Security and Peace
(Signs of the Time - February 2000)
The title for this month’s article is taken from the words of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak, commenting on the peace talks with Syria said he was hopeful these talks would finally provide "security and peace to Israel and the nations that surround them." Given the volume of Christian newsletters coming from Israel, it is possible Barak has heard the phrase as a biblical one and was using New Testament words to explain his motives for achieving peace. Further, it is interesting to note peace is only being sought among those neighboring nations described in scripture as being in a non-adversarial position to Israel during the latter days. That is, Israel is not attempting to make peace with Persia, Libya or other nations described during the latter days as "those being against Israel."
This month’s article looks at the talks, examines the process and motives and notes an interesting feature of Bible prophecy.
The major issue
For the most part, the entire discussion between Israel and Syria revolves around a
single issue, the Golan Heights. While water and security are on the peace agenda, they
are overshadowed by the Golan. The Golan Heights was captured from Syria during the 1967
Mideast war and is considered a vital portion of land. The Golan area is elevated above
the northern part of Israel and gves a great military advantage to Syria, should they
elect to attack Israel. As is well known, Israel puts a high value on the security
controls that could be provided by early-warning stations. Stations such as these would be
lost by a return of the land to Syria which could easily again shell northern Galilee.
The road ahead for Barak will be hard. The Syrian position is that it currently wants Israel to pull back another seven miles beyond the international border to the line that divided them on June 4, 1967.
In early December, 1999, Barak won parliamentary backing for opening negotiations with Damascus. By a vote of 47-31 (with 24 abstentions) the Israeli government signaled just how deeply divided it is over what Barak called the "painful" price of peace with Syria. This painful price of peace is understood by all to mean the entirety of the Golan Heights. Seven members of Barak’s own 68-member coalition voted against the symbolic measure, and 19 abstained -- an indicator of the tough battle he faces ahead of a national referendum on giving up the Golan.
By law, any turnover of the Golan, must be approved by at least 61 members of the 120-member parliament. As well, Barak has promised to present a peace treaty to a national referendum. In addition to returning the land to Syria and compromising its security, Israel would also have to relocate some 17,000 Israelis who now live in 33 Golan Heights’ settlements.
The New York Times reported, December 7, 1999, "Coalition members made it clear Barak would have to fight for their support: all five members of the hard-line National Religious Party voted against the measure, along with two members of the four-member Israel B’Aliyah party, representing Russian immigrants. All 17 members of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party abstained."
Motives for peace with Syria
It may seem like an odd statement but the point has been raised several times as to
why Israel would seek peace with Syria. Obviously, the world is demanding peace in the
Middle East, but is the price of the Golan Heights and the resettlement worth the
potential political turmoil for Barak. One of the major motives for Barak is the potential
to preserve the lives of his fellow countrymen. The New York Times reported Barak
said: "There were once those who said that without peace war was
preferable." He continued, referring to the 1973 war, "we had 3,000
graves and the picture changed."
As well, money could be a motivating factor in the peace settlement. After the Camp David accord, $3 billion in annual aid to Israel and $2.3 billion to Egypt over 20 years was provided by the U.S. government via the accord. In comparing and contrasting the Camp David accord, the New York Times reported: "Others, though, note the peculiar cooperation that has developed between Israel and Egypt, which, since their aid levels are linked, almost jointly lobby Congress every year for continued high levels of financing. They say that if Syria were brought into the U.S. orbit, it would give the Americans and Israelis leverage. Assad, too, is reportedly looking to establish a close economic, military and strategic relationship with the United States."
Bible silence suggestive
For the most part, the scriptures suggest, if only by omission, that Syria, Egypt and
other nations directly surrounding Israel are not part of the group that invades Israel at
the time of the end. It is yet to be determined whether peace with their immediate
neighbors will lull Israel into a false sense of security and peace, or perhaps be a
catalyst when others see an imbalance of power developing in the Middle East. In any case
we know for certain that God rules in the kingdoms of men and He will direct their affairs
as they fit into His overall plan. Let us pray that it may come soon.
George Rayner