At a European Union summit in Brussels on November 4-5, EU leaders endorsed a plan proposed by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana outlining how the EU can assist in the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The four-pronged offensive calls for EU cooperation with the Palestinian Authority on security, institutional reforms, economic aid and local elections.
Specifically, the plan calls for deploying EU peacekeeping troops to the Gaza Strip ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s planned unilateral withdrawal from the territory. At first they will help train and organize a Palestinian police force to enforce law and order following Israel’s retreat, but one Solana aide says “a more robust role should not [be] ruled out” (EUobserver.com, November 2).
“We are ready to contribute and to cooperate with our Palestinian friends on all the elements that they need: security, or administration reform, or whatever is necessary,” Solana said in an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel (Middle East Newsline, November 4).
Interestingly, at the same time the EU is offering “whatever is necessary” to help the Palestinians, it is calling for Israel to withdraw from the West Bank, including the eastern half of Jerusalem. Israel must “commit to making the [Gaza] withdrawal the first step in a process that leads to the pullout from all the occupied areas,” Solana told Der Spiegel. “Sharon is mistaken if he thinks that withdrawal from Gaza is enough,” he said. “Europe won’t support that” (Jerusalem Newswire, October 24).
Ironically, Sharon’s proposal to withdraw from Gaza, which was sold to his people as a way to stall international pressure on Israel to give up eastern Jerusalem and other territory, is doing just the opposite. Europe is lauding the move at the same time it uses it to pressure Israel into further territorial concessions. The EU is attempting to use the Gaza withdrawal to jump-start its Roadmap to Middle East peace—a plan that gives the Palestinians an independent state, including eastern Jerusalem.
Referring to Zechariah 14:2, editor in chief Gerald Flurry forewarns, “East Jerusalem—one half of the city—will be conquered by the Palestinians!” (Jerusalem in Prophecy). When this trigger event happens, you can be certain that Europe will muscle its way into assuming “a more robust role” in securing Jerusalem as well. Such a prospect should send off alarm bells for anyone familiar with Christ’s famous Olivet prophecy, “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20).
Request Jerusalem in Prophecy to learn more about Europe’s prophesied involvement in Israel and continue watching for God’s prophecies concerning Jerusalem to be fulfilled.