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The initiative still stands By Marwan Muasher Tags: Arab peace initiative Six years ago, the Arab League took a bold step in the pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting peace in our region. At the Beirut Arab League Summit in 2002, 22 states unanimously adopted the Arab Peace Initiative - a historic document that offered a formula for ending not only the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but also the wider, lingering Arab-Israeli conflict, and to achieve a collective peace, security for all and normal relations with Israel. The initiative was the embodiment of the moderate camp in the Arab world and of its leap of faith in addressing both Arab and Israeli needs. Unfortunately, the Arab Peace Initiative was not related to seriously by the two players whose support and endorsement were crucial for its implementation: Neither Israel nor the United States responded with more than lip service. Arab states are also to be blamed for failing to explain the initiative to the Israeli public, our principal audience. As Jordan's first ambassador to Israel, I had the rare opportunity to communicate, engage with and understand Israeli society - at all levels. And, as someone who was intimately involved in developing and formulating the peace initiative, and in successfully arguing the moderate Arab case in Beirut, I believe it is crucial to explain the initiative's four pillars and why it remains a historic document that Israelis should embrace. Now is the most opportune time to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, based on the terms binding the signatories to this initiative. Advertisement According to the proposal, the Arabs will offer Israel the following, in return for its full withdrawal from the Arab territories it has occupied since June 1967 and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital: A collective offer to end the conflict. During my tenure in Israel, I witnessed firsthand the importance of this clause to the average Israeli, who remains concerned that Palestinians or Arab states may make further claims on Israel or its territory even after an Israeli withdrawal and an agreed-upon solution to the refugee problem. Security guarantees for all states in the region, including Israel. This is significant because, for the first time, Israel is assured that its security will be guaranteed not only by its neighbors, but by all Arab states. A collective peace treaty and normal relations with Israel. This signals full recognition of Israel and normal relations with it. An agreed-upon solution to the refugee problem. For the first time, the Arab world committed itself to an agreed-upon solution to the refugee problem, addressing Israel's concern that Arabs will demand that four million refugees be sent to Israel. Today, six years after its adoption, and despite continued violence and the stagnation of the peace process, the Arab Peace Initiative still holds. Not a single Arab state has withdrawn its support, and indeed all 22 signatories reiterated their commitment to it in Riyadh in 2007 and in Damascus earlier this year - a testament to the plan's resilience. By now, the gradual approach to peacemaking has been exhausted. As we have witnessed, this approach allowed the opponents of peace ample time not only to derail the process, but to threaten its proponents, which they have done repeatedly and effectively. The time has come to jettison the incremental approach, and take the leap toward a comprehensive settlement whose outlines have been largely defined via a number of frameworks, starting with the Clinton parameters. Separate peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians or the Syrians might not adequately address the conflict's key dimensions, such as the positions of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran regarding those agreements. A comprehensive agreement with the Arab world, in which the Arab Peace Initiative serves as a key term of reference, would address all Arab aspirations, including an end to the occupation and the establishment of a two-state solution, as well as Israel's security and other needs. In the context of such a comprehensive agreement with the whole Arab world, the role of non-state players such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and even of their backer Iran, becomes marginal. Today, Israelis are realizing that a two-state solution is no longer in the interests of Palestinians and Arabs only, but also in the best interest of Israel, which will soon have more Arabs in areas under its control than Jews. Only a comprehensive agreement with the whole Arab world can give both sides what they need. To wait any longer is a recipe for the end of the two-state solution, and means continued violence for an indefinite period. The ingredients are all there: rising radicalization among Arabs in the region, continued settlement building, erection of the separation fence in Israel, and the strengthening of the rejectionist camp. The onus is on the moderate camp, in both the Arab world and in Israel, to finally agree on a historic settlement that addresses the interests of both sides, ends the conflict and allows them to live in peace. The moderate Arab Peace Initiative still stands and goes a long way toward achieving that objective. Marwan Muasher is Jordan's former foreign minister and was its first ambassador to Israel. His book "The Arab Center: The Promise of Moderation" was published earlier this year by Yale University Press. