There are some Changes opening in Chances for False Peace,
Will this lead to the Beginning of the Time of ‘Peace and Safety,”
A long-term hudna, the cessation of all terrorist activities in Israel,
Reconciliation among Palestinian factions and renewed Negotiations
With Israel on basis of the Arab peace initiative being pushed by U.S.?
June 29, 2009
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
There is a lot of behind the scenes shuffling in terrorist positioning on false peace in the excerpts following I Thessalonians 5:3,4.
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.
Begin Excerpt from Al-Quds Al-Arabi via MEMRI Blog
Hamas Preparing Document Al-Arabi via MEMRI Blog
Senior Hamas official Salah Al-Bardawil stated that, in response to a request by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, his movement was preparing a document detailing Hamas’ official position on the conflict with Israel, including such issues as a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, the right of return, a long-term hudna, and the cessation of terrorist activities inside Israel.
According to Bardawil, Carter is to pass the document over to U.S. President Obama.
Source: Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi, London, June 26, 2009
Begin Excerpt from Haaretz via IMRA
Sunday, June 28, 2009
U.S., EU seek to include Hamas in peace process U.S., EU seek to include Hamas in peace process
By Akiva Eldar Haareta 28 June 2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096045.html
The American government and the European Union are making efforts to include Hamas in a broader diplomatic effort that would include a long-term cease-fire with Israel, reconciliation among Palestinian factions and support for renewed negotiations with Israel on the basis of the Arab peace initiative.
A deal is reportedly being formulated for the transfer of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to Egypt, under the assumption that this would encourage Israel to agree to a deal with Hamas that would include the release of Palestinian prisoners and opening border crossings. A European diplomatic source told Haaretz yesterday that talks about manifesting the deal were held secretly until late last week, and only four persons were privy to the details of the talks. Israel was not a party to the effort.
Last week Israeli sources denied knowledge of any developments or plans to transfer Shalit to Egypt, a matter that Arab, and particularly Palestinian sources, gave much attention to in their reports. Israel has downplayed reports of a pending breakthrough in the Shalit case, and Israeli officials urged caution and noted that Shalit’s release has been undermined in the past by too many public statements.
According to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Hayat reporting from Damascus, a U.S. official visiting Syria two weeks ago said that “the Hamas leadership has recently made important and interesting statements.” The official added that the U.S. is following the Hamas stance and hopes that the group will alter its views and adopt a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, four senior Republican and Democratic figures, including former
president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state James Baker, called on President Barack Obama to initiate a dialogue with Hamas without delay.
Speaking during interviews organized by the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Baker said that just like the U.S. found a way to begin dialogue with the PLO, it must do so with Hamas.
Baker noted that it is impossible to make peace w
ith people if you are unwilling to talk with them.
Former national security adviser under President George H.W. Bush, Brent Scowcroft, said that if the peace process moves forward, the U.S. will urge Hamas to become part of it in order to avoid isolation.
The elder statesmen expressed their full support for the Obama administration’s policies in the Middle East,
and agreed that the peace process will not be able to move forward without active American involvement on all levels of negotiations. They also said that an end to Arab-Israeli hostilities is essential for achieving the strategic goals of the U.S. in the Middle East.
By Akiva Eldar Haareta
28 June 2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096045.html
The American government and the European Union are making efforts to include
Hamas in a broader diplomatic effort that would include a long-term cease-fire with Israel, reconciliation among Palestinian factions and support for renewed gotiations with Israel on the basis of the Arab peace initiative.
A deal is reportedly being formulated for the transfer of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to Egypt, under the assumption that this would encourage Israel to agree to a deal with Hamas that would include the release of Palestinian prisoners and opening border crossings.
A European diplomatic source told Haaretz yesterday that talks about manifesting the deal were held secretly until late last week, and only four persons were
privy to the details of the talks. Israel was not a party to the effort.
Last week Israeli sources denied knowledge of any developments or plans to transfer Shalit to Egypt, a matter that Arab, and particularly Palestinian
sources, gave much attention to in their reports. Israel has downplayed reports of a pending breakthrough in the Shalit case, and Israeli officials urged caution and noted that Shalit’s release has been undermined in the past by too many public statements.
