[Today's Prayer] Israel Pushes for Annexation of West Bank, Defying Palestinian State Recognition

There is speculation that Israel may symbolically declare annexation of some areas recognized by the international community as Palestinian territory.

According to the Guardian on the 21st (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may declare annexation of parts of the West Bank at the UN General Assembly this week.

This is an attempt to annex Palestinian territory in defiance of the international community's recognition of Palestine, including from Canada and the UK.

Israel maintains that a Palestinian state declaration is unacceptable.

It is equivalent to compensating for, rather than condemning, the terrorist attack committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.

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This proposal seeks to annex 82% of the West Bank, thereby severing the Palestinian autonomous region from the other.

Prime Minister Netanyahu warned before attending the UN General Assembly that "any response to attempts to establish a terrorist state in the heart of Israeli territory will take place after our return from the United States."

However, if Israel annexes the West Bank, Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to protest.

The UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords brokered by President Donald Trump in 2020, during his first term.

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The Trump administration reportedly warned that "Israel will take symbolic retaliatory measures" against allies that recognize Palestine.

Furthermore, Republican lawmakers in the ruling party issued an open letter stating, "Recognizing Palestine runs counter to long-standing US policies and interests and could result in sanctions."

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Source: Yonhap News

“Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.” (Psalm 74:18, 20)

Father God, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is opposing international recognition of a Palestinian state. He is likely to declare at the UN General Assembly that he will annex the West Bank, a Palestinian territory, on the grounds that his opposition to international recognition of a Palestinian state is equivalent to compensating for, rather than condemning, the terrorist acts committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in 2023.

Next, amid Prime Minister Netanyahu's warning that "any attempt to establish a terrorist state in the heart of Israeli territory will be met only after returning from the United States," we hear that there will be strong opposition from Arab countries that recognize the state of Palestine.

May God intervene between Israel and the Arab people so that Israel's annexation of the West Bank does not lead to another conflict with the Arab people.

As the Israeli and Arab churches, as well as the American and global churches, hold fast to God's covenant for Israel and Palestine, seek His will, and pray, may we see God's covenant for Israel and Palestine fulfilled amidst the unresolved conflict between the two peoples.

May Jesus Christ, the true King of Shalom, come quickly to Israel and Palestine, so that the darkest abodes of the wicked surrounding the two peoples and all the enemy's schemes that slander Your name may be destroyed.

May Israel and Palestine achieve true unity only in Jesus, preparing the way for the Lord's return among all nations!