Watchman of Zion

Uploaded. This week’s update is 39 minutes.

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The current status of the situation with Syria
3) The current status of the situation with Iran

Former US president Jimmy Carter has called on the European Union to start labeling Israeli products from the West Bank saying “With the Middle East peace process making no significant progress, we call on Europe to play a stronger and more independent role in revitalizing peace efforts, with a fresh approach. The EU has repeatedly condemned settlement expansion in the West Bank. It could therefore introduce a clear labeling of products made in Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law.”

It appears as if Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a construction freeze in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel’s housing minister, Uri Ariel, said that he was summoned by Netanyahu who handed him a freeze order for all construction beyond the Green Line which is the land captured by Israel in the June, 1967 war. On orders from Netanyahu, the construction of 1,500 apartments in an East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo is being held up by the Interior Ministry because the project is too sensitive. The construction of the apartments was announced in May 2010 during a visit to Israel by US Vice President Joe Biden.

The Fatah Central Committee whose members consists of the Palestinian sect of Mahmood Abbas has accepted the Arab League’s recent proposal authorizing land swaps with Israel. Fatah’s leaders stressed after their meeting, however, that they perceive the idea as meaning that there would be “minor and mutual adjustments” to the future border between Israel and a Palestinian state. Accepting the idea does not mean “legitimizing settlement blocs” in the West Bank. “Settlements in all the Palestinian lands are illegal. There can be no land swaps without an Israeli recognition of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders,” they said. Azzam al-Ahmed, a senior Fatah official, said the Palestinians were awaiting a “full diplomatic process to revive the peace talks.” He said US Secretary of State, John Kerry was expected to announce the results of his current efforts to resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians on June 7. “This is the date we have agreed upon,” Ahmed said.

Rival Palestinian political factions Fatah and Hamas met in Cairo, Egypt and agreed to form a national unity government within three months. Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmed said both sides agreed on a timetable that begins with creating laws to govern elections.  The two parties signed a reconciliation deal in 2011 but it has yet to be implemented.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority tried to conduct backchannel negotiations, or at least initiate them, in late 2010 and early 2011 in a series of secret meetings between the prime minister’s envoy, attorney Yitzhak Molcho, and the head of PLO Executive Committee, Yasser Abed Rabbo. Abed Rabbo said he and Netanyahu met for two-and-a-half hours in mid-February 2011, and mentioned — but did not negotiate over — various final status issues, including borders, Jerusalem and refugees. Abed Rabbo had a meeting with Netanyahu at the house of Yitzhak Molcho where Netanyahu seemed ready to renew negotiations within the framework of two states based upon the June 4, 1967 lines. However, there has been no further contact since that meeting Abed Rabbo said.  There were a series of meetings beforehand — I’d say 10 — between me and Molcho. The meetings were held in Jerusalem. We discussed all the issues. I sat and demanded in those meetings that Israel present its map for a two-state solution and publicly declare its willingness to speak about the 1967 lines as the framework for the meetings. Molcho was not prepared to present a map. They were kept secret until now. The only ones who knew about them on the Palestinian side were Abu Mazen (the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas) and Salam Fayyad (the Palestinian prime minister). (Saeb) Erekat (the head of the Palestinian negotiating team) was not in the know.

“Instead of a map,” Abed Rabbo went on, “Molcho was willing to include a military official in the meetings, a map expert who would present Israel’s security demands to me. Molcho emphasized in the meetings the importance of the Jordan Valley, settlement blocs, and early-warning stations on West Bank mountains. I ruled this option out. He claimed that he wanted to show me these considerations on a map, but I told him that Israel’s security concerns are not a starting point — it’s a non-starter and under the pretense of ‘security,’ you can claim anything. I made it clear that, first of all, we need to agree to speak about 1967 lines, and then start debating security issues, or even both in parallel.

“These meetings were not documented. At a certain point I said to Molcho that if they agree to the 1967 framework, we can talk about limited land swaps and security arrangements. From our standpoint, it was possible to discuss borders and security issues, but it cannot be that ‘security considerations’ would determine the borders. In the background, the Arab Spring began to gain momentum, and we also spoke about it quite a bit. In one of the last meetings, Molcho said to me, ‘I can’t give you an answer on the approach you presented (first recognition of the framework, then discussions of security considerations). I will propose to the prime minister that you meet, and if you manage to reach an understanding, then that is something else entirely. Only the prime minister can take it from here.’

“And the meeting with Bibi did indeed take place. It stretched on for about two and a half hours. He spoke about 3,000 years of Jewish history. “I said to him that speaking about 3,000 years of Jewish history will not get us anywhere. I care about what is now and what was 60 years ago. Netanyahu spoke about how vital the Jordan Valley was for Israeli security, and noted the possibility that Iranian tanks could cross the Jordan. I explained that this won’t get us anywhere. In the meeting he didn’t mention the ‘Israel as the Jewish national state’ issue. I said to him that I was in the secret talks with [prime minister Ehud] Olmert and he showed us the map. ‘We were ready for land swaps of 1.9 percent and Olmert demanded 6.4%. That’s what we arrived at. We can start the conversations from here.’ I spoke to him about Jerusalem and about the refugees.  In the end I said to him, ‘If you want to start something serious, if you agree to the 1967 borders as a basis, including Jerusalem, then we can talk about the other things.’

“He asked if we were ready to start negotiations immediately. I said yes. He asked who would be in the Palestinian delegation for the negotiations, and I told him that if he agrees to the principle I presented him, I would need a five-minute telephone call and I would return to him with the names. “He turned to Molcho and said to him, ‘You lead the Israeli delegation, along with two others — you know who.’ He asked me if these were all our demands and I said yes. He agreed that we needed a convenient place to speak, a secluded place where talks would be conducted that could last between two weeks and two months. He asked me to prepare the Palestinian delegation and I asked him if he agreed with what I had proposed. He said to me, ‘Give me two days and I’ll get back to you.’ We said goodbye. He asked me to send his regards to Abu Mazen. And from that point on, I didn’t hear from Bibi or Molcho.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Israel and the Palestinian territories on May 23-24 to try to restart direct peace talks.

Finally, the Temple Institute presented for the first time blueprints to rebuild the Temple. It included the Sanhedrin Assembly Hall, the Chamber of Hewn Stone, and part of the Holy Temple complex itself. These plans were drawn up by a top Israeli architectural firm hired by the Temple Institute.  The plans represent the first stage in the drawing up of comprehensive architectural plans for the entire Holy Temple complex.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Jimmy Carter calls on EU to label settlement goods
2) Netanyahu said to freeze ‘sensitive’ Jerusalem construction
3) Partition plan for Jerusalem
4) Fatah accepts Arab League land swap proposal
5) Fatah, Hamas agree to form unity government within 3 months
6) Revealed: Netanyahu’s secret talks with the Palestinians
7) Kerry to visit Israel, Palestinian territories next week
8) Blueprints revealed for the Third Jewish Temple

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Iran must take part in a proposed international conference to end Syria’s civil war but that Western states wanted to limit the participants and possibly predetermine the outcome of the talks. He said, “Among some of our Western colleagues, there is a desire to narrow the circle of external participants and begin the process from a very small group of countries in a framework which, in essence, would predetermine the negotiating teams, agenda, and maybe even the outcome of talks. One must not exclude a country like Iran from this process because of geopolitical preferences. It is a very important external player. But there is no agreement on this yet.”

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to prevent him from selling a supply of advanced Russian anti-air S-300 missile systems to Syria. Netanyahu told Putin that if the S-300 was sold to Syria that it was likely to cause a response by Israel which could send the region into war. The S-300 is designed to shoot down planes and missiles at 200-km ranges. They could be used to down Israeli Air Force planes trying to strike military targets in Syria and Lebanon. Putin is therefore placing a severe constraint on Israel’s operational freedom by spreading an anti-air missile cover over the Syrian, Hizballah and the Iranian Basij forces fighting for Bashar Assad. Russia is also trying to discourage Western military intervention in Syria.

In a move considered aggressive by US and European officials, Russia has sent at least 12 warships to patrol waters near its naval base in Tartous, Syria. Russia’s increased presence in the region represents one of its largest sustained naval deployments since the Cold War as it regarded as a “show of forece” and “muscle flexing.” Furthermore, Russian Navy Admiral Viktor Chirkov said that the process is underway for creating a permanent staff to run Russian fleet operations in the Mediterranean Sea. He said a staff of 20 officers was already in place. The Russian Mediterranean deployment would comprise five to six warships and their service vessels as well possibly as nuclear submarines which may be armed with nuclear ballistic missiles.

Russia sold advanced antiship cruise missiles to Syrian President Bashar Assad. These missiles are outfitted with an advanced guidance system that makes them more effective than the older version of the missile Russia sold to Syria. These missiles will allow Syria to thwart any attempt by international forces to reinforce Syrian rebels by imposing a naval embargo or no fly zone. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that arms deals with Syria do not violate international agreements.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Russia: Iran must participate in Syria conference
2) Russia staffs Mediterranean fleet. Turkey weighs payback for Syrian bombings
3) Report: Russia sends Assad ‘ship killing missile’
4) Russia sends at least 12 warships to Syria
5) Putin again warns Netanyahu hands off Syria
6) Netanyahu to Putin: ‘Your missile sales to Assad could trigger war’
7) Unmoved by Israel, Russia will send top air-defense system to Assad

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said that Iran does not recognize Israel as a state or the “red line” determined by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when he spoke before the United Nations in the fall of 2012. He said that Iran will continue to resist the demands of the international community to halt production of 20% enriched uranium, and insisted the Islamic Republic only wants to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, under the rights granted in the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ nuclear agency failed to persuade Iran to let it resume an investigation into suspected atomic bomb research leaving the issue in a deadlock. “We had intensive discussions today but did not finalize the structured approach document that has been under negotiation for a year and a half now,” IAEA Deputy Director General Herman Nackaerts said after the eight-hour meeting. “Our commitment to continue dialogue is unwavering. However, we must recognize that our best efforts have not been successful so far. So we will continue to try and complete this process. At some point, the director general of the IAEA will have to return to the Security Council and say: ‘I can go no further. There has been no response. You have to take further action.” Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told lawmakers in Washington. That could happen in June or in September, she said. No date has been set for future talks.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Jalili: Iran doesn’t recognize Israel’s ‘red line’
2) UN nuclear talks with Iran fail to end deadlock

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The current status of the situation with Syria
3) The current status of the situation with Iran

El Salvador became the last Central American country to establish diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited China in the past week and China gave their view on what a Israel / Palestinian peace agreement should entail. There are four basic points which include the following:

a)  A Palestinian state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel has a right to exist and their security concerns need to be addressed

b) Israel should quit building Jewish homes in the West Bank, lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip and release Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians should take place so that a peace agreement can be agreed upon.

c) A peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians should be based upon the principle of “land for peace” taking into consideration past UN Resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

d) The international community should provide certain guarantees for progress in the peace talks

The civil administration in the West Bank approved the construction of 296 new houses in the settlement of Beit El. The new homes planned for construction were part of a 2012 agreement according to which settlers peacefully left their homes at the Ulpana outpost — which an Israeli court determined were built on privately owned Palestinian land – in return for new homes to be rebuilt elsewhere.

The United States responded by saying that the Israel announcement to build new homes in Beit El were “counterproductive” and “Israelis must recognize that continued settlement activity is counterproductive to the cause of peace and that an independent Palestine must be viable with real borders that have to be drawn.”

In any event, Binyamin Netanyahu talked with Housing Minister Uri Ariel and asked him to halt promotion of new projects in Judea and Samaria including no longer putting up for bids tenders on new projects. This move meant that Netanyahu was essentially ordering another construction freeze. Last week, Housing Minister Ariel warned that his political party, Jewish Home, would not support the 2013 budget in the Knesset unless construction projects in West Bank settlements are fully funded. Ariel said: “I turned to the prime minister today and warned him that if the 2013 budget doesn’t include full funding for building projects in Judea and Samaria, including those decided upon in reaction to the Palestinians’ unilateral statehood bid at the United Nations this past November and additional projects, Jewish Home will consider its coalition agreement as having been violated, and it won’t support the budget unless a solution is found for the promised funds.” While neither Netanyahu nor Housing Minister Ariel immediately responded to the report, Jewish Home MK Ayelet Shaked said that “the Housing and Construction Ministry has prepared tenders that it is interested in issuing in the West Bank settlement blocs. They require the prime minister’s signature and for some reason that is not happening. It’s a shame, there are many housing units ready to be tendered.” Previously, Netanyahu promised U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that he would put a hold on construction in West Bank settlements until mid-June. However, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon said that “There will be no construction freeze in the Land of Israel. Not in Jerusalem and not in Judea and Samaria. We proved in the past that freezing construction does not advance peace, and therefore we will continue to build throughout the Land of Israel.”

