You may view the 5 minute update this week via audio:
In this week’s 5 minute update, we focused on several things:
1) The current status of the Israel / PLO peace process
2) Economic instability with Europe
Five members of a Jewish family were killed in the West Bank settlement of Itamar. As a response to this murder, Israel announced that they are going to build 500 new homes in West Bank settlements. The US condemned Israel’s plan for new building. The Quartet (US, UN, EU and Russia) expressed doubt that Israel and the PLO can agree upon the terms for peace in the near future. As a result, the Quartet has decided to consider putting out a statement in April on their position regarding the final status issues. Uruguay is the latest South American country to recognize a PLO state. France said that it would recognize a PLO state if it was done with the support of the European Union. The PLO have decided that they want to pursue having the UN recognize a PLO state in September. Seeing that the international community is indicating that they are willing to recognize a PLO state without a peace agreement with Israel, Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak indicated that Israel needs to advance the peace process or face international isolation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to outline a new diplomatic plan next month. However, the PLO is expected to not accept it. Netanyahu and Abbas are planning to meet next week with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to discuss ideas on how to advance the peace process. Finally, Israel captured a ship from Turkey headed to Gaza which contained many weapons and Israel claims that the arms on the ship came from Iran via Syria.
An agreement to divide Jerusalem and establish a PLO state is a tribulation event.
The link to these articles are as follows:
1) Terror attack in Itamar: 5 family members murdered
2) Israel approves 500 new homes in West Bank in response to Itamar attack
3) US raps Israel for settlement approval after Itamar murders
4) Quartet ‘giving up hope’ of renewing Israeli-Palestinian talks
5) Uruguay joins South American nations in recognizing Palestinian statehood
6) France: EU recognition of Palestinian state ‘a possibility’
7) Palestinians eye UN recognition of state
8.) Barak: Israel must advance peace or face a ‘diplomatic tsunami’
9) Netanyahu to unveil new diplomatic plan
10) Abbas and Netanyahu invited to Moscow for talks
11) IDF seizes boat carrying weapons from Turkey to Gaza
12) Netanyahu: Arms on seized ship came from Iran via Syria
European banks have a 2.5 trillion dollar exposure to the debt laden nations of Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Ratings agency Moody’s downgraded the debt of Portugal again this week. Because of these developments, there is risk that the EU will have another sovereign debt crisis in the near future that could negatively impact the Euro. If the Euro collapses then the US dollar will collapse also.
A collapse of the US dollar and the establishment of one world currency is a tribulation event.
The link to these articles are as follows:
1) Banks have 2.5 trillion exposure to ailing quartet of Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain
2) Moody’s downgrades Portugal debt rating
From a Biblical prophetic perspective, the reason why the God of Israel would allow these events to happen is because it will result in the end of the exile of the house of Jacob and the reunification of the 12 tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Judah).
We will to be “watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem” and we will not rest until the God of Israel makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62).
Shalom in Yeshua the Messiah,
Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l