SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XV

Jerusalem, Israel

THE BATTLE OVER JERUSALEM


A key issue expected to be in the forefront of Israel’s diplomatic discussions with the United States, Europe, and the international community is the status of Jerusalem. The current disagreement regarding a settlement freeze, in dispute between U.S. and Israeli officials, points not only to building construction in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), but also to the building of apartments in East Jerusalem.

On July 19, 2009, at a weekly government cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "I would like to re-emphasize that united Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel. Our sovereignty over it cannot be challenged.... We cannot accept the idea that Jews will not have the right to live and purchase in all parts of Jerusalem. I can only describe to myself what would happen if someone would propose that Jews could not live in certain neighborhoods in New York, London, Paris or Rome. There would certainly be a major international outcry. Accordingly, we cannot agree to such a decree in Jerusalem. This has been the policy of Israeli governments over the years and it is also the policy of our government."

While a majority of Israelis are in agreement about Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem, virtually all governments of Arab states, along with the Palestinian Authority, claim that the Palestinians must have their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a de-militarized Palestinian state, but he has not agreed to shared control over Jerusalem.

Under previous Israeli governments, negotiations have been freely conducted with Palestinian officials over West Bank withdrawals. Israel has offered land swaps in exchange for keeping major settlement blocs. Yet, the key issue of Jerusalem has not been publicly talked about to any great length. Netanyahu plans to follow the Road Map to its end – which means, discussing the fate of Jerusalem, but only in final status talks with the Palestinians and Arab states. The recent controversy over Israeli building construction in East Jerusalem suggests that, despite what compromises Israel is willing to make over West Bank settlements, the status of Jerusalem will remain non-negotiable until the peace process reaches that final stage.

U.S., Palestinian, and European leaders have had difficulty with Israel’s stringent diplomatic policy regarding the Holy City. However, there has been a continued, unified Israeli consensus that Jerusalem should not be divided, and that is shared by many Jews around the world who have a special affinity for the city.

While Jerusalem was discussed privately between Israel and the Palestinians during former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s reign in office, the media leaked information about the talks, and part of Olmert’s coalition threatened to quit if the government didn’t stop the negotiations. Despite former Foreign Minister Tzippi Livni’s insistence that Jerusalem wasn’t a main topic of conversation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, reports indicate that she and Olmert were willing to divide the city in two ways: (1) Some Arab neighborhoods would be given over to Palestinian control. (2) The “Holy Basin” (holy sites) would be under international control. But, these discussions were not contained in legally binding letters or documents; nothing was voted on in the Knesset; and, there was no successful achievement in peace talks on the future status of the city.

Most westerners understand only part of the controversy over Jerusalem. Critics of Israel who defend the Palestinian position explain that Israel can keep control over the western part of the city. These critics don’t take into account that the Temple Mount, an essential landmark in Israel’s biblical history, is located in East Jerusalem, as is the Western Wall, the only authentic outer wall still standing since the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

Pro-Israel supporters, while understanding the controversy over East Jerusalem, and the importance of the holy sites to the Jewish people, may not realize that the Palestinians are not just talking about controlling parts of the Old City within the walls. They want to control well-established Jewish neighborhoods outside the walls, such as French Hill, Ramot, East Talpiot, Gilo, Har Homa, and Pisgat Ze’ev. These Jerusalem neighborhoods that were built after the 1967 Six Day War have continued to be referred to as “settlements” by the Palestinians.

Recently, Palestinian leader Salaam Fayad announced that the Palestinian Authority will invest tens of millions of dollars in Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods. The Palestinians now consider Jerusalem a top national priority. They have adopted the same words that the Israeli government has used to describe sovereignty over the city. The Palestinians claim that Jerusalem will be the “eternal” capital of their state. Like the U.S. State Department, the Palestinians have called for an end to Israeli settlement construction, not just in the West Bank, but also in Jerusalem and its surroundings.

On July 22, 2009, at a press conference in New York City, visiting Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat proclaimed: “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel – the heart and soul of the Jewish people... We will stand strongly against any intervention to try and divide Jerusalem. I am proud that there has never been greater freedom of religion in the city of Jerusalem than under the flag of Israel – where everyone is free to practice their beliefs in public and visit their holy sites. The future of Jerusalem is quite clear. It must stay the undivided capital of the State of Israel.”

Yet, international leaders have commented that Israel’s current government is not accepting the fact that the Palestinians, as well as Arab states, will never agree to a Palestinian state without East Jerusalem as its capital. Some officials, like European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, have called for the United Nations Security Council to push forward the recognition of a Palestinian state even without a final status agreement. That would politically legitimize Palestinian claims. Such a move would give the Palestinians recognition before the United Nations as a full member state. It would be their claim, equally against Israel’s claim, regarding the final status of Jerusalem.

