system, from its northern tip to its entry into the Gulf of Aqaba, will be filled with all sorts of aquatic life, this being made possible because the Dead Sea has been healed from its extremely high, life taking, salt content.

Verse 10 reveals that fishermen will fish for a great, exceeding variety of fish along the Dead Sea western shoreline from Engedi to Eneglaim (See Archive Birth Pang Figure 48). This entire shoreline is now barren of all aquatic life forms.

Verse 11 tells us that the northeastern zone of the Dead Sea will exist as a salt marsh because it will be out of the direct fresh water trajectory flowing into the western shoreline (See Archive Birth Pang Figure 48).

Verse 12 is a picture of a vast aggregate of all types of fruit producing trees. The fruit of the trees will be a part of the “meat” supply of the nation of Israel, and various extracts from the trees will be used for medicinal purposes. Ezekiel’s vision of great fertility in the wilderness of Judea is echoed by many of the prophets, in terms similar to those put forward by Isaiah, as he describes the effects the new hydrological changes will produce in the desolate zones of Israel.

Isaiah 35:1,2,6,7 –The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

[2] It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. [6] Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. [7] And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons (jackals), where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

The day is soon coming when God will so geologically reconstruct the topography of his Holy Land by a massive shifting of his tectonic plates, that the deserts and wildernesses of Judah shall be thoroughly irrigated with waters from a reorganized Jordan River tributary system. Where only jackals (dragons) now dwell, men and women will leap for joy like a hart, and Jewish tongues will sing praise to God for his great blessings of fertility.

A vast green paradise will exist where only arid wasteland once appeared. One of these changes involved in the many that will be wrought by God, is the opening of a valley in the Arabah Fault block, which will allow the contents of the present Dead Sea to flush through it on the way to the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba. At the present time there are convective currents of magma that flow upward into the lower sections on both sides of the Red Sea, which is causing the sea floor to spread apart at the rate of several centimeters per year. This same lake of magma underlies the entire length of the Jordan Valley, but, at the present time, the faults on both sides of it are locked, or “frozen” in place above the magma, and its upward convective currents are much more passive here than under the Red Sea (See Archive Birth Pang Figures, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 38). However, when the present Red Sea floor spreading of the fault finally reaches its critical limits, at that time the northern, or “locked” portion, of the fault will suddenly burst open on both sides for a distance of about 185 miles from the Port of Aqaba (Eilat) northward, to become a raging inferno of volcanic smoke, pitch, and brimstone. The greatest restructuring will occur in that section or the fault block between the southern tip of the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. That section was known as Edom or Idumea during the time of most of the prophets (See Archive Birth Pang Figure 23). Isaiah writes of this catastrophic tribulation period ripping transformation of that land, which will form a new river channel to drain the Dead Sea.

Isaiah 34:4-10 – And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. [5] For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

[6] The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. [7] And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. [8] For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

[9] And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall

become burning pitch.

[10] It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

This is a classic description of what geologists label as a “flood basalt plain,” and verse 10 indicates that some degree of volcanic activity will occur there off and on throughout the Millennium. The activity would appear to be such that only wild animals would live there during that period.

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New PA Government Rejection means Hudna False Peace!

March 15, 2007

http://www.tribulationperiod.com/

We began this Web Site in 2001.

Since its inception I have been torn between three different ways that the prophesied biblical false peace, prior to the attack of Antichrist (See Archive Prophecy Update Whole Numbers 62 to 69), could come to pass, either by (1) Negotiations, (2) A “Forced” Peace, or (3) a Hudna Truce. Most teachers of prophecy are of the opinion the Bible teaches a false peace will be in place when the Antichrist surprises Israel by a vicious attack from the north. Based on what has happened since Hamas became the majority in the Palestinian Authority government, it now appears to me the time of false “Peace and safety,” found in I Thessalonians 5:3,4, will be a hudna.

I Thessalonians 5:3,4 – For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Hamas definitely wants a long term hudna to be ready to play a major part in a final ten Arab nation war against Israel. They would like to have a seven or ten year hudna agreement declared with Israel.

It is possible they might get Islamic Jihad, al-Aksa Martyr’s Brigades, and Fatah to agree to a Hudna with Israel for a while, thereby giving all of the groups a breather to prepare for future combat.

According to Umdat as-Salik, hudnas with a non-Muslim enemy should be limited to 10 years: “if Muslims are weak, a truce may be made for ten years if necessary, for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) made a truce with the Quraysh for that long, as is related by Abu Dawud” (’Umdat as-Salik, o9.16).

A peace treaty with Israel seems to be out of the question for Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and al-Aksa Martyr’s Brigades, but a Hudna (truce) is not a peace treaty, merely a time when a temporary lull of “peace and safety” can be experienced by both sides in the conflict. A genuine peace treaty as we understand one does not seem be possible, as the following two articles from the Jerusalem Post Staff and Haaretz seem to indicate.

