A new Mideast by Aref Assaf, Star Ledger, March,12,2007
As Arabs prepare for the Arab League summit this month, the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict may surpass the urgent need to address issues such Iraq and Lebanon.
Chief among the documents to be discussed will be the 2002 Arab peace initiative
to end the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. The Saudis have advanced the cause of
peace by getting the Palestinian factions to agree on a unity government and
supplying them with much-needed financial backing. The Saudis have thus lessened
Iran's influence on Hamas. It is also rumored that Saudi Prince Bandar bin
Sultan has engaged Israel on ways to make the peace plan more palatable.
A settlement is possible on the basis of land for peace, a two- state solution
and resolution of the question of expelled Palestinian refugees. The U.S. must
pursue parallel Mideast objectives: a comprehensive peace agreement between
Israel and the Palestinians and a marginalized or contained Iran. A stable
Mideast may have to take precedence over our untenable push for a democratic
Mideast.
If the Arab peace plan is the basis for negotiations, Israel will cultivate
peace with the Arab world, excluding Iran from reap ing the benefits.
-- Aref Assaf, Denville
The writer is president of the American Arab Forum
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