Benjamin Netanyahu is for a national referendum on any peace agreement with the Palestinians. He is supported by the political party of Jewish Home led by Naftali Bennett. However, those opposed are the secular political party, Yesh Atid, headed by Yair Lapid, Israel our Home, led by Avigdor Liberman, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Labor leader, Shelly Yachimovich.

Regarding the peace talks, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told US Secretary of State, John Kerry that Israel would not agree, as a precondition for new talks, to declare the 1967 lines a basis for negotiations on the boundaries of a Palestinian state. Instead, she said that the border issue must be resolved through direct peace negotiations. Furthermore, Jewish Home leader, Naftali Bennett said: “when President Obama visited here I said that a nation cannot be an occupier in its own country, and I say now that a nation cannot be an occupier in its own capital. We are not occupying Jerusalem. Jerusalem is ours! Jerusalem belongs to my grandfather’s grandfather and to my grandson’s grandson. Neither I nor anyone else has the right to split it.  In Israel we have no debate on one issue: the unity of Jerusalem. There are no two Jerusalems, there is only one Jerusalem. As far as we’re concerned, Jerusalem is not subject to compromise and there will be no peace without Jerusalem.”

Meanwhile, Jibril Rajoub, deputy secretary general of Mahmood Abbas’s Fatah’s Central Committee said that “resistance in all of its forms” remains the strategy of his party against Israel, and defined the Jewish state as “the main enemy” of Arabs and Muslims. Rajoub noted that Fatah, too, was a revolutionary movement. ”If you ask me as a Palestinian, I say — our battle is with the Israeli occupation. Our main enemy, not [just] as Palestinians but as Arabs and Muslims, is Israel and the Israeli occupation.” He called on all Arabs to take part in “the liberation of Jerusalem.” In addition, Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi warned that nobody is allowed to cede “any part of Palestine.” Egyptian-born Qaradawi, who is a citizen of Qatar and close to the Muslim Brotherhood, was heading of a delegation of 50 clerics from 14 countries. He further said: “Palestine was never Jewish. Palestine is Arab and Muslim and will remain Arab and Muslim and Islam will prevail.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with special Middle East envoy Tony Blair in Rome. While in Rome, Kerry also met with Israeli Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni, and  Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. Kerry said that Jordan is an important partner in the efforts to renew peace talks. In order for the peace process to succeed,  Kerry said: “Israel needs guarantees for security. The Palestinians need guarantees for a contiguous state.” Kerry cautioned that talks to resume the stalled peace process should be kept private to give everyone the chance “to make tough judgments in their own appropriate space.”

Kerry has announced that he will return to the Middle East May 21 or 22 to meet again with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli Channel 2 Television said that Kerry will present a peace plan based on the principle of establishing a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with slight land-swap with certain security arrangements to the two sides. In commenting to this announcement, senior Palestinian negotiator, Mohamed Ishteyah, said that the Palestinian leadership is expecting to “officially receive the written ideas and proposals from Kerry and to will make a response” at that time.

During the annual celebration of Jerusalem day which celebrates the reunification of the city in 1967 under Israeli sovereignty, Israel limited the entrance of Muslim worshipers to the Temple Mount while allowing access to Jewish visitors. In protest, the Jordanian parliament’s lower house voted to call on the government to expel Israeli Ambassador Daniel Nevo and to recall Jordanian Ambassador to Israel. Historically, the Israeli government has restricted Jews from being on the Temple Mount. Recently, Likud Knesset Member Moshe Feiglin has been trying to change this seeking to affirm the Jewish rite to be on the Temple Mount. This effort has been getting the attention of the Israel Religious Services Ministry who is working on ways to allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount.

Finally, there is a strong secular / religious divide in Israel due to ultra-Orthodox Jews seeking to impose their religious views on the rest of the Jewish nation. The ultra-Orthodox have advocated a policy of separation between men and woman on Israeli buses. However, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni wants to change this. She said, “Back-of-the-bus seating for women on public transport in Israel will be outlawed soon. I instructed the Justice Ministry to draft legislation … that will make any segregation of women and their humiliation in a public space a criminal offense.” It will include the following mandates. Men and women may not be separated in ceremonies or events sponsored by the government or any of its ministries, in health clinics or on public transportation. Signs indicating separate sidewalks for men and women or calling for modest dress must be removed by local authorities, especially when posted in a public place. The ultra-Orthodox “Kol Barama” radio station will have to stop its policy of not employing female broadcasters within six months.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) El Salvador establishes diplomatic ties with PA
2) Chinese President makes four-point proposal for settlement of Palestinian question
3) Defense minister okays 296 homes in West Bank settlement
4) U.S.: Beit El Construction is ‘Counterproductive‘
5) Report: Netanyahu promised Kerry to put ‘hold’ on settlement construction
6) ‘PM orders freeze of W. Bank settlement tenders’
7) Lapid nixes Netanyahu-backed referendum on peace
8) Israel reportedly rejects 1967 lines ‘precondition’
9) Bennett: No One Has the Right to Split Jerusalem
10) Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood stages anti-Israel rally
11) Top PA official: Israel ‘is our main enemy, resistance is still our agenda’
12) Top Muslim cleric Qaradawi against ceding ‘any of Palestine’
13) Kerry Talks Peace with Tony Blair
14) Kerry: Jordan key player in Middle East peace process
15) Hagel: US-Arab relations benefit Israel
16) Kerry sees ‘short time’ to revive ME peace bid
17) Kerry, Abbas Discuss Peace Talks by Phone
18) Kerry to Return to Israel in Late May
19) Livni to end back-of-the-bus gender segregation
20) Jordanian parliament calls to expel Israeli envoy
21) Jerusalem: Haredim attack Women of the Wall
22) Ministry to arrange Jewish prayer on Temple Mount

Israel carried out an airstrike in Syria directed toward a shipment of advanced surface-to-surface missiles from Iran that Israel believed was intended for Hezbollah. Israel has repeatedly cautioned that it will not allow Hezbollah to receive “game changing” weapons that could threaten the Israeli heartland even if a new Syrian government takes power. According to US officials, the missiles were being stored in a warehouse at Damascus International Airport when they were struck. It was the second time in four months that Israel has carried out an attack in Syria intended to disrupt the pipeline of weapons that runs from there to Hezbollah. Shortly after the Israel attacks, the IDF posted additional Iron Dome anti-missile batteries in Haifa and Safed to defend those northern towns against potential incoming Syrian and Hizballah rockets.

Iran and Hezbollah have both backed President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, now in its third year. But as fighting in Syria escalates, they also have a powerful interest in expediting the delivery of advanced weapons to Hezbollah in case Assad loses his grip on power and Syria ceases to be an effective channel for funneling weapons from Iran. In a second day of airstrikes, Israel struck the Jamraya military research center just north of Damascus. Arab sources say that Israeli rockets also hit two 4th Division Republican Guard battalions. The 4th Division is the main Syrian military unit protecting Bashar Assad.

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said the Israeli airstrike on Syria represented a “declaration of war” by Israel. . He added Syria would respond in the manner and timing of its choosing. Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoabi said, “The Israeli enemy exhibited gross aggression against Syria and used missiles to bomb military facilities in violation of all international laws. This aggression opens a door to all options.  The Syrian government extended the authority of the army to respond to “Israeli aggression” immediately and without prior governmental authorization. The Syrian army has compiled a “target bank” inside Israel that will be showered by missiles immediately in case of another Israeli strike on Syria.

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that Syria will “give Hizbullah everything” in recognition of its support and will follow the terrorist group’s model of “resistance” against Israel. “We have decided that we must move forward towards them and turn into a nation of resistance like Hizbullah, for the sake of Syria and future generations.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry insisted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be removed from power and could play no role in a potential transitional government. Furthermore, US ambassador Robert Ford Ford met with the head of the Aleppo military council, Abdul Jabbar Okaidi, a member of the Syrian rebels who thanked him for US shipment of nonlethal aid.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Israel that Russia would not tolerate further Israeli attacks on Syria and would respond appropriately. Putin did not say how, but he did announce he had ordered the acceleration of highly advanced Russian weapons supplies to Syria. Putin has ordered the acceleration of highly advanced Russian weapons supplies to Syria. It is believed that Putin was referring to the  S-300 anti-air systems and the nuclear-capable 9K720 Iskander surface missiles, which are precise enough to hit a target within a 5-7 meter radius at a distance of 280 kilometers. Syrian air defense teams have already trained in Russia on the handling of the S-300 interceptor batteries so they can go into service as soon as they are landed by one of Russia’s daily airlifts to Syria. Russian air defense officials would supervise their deployment and prepare them for operation. The Russian response is not just for Israel’s air operations against Syria but in anticipation of the Obama administration’s impending decision to send the first US arms shipments to the Syrian rebels.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Israel Targeted Iranian Missiles in Syrian Attack
2) Israeli Air Force continues air strikes against Damascus
3) Syrian deputy FM: Israeli strike a ‘declaration of war’
4) Syria: Israeli attack equals declaration of war. Iron Domes at Haifa and Safed
5) Syrian minister: Alleged Israeli strike ‘opens up all options’
6) Syria vows to retaliate for any future Israeli attack
7) Assad: Syria Will ‘Give Hizbullah Everything’
8) Nasrallah: Syria to Supply ‘Game Changing Weapon’
9) President Bashar Assad must go, Kerry insists
10) Top U.S. Official Meets With Rebels Inside Syria
11) US to arm Syrian rebels
12) IDF on war alert, US set to act on Syria
13) US envoy Ford’s secret crossing into Syria

Israel is considering partnering with several Sunni-Muslim Arab states in a U.S.-brokered defense alliance that would be aimed at containing a nuclear Iran. The alliance would see Israel teaming up with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to forge a Middle East “moderate crescent” to “contain” Iran, rather than confront its nuclear program. The alliance would give Israel access to radar stations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in exchange for its own early warning radar information and anti-ballistic missile defense systems. Jordan would be protected by Israel’s Arrow long-range anti-missile batteries. The plan is being brokered by the United States.

Likud MK Tzachi Hanegbi said that Israel will come to a final decision over whether to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities must be approved no later than the beginning of 2014.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Israel ‘Opting to Contain’ Nuclear Iran?
2) Likud MK says Iran strike decision will come by early 2014

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The current status of the situation with Syria
3) The current status of the situation with Iran

In order to agree to restart direct peace talks with Israel, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has given the following demands:

1) Israel must present the Palestinians with a map for a Palestinian state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
2) Israel must stop building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
3) Israel must transfer parts of Area C in the West Bank which is under full Israeli control to the Palestinians.
4) Israel must agree to refrain from withholding in the future any monthly Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel
5) Israel must immediately release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails

However, Israel has refused to meet these preconditions saying that doing so would weaken its negotiation position. In any agreement with the Palestinians, Israel insists that it includes the following:

1) A demilitarized Palestinian state
2) A waive of the Palestinian right of return
3) PLO recognition of a Jewish state
4) The meeting of Israel’s security needs including military control over the Jordan Valley

US Secretary of State John Kerry has gained the consent of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to run peace negotiations on two tracks simultaneously – Israel and the Palestinians plus Israel and the the Arab League. Kerry says more work needs to be done before a starting date can be established but he hopes that talks can begin this summer. Kerry’s strategy is based upon issues which were communicated to him in talks with Netanyahu and Abbas. The 2002 Saudi peace plan which became known as the Arab peace initiative calls for total Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders in return for peace and normal relations with the Arab world. Netanyahu told Kerry that if this demand remained on the table that peace talks would quickly turn into a stalemate. Meanwhile, Abbas told Kerry that comprehensive Arab backing was imperative for him to consent to reenter peace talks with Israel.