Begin Article Number One from Jerusalem Post

‘Israel will not deal with the Palestinian unity government’

JPost.com Staff, AP and Sheera Claire, THE JERUSALEM POST

March 15, 2007

Rivals Hamas and Fatah formed a long-elusive Palestinian Authority unity government Thursday, hoping to lead the Palestinians out of international isolation, but were immediately rebuffed by Israel which said it would not deal with the new coalition.

A draft of the coalition platform posted on Hamas and Fatah Web sites calls for continued observance of a truce with Israel but falls short of Israeli, US and European requirements that the new government recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous peace deals.

The platform includes only a vague pledge to “respect” past peace deals, falling short of explicit recognition

of Israel.

It also affirms the Palestinians’ right to resist and “defend themselves against any Israeli aggression.”

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the program falls short of requirements.

“Unfortunately the new Palestinian government seems to have said no to the three benchmarks of the international community,” he said. “Accordingly, Israel will not deal with this new government and we hope the international community will stand firmly by its own principles and refuse to deal with a government that says no to peace and no to reconciliation.”

As Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh presented the list of ministers in his new cabinet to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, thus concluding the formation of the new Hamas-Fatah coalition, Knesset members expressed reactions ranging from virulent opposition to enthusiastic praise.

Likud MK Yisrael Katz came out harshly against the unity deal and called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to sever all contact with Abbas, since the new government’s platform calls to continue the armed struggle against Israel, Israel Radio reported.

In Katz’s words, it has once again been proven that Abbas and Hamas are one unit, at least as far as the struggle against Israel is concerned.

According to a description of the unity government’s platform on two Hamas Web sites, “The government confirms that the resistance is a legitimate right for the Palestinian people … halting resistance depends on ending the occupation and achieving freedom and [the right of] return and independence.”

Katz declared that this was essentially a call to obliterate the State of Israel.

MK Zevulun Orlev (NU-NRP) seconded this sentiment, saying that “this government’s unity is a unity based on continued terror and the Hamas objective of destroying Israel.”

Orlev added that the Israeli government should take a firm stance against transferring funds to the PA and should encourage the international community to stop all PA funding, as well, until they show a “real intention” for peace.

Begin Article Two from Haaretz

PMO: New PA platform ‘flies in the face’ of international demands

By Haaretz Service and Agencies

March 15, 2007

The platform of the new Palestinian unity government, which according to Hamas advocates continued violence against occupation, is a step backward from the peace process and “flies in the face” of the international community’s demands, the Prime Minister’s Office said Thursday.

“Instead of recognizing Israel and renouncing terror the emerging Palestinian government has decided to spring backwards,” said David Baker, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

“This is not what we were hoping for and flies in the face of the international community’s demands of the Palestinians. Once again, they haven’t provided the goods,” he added.

According to excerpts from the new government’s platform, published Thursday on two Hamas Web sites, the new government will continue to support “resistance” until the occupation ends, as well as uphold call for the right of return

for Palestinians refugees.

The new government will also “respect” previous agreements with Israel, as stated in the Mecca agreement that led to its formation.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Thursday presented the final cabinet list to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, a day after the two agreed on the make-up of the new government, ending weeks of arguments over the candidate for the powerful interior ministry post.

” I have handed over to the president the candidates for the new coalition.

He has accepted that,” Haniyeh said. “We are optimistic the government will open a new era.”

In the first Israeli response to the government’s platform, a senior official called it a major step backward for peace prospects, and said Jerusalem would lobby the international community not to work with the new government.

The Quartet of Middle East peace brokers – the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia – has called for the new PA government to abide by three demands: recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and agreement to honor previous accords.

Haniyeh said Thursday, however, he has received signals that the Europeans are ready to work with his new government, but acknowledged that winning U.S. and Israeli support would be difficult.

“No doubt there is a different position by the American administration and the Israelis,” he said. “We are going to do what we can to support national unity, and to remove the siege and to maintain relations with the international community.”

The full cabinet line-up will be submitted Saturday for parliamentary approval.

According to Hamas, the new platform states that, “The government confirms that the resistance is a legitimate right for the Palestinian people.”

It goes onto say that, “halting resistance depends on ending the occupation and achieving freedom and [the right of] return and independence.”

Nonetheless the platform states, “The government abides by the protection of the higher national interests of the Palestinian people, and the protection of its rights … on the basis of that, respects international resolutions and agreements signed by the PLO.”

The new government, Hamas says, also recognizes that “the key to security and stability in the region is in the ending of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, recognition of the right to Palestinian self-determination.”

To that end, the manifesto states, “the government will work with the international community to end the occupation, and to return the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”

The platform also touches on one of the key sticking points in negotiations between the two sides – the issue of Palestinian refugees.

According to Hamas, the government “holds fast to the rights of Palestinian refugees, and the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their land and belongings.”

But, said the Israeli official, “anyone who looks carefully at the document will see that there is a regression on a number of important issues.”

He noted the platform’s call for the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel and its affirmation of the Palestinian right of resistance against Israel.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official government statement has not been released, said the language is even tougher than the original Palestinian power-sharing deal reached in Mecca last month.

“This is not a step forward. It’s a step backward,” he said.

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I am in favor of returning Europe to the Neanderthals!

March 15, 2007

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I m ust

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