While this past weekend’s Middle East peace conference in Paris was intended to restart stalled negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over a two-state solution to the long-standing conflict in the West Bank, neither attended.
You read that right: Neither Israel nor the Palestinians sent representatives to the conference — the second in the past year hosted by France with the goal of advancing peace efforts.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the meetings as “useless” and a “fraud.” Going further, the Prime Minister called the gathering “anti-Israel,” charging that, “We here in Israel are dealing with huge challenges presented by terrorist forces, which not only seek to destroy Israel, but look to destroy every opportunity for peace.”
The prime minister is said to have told his Cabinet on Sunday that the conference was coordinated by the French and the Palestinians in order to “force terms on Israel that conflict with our national needs.”
In additional remarks that seemed to anticipate the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump this Friday, Netanyahu said, “This conference is among the last twitches of yesterday’s world. Tomorrow’s world will be different . . .”
Meanwhile, Yuval Rotem, the new head of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said the lack of progress on the issues affirms Israel’s view that “the only way to arrive at peace is by means of direct negations between the sides.”
The closing statement from the conference said any two-state solution should:
- Include recognition of Palestinian sovereignty and statehood
- Ensure Israel’s security needs
- End “the occupation that began in 1967”
- Resolve all “permanent status issues” — including Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, West Bank settlements, security and borders — based on UN Security Council resolutions
Israeli officials apparently found little they’d call new in either the conference discussions or its final statement, and view the lack of progress as a win because “problematic passages” from recent UN Security Council resolutions were not included.
On Monday, the 28 European Union foreign ministers met to discuss adopting the Paris declaration and backing the recent UN Resolution 2334 condemning Israel’s settlement activity in areas they gained in the Six-Day War waged against them in 1967. But, as The Jerusalem Post wrote, “Jerusalem heaved a sigh of relief on Monday” because Britain and certain Balkan countries blocked the effort, and the council adjourned without making such a statement.
The Israelis clearly believe a Trump administration will be more favorable to them, which may advance the Middle East peace process. But that’s not a sure thing. The region remains unstable, with violence bubbling below the surface, even as hatred and suspicion frequently derail progress toward a lasting peace.
All of the unrest adds relevance and urgency to our calling to be Yeshua’s (Jesus’) ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), to pray for peace and God’s protection in the region (Psalm 122:6, Psalm 34:14), and to pray that the people be reconciled first to God, and then to each other (Matthew 5:21-26).
Thank you for praying in this way. As you pray, I hope you’ll also consider giving an online gift now to deliver the Good News to the Jewish people. Our interest is not a matter of politics, but of passion to serve the Jewish people in the name of their Jewish Messiah.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your prayers for the nation of Israel and the work of Jewish Voice among the people there and worldwide.
