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Already it is being considered to let the Palestinian Authority (PA) move it's seat of power from Gaza to Abu Dis, just outside of Jerusalem, after an "interim accord" is reached. Abu Dis remains outside Jerusalem's current municipal borders, but both villages are inside the UN's proposed boundaries for the city drafted in 1947. Arafat has already told Israeli leaders he would define Abu Dis as part of Jerusalem for his purposes.

Since the government's cancellation of construction near Efrat following demonstrations and threats, the Palestinians have discovered another way to wage war against the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria - one in which they are far more certain of international support: they are targeting the satellite towns, taking the battle for Jerusalem straight to the city.

Arafat has reportedly issued orders that ALL Israeli activity in the territories, whether in building or agricultural work, should be challenged. This has launched a campaign against ALL Israeli construction in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. The Palestinians are convinced that, by intensifying the "armed struggle" and demonstrating against the settlements, they will force a weak, vacillating¹⁴  government to give them what they want. Every senior official privately admits that what is given now will not be returned."

At Orient House, the PLO headquarters in Jerusalem, officials with the Palestine Geographic Center also keep close tabs on the settlements. The center, part of Faisal Husseini's Arab Studies Society, has detailed files on Jewish developments in eastern Jerusalem and the administered territories. The files contain protocols and planning maps from the Housing Ministry, the Civil Administration, the Jerusalem Municipality and other Israeli bodies involved in development in eastern Jerusalem and the administered territories.

Foreign diplomats and even Israeli journalists and left-wing activists use the center as a source of information on settlement activity. The center also reports directly to the PA in Gaza. They all work under the same assumption: All Israeli development activity in areas taken in the Six Day War is illegal.

"We see no difference between East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied territories," said Khader Shkirat, director of the Palestinian Land and Water Establishment for Studies and Legal Services, which monitors settlement development. According to him, Jewish development in those areas "is a violation of international law. Occupying powers have no right to build on the land they have taken in war," he said.

On February 9th, Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem, including Faisal Husseini, a member of the PA's council who heads the PA's "Jerusalem Portfolio," met with three European Foreign Ministers¹⁵ at Orient House to discuss the peace process. "They told us," said Ghassan Khatib, of the Palestinian Peoples Party, "their visit to Orient House is a reconfirmation of their position on Jerusalem." He understood the three to mean that they support the Palestinians' claim to eastern Jerusalem. "They reiterated their commitment to the peace process and said that they, too, believe the settlements are an OBSTACLE to peace." 

"The very fact the meeting is occurring gives it a political character, even if they just drink coffee," Husseini argued. "The European troika doesn't come to drink coffee with me. They drink coffee with special people." Furthermore, to gain leverage in future talks regarding the city's status, Saudi Arabia has promised PLO official Faisal Husseini some $ 30 million for projects in Jerusalem.

Instead Saddam Hussein, on January 5th, called on Arab countries to begin missile attacks on Israel, similar to Iraq's attacks during the Gulf War. Whereas Palestinians burn the Israeli flag in the town squares. They shout in chorus, "With our soul and blood we will redeem Palestine from the Jordan to the Sea," and "We will return to Jaffa and Haifa," and "Al-Kuds is our capital!"

Are they burning only Israelis' flag? Are they shouting only against Jews? Is the battle over Jerusalem only the Israelis' concern? Are they not shouting against the Holy One of Israel¹⁶, and against ALL of the seed of Abraham? Is Jerusalem not the city of the Great King, and are those who belong to Him not to rule with Him from Jerusalem? If so, then those of you who understand your fellow-citizenship with Israel, your ingrafted status as fellow-heirs, cannot stand by idle as if it does not concern you because you live far away.

It DOES concern you! It pertains to the coming Kingdom and inheritance of our Lord, the Messiah of Israel, and our inheritance as His co-heirs. Those of G-d's people (does this not include you?), who know their G-d and Heavenly Father and are faithful to Him, will be steadfast and take a firm stand against this onslaught of lies and falsehood, and take action. Those with spiritual understanding, who are wise and keep informed and alert, will have a wide ministry of teaching in those days, causing many to understand¹⁷.