Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Will Artificial Intelligence Create Pathway to the Antichrist?
Nov 29th, 2019
CommentaryBRITT GILLETTE/END TIMES BIBLE PROPHECY
Categories: Prophecy

In the Hollywood blockbuster The Terminator, humans create a powerful network of computers, an artificial general intelligence named Skynet. Skynet develops the ability to think for itself and decides to eliminate humans. War breaks out between humans and "the machines" - with an advanced artificial intelligence in control of the machines. 

Is this our future? Some say yes.

For example, speaking at MIT in 2014, Elon Musk called artificial intelligence our "biggest existential threat." He also said "with artificial intelligence, we're summoning the demon." In the same year, Stephen Hawking told the BBC, "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. 

It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete, and would be superseded."

Is all this true? Is artificial intelligence humanity's greatest threat? No. In my mind, it isn't. Artificial intelligence won't destroy the human race. While it's certainly possible, that doesn't make it likely. No doubt, artificial intelligence will be extremely powerful. 

But what is greater? The creator or the created (Isaiah 45:9-10)? Stephen Hawking thinks it's the created. He foresees a future where machines advance at an ever-increasing rate while humans are left behind. But I don't think that will happen.

As humans, I don't believe we'll allow our own technology to surpass us. Our collective ego is too big. Our pride is too great. Instead, we'll simply merge with artificial intelligence. Think about it. What's more powerful? Artificial intelligence or humans augmented with artificial intelligence? 

I argue it's the latter.

Think it's absurd to believe people will merge with technology? It's not. In fact, it's been happening for a long time. People already merge with technology to improve their health or natural abilities. Examples include pacemakers, artificial heart valves, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs. 

In the near future, people will continue to merge with technology. But the technologies they merge with will be far different. They'll include devices to implant artificial intelligence in brains and connect humans to wireless networks. Artificial intelligence won't be a threat to humanity, and the reason why is simple. Artificial intelligence and humanity will be one and the same.

Artificial Intelligence as a Tool

If artificial intelligence isn't a threat to the human race, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, right? Not necessarily. Even if it doesn't try to destroy the human race, the world won't morph into a utopia anytime soon. 

In a way, the doomsayers are right. Artificial intelligence will conquer the world and dominate the human race. But it won't do so alone. It will have help. Humans will use it to conquer the world. It's inevitable. Why? Because the emergence of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies will end the era of mutual assured destruction (MAD).

When MAD becomes obsolete, the threat of nuclear war will disappear forever. But this won't lead to peace on earth. Why? Because a new threat will take the place of nuclear war. That new threat is an arms race between nations with post-MAD weapons. 

Such an arms race will be highly unstable - much more volatile than the nuclear arms race. When it erupts into war, it will destroy the entire planet. So while the threat of nuclear war will end, the threat of global destruction will not. In fact, the odds of global destruction will increase.

But such a war is not a certainty. As an example, consider this. What if Germany had been the first nation to develop the atomic bomb? Do you think Hitler would've used his advantage to conquer the Allied Forces and dominate the globe? 

On the other hand, the United States was the world's first nuclear power. The United States could've used its advantage to prevent other nations from acquiring nuclear weapons. It could've used its position to create an impregnable world empire.

In a similar fashion, the first nation to develop artificial intelligence and post-MAD technologies will have the option to create its own global empire. With its first mover advantage, it could prevent other nations from developing such capabilities. The path would be clear to conquer every nation on earth.

In a post-MAD world, many people will recommend this path. They'll see only two options:

1) An unstable arms race ending in global annihilation, or 

2) Global government

Think I'm wrong? Vladimir Putin doesn't. In September 2017, he said, "the one who becomes the leader in this sphere will be the ruler of the world" (emphasis mine). Putin was talking about artificial intelligence. He understands the stakes. He knows a race is on. 

It's a race to create artificial intelligence and post-MAD technologies. The second place nation gets nothing. The first place nation gets the whole world. I'm sure Putin imagines he'll win the race. But regardless of who wins, the nation that does will draw the same conclusion he did - global government is inevitable. 

The Worship of Artificial Intelligence

The power of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies will be enormous. As Putin said, those in possession of artificial intelligence will rule the world. The processing speed and knowledge base of artificial intelligence will be so great, it will seem all-knowing to most. 

