Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of the Arab initiative and the direct Arab appeal to Israel. … For the first time, Arab states are offering their services as mediators, not just with respect to local issues that stem from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, they have adopted a comprehensive approach that confronts regional interests and is prepared to adopt Israel as part of the solution, not just as part of the problem. This is the same approach that Israel has hoped for since its establishment - and perhaps the time has now come to realize it.
However, it would be a mistake to think that the Arab states intend to step into the shoes of the Palestinian Authority, or of Syria or Lebanon, to negotiate with Israel in their place. Opening negotiations between Israel and the Arab League or some of the Arab Quartet states, on the basis of a system of mutual accords, is also not at issue. The Arab initiative, and the Arab effort to promote it, aim to break through the blocked diplomatic channels in an effort to allow individual negotiations with the countries involved in the conflict. Access full article >>
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