As a result, Kerry invited a group of prominent Arab foreign ministers, heads of the Arab Peace Initiative follow-up committee, to visit the US to discuss the major issues standing in the way of an Arab peace deal with Israel. Among those present were Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim, chair of the Arab Peace Initiative follow-up committee, Arab League Chairman Nabil al-Arabi and Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki. After putting before them Netanyahu’s objections to the Arab peace intiative, Kerry was able to persuade the Arab ministers to accept President Barack Obama’s formulation, which provides for an Israeli return to the 1967 boundaries with “comparable and mutual agreed minor swaps of the land.”

Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said that the initiative reflected the Palestinian position in support of minor land swaps with Israel. PA Foreign Minister Riyad Malki, who was part of the Arab delegation that met with Kerry, was also quoted as saying that the proposal had been made in coordination with the Palestinians. Muhamed Shtayyeh, a PA negotiator and top Fatah representative, said that it was “premature” to talk about the idea of land swaps with Israel. Shtayyeh said that any land swaps should come as a result of negotiations with Israel. He said that any future land swaps should be equal in size and value. “For each centimeter we give, we should get a centimeter in return.” Shtayyeh expressed concern that Israel would interpret the Arab proposal as permission to annex settlement blocs in the West Bank. “This is a dangerous matter because we consider all settlements to be illegal and should be removed as an obstacle to peace. We want Israel to give. The Arabs are not required to give.  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expects that the United States would exercise pressure on Israel to accept resuming peace talks on the basis of pre-1967 border lines, with the slight exchange of land.

Hamas rejected a revised Middle East peace initiative put forward by the Arab League saying outsiders could not decide the fate of the Palestinians. Hamas leader Haniyeh said: “The so-called new Arab initiative is rejected by our people, by our nation and no one can accept it. The initiative contains numerous dangers to our people in the occupied land of 1967, 1948 and to our people in exile. To those who speak of land swaps we say: Palestine is not a property, it is not for sale, not for a swap and cannot be traded.” Two other Palestinian organizations,  the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine – two radical groups that are opposed to the peace process with Israel – also rejected the land trade idea.

Meanwhile, Israel objects to key elements of the Arab peace initiative which calls for Israel to return to the pre-1967 borders, the inclusion of East Jerusalem as the capital of a PLO state and the return of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel. The core issues that need to be settled in any peace agreement include borders, the fate of Palestinian refugees, the future of Jewish settlements on the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem.

Israel Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads peace negotiations with the Palestinians, called the Arab League announcement “very positive news”. She expressed hope that this change by the Arab League would help get the Palestinians to return to negotiations and send a message to the Israeli public that an agreement with the Palestinians would lead to normalization of ties with the entire Arab world. Livni met with US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in the United States following the Arab League announcement. Yitzhak Molcho, Netanyahu’s envoy on the peace process, accompanied Livni to her meeting with Kerry. Molcho has visited the United States “frequently” over the past few weeks. Molcho presented Kerry with Netanyahu’s objections to the Arab League plan, including fears that the US would adopt its language stipulating only minor land swaps that don’t include the settlement blocs.

Netanyahu said he is “eager” to sign a peace deal, but noted that any agreement would need to ensure Israeli security and that the Palestinians recognize the Jewish state. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict didn’t start in 1967 nor with the construction of the first settlements. The purpose of the future agreement with the Palestinians is to prevent the eventuality of a binational state and to guarantee stability and security. The root of the conflict is the Palestinians’ refusal to recognize the Jews’ right to a country. Israel, while perfectly willing to sit down to talks, “has to make sure that, at the end of the negotiations, it will be clear it is the end of the conflict and Palestinian demands, and that there is recognition for our nation state. It’s not about a Palestinian state, it’s about a Jewish state. Netanyahu added that only the Israeli army can provide Israel with the security it needs in any peace agreement. An international peacekeeping force in not acceptable as ”a peace agreement doesn’t necessarily bring security.” Finally, Netanyahu said that in any peace agreement with the Palestinians, Israelis would have a chance to voice their opinions of it in a national referendum.

PA Foreign Minister Riyad Malki announced that the Palestinian Authority has pledged to the US that it would freeze its efforts to join United Nations agencies or turn to the International Criminal Court until June 4. Malki said that the promise was made to US Secretary of State John Kerry as a “gesture” on the part of the Palestinians “and in order to prove our true intentions to give a bigger chance to the peace process.” Malki said that the PA decision was aimed at “proving our good intentions and belief in making relentless efforts to achieve peace with Israel on the basis of a two-state solution.”

Finally, Israel Knesset member Moshe Feiglin said that he would not be voting with his own Likud party as a way of protesting Netanyahu from preventing him from being on the Temple Mount.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Kerry’s plans double peace track: Israel vs Palestinians and vs Arab League
2) Arab states: Flexible on 1967 lines in Kerry parley
3) PA officials split over Arab League’s proposal
4) Hamas rebuffs Arabs for softening Israeli-Palestinian peace-plan
5) PA to halt ICC plans against Israel as peace gesture
6) PA Sets a New Ultimatum – Back in the UN on June 3rd
7) Abbas expects U.S. pressure on Israel to resume peace talks
8) Livni, Kerry meet in bid to renew peace talks
9) Livni optimistic after talking peace with Kerry
10) Livni on Arab initiative: They realized border must change
11) Knesset, PM to hold parley on Arab League proposal
12) Israel will not talk on basis of 1967 lines: minister
13) Netanyahu calls for peace deal to avert binational state
14) Netanyahu: Conflict is Over Israel’s Existence, Not Land
15) PM: Referendum Before Any Deal With the PA
16) Israel and Palestinians closing in on resumed peace talks
17) Feiglin suspends himself from coalition over Temple Mt. ban

In response to reports that the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad has used chemical weapons against the government opposition in Syria’s civil war, the US military is preparing for the possibility of an aerial or sea missile attack on Syrian chemical weapons sites. A Senior US administration official said that “there is intensified planning in the works.” The US is discussing possibly using ground troops to secure the Syrian chemical weapons sites. However, a missile strike on Syria is far more likely that the US using any ground troops in the conflict. What makes any military task challenging is that Syrian chemical stockpiles are constantly being moved around the country to avoid being located. US President Barack Obama has not asked for any strike options yet but the US Pentagon is preparing all military options in case they are needed. Recently, Egyptian and Iranian government officials had meetings to discuss the growing concern that the US may choose to conduct a military option against Syria. A senior Egyptian diplomat said, “There are serious moves being made by the US that imply an imminent strike on Damascus.”

In addition, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said that the US is rethinking its opposition to arming the Syrian rebels. However, giving weapons to the forces fighting President Bashar Assad was only one option being considered by the United States to remove Assad from power. In potentially arming the Syrian rebels, Hagel cautioned that it carries the risk of arms finding their way into the hands of anti-American extremists among the insurgents, such as the Nusra Front.  Hagel said: “You look at and rethink all options. It doesn’t mean you do or you will” choose them.

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) US rethinking opposition to arming Syria rebels
2) ‘US mulls way to hit Syria chemical weapons sites’

According to the Wall Street Journal, the US has upgraded its biggest bunker buster bomb specifically to enable the destruction of Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment plant near the city of Qom. US officials have shown video footage to Israel of an earlier version of the bunker buster in action and explained the advanced features which have been added. The bunker buster, known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), is 30,000 pounds and has been improved with “adjusted fuses to maximize its burrowing power, upgraded guidance systems to improve its precision and high-tech equipment intended to allow it to evade Iranian air defenses in order to reach and destroy the Fordow nuclear enrichment complex.”

The US believes that by showing Israel its upgraded bunker buster bomb that it will convince Israel that the US will indeed prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) ‘US upgrades bomb to thwart Israel strike on Iran’

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) The current status of the situation with Syria
3) The current status of the situation with Iran

In order to agree to restart direct peace talks with Israel, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has given the following demands:

1) Israel must present the Palestinians with a map for a Palestinian state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
2) Israel must stop building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
3) Israel must transfer parts of Area C in the West Bank which is under full Israeli control to the Palestinians.
4) Israel must agree to refrain from withholding in the future any monthly Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel
5) Israel must immediately release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails

However, Israel has refused to meet these preconditions saying that doing so would weaken its negotiation position. In any agreement with the Palestinians, Israel insists that it includes the following:

1) A demilitarized Palestinian state
2) A waive of the Palestinian right of return
3) PLO recognition of a Jewish state
4) The meeting of Israel’s security needs including military control over the Jordan Valley

In an effort to improve Palestinian economic conditions in the West Bank to create an environment in which Israel and the Palestinians would agree to renew direct peace talks, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has gotten approval in principle from Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmod Abbas to a multi-billion dollar economic plan that would bring international businesses and major infrastructure projects to the West Bank including investments in high-tech, transportation, tourism, telecommunications and major infrastructure projects in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. However, Netanyahu is reportedly against aspects of the plan that would require Israel to release Area C land (currently under full Israeli control), such as a proposed tourist center in the Dead Sea, to the Palestinian Authority. Other proposals nixed by Netanyahu include exploitation of natural gas fields off the coast of Gaza, and the opening of an international airport controlled by the Palestinians. Kerry has tried to assure the Palestinians that the economic projects would not come at the expense of diplomatic issues, like determining final borders for a Palestinian state.

Furthermore, unidentified sources in the United States said that the Obama administration  is planning a Middle East summit in Washington in June to push the Israeli-Palestinian peace process forward.  U.S. President Barack Obama will preside over the meeting in which Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah will participate. These sources told an Israeli newspaper that it is possible Egyptian and Turkish leaders will be invited, as well as leaders of other Arab countries. However, the Obama administration did not confirm this report. Neither has Israel or the Palestinians.

According to a recent poll taken in Israel, 80 percent of Israelis support the idea of Israeli sovereignty over all or part of the West Bank. 33% support full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. In order for this to become a reality, Israel would have to annex all or part of the West Bank.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Kerry pushes economic plan for peace
2) U.S. said to be planning Mideast peace summit
3) Large Majority Favor Sovereignty in West Bank

Israel’s top military intelligence official, Brig. Gen. Itai Brun, said that Syria President Bashar Assad’s regime has used chemical weapons multiple times against the Syrian rebels. In response to this claim, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the Obama administration has “not come to that conclusion,” that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons. Carney said that the claim needs to be investigated and verified. He reiterated Obama’s stance that use or transfer of chemical weapons remains “unacceptable.” Carney added, ‘If the claims are verified, I cannot say what action the US will take. what action will we take. That’s speculating and I won’t be doing that.” Syria has rejected a request by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to allow inspectors into the country to investigate the claims that Syria is using chemical weapons. Last month, US President Barack Obama said that Syrian used of chemical weapons would be a “game changer.” US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that chemical weapon use by Syria would cross a “red line” and that the US had contingency plans to deal with it. Hagel admitted that Syria has likely used chemical weapons on a “small scale” against the opposition. The US believes that Syria has used the chemical agent, Sarin. Hagel added that the use of chemical weapons “violates every convention of warfare.” US Secretary of State John Kerry said NATO must consider its role in the Syrian conflict, including how it will respond to any potential use of chemical weapons.

Meanwhile, British and French diplomats told the United Nations that there is evidence based upon soil samples and eyewitness accounts that Syria’s government forces used chemical weapons in several areas around the cities of Homs, Aleppo and even Damascus.

Israel Deputy Foreign Minister, Zev Elkin, said that the way the US responds to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons will send a signal to Iran, regarding its nuclear program. Elkin added that if the U.S. does not act to destroy chemical weapons in Syria, it will signal a reluctance to take action in Iran as well. Elkin said, “If the US doesn’t act on something they defined as a ‘red line’ then the Iranians will learn that the red lines the West sets are very flexible, and will continue their nuclear program. However, if the United States and the international community are able to take action and to take control of the chemical weapons reserves in Syria, the concerns over its use will not be relevant. It could be that as soon as the international community understands that red lines have been crossed, it will realize that there is no choice but to take action.”

