Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Olmert slams US focus on settlements
Jul 18th, 2009
Daily NewsJpost
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Peace Process

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert denounced the focus of the US administration on Israel's West Bank settlement construction, saying that Americans must return their attention to negotiations in order to work towards peace.

In an Op-Ed titled 'How to Achieve Lasting Peace' published in the Washington Post on Friday, Olmert said that "the issue of settlement construction commands the agenda between the United States and Israel."

Calling the emphasis on settlements "a mistake," Olmert warned that not only does it not contribute to the peace process or relations with Arab states, but that it "has the potential to greatly shake US-Israeli relations."

While Olmert admitted that "settlements are a known issue of contention between Israel and the United States," he went on to describe understandings reached between the two states over the issue. He cited in detail agreements reached by former prime minister Ariel Sharon that include the prohibition of building new settlements or the provision of new land for construction, as well as the limitation of construction to certain building lines and the dismantling of "unauthorized outposts built after March 2001."

Olmert insisted that persistence to reach a complete freeze to construction was both "impossible to completely enforce" and "will not promote Palestinian efforts to enhance security measures; the institution building that is so crucial for the development of a Palestinian state; better movement and access to the Palestinians; nor an improved economy in the West Bank. Nor will it weaken the Hamas government in Gaza.

"It will not bring greater security to Israel, help improve Israel's relations with the Arab world, strengthen a coalition of moderate Arab states or shift the strategic balance in the Middle East," Olmert continued.

"Only a political process that demands courageous decisions from leaders on both sides will bring a solution to the issue of settlements," he said.

Moreover, Olmert placed blame on the Palestinian leadership for refusing to accept his proposal that offered "a solution to all outstanding issues: territorial compromise, security arrangements, Jerusalem and refugees.

"It would be worth exploring the reasons that the Palestinians rejected my offer and preferred, instead, to drag their feet, avoiding real decisions. My proposal would have helped realize the 'two-state solution' in accordance with the principles of the US administration, the Israeli government I led and the criteria the Palestinian leadership has followed throughout the years… I believe it is crucial to review the lessons from the Palestinians' rejection of such an offer."

"Settlement construction should be taken off the public agenda and moved to a discrete dialogue, as in the past," Olmert urged

COURT OVERRIDES THE CONSCIENCE
Jul 18th, 2009
Daily NewsOneNewsNow - Charlie Butts -
Categories: Today's Headlines;Persecution;Moral Decline

Court: Conscientious pharmacists must sell 'Plan B'

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against pharmacists exercising their conscience.

The lawsuit was filed to block the state of Washington from enforcing a law requiring pharmacists to dispense medication in violation of their religious beliefs. That is especially related to Plan B, otherwise known as the "morning-after" pill -- which some medical professionals believe induces abortion. Brad Dacus heads the Pacific Justice Institute.
 
"This is a clear affront and a violation of the fundamental religious convictions of the owners of pharmacies," he contends. "No pharmacist owner should ever have to choose between saving a human life and keeping their shop and business."
 
Many consider the Ninth Circuit to be the most liberal court in the U.S.
 
"This radical decision by the Ninth Circuit gives the green light to liberal state legislators and regulators to be able to clamp down on medical and other professionals with sincere religious convictions against supporting abortions," Dacus adds.
 
If the decision is upheld, pharmacists and owners with a conscience will have to choose between violating the law or going out of business. Dacus hopes the case will be accepted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Art's Commentary.....Day after day there is a steady downward plunge into that which is contrary to God's Word. There is a rebellion by man against God and what He commands, a rebellion that is not new but a rebellion that is escalating in these last days.