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Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has officially rejected the latest bridging proposals by Israeli negotiators and President Clinton. The proposals for resolving the stalemated Middle East Peace Process were the most far reaching overtures for peace that Israel has ever considered. The Clinton sponsored proposal would have granted East Jerusalem and the sacred Temple Mount to the sovereignty of the Palestinian state in lieu of the acceptance by Palestine of limited quotas for resettling Palestinian refugees. Note: Israel has given away 95% of the West Bank to Arafat, and offered him basically everything he could possibly want, yet there will be no peace agreement. What is it that Arafat now wants? He has always wanted war to eliminate Israel altogether! He has only utilized the Peace Process to implement that war from a stronger position.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed in a Gaza road attack while dozens more were
injured in a downtown Tel Aviv bus attack. The bombings were obviously timed
to inhibit the planned meeting between Barak and Arafat to consider President
Clinton’s peace proposals. The meeting never materialized, and Mr. Arafat has
already forwarded a letter to Clinton refusing the latest bridging proposals. There
have been numerous drive-by shootings of Israeli citizens in recent weeks, yet
Israel under the leadership of Ehud Barak has bent over backwards to coerce and appease Yasser Arafat with more and more concessions.
Note: Golda Meir once said that peace would come to the Middle East only when
the Palestinian peoples loved their children more than they hated Israel. Hatred for
Israel has multiplied all during the “peace process”, a process in which Arafat was supposed to establish an environment of cooperation within his state with Israel.
He has not done so. Instead he refuses all chances for peace, and screams for war!
US President Bill Clinton keeps focusing his attention on finding a solution to the
Middle East dilemma. Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and Palestinian negotiating chief Saeb Erekat are undertaking one last attempt to find a resloution
to the Jerusalem dilemma. These attempts are politically based, in an all-out effort
to crown the political careers of Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton. It seems that there is
no limit to the point that the American President will go to exhaust Israel’s rights
to its Promised Land. Rumors have circulated in Israel that Mr. Barak is willing
to concede Israeli sovereignty over the Old City, and grant recognition to the
new state of Palestine in return for Arafat’s dropping the subject of the “right
of return” and compensation to Palestinian refugees. (Picture from Reuters)
Note: Barak and Arafat both foresee that their best chances for favorable resolutions are with President Clinton, and not with President Bush
Nobel Peace prize recipient Shimon Peres announced that he may
Run for Prime Minister as an Independent. Mr. Peres has run for Prime
Minister on six previous occasions, losing all six. The race now would
seem to be narrowed down to Ehud Barak, Shimon Peres, Ahmed Tibi,
and Ariel Sharon. (Peter Andrews/Reuters)
Note: It may seem absurd, but the possibility actually exists that the three
Jewish candidates could split enough votes to perhaps elect the Palestinian
candidate; Ahmed Tibi as Israel’s Prime Minister. Palestinians make up
about 20-23% of Israel’s electorate, and always vote as a united block.
Israel has positioned an armored tank division in the area of the Golan
In case of the outbreak of warfare with Hezbollah guerrilla’s in Lebanon.
Also, Israel has sent three nuclear-armed submarines into the Persian Gulf
vicinity to effect a launch-strike from behind those potential enemies. It
has long been a fear of Israel that Syria-Lebanon-Iraq would utilize the
Palestinian uprising as an opportunity to engage Israel on multiple fronts.
Israel is keenly aware of the potential of a coordinated effort by all these
adversaries to get Israel bogged down in a mini-scale conflict in its heartland,
with the Palestinians; and then open up a second front in the North.
Note: It is prophetic that Israel targets Damascus with these nuclear subs!
Now, with both President Clinton and Prime Minister Barak leaving their
respective offices, Israel faces the prospect of dealing with the Palestinians
from a greatly weakened position, both politically, and strategically. The
entire Middle East Peace Process has left Israel with no tangible benefits, while
on the other hand; her many enemies have greatly enhanced their tangible holdings
and political status in the world.
Note: The simultaneous political turmoil in the US, and also within Israel is
sending signals of weakness and vulnerability to Israel’s many enemies in the
Middle East region.
On December 9th Pope John Paul II announced that his
October proclamation concerning the means for acquiring
true salvation being solely through the membership, or auspices
of the Roman Catholic Church, was a misinterpretation. Now
the Pope emphatically endorses the idea that all truly good and just
of mankind may be included among those who make it to heaven.
