STATUS OF JERUSALEM CUP OF TREMBLING

1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS. 2-Deadly storms hit Australian city like a quake. 3-Three dead after storms, flash floods in Switzerland. 4-Rain lashes southern, eastern Ont. as Environment Canada warns of tornadoes. 5-Thousands without power as storm moves across Ontario. 6-Forest fire edges toward Fort McMurray. 7-Russia's Putin calls for WTO alternative. 8-Syrian paper: Israel sends mixed signals. 9-Bush administration forcing Israel to endanger itself. 10-NATO Chief Wants New Ties With EU. 11-Conference focuses on status of Jerusalem.

EARTHQUAKES

MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)

STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Deadly storms hit Australian city like a quake Sun Jun 10, 2:33 AM ET

SYDNEY (AFP) - Rescue workers evacuated hundreds of people from their homes as deadly storms lashed Australia's east coast Sunday, leaving parts of one city looking like an earthquake had struck, officials said. The death toll rose to eight when police found the body of a man who died when his car was swept off a highway into a swollen creek.His wife and their three young children, aged two, three and nine, and who were travelling with him, also died when the road collapsed underneath them, but their bodies had been found earlier.Eight people have died so far since the storms hit Sydney and the Central Coast and Newcastle to the north on Friday.They include a 29-year-old man who was crushed when a tree fell on his car near Newcastle and a couple perished when their vehicle was swept off a bridge while crossing a flooded river in the Hunter Valley.

Another man from Newcastle is missing after being swept down a stormwater drain.Officials said Newcastle looked as if it had been hit by an earthquake.What I saw were parts of Newcastle that resembled the kind of damage that followed the (1989) earthquake, New South Wales state premier Morris Iemma said after visiting the city.Construction sites and scaffolding, debris on roads, abandoned cars, homes that were damaged, trees having fallen on homes, extensive damage. It was quite disbelieving, he added.The 1989 earthquake packed a magnitude of 5.6 and killed 13 people.

Newcastle resident Harry Gregory told The Sunday Telegraph he fled his home after his bed and fridge started to float in the floodwaters.Everything's ruined, he said. I have a lounge (sofa) stuck in my front fence and I have got no idea who it belongs to.

Emergency workers evacuated 400 people from their homes along the Central Coast overnight, including by boat and helicopter, and were Sunday working on convincing residents in Maitland, just to the north, to seek shelter in case the Hunter River bursts its banks.Although it has brought much-needed rain to Sydney and towns to its north, the storm has wreaked havoc.Accompanied by gale force winds, it has driven a massive freighter aground in Newcastle, prompted the suspension of ferry services on Sydney Harbour and blacked out tens of thousands of homes.State Emergency Services (SES) spokesman Philip Campbell said 200 properties in the Maitland region were being evacuated.The most serious point for the SES in terms of this flood emergency will be later on this evening, he told Australian Associated Press.Prime Minister John Howard said those affected by storm and flooding would be entitled to cash payments in addition to natural disaster funding offered by the state government. Our thoughts and prayers are with the communities who have suffered and are continuing to feel the impact of this natural disaster, he said.

Maritime officials said the 30,000-tonne vessel Pasha Bulker, still stranded on a Newcastle beach after running aground amid huge seas on Friday, had had some power restored to it and appeared to be intact. Meanwhile, power outages on the Central Coast were threatening the water supply because a black-out at two pumping stations meant that reservoirs were only 10 percent full. We're anticipating if we don't get power back today that we may lose water to some suburbs by this evening, Gosford
City Council's Stephen Martin said.

Three dead after storms, flash floods in Switzerland Sat Jun 9, 2:57 PM ET

GENEVA (AFP) - Three people were killed in central Switzerland after they were caught in flash floods overnight caused by heavy thunderstorms, police said Saturday. A couple died in the small town of Huttwil after they were swept away by a small river which turned into a raging torrent during the storms late Friday, police in the canton of Bern said at a press conference.Their son was saved by onlookers, they added.Police also said an elderly woman died in the nearby village of Eriswil when her home was flooded.Cars were swept away by the fast flowing water, several houses were flooded and two bridges in the region were severely damaged, authorities said.Local roads were also cut briefly as flood waters reportedly rose within seconds.Flash flooding and mudslides were also reported overnight during storms near Lucerne in central Switzerland and in the northern city of Basel, mainly affecting home cellars and roads. No one was injured, authorities said.

