Arab League condemns Israeli attack of Syria; Muslim Brotherhood gaining more influence in Syria and Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

Syria has not responded militarily against Israel yet for its attacks against it. The Arab League gave a somewhat limited condemnation to the Israeli attacks as it opposes the Shi’ite government of Syria’s President Assad:

May 07, 2013

Recent airstrikes in Syria have drawn a range of world reaction, as Israel insisted any action was directed at Hezbollah militants, while Syrian officials said the attacks showed Israel’s alliance with “terrorists” in Syria.

Anonymous intelligence sources in the Middle East said Israel targeted highly accurate Fatah-110 guided missiles shipped from Iran and stored in a warehouse at Damascus International Airport that were intended for Hezbollah militants to use against Israel.

The Iran-backed group is allied with Mr. Assad’s government and waged a brief war with Israel in 2006. http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-chafes-at-airstrikes-blames-on-israel/1655983.html

(CBS News) Overseas, Syria’s dictator has made no effort to retaliate against Israel for those surprise air strikes…The Israelis have also made it clear that are prepared to hit any targets in Syria that they perceive as a threat and they think that this time, even their usual enemies aren’t unhappy about it. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57583139/former-israeli-general-best-timing-for-syria-attack/

The response to Israeli airstrikes against Syrian government targets highlights the intricate web of loyalties ensnaring neighboring Arab states.

The Arab League early on suspended the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad, but has now rushed to condemn attacks attributed to Israel against his forces. Yet the rebuke of Israel comes as the Arab League tries to revive a decade-old peace plan envisioning regional recognition of the Jewish state.

There also is the sectarian factor. Most Sunni-majority states have sided with Syria’s Sunni-led opposition, in part to thwart the reach of Shi’ite-led Iran into the Arab world. There is even quiet approval of Israel’s determination not to let Iran create nuclear weapons. http://www.voanews.com/content/israeli-strikes-in-syria-pose-dilemma-for-arab-strikes/1655580.html

Understand that the Arab League is mainly composed of countries whose populations are dominated by Sunni Muslim, while Syria’s President Assad is a Shi’ite Muslim who is aligned with the Shi’ite Muslim dominated Iran.

One of the most influential groups against the Assad regime is the Sunni Muslim group known as the Muslim Brotherhood. And the Muslim Brotherhood is increasing its influence in Syria as well as other places, such as Egypt (bolding below mine):

May 6, 2013

The Muslim Brotherhood recently opened direct contacts with opposition groups in Damascus, providing them with cash for the first time and promising political influence in an effort to gain their support, according to Syrians organising clandestine relief efforts in rebel-held areas of the capital…

Although a member of the SNC, the Muslim Brotherhood is not solely channelling its aid through the formal opposition framework. Instead, it is independently dispensing cash and supplies in it own name, the Syrian aid organisers in Damascus said…

“They have been getting in touch with activists and making them good offers, I’m not sure if they’re offering money but they are certainly promising people high level positions in the movement if they agree to be a part of it,” said a dissident in the Syrian capital with extensive family connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.

He said the Muslim Brotherhood was “working hard” to build its strength in Damascus.

“Their timing is good, they have come at a time when other groups are failing to deliver, they have supporters everywhere,” he said.http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/muslim-brotherhood-opens-direct-link-to-rebels-in-damascus#ixzz2Sc7ObPZu

May 7, 2013

Egypt replaced two key economic ministers and boosted Islamists’ strength in the Cabinet…Abdel- Ghaffar Shukr, a member of the National Salvation Front opposition alliance, said by phone. “The regime once again chose ministers who are either members of the Muslim Brotherhood or affiliated with the group, while ignoring the opposition demand of appointing independent ministers capable of dealing with the economic, political and security issues.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-07/egypt-to-replace-finance-minister-in-cabinet-reshuffle.html

While the press, in general, tends to focus more on bombs than religion, the reality is that the Muslim Brotherhood is attempting to take advantage of various situations in the Arab nations and is having success in many places. Remember, that just three years ago the Muslim Brotherhood was an outlawed group in places like Egypt, but now dominates the government there.

Instead of being concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood, the USA, directly and indirectly, has supported it in various portions of the Middle East (including Syria, Egypt, Somalia, and Libya, to name just four).

To learn more about the Muslim Brotherhood, notice some quotes from an article that has been at the Muslim Brotherhood’s official website for years:

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement…“The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law…

What is its stance toward Israel and the U.S.?
Unremittingly negative. In past decades, the group had a blatantly anti-Semitic agenda, translating Hitler’s Mein Kampf and the forged Protocols of the Elders of Zion into Arabic and disseminating them to foment hatred of the Jews. More recently, it has contented itself with railing against “U.S. and Zionist domination.” (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 04/21/2013)

The Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. This is basically an Islamic confederation or empire. This confederation will not end up with Spain if I understand certain aspects of Bible prophecy correctly, but the confederation of the final King of the South may go from around Western Sahara and/or Mauritania to Oman (with possible involvement and/or coordination with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and/or Indonesia).

But notice that its beliefs about the USA and Israel are negative, yet the USA keeps supporting it.

And while some may dismiss all the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood as wishful thinking, this idea of an Arabic confederation is consistent with biblical prophecies. Notice that the Bible talks of a coming confederation of nations that are composed of peoples from North Africa and the Middle East, and it calls the leader the King of the South:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-44, NKJV)

2 ‘Son of man, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Howl ye, ha! for the day!

3 For near [is] a day, near [is] a day to Jehovah! A day of clouds, the time of nations it is.

4 And come in hath a sword to Egypt, And there hath been great pain in Cush, In the falling of the wounded in Egypt, And they have taken its store, And broken down have been its foundations.

5 Cush, and Phut, and Lud, and all the mixture, and Chub, And the sons of the land of the covenant with them by sword do fall,

6 Thus said Jehovah: And — fallen have supporters of Egypt, And come down hath the arrogance of her strength, From Migdol to Syene, by sword they fall in her, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.

7 And they have been desolated in the midst of desolate lands, And its cities are in the midst of wasted cities.

8 And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My giving fire against Egypt, And broken have been all her helpers.

9 In that day go forth do messengers from before Me in ships, To trouble confident Cush, And there hath been great pain among them, As the day of Egypt, for lo, it hath come. (Ezekiel 30:2-9, Young’s Literal Translation)

Notice that Egypt is mentioned by name in both Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 30, it will be prominent in the coming confederation. Since Syria is located in the Middle East, the above prophecies appear to be referring to a confederation of mainly Arabic nations that will include Syria. Hence, despite some issues, Syria will end up with some type of Islamic confederation–but one that will not be good for it or its people.

A coming confederation of Islamic lands is something that the Muslim Brotherhood is hoping to bring to pass. And a careful review of the news shows that it is making progress towards that goal.

Some links of related interest may include:

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.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
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.