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Israel official: Syria has used chemical weapons
2) Evidence exists that Syria used chemical weapons, Britain and France tell U.N.
3) West has ‘hard evidence’ of Syria chemical weapons: envoy
4) Kerry: NATO Needs Plan for Chemical Weapons in Syria
5) US, Britain now believe Assad used chemical weapons
6) Elkin: Iran Watching U.S. Response on Syria

The US and Israel have agreed to a $10 billion dollar weapons deal. US Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, said that the US is selling Israel a set of advanced new military capabilities … including anti-radiation missiles and advanced radars for fighter jets, KC135 refueling aircraft, and most significantly the V-22 Osprey. However, the US did not sell Israel any Bunker-Buster bombs that Israel would need if it attacked Iran’s deepest and best-protected nuclear sites without the support of the US. What Israel wants most from the US is a giant bunker-busting bomb designed to penetrate earth and reinforced concrete to destroy deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites. According to both American and Israeli analysts, it is the only weapon that would have a chance of destroying the Iranian nuclear fuel enrichment center at Fordo, which is buried more than 200 feet under a mountain outside the holy city of Qum.

The weapon, called a Massive Ordnance Penetrator, weighs about 30,000 pounds — so much that Israel does not have any aircraft capable of carrying it. To do so, Israel would need a B-2 bomber, the stealth aircraft that the United States flew nonstop recently from Missouri to the Korean Peninsula to underscore to North Korea that it could reach its nuclear sites. The Obama administration has been reluctant to even discuss selling such capability to the Israelis.

In public, the US is saying that Israel had the right to decide by itself if it needs to attack Iran to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. However, a close adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the fundamental difference of views on how much risk we can take with Iran is re-emerging.”

Former Israel Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin said Iran has crossed the nuclear red line set by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in a speech the United Nations last fall. Yadlin further said, “If Iran continues to enrich uranium at its current rate, toward the end of this year it will cross the red line in a clear manner.” Netanyahu has defined Israel’s red line regarding Iran as the possession of 250 kg. of uranium enriched to the 20 percent level, known as medium-enriched uranium.“By the summer, Iran will be a month or two away from a decision about building a bomb,” Yadlin said adding that the decision whether to advance beyond that will be made after Iran’s presidential elections in June. Once Iran amasses sufficient enriched uranium, “it will be very hard to stop,” Yadlin said. “If the US, Iran and Israel all stand behind their announcements, then we are on a collision course toward the end of the year.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that more patience is needed before tougher sanctions are imposed over Iran’s nuclear ambitions saying that there is uncertainty in Iran two months before its June 14 election. Kerry said, “I do think timing and the choice of when we might do something is critical. We need to cooperate together on that,” he said, adding that President Barack Obama’s administration is monitoring the situation closely and working with US allies in the region including Israel. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that economic sanctions and diplomacy must be exhausted before the United States and Israel contemplate any military action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser and Israel’s next ambassador to Washington, told a group of American Jewish leaders that the time for action against Iran’s capacity to build a bomb – which he termed an existential threat to Israel – must be counted in months.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Israel, US finalize $10 billion arms deal
2) No Bunker-Buster Bomb in Israel’s Weapons Deal With U.S.
3) Yadlin: Iranian nuclear program crossed ‘red line’
4) Kerry asks for patience on U.S. Iran sanctions before election
5) Hagel says Iran sanctions need to be exhausted first
6) Tehran and Assad slide past US and Israeli red lines – nuclear and chemical

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

The most recent update was made on Tuesday, April 16. It is the posted update for April 13. It is 31 minutes. There has been no new information to report on the peace process from April 16. As a result, the update for this week (April 20) is the April 13 update posted on April 16. If you have not had a chance to listen to the April 13 update (because it was posted on April 16) then this update covers the most current situation with the peace process. I am also in Asia. I will return to the USA on April 23.

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

Uploaded. This week’s update is 31 minutes.

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process

US President Barack Obama visited the Middle East in March discussing with Israel and the Palestinians ways to restart peace talks between them. In his visit, Obama expressed his desire to see a “performance-based progression” in the talks — with measurable change on the ground as the criterion for gradual steps toward a “broad agreement. The United States is exploring the possibility of restarting Israel / Palestinian peace talks based upon the 2002 Arab peace initiative. The 2002 Arab peace proposal was discussed between the US and Palestinian negotiators when a Palestinian delegation met with the Obama administration two weeks prior to Obama’s March visit to the Middle East. In these meetings, Obama made it clear to them that this would be the new direction for US diplomacy in the region. As a result, when Obama visited the Middle East in March, he raised the possibility to both Israel and the Palestinians that the 2002 Arab peace initiative be the framework for an eventual peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

In order to accomplish this objective, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has made several trips to the Middle East in the past few weeks to try to find the right formula to restart direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. While in Israel, Kerry had meetings with Justice Minister Tzipi Livni — the new ministerial overseer of Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts — along with Netanyahu’s National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror and his key negotiator, lawyer Yitzhak Molcho. Livni described Kerry’s efforts as being “very determined, very energetic and very committed to the two-state solution.” Livni expressed her views that a peace agreement with the Palestinians is the “only way to protect Zionism”.

The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which also has been referred to as the “Saudi peace plan,” was first proposed in March 2002 at a meeting of the Arab League. It stipulated that Israel withdraw from areas occupied in the 1967 Middle East War – namely the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip – and allow the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. In return, Arab nations would pledge to adopt normal relations with Israel. However, there are currently several major obstacles for both sides to accept the plan. Israel objects to some details of the plan and the Palestinians are refusing to change any aspect of it. Kerry has proposed two small changes to the plan to make it more acceptable to Israel. First, the pre-1967 borders could be modified through mutual agreement. Secondly, provide Israel with stronger security guarantees. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the 2002 Arab peace proposal could not be changed.

While being in the area, Kerry also met with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. A senior Palestinians official said that talks with Kerry initiated a US effort of a genuine intervention in the peace process and that the US will, by the end of May, present a plan of action to the two sides for the next political steps.” Jordan is willing to host any future peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. A Jordanian official said that a four-way summit between the US, Israel, the Palestinians and Jordan is being planned in May to restart peace talks.

In seeking this objective, Kerry has asked both Israel and the Palestinians to refrain from doing things which would harm the process. In this regard, Kerry has persuaded Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas from taking possible unilateral actions against Israel at the United Nations until the end of May. The Palestinians have threatened to take Israel to the International Criminal Court unless they discontinue building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

For its part, Israel has also agreed to not announce any new settlement construction projects until the end of May. Furthermore, Israel agreed to transfer to the Palestinians tax funds that it receives on a monthly basis. Israel has not transferred to the Palestinians any tax funds since November when the Palestinians sought recognition for a Palestinian state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and to upgrade their status at the UN General Assembly from being an observer to a non-member state. In addition, the US unblocked almost $500 million in foreign aid to the Palestinians which had been frozen in the US Congress for months.

However, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has presented Kerry which is list of Palestinian conditions in order to resume talks. They include the following:

1) Israel must present the Palestinians with a map for a Palestinian state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
2) Israel must stop building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
3) Israel must transfer parts of Area C in the West Bank which is under full Israeli control to the Palestinians.
4) Israel must agree to refrain from withholding in the future any monthly Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel
5) Israel must immediately release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails

However, Israel has refused to meet these preconditions saying that doing so would weaken its negotiation position. In any agreement with the Palestinians, Israel insists that it includes the following:

1) A demilitarized Palestinian state
2) A waive of the Palestinian right of return
3) PLO recognition of a Jewish state
4) The meeting of Israel’s security needs including military control over the Jordan Valley

In any event, US Secretary of State, John Kerry announced that the United States plans to reveal a new economic initiative intended to improve life for the Palestinians. In doing so, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to promote Palestinian economic development, remove barriers to commerce and increase business expansion and private sector investment in the West Bank. Speaking of Kerry’s efforts, Netanyahu said, “We welcome any initiatives that you and others may suggest. I am determined not only to resume the peace process with the Palestinians but to make a serious effort to end this conflict once and for all. However, any peace proposal must recognize Israel as a Jewish state and meet Israel’s security needs. The Palestinians said that any economic agreements alone will not cause them alone to restart peace talks with Israel. In response, Kerry said that the United States wants to make it clear that whatever steps we take with respect to economics are in no way a substitute, but they are in addition to the political track. The political track is first and foremost; other things may happen to supplement it.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended an Arab League summit in Qatar where he appealed to the Arab League to protest to the UN and the international community to “stop Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank, with an emphasis on East Jerusalem.” A delegation representing the Arab League is scheduled to arrive in the United States in the coming weeks to discuss ideas for renewing peace talks based upon two chief principles: A predetermined timetable for talks and operational decisions for ending the occupation and facilitating the establishment of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders, with a capital in East Jerusalem.

Chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat said the Palestinians would wait be willing to wait for as long as two more months to see if the Obama administration can come up with a formula to restart peace talks. If the deadlock persists, he insisted that the Palestinians will move ahead with further international recognition in various UN organizations. The Palestinians have 63 international agencies we can join,” he said.

Finally, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas signed an agreement confirming their “common goal to defending” Jerusalem and their opposition to efforts to “Judaize” the eternal capital of Israel. Palestinian Authority Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud al-Habash said the agreement confirmed Jordan’s role as protector of the city’s holy sites and “Palestinian sovereignty over all of Palestine, including its capital East Jerusalem.”  In this historic agreement, Abbas reiterated that King Abdullah is the custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem and that he has the right to exert all legal efforts to preserve them, especially the Al-Aqsa mosque. The agreement also stated that “Jerusalem is currently facing major challenges and attempts to change its Arab, Muslim and Christian identity.”

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Obama, Kerry dust off old Arab peace proposal in push to resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict
2) Kerry visit revives possibility of Arab peace plan
3) Obama assigns Kerry to prod sides back to the path of peace
4) Livni: Obama reminded us of imperative for peace deal
5) Kerry meets Netanyahu in bid to get peace talks restarted
6) Kerry’s Offer: You Release Terrorists, They’ll Renew Talks
7) Abbas ‘to suspend unilateral action against Israel’
8.) Palestinian aide: Abbas demands two-state map from Netanyahu
9) Palestinians cool to partial settlement freeze
10) Top Palestinian official: Partial Israeli settlement freeze not enough for resuming talks
11) PA: Key to resuming peace talks in Israel’s hands
12) Netanyahu Allows Transfer of PA Funds
13) U.S. Quietly Unblocks Financial Aid to PA
14) Kerry in another bid to get Israel, PA to talk
15) Jerusalem won’t hand Kerry list of concessions
16) Israeli source: There will be no gestures towards Palestinians
17) Officials say ‘no thanks’ to Kerry plan to jump-start talks
18) Kerry visit: Israel does not foresee breakthrough
19) Kerry tries to woo Abbas with land-for-talks deal
20) Kerry to unveil new PA economic initiative
21) Kerry’s economic offer alone won’t bring new talks, Palestinians say
22) PA Official: Kerry Will Present ‘Plan of Action’ in Two Months
23) US peace initiative coming ‘in the next two months’
25) Kerry talks mark start of US peace drive: Palestinians
26) Report: US promoting peace summit in Jordan
27) US reportedly suggests Israeli-Palestinian summit in May
28) Palestinians: We reserve right to turn to The Hague if peace talks with Israel fail
29) PA Threatens Appeal to Hague over Israeli Homes
30) PA, Jordan Ink Deal to ‘Defend’ Jerusalem Against ‘Judaization’

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

TO FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER. CLICK HERE.

Uploaded. This week’s update is 33 minutes.

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) Obama’s visit to Israel as it relates to the current status of the Israel / PLO peace process

In December, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the Arab League that he was in favor of a mechanism that would restart direct peace negotiations with Israel which would include an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders, a freeze on building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and a release of  Palestinians from Israeli jails. He also said that the Palestinians don’t accept the presence of the Israeli army in the Jordan Valley. Furthermore, he said that peace talks should be based upon the 2002 Saudi peace initiative with a six-month timetable to agree on the details of any peace agreement.

