The Arab Position

www.RightViews.com ^ | 03/23/05 | OJ

[OHJ]

While the rest of the world intently works towards peace and stability in the Middle East, the very governments of the region do not seem to contribute with quite the same enthusiasm. The Arab Summit in Algeria concluded with a rehashed 2002 demand, initially drafted by Saudi Arabia, in which Arab nations extend naturalized relations to Israel at the completion of an Israeli withdrawal to 1967 borders. Though discussions initially indicated that European and American pressure to reverse the order of relations and withdrawal would yield results, Arab leaders instead concluded that they had not properly educated world leaders on their plan. Although minor in the scope of other issues hindering the peace process, this is yet one more obstacle to moving forward.

RightViews has previously discussed the lack of support for peace between Israelis and Palestinian among Arab governments. Pledged funds have never materialized, logistic support has not been offered, refugees have not been given asylum and pervasive attitudes prolonging the status quo have been allowed to thrive. Similar problems exist on the part of the Israelis as demonstrated by their stubborn refusal to end de facto settlement construction; the latest example being the approval of 3,500 homes built in Maaleh Adumim in the West Bank despite promises to freeze settlement activites. This proposed expansion would effectively choke off Eastern Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank preventing the viable territorial continuity of an eventual Palestinian state. This move has nothing to do with settlements and everything to do with land.

The United States, if serious about establishing peace in the region, needs to take off the gloves and