CNN has been running a series called 'GOD'S WARRIORS' and it covers
-Jewish
-Muslim
-Christian.

In the section on "Jewish" they mainly focused on the Settlers in the West bank.

The thing which stood out in terms of 'philosophical/theological' foundation underpinning the Settlers, was the idea of 'divine right' to the land, thus, it is not occupied, thus not subject to the 4th Geneva Convention.

Another stand out point, was the settlers attitude to the Temple Mount. Do they want a restoration of the Jewish Temple ? YES they surely do. Will this mean the removal of the Islamic Al-Aksa mosque and Dome of the Rock ? Absolutely. (Background reading Genesis 12:1-3, then rest of Genesis)

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION. The concept of possession of the land and Israels right to it, is based on 'Covenenant Obedience'. For the full story on this, one needs to read the whole of Deutereonomy, which is the most detailed account of the Covenant relationship.

Whether one agrees or disagees with the Settlers, of one thing there can be no doubt, in terms of the Covenant from a Jewish perspective, they absolutely have every right to take and own the whole of the West bank, every square millimeter.

INTERNATIONAL LAW would definitely be against this, but for the settlers the question is very simple. "Gods law, or mans law"?

Hence, we see in all this, the ingredients for a massive explosion of conflict which in the Bible is called Armageddon.

CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS (2night CNN) it must seem rather surreal to see Christians and Jews, celebrating together the return to the land, using the same scriptures.

CONCLUSION. It remains for us to consider our views, and deal with all this in our own way. For me, I see it as an inevitable unfolding, unchangable by man.

And this is why the region will never have peace.

Using a book written over two thousand years ago to lay claim to land now is a sure fire way to generate anger and resentment.

The West Bank at the moment is probably the greatest chance for a genuine Palistinian state, letting religious fundamentalists of any colour interfere in this would be a tragedy.

there is no would-be about this, it's tragedy already. the un has watched the piecemeal subjugation of palestine by jewish thugs since 1947, and the end is coming into view: greater israel.

'the un' is unfair, much has been said to stop the zionists, but the usa has blocked any action.

the only solution is to create a new international organization, replacing the un as it replaced the league of nations.

THE WEST BANK SETTLERS. DIVINE RIGHT or ILLEGAL OCCUPATION?

It seeks to make the major point that in the eyes of the Jewish settlers:

a)They ARE living in obedience to the Ancient covenant

b)Thus, they are not 'occupiers'.

James, it is equally a problem because of the Theologically based "Hamas Charter" which regards all land conquered by Muslims as an "Islamic Waqf till the day of resurrection" (and applies to SPAIN)

This of course leads to TWO vital questions.

1/ "Is Jesus the Messiah" in which case, the true "Israel" is the Church, and thus there is no claim on the geography of Israel at all.

2/ "Is Mohammad the true and final prophet of God", in which case, the Arabs alone have a divine right to the land.

IF....Jesus is "The Christ" then Mohammad could not possibly be a 'final' prophet, and the problem is solved 'theologically'.

One minor problem in all this, is prophecy about the Jews returning to the land, as predicted in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37 and following) "The valley of dry bones" vision. The Settlers rely strongly on this for justification of the return and are fully cogniscent of the fact that this vision ends with a restored TEMPLE.

The other major point I'm seeking to underline, is that as James says, there is no human solution to this problem whatsoever, I further contend, that to seek one is basically a waste of time, money and energy. Not because I don't see deep suffering there, or care about it, I just recognize the deep rooted nature of the problem.

When James argues that making claims based on 2000 yr old documents is a bit weird, he misses the nature of those documents. They might be dismissed as 'fanciful legends' by liberal 'modern' scholars, but the central thrust of the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt is remembered from that day to this as "The great Salvation of our Lord"...

So, while a non Jew might easily dismiss it, a religious Jew will only see his identity and being in terms of this.

BIG POWERS AT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES..

Demos.

Please all read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_War

Its easy to criticize the 'great Satan' (America) but there is also the 'Great AntiChrist' (for want of a better term) of the USSR at the time of the Yom Kippur war in 73.

We came very close to parallel of 'Balkans beginning, World wide ending' where the Holy Land became the beginning or a potentially Nuclear holocaust.

BOAZ,

First of all I never said there wasn't a human solution. There is the possibility of a solution IF (note the caps for emphasis) both sides can give up their arms.

The Palastinian state has been split in two. On one hand we have Arafats old party leading a proto-nation that is supported by the west and is slowly seeking raproachment with Israel and the rest of the world. On the other we have Hamas.

If Israel is smart, they will work with the west bank and show the benefits that come with peaceful co-existance. This will be the looong awaited example of the benefits of peace for those in Gaza, something that has been long missing. It will become increasingly difficult for Hamas to argue that war is the only way.