In January, an Israeli newspaper reported that following Israeli elections and the formation of a new coalition government that Britain and France with the support of Germany would present a peace initiative which would include provision for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The possible proposal suggests that negotiations be based on pre-1967 borders with possible land swaps and push for all core issues to be resolved by the end of 2013. It would also demand a freeze on building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. An Israeli official said that if the Palestinians accept the proposal that Israel would be backed into a corner. The President of France said that France will promote a new Israeli / Palestinian peace plan in March and that he sees 2013 as the year when the Middle East peace process will be brought to a conclusion.

This past week, former Israeli minister,  Yossi Beilin said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently asked European leaders not to publish a peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians at the present time because the United States is planning to lead with its own plan.  According to a report in an Israel newspaper, Kerry will be in Israel in the next week to try to kick start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians using the 2002 Saudi Peace initiative as the starting point of future talks. According to that plan, Arab nations would recognize and make peace with Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders, an agreed solution to the Palestinian refugee issue and acceptance of the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

Retired Brig. General Michael Herzog, a former Israel army intelligence officer who is an international fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that the United States is trying a new strategy to bring peace to the region. “They’re not opening with a high-profile launching of some new initiative. President Obama is not himself the face of the initiative. There are lowering expectations. Most of the work will be conducted behind the scenes. The emphasis is on a lot of preparatory meetings and stage setting leading to both bilateral and regional talks.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his new government was extending its hand in peace to the Palestinians, declaring that he was ready to make a “historic compromise” if they return to the negotiating table with good will. At a press conference with President Barack Obama, Netanyahu said: “Israel is “fully committed” to resolving the decades-long conflict with the Arabs with a solution which involves two states for two peoples.” He went on to say that President Obama’s visit to Israel presented “an opportunity to try and find a way to advance peace” with the Palestinians. He also said: “I hope that Obama’s visit along with the visit of Secretary of State Kerry will help us turn a page in our relations with the Palestinians.” If Israel and the Palestinians were able to agree on terms of a peace deal, Labor leader, Shelly Yachimovich promised to support a peace agreement. She told Netanyahu: “If Israel ever gets to even an interim agreement with the Palestinians … I promise you, what I said to you face-to-face that Labor will join your government in order to support a peace agreement.”

In speaking with the Palestinians, President Barack Obama said that he does not support preconditions for restarting direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. This is a reversal from the policy of his first administration. Obama said that Palestinians could not expect an Israeli settlement freeze ahead of restarting direct peace talks saying that Israeli politics were “complex” and that this is “not an issue that will be solved overnight.” He further said that if issues were made into preconditions to negotiations, he said, there was “no point in negotiations.” In speaking about preconditions, Obama was mainly referring to Palestinian insistence that Israel freeze building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in order to restart peace negotiations.  Obama said: “If we solve the issue of sovereignty for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis – the issue of settlements will be solved too.

Even so, Obama said that he told Netanyahu that  it is US policy to regard settlement activity as being not constructive, appropriate or advancing the cause of peace. Obama told Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas that the United States is committed to seeking a two-state solution. The United States desires an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel so that the two sides enjoy prosperity and peace and the only way to achieve this goal is through direct negotiations. Nevertheless, Obama stressed to Israel that it must make peace with the Palestinians if it is to ensure its survival and long-term viability as a homeland for the Jewish people. Furthermore, Israeli occupation of areas that the Palestinians claim for their state must end, Obama said.  However, Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with anyone who is dedicated to its destruction. Direct negotiations will be necessary to achieve peace. But, there is no secret where they must lead — two states for two peoples. There will be differences about how to get there, and hard choices along the way. Arab States must adapt to a world that has changed. Now is the time for the Arab World to take steps toward normalized relations with Israel. At the same time, Palestinians must recognize that Israel will be a Jewish state and that Israelis have the right to insist upon their security. Israelis must recognize that continued settlement activity is counterproductive to the cause of peace, and that an independent Palestine must be viable– that real borders will have to be drawn. I’ve suggested principles on territory and security that I believe can be the basis for talks.

Regarding Obama’s views on the peace process, the leader of Jewish Home, Naftali Bennett, whose party opposes a Palestinian state said that  ”there is no occupation within one’s own land.” In Netanyahu’s new government, Jewish Home Knesset member, Uri Ariel, is the Israeli minister for Construction and Housing. He said that “there is no room for freezing” construction in the West Bank. Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home), leader Avigdor Lieberman said he does not believe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be solved and rejected any possible freeze in settlement construction. He further said: “Those who talk about solving the Palestinian problem must be deluding themselves. This conflict cannot be solved. Instead, it should be managed.

Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas presented US President Barack Obama with two principles he said must be included in any formula that will allow the resumption of peace talks. First, a freeze in building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and secondly, the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Regarding the issue of settlements, Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas told Obama that it is not only the Palestinian position but that the world considers the settlements as illegal saying, “Everybody considers the settlements as an obstacle to the two-state solution. The United Nations Security Council has issued more than 13 resolutions that not only condemn the settlements but demand ending and removing them. As a result, the Palestinians will demand nothing less than the implementation of international law. Regarding the recognition of Israel, Abbas said, “The Palestinians continue to recognize Israel according to the 2003 Road Map and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”

Chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat said that being able to restart direct peace talks will require a deeper and long-standing effort by President Obama and his new secretary of state, John Kerry. He said, “We really hope that President Obama and Secretary Kerry can succeed in reviving a meaningful peace process, succeed in having Netanyahu saying the sentence that he accepts the two states in the 1967 borders. We don’t need a new peace plan. We need commitment.”

Meanwhile, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said that he doesn’t see a great chance for a breakthrough in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. He said, “To have a meaningful Palestinian-Israeli agreement, the Arab world has to be prepared to guarantee and accept it. The Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt is not ready to accept genuine coexistence with Israel.”

Finally, US Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel plans to visit Israel in April.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Abbas offers 6-month talks with settlement freeze
2) Britain and France ‘spearheading new Middle East peace plan’
3) France: New Peace Initiative after Elections
4) Beilin: Kerry Confirmed Obama Peace Plan
5) Introducing the Kerry Initiative: a secret, new Mideast peace plan
6) Kerry expected to revive 2002 Saudi peace initiative
7) PM says new government will pursue deal with Palestinians
8.) Netanyahu Indicates Commitment to ‘Two-State Solution’
9) Reversing policy of first term, Obama says no preconditions to talks
10) Details of Obama’s Visit to Israel
11) Obama in J’lem: You are not alone, but ‘occupation must end’
12) Bennett on Obama’s speech: No occupation in our own land
13) PA to Obama: Complete settlement freeze essential
14) Abbas to Obama: Israel talks only in exchange for settlement freeze, release of prisoners
15) Incoming Housing Minister: ‘No Room’ for Construction Freezes
16) Lieberman says will oppose settlement freeze
17) Lieberman: Peace won’t progress in next 4 years
18) Kissinger: Little chance of breakthrough in peace talks
19) US defense chief Hagel to visit Israel in April

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

TO FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER. CLICK HERE.

Uploaded. This week’s update is 36 minutes.

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of Netanyahu’s efforts to form a new government coalition
2) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process

On March 2, Netanyahu was granted a two week extension to form a government. His deadline to form a government was March 16.  An agreement to establish a government was made on March 15.

Initially, the centrist secular party, Yesh Atid, headed by Yair Lapid wanted to head the office of Foreign ministry. The current Israel Foreign Minister is Avigdor Lieberman. In December, Lieberman was accused of illegal activities. He has not been criminally charged. In the January 22 Israeli elections, Likud ran on a joint-party list with Israel Beitenu. As part of their agreement, Netanyahu promised Lieberman that if he was cleared of the charges against him that he would remain as Foreign Minister. Netanyahu promised Lieberman to hold the cabinet position pending the outcome of the investigation. Therefore, Netanyahu refused to offer this position to Yesh Atid.

At the beginning of this week’s negotiations, there was a deadlock between Likud negotiators, the party of Benjamin Netanyahu, and the centrist secular party of Yesh Atid (There is a Future) headed by Yair Lapid and the modern Orthodox nationalistic party of Jewish Home headed by Naftali Bennett over the issue of who would be in control of the Interior, Finance and Education ministries. Initially, Yesh Atid wanted to head the Interior and Education ministries. Jewish Home wanted the Finance ministry. However, Netanyahu wanted to retain both the Interior and Education Ministry for his Likud party.

In response to the high demands of Yesh Atid to be included in the government, Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying that he would conduct negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, to have them join the government instead. However, even if the ultra-Orthodox parties did decide to join the government, Netanyahu would still need the Labor party of Shelly Yacimovich to join the coalition if Netanyahu wanted to form a government. In the past several weeks, the Labor party has been adamant that they will not join Netanyahu’s government. Responding to Likud’s threat to negotiate with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Jewish Home leader, Naftali Bennett wrote on his Facebook page: “My friends from Likud. Forget about it. It won’t work like this. There are gaps. We have to talk and compromise. All of us. Until a government is established. There is a country we need to worry about.”

In further negotiations between the parties, a compromise was reached whereby if Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid, would give up the Interior ministry that Likud would agree that they could have the Education ministry. Rabbi Shay Piron of Yesh Atid would head the Education ministry. Yair Lapid will become the Finance minister. One of the major campaign issues for both Yesh Atid and Jewish Home was the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military. A formula was found to resolve the matter. During the elections, Yesh Atid called for the number of government officials serving in the Israeli cabinet to be reduced from 30 to 18. Yesh Atid agreed with the final number being 21 or 22. The parties also agreed to raise the threshold for Knesset representation from the current 2% to 4% for the next election. The new threshold would mean that in the next elections,  no party with have fewer than 5 Knesset members. Of the current parties, three Arab parties – Hadash, Ra’am Ta’al, Balad would not meet the minimum requirement along with the Jewish party, Kadima headed by Shaul Mofaz. Further reforms in the government include needing a majority of 65  Knesset member in the next election to topple the government instead of the present majority of 61.

The new government coalition agreement was signed by Yesh Atid and Jewish Home on March 15. In forming the new government, Netanyahu made the following statement: “The new government will work together in full cooperation for the benefit of the entire Israeli public. We will act to strengthen the state of Israel’s security and to improve the quality of life of its citizens.”

Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett released his own statement regarding the new government agreement saying: “With God’s help, we signed it. The 33rd Israeli government is ready to go! I encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu and all of us Cabinet ministers to remember that we are representatives of the entire Israeli public. We promised during elections to take care of the cost of living, to increase competition in the marketplace and to restore to the state its Jewish soul, and now we’ve got the tools to do it.”

One of the major issues for Netanyahu to be able to form a government was the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israel military. The ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, wanted to maintain the status quo. Because of the differences in opinion over the matter, it was not possible for Yesh Atid and Jewish Home to be in the same government with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism. In their election campaign’s, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home insisted that ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students serve in the Israeli military.  Yesh Atid wanted to place more stricter requirements upon the ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students than Jewish Home. A compromise was worked out between Yesh Atid and Jewish Home on the issue. A ministerial committee headed by Yesh Atid will submit a bill within 45 days that will ultimately draft ultra-Orthoodox Yeshiva students into the Israel military.  As a result, the outline of the coalition agreement is as follows:

The drafting of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military will begin at age 21, instead of age 18 – giving students an automatic deferment of three years. At that point, they will have to serve two years. Those who do not enlist will not face criminal charges but will be prohibited from leaving the country and won’t be eligible for welfare and tax benefits (including social security payments for large families), among other penalties. In addition, religious educational institutions that encourage their students to dodge the draft, like some ultra-Orthodox yeshivas, will face a “significant” reduction in funding from the state. The number of students who will be exempted for Torah study will be 1,800, far more than the 400 Lapid had suggested. The plan will take effect only in 2017 and students who are beyond enlistment age up until that time will not be “grandfathered” into the arrangement. The new government will also implement economic measures aimed at encouraging the ultra-Orthodox to join the workforce.

The ultra-Orthodox parties claimed that the new proposed laws to draft ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military were meant to be an attack against Torah and Judaism. As a result, the new government coalition agreement will read “the State of Israel recognizes the importance and centrality of Torah study as a central value of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”

The coalition agreement will also require that the so-called “core subjects,” including math, science and English, will be taught in all Israeli schools within two-and-a-half years. Finally, the coalition agreement will call for the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians and increasing financial support to Holocaust survivors.

