Date Has Been Set

DATE SET FOR UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF STATEHOOD

This week Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki announced that the Palestinians will present their bid for being recognized as an independent state and granted membership as such to the United Nations on Tuesday September 20th just after the opening of the 66th Session. It so happens that in September the rotating presidency of the General Assembly and the Security Council will be held by the Arab states of Qatar and Lebanon respectively. Qatar will hold that role for one year. Although Arab states enjoy an automatic majority in the General Assembly, a new state cannot be admitted without consent of the 15 member Security Council. As of now, the United States, one of five members of the council with the power of a veto, has indicated that it plans to oppose any unilateral move. A Palestinian spokesperson has said that "We have completed our responsibilities and are ready to govern ourselves. We cannot keep waiting for Israel to negotiate with good faith." Israel denies that the Palestinians have been willing to negotiate at all, despite "confidence building gestures" continually requested of her (Israel) by the international body, compared to none for the Palestinians. She also points out that the Palestinians are deeply divided between the Hamas and Fatah factions, which have been more or less continually at war for over five years.

It is unclear what will be the repercussions of the move, even if the U.S. vetoes it. At present Israel is strengthening its borders against the possibility of thousands of Palestinians from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan seeking to surge into the territories after the vote.

PLEASE PRAY:

*That establishment of a sovereign (Muslim) Palestinian state will not be ratified by the U.N. in September.

*Wisdom from the Father of Lights (James 1:5, 17) for believers here in Israel.to know how best and most effectively to direct our prayers according to the guidance of His Holy Spirit-not according to mere 'knee-jerk' emotional reactions.

*For wisdom for Israel's national and military leaders as to how best to prepare Israel to face any violence and lawlessness following the vote in September.

*That God will guide Israel in the borders she is to be responsible for protecting during this season. That the Palestinian people will be protected from Covenant-hating spiritual forces seeking to use them as pawns for keeping Jews out of lands God has promised them by everlasting covenant.

*That the Kingdom of God will Come in the hearts of Jews and Arabs.that He will provide a way for each to dwell in peace within the boundaries He has ordained for them.

portions taken from Israel Prayer list