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Arab League support: How this initiative is changing the Middle East peace process?
Since it was proposed at the Arab League Summit in Beirut in 2002, the Arab Peace Initiative has been a key issue in the Middle East peace process. This initiative, supported by all members of the Arab League, aims to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, advocate Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied territories, and establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The Arab Peace Initiative is not just a reconciliation proposal but a way to achieve regional stability by normalizing relations between the Arab world and Israel.
The core content of the initiative includes: Israel's complete withdrawal from pre-1967 territories, solving the Palestinian refugee problem, and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
Before the launch of the Arab Peace Initiative, the Palestinian region was facing an increase in violence. In March 2002, 30 Israelis were killed during the Passover massacre in Palestine, which posed a huge challenge to the promotion of this peace initiative. The incident not only cast a shadow over the presentation of the peace initiative, but also cast doubt on its future effectiveness in the international community.
The Arab Peace Initiative is an important attempt to end the unrest following the failure of the Camp David Summit in 2000.
After being first promoted in 2002, the initiative was reaffirmed at the Arab Allies Summits in 2007 and 2017. Especially in 2007, leaders from 22 member states attended the meeting and emphasized the urgency of the Middle East peace process. At that time, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia emphasized that the foundation of peace must be based on justice and fairness, and called on the international community to actively support this initiative.
The Arab League's peace initiative against Israel is not only a major opportunity to clarify its position, but also provides a hopeful way out for resolving the long-term conflict.
During these meetings, the United States has expressed support for the initiative, with spokesmen from the George W. Bush administration in particular praising the courage of the idea. In their view, normalized relations between Arab countries and Israel can bring long-term stability to the region. However, the actual situation is more complicated. The Israeli government's response to the initiative was lukewarm, especially under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who believed that the proposal did not meet Israel's security needs.
From a historical perspective, the Arab Peace Initiative marked a major shift in foreign policy since 1967. The "Three Nos" proposed by the Qatum Resolution at that time, that is, future peace and diplomatic policies in all aspects, put many peace efforts in jeopardy. It was not until the proposal of the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002 that new vitality was injected into the peace negotiations. Against this background, the impact of the peace initiative on the situation in the Middle East has gradually emerged.
However, implementing the plan has been fraught with difficulties. Internal Palestinian political divisions and the position of the Islamist group Hamas pose major obstacles to support for the peace process. Although Hamas expressed acceptance of the initiative in some periods after its introduction, its erratic policies have allowed it to play the role of an opponent in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel's right wing is also skeptical of any kind of concessions, especially on the issue of refugee returns.
As some international commentators have said, the Arab Peace Initiative requires not only the response of Israel and Palestine, but also the simultaneous participation and support of other international powers.
Even so, the Arab Peace Initiative is still considered an integral part of the Middle East peace process. Countries continue to pay increasing attention to it, especially at this critical moment when the world is seeking to resolve conflicts. As many experts have said, geopolitical changes and the emergence of new situations have made the road to peace in the Middle East increasingly tortuous but necessary.
Facing the future, whether the Arab Peace Initiative can truly realize its original intention and bring lasting peace is still a question worth pondering?