Exacerbating the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue over this issue is the fact that Netanyahu has had to contend with U.S. President Barack Obama’s political leanings toward the Palestinians. Israeli foreign policy analysts see Obama as more supportive of the Palestinian position than any U.S. president going back to the Carter Administration.

Obama’s White House press secretary announced in June 2009, in response to Netanyahu’s famous Bar-Ilan speech, Obama’s vision for the Middle East: “Two states, a Jewish State of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples”. If Obama believes that the Palestinians have equal rights to the Promised Land then he, most likely, has concluded that they are entitled to shared control of Jerusalem.

Without a biblical world view, there are no boundaries as to what the Obama Administration might do to pressure Israel into releasing sovereignty over the city. One way that the U.S. has already pressured Israel is by imposing greater restrictions on how Israel can spend the military aid it receives from America. This might develop into a military freeze on needed advanced weapons systems. It could include restrictions on the sale of the F-35 jet stealth fighter that Israel hopes to add to its air force arsenal. The fighter jet would give Israel a qualitative edge over its enemies.

Regardless of the amount of pressure that America puts on Israel, there are biblical reasons that the Jewish State cannot release control over Jerusalem. When Obama gave his famous Cairo speech in June 2009, Israeli leaders were shocked that he omitted Israel’s legal and historical rights to the land. But, these same leaders did not speak openly of the biblical rights of the Jewish people to live in Israel and to dwell in Jerusalem.

There are over 800 references to Jerusalem in the Strong’s Concordance. God has chosen the city for Himself, to put His name there. (I Kings 11:36; 2 Chronicles 6:6). The House of the Lord is built in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 6:32, Ezra 1:2-5; Ezra 5:15). David gathers all Israel together in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its resting place (1 Chronicles 15:3). The God of Israel gives rest to His people that they might dwell in Jerusalem forever. (1 Chronicles 23:25). The tribes of Israel seek the Lord in Jerusalem, sacrificing to the God of their fathers. (2 Chronicles 11:16; Psalm 122:3-5). God saves His people, brings them back from other lands, and there is deliverance in Jerusalem among the remnant that the Lord calls. (Zechariah 8:7-8; Joel 2:32; Isaiah 52:7-10).

God, Himself, returns to Zion and dwells in the midst of Jerusalem (Psalm 135:21; Zechariah 8:3). He roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem (Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2). The word of the Lord goes forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2). Jerusalem is called the Throne of the Lord and all the nations are gathered to it (Jeremiah3:17; Zechariah 8:22). God sets Jerusalem in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. (Ezekiel 5:5). His name is declared in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem. (Psalm 102:21).

Pro-Israel supporters should consider it imperative to be watchmen on the walls, praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and giving the Lord no rest until He establishes Jerusalem as a praise in the earth. (Psalm 122:6-9; Psalm 137:5-6; Psalm 147:12-14; Isaiah 62:6-7).

Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem goes back thousands of years, something that the Palestinians can’t claim as their inheritance. Yet, the dispute over Jerusalem may be the catalyst that breaks down all peace talks and leads to a battle which causes the nations of the earth to stumble over God’s will for His Holy City.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And, it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
Zechariah 12:2-3

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XIV

Jerusalem, Israel

U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONS: FRICTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A recent poll indicates Israel is one of the least peaceful countries in the world. Yet, in this land of chaos and conflict, religious Jews pray three times a day for peace. But, peace has been the illusive dream. Americans and Israelis, alike, hope that this will be the year when Israeli-Palestinian clashes will end, and Iran will back down from its nuclear pursuit.

Since January 2009, American foreign policy has been reshaped by U.S. President Barak Obama. Since February 2009, Israeli foreign policy has taken on a new dimension under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Obama with his liberal leanings to the left of the political spectrum, and Netanyahu with his conservative leanings to the right, have found compromise to be difficult on Middle East issues. Friction between both administrations is threatening the strategic relationship between the two democratic allies.

Israel and the U.S. will survive this current chapter in political history, but not without constant American pressure applied to Israel, to offer concessions not only to the Palestinians, but to moderate Arab states, as well. Obama is seeking a quick end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a comprehensive regional agreement that he hopes will move Arab states closer towards peace with Israel.

THE ROAD MAP – PAST AND PRESENT

Talks have centered, recently, on revamping the Road Map for Peace, an agreement proposed by the Quartet (U.S., U.N., EU, and Russia), and outlined by former American President George W. Bush in his June 2002 speech. At that time, Bush called for an independent Palestinian state, proposing that Palestinians could live side by side with Israel in peace. The vision was to protect Israel’s security while offering the Palestinians a viable democratic state.

