A New Hand On The Helm

Last June's general election in Israel resulted in a change of Prime Minister from Yitzhak Shamir to Yitzhak Rabin. It was soon apparent that with a new hand on the helm national policy was significantly changing course.

It was not that the election gave the new Prime Minister an overall majority in the Knesset. He had to bargain with smaller political parties to gain their cooperation in forming a government. These included an ultra Orthodox Religious Party and a left-wing political group which had campaigned against privileges gained by Orthodox Jews. However, Rabin managed to achieve a workable coalition, enabling him to implement certain policies which his predecessor had firmly opposed.

Notably he reversed the settlements p01 icy of the Shamir era. The development of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip had been pushed ahead vigorously in recent years, arousing great resentment among Palestinians who regarded these territories as their rightful heritage. Rabin's government declined to put a complete freeze on the completion of 10,000 houses already started,

but cancelled plans for a further 6,500 houses.

From this concession there followed improved relations with the United States. Because the Shamir government had refused (0 stOp extending settlements, President Bush liad withheld loan guarantees from Israel. Ten billion dollars in loan guarantees were urgently needed to help absorb the great immigrant wave of Russian Jews. Rabin's agreement to halt the building of further settlements was warmly welcomed by President Bush, and the loan guarantees were promised. This will greatly help to strengthen Israel's economy and facilitate the settlement of thousands of new immigrants.

There was also a marked change in Israeli attitudes towards the Middle East Peace Process. Rabin took ftesh initiatives to renew the flagging talks. Within a week of being in office he personally visited Cairo for face to face talks with President Mubarak the first such meeting between the leaders of Israel and Egypt for almost six years. The Palestinians were invited to consider the formation and functioning of an elected "administrative council" which would take over

many local government responsibilities in the occupied territories. For the first time the possibility of some territorial compromise with Syria was suggested. These tentative proposals of course fell far short of the Palestinian's objectives or Syria's concept of territorial adjustments. Nevertheless they represented a more compromising approach by Israel than was ever seen under Shamir.

Inevitably there have been elements within Israel strongly critical of the new policy direction. Many Israelis share Yitzhak Shamir's view that the nation has an inalienable right to include ancient Galilee, Samaria and Judea within its boundaries. The Rabin government must also maintain control of the Palestinian intifadell. Himself an ex-General, Yitzhak Rabin has served as Defence Minister in the Israeli Cabinet and gained a reputation for firmness in enforcing public order. This will doubtless be put to further tesL For although more moderate Palestinian leaders welcome his greater readiness to negotiate, extremists pursue their terrorist activities.

Although the new hand on the political helm of Israel has brought a change of course, heavy seas and contrary winds persist for this remark-

able nation. Nor does the Word of prophecy offer promise of easier conditions; except perhaps a temporarily smoother passage when the "prince that shall come" will make a firm covenant with Israel for "one week" (Dan. 9:26,27). This in fulfilment of the Lord's word to the Jews: "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own'name, him ye will receive" (John 5:43). The Israel nation wilt then be saying "Peace and safety" under the false security of Antichrist's seven-year covenant (1 Thes. 5:3); only to be the victims of his treachery after three-and-a-half years, when there will be unleashed a veritable "euraquilo" of tribulation, driving the nation mercilessly towards shipwreck (Acts 27:14; Dan. 12:7).

Israel's extremity will signal the saving intervention of the almighty Peace-giver. Once more He will say, "Peace, be still", and there will be a great calm (Mark 4:39; Ps. 46:5-7, 10,11). Only through Him will it be permanently true of this storm-tossed people:

Then are they glad because they be qL~iet; so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be (Ps.

107:30).

unknown | Feb 1993
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