Linked to a global network of cameras and audio devices, those in control will seem all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-powerful. Made of non-biological materials and having already conquered the earth, artificial intelligence will also seem immortal. These are all characteristics typically used to describe God. So it should come as no surprise some people will seek to worship it. In fact, it's already happening.

In 2015, a former Google and Uber engineer named Anthony Levandowski, created a new church called "Way of the Future." Its stated purpose is to create "a peaceful and respectful transition of who is in charge of the planet from people to people + 'machines'." Way of the Future church activities will focus on the worship of "a Godhead based on artificial intelligence developed through computer hardware and software."

In March, a Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Japan made headlines all over the world. That month, they unveiled a sutra-chanting android named Mindar. The robot has a human-like silicon face and hands, and it's pre-programmed to recite The Heart Sutra - a revered Buddhist text. 

Temple visitors can ask the robot questions, and using artificial intelligence, Mindar answers in Japanese while English and Chinese subtitles appear on a wall behind it. With built-in cameras, Mindar makes eye contact with questioners, creating the illusion it's alive and interacting with people. 

It's so life-like, people worship it. That's right. You can see the video here. People are actively engaged in the worship of a robot idol.

Why It Matters

So why do I bring all this up? I bring it up because the speed with which AI will come to dominate our world will come as a shock to many people. A world ruled through artificial intelligence isn't a futuristic dream. It's an imminent event. 

According to Ray Kurzweil, a computer will pass the Turing Test in 2029. This means a computer will develop the ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. 

In that same year, Kurzweil estimates $1,000 worth of computing power will equal one human brain. This means a company such as Apple (which sits on a cash reserve of over $100 billion) could effectively "hire" 100 million "employees." This is forty times as many employees as currently work at Wal-Mart, the world's largest employer. 

But these "employees" will never go on vacation. They'll never take smoke breaks. They'll work 24/7, and they'll never get tired. They'll also become ever more productive as they re-design themselves to be faster and more efficient. Billions of humans deploying billions of super intelligent machines will create a world of profound and rapid change.

The world is fast approaching a time when global government is certain. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Without global government, a post-MAD arms race is certain. And such an arms race will destroy the world. So whether it's for noble purposes or selfish reasons, the first nation to develop artificial intelligence and post-MAD weapons will gladly choose global empire over global destruction. 

For those who read the Bible, this comes as no surprise. This is exactly what the Bible foretold centuries ago. Is this a coincidence? I don't think so. We're on the threshold of the end times. All the signs Jesus and the prophets said to look for are present: 

The Jewish people are back in the land (Jeremiah 23:7-8) and back in Jerusalem (Luke 21:24-28)... The Gospel is being preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14)... Travel and knowledge are rapidly increasing (Daniel 12:4)... And enemies surround Israel on every side (Psalm 83:4-12)... The coming arrival of artificial intelligence is just one more sign pointing to the soon return of Jesus. Why? Because the Bible says one man will come to dominate the globe (Revelation 13:7). 

He'll be so powerful, no one will be able to oppose him (Revelation 13:4). He'll control every aspect of global commerce (Revelation 13:17). The world will even worship him (Revelation 13:12-15). For centuries, these events seemed impossible. Outside of the supern

Natural, they probably were. Now, our generation is on the verge of a world where such global domination is not only possible, it's imminent. 

The World Against Israel: 154 Nations Reject Israel's Connection to Temple Mount
Nov 29th, 2019
CommentaryDAVID SIDMAN/BIN
Categories: The Nation Of Israel

The United Nations gave preliminary approval for a resolution that calls the Temple Mount by its Muslim name exclusively: Haram al-Sharif reports JPost.

The resolution passed at the UN's Fourth Committee in New York City in an overwhelming turn-out of 154-8. The vote featured 14 abstentions as well as 17 absences. 

It was one of eight Anti-Israel resolutions approved last week. 

An expected 15 more anti-Israel resolutions are anticipating approval as well. The UN General Assembly will commence its final vote on the resolution next month.

Ironically, the resolution reaffirmed "the special significance of the holy sites and the importance of the City of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions."

Although only Israel and the United States were the only ones to vote against all eight resolutions, Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Nauru joined them in voting against the Jerusalem texts.