Three phases were spelled out. A key demand was an end to Palestinian violence, along with the expectation of Palestinian political and military reform. Also agreed upon was an Israeli withdrawal from settlements, as well as a freeze on settlement expansion. The phases offered Palestinians economic recovery, and encouraged Arab cultural and trade links with Israel.
Phase 3 proposed the hosting of an international peace conference. Following that, a permanent final status agreement would deal with an end to the conflict; an agreement on borders; and clarification regarding the fate of Jerusalem, refugees and settlements.

While Israel’s cabinet approved the plan, they attached 14 reservations to the document. Among Israel’s reservations was any linkage to the Palestinian track with other tracks. Arab peace deals (such as with Syria or Lebanon) would be considered separately. Israel also demanded that declared references be made to Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and the waiver of any right of return for Palestinian refugees to the state of Israel. In the reservations, Israel acquiesced to certain aspects of Palestinian sovereignty, but, insisted on a de-militarized Palestinian state with only police and internal security forces allowed.

A series of violent Palestinian attacks on Israelis in 2003 derailed the Road Map. In 2006, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip, which outdated the internationally recognized agreement.

Because Israeli leaders and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to follow the Road Map, it is expected to be revised in the coming year. Already, in Netanyahu’s Bar-Ilan speech on June 14, 2009, he made references to how the peace process could move forward, signaling Israel’s continued approval of the Road Map. In his Bar-Ilan address, he spelled out many of the Road Map details, including Israel’s reservations.

AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

To implement the revised Road Map, and include Obama’s vision for a comprehensive Middle East peace, Israel has tacitly agreed to attend another international conference. Israeli leaders have stated that they will need to know the parameters of such a conference, and will insist that Iran and Hezbollah are not included. In the past, international conferences have tended to hurt Israel politically, with diplomats consistently pushing a “land for peace” formula.

One of the reasons the U.S. is encouraging the conference now is to advance the Obama Administration’s agenda. If Russia hosts the conference, which is likely, it will be a way of getting Russian leaders involved more directly in the Middle East, with America hoping they will join a future U.S. led coalition against Iran.

DISPUTE OVER SETTLEMENTS

Several high level Israeli government officials have complained privately and publicly that the settlement issue has been blown out of proportion by the Obama Administration. Increased pressure on Israel to freeze all settlement construction, including “natural growth”, has been rejected by a majority of Israelis and by almost all Israeli political parties. Many think that Obama has overplayed his hand, being driven by an overeager staff bent on humiliating Netanyahu. Meanwhile, outspoken Democrats in Congress and liberal American Jewish leaders have agreed with Obama, which is not helping Israel’s position.

Obama’s worldview of “two states, a Jewish State of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples”, along with his constant pressure on Israel regarding the settlement issue, has caused Israelis to question his real intentions. Mistrust of Obama can be seen in recent polls that suggest only 6% of Jewish Israelis consider the views of his administration to be pro-Israel. And, 50% consider the policies of his administration to be more pro-Palestinian than pro-Israeli.

A compromise is being worked out so that both Obama and Netanyahu can say they achieved a political victory on the settlement issue. The U.S. may agree to Israel finishing construction on 2,000-2,500 housing units. Israel may allow a complete settlement freeze for a short period of time during which Arab states would be given the opportunity to normalize ties with Israel.

Settlers have already complained that, since November 2008, there have been no new building permits approved for settlement construction. Ironically, a freeze on settlements takes jobs away from West Bank Palestinians. More than 12,000 Palestinians are employed by both Jewish and Arab contractors who are building new homes. Most Palestinian workers are more concerned with putting food on the table for their families than protesting their political rights to settlement land.

One of Israel’s red lines regarding the settlement issue has to do with construction in Jerusalem, especially East Jerusalem. Israel has said Jerusalem is off-limits until final status negotiations. New construction in Har Homa, a Jerusalem neighborhood that is partially beyond the Green Line, has resulted in international protest. But, Israeli leaders say that Har Homa is non-negotiable.

Settlements have been around for more than 40 years. The U.S., under previous American presidents, agreed verbally with Israel to a quiet settlement formula, whereby Israel promised not to diminish the territory of a future Palestinian state.

Israel is concerned that the Obama Administration is not willing to consider these verbal agreements or a written letter by George W. Bush to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in June 2004. That letter outlined the changing nature of the settlements and facts on the ground that indicated Israel could not be expected to completely withdraw to the 1967 borders in a future peace agreement with the Palestinians.

It’s expected that major settlements like Gush Etzion, Ariel, and Maale Adumim will continue to try and build for natural growth despite U.S. objections. Israeli officials are hoping that the Obama Administration will agree to put the settlement issue on the back burner, and instead pursue a much more serious issue –Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

THE IRANIAN ISSUE

Most Westerners understand that Iran is the greatest threat to the world today. If Iran is allowed to develop nuclear weapons, Middle East experts say it will prompt an arms race in the region that will undermine peace throughout the world.

