Israel (MNN) — "It's an end run." That's the word from E3 Partners Middle East expert Tom Doyle, commenting on last week's United Nations vote recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state.
Last week's vote continues to send shockwaves around the world. While overwhelming in it's support, experts wonder what's next. Doyle is suspicious. "To have this status, even though they're not an official member, would give them the opportunity to prosecute Israel and claim that they have committed war crimes against them. Now on the other hand, Israel could do the same thing."
However, Doyle also has empathy for the Palestinians. "You feel bad for the Palestinians in Gaza who are in an impossible situation under Hamas and have just not fielded the kind of leadership that cares about the people that much."
Israel is surrounded by radical elements. "With Islamic Brotherhood in charge of Egypt now, Hezbollah to the north with Lebanon, Syria is threatening–shooting mortars over [into Israel], Jordan is showing instability, then we're not sure about Iraq, and Iran is planning to attack Israel. It couldn't look any worse for them."
Doyle says it's no wonder Israel is nervous. However, God is still at work in the region. "We're getting more and more stories of Muslims who are open to Jesus. I think the real peace project is what Jesus does in people's hearts."
E3 is organizing a prayer effort called 838. Doyle is asking Christians to "set their watch, set their phone–however you keep time–for 8:38pm. And when your alarm goes off, remember brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are in prison, in persecution, and who are in dangerous situations." The significance of 8:38 is Romans 8:38-39.
