Published: 31 January 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
I THINK THE ARAB Peace Initiative (API) needs to be the main component of the peace process. Why? Because the API originated from Saudi Arabia, the wealthiest, strongest and most influential country among the moderate Arab states. Saudi Arabia wrote it and passed it to the Arab League whose 22 Arab states subsequently adopted it. I decided to take the initiative seriously the first time I read it.
Why? Because it’s very short. Every line is black and white – there’s no type of sophistry with commas, brackets or legal terminology. It’s simple. We demand such and such from you, and we will give you such and such in return. And there will be peace inshallah. Not only peace, but peace with the entire Arab world, and an additional 30 Muslim countries.
I’m trying to imagine – and it’s difficult – what diplomatic relations such as these would mean. But the initiative promises that the entire Muslim world will recognise the State of Israel and establish full diplomatic relations with us. Just think about the economic significance of such a thing; what it would give to the state.
When I speak to Israelis and reach this point, I say, ‘If such were to happen, imagine Israel being economically ahead of states like Holland, Switzerland and all the Scandinavian countries.’ But for Israelis, the most important challenge is always security and terror. Security, security, security.
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Photo: Former Mossad Director-General, Shabtai Shavit in 2011 (Commanders for Israel's Security)