Note: It seems that the Pope just can’t make up his mind about how
a person may become a Christian. ( And he is infallible? )
Bulletin: Ehud Barak Resigns
Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Barak has announced his official resignation
as Prime Minister of Israel, effective tomorrow. Israel is in a very critical
and delicate situation at the present time. Elections in Israel are not scheduled
until May, thereby placing the government of Israel in a status of limbo. Oddly
enough, the Presidency of the United States is also in a strange state of uncertainty.
The parallel uncertainty of future leadership in Israel and also in the United States
places both countries in an unenviable position with regard to the ongoing
dilemma of Middle East turmoil.
Note: Please stay in touch with FOJ for further updates. The political situation
within each of these nations is a vital componet effecting end-time prophecy!
Friday Clashes on Temple Mount Becoming Routine
Confrontations between Israeli Police and Muslim worshippers at the Al Aqsa
Mosque have become something of a regular Friday routine since the Temple Mount
Intifada began ten weeks ago. Israel has disallowed Muslim men under the age of 40
to attend the Friday prayers. However, since the beginning of Ramadan, Israel has
consented to permit normal prayers on the Temple Mount. Today’s noon prayers led to yet another deadly confrontation. Palestinian stone-thrower burned an Israeli Police station, with police responding with rubber-coated bullet barrages. About 125,000
Muslims assembled on the Mount today. Afterwards, ten people were killed or injured
during the clashes that erupted. Palestinians daubed blood on the walls of the Mount
in defiance of the Israeli police. Friday prayers have routinely called for Palestinians to engage in a "Day of Rage”!
Israel has tentatively set May 22nd as the date for new elections in Israel
for a new government, and a new Prime Minister. Palestinian MK member Ahmed
Tibi has already filed as a candidate for Prime Minister. Mr. Tibi is a former senior aid to Yasser Arafat, and remains in close contact with Arafat. Former PM Benjamin
Netanyahu is the supposed front-runner in current polls. However, Ehud Barak is
hoping to seal a peace deal with the Palestinians before the election, thereby raising
the likelihood of his re-election.
Fears Growing over Syrian-Iraq-Iran Alliance
Many Mid-east regional experts besides just Israel are expressing concerns over
the growing alliance between Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and the Iranian backed Hezbullah
terrorist organization in South Lebanon. Syria’s new leader Bashar Al-Assad is now
perceived as being more accommodating than his late father to Hezbullah activity in Lebanon, and even has moved to establish stronger ties with Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Russia has recently announced new arms deal packages with Iran and Iraq, knowing full well that these armaments are intended for the Syrian-Hezbullah armies in the Baekaa Valley. US Middle East peace envoy Martin Indyk issued a warning to Syrian President Assad advising him against further inciting, or goading Israel into open warfare. Israel
has threatened Syria-Damascus with air-bombardment if Syria does not reign in the
attacks of Hezbullah along the Lebanon-Israel border. A mini-scale war already has
developed on that front with Israel utilizing helicopter raids in retaliation for bombing incursions by Hezbullah into Northern Israel.
Note: Damascus is prophesied for destruction in Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49. A future
confrontation between Israel and Syria could lead ultimately to the great Russian
Invasion prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Futhermore, the Rapture event could take place in conjunction with Syria’s defeat. ( Syria and Iraq are not mentioned as allies
of Russia when Russia comes against Israel….perhaps because those 2 nations have
already met their demise )
The Great Caspian Sea Oil Race is on
The Muslim republic of Kazakhstan is entertaining deals with international oil
firms to develop a multi-billion dollar oil reserve and pipeline from the Caspian Sea basin through Iran. This is in direct contention with the US-EU plan to constructa pipeline system across Turkey from the same region of oil reserves. In essence, Russia and Iran are competing with the EU-US to gain control of the largest off-shore reserves
of oil in the entire world.
Note: Iran ( Persia ) is aligned with Russia during the great Russian assault on Israel. Also, the concept of a “spoil” ( oil ) is the incentive for their offensive.
BULLETIN: The United Nations General Assembly voted on Saturday,
December 2nd by a vote of 148-1 to adopt a resolution condemning Israel’s position of law, exercise of jurisdiction, and administration of the city of Jerusalem. The only
dissenting vote was cast by Israel itself. The United Sates abstained from the
vote altogether.
