In refuting the accusations, Sharon also insisted he remains committed to the internationally-backed Road Map peace plan, which he inferred guarantees a united Jerusalem under Israel's control.

The Road Map in fact does no such thing, and instead defers the issue to final status negotiations.

As Jones' Newswire article's title indicates, Jerusalem is again taking center stage, noteworthy to those of us watching for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but the question remains: Is a divided Jerusalem in the works?

Buried within a Haaretz article wherein Ariel Sharon's denial he is willing to compromise on a united Jerusalem remaining the capital of Israel is documented, a Kadima party and Knesset member, Haim Ramon, indicates he believes "Israel should no longer control Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem under a permanent peace agreement" with the Palestinians because such an agreement would include Arab neighborhoods presently located there to remain, meaning that "Jerusalem would be the non-Jewish and non-Zionist capital of Israel." So, it seems, even within Ariel Sharon's new political party, there are those who openly would like to give part of Jerusalem, definitely part of Israel's God-given covenant lands, to Israel's enemies in exchange for peace.

Benjamin Netanyahu, still a member of Sharon's former political party, Likud, is accusing Sharon and his new party, Kadima, of planning to give up part of Jerusalem in a future peace deal with the Palestinians, as seen in a Mail & Guardian article. Netanyahu is pulling no punches in stating that Sharon is deceiving the Israeli public, as seen in the following quotes appearing in the Mail & Guardian article: "The cat is out of the bag. Sharon's aides are revealing what he is trying to hide, but everyone already knows Sharon will divide Jerusalem and bring the Palestinians back to the 1967 borders."

Is Ariel Sharon wearing a poker face in relation to what he intends to do if re-elected, as Benjamin Netanyahu suggests? He could be as Sharon once said he'd never give Gaza to the Palestinians ---- until he did.

Bible prophecy tells us a final status agreement is someday going to be reached between Israel and her enemies when a Roman prince (or leader) from the revived Roman empire - today's European Union - will somehow confirm (or make strong) a seven-year covenant of peace between Israel and its enemies. This leader's emergence into the world's spotlight as a hero will be preceded by the Rapture of the Church. Seven years later, Jesus Christ will visibly, physically, and bodily return to earth with His Bride, the Church, and the armies of heaven in tow.

Will Christ's return be preceded, at some point, by a divided Jerusalem? The answer may lie in Joel 3:2, which reads: I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

The drama of the end times continues....