Friday, June 8th, 2007
Rain lashes southern, eastern Ont. as Environment Canada warns of tornadoes
Canadian Press

TORONTO (CP) - Tornado warnings have been issued for some parts of east-central Ontario as a very dangerous storm moves across the province. Environment Canada says the warnings include Renfrew, Arnprior, Petawawa, Pembroke and Barry's Bay. There's also a tornado watch for the Ottawa and Gatineau area, Peterborough, Bancroft, Smiths Falls, Haliburton County and Pembroke.

Funnel clouds were spotted in the Brantford and Hamilton areas this afternoon, but as of 5 p.m., had dissipated or moved out of St. Catharines, Hamilton and the northern Niagara region. Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect for parts of southern and eastern Ontario. Environment Canada says such storms can produce damaging winds, lightning and large hail. Emergency management officials recommend seeking shelter immediately when threatening weather approaches.

Environment Canada says a strong cold front from lower Michigan now stretches just east of Georgian Bay to eastern Lake Erie. The storm threat in eastern Ontario will likely persist into early evening. There have been reports that the weather has affected commuter transit. An eastbound GO Train from Toronto's Union station to Pickering has been cancelled due to severe weather. Another train heading westbound to Hamilton has also stopped west of the Clarkson station due to a fallen tree on the tracks.

Thousands without power as storm moves across Ontario
Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 7:01 PM ET CBC News

Tornado warnings have ended for some parts of southern Ontario Friday, but high winds have left about 70,000 people without power in parts of the province.Hydro One says customers in Georgian Bay, Hunstville, Muskoka, Hamilton and St. Catharines are reporting widespread outages.

In Toronto, heavy rain and winds played havoc with motorists after traffic lights were knocked out. As the storm passed, the temperature in the Toronto area dropped from 30 C to 19 C in 11 minutes.The storm downed trees and power lines across southwestern Ontario as winds gusted to a peak of 95 km/h. Temperatures began rebounding in Toronto as the severe thunderstorm warnings were dropped. The storm delayed many flights in and out of Pearson International Airport.The eastbound GO Train from Union station to Pickering has been cancelled due to severe weather.Earlier, Environment Canada said funnel clouds were spotted in the Brantford and Hamilton areas, but as of 5 p.m. had dissipated or moved out of St. Catharines, Hamilton and the northern Niagara region.A tornado watch is still in effect for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Bancroft, Haliburton, Renfrew and Pembroke.

Forest fire edges toward Fort McMurray
Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 9:04 AM MT CBC News

Firefighters are busy Friday morning trying to stop Alberta's biggest forest fire from advancing toward the northern city of Fort McMurray.

The fire has spread over 150 square kilometres, making it the largest one burning in Alberta and the only blaze deemed out of control.Wind has been blowing the smoke into Fort McMurray for the past 24 hours.Fire information officer Rob Harris said the smoke hasn't been enough to cause problems, but firefighters are counting on another wind shift to clear the smoke and help them hold the line on the east side of the fire.It's going to be a test over the next day because of the winds, but after that it looks like Mother Nature will start working in our favour and start blowing that fire away from town again.

Russia's Putin calls for WTO alternative By ALEX NICHOLSON, AP Business Writer JUNE 10,07

ST.PETERSBURG, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin called Sunday for creating an alternative to the World Trade Organization that would favor developing economies and suggested giving a greater role to regional currencies. Speaking at an economic forum in Russia's second-largest city of St. Petersburg, Putin lamented that today's international economic organizations look archaic, undemocratic and awkward by protecting the interests mainly of developed economies.Today protectionism which the WTO is intended to fight oftentimes comes from developed economies that set up this structure, Putin told the conference.In order to stimulate trade and investment it is worth thinking about creating a regional Eurasian institute on free trade that could take advantage of the positive experience of WTO, he said. He did not elaborate.Putin said the stalled Doha round of global trade talks were a sign of the problems with the organization: Old methods of decision-making at times don't work.

The talks have stumbled repeatedly since their inception six years ago in Qatar's capital, largely because of wrangling between rich and poor countries over eliminating barriers to farm trade.Putin also said that, currently, global financial markets evolved around one or two currencies an apparent reference to the euro and the dollar and their fluctuations often have highly negative effects on many countries' economies and financial reserves.There can be only one answer to this challenge the creation of several world currencies, several financial centers, he said. Putin suggested Russia could become one of them.Russia remains the only major economy outside the WTO, the Geneva-based 150-member group, which sets global trade rules.To join, Russia still needs to reach agreement with its tiny ex-Soviet neighbor Georgia, which protests Russia's strong ties with its two breakaway provinces.

