Peace, peace, when there is no peace

President Barack Obama has weighed in again in the Middle East. It's not enough that he sent war planes into Libya, and continues the war against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. Today's video speech about capitalism and democracy again highlights the American's views on his involvement in that troubled region. Watch the speech here If that takes too long, here's the full speech here.

I'm glad people are weighing in on the issue of peace and the Middle East. Last Sunday the Muslim terrorists vowed a 3rd intifada. Elior Levy reported last week (13 May) on YNet news, "The Palestinians are preparing for "Nakba Day" – text messages were sent to tens of thousands of cellular subscribers in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, calling them to take part in the events marking the Palestinian day of mourning over Israel's inception and to ignite a third Intifada.

Police intelligence suggests that the Palestinians intend on holding several prequel events on Friday and Saturday; and though the police believe chances of events escalating into riots are low, reinforced police and Border Guard forces will deploy in east Jerusalem, the Old City and Temple Mount plaza, to maintain order.

Security forces on high alert ahead of 'Nakba Day' / Omri Efraim
Defense establishment reinforces troops deployment in Jerusalem, West Bank ahead of weekend preceding Palestinian day of mourning over Israel's inception.
The main concern is that local protests will prompt violent clashes and mass rioting. As part of security measures ahead of Sunday the police announced that it will restrict the entrance to Temple Mount on Friday to male worshippers over the age of 45, carrying Israeli IDs." Full story here.

Our own Aussie media covered this stirring by Palestinian 'fans' of the intifada movement, which we should call intifadism. The full article came out at the end of March this year. Read it here Good on Facebook for trying to be peace makers. The article said,"Attempts by Facebook to shut down a "Third Intifada" page backfired on Tuesday. More than 7,000 Palestinians immediately signed up for three new copycat pages.

The original "Third Intifada" page, which had acquired almost half a million "fans", was closed down earlier on Tuesday just days after Israel contacted Facebook to complain over comments on it which it said called for "the killing of Israelis and Jews"."

On 17 May, we read on JPost written by Khaled Abu Toameh, "The great majority of Palestinians expect a third intifada to erupt if Israeli- Palestinian peace talks reach an impasse, according to a poll published on Tuesday.

The survey also showed that nearly 80 percent of Palestinians supported the recent reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah." Whole article

Abu Toameh also said, "With regards to peace with Israel, respondents seemed to be equally divided.

Asked, “Do you think that Israelis are interested in making peace with Palestinians?” 44% said no, while 45% replied yes, to a degree. The poll also showed that 40% of Palestinians support the resumption of peace talks with Israel, as opposed to 32% who have a mixed feeling and 25% who are opposed.
Only a tiny minority of 5% is for “military operations” as a way to end Israeli occupation."

So is there hope for peace in the Middle East?

Not if Wikipedia continues its kind of nonsense. Note this page so far still on their site, "The third intifada (May 15 2011) is the third Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories. The uprising began after failed negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel which ended with the Israeli refusal to halt the construction of settlements in the West bank. This intifada was organized by a Facebook group which was banned for advocating violence after attracting 350,000 followers. The intifada was launched during Nakba day, which commemorates the founding of Israel in 1948. Refugees from the Arab World gather around Israels borders in Lebanon and at the Golan Heights in Syria." Wiki page

But there is no intifada. The people of peace seem to have gained some sense for a while. I'm sure some terrorist and evil-inspired person will jump in with both arms waving and flag media attention by suiciding himself and maybe homiciding a few others.

The Jewish Chronicle reported today, "The three "days of rage" planned by various Palestinian groups failed to materialise in the largest Palestinian concentration, the West Bank. In Hebron and Ramallah, Palestinian police prevented thousands of marchers from leaving the city centres and taking on Israeli forces. Despite the unity agreement signed three weeks ago between Fatah and Hamas, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority's policemen beat up Hamas supporters in Hebron when they refused to disperse.

"The co-ordination with the Palestinians is going as smoothly as before the agreement," said one IDF officer with satisfaction on Sunday. A handful of demonstrations at smaller villages took place with little violence, a few ended in stone-throwing but were dispersed by tear-gas with only light casualties."
See whole article here

Real people with real hearts of passion and compassion want peace. And yet, we have to know what peace we are addressing. Listen to these words from the prophet of Israel.

"From the prophet even to the priest everyone practices deceit...saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace." (so said the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 8, verse 11)

Real peace comes from knowing the Prince of Peace. Real peace is deep within a person; it's rarely the result of a bullet. Remember Mahatma Gandhi's teaching, "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?"

I remember the words of Messiah, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (quoted in the biography of Jesus written by his follower John 14:27) Knowing Messiah Y'shua gives us peace, inside, and that's where it all begins.

I have watched and re-watched the DVD named "Forbidden Peace." It's a series of stories, real stories between real people, Palestinians and Israelis, who have found peace in the midst of terror and in the midst of trouble. You can order a copy online here

But even if you don't order it, know that real peace CAN happen, if we know the Messiah Y'shua, have repented of our own abundant sins, and lay them all at his feet. He trades those in for his righteousness and peace.

And that's worth making a speech about!