John Kerry says Israel and Palestinians are close to a peace deal; Israeli opposition leader wants to swap land for such a deal

Jerusalem

US Secretary of State John Kerry claims that a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians is close:

December 06, 2013

JERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he believes Israel and the Palestinians are closer to a peace agreement than they have been in years at the end of a three-day trip to the region.

Kerry told reporters Friday before leaving Israel that despite the obstacles he was encouraged by the commitment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the pursuit of peace.

“Together there is no doubt in my mind we can reach an agreement that will support the peaceful and promising Palestine that the Palestinian people deserve alongside a prosperous and a more secure Israel,” said Kerry.

Kerry’s visit came amid reports that the talks were faltering over Israeli concerns about security in the West Bank and Palestinian anger over the continued construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

The talks resumed four months ago after a three-year suspension. They are to continue for another five months.

Kerry dismissed media speculation of a breakdown in the talks saying the two sides have maintained regular discussions.

He also declined to provide details on reports that U.S. mediators have made proposals regarding security in the Palestinian territories but indicated that such an effort was underway.

“If Israel’s security cannot be increased through this agreement it’s very difficult to make an agreement,” said Kerry. “So we are making certain that we are addressing each and every one of those questions.” http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-says-mideast-agreement-closer/1805294.html

The new head of Israel’s opposition Labor Party is endorsing ‘land for peace’ and dividing Jerusalem:

MK Yitzchak Herzog, newly elected head of the Labor party and head of the Opposition, said that while Gush Etzion in Judea is one of his favorite places, he envisions land swaps and the division of Jerusalem with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Herzog noted his fondness for Kibbutz Masu’ot Yitzchak, located in Judea. He told Yedioth Ahronoth the kibbutz “was named after my grandfather (former Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog) on his 70th birthday. He thought to retire and become a farmer there. There’s a memorial to him there, and a cypress tree my father planted.” However, the Labor leader claims a peace agreement with the PA must be reached to keep Gush Etzion part of Israel. He envisions land swaps leaving “settlement blocs” in Israel hands and giving the vast majority of Judea and Samaria, Israel’s biblical heartland, to the PA. READ MORE: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/174874#.UqIH9-IlitI

Officially, the Jews claim Jerusalem is their eternal and indivisible capital. Apparently not all political leaders in Israel see it that way, and that might be part of why John Kerry thinks the chance for peace is high.

Both the Jews and the Palestinians want Jerusalem. Many world leaders say that since both sides want it, then it should be divided. In addition to that, various ones who have associated with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood want Jerusalem, as does Iran–and they do not wish to share it. The Church of Rome, however, also wants parts (or all) of it, and seems currently interested in some type of divided arrangement.

There already is a real social division in Jerusalem. A formal political division may also come. And it may take military forces from outside the area to enforce it. Jesus Himself told of a time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20).

The Bible also suggests that Jerusalem will be divided:

2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (Zechariah 14:2)

The European Union and the current UN Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) want to divide Jerusalem now to partially satisfy many Palestinians. Possibly through the treaty of Daniel 9:27, the dividing will happen and the captivity of 1/2 of Jerusalem ultimately will come to at least partially fulfill Zechariah 14:2 (see Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

Israel needs to be careful about trusting the Europeans (dominated by biblical Assyria) and others:

4…Jerusalem is Oholibah…

22 “Therefore, Oholibah, thus says the Lord God:
‘Behold, I will stir up your lovers against you,From whom you have alienated yourself,And I will bring them against you from every side: 23 The Babylonians,All the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, Koa,All the Assyrians with them,All of them desirable young men,Governors and rulers,Captains and men of renown,All of them riding on horses. 24 And they shall come against you With chariots, wagons, and war-horses,With a horde of people.They shall array against you Buckler, shield, and helmet all around.
‘I will delegate judgment to them,And they shall judge you according to their judgments. 25 I will set My jealousy against you,And they shall deal furiously with you;They shall remove your nose and your ears,And your remnant shall fall by the sword;They shall take your sons and your daughters,And your remnant shall be devoured by fire. 26 They shall also strip you of your clothes And take away your beautiful jewelry. (Ezekiel 23:4, 22-26)

4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalms 83:4-8)

Israel is more danger with the peace deals and military alliances that it seems to want to pursue than most of the Jews realize (the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies are also at greater risk than they seem to realize).

The Bible clearly warns of a time of armies and Gentile domination of Jerusalem:

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. (Luke 21:20)

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Matthew 24:15-17)

23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:23-24)

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

As far as Jerusalem being “surrounded by armies,” like some previous USA presidents, about 3 1/2 years ago, USA President Barack Obama proposed something just like that (see Will Obama’s Plan Have Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies?). Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled. The current US Secretary of State’s views seem also to be a step in that direction.

It may take more conflict and/or war before a temporary peace deal such as Daniel 9:27 discusses can come to pass.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill Could this building, often referred to as the Cenacle, which is located on a Mount Zion, possibly have been the oldest actual Christian church building? There is also a video titled Does the ‘Cenacle’ deal have prophetic ramifications?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.