RIYADH: Is the Arab League to take another U-turn on the issue of peace with Israel. It has already conceded Israel the right of existence, when it adopted a Saudi-sponsored resolution asking the Jewish state to go back to pre-1967 boundaries. The Saudi proposal insisted on Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories including East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Syria’s Golan Heights — in line with UN resolutions 242 and 338. It also calls for the creation of a Palestinian state and a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue. However, for the first time now it has been proposed to consider a new peace strategy dropping traditional Arab demands that Israel give up all land seized in the 1967.
According to press reports, King Abdullah of Jordan has proposed the idea for discussion at the Arab League summit starting later this month.
Indeed it would not be easy for the other Arab states to adopt the resolution at an Arab League summit starting next Monday in the Algerian capital.
According to reports, the Jordanian proposal does not mention specific UN resolutions and usual Arab demands for an Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 borders and for the right of return of refugees.
The omission suggests King Abdullah wants the Arabs to accept geographical changes Israel has made in the territories and to start normalization even before a full peace is reached. The text of the proposal calls on Arab states to declare their “preparedness” to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and establish normal relations between the Arab countries and Israel through just, comprehensive and lasting peace.”
Arab League officials said the proposal had little support among Arab nations. Syria has always staunchly opposed any normalization.
Palestinian delegates to the summit’s preparatory discussions said the Jordanian proposal was “not acceptable because it ignores the fundamental basis for a just and comprehensive settlement”.
When asked about the proposal by journalists, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa ruled out any change to the Saudi-proposed initiative, which he described as “the Arab term of reference” for peace with Israel.