Note: The USA continues to abandon Israel and align itself in opposition to God’s
warning in Zechariah 12:2-3
Israel to have Early Elections
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has conceded to call for
early elections for a new government. Mr. Barak, who has held office
for only one and a half years; has seen support for the Peace Process
significantly wane during the recent uprising of Palestinians. Mr. Barak
was swept into office with the political networking assistance of President
Clinton. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Likud Party leader
Ariel Sharon are perceived as the most viable opposition candidates.
Note: With President Clinton set to leave office, Mr. Barak has lost his most
ardent political supporter. The recent death of Leah Rabin, coupled with the
ongoing Palestinian Intifada has resulted in the disfavor of the Peace Now
activist movement in Israel.
Russia Proposes Mid-east Peace Conference
Russia has proposed holding an international Mid-east Peace
Conference to broker a deal between Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. The Russian plan orchestrated after Yasser Arafat’s
visit to Moscow last week calls for the European Union, China,
and all the Middle Eastern Arab countries to join along side the
United States in the negotiating process. Russia has also called
upon the UN to send a peace-overseer force into Israel to inhibit
Israel from utilizing extreme force against the Palestinians.
Note: The players of the end-time Tribulation events are jockeying
for position. The Rapture event can’t be too far away!
Khaled Meshal of the Palestinian Hamas terrorist structure in Gaza has
demanded that Yasser Arafat suspend all attempts for continued negotiations with
Israel in the Middle East peace process. He further renewed a call to all
Palestinians to continue the Temple Mount Intifada against Israel. He has been
joined in these demands by Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin; who proclaimed during prayer services in Gaza for the observance of Ramadan; “let us
kill all Israeli occupiers of our land, and our Haram al-Shariff”.
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Arafat Rejects Clinton’s Bridging Proposals
Terrorist Bombings Kills Israelis in Gaza and Tel Aviv
President Clinton Moving Ahead on Israel-Palestinian Peace
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially
withdrawn his candidacy from the February 6 special elections. Mr.
Netanyahu had previously indicated that if allowed to run for office,
that he would only run if there were general elections for the entire
Israeli parliament. Netanyahu’s withdrawal leaves Ariel Sharon as the
probable candidate of the Likud political party. 
The Friday noon prayers during the Ramadan season erupted once again this
week in Jerusalem amid reports that secret negotiations are underway between
Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami. The talks are intended
to be a last ditch effort on behalf of Ehud Barak to salvage his political career. EU
Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos is conducting these private meetings. Amid
the secrecy of these meetings, rumors are circulating that Mr. Barak has offerred
to grant statehood recognition to Palestine in return for an Israeli presence on
the Temple Mount. Meanwhile the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini
called on the Ramadan observing faithful to eradicate the cancer of Israel from
the Arab presence. He praised the 12 week old Intifada, and called upon the
Palestinians to take hope in the demise of Barak as Prime Minister, and the
Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon.
The Likud Party of Israel has cleared the pathway for former Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to run for re-election in the upcoming
Israeli elections. Ehud Barak’s sudden resignation this past Sunday had
seemingly eliminated the candidacy of Netanyahu. Mr. Barak’s resignation was
intended to eliminate the potential of Mr. Netanyahu of qualifying for candidacy
in the upcoming elections. An Israeli law prohibits non-Knesset members
from running for the office of Prime Minister in special elections. The election
for PrimeMinister will be held in 60 days. Benjamin Netanyahu won his first term
as Prime Minister campaigning to bring peace to Israel through security,
and with a peace initiative based on reciprocity from the Palestinians. US
President Clinton manipulated the Israeli political process to unseat then
Prime Minister Netanyahu in favor of a more liberal leader that would seek
to act in complicity to Mr. Clinton’s vision of a successful Middle East peace
accord with Mr. Arafat. Then, later when the Camp David Summit meetings
failed to produce the expected peace windfall from Mr. Arafat, President
Clinton blamed that failure on the intransigence of Chairman Arafat.
Israeli riot police and border police officers charge a group of Palestinian stone throwers during clashes in Jerusalem's Old City Friday, Dec. 8, 2000. Marking the anniversary of their first uprising against Israel, Palestinians pouring out of mosques after Ramadan prayers threw rocks and fought intense gun battles with Israeli troops in the West Bank Friday, leaving a 16-year-old Palestinian dead and several wounded. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Thousands of Palestinians attend prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan December 1, 2000. Israel deployed thousands of police in Jerusalem to ensure the prayers would pass quietly at the mosque, a flashpoint for the Palestinian uprising. (Mahfouz Abu Turk/Reuters) 
