Tracking Trump

Some interesting things are happening as news of President Trump’s peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians emerges.

No one knows what the real plan is yet, but it has been reported that it includes a Palestinian state (dividing the land) and a Palestinian presence in Jerusalem. Supposedly Israel will maintain control of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Whatever this scheme is supposed to be, it is not biblical. Joel 3:2 is our marker:

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of

Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

Is it coincidence that Trump’s many enemies are ramping-up their pressure? The government shutdown is a trap for the president, Mueller’s runaway investigation is clearly designed to destroy Trump’s presidency, and his own party is populated by Deep State cowards and enemies.

If you ask me, Trump’s peace plan should be:

No Palestinian state, ever.

Then walk away from the podium.

If he’d done that, I think his political problems shrink.

According to the Times of Israel, the plan includes a Palestinian state in Gaza. This is a significant departure from the suicidal plans offered by Clinton, Bush, and Obama. However, it’s still dividing the land. Of course, this would include a Palestinian airport, seaport, and border crossings. A sovereign state anywhere near Israel would present a lethal threat to the Jewish state and is therefore unacceptable.

I would say that we will probably never again see a more pro Israel president than Donald Trump. A tiny window exists here, but the reality is, as soon as he’s out of office, the international pressure on Israel will intensify to such an extent that we will probably wish for the good old days of Obama.

If I were president, I’d never discuss a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, either publicly or privately.

Rumors are circulating that the peace plan will be unveiled around the time of Israel’s elections for prime minister, scheduled for April 9.

We will see. But someone should whisper “Joel 3:2” in Trump’s ear.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

 

No Peace

Barry Shaw has some interesting analysis this week in the Jerusalem Post.

The Israeli writer concludes that there is no peace to be had with the Palestinians. He compares the first George W. Bush term with now, beginning with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2002 letter to Bush. In it, he said Israel would begin disengagement with the Palestinians, starting with the pullout from Gaza.

Bush responded with a list of assurances for the Israelis, including this:

“Third, Israel will retain its right to defend itself against terrorism, including to take actions against terrorist organizations. The United States will lead efforts, working together with Jordan, Egypt, and others in the international community, to build the capacity and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has withdrawn from posing a threat that would have to be addressed by any other means.”

That didn’t happen.

Hamas moved in immediately, in competition with the equally corrupt and ruthless “Palestinian Authority” (PLO), and they have been allowed to attack Israelis for more than a decade.

American assurances? Bush’s assurances? Bush today lives an elite life in Texas, far away from the consequences of his and Sharon’s policies.

Of the Gaza pullout, Shaw writes:

“Israel withdrew, totally. It physically ejected over 8,000 Jews from their homes and their livelihood on the land. It removed every last Israeli soldier and dismantled the army bases in the Gaza Strip. It left behind fine homes and flourishing agricultural facilities, infrastructure and productive fields and orchards.”

He then says something profound:

“Inevitably, the Palestinian psyche will not change. Not against Israel, and not among themselves.

“Anyone who thinks that a full and permanent peace will be achieved by the creation of a Palestinian state is delusional.”

Increasingly, I take a view that is not popular: diplomacy will never work. The goal must be to ensure that Israel protects the security of its own citizens. Every other consideration must be much farther down the list of priorities.

It’s not unlike a biblical issue, found in Romans 16:17—

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

But no one will do this with the Palestinians.

(Yes, I know the PLO is not Christian and Paul’s admonition is aimed at Christians.)

But nice people don’t like to fight. Nice people usually wish bad things will just go away.

Islam will not go away. That ideology, and its ruthlessness, must be defeated.

There are rumblings that Trump’s peace initiative will carve up part of the Jews’ ancient homeland, and divide Jerusalem.

This then is the best we can hope for from a human government.

Joel 3:2 says—
I will gather all nations
and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.^[a]
There I will put them on trial
for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel,
because they scattered my people among the nations
and divided up my land.

Barry Shaw will say things most people won’t.

No leader in the West will. Even few pro Israel organizations will, including Christian Zionists. Too many want to find some accommodation with the Palestinians.

That won’t work.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com