Russia also is in ongoing WTO talks with the European Union. Although the EU formally backs Russia's World Trade Organization membership, issues including foreign investors' access to Russia's vast energy sector has complicated Moscow's WTO application.Russian officials are using the two-day forum to court international capital and talk up the resurgent country, combining ambitious economic projections with promises of an open investment climate.Associated Press Writer Maria Danilova contributed to this report from Moscow.

Syrian paper: Israel sends mixed signals Sun Jun 10, 7:02 AM ET

DAMASCUS, Syria - Syria had no official reaction Sunday to Israel's announcement that it has sent secret peace feelers to the Arab country, but a state-run Syrian newspaper accused Israel of sending mixed signals.

The state-run, English-language Syria Times daily said it believed the Israeli government had no intention of making peace with Arabs, and accused Israel of sending contradictory messages.Syria has every right to doubt the intentions of (Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert and his statements regarding his desire to talk peace, at a time when his war generals and senior aides are launching warlike threats, the newspaper said. It's a blatant contradiction.Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said Saturday that the Israeli government had put out secret peace feelers to Syria, but said there was so far no response from Damascus.Mofaz said a letter had been sent to Damascus, but refused to divulge its contents.

His public confirmation came a day after an Israeli newspaper reported that Israel had told Syrian leaders it could give up the captured Golan Heights as part of a peace deal in which Syria would distance itself from Iran's virulently anti-Israeli regime.The paper, the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot, said Olmert had recently sent messages to Syrian President Bashar Assad, through German and Turkish diplomats, saying Israel was open to direct peace negotiations and was prepared to give up the strategic plateau, which it seized in the 1967 Mideast war.On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz told Israeli Radio that the country's military was preparing for any scenario.The Israeli military has to be ready on all fronts, he said.

James Baker's disciples
Bush administration forcing Israel to endanger itself
by Caroline Glick June 7, 2007 JPOST

Ahead of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's trip to the White House on June 19, the Bush administration is pressuring Israel to endanger itself on at least two fronts. First the Americans are pressuring the Olmert government to agree to Palestinian Authority and Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas's request to bring millions of bullets, thousands of Kalashnikov assault rifles, RPGs, anti-tank missiles and armored personnel carriers into Gaza from Egypt. The government has yet to respond to the request.

Those who oppose it argue that Fatah forces in Gaza are too weak and incompetent to battle Hamas forces and so any weaponry transferred to Fatah militias will likely end up in Hamas's hands. This logic is correct, but incomplete. It is true that Fatah forces are unwilling and presumably unable to defeat Hamas forces. But it is also true that Fatah forces use their arms to attack Israel. So even if there was no chance of Hamas laying its hands on the weapons, allowing Fatah to receive them would still endanger Israel.

The same limited logic informs Israel's strenuous objection to the Pentagon's intention to sell Saudi Arabia Joint Direct Attack Munition satellite-guided smart bombs or JDAMS. The government claims that while it has no truck with the Saudis, it fears for the stability of the regime. If the House of Saud falls, Osama bin Laden would get the bombs. Yet like Fatah, the Saudis aren't simply vulnerable.

They are culpable. In addition to being the creators of al Qaida and Hamas's largest financial backers, the Saudis themselves directly threaten Israel.In direct contravention of their commitment to the US, (and the US's commitment to Israel), the Saudis have deployed F-15 fighter jets at Tabuk air base located 150 km from Eilat. On May 13th, the Saudi Air Force held an air show at Tabuk for the benefit of King Abdullah and senior princes where the F-15s where ostentatiously shown. The timing of the show was interesting. It took place the day before Abdullah hosted Vice President Richard Cheney at Tabuk.

The administration is not just asking Israel to facilitate the arming of its enemies. It is also placing restrictions on Israel's ability to arm itself. As The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday, the Pentagon has yet to respond to Israel's request to purchase the F-22 stealth bomber. Moreover, the US seems to be torpedoing Israel's acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Pentagon recently voiced its objection to Israel's plan to install Israeli technology in the jets that are to be supplied starting in 2014. Israel's installation of its own electronic warfare systems in its F-16s and F-15s is how it has managed to maintain the IAF's qualitative edge over Arab states that have also purchased the aircraft. The administration's hostility towards Israel is unfortunately not an aberration. It is the result of a policy shift within the administration which occurred immediately after the Republican Party's defeat in the Congressional elections last November. After the Republican defeat, the administration embraced former secretary of state James Baker's foreign policy paradigm which is based on the belief that it is possible and desirable to reach a stable balance of power in the Middle East. As Baker sees it, the balance can be reached by forcing Israel to shrink to its natural proportions and assisting supposedly moderate and stable states like Egypt and Saudi Arabia to grow into their natural proportions. Once the states of the region (including Syria and Iran which Baker wishes to appease) have settled into their proper proportions, stability will be ensured.