Yet, President Obama has not changed his mind in pursuing a diplomatic exchange with Iranian leaders despite a revolution taking place inside Iran between the elites in power. Israelis are aware that reform in Iran will not change the fact that the ruling religious clerics, who control Iran’s power, will continue to pursue a nuclear Iran.

Israeli leaders have urged Obama not to delay his diplomatic talks with Iran, strongly suggesting he end the talks within a given time frame of several months. Israeli officials think that diplomacy will ultimately fail, and the next option will be stiffer U.N. sanctions followed by possible military force.

Israel’s air force has been training for a long-term mission with reports indicating that, if necessary, Israel may launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran to prevent the country from “going nuclear”.

Meanwhile, Israelis are hoping for a peace process that allows the Jewish State to confront the Iranian problem, while refraining from giving in on dangerous concessions to the Palestinians. Whether this balance in diplomacy will be acceptable to the U.S. or not is unclear. What is clear is that the two allies have been at odds on how to solve both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iranian issue, and this friction may continue until new governments emerge in both nations.

SITUATION ANALYSIS -- XIII

Jerusalem, Israel

OFF-THE-RECORD BRIEFING

On June 30, journalists and diplomats were briefed at a think tank in Jerusalem. A high level Israeli government official spoke candidly about Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and other issues of concern in the Middle East. Here are some of the insights this Israeli cabinet member shared so you can be praying into these matters:

(1) The current regime in Iran is not going to survive a long time. We will witness an internal revolution in Iran. President Obama’s recent comment about the Iranian regime was important to encourage the pragmatists, but it can’t stand alone. More is needed. Impose sanctions now!


(2) If you look at the Iranian threat, the idea of allowing them nuclear capability will be a nightmare. They will then be able to export their ideology, and, fulfill their global aspirations of importing Islam to defeat the West.


(3) Israel has empowered, energized, and inspired jihadists. Israel's withdrawals (from Lebanon in 2000 and the Gaza Strip in 2005) were perceived as a victory for Jihadism. Territorial concessions today will be a source of inspiration to jihadists tomorrow – another victory.


(4) How can anyone expect a peace agreement to be implemented with the Palestinians when Palestinian children are learning how to wear explosive belts? There needs to be an educational curriculum; certain projects are needed to encourage Palestinians to go through reform. They need to understand that the culture of Hamas is a self-destructive culture.


(5) Evacuating settlements is not the solution to ending the conflict. Israeli Arabs are already living all over Israel in peace. Why has the settlement issue become the most important issue? Israel is worried that the current U.S. Administration has, so far, ignored agreements and understandings reached with previous administrations. Israel hopes to find a way to solve this marginal issue in order to pave the way for more significant issues.


PRAYER FOR IRAN

As the people of Iran rise up in demand for a righteous and just government, pray:

• that the current Iranian government will stop crushing their citizens and will allow political reform.

• for complete regime change (including a change in the religious counsel behind the presidency).

• for a regime that ceases from terrorism.

• for a regime that stops trying to build a nuclear bomb.

• for a regime that will not look to destroy Israel.

Pray for the people of Iran, according to Daniel 6:25-28. Ask God to deal with the Persian princes and rulers over Iran that have blocked Iranians from hearing clearly from the Lord. (Daniel 10:13; Daniel 10:20).


THE SETTLEMENT ISSUE

The international community, especially the U.S., is trying to dictate ownership concerning the land of Israel. If they can get Israel to freeze settlement construction, including for natural growth, even for a short period of time, they will have succeeded in allowing the Palestinians to claim key parts of Israel as their territory. Then, it is only a matter of time before Israel will find itself without defensible borders, moving masses of people out of the biblical heartland – Judea and Samaria.

• Proclaim blessings on the tribes of Israel, decreeing their immediate return to the Promised Land. Pray that they dwell in the land of their forefathers and cultivate faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 33:28-29; Deuteronomy 34:1-4).


• Declare the covenant promises of God to the Jewish people and the nation of Israel: Genesis 13:17; Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:19; Genesis 28:3-4; Genesis 28:13; Joshua Chapter 15; Romans 11:29; Leviticus 26:44-45; Ezekiel 36:12; Jeremiah 31:5; Ezekiel 5:5.

Continue to pray for meetings between Israeli and U.S. leaders over the settlement issue:

• that U.S. President Barak Obama, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Peace Envoy George Mitchell will cease their demands of Israel in regard to a settlement freeze.


• that they will understand God’s covenant with the Jewish people and align their foreign policy initiatives with God’s Word.

PALESTINIAN EDUCATIONAL REFORM

• Pray that Palestinian school children will begin to learn the truth about the Jewish people and their covenant right to the land of Israel. Pray that Palestinian parents will also learn the truth, and teach their children the ways of the Lord, according to Proverbs 22:6.