Post-arafat Prospect

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Feb 2005

The ever changing kaleidoscope of Middle Eastern political activity was further complicated towards the end of 2004 by two major factors. First came the unilateral initiative by Israel's Premier Sharon to remove Israeli settlers from Gaza. There followed the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, leaving a power vacuum as rival candidates sought recognition as his successor.

Stalemate had overtaken the 'peace process' when Sharon took the view that further negotiations with Yasser Arafat were futile until he repressed supporters who continued in acts of terrorism against Israel. The United States tended to accept this view. It was felt that Arafat could not be trusted, making promises of peaceful cooperation at the negotiating table, but at the same time countenancing terrorist activities.

Arafat's death had a profound effect among the rank and file of ordinary Palestinians. He was to the man in the street a father figure who had espoused their cause and forced the 'Palestinian question' on to the international agenda. His departure left a vacuum hard to fill because he'd avoided nominating anyone else to succeed him. Contention over future leadership was predictable. The most influential political group, Fatah, officially supported Mahmoud Abbas, a relatively moderate but elderly administrator under Arafat even though the middle-aged leader of the radical wing of Fatah, Marwan Barghouti, had far greater charismatic appeal.

Having broken off negotiations with Arafat, Premier Sharon nevertheless realized that international opinion was largely opposed to the expansion of Israeli settlements in territories formerly under Palestinian control. He shrewdly decided that Israel should voluntarily give up its settlement in Gaza. This gesture of cooperation by vacating a settlement within the Palestinian Authority's territory was particularly welcomed by the United States. Within Israel the abandonment of the Gaza settlement was seen by more orthodox and nationalistic elements as a betrayal. The settlers themselves were fiercely opposed to vacating their hard won foothold in what they regarded as part of Israel's God-given heritage.

When Abram was ninety-nine years of age God changed his name to Abraham, which means 'father of a multitude' (Gen.17:5). He added: '"I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you."' One of those nations derived from Ishmael, occupying territory in Paran, the north-east part of the Sinai Peninsula (Gen.21:21). Others were descendants of Abraham's sons by his concubines such as Keturah (Gen.25:1-6). They had been sent away eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east. From Esau came the Edomites, as detailed in Genesis chapter 36. It was predicted of Ishmael:

'"He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man,

And every man's hand against him.

And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren"' (Gen.16:12).

Isaac foretold about Esau:

'"By your sword shall you live, and you shall serve your brother;

And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,

That you shall break his yoke from your neck"' (Gen.27:40).

Old Testament history illustrates the outworking of these prophecies regarding the antagonistic attitudes of two nations which sprang from Abraham. Palestinians and other Arabic peoples in modern times claim Abraham as their father. Today these nations tend to have frequent differences among themselves, but share a common hostility to Israel. Nor will that attitude be modified at the critical time of the end, as Psalm 83 confirms:

'They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,

And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.

They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,

That the name of Israel may be remembered no more."

For they have consulted together with one consent;

They form a confederacy against You:

The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites �' (vv.3-6)

In the light of prophetic Scripture the believer watches with fascination yet sadness the ongoing struggle between peoples with common descent from their great forefather Abraham. Despite national animosities, how precious to realize that through the gospel of God's grace both Arabs and Jews are individually still being reconciled to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity (Eph.2:16).

PRASHER, G. | Feb 2005
Focus