Just a few days ago, on June 27, Israel celebrated the anniversary of a modern event of similar daring. In an astounding rescue, 100 elite Israeli commandos led by Yoni Netanyahu, (Bibi’s older brother) traveled over 2,500 miles to Kampala, Uganda and liberated scores of passengers taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists from a hijacked airplane. “Operation Thunderbolt” took place on July 4, 1976 whereby 103 hostages were saved, while only three died.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday he was prepared to make compromises to achieve peace but he rejected President Barack Obama's proposal that Israel return to 1967 borders.
Is peace possible without security? Netanyahu said last week, "security is the foundation of peace. Without it, peace will unravel. With it, peace can be stable and enduring."
As I reviewed the positions on both sides of the conflict, one cannot even begin to fathom how Netanyahu and Abbas will ever come to a peace agreement.
Today, I want to cover one major point of contention in the negotiations: the legitimacy of a homeland for the Jews.
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama said, "The goal is a settlement negotiated between the parties, that ends the occupation which began in 1967 and results in the emergence of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with a Jewish state of Israel and its other neighbors. That’s the vision we are pursuing."
This week will be a pivotal week in history, as Washington again attempts to broker a PEACE deal between Israel and the Palestinians. The direct peace talks begin on September 2nd in Washington D.C. As I read through the headlines today — the headline that stuck itself out like a sore thumb was, “Hurricane Earl, Category 4 Hurricane Threatens U.S. Coast”. If we are careful to observe recent history, one thing repeats itself over and over that God is continuing to watch over Israel.
If you didn't get a chance to see Chris Wallace's interview of Benjamin Netanyahu, I suggest reading the transcript below. I've highlighted what I consider the most important aspects of the interview.
