Israel now open to once-rejected Arab peace plan
The Saudi initiative calls for regional dialogue over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
from the March 14, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
"The Syrian channel is blocked and talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are leading nowhere, and prompt yawns from the Israeli public," wrote Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Aluf Ben. "But if a proposal for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace goes out from Riyadh, especially if it is accompanied by summit meetings between Olmert and Arab leaders, it could broadcast a new hope to the public."
Israel may also be willing to give the Saudi proposal a second chance as they see the growing influence of Iran in its backyard. Iranian-backed Hamas's parliamentary victory in January 2006 coupled with the summertime Israel-Hizbullah war and Lebanon's sectarian struggle, have underlined the threats posed by Iran and other Islamic militants to pro-Western Sunni regimes and the Jewish state.
In an address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzippi Livni described a changed region.
"Yes, there are threats. We can see the extremists headed by Iran, with its proxy Hizbullah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian Authority," she said. "But there are also new opportunities. We can see the old divisions of the Middle East being replaced. Israelis, moderate Palestinians, and pragmatic Arab and Muslim leaders are moving into the same camp."
Peace plans
The Arab Peace Initiative and road map both envision Palestinian statehood and normalized relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, yet their approaches differ:
Arab Peace Initiative (Saudi Arabia, 2002)
Israel: Withdraw from Arab territories occupied since 1967; allow a just solution" for Palestinian refugees; recognize an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Arab states: Normalize relations with Israel.
Road map (Quartet, 2002)
The phased plan sets prerequisites for talks:
Israel: Freeze settlement growth; dismantle post-2001 outposts; end incitement" like demolishing homes; improve humanitarian situation, e.g., ease freedom of movement.
Palestinians/Arab states: Recognize Israel's right to exist;renounce violence and take steps against it; implement democraticre forms such as elections and a constitution; Arab states cut offsupport for violence.
International community: US helps rebuild Palestinian security; Quartet (EU, Russia, UN, and US) monitors progress to determine whether benchmarks have been met.
Sources: AFP, U.S. State Department
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