All of the twenty-eight EU member states backed the resolution

Some of the resolutions related to both past and future Israeli ambitions to annex territory in Judea and Samaria reading: "The occupation of a territory is to be a temporary, de facto situation, whereby the occupying power can neither claim possession nor exert its sovereignty over the territory it occupies," a resolution stated. 

That same resolution recalled "the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of land by force and therefore the illegality of the annexation of any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory." 

It also stated "grave concern at recent statements calling for the annexation by Israel of areas in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

Acting US Deputy Representative to the United Nations Cherith Norman Chalet responded to the resolution saying: "We are disappointed that despite support for reform, member states continue to disproportionately single out Israel through these types of resolutions". 

She added that "it is deplorable that the United Nations - an institution founded upon the idea that all nations should be treated equally - should be so often used by member states to treat one state in particular, Israel, unequally."

The Kings That Reigned in Edom Before There Reigned Any King Over Israel - Genesis 36:31
Nov 29th, 2019
Morning MeditationF.B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

Apparently Esau had the best and happiest lot. Notice what he escaped. - For him there were no few and evil days of pilgrimage; nor the pressure of famine; nor the going down into Egypt; nor the forty years of wanderings in the desert; nor the vicissitudes of the Judges. All these he escaped and must have congratulated himself merrily. But he had no vision of God; no communion with Jehovah; no contact with the messengers of heaven.

What he enjoyed. - A line of dukes; a royal dynasty, which was old when Israel's first king ascended the throne; a rich and fertile territory; peace and comfort. He reminds us of the Psalmist's picture of the man of this world, whose portion is in this life, and who is filled with hid treasure. But Esau never awoke satisfied with God's likeness; nor ever enjoyed the blessedness of the man who is "a prince with God."

How he bore himself. - His heart was generous, full of good nature, jovial, and free-handed. When the land could not bear both Jacob and himself, he went off into another, and settled down in Mount Seir. It was no hardship with him to leave the land of promise. Most would, doubtless, have preferred his society to Jacob's; but God did not (Mal 1:2-3).

What made the lot of these brothers so different. - The one lived for the world; the other was a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem, a pilgrim to the City of God. The one was an ordinary man of the world; the other had been selected of God as the channel of blessing to mankind. The flower and fruit which are to be propagated require the special attention of the gardener's knife. What solemn words! (Amos 3:2).

Sad Day: Chick - Fil-a Caves to Lgbt Activists
Nov 29th, 2019
CommentaryJONATHON VAN MAREN/BRIDGEHEAD.CA
Categories: Contemporary Issues

If you want to know why LGBT activists launch their angry protests, organize sweeping boycotts, and work to make the lives of those who oppose them so miserable, look no further than Chick-Fil-A's announcement today: The company confirmed to the Thomas Reuters Foundation that they will no longer be donating money to the Salvation Army or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

As CNBC put it: "Chick-Fil-A said on Monday that it has stopped funding two Christian charities after coming under fire in recent weeks from LGBTQ activists."

In the past, the chicken chain's charitable foundation has given millions of dollars to these two organizations which, as Christian organizations, "have a history of opposing same-sex marriage." 

It doesn't matter if you're feeding the homeless and helping the poor through tough times: If you're not on board with turfing the Bible, you're a target.

"We made multi-year commitments to both organizations and we fulfilled those obligations in 2018," Chick-Fil-A's spokeswoman stated, noting that going forward the fast food chain would focus on donating to the causes of "education, homelessness, and hunger." 

One might argue that the Salvation Army is the perfect organization to donate to if one wants to contribute to the fight against homelessness and hunger, but it is no longer charity or effectiveness that is important. It is ideology. 

The Salvation Army may seem like an odd target for LGBT rage, but they've made the news more than once over their perceived hostility to homosexual relationships. After praising their work feeding the homeless and the hungry and even showing up to help out at several shelters, singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding made an abrupt about-turn earlier this month after LGBT activists barraged her with criticism. 

Goulding promptly defected to the rainbow mafia, announcing that she would cancel her scheduled Thanksgiving halftime performance at the Dallas Cowboys football game unless the Salvation Army made a "solid, committed pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community."