Some of the key government position agreed upon by the parties include the following:

Avigdor Lieberman – Foreign Minister
Yair Lapid – Finance Minister
Rabbi Shai Piron – Minister of Education
Naftali Bennett – Minister of Economics and Trade, the Diaspora and Jerusalem
Uri Ariel – Housing and Construction Minister along with Israel Lands Administration
Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan – Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs
Tzipi Livni – Justice Minister in charge of peace talks with the Palestinians.

The ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, have had a monopoly over Jewish religious affairs in Israel in the history of the modern nation. By not being in the government and by not being able to control the ministries which operate and control religious issues, this is a HUGE event that will shape the future course of the country and its prophetic future.

The coalition will comprise four parties: Likud-Beytenu (31 seats), Yesh Atid (19), Jewish Home (12) and Hatnua (6), for a total of 68 members in the 120-seat Knesset.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Yesh Atid threatens Netanyahu: Education Ministry or no deal
2) Negotiating Teams Meet to Finalize Coalition Agreement
3) Lapid, Bennett’s Vice Premier titles stall coalition
4) Yesh Atid, Likud reach possible compromise
5) Compromise reached toward final coalition deal
6) Israel’s next government agreed: 4 parties, 68 members
7) Likud signs deals with Lapid, Bennett
8.) Jewish Home, Yesh Atid ink coalition deal with Likud-Beytenu
9) Bayit Yehudi Presents: The ‘New Deal’ on Yeshiva Student Drafts
10) Coalition deal: Fewer benefits for haredim, draft reform
11) Coalition Agreement: Up Knesset Threshold to 4%
12) Report: Uri Ariel to Receive Israel Lands Administration
13) Coalition Deal Seen as Great Achievement for Religious Zionism

Speaking at the 13th annual, Herzliya Conference in Israel, Tzipi Livni said that it is “critical for us to reach a final status agreement” with the Palestinians. She went on to say: “Having two states for two nations is the most basic interest of the Jewish people” as this solution can be the “only way we can preserve the existence of a democratic Jewish state.”

Meanwhile, Palestinians officials are trying to lower the expectation for US President Barack Obama’s visit to the region in the coming week. The Obama administration has stated that Obama is not coming to the Middle East to present a new peace initiative but instead is just coming “to listen’ to both sides.

In response to this, a Palestinian source said: “We don’t know what the Americans still haven’t heard about this issue since things have been laid on the table time after time. If there’s real intent to resolve things, the Americans don’t need any more information from the Palestinians.”

The US is also seeking to prevent the Palestinians from taking further unilateral moves through international bodies including taking their case against Israel to the International Court of Justice. Reportedly, the Palestinians have agreed on the condition that the Obama administration offers an acceptable formula to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

In the days leading up to Obama’s visit, the Palestinians plan to hold intensive meetings with foreign ambassadors and consuls-general to present the Palestinian position on the conditions for resuming peace talks with Israel with primary emphasis on the need for a freeze in building Jewish homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The European Parliament passed a resolution demanding the trial or prompt release of Palestinians held in Israel without charge. It called on the Israeli authorities to investigate this case and raised concerns about the Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge, demanding that they be charged and tried or promptly released. The European Parliament repeated its call for the immediate release of all imprisoned members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, including Marwan Barghouti. Members of the European Parliament called on EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and the member states to monitor the fate of Palestinian prisoners and detainees closely and to raise the issue at all levels of political dialogue with Israel.

Finally, General Ban Ki-Moon has announced that in future, the ‘State of Palestine’ will be the official alternative name for the ‘Palestinian Authority’ within all UN institutions, but not in Palestinian-Israeli institutions. The Secretary-General of the UN announced a report prepared to clarify the new changes in the status of the Palestinian Authority, now ‘the State of Palestine,’ within the UN. However, they can nominate representatives in the International Criminal Court who share decision making on certain issues. This is a cause of concern for Israel because based upon this right, the Palestinians could call for the formation of an international trial to investigate the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

So, what does the new Netanyahu government mean for the peace process ?

The modern Orthodox nationalistic party of Jewish Home is a member of the Netanyahu government. One of their positions within the government is over Housing, Construction and Israel land administration. They are opposed to a settlement freeze in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. As a result, Jewish Home is not likely to agree to a settlement/construction freeze. The Palestinian position has long been that they will NOT restart negotiations unless there is first a building freeze in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This situation will likely cause the talks to remain in stalemate as it is unlikely that a common formula can be found to restart peace talks.

In Sept of 2011, the Palestinians requested to be recognized through the UN Security Council as a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as the capitol. Since that time, the US has blocked this request from being voted upon as they have threatened to veto the proposal.

The Palestinians had their status upgraded at the UN to become a non-member state on November 29, 2012. If Israel and the Palestinians continue to not find common ground for restarting peace talks, the Palestinians will likely say to Obama, “Cancel your veto threat for our request to be a full member state of the United Nations based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital or we will take our case to the UN International Criminal Court. This showdown is likely to take place in the next couple months.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Livni: Final status agreement with PA ‘critical’
2) Palestinian Authority officials lower expectations of Obama visit
3) EP calls for release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails
4) UN will refer to ‘State of Palestine’ in official communications: Ban

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

TO FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER. CLICK HERE.

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of Netanyahu’s efforts to form a new government coalition
2) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nearing completion to form a new government coalation. The Jewish parties elected to the Israeli Knesset are as follows:

1) The Tzipi Livni Part (Hatnua) (“The Movement”).  Her primary objective is to see a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel. Her party has joined Netanyahu’s government and will oversee peace negotiations.

2) Yesh Atid (There is a Future). The party leader is former Israeli journalist, Yair Lapid. This is a secular centrist party. They would like to see ultra-Orthodox Jews drafted into the Israeli military, restart of peace talks with the Palestinians, a reduction in the size of the Israeli government and economic policies that help the middle class.

3) Jewish Home. This is a religious Zionist party. Many are modern Orthodox Jews who serve in the Israeli army and have daily jobs. They are against a PLO state.

4) Shas. This is a Sephardic ultra-Orthodox party. They don’t want to see their Yeshiva students be drafted into the Israeli army. Their Yeshiva students study Talmud all day and most don’t have a daily job.

5) United Torah Judaism. This is an Askenazi ultra-Orthodox party. They don’t want to see their Yeshiva students be drafted into the Israeli army. There Yeshiva students study Talmud all day and most don’t have a daily job.

6) Kadima. The party leader is Shaul Mofaz. He would like to be Defense Minister and he supports a PLO state.

Two other political parties, Labor and Meretz, said that they would not join Netanyahu’s coalition.

On March 2, Netanyahu was granted a two week extension to form a government. His deadline is March 16. Netanyahu used the moment to criticize Jewish Home for forming an alliance with Yesh Atid and taking a position regarding drafting ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli army that would cause the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, to not be able to join the government. He said, “The reason I have not succeeded in establishing this government is, simply, that there are boycotts. There is a boycott of a section of the public in Israel and this does not jibe with my world view. I am doing everything within my power to unite the nation. I think that we, as Jews, suffered from boycotts. We know that Israel is boycotted in international forums and we protest that justly. The people who should understand this better than anyone are the settlers from Judea and Samaria, who undergo daily boycotts. That is why, in my world view, in history we underwent terrible tragedies as a result of hatred between brothers and internecine strife, and when we look around us today and see the tremendous challenges around us – security challenges, the challenge of a holding responsible diplomatic process – these challenges require a unification of strength and not a splitting of forces, and that is why I want to use the coming days for another attempt to bring about a wide government. I hope that the parties’ leaders show responsibility.”

Jewish Home leader, Naftali Bennett issued a response on his Facebook page accusing Likud-Beytenu of boycotting Jewish Home before accusing Jewish Home of doing the same to ultra-Orthodox parties. He said: “The message from the Likud was simple: At no price will religious Zionism [Jewish Home] be in the government. Forget about it. While the prime minister met twice with Lapid, with [Hatnua chairwoman] Tzipi Livni, with [Labor leader] Shelly [Yacimovich], with [Kadima leader Shaul] Mofaz, and even with [Meretz leader] Zehava Gal-On, only religious Zionism [Jewish Home] was boycotted. Likud said they want a government with the Left and haredim, explaining that they can’t have peace talks with the Jewish Home in the coalition,” he said. “In the days immediately following the elections, Likud refused to speak with the Jewish Home,” said Bennett. “They excluded us. We knew if we sat quietly we would be in the opposition. I spoke with Yair Lapid and we agreed that Yesh Atid would not enter the government without the Jewish Home and that the Jewish Home would not enter the government without Yesh Atid. We don’t boycott any parties,” he said.

The alliance between Yesh Atid and Jewish Home got an endorsement from from four Religious Zionist rabbis who support the West Bank settlers. The statement said: “We support the way you’re taking in order to save the world of the Torah and the settlement of the land of Israel by cooperating with Yair Lapid and his party.”

Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid, also criticized the political tactics of the ultra-Orthodox parties on his Facebook page by writing that they do not accept the rules of the democratic process. “No one likes to lose, but everyone accepts the basic idea that sometimes you’re in the coalition, and sometimes in the opposition,” he explained, adding that if Yesh Atid ends up in the opposition, they will go proudly, without feeling that someone hates or rejects them. Furthermore,
Lapid pointed out that no matter what ideology won the last election – “Left, Right, socialist, capitalist, two-state solution or whole Land of Israel” – the ultra- Orthodox are always willing to be in the coalition.

“Did someone change the law and didn’t tell us? Can a government be formed with the Likud, without Labor, without Kadima, without Meretz, without Arab parties, without any party at all, but the ultra-Orthodox parties always have to be in the government, otherwise you’re boycotting and rejecting them? What kind of strange democracy is that? The obvious conclusion is that no tragedy will happen if, in the next term, they sit in the opposition.”

“Moreover, I think that our world would be more meager without Torah study. This doesn’t mean they cannot work or enlist in the army, but Torah studies are one of the basic principles of ‘Israeliness’ and we have no Jewish existence without it.”  Lapid said that it is his task to return Israeli society’s focus to issues like education, aid to small businesses, lowering hosing prices and the cost of living. “In other words, instead of enhancing the power of sectors, we must assist Israel’s middle class, which is collapsing as a result of the need to subsidize all the others.”

While Netanyahu originally tried to cause either Jewish Home or Yesh Atid to join his government independently of each other, Likud negotiators met with senior officials this week and concluded that the partnership between Jewish Home and Yesh Atid was solid and Netanyahu would not be able to break their alliance. As a result, Netanyahu began to realize that he will either have to have Jewish Home and Yesh Atid in his government together or choose to have a government with the ultra-Orthodox. Therefore, Netanyahu notified the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic party, Shas, that they most likely will not be in the government. Shas tried to convince Netanyahu to try to form a government with the ultra-Orthodox parties along with the Labor party of Shelly Yacimovich, It was reported that in the last few weeks that Netanyahu did offer the Labor party the government ministries of Finance and Industry, Trade and Labor but Labor rejected the offer. A Labor official described the pressure exerted on them to join the coalition as being “unprecedented.”

Shas leaders said unless there is a “dramatic breakthrough” in the next few days, Shas will not be a part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s new government. If Shas is indeed excluded from the coalition, it would be only the second time in 30 years.

Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach, a leader of ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazi Jews representing United Torah Judaism made harsh comments regarding the issue of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students serving in the Israeli army calling on ultra-Orthodox Jews to “stand guard without any changes, because this is one of the fundamentals of the faith, in the category of  (a commandment one must obey even at the cost of their own life).” Meanwhile, United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni said that his party was switching allegiances. “Until now we agreed to joining together only with right wing parties, but that is over. Now we will be working with [the Labor party of] Shelly Yechimovich.”

Two popular ultra-Orthodox radio commentators called on the ultra-Orthodox to take “revenge” on religious Zionism by boycotting settlement products. One of them, Avi Bloom, said that the support of the settlements is inconsistent with Jewish law. Another commentator, Yaakov Rivlin, added “It’s time to end all these relations with the real estate dealers in the West Bank territories.”

In the last couple of days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made considerable progress in talks to form a new government which will have a coalition of 70.  The coalition, set to be finalized early next week, will comprise Netanyahu’s Likud-Beytenu (31 seats), Yesh Atid (19), Jewish Home (12), Hatnua (6) and Kadima (2). Labor would lead the opposition along with the two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism.

