The Covenant: Palestine Factions
June 2017

When negotiating a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine, it is helpful if there are two parties that have authority to negotiate. Despite Israel's divided parliamentary system that switches peace policy when it switches prime ministers, it is the most stable democracy in the region. However, forcing democracy on other Middle East countries has freed the people from dictators and given power to worse Islamic extremists. This is evident in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Turkey. In 2006 during the Palestinian legislative elections, power went from one terrorist group to divided power with a more extreme terrorist group. Despite all this, there must be a covenant to start the seven years of Tribulation. 

He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one seven [years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the [Jewish] sacrifice and the offerings to cease (Daniel 9:27).

Islamic Jihad

In 1981, the Palestine Islamic Jihad was formed in 1981 from the Muslim Brotherhood based in Hebron, Judea (West Bank). Their purpose is the destruction of Israel and creation of an Islamic Palestine state. PIJ used suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel citizens and is considered a terrorist organization. Islamic Jihad is funded by Iran and Syria and works with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Palestine Divided

For thirty-five years, Yasser Arafat kept the Palestinians united but after his death in 2004, the Palestinians splintered into factions. In 2005, Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah was elected president and in 2006, Fatah lost the majority in parliament to Hamas which created a Palestinian and international crisis. Since then, Hamas controls the parliament and Gaza while Fatah controls the presidency, the Palestinian National Authority, Judea and Samaria. Elections for president and parliament were cancelled. Even before 2006, Israel requires peace to negotiate with the Palestinians. On October 12, 2017, Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement.

When the Palestinian Authority negotiates peace and Hamas or Islamic Jihad disagrees, terrorist attacks in Israel stops peace negotiations. However, there will be a covenant between Israel and Palestine that starts the seven years of Tribulation. 

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars and End Wars Chapter 13: Minor Feasts, Major Events, Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 25 - Iraq War III, Israel-Palestinian Peace Process, Palestine, Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad

Palestine was originally named Canaan before God gave Israel the Promised Land. After Babylonian captivity, Judah was controlled by Persia and Greece. After a short independence, the Rome and Byzantine ruled. In the 2nd century AD after the Jews were exiled, the Romans named the region Palestine after the Philistines, Israel's greatest enemy. Beginning in 638, Muslim caliphates, Crusaders and Mongols ruled.

In 1516, the Ottoman Turks captured the region. By 1860, the area was deserted wasteland with a population of 300,000. In 1878 the Ottomans resettled Circassian from the Black Sea coast and Algerians. After World War I, the Ottoman territory was broken into Turkey with British and French mandates. During the British rule, Jews and Arabs immigrated and the area grew from 700,000 to 2 million. The British transferred territory to Iraq, Israel and Jordan but Palestine refused. After the 1948 Israeli war for independence, Jordan seized Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and Egypt seized Gaza. In 1956, 1967 and 1973, Egypt, Jordan and Syria tried to conquer Israel and failed but in 1967, Israel captured Gaza, Golan Heights, Sinai, Judean and Samaria.

The United Nations defines a Palestine refugee as a person who resided in Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and lost their home or work as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Most Palestinians are Arabs and most descended from Lot, Ishmael, and Esau. When Palestine agrees to a temporary peace, we will see the final covenant.

Fatah

In 1959, the Palestinian Nation Liberation Movement (FATH) was a political movement formed by Palestinian refugees. Fath or Fatah means conquering or victory and is linked to early Islamic history. They believe Palestinian Arabs will be liberated by their own actions. Fatah joined the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1967.

PLO

In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization was formed to unite various resistance organizations. By 1969, Yasser Arafat was their leader. The PLO was considered a terrorist organization until 1991. In 1993 during the Oslo Accords, the PLO recognized Israel's right to exist and Israel recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinians. In 1995, the PLO gained self-government over cities in Gaza and Judea as the Palestine National Authority.

Hamas

In 1987, Hamas was founded from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood based in Gaza. Their purpose is to liberate all Palestine from Israeli control. Hamas has separate humanitarian and military functions. As relation for Israel strikes against their leadership, Hamas initiated suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel citizens and is considered a terrorist organization. Hamas is funded by Iran and various Islamic charities. Hamas could accept a 10-year truce if Israel withdraws to 1967 borders and allows Palestinian refugees to return to Israel.