Baker fleshed on his view in the Iraq Study Group's recommendations which were published immediately after the elections. Although President George W. Bush rejected the ISG's recommendations, the day after the elections he sacked defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and replaced him with Robert Gates who served on the ISG. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a disciple of Baker's ally former national security advisor Brent Scowcroft. The problem with the Baker paradigm is that it has never been borne out by reality. It collapsed during the Cold War both as the Soviet Union worked tirelessly to destabilize countries allied with the US and when the states of East-Central Europe revolted against the teetering empire and gained their freedom with its collapse.

In the 1990s, Baker's stability paradigm failed to foresee the post-nationalist movements that swept through Western Europe and the Muslim world and embraced the Soviet goal of weakening the US. Baker still denies the phenomenon and ignores its policy implications.

Today, the notion that stability is a realistic aim is even more far fetched. Specifically, the willingness of Muslim secularists to form strategic relations with jihadists and the willingness of Shiites to form strategic partnerships with Sunnis was unimaginable twenty years ago. Aside from that, the specter of a nuclear-armed Iran throws a monkey wrench into any thought of regional stability. A look around the region shows just how absurd Baker's notions truly are. In Lebanon today, Fatah al Islam, which is apparently allied with al Qaida, is fighting the Lebanese army in a bid to bring down the Siniora government at the behest of its sponsor — the secular Ba'athist regime in Damascus. Fatah al Islam is also aligned with Hizbullah, which shares its goal of bringing down the Lebanese government and with Iran which gives the Syrians their marching orders.

This state of affairs is also the name of the game in Iraq where Iran and Syria support both Muqtada al Sadr's Shiite Mehdi army and al Qaida's Sunni death squads. It repeats itself in Afghanistan where Iran is arming the Taliban and in the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, the paragons of moderation and stability in Egypt and Saudi Arabia which Baker and his followers are so keen to strengthen are
neither stable nor moderate. Both Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah are old men of uncertain health.

To stabilize their regimes they wrought unholy alliances with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Wahabis which are the only forces in Egyptian and Saudi societies that have not been flattened under their jackboots. This week Channel 10 reported that the Bush administration recently informed Israel and the Gulf states that it has no intention of launching military strikes against Iran's nuclear installations. The Americans explained that they need Iranian assistance in stabilizing Iraq to pave the way for an American withdrawal from the country before Bush leaves office. Under Baker's regency, the administration apparently now subscribes to the belief that they will be better off out of Iraq with a nuclear-armed Iran than in Iraq without a nuclear-armed Iran. For their part, the Arabs have demonstrated clearly that they do not share the administration's newfound faith that a nuclear-armed Iran will reach a stable equilibrium in a Bakeresque Middle Eastern balance of powers.

Their stated aim to build nuclear reactors is a clear sign that they recognize the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran. The administration's support the Arabs' quest for nuclear reactors makes clear that it is now willing to have a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race. This brings us back to Israel, which is situated smack in the middle of the regional chaos. How is Israel contending with this threatening state of affairs?

For its part, the IDF seems to be contending with it fairly well, at least with regard to Syria and Lebanon. The IDF's decision have television crews film IDF soldiers fighting in mock-up Syrian villages this week, like Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi's announcement that the IDF is prepared to fight on two fronts simultaneously are signs that the IDF recognizes that its only safe bet is to prepare for all contingencies. Were the IDF to complement these actions with warnings to Iran and operational plans to attack Iran's nuclear installations and distribute gas masks to the public, the General Staff would go a long way towards proving that it is adopting the only reasonable strategic posture available given the cards Israel has been dealt. Yet not only is the IDF not warning Iran, the Olmert government is undermining the IDF's correct posture towards Syria and Lebanon. Indeed, on every front, including towards Israel itself, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has himself adopted Baker's failed paradigm. Rather than publicly explain that in light of Syria's position as an Iranian client state in Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, there is nothing for Israel to talk to Syria about, Wednesday Olmert announced that he wishes to open negotiations on the Israeli surrender of the Golan Heights with the Syrians. The Syrians for their part cornered Olmert Thursday by agreeing to his offer. As Karl Moor and David Rivkin explained Thursday in The Jerusalem Post, it is not true, as Olmert and his minions claim that Israel has nothing to lose by negotiating with Syria. Given Israel's perceived weakness in the
wake of last summer's war and Syria's perceived strength, speaking to Syria about an Israeli surrender of the Golan Heights will only encourage Syrian belligerence.