In order to reach a final deal, compromises are being made. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who had hoped to become foreign minister, will become finance minister. Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett will become minister of trade and industry. The Foreign Ministry post will be kept open for former foreign minister Avigdor Liberman, who resigned in December to fight corruption charges and hopes to return quickly to the post after clearing his name. The defense minister is likely to be former IDF chief of the General Staff Moshe Ya’alon (Likud), housing could well go to Jewish Home’s Uri Ariel, while the same party’s Eli Ben Dahan could take religious affairs, and Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz could become minister of welfare. Yesh Atid would also receive at least four ministerial positions in addition to finance, including the Education Ministry, which MK Rabbi Shai Piron would likely head.

The emerging compromise on ultra-Orthodox military service will see 1,500-2,000 scholars exempted from service each year — a far higher number than the 400 cap Yesh Atid had sought. Ultra-Orthodox men will be called for service at age 22, not 18, in another reported compromise.

Yesh Atid showed readiness to be more flexible on the number of ministries, accepting a drop from 30 to 23, or 24 after Liberman’s return, instead of the party’s campaign promise of 18. However, a law will be passed within a month of the government being sworn in that there can only be up to 18 ministers, starting from after the next election.

According to Israel Radio, the various cabinet posts would be filled by eight ministers from Likud, six from Yesh Atid, four from Jewish Home, three from Yisrael Beytenu, two from Hatnua, and one from Kadima. Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua, with six seats, is the only party to date to have signed with Likud-Beytenu. In addition to the position of justice minister, Livni was promised the right to lead peace talks with the Palestinians

In meetings with Jewish Home, Likud negotiators have agreed that any peace agreement with the Palestinians will be brought to a national referendum before being ratified by the Knesset. In addition, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s June 2009 Bar-Ilan speech, in which he called for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state, will not be mentioned in the coalition’s guidelines.

If Netanyahu cannot form a new government, new elections will be held. If new elections are held, poll results are showing that Yesh Atid would become the largest party in Israel increasing their seats from 19 to 29. If this were to happen, Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid, would become the next Prime Minister of Israel. Jewish Home would increase from 12 seats to 18. Likud would fall from 31 to 23. Labor, Shas and Tzipi Livni would lose seats and Kadima would no longer be in the government. At the moment, new elections seem unlikely as Netanyahu is expected to present his coalition to Israel President Shimon Peres when the president returns on Wednesday from his current trip to Europe, and to have it sworn in at the Knesset on either Wednesday or Thursday.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Peres Grants Netanyahu 14-Day Extension
2) Netanyahu: I won’t accept Bennett-Lapid boycott of haredim
3) MK Strook: Likud Mudslinging Continues
4) Bennett: Likud Refused to Speak with Us
5) Mediator Tells Likud: Bennett, Lapid Inseparable
6) MK Shaked: Alliance with Lapid Rock Solid
7) Netanyahu begins talks for haredi-free government
8.) PM to Shas: You can’t be in coalition over Bennett
9) Lapid: Not calamitous if haredim sit in opposition
10) Haredi leaders hit out against Bennett, Lapid
11) Rabbi Auerback: Army Service Means Eradication of Judaism
12) Shas headed to opposition; ‘it’s a done deal’
13) Hareidi MKs: We’re Now on the Left
14) Ultra-Orthodox pundits urge boycott of settlement products
15) Yesh Atid: Coalition talks are ‘in crisis’
16) Lapid, Bennett, Mofaz form 33-MK bloc to pressure PM
17) Netanyahu aims to present coalition to Peres next Wednesday
18) Report: Lapid Will Replace Yishai
19) Coalition deal to require peace treaty referendum
20) 70-strong Israeli coalition nearing completion
21) Poll: Likud Would Lose Repeat Vote

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had a meeting in Saudi Arabia with US Secretary of State John Kerry where they discussed the peace process. Abbas wants the United States to put pressure on Israel to release Palestinian prisoners and freeze construction of Jewish homes in the West Bank. Unless the United States is willing to do this, the Palestinians say that they will not resume peace talks with Israel.

Meanwhile Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a surprise visit with King Abdullah of Jordan last week regarding the peace process. However, no details were released about the results of the meeting. Netanyahu did announce that he would suspend all Jewish housing construction for one month in contested areas of East Jerusalem and the West Bank so not to embarrass Obama when he visits Israel. However, Netanyahu emphasized that this was not a building freeze but rather a temporary suspension because of Obama’s visit.

Obama had a meeting at the White House with Jewish leaders regarding his trip to Israel later this month. There was conflicting information released from the meeting. Israel’s Channel 10 reported that Obama planned to present a “general framework” for starting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks during his visit but not a “comprehensive peace plan”. However, he told Jewish leaders to not rule out him doing so within six to twelve months. According to Channel 10, Obama told the Jewish leaders he intended to speak to the Israelis about peace with the Palestinians and would make clear that “wanting peace is not enough.” He would be asking Israel “which tough steps it will be willing to take,” the TV report said. The president’s remarks to the senior Jewish leaders were not supposed to have been made public.

According to Senior Obama officials, “The president reiterated America’s unshakeable support for Israel and thanked the leaders for the role they play in strengthening ties between the two nations. The president noted that the trip is not dedicated to resolving a specific policy issue, but is rather an opportunity to consult with the Israeli government about a broad range of issues – including Iran, Syria, the situation in the region, and the peace process. He also underscored that the trip is an opportunity for him to speak directly to the Israeli people about the history, interests, and values that we share.” The officials denied that Obama will be presenting a “general framework” to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

According to a report by the World Tribune, U.S. President Barack Obama has demanded that Israel provide a detailed timetable for withdrawing from the West Bank. Israel sources said that “Obama has made it clear to Netanyahu that his visit is not about photo-ops, but the business of Iran and a Palestinian state. The implication is that if Israel won’t give him something he can work with, then he’ll act on his own.” The source said that the Israeli plan would be considered in what could be an imminent U.S. initiative to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank in 2014.

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is considering the possibility of approving a “meaningful package of gestures” toward the Palestinian Authority in advance of U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel which included ceding some land to the Palestinians based upon recommendations from the “defense establishment” that would not endanger Netanyahu politically within Israel. One of the “gestures” is the transfer of some areas that are currently under full Israeli control (Area C) to full Arab control (Area A). These territories would include access roads to the new PA city of Rawabi and another road that leads to the Tul Karm industrial area.

Finally, the leader of the Labor political party, MK Shelly Yechimovich, said that if Israel was able to make a peace agreement with the Palestinians that her party would join the government to support the peace agreement if Jewish Home threatened to topple Netanyahu’s government by not supporting a possible peace agreement.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) ‘Abbas to Kerry: Push Israel for settlement freeze’
2) Palestinian leadership not to revive peace talks before Obama’s visit: official
3) Report: Netanyahu, King Abdullah discuss Mideast peace
4) Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu suspends housing settlements ahead of Obama’s visit
5) ‘Obama won’t bring peace plan or even general framework’ to Israel
6) Obama plans to extract timetable for Israeli pullout from West Bank
7) Netanyahu Reportedly Mulling Ceding Land to PA
8) Labor Head: We’ll Save Govt in Case of Peace Talks

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l

You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:

1) Listen to the audio

In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on:

1) The current status of Netanyahu’s efforts to form a new government coalition
2) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
3) The current status of the situation with Syria
4) The current status of the situation with Iran

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to form as broad a government coalition as possible. Ultimately, he would prefer to see the following parties in his government:

1) The Tzipi Livni Part (Hatnua) (“The Movement”).  Her primary objective is to see a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel. As a result, she would like to be in Netanyahu’s government and oversee peace negotiations.

2) Yesh Atid (There is a Future). The party leader is former Israeli journalist, Yair Lapid. This is a secular centrist party. They would like to see ultra-Orthodox Jews drafted into the Israeli military, restart of peace talks with the Palestinians, a reduction in the size of the Israeli government and economic policies that help the middle class.

3) Jewish Home. This is a religious Zionist party. Many are modern Orthodox Jews who serve in the Israeli army and have daily jobs. They are against a PLO state.

4) Shas. This is a Sephardic ultra-Orthodox party. They don’t want to see their Yeshiva students be drafted into the Israeli army. Their Yeshiva students study Talmud all day and most don’t have a daily job.

5) United Torah Judaism. This is an Askenazi ultra-Orthodox party. They don’t want to see their Yeshiva students be drafted into the Israeli army. There Yeshiva students study Talmud all day and most don’t have a daily job.

6) Kadima. The party leader is Shaul Mofaz. He would like to be Defense Minister and he supports a PLO state.

Two other political parties, Labor and Meretz, said that they would not join Netanyahu’s coalition.

The initial 28 days for Netanyahu to form a government has expired. On March 2, Netanyahu will ask for a two week extension. If Netanyahu cannot form a government by March 16, there will most likely be new elections. What type of government is Benjamin Netanyahu trying to form? He has stated on multiple occasions that he would like the broadest government possible. Ideally, this would be Tzipi Livni (the movement), Labor, Kadima, Yesh Atid, Jewish Home and the ultra-Orthodox parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism. This government would be the most ideal to confront Israel’s domestic and international political concerns. However because of conflicting political interests between these parties, the inclusion of all these parties into the government is not realistic. Next, Netanyahu would prefer a government of Labor, Kadima and the ultra-Orthodox parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism. This would exclude Yesh Atid who is the greatest threat to become the largest political party in Israel and Jewish Home. However, Labor is unwilling to join the government. Because of this, Netanyahu would not have the minimum of 61 members to form a government. Thirdly, Netanyahu would like to form a government with Tzipi Livni, Kadima, the ultra-Orthodox and eithor Yesh Atid or Jewish Home. However, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home have conflicting political views with the ultra-Orthodox parties on the issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military. Furthermore, Yesh Atid and Jewish have made a pact with each other that both will join the new government or both will not be in the new government. So far, Netanyahu has not been successful in trying to break the Yesh Atid / Jewish Home alliance. Therefore, it seems that the only government that Netanyahu can form will be to include Yesh Atid and Jewish Home along with Tzipi Livni and possibly Kadima.

In order to form this government, Netanyahu will have to agree to the demands of Yest Atid and Jewish Home and draft ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military. This will exclude the ultra-Orthodox from being able to join the government. Jewish Home is also demanding that the power given to Tzipi Livni to negotiate with the Palestinians be modified. At this point, it appears that if Netanyahu would not agree to include both Yesh Atid and Jewish Home into his government that there would be new elections. According to the polls, if there were new elections then Netanyahu would be replaced from being Prime Minister by the leader of Yesh Atid, the former journalist, Yair Lapid. As a result, it is most likely that Netanyau will form a government that will ultimately include Yesh Atid and Jewish Home and exclude Labor and the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism. This government would have 68 members. It would be 70 if Kadima joined. This government would be strong on domestic issues but would be vulnerable to international pressure from the US and the EU to agree to a PLO state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. If a peace agreement is made with the Palestinians, Labor has said it would join the government to support a peace agreement.

Details regarding the efforts by Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government this week was as follows: The leader of Kadima, Shaul Mofaz requested that in order for him to join the government that he become Defense Minister. This demand was rejected by the Likud negotiating team. As a result, Kadima joined the alliance between Yesh Atid and Jewish Home as all three parties want to see ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students be drafted into the Israeli military.  It was reported that Kadima, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home met together and it was agreed between them that Jewish Home would ask for the Finance Ministry, Yesh Atid for the Foreign Ministry and Kadima for the Defense Ministry. Together, these three parties make 33 seats.

In order to try to break the alliance between Yesh Atid and Jewish Home to join the government together or not at all, Likud negotiators tried to convince Yesh Atid who supports peace talks with the Palestinians that if they maintained their alliance with Jewish Home that it would harm the peace process and the Israeli government would not be able to kick Jews out of the homes in the West Bank which are outside the main settlement blocs. Jewish Home Knesset member, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Dahan reacted to these reports by saying, “It turns out that instead of advancing the signing of a coalition agreement, Likud prefers to advance a leftist government which would include the ultra-Orthodox parties with an emphasis on future eviction of Jewish communities in the West Bank while turning down the request of Jewish Home to change the agreement with Tzipi Livni which gave her power to negotiate a peace agreement with the Palestinians.”

