The Arab League knocked on our Door and We pretended not to be at Home

Ilai Alon - 11/21/2008

In March 2002 the Arab League adopted a Saudi Peace Initiative, originally drafted in 1981.

The Hebrew translation of the Document, as distributed to the public, is faulty.  This may have been part of the reason that Israelis ignored it.

It seems that most of the Israeli public is not aware of the true significance of this Arab Peace Initiative.

The general tenor of the Document is evidence of a significant change in Arab attitudes towards peace with Israel:

• The proposals set forth in the Document are basically sincere (though there are a few remarks in it that leave room for further scrutiny).
• It is not a “take it or leave it” proposal.  Rather it invites negotiation on its content.  Note however that negotiations tend to begin after agreement has been reached!
• Compared with Documents issued earlier by the League, this one is, from Israel’s standpoint, the most positive of all.
• In my view, the Document implies that the League will take upon itself to represent the Palestinians, and even impose an agreement upon them if that becomes necessary.
• In the past Israel always took Arab declarations seriously.  With due caution, why not this time?

The Peace Initiative – Translation from Arabic

The Senior Assembly of the Arab League, sitting in Beirut endorsed the resolution adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting in Cairo in June 1996, according to which the strategic choice for the Arab States is a just peace in the Middle East, internationally legalized.  In parallel it is requested that Israel commit herself similarly.

The following is a summary of King Abdullah’s speech:

Being convinced that military measures will bring neither peace nor security to the sides of the conflict, the Assembly requests that Israel reexamine her policies and declare that for her too, a just peace is the correct strategic choice.

The Assembly further requests that Israel fulfill the following:

• Full withdrawal from all Arab territories captured in June 1967, including the Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories still under occupation by Israel.
• Reaching a just and agreed solution to the problem of Palestinian Refugees in accordance with UN Resolution 194.
• Agreeing to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in the territories captured in June 1967 in the West Bank, in Gaza, with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital.

For their part the Arab states will act as follows:

• They will regard the Arab-Israeli conflict ended, and they will enter into agreements with Israel, thereby providing security for the entire region.
• Within the framework of this overall peace, relations with Israel will be normalized.
• The Assembly undertakes to oppose any form of permanent settlement of Palestinians that is not compatible with the needs of countries presently hosting Palestinian refugees.
• The Assembly calls upon the Government of Israel and all Israelis to accept this Initiative in order to give peace a chance, to put an end to bloodshed, and to make it possible for Israel and the Arabs to live in peace side by side as good neighbours.  In this way future generations will enjoy security, prosperity and stability.

(The Document contains two additional sections dealing with representations of the League to international bodies.)

Comment and Clarification

1. Israel is being offered an opportunity to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and achieve a peace with normal neighbourly relations. Surely this is what Israel has been striving for from the very beginning.
2. Concerning a solution of the Refugee Problem the Document is careful to use the term “agreed”, thereby giving Israel the right to veto solutions she cannot accept.
3. Referring to Jerusalem, in a departure from previous Arab statements, the Document uses the term “East Jerusalem” rather than ”Arab Jerusalem” or just “Jerusalem”.  This hints upon willingness to negotiate a rational division of the city.
4. The phrase “Israel is requested” rather than “Israel is required” is used throughout.  This too is a major departure from previous wordings.
5. The Document asks Israel to “review her policies”, and not “to change her policies” as it used to be phrased.
6. The Document states that in the Arab view, military means will not solve the problem.  It also expresses concern for the danger to human life.
7. The Document appeals, not only to the Government of Israel but to the People of Israel, asking them to adopt the Initiative.
8. Israel is asked to “lean towards peace”.  This is a Koranic expression of great significance.

To sum up

The style of the Document, signed by almost all the Heads of Arab States, is convincing in its sincerity and intent.  This is a strong reason to accept the Initiative.