And as with the Syrians, so too with the Palestinians, the Olmert government acts as Baker's water boy. Rather than waging a rational military campaign to defeat the jihadist front that has seeded itself in Gaza, Olmert issues near daily statements telling the Palestinians that Israel will cause them no harm.

He defends this policy by declaiming on the importance of strengthening the stability of the Palestinian Authority. Then there is the daily brown nosing Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni engage in towards the Egyptians and Saudis. Israel praises both as moderates while Egypt vows publicly not to take action to stop the transfer of weapons from Sinai to Gaza and the Saudis bankroll Hamas and demand that Israel implement their peace plan which calls for Israel's destruction. Yet all of this incompetent bumbling pales in comparison to Israel's weakness towards Iran. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz's assertion this week to the Post that he does not think it is right today to talk about military options towards Iran because he thinks that sanctions can still convince the mullahs to give up their nuclear ambitions comes dangerously close to an Israeli collapse in the face of an existential threat. The fact that Mofaz made this statement the same week that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran had crossed the nuclear threshold only exacerbates the perception of Israeli strategic disarray. Sooner or later the US will pay a price for the Bush administration's decision to embrace the delusion of stability as its strategic goal. With jihadist forces growing stronger around the globe, if the Americans leave Iraq without victory, there is no doubt that Iraq (and Iran and Syria) will come to them. But whatever the consequences of America's behavior for America, the price that Israel will pay for embracing Baker's myths of stability will be unspeakable.

NATO Chief Wants New Ties With EU
By BROOKS TIGNER, BRUSSELS JUNE 10,07

NATO and the European Union must set aside their doctrinal differences and forge a new strategic partnership based on close and regular consultations, said the alliance’s leader and other security officials.New NATO-EU institutional links deserve the highest attention, but it is a question that [EU security and defense chief Javier] Solana and I cannot solve. We need higher-level resolution of this
problem, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a one-day security conference here.

And it is something I will fight for as long as I occupy this position. The challenges of Afghanistan and Kosovo demand that NATO and the EU redouble their effort to forge a strategic relationship. The June 8 conference heard many speakers from NATO and European national capitals call for closer relations between the two organizations. The EU has not been as forthcoming as it could to foster closer relations with the alliance. While it says it needs to reinforce its security and defense policy by working with international partners, the EU’s declarations mention NATO as an afterthought or not at all, said Tomur Bayer, head of international security affairs at Turkey’s Foreign Ministry. This spirit must become more positive.

A Greek official said EU-NATO cooperation works very well on the ground but expressed concern about the suitability today of the so-called Berlin Plus arrangement, agreed in 2003, whereby the union can borrow allied assets for its own missions. Berlin Plus pertains to military missions only and has rarely been used by the European Union.

We cannot do our work to counter terrorism under Berlin Plus. This would be a disaster if the Taliban understood this. While Berlin Plus was once a solution, it is now part of the problem [regarding the fight against terrorism and the need for civil-military approaches to failed states and other crises], said the official. We need something else [to replace it].While high-level contacts between NATO and the EU remain patchy, cooperation on the ground is healthy, according to Mihai Carp, deputy head of crisis management policy at NATO’s Operations Division.

NATO-EU interaction on Kosovo and Afghanistan is moving ahead. For Kosovo we’ve identified potential security gaps that need plugging and our staffs have completed technical negotiations regarding border management, NATO military support to [future EU] police operations, the exchange of intelligence and our response to civil disturbances, observed Carp.

Though he said these arrangements will be implemented only at the tactical level, they are nonetheless meant to link the two organizations together.Officials from EU institutions were more circumspect about the issue. While agreeing that NATO and the European Union share much in common, they also insisted that the union can apply a wider gamut of policy tools to crisis management in the form of mixed civil-military missions whereas the alliance’s focus is military.

