Worthy Christian News Blog » Israeli Politics

In the next few weeks, elections among the Palestinian people will be critical. With recent polls showing that Hamas could very well win the elections, what could this mean?

First, since Hamas is listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the State Department (source) it will lose all its funding from within the United States… and I mean ALL of it. According to US law, any organization designated as a FTO by the State Department cannot receive any funding, neither from the United States government or from any individual within the United States.

It is unlawful for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to a designated FTO. – Source

According to United Nations Resolution 1373, no government within the United Nations is allowed to support a known terrorist organization either.

Under terms of the text, the Council decided that all States should prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, as well as criminalize the wilful provision or collection of funds for such acts. The funds, financial assets and economic resources of those who commit or attempt to commit terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts and of persons and entities acting on behalf of terrorists should also be frozen without delay.

The Council also decided that States should prohibit their nationals or persons or entities in their territories from making funds, financial assets, economic resources, financial or other related services available to persons who commit or attempt to commit, facilitate or participate in the commission of terrorist acts. States should also refrain from providing any form of support to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts; take the necessary steps to prevent the commission of terrorist acts; deny safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, commit terrorist acts and provide safe havens as well. – Source

What does all this mean? If the Palestinian people choose Hamas to lead them — they will cut off all financial aid from every direction. And who will they blame? Do think they’ll take any responsibilty for their own actions?  Of course not! And who takes the blame for every injustice in the world? The United States and Israel! But included in the mix this time will be the European Union and the United Nations.

It looks like we’re heading down a path which can only lead to one place — a face to face battle — the world vs. Islam.

In a future blog, I’ll discuss how I believe this could fit into prophecy.

Until next time,

George

Yesterday, I suggested that a contributing factor to Sharon’s recent stroke may be related to the growing $3 million scandal that surrounds him.

Ynet News quotes a hospital official today –

One hospital official said, “There is no question that psychological pressure can influence a stroke of the type Sharon has suffered. You can understand that this type of pressure may have been caused by recent reports about the Sharon family and the Schlaf affair.” – Source

Until next time.

George

In light of all that is going on, it will be interesting to see how Kadima rallies behind Ehud Olmert in the upcoming months.

Just recently, Ynet News ran an article of the political infighting between acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni as to who would retain the #2 position in Kadima. These reports were later dismissed… but could this be true?

Ehud Olmert is a master politician. He knew how to rise to the top by clinging onto the coattails of Ariel Sharon. He was Sharon’s puppet for a few years throwing out “trial balloons” for Sharon. A prime example of this is when Olmert told Yedioth, the leading newspaper in Israel, about the plans of Gaza withdrawal. He was merely preparing the public for the Ariel’s plans.

If Sharon hadn’t left the Likud party, it would be probable that Ehud Olmert wouldn’t even find a seat in the Knesset in this next election. He barely found a seat in the Knesset in the last election, being that he was in the upper 30′s on Likud’s Knesset list. But Likud won 40 seats which secured him a position. And of course it does help to be  a “close friend” to one of Israel’s most famous politicans, good ol’ Ariel.

So now the spotlight is on Olmert, and he handled the first day on the job flawlessly. It seems that the Israeli press may rally behind Olmert for a time since Israel is in the political uproar that it is. That will be beneficial to Olmert for a season, yes. But will the Israeli public forget the fact that it was he who told the Jerusalem Post about the plans to divide Jerusalem less than a year ago? 

Olmert rose to the top providing Sharon political cover with different announcements. But that may very well prove to be the reason why he may not be elected in March.

Until next time!

George

As I said previously, I thought it was terribly premature for Ariel’s doctors to say his upcoming heart surgery was “no risk”.

Now an article written by the Int’l Herald Tribune suggests that the “blood thinning” medicine that Sharon was taking before his 2nd stroke actually complicated matters since the blood would not clot in his brain.

Such medicines carry serious risks, leaving patients vulnerable to a wide range of bleeding complications, including severe bleeding within the brain. “This is a known side effect and a tragedy we all dread,” – Source

I guess the doctors didn’t consider all the facts before making such a statement. 

“Pride goes before destruction” comes to mind here.

Until next time!

George

Last night before heading to bed, I read that Sharon was rushed to the hospital. Isn’t it interesting that the day before, they said there was “NO risk involved” concerning his upcoming heart surgery? It appeared Sharon’s health was good and now all of a sudden he’s being rushed to the hospital?

“Professor Haim Lotan of Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem said last week that the procedure involved no risks.” – Source

This morning, I open the Israeli news only to find that Sharon had a massive stroke and his condition is grave.

“The prime minister is, of course, under anesthesia and being ventilated. We’re talking about a severe stroke and a cerebral hemorrhage. We can say the situation is grave,” – Source

I wonder if the recent news of the $3 million scandal, which allegedly involves a businessman who owns casinos worldwide, could be a contributing factor to Sharon’s current condition…?

According to suspicions, the large sums transferred to Sharon junior may have originated at Schlaf’s casino companies. – Source

Before the withdrawal out of the Gaza Strip, Israel Insider disclosed that Sharon buddies plan casino on remnant of Jewish Gaza. Could these two stories be related?

It’s always interesting to watch from the sidelines and try to predict what will take place in the future.

I believe one thing is certain, Sharon’s political career will now be a thing of the past.

Now, who will assume the #1 role in Kadima? Hmmm. The fight for who leads this new centerist party in Israel should be interesting to watch!

Until next time!

George