According to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Hayat reporting from Damascus, a
U.S. official visiting Syria two weeks ago said that “the Hamas leadership
has recently made important and interesting statements.” The official added
that the U.S. is following the Hamas stance and hopes that the group will
alter its views and adopt a two-state solution. Meanwhile, four senior Republican and Democratic figures, including former president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state James Baker, called on President Barack Obama to initiate a dialogue with Hamas without delay. Speaking during interviews organized by the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Baker said that just like the U.S. found a way to begin dialogue with the PLO, it must do so
with Hamas. Baker noted that it is impossible to make peace with people if you are unwilling to talk with them.
Former national security adviser under President George H.W. Bush, Brent
Scowcroft, said that if the peace process moves forward, the U.S. will urge
Hamas to become part of it in order to avoid isolation.
The elder statesmen expressed their full support for the Obama administration’s policies in the Middle East, and agreed that the peace process will not be able to move forward without active American involvement on all levels of negotiations. They also said that an end to Arab-Israeli hostilities is essential for achieving the strategic goals of the U.S. in the Middle East.
Begin Excerpt from Middle East on Line
Hamas hails US policy change
Meshaal rejects hardline Israeli PM’s conditions on Palestinians’ promised statehood.
June 26, 2009
DAMASCUS – Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Thursday welcomed what he said was a change of US policy towards his Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip and said he looked forward to renewed Palestinian unity talks later this week.
“We hail the new line from Barack Obama towards Hamas. It is the first step towards direct talks without preconditions,” Meshaal said from his base in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Meshaal said Hamas would “work swiftly to end the rifts in Palestinian ranks and achieve national reconciliation through talks being brokered by Egypt.
“To this end, a delegation will travel to Cairo in the next two days to tackle the obstacles,” Meshaal added.
Egyptian mediators have set a July 7 target date for a deal to reconcile Hamas and the West Bank-based Palestinian leadership of president Mahmud Abbas after months of faltering negotiations to mend the rift sparked by the Islamists’ 2007 seizure of Gaza.
Western aid for the reconstruction of Gaza after Israel’s devastating offensive at the turn of the year is dependent on the outcome of the talks.
Despite its upset 2006 victory in Palestinian parliamentary election, both the European Union and the United States refuse to have any dealings with Hamas until it renounces violence and recognises Israel and past peace deals.
In recent days Hamas officials have signalled that they may be ready to accept a Palestinian state limited to the territories seized in the 1967 Middle East war despite a commitment in the movement’s charter to regaining the whole of historic Palestine.
But Meshaal warned that the Islamists wanted concrete gains for the Palestinians.
Hamas has “no illusions about the new policy… we want change on the ground that will bring about an end to the occupation,” he said.
Begin Excerpt from Los Angeles Times via Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs / Daily Alert
June 26, 2009
What’s Really Blocking Mideast Peace?
Jacob Dayan (Los Angeles Times)
Prime Minister Netanyahu clearly articulated that Israel does not want to control the lives of the Palestinians. Although those Palestinians live in the epicenter of the Jewish homeland, Israel is willing to make compromises to ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for everyone.
Netanyahu declared that there will be no new settlements in the West Bank, nor will the borders of existing settlements be expanded. Among the important points he made is the willingness of Israel to resume negotiations for a two-state solution right away.
Netanyahu’s reference to the Jewish identity
of Isr ael is not
a novel concept. The UN partition resolution of 1947 divided the land of Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state. All of the Arab leaders chose to reject this resolution.
In a democracy, the majority is entitled to define its own identity.
The recognition of Israel as a Jewish state does not mean that we “ignore” the Arab population. Arabs have been living with us in the Jewish state and are doing much better than their brethren in the neighboring non-Jewish states.
The real key to peace lies in this recognition. When our partners understand where we come from, and respect our heritage and tradition, as
well as our very long history in the region, only then will we be hopeful that real peace can be achieved.
The writer is the consul general of Israel to the Southwest United States.
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