De Hoop Scheffer was quick to squash any implications, however, this might have for squeezing NATO out of the international security picture particularly regarding its leadership role within the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.We must guard against calls, in NATO that is, for increased civilian activity becoming an alibi for reducing our military efforts. After all, the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan cannot take place if ISAF does not succeed in providing security and stability, he said.The European Union is putting together a 160-strong police monitoring, mentoring and training mission in Afghanistan, which begins in mid-July and will last three years.

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

ZECHARIAH 12:1-3
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Conference focuses on status of Jerusalem
By: Joseph Pinnetti 2007-06-09

WASHINGTON — On June 4, 2007, the American Task Force on Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, and the Foundation for Middle East Peace held a joint congressional briefing entitled Jerusalem on the 40th Anniversary of the Six Day War: Challenges to the Viability of a Two State Solution.

The event, featuring Danny Seidemann and Dan Rothem, focused on the problems facing the city of Jerusalem as well as the repercussions of these problems on a two state solution. Both Seidemann and Rothem went into great detail on the strife caused by the division of Jerusalem, both physically and politically.

Rothem used a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate how the incursions of Israel’s wall into Palestinian territory are used by different Israeli governments and politicians for political purposes. The wall currently being constructed in the West Bank is on hold in many areas because of legal challenges. He contrasted current plans, which would place more than 10% of Palestinian lands on the Israeli side of the wall, with a more moderate proposal by the Israeli NGO, Council for Peace and Security. Led by several retired Israeli generals, the organization provides an alternate plan which divides the city along ethnic lines. This plan would leave many more villages on the Palestinian side of the wall and is only expected to take 5% of occupied West Bank land. Mr. Rothem also noted a third plan that would connect the settlements to Israel via secure roadways.

Seidemann concentrated on the effect division had on the city of Jerusalem. He noted the small victories which the peace movement has had throughout the years. He emphasized the fact that Jerusalem will be divided because Palestinians and Israelis have never aspired to share the same city. Seidemann discussed the failings of previous negotiations on Jerusalem such as the failure to incorporate Palestinians into the process, as well as treating Jerusalem as a peace of real estate instead of analyzing its significance. Even through this analysis of past failings, Seidemann pointed out that success was possible. He cited the example stopping the construction of E-1 as an example. The E-1 plan would have created a land bridge between Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim; ending prospects of a two state solution.Seidemann observed that the conflict is being reduced to its volcanic core, the old city and its environs. This point formed the center of his argument. Seidemann believes that if there was an element that was mismanaged this was it. He stated that Jerusalem itself has the capability to touch off conflict if mishandled and that recent history abounds with examples to support this claim. He addressed what he sees as a threat to the stability of Jerusalem. The Israeli Antiquities Authority, which receives more than 50% of its income from extreme religious settlers, harbors clear political goals, including displacement of Palestinians, messianic aspirations on the Temple Mount, and the sabotaging of any political process. He pointed out such plans as the opening of tunnels beneath, and relocation of ramps to the Temple Mount as possibly destabilizing to the peace process.Yet, throughout his entire presentation, there was an underlying tone of hope as illustrated by him saying that never before have the Israeli and Palestinian public been more aware of what they need to do.

During the question and answer period Seidemann stressed that he believed that a political division does not mean a physical division, an idea which differed from his counterpart Rothemen. When questioned on how to take the religious needs of the Muslims, Christians, and Jews into consideration in the dividing of the city he stated, Israel will need to cede sovereignty over the Temple Mount as part of a package of assurances of unimpeded access and respect for religious sites. He also
expressed the belief that when a final agreement will be made there will be no alternative than the extraction of settlers.

In closing Seidemann may have made the most powerful statement of the presentation, stating that as both a Zionist and a Jew my achievement can only be given to me by a Palestinian… only we can give the Palestinians what they want. This clearly illustrates the need by both sides to be validated by the other.Seidemann’s statements about the effect Jerusalem has on the Arab-Israeli conflict are important. He advocated a political rather than a physical division of the city, helping bring to the forefront a problem that has been at the center of many U.N. resolutions to date.

Attempting to make Jerusalem, more Jewish, is completely unfeasible. The location of the holy sites in Jerusalem makes it impossible to physically divide Jerusalem while respecting peoples’ religious rights. The idea that two groups can be physically kept apart is one of the most dangerous ideas confronting a two state solution, and attempts to change the existing religious status quo of Jerusalem.

Any effort to alter the demographics of Jerusalem must be seen in the same light; an effort to exclude one group from what they view as their birth right. Without respecting the rights of all, a peace initiative will again create a discontented minority, which could sacrifice the security of all, as Jerusalem is the focal point of the conflict.