Middle East Review

In November last, we commented here on the dramatic sequence of events in the Middle East during the autumn of 1970 and, in particular, on certain momentous developments in the Arab world. The hijacking of Swissair and B.O.A.C. jets by Palestinian guerillas, the destruction of the planes in the Jordan desert strip and the eventual release of the hostages, was followed by civil war in Jordan. After a fortnight's fighting a ceasefire was secured, largely through the influence of President Nasser of Egypt, but not before there had been heavy casualties and great devastation. The day following the Arab Summit Conference where the ceasefire had been agreed the world was astonished by the news of the sudden death of the Egyptian President following a heart attack. We wrote, "This unforeseen development changed the face of Middle East politics overnight. What now? No-one can answer that question. The nations watch and wait. Israel and her neighbours remain the focal point in the international scene".

Taking a look at the Middle East picture almost a year later, what do we see? The Arab world is torn apart. Egyptian influence has rapidly declined. One hundred supporters of the late President Nasser are awaiting trial for treason and plotting against the life of President Sadat. King Hussein of Jordan, ignoring Egyptian protestations, resumed relentless war on the Palestinian guerillas and is determined to crush them. Pockets of the rebels are crossing to the West Bank of Jordan preferring to surrender to the Israelis rather than fall into the hands of King Hussein's forces. Egypt has a 15-year Treaty of Alliance with the Soviet Union but at the same time is a member of a new confederation with Libya, Syria and the Sudan, who are committed to come to the aid of each other in the event of a coup. The abortive coup in the Sudan has been an embarrassment to Egypt and other Arab States allied to Soviet Russia. General Numeiry, precariously restored to power after a narrow escape, proceeded to dismiss the Communists who, he alleged, were behind the rebellion. At the time of writing (Aug. 5) there are angry exchanges between the Sudan and the Soviet Union and suspension of diplomatic relations is imminent. The repercussions of these events will be felt in other areas of the Middle East. Such is the picture of Israel's neighbours in the autumn of 1971-they are in confusion and disarray.

And what of Israel herself? Whatever satisfaction she may derive from the disarray of her adversaries, reports from Jerusalem reveal that she is troubled with serious internal problems. There have been savage riots with demonstrators hurling bombs, stones and bottles at the police. Drug-taking has soared, organized crime has become rampant and labour unrest is sweeping the country. Premier Golda Meir has denounced "the poison of disunity" and asked, "Whoever thought that Jew would fight Jew?" After priding themselves that they would build a country which would be the envy of the world the Jews now find themselves confronted with all the evils of modern "civilization". One civic leader in Jerusalem has said, "Israel had something that no other nation had to the same degree ... national pride. For the first time in 2,000 years, we had a place where a Jew could stand upright and say, 'This is my home'. The tragedy now is that so many youngsters seem to have forgotten the struggles of their parents and seem content to throw away the first chance we have had for so long. We are a nation of three million people with a common cause. Surely a country does not need war to bind it together

What Israel lacks, of course, is the spiritual leadership which statesmen and fighting men cannot supply. Her future greatness is assured when "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer: He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Rom. 11:26). But that time is not yet. According to the prophetic word she must first be refined in the furnace of affliction. Thus:

"... the house of Israel is become dross unto Me.... Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD ... As they gather silver and brass and iron and lead and tin into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it so will gather you... and blow upon you with the fire of My wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof" (Ezek. 22:18-21).

What the immediate future holds for the Middle East region none can foresee. But no power can interfere with the onward march of the divine purpose unfolded in the sure word of prophecy.

unknown | Sept 1971
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