When the Trump administration released the economic portion of its Middle East peace plan last week, the back-seat quarterbacks launched into their versions of what’s wrong and what should be done.
The plan was presented as an outline towards peace; not a peace plan in itself. While there was little different than past efforts to peace initiatives, the critics were vocal as to the issues they felt would be roadblocks. However, a closer look would reveal that the problem wasn’t in the details (as it they usually are) but rather the bigger picture was being ignored.
So, what’s the problem? Palestinian Authority leaders say they want the West to give investment and aid, but there will be no discussion of peace until they are given an independent state.
However, lest anyone be fooled into thinking the problem is with Israel, the Palestinians had their chance to get the “liberty” they say they wanted in 2000, 2001 and 2008, when Israeli governments put a two-state solution with almost all of the West Bank and a share of Jerusalem in their hands.
They also enjoyed eight years of an Obama administration that clearly saw Israeli policies as the main obstacle to peace. Still, every time they had the chance to get the state they say they want so badly, they said “no.”
The problem is that the Palestinians' century-old war on Zionism has become intricately linked to their national identity. It is almost impossible for anyone inside their political structure to imagine normal life alongside a Jewish state. In addition to that mindset, embedded groups like Hamas and other Islamist terrorist organizations that have in their charters to see Israel obliterated from the face of the earth. , as well as the millions of descendants of the 1948 Arab refugees who continue to hold onto the false hope of erasing the last 71 years of history, won't like them act on it.
There are also millions of descendants of the 1948 Arab refugees who the land when Israel became a nation. The hold onto a false hope perpetuated by groups like Hamas in their pursuit in promoting the “right of return” as if the annihilation of the Jewish state will somehow take place. It is also why the Palestinian Authority continues to subsidize terror in the form of salaries for imprisoned terrorists, and pensions for their families and survivors. To do otherwise would be to admit that their defeat in a war they haven't the courage or the good sense to give up on.
President Trump's plan to bring peace in the Middle East will eventually fail. Why? Because in this case, it’s not about the money—it’s about the existence of Israel which is not acceptable to the Arab parties involved. And that is where the blame should lie—at the feet of those that will not accept Israel’s right to exist.
One day, a political figure will bring a false peace to that region of the world. The Bible identifies him as the Anti-Christ. This will happen in the very last years of history as we know it today.
Until then, it’s clear from biblical prophecies, that there will never be a lasting peace in the Middle East until the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Until that time, the Bible clearly states that there “will be wars and rumors of wars…”
So, this peace initiative is doomed before it starts…as are all others. There is only one Prince of Peace; and He is coming soon!
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