This move was widely praised by LGBT activists, who apparently didn't notice how disgusting it is that a celebrity was attempting to extort cash from a charity that feeds the homeless in order to drive their ideological agenda. 

In fact, the Salvation Army does not involve itself in cultural discussions surrounding social issues, and is happy to assist and feed anybody they come across, regardless of their beliefs or their lifestyle. 

But at this point in the culture war, anything other than explicit affirmation of (or a donation to) the LGBT movement is an unacceptable level of support.

But back to Chick-Fil-A. The fast food chain has long been a primary target of LGBT activists due to CEO Dan Cathy's comments opposing the redefinition of marriage, and recent outlets opening in Toronto as well as the UK were met with massive protests. 

In Toronto, the protestors were met with long lines of customers eager to get their hands on the famous chicken sandwiches, which one unhinged activist claimed were a representation of tasty hatred. 

The UK outlet will be closing down, much to the satisfaction of those who dedicated their time to decrying the homophobic food served there.

Chick-Fil-A has declined to comment further on their decision to stop donating to the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but if CNBC is correct in their reporting that this decision was Chick-Fil-A's attempt to back out of the culture wars, it is more evidence of how incredibly effective the long, sustained campaigns of protest and boycott launched by the LGBT movement really are. 

Eventually, worn down by the anger and the hatred and the constant controversy, most people simply get tired out and want the hostility to end. To achieve that, they have to cave and give the rainbow mafia what they want.

Because their supply of hostility and hatred is limitless, LGBT campaigners have made cultural colonization their full-time job. 

Let the Headlines Speak
Nov 29th, 2019
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines

Fears Mediterranean cities could be devastated by a massive tsunami wave triggered by Balkans earthquakes
Seismologists believe destructive earthquakes are imminent after shocking tremors rocked Bosnia and Albania yesterday, with urban centres like Athens as well as the Greek islands in the firing line.

Council Of Islamic Ideology: ‘Existence Of Women Is Un-Islamic’
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) concluded their 192nd meeting with the ruling that women are un-Islamic and that their mere existence contradicted Sharia and the will of Allah.

Second earthquake in 2 days hits Albania
Albania suspends search and rescue operations due to new 5.6 magnitude quake.

Margin Call Chaos: Hong Kong Stock Plummets 75% In Minutes
China First Capital Group, an investment holding company, saw its equity trading on the Hong Kong exchange placed in a trading halt on Wednesday after it crashed 78% in minutes,

California DMV Rakes In $50 Million Per Year Selling Personal Information
The California DMV has been selling the personal information of registered drivers to the tune of $50 million per year, according to a DMV document obtained by Motherboard.

Hawaiian observatory captures closeup of interstellar comet
a team of astronomers at Yale University has captured new imagery of the interstellar comet 2l/Borisov. In addition to securing a closeup portrait of the comet, Yale scientists …created an image juxtaposing the comet with planet Earth. While Earth itself is much larger than the comet’s body, it’s tail would dwarf Earth if the two objects were placed side by side. “It’s humbling to realize how small Earth is next to this visitor from another solar system,” van Dokkum said in a news release.

Franklin Graham sees ‘demonic’ power in ferocity of opposition to Trump
Evangelist Franklin Graham suggested the resistance President Donald Trump has faced since taking office could be “demonic” in origin. Graham, who prayed at Trump’s inaugural ceremony in January 2017, responded, “I believe that Donald Trump believes in God. He believes in Jesus Christ.”

Iraqi anti-government protesters burn down Iranian consulate
Anti-government protesters burned down the Iranian consulate building in southern Iraq on Wednesday, while six protesters were killed by security forces who fired live rounds amid ongoing violence, Iraqi officials said.

Trump approves legislation backing Hong Kong protesters
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law congressional legislation backing protesters in Hong Kong despite angry objections from Beijing, with which he is seeking a deal to end a damaging trade war.

Turkey not backing down in NATO defense plans dispute
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Turkey was refusing to back the plan for the Baltics and Poland unless it got more political support for its fight against Kurdish YPG militia in northern Syria. Turkey wants NATO to formally recognize the YPG militia, the main component of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as terrorists and is infuriated that its allies have given the militia support.

