Arab League delegation in Israel for peace talks
Tel Aviv (AsiaNews/Agencies) – For the first time a delegation from the Arab League is visiting Israel for a series of talks that are intended to be a turning point in the Middle East peace process. Foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan, the only Arab countries that recognise Israel, will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The Egyptian and Jordanian representatives will be pushing Israel to consider the Arab peace initiative, which offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, the creation of a Palestinian state and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.
Israel responded very coolly to the Arab initiative when it was first put forward in 2002, but recently, it has expressed a willingness to discuss it.
Some observers see the Arab League visit as part of growing diplomatic activity aimed at reviving the moribund Middle East peace process.
Peace is still possible if moderate forces work together even though internal divisions among the Palestinians complicate matters.
In Washington last night, Jordan’s King Abdullah and US President Bush held a 90-minute meeting, discussing the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Jordanian monarch urged the US government to do everything in its power to jumpstart the process to reach “a just and comprehensive peace” that “addresses all outstanding issues between the Palestinians and Israel.” For his part President Bush "remains committed to two states, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.”
In the region former British Prime Minister Tony Blair continues his tour as the special envoy of the Mideast quartet (United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia).
Yesterday he met Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, hoping to re-launch the peace plan for the region.
Today Blair travels to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
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