News

Nov 19, 2008

According to The Sunday Times in the UK, sources close to president-elect Barack Obama say he will pursue an ambitious peace plan in the Middle East, involving the recognition of Israel by the Arab world in exchange for its withdrawal to pre-1967 borders. Obama's plan would also allow the Palestinians to create a state capital in east Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told The Jerusalem Post that Israel must be willing to cede parts of the capital, but Gary Bauer, president of American Values and executive board member for Christians United for Israel, disagrees with the Israeli leader. "Dividing Jerusalem would be a national security disaster," he contends. "It would mean that the main airport in Israel would be coming under security threats just if you turned over the West Bank and part of Jerusalem; it would raise all sorts of security issues."

Bauer notes unfortunately there are signs that president-elect Obama agrees with those inside Israel who believe that the only way to achieve peace is to divide the city of Jerusalem. "I believe the evidence is the exact opposite. In fact, dividing Jerusalem will inspire the radical Islamists," the pro-Israel activist adds. "They will believe that the division of Israel is the fulfillment of their scriptures, and it will make them more likely to declare war on Israel."