Greece earthquake: Holiday island of Crete rocked by 6.0 magnitude tremor
Buildings have been evacuated after a “nasty” earthquake rocked Crete this morning. The magnitude 6.0 tremor was recorded at a depth of around 34 miles (56km) below the Greek island. One source described it as “deep” and “felt in many many parts of the country”.

Iran, Russia, China to Hold Joint Wargames in ‘Message to the World’
Iran, China, and Russia will hold in the coming weeks their first-ever joint war drills, which leaders say are meant to send a “message to the world” about increased military cooperation between the rogue countries. The commander of Iran’s navy, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic will team up with Moscow and Beijing within the next month to hold the mass war drills.

IDF demolishes houses of terrorists who killed Dvir Sorek
The Israel Defense Forces demolished the houses of the terrorists who killed 18-year-old Dvir Sorek, on Thursday morning…Defense Minister Naftali Bennett released a statement after the demolition was confirmed saying, “Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that there will be no more terror, but we must charge a heavy price to anyone who raises his hand against Israel’s citizens.”

Khamenei: Iran’s quashing of protests ‘hard blow’ to Zionism
After Iran was rocked by anti-government protests throughout the country, the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his “deep respect and admiration to the great Iranian nation” for quashing “the enemy’s movement with its magnificent display,” during a meeting with thousands of members of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force on Wednesday.

Hong Kong protests: China warns US over Human Rights and Democracy Act
China has warned the US it could take “firm counter-measures” if Washington continues to show support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The warning came after US President Donald Trump signed the Human Rights and Democracy Act into law. The act mandates an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify special status with the US.

Why Australia is expecting a long and dangerous summer
Already ravaged by bushfires and drought, Australia is about to enter its hottest season amid forecasts that bring more concern. The official outlook by the Bureau of Meteorology, released on Thursday, shows the nation’s summer is likely to be dry and see above-average heat. It is expected to fuel conditions which have caused blazes across the nation.

Albania earthquake: Rescue effort intensifies amid fresh tremors
Rescuers from several countries are scrambling to find survivors of the earthquake which hit Albania, killing 30 people and injuring hundreds more. Using sniffer dogs, they are sifting through rubble, 36 hours after the magnitude-6.4 tremor. Whole families have perished – and thousands are staying out in the open as powerful aftershocks hit.

Apple changes Crimea map to meet Russian demands
Apple has complied with Russian demands to show the annexed Crimean peninsula as part of Russian territory on its apps. Russian forces annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014, drawing international condemnation. The region, which has a Russian-speaking majority, is now shown as Russian territory on Apple Maps and its Weather app, when viewed from Russia.

Mexico rejects US intervention after Trump outlines drug cartel plan
Mexico’s president has rejected any US intervention in his country, after President Donald Trump said US forces were willing to “go in and clear out” drug cartels. “Co-operation, yes; intervention, no,” Andrés Manuel López Obrador said in response to Mr Trump’s comments. The US president announced in a Tuesday interview he would legally designate Mexican drug gangs as terrorist groups.

Iraq unrest: 13 killed in fresh wave of protests
At least 13 people have been killed in Iraq in a fresh wave of protests in the southern city of Nasiriya. Security forces opened fire and used tear gas on Thursday to clear two bridges blocked by protesters. Another 70 people were injured. Iraqis have been taking to the streets to demand more jobs, an end to corruption, and better public services.

US abortions hit record low since Roe v Wade: Rates fell 24% in 10 years, CDC report reveals
Abortion rates continue fall in the US, decreasing by nearly a quarter in less than a decade, new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveal. In 2016, a total of 623,471 abortions were performed in the US, declining two percent from the previous year. The report authors dubbed the number, rate and ratio of abortions to live births ‘historic lows.’

Gang of five men attack Jewish teens walking on Brooklyn street
A gang of five men assaulted two Jewish teens walking down the street in Brooklyn, knocking a yarmulke off one of their heads, police said Wednesday. The group approached a 14-year-old boy dressed in traditional Orthodox garb on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Albany Avenue in Crown Heights on Nov. 11, smacking him with a blow to the head, officials said.

INCOMING! Mysterious interstellar object pictured coming towards us from deep space – and will make ‘close approach’ next month
A MYSTERIOUS object hurtling towards our Solar System from deep space has been photographed by scientists. The incoming comet is like nothing scientists have seen before and is believed to have come from another star system. That makes the visitor, known as 2I/Borisov, only the second interstellar object ever spotted in our Solar System.

