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West Bank. The talks failed because of Arafat’s demand for the ‘right of return’ for Palestinian
refugees living abroad.
On August 2, 2001, Arafat and Pope John Paul met for a private meeting at the papal summer
residence in Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope again called for an end to violence, and said he
supported the rights of the Palestinians.
In June, 2003 current Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did a complete about-face (he had
promised to use his military experience to end terrorism once and for all) by agreeing with
President Bush and Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas that a Palestinian State is the common goal
of the U.S., Israel and the Palestinians, and even described Israel’s control of their own land as
an “occupation.”
In July, 2003, Israeli opposition leader, former Prime Minister of Israel, Shimon Peres,
publicly proposed that Jerusalem become the ‘World Capital’ of the world government that is
developing. His press release said that the claims on the city being made by Moslems, Christians,
and Jews could be placated by the presence of an overriding governing body that had jurisdiction
over the city. Peres suggested that the Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, be the mayor of
the city.
In November, 2003, in an attempt to get more support from the U.S. for more Israeli
concessions towards the Palestinians, Arafat said in a speech that Israel has a right to live in
peace. However groups like Hizballah (‘Party of God’), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah
continued their terrorist attacks, possibly believing that Arafat has become ‘soft’ in his
diplomatic approach to the Middle East situation.
Today, the Israeli military force is probably the most respected in the world, despite its small
size. They have a fighting spirit that can not be denied. Their military officers are sworn in with a
ceremony at the ancient fortress of Masada, where in 70 AD, unable to hold off the Roman
attack any longer, 950 men, women, and children committed suicide, rather than be captured.
Part of their oath says: “Masada shall never fall again.” This commitment has nurtured that
incredible fighting spirit, making them the most elite fighting force in the world– literally
unbeatable. They are God’s chosen people, and because of that, Israel will never fall, but that
won’t stop someone from trying. The region will continue to be a powder keg waiting to
explode. It seems likely that the Pope (the yet to come False Prophet) will be asked to be the
mediator of the Middle East situation, and be the one who facilitates it becoming a Universal
City for all religions.
Focusing on Israel
A map drawn by monks during the Crusades, still hangs in the Herford Cathedral, and
identifies Jerusalem as the geographic center of the world, which is so marked on the floor of the
Holy Sepulcher. The attention of the world will become more focused on this area of the world
as this nation continues to prosper. What is it about this country, besides the religious
significance, which has made it the most fought over pieces of land in history.
The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan, which is 1,296 feet below sea level, is the
lowest spot on the surface of the Earth. It is fifty miles long and eleven miles wide (about 500
square miles), and has a depth of 1,200 feet at its deepest point. Known as the ‘Sea of Salt,’
because it is ten times saltier than ocean water, it is fed by the Jordan River, and has no outlet. Its
waters have evaporated for hundreds of years in the extreme heat, at a rate of 280 million cubic