In conducting coalition talks with Likud representatives, Jewish Home negotiators were told that Tzipi Livni has been given exclusive rights to conduct negotiations with the Palestinian regarding the peace process and be able to make recommendations for a peace agreement which will be presented to the Prime Minister and the inner security cabinet.  As a result, neither Netanyahu nor his future Foreign Minister will be allowed to conduct negotiations outside of her framework.

In past Israeli governments, the concept of parallel negotiation teams was fully accepted. A parallel team not directly sponsored by the Israeli government negotiated the Oslo Accords with the PA in 1993, with full knowledge of then-Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. During the term of Ehud Olmert as Prime Minister from 2006 – 2009, he had at least two negotiating teams working with the PA, including an official one managed by his Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni.

Yesh Atid has joined Jewish Home in being in disagreement with Netanyahu’s coalition agreement with Tzipi Livni. Senior Yesh Atid officials said that if Netanyahu wanted them to join the coalition, he would have to make substantial modifications to his deal with Tzipi Livni. They also said that if Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid would become foreign minister that Tzipi Livni would not have exclusive rights to negotiate with the Palestinians.

Because of the opposition that Netanyahu is facing from Yesh Atid and Jewish Home to reach his goals to have Tzipi Livni in the government along with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Netanyahu offered Labor both the Finance Ministry and the Industry, Trade, and Labor Ministry, the two top economic portfolios, with an extra promise to back veteran MK Binyamin Ben Eliezer as the coalition’s candidate to succeed Shimon Peres as president. However, Labor leader, Shelly Yachimovich rejected the offer saying that the domestic economic views between Labor and Likud are so vastly ideologically different that Labor is not interested in being in Netanyahu’s government. Furthermore, she does not believe that Netanyahu is seriously willing to agree to a PLO state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital saying that Netanyahu is only “modeling” a diplomatic process with the Palestinians to impress US President Barack Obama and had no intention of pursuing a “real peace process.” However, she did say that if Israel agreed to a peace agreement with the Palestinians to establish a PLO state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital that she would join the government to support the peace agreement.

In not being able to convince Labor to join a potential government with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism and therefore needing both Yesh Atid and Jewish Home to join the goverment in order to be able to form a government,  Likud officials said that Likud was willing to reconsider the terms of the coalition agreement signed with Tzipi Livni whereby Livni’s authorities will change and some will be taken away from her. Until now, Likud negotiators have said that the agreement with Tzipi Livni will not change.

Since Jewish Home would like to be in the next government, in the next meeting with Likud negotiators, Jewish Home will demand to know what is Netanyahu’s basic platform. Is it the peace process or confronting the major domestic economic and social issues confronting the Israeli public ?

Likud negotiators tried to further divide Yesh Atid and Jewish Home and the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, by trying to shame Yesh Atid and Jewish Home in the eyes of the public by claiming that both Yesh Atid and Jewish Home refuse to be in government with the ultra-Orthodox parties and hates them.

In response, Jewish Home Knesset member Ayelet Shaked said on her Facebook page that her party “has no problems entering into a coalition with the ultra-Orthodox but Jewish Home will also not be in the coalition without Yesh Atid.” Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid criticized the Likud’s negotiators by accusing Yesh Atid for rejecting the ultra-Orthodox for being in a potential government coalition. Lapid said on his Facebook page, “So what we did talk about during the coalition negotiations? We spoke about the need for a housing revolution to bring down prices, about education, about the cost of living, about our commitment to make things easier for the middle class. In other words,” he added, “we talked about all the things that are not spins, and do not make headlines, and do not deal with trying to get people to hate and be angry with each other. Then why is it that the only thing that came out is the Likud’s message that we reject the ultra-Orthodox ? That’s a great question.”

Furthermore, Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid says that his party will stick to their principles which got them elected. One of these main issues was the insistence that ultra-Orthodox students be drafted into the Israeli military. Because of the ultra-Orthodox parties opposition to this policy, this means that if Yesh Atid joins the government that the ultra-Orthodox would not be able to do so.

Yesh Atid and Jewish Home met to form a compromise position between them regarding the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students into the Israeli military.  The original position of Yesh Atid was that the total number of exemptions to be granted to ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students to enter the Israeli military would be 400. The compromise proposal would be 1,500 to 2,000. The original position of Yesh Atid was for ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students to be drafted at 18. The compromise proposal is 21.

Being concerned that they will be left out of the government, the ultra-Orthodox parties have now indicated a willingness to accept the proposal put together by Eugene Kandel, the head of Israel’s National Economic Council, whereby the Israeli military would draft upwards of 60% of ultra-Orthodox Israelis aged 18-24 within five years, and the government would provide monetary incentives to those who comply while penalizing the yeshivas of those who don’t. This proposal by Eugene Kandel has been the position taken by Likud negotiators in coalition talks. Previously, the ultra-Orthodox parties opposed this proposal.

While Netanyahu prefers that the ultra-Orthodox parties be included in his government coalition, Likud officials said that “If Netanyahu feels he is backed into a corner and may lose the chance to form a government, he won’t think twice about leaving the ultra-Orthodox out of the coalition.”  However, Netanyahu said that if he indeed form an initial government with Yesh Atid and Jewish Home that he would encourage the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism to join the government at a later time. Hearing of these thoughts, the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism rejected this possibility.

Realizing that Netanyahu in unlikely to break  the alliance between Yesh Atid and Jewish Home, Likud officials said that Netanyahu is ready to build a coalition with these two parties and exclude the ultra-Orthodox parties of Shas and United Torah Judaism. This prompted Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman who is in partnership with the Likud party of Benjamin Netanyahu to say that Yesh Atid and Jewish Home would be “natural partners” in a new government. He also affirmed the view of Likud officials that Yesh Atid and Jewish Home should be included into the new government before the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism would be encouraged to join.

According to a recent poll,  76% percent of the Israeli public support a coalition made ​​up of the Likud, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home. Also, 51% of Israelis would prefer to see a coalition without the ultra-Orthodox parties.  If new Israeli elections were held, Yesh Atid would become the largest political party in Israel with 31 seats and Likud would drop to 24 seats. Under this scenario, Yesh Atid leader, Yair Lapid would become the next Prime Minister of Israel instead of Benjamin Netanyahu. For this reason, Netanyahu is most likely to agree to the demands of Yesh Atid and Jewish Home and form a new government by the deadline of March 16. His only other choice is to convince Labor to change their mind about joining the government.

So, what government coalition will Netanyahu form? Only time will tell.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) Report: Mofaz Demanded to be Defense Minister and Was Rejected
2) Bennett, Lapid, Mofaz coordinate coalition moves
3) Likud to Lapid: Bennett Pact Blocks Uprooting in Yesha
4) Bayit Yehudi: Likud Wants Livni-Abbas Coalition
5) Sources: Livni Has ‘Exclusive Rights’ to Conduct PA Talks
6) Lapid joins Bennett in opposing Hatnua coalition deal
7) Yacimovich: PM doesn’t want real peace process
8.) Yesh Atid Rejected Hareidim, Says Likud Negotiator
9) Likud Negotiator: Bayit Yehudi Also Rejected Hareidim
10) Lapid, Bennett to push joint draft plan
11) Likud: Lapid’s condition – no haredim
12) Likud hints: Haredim may be excluded
13) Netanyahu to Hareidim: You’ll Only Join Later
14) Lieberman: Bennett, Lapid our natural partners
15) Netanyahu said ready to cut a deal with Jewish Home, Yesh Atid
16) Poll: 51% want a government without the ultra-Orthodox
17) Poll: Majority of Israelis Prefer Coalition without Hareidim
18) Poll: New Elections would Give Yesh Atid 31 Seats

Hamas is willing to accept a PLO state based upon 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital if it does not include any Jewish settlements within its border. However, they are still unwilling to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The European Union issued its Jerusalem Report 2012 advising its 27 member states to engage in a full-scale economic boycott of Israeli businesses and communities in the West Bank. The report said: “Settlement construction remains the biggest single threat to the two-state solution. It is systematic, deliberate and provocative.”

US President Barack Obama is planning on visiting Israel and other Middle Eastern countries in late March. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said that Obama will not bring a new peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians but rather will use the trip to take the time to “listen” to the thoughts of both sides.  At the conclusion of the trip, the US will then decide the best way to encourage the resumption of direct peace talks.

In government coalition talks with Jewish Home, Likud negotiators told Jewish Home that a moratorium would be placed on settlement construction outside the major settlement blocs immediately upon the formation of the new government.

An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles are as follows:

1) ‘Hamas agrees to Palestinian state on ’67 lines’
2) Kerry: Obama plans to ‘listen,’ not present plan
3) EU calls for economic boycott of West Bank settlements
4) EU report: Settlements biggest threat to Palestinian statehood
5) ‘Netanyahu to renew settlement freeze after gov’t formed’

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Syrian President Bashar Assad needs to be removed from power. The United States will continue to support the Syrian rebels. The Syrian rebels are mainly Sunni Muslims whereas the supporters of Assad mainly consists of the Shi’ite Alawite sect.

Iraq’s prime minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that the removal of Assad from power will result in new fighting between the Sunni Muslims against the Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq as well as Lebanon and will create a new safe haven for al-Qaeda that would destabilize the region. Al-Maliki reiterated his stance that foreign military intervention is not a solution to ending the crisis in Syria. He said:  “If the world does not agree to support a peaceful solution through dialogue … then I see no light at the end of the tunnel. Neither the opposition nor the regime can finish each other off,” he said. “If the opposition is victorious, there will be a civil war in Lebanon, divisions in Jordan and Sunni Muslims fighting against Shi’ite Muslims again in Iraq.”

A war with Syria where Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17) is a tribulation event.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) US wants to help rebels oust Assad, Kerry says
2) Iraqi PM warns Syrian rebel victory will bring chaos

The P5 + 1 powers (The US, Britain, France, Russia and China along with Germany) met with Iran on February 26 to discuss its nuclear program. The world powers offered broader concessions than it has in the past if Iran would suspend its nuclear program. Top Iranian official, Saeed Jalili, welcomed the new proposals calling them a “turning point” in talks to seek a compromise solution to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. The proposal would allow Iran to keep a limited amount of highly enriched uranium — but not make any more — stops short of demanding the full shutdown of an underground nuclear facility and offers to remove some trade sanctions that have hurt Iran’s economy. However,  a senior US official said, crippling sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial industries would remain in place as negotiations continue. Iran continues to refuse to close its underground Fordow enrichment plant. Russia said that there was no clear progress in the talks. Therefore, the talks remain deadlocked. The next round of talks are scheduled for March 18 and April 5.

Meanwhile, Iran has activated a heavy-water production plant to produce plutonium for a nuclear bomb. Satellite images show clouds of steam emerging from the site. It is heavily surrounded by anti-aircraft missiles and other military. Iran has told the IAEA that it will begin operating this reactor at Arak in the first three months of 2014. While it is believed that Iran still lacks the technology to reprocess plutonium and use it for a nuclear weapon, North Korea has successfully developed that technology and many believe that it will be given to Iran.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that if Iran continues to pursue its nuclear program it would face “military sanctions.” When US President Barack Obama visits Israel in late March, he is expected to tell Netanyahu that a “window of opportunity” for a military strike on Iran will open in June. US Secretary of State John Kerry said an Iran with nuclear weapons was “simply unacceptable” and warned the time limit for a diplomatic solution was running out.

“As we have repeatedly made clear, the window for a diplomatic solution simply cannot remain open forever. But it is open today. It is open now and there is still time, but there is only time if Iran makes the decision to come to the table and to negotiate in good faith.

The link to these articles is as follows:

1) Iran calls eased sanctions offer a ‘turning point’ in talks
2) Iran nixes Fordow closure as nuke talks end
3) No breakthrough in Iran nuclear talks
4) Fears that plutonium plant has been ‘activated’ after satellite images show clouds of steam emerging from site
5) PM urges powers to issue Iran military threat
6) ‘Obama to tell Netanyahu US gearing up for Iran strike’

From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).

We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).

Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l