Storms snarl U.S. Thanksgiving travel, stranding cars and planes
Scores of vehicles got stuck on Interstate 5 after a “bomb cyclone” – a supercharged winter storm caused by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure – dumped up to four feet (1.2 meters) of snow in mountainous areas of the Pacific Northwest. “We’ve been white knuckling it for the last four hours and sliding around the road,” said Lisa Chadwick after she stopped in Bend, Oregon, driving north from San Francisco.

North Korea test fires missiles month before deadline for U.S. to respond on talks
Breaking a month-long lull in missile tests, North Korea fired two short range missiles into the sea off its east coast on Thursday in what appeared to be the latest try out of its new multiple rocket launchers, South Korea’s military said. The test-firing came as the clock ticks down on the year-end deadline that Pyongyang had given the United Stated to restart stalled denuclearization talks.

Libya, Turkey sign deals on security and maritime jurisdictions
Turkey and Libya on Wednesday signed two agreements on security and military cooperation and restriction of marine jurisdictions, Turkish authorities said. Memorandums of understanding were signed after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a closed meeting with the internationally-recognised government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Istanbul…

What is behind the Russia-Hamas rapprochement?
In recent weeks there has been a considerable increase in the number of…exchanges between the Russian government and Hamas. But could this deepening relationship help the latter break the isolation imposed on it by the United States and its allies? In July, Hamas’ Deputy Leader Mousa Abu Marzouk headed a delegation which visited Moscow and met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Envoy to the Middle East…

Another Trump Pro - Israel Move: Settlements Do not Violate International Law Read
Nov 29th, 2019
CommentaryALGEMEINER.COM
Categories: The Nation Of Israel

The United States on Monday effectively backed Israel's right to build settlements in the West Bank, declaring they did not violate international law.

The announcement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was a victory for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is struggling to remain in power after two inconclusive Israeli elections this year, and a defeat for the Palestinians.

Pompeo noted US statements about the settlements in the West Bank -- which Israel took control of from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War and the Palestinians seek as part of a future state -- had not been uniform, pointing out Democrat President Jimmy Carter in 1978 found they were not consistent with international law and Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1981 said he did not view them as inherently illegal.

"The establishment of Israeli civilian settlements is not, per se, inconsistent with international law," Pompeo told reporters at the State Department.

The announcement marked the third major instance in which the Trump administration has sided with Israel and against stances taken by the Palestinians and Arab states even before unveiling its long-delayed Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.

In 2017, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and, in 2018, the US formally opened an embassy in the city.

And in March, Trump recognized Israel's 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights in a boost for Netanyahu that prompted a sharp response from Syria, which once held the strategic plateau.

Trump's move might have been designed to help Netanyahu as he struggles to stay in power. Israeli politics is deadlocked after two inconclusive elections this year. 

Former military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party emerged neck and neck with Netanyahu following a September vote, and both leaders have struggled to put together a ruling coalition.

Netanyahu welcomed Pompeo's words, stating, "Today, the United States adopted an important policy that rights a historical wrong when the Trump administration clearly rejected the false claim that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are inherently illegal under international law."

"This policy reflects an historical truth -- that the Jewish people are not foreign colonialists in Judea and Samaria," he continued. "In fact, we are called Jews because we are the people of Judea."

"The Trump administration policy is also correct in stating that those who have categorically denied any legal basis for the settlements not only deny truth, history and the reality on the ground, they also set back the cause of peace, which can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties," Netanyahu asserted. 

"Israel's legal system, which has proven itself fully capable of addressing legal questions related to the settlements, is the appropriate place for these matters to be adjudicated -- not biased international forums that pay no attention to history or facts."

"Israel remains ready and willing to conduct peace negotiations with the Palestinians regarding all final status issues in an effort to achieve a durable peace but will continue to reject all arguments regarding the illegality of the settlements. 

Israel is deeply grateful to President Trump, Secretary Pompeo and the entire US administration for their steadfast position supporting truth and justice, and calls upon all responsible countries who hope to advance peace to adopt a similar position," the Israeli leader concluded.