Disengagement Plan Brings Arab Condemnation
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April 16, 2004
Israeli
Assassinates Hamas Leader In Gaza
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israel assassinated
Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi in a missile strike on his car Saturday, part of
its declared campaign to wipe out the Islamic militant group's leadership ahead
of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (news
- web
sites). Two of Rantisi's bodyguards were also killed.
Points
Of Sharon's 'Disengagement Plan'
Main points from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's
"disengagement" plan, as published in Israeli newspapers Friday:
Arafat
Attacks Sharon's Gaza Plan
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has reacted angrily to President Bush's
decision to endorse the Israeli prime minister's plan for the Middle East.
EU
Calls For Middle East Quartet To Convene
The EU wants to see the principle international power
brokers in the Middle East convene as quickly as possible, following
Wednesday’s meeting between the US and Israel.
Speaking today (16 April) before an informal meeting of EU foreign Ministers in Tullamore, Ireland, the current head of the EU Council and Irish Foreign Minister, Brain Cowen, said that the so-called Middle East Quartet should meet "as soon as is practicable and possible".
Breakaway
Regions To Lose EU membership, Says Prodi
Regions breaking away from their countries and becoming
independent states would automatically lose membership of the EU, European
Commission President Romano Prodi has said.
Mr Prodi issued a written statement in response to a question from Welsh
Socialist MEP Eluned Morgan and has stirred debate in parts of the European
Union that hope for regional independence inside the EU.
Comments
I was wondering when the upheaval would begin
over the disengagement plan. Not long after President Bush's endorsement,
the whole Arab world was throwing a political fit. Don't expect this plan
to go very far.
The E.U has called for an emergency meeting
over the plan. Actually, I've been waiting for them to play a bigger, more
aggressive role in the Middle East talks. It would be nice if they
unveiled a plan of their own. That would be a big step forward in the
world of prophecy.
Take a look at the above news article on the
disengagement plan. It outlines the main points.
If you're looking for signs of a peace plan on
this side of the rapture, I wouldn't hold my breath. I still believe that
much of the unfolding will not take place until after the restrainer is removed
(II Thessalonians 2:7). Who or what is this restrainer? I believe it
is the Holy Spirit that resides in every believer. When Christians are
raptured, the Holy Spirit will go with them and won't return until the beginning
of the tribulation period. At this time, He will refill the 144,000
witnesses to do the work of evangelism. During the time span between the
rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period, satan will be free to do
his bidding and set up his kingdom. Of course, even during this time, God
will be in complete control.
It's funny that satan actually believes that
he can put one over on an all powerful God who knows what will happen past,
present and future all at the same time. A God that promised eternal life
through Christ before the world began (Titus 1:2).
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, you need to read my new article entitled "Hell, The Judgment, And The Lake Of Fire". The tribulation period will be horrible, but it will be nothing compared to this place.
Pastor Malone