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Daily WATCH! Volume 2 Issue 77, Thursday, April 25, 2002
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CAN YOU SAY 'ROGUE STATE?'
By Randy Loudenslager
Rogue state, a term most often used by the American media and popularized during the Clinton administration in reference to the dominant state of the now defunct nation of Yugoslavia, Serbia. Former President Clinton used the term to describe nations who defied UN, NATO or U.S. will. The first weapon these institutions use from their vast political arsenals is human rights abuses. At the time the Serbian led government of Yugoslavia was cracking down on a militant separatist movement in the province of Kosovo. This separatist movement by ethnic Albanian Muslims was supported by Albanian nationals who were smuggling arms and fighters over the boarder from Albania. The Serbians had the insurgents on the run and was about to crush the rebellion when the UN and NATO who had been crying about the rights of the people in Kosovo to be autonomous and independent came to the rescue. This U.S. led effort is best remembered for the surgical air strikes that systematically dismantled the Serbian infrastructure until they could bare it no more.
Sound familiar? That so-called 'peace-keeper' mission set a precedent for what we see happening in Israel. Israel today refused to cooperate with the UN fact-finding team due to some political conniving by Kofi Annan. The world is crying human rights violations and calling for the Palestinian right to self-governance. Like Serbia, Israel is expected to simply give away what rightfully belongs to her. Like Serbia, when Israel acts to defend itself it is deemed the aggressor and calls for military intervention on behalf of the Palestinians fill the airwaves.
Israel reminded the UN that she is a sovereign state and does not have to cooperate with UN mandates, but so did Serbia. The only reason Israel has not received the 'rogue' label is because of American support. But America has not stopped the treatment of Israel by the world as if she were a rogue nonetheless. Russia has now openly demanded that Israel free Arafat and withdraw from the territories. Withdrawing from the territories is something Israel is already doing, even though Colin Powell expressed disappointment that Israel didn't obey President Bush's demand for 'immediate withdrawal."
The world is worked up now, Israel's withdrawal is not enough to appease them. Israel did not obey. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called for a conference that would allow him to present his own peace initiative even as members of his own government are making public announcements in favor of the Saudi initiative.
Sharon is hinting of a West Bank-style incursion into the Gaza strip as attacks from this area are increasing. Should we expect the world to look objectively at the Gaza strip? Will they acknowledge the fact that terrorism is alive and well in Gaza and necessitates a military response from Israel to protect herself or will the world continue to be persuaded that homicide-bombers of civilian men, women and children are freedom fighters?
Unlike the rest of the world Sharon sees the conclusion of operation Defensive Shield as an opportunity to take a new look at peace. Interestingly, Sharon's peace plan composed of three phases offers what the Palestinians say they want and in some ways appears similar to the Saudi plan but Arafat has already rejected it. Sensing the support and weight of the world on the side of the Palestinians they will continue to press for more. Sharon put forth his plan as: "a complete cessation of violence, hostilities, and especially incitement which leads to violent terrorist acts; a long-term intermediate agreement, similar to an armistice; and finally a permanent peace agreement in which Israel's final borders and the Palestinians' final borders will be established, ending the conflict between us and the Palestinians and the Arab countries. This must be based on Israel's right to exist in secure borders and provide for normalized relations with all countries in the region."
You can almost hear Sharon saying Israel wants rest, she wants to live like everyone else. Israel will get only 3 1/2 years to rest. She is stubborn and will rebel against her king and she will be punished. But God also says that he will not completely destroy her as he will the nations that hate her.
These days may appear to be endless. Nothing changing, the same old news about Israel. But we are approaching the breaking point, we may well be watching Israel's last major offensive until the last day. Even many of her faithful are weakening as Israel becomes the scorn of the earth. The day will come very soon when Israel will no longer see the point in holding on to her inheritance and will give it away for a dream. If she could only taste the sweetness of peace.
The day will come when the cry of peace and safety will resound
throughout Israel, but it will only be cruel deception. She will
taste it for a moment and then it will be gone.
Copyright 2002 Randy Loudenslager Ministries
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