There’s no doubt that former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has made some waves in the last several months. Whether or not you love or hate him regarding the highly controversial release of his recent book, which in many ways bashed President Donald Trump, Bolton made a statement this week that I actually agree with. In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio on July 21st, Bolton said:
“Personally, I would go ahead and do it [apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria]….I think the next few months are an optimal time for Israel to act in its own national security interests.”
Bolton said that Jared Kushner is one of the main people opposing unilateral action from Israel regarding sovereignty. Kushner is one of the main architects of the US administration’s middle eastern peace plan, often called the “deal of the century.” Even though Jewish, Kushner appears to have large interests in seeing a Palestinian state established alongside of Israel, a move which would be near suicide for Israel. In his interview with Israel’s Army Radio, Bolton also said:
“I think there’s obviously a disagreement. Jared is still trying to sustain his peace plan, and he’s worried about unilateral action or American recognition of unilateral action.”
Many Israelis and much of the Jewish world were disappointed when on July 1st nothing happened regarding the application of sovereignty. This was the first possible date cited as to when Israel could advance legislation in their government to move forward the issue of sovereignty. Those resting their hopes on the date were highly disappointed.
Jason Greenblatt, Jared Kushner’s former partner in the crafting of the “deal of the century,” is a strong advocate for a future Palestinian state in Israel’s current territory. He is also adamant that the Palestinians have to meet a strict criteria to merit such a state, which includes giving up their cause of murdering Jews, something which is not likely to happen anytime soon.
Also in an interview with Israel’s Army Radio this week, Greenblatt said that a declaration of sovereignty from Israel had to be linked to “a commitment to set aside a certain area of land for the eventual, potential Palestinian state.”
He continued, “There’s a lot of criteria before the Palestinians become a state, if it ever happens. I think that’s what differentiates the plan we released from some of the past efforts. There are things that have to be solved before you begin a discussion on what a Palestinian state should look like.”
It is clear that the architects of President Trump’s peace plan oppose Israel applying sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria without the full approval of America and a commitment to setting aside land for a future Palestinian state. The question Israel should be asking themselves, however, is – do they need America’s approval to apply sovereignty within their own country?
Whilst the world debates the application of sovereignty in the biblical heartland, there is something else quietly happening in Judea and Samaria that is little known internationally. The European Union is funneling millions of dollars into Palestinian building projects in Area C, land in Judea and Samaria which is under Israel’s full jurisdiction under the Oslo Accords. Just this week, the EU launched another project with the Palestinian Authority financing illegal construction in Area C. The funding for this project tops 17 million dollars, and violates decades-old deals reached with Israel.
Under the Oslo Accords, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are divided into areas A, B, and C. Area A is under Palestinian Authority civil and security control, and it is illegal for Israeli citizens to enter. Area B is territory that is under the PA’s civil control, but under Israel’s security jurisdiction. Finally, area C is under Israel’s full control and is where many of the Jewish settlements are located. No matter how you look at it, Palestinian building projects funded by the European Union in area C are 100% illegal.
While Israel debates the application of sovereignty with the international community and the EU funds illegal buildings in Israel’s territory, COVID-19 rages on in Israel and the United States. Here in Israel, there is a growing discontent with the regulations that Israel is trying to impose on its citizens in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. At the moment, the Coronavirus Committee established by the Knesset has overturned several regulations that the government attempted to put in place. The Knesset is now in the process of passing a law that would allow them to put any regulation they see necessary into place without the committee being able to overturn it.
To be honest, I’m worried about America as leading US officials continue to push for Israel to commit to establishing a Palestinian state. We’ve clearly laid out in previous articles here at the Heartland Report about how many disasters in the United States are directly linked to America’s call for Israel to divide their land. I have no doubt that the current upheaval and the upsurge in COVID-19 are the direct results of the efforts to divide Israel yet again.
Regardless of how pro-Israel the current US administration is and how good the “deal of the century” might be, calling to divide the land of Israel goes against Scripture. The results for America can only be disastrous.
It is time for us to stand even stronger. Make sure you find yourself on the right side of the fence when it comes to Israel.
Do you support Israel’s right to sovereignty over their entire land?
