The Jewish people still have a very troublesome way before them. The final negotiations about Jerusalem are set for May 1996. Already now voices are heard who wish to have a say-so in the “Jerusalem contract“, for instance Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the Imam in the Al-Aksa Mosque of Jerusalem. In an interview he made the following statement: “Israel may determine what it will. For me and all believers is the Israel annexation of Jerusalem nil and void. Not Israel, we are the rock, and nobody will bypass as. We, the Palestinians, are the most important partners in the negotiations. The Israelis are the last ones who have the right to decide over Jerusalem. Also Jordan has nothing to do with Jerusalem. Jerusalem means both – religion and politics. If we do not get back our rights in Jerusalem, the whole peace process will collapse like a house of cards – regardless of how many peace treaties the Israelis and Arabs have negotiated successfully.“

PLO-Chief Jasir Arafat made a similar declaration: “Listen to me, Hussein and Rabin, Jerusalem is the capitol of Palestine, whatever contracts are made in Amman or signed elsewhere. In the next battle the fight will be over Jerusalem. You think, that is far away. But we think, it is very near.“

In the Middle East peace process the concern is Jerusalem. There will be no real peace and no lasting rest. Daily we are going to hear news about Jericho, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip. It is serious, because those places of crisis are so near to Jerusalem. Gaza is about 80 km from the city of Jerusalem. The tribe of Judah who should possess that piece of land as Joshua had advised was not able to do so then (Judges 1:18). But according to the promise in Zeph. 2:4-7 the strip of land the Philistines had will fall to the house of Judah as soon as the divine geographical order is restored. Our prayer is, “O, God of Israel, be merciful to your people Israel!“

The Jewish people still have a very troublesome way before them. The final negotiations about Jerusalem are set for May 1996. Already now voices are heard who wish to have a say-so in the “Jerusalem contract“, for instance Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the Imam in the Al-Aksa Mosque of Jerusalem. In an interview he made the following statement: “Israel may determine what it will. For me and all believers is the Israel annexation of Jerusalem nil and void. Not Israel, we are the rock, and nobody will bypass as. We, the Palestinians, are the most important partners in the negotiations. The Israelis are the last ones who have the right to decide over Jerusalem. Also Jordan has nothing to do with Jerusalem. Jerusalem means both – religion and politics. If we do not get back our rights in Jerusalem, the whole peace process will collapse like a house of cards – regardless of how many peace treaties the Israelis and Arabs have negotiated successfully.“

PLO-Chief Jasir Arafat made a similar declaration: “Listen to me, Hussein and Rabin, Jerusalem is the capitol of Palestine, whatever contracts are made in Amman or signed elsewhere. In the next battle the fight will be over Jerusalem. You think, that is far away. But we think, it is very near.“

In the Middle East peace process the concern is Jerusalem. There will be no real peace and no lasting rest. Daily we are going to hear news about Jericho, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip. It is serious, because those places of crisis are so near to Jerusalem. Gaza is about 80 km from the city of Jerusalem. The tribe of Judah who should possess that piece of land as Joshua had advised was not able to do so then (Judges 1:18). But according to the promise in Zeph. 2:4-7 the strip of land the Philistines had will fall to the house of Judah as soon as the divine geographical order is restored. Our prayer is, “O, God of Israel, be merciful to your people Israel!“