Contrary to Ted Rudow's affirmation, the 22-country Arab League won't "send envoys on a historic first mission to Israel this week to discuss a sweeping Arab peace initiative" (Letters section of the July 11 edition of the Daily Journal) because the League couldn't stand the portrayal of its mission as "a historic first," in the Israeli press. Apparently, this was too much for the "sweeping Arab peace initiative." Or, maybe Arab patience "has reached its limits" with Israel, as in case with the UN Resolution 242 by Mr. Rudow's account?
A closer look into Resolution 242 indicates that that there are obligations on both sides of the conflict. It clearly says that "a just and lasting peace in the Middle East should include the application of both the following principles: withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict and termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force."
The Resolution 242 doesn't require one event following another. The troop withdrawal and cessation of hostilities, including "threats or acts of force", should occur simultaneously. And nowhere in the resolution is said that these acts should take place at once. Israel has withdrawn her troops from Sinai, from West Bank cities, after Oslo, from Gaza. It is about time for the Arab side to reciprocate with some goodwill steps. Naturally, gradual patient approach, resulting in confidence building, is much more preferable than "comprehensive," leading-nowhere proposals.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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