June 2009

Dear friends of Israel:

Obviously it was not a coincidence that the American President Barack Obama has chosen Turkey for his first visit to an Islamic country. After all, the land at the Bosporus is considered one of the most important and powerful countries in the Islamic world. This is why the Arabs praised Obama for his new approach towards Islam. Because he is trying to improve the relations of the United States with the Islamic world, the President said in his speech to the Turkish Parliament: "I would like to express our great appreciation for the Islamic faith. Over the centuries this religion has contributed much to making the world a better place, my own country included."

Obama has already demonstrated that he knows perfectly well how to use the language of diplomacy. However, it remains to be seen whether his words will be followed by deeds. This was the message given by Yehia Mussa of Hamas, when he said: "Nice words are not as important as deeds. All Arabs agree that he can prove his sincerity by supporting the Palestinian cause."

In his speech to the Turkish parliament Obama also mentioned that he would actively strive for the creation of a Palestinian state beside Israel. He further declared: "I want to make this very clear. The United States wants to actively support a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living peacefully side by side." This is why the Islamic world expects that Obama will cause the United States to abandon her "pro-Israel bias" and pressurize the new Israeli government to approve the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian representative for the negotiations with Israel, expressed the same hope by saying: "Hopefully the new Israeli government understands that the creation of a Palestinian state is the only way towards a permanent peace." Thereupon the office of the Israeli Prime Minister declared that Israel would closely cooperate with the United States in order to strive for a peace with the Palestinians. The two-state solution, however, was not mentioned in this message.

The statements made by the Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Lieberman might lead to a serious crisis in the relations between Israel and the United States. This is why Prime Minister Netanyahu tried to remedy this development by saying that it is his wish to achieve a just and permanent peace with the Palestinians. However, one thing is already foreseeable: Netanyahu and his government will come under enormous pressure, although there may be different opinions concerning the way towards a just and permanent peace. If the statements of President Obama and representatives of the Arab world are to be believed, this way will inevitably lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Time will tell whether the new Israeli government will be able to withstand the pressure that comes from all sides or whether it will break down. However, one thing seems to be already obvious: In view of the worldwide pressure the creation of a Palestinian state seems to be unstoppable, whereas it is not yet sure how this new state will be constituted.

However, many Bible students who know the prophetic statements of the Bible agree that such a thing will not happen, although it seems that this development must come in order to create the situation of peace and security that the Apostle Paul mentions in the fifth chapter of 2nd Thessalonians and that will usher in the last end-time events.

Anyway, there are good reasons why Jesus in His Olivet Discourse warned His disciples that they should heed the signs of the times. Sharing with you this watchfulness, I am sending you a warm Shalom.

Fredi Winkler