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A second chance Parents shocked to see their baby breathing moments before she was to be buried. Kafka the Zionist Remnants of Kafka's estate found in T.A. raise questions of his belief in Zionism.   1.   Too late for What? 09:29  |  Chafeeka 15/08/08   2.   To Mr. Musaher 09:34  |  Ofer 15/08/08   3.   Your Days Are Numbered: Time Is On OUR Side 09:36  |  Yishai Kohen 15/08/08   4.   Israel will never accept this plan 09:48  |  Colin Wright 15/08/08   5.   "Accept the Arab Plan before it is too late" Marwan Muasher 10:11  |  Akram Zekaria 15/08/08   6.   We don`t get fooled again! NOW IS NOT THE TIME 10:36  |  Harvey 15/08/08   7.   truth 10:36  |  lebanese girl 15/08/08   8.   Ambassador Muasher presents "an offer which can not be refused" 10:56  |  Ivar 15/08/08   9.   The "Offer" Needs to be Sweetened 11:06  |  US CITIZEN 15/08/08   10.   There`re more pals in Knesset than in Jordan`s Parlament,what 11:27  |  Absolute Sweden 15/08/08   11.   Let me get this straight 11:30  |  Alex 15/08/08   12.   To Colon 11:53  |  Linichka 15/08/08   13.   Save your breath, Muasher 12:07  |  Johnboy 15/08/08   14.   Testing Arab sincerity 12:17  |  Moshe 15/08/08   15.   No, it can take decades before Israelis realise it, too 12:59  |  Ernst 15/08/08   16.   Mr.Musaher, an extra Pal-state in the WB is a hoax 14:18  |  AliciaYasmeen 15/08/08   17.   Ernst`s simple take on the issue 14:28  |  Linichka 15/08/08   18.   In 2005, Israel left Gaza. 14:56  |  Lisa 15/08/08   19.   Fatah option is State Dept fiction that doesn`t exist in reality 15:17  |  G Marcus 15/08/08   20.   12# Johnboy. A Typical rubbush post. 15:28  |  Akram Zekaria 15/08/08   21.   The right to exist 16:00  |  Jim 15/08/08   22.   #1 Chafeeka 16:14  |  Jim 15/08/08   23.   Arabs will have to NEGOTIATE agreement 16:18  |  Sam 15/08/08   24.   to 7 - leb girl 16:23  |  Palestinian in UK 15/08/08   25.   This offer was nothing new or historic, just a rehash 16:24  |  Doc Holliday 15/08/08   26.   We shall never get a BETTER deal! 16:36  |  Zeev 15/08/08   27.   Israel prefers to whinge and moan about terror... 16:36  |  Palestinian in UK 15/08/08   28.   #6 Harvery The ther side of the coin 16:54  |  JIm 15/08/08   29.   #7 lebanese girl 17:05  |  Jim 15/08/08   30.   #8 Ivar 17:11  |  Jim 15/08/08   31.   what do we have to face? 17:58  |  amihai 15/08/08   32.   Ivar continually exacerbating Israel`s blame 18:05  |  utagawa 15/08/08   33.   Israel, yes or no? 18:56  |  Space 15/08/08   34.   Don`t Give Up Hope For Peace Ambassador 19:26  |  Yosemite 15/08/08   35.   What was so BOLD about this ridiculous offer? 19:58  |  McQueen 15/08/08   36.   What? In return for withdrawal Israel gets solution to refugees? 20:01  |  McQueen 15/08/08   37.   Arab states will guarantee Israel`s safety? What a joke 20:01  |  McQueen 15/08/08   38.   An equivalent Offer for Marwan Muashar 20:11  |  peter 15/08/08   39.   Peace Offer 20:20  |  Goldie Klugman 15/08/08   40.   SArabia could not arrange peace btw Hamas anf Fatah 20:27  |  17 15/08/08   41.   Can`t we just capitulate now? 20:36  |  Peace Now 15/08/08   42.   Muslims define peace as murdering or converting all non-believers 21:38  |  Robert Blum 15/08/08   43.   Re: Israel whingeing and moaning about terror 21:39  |  Victoria 15/08/08   44.   arabs don`t even keep their promise to help so-called Palestinian 21:51  |  Robert Blum 15/08/08   45.   Israel`s refusal to accept peace has exacerbated her guilt 22:05  |  Ivar 15/08/08   46.   First to the author, then to Jim 22:11  |  Ben 15/08/08   47.   just because the arabs back it doesnt mean Israel must 22:20  |  zionist forever 15/08/08   48.   NO LAND FOR PEACE EVER! 22:24  |  Jew from Arab cntry 15/08/08   49.   Bravo! 22:32  |  Ed 15/08/08   50.   Israel is not interested in peace 22:36  |  BIG 15/08/08   51.   #1 Chafeeka u R honest and i agree with you 22:37  |  Jew from Arab cntry 15/08/08   52.   #7 Lebanese girl 22:39  |  ricardo levy 15/08/08   53.   Ivar from Estonia 22:40  |  zionist forever 15/08/08   54.   Israel is still in a state of denial 22:45  |  Ibrahim 15/08/08   55.   to #1 Chafeeka 22:57  |  HIldar 15/08/08   56.   Do You Ever Wonder..... 23:02  |  Gray 15/08/08   57.   to Colin Wright 23:03  |  Hilda 15/08/08   58.   Zionist For the time being must make peace with Arabs not Quartet 23:35  |  Ivar 15/08/08   59.   arab league las no sway over iran, hezbolah, this is worthless 23:46  |  don 15/08/08   60.   To: Ibrahim, # 54 and all similar thinkers 00:07  |  US CITIZEN 16/08/08   61.   In effect, the 73% Israeli support of two states side by side... 00:20  |  Smadar 16/08/08   62.   Pal state in WB would be suicidal for Jordan, not only for Israel 00:55  |  Joel Stein 16/08/08   63.   #48 Jew from Arab Country 00:56  |  ballistic 16/08/08   64.   Muasher in denial 01:04  |  judith 16/08/08   65.   Whale In The Goldfish Bowl; When "Elephant.." Isn`t Enough 01:18  |  Gray 16/08/08   66.   Israel wants land, not peace 01:26  |  Wendy 16/08/08   67.   Hilda, enough with the denial already, the jig is up... 01:49  |  BBSNews 16/08/08   68.   The right of return 02:13  |  utagawa 16/08/08   69.   The House of Peace 02:18  |  utagawa 16/08/08   70.   Hilda #57 What!!! 02:33  |  Gray 16/08/08   71.   if jordan is Palestine, then 02:39  |  Steve Bultz 16/08/08   72.   65- Bless you Gray 03:20  |  Palestinian in UK 16/08/08   73.   #38 Say that again, peter???? 03:36  |  Johnboy 16/08/08   74.   Arab "Peace" Plan is Arafat`s Old Plan 04:54  |  Tod Zuckerman 16/08/08   75.   Why Israel won`t agree 06:38  |  Marty Green 16/08/08   76.   US Citizen, you analysis is flawed. 06:40  |  Ibrahim 16/08/08   77.   utagawa are we suppose to take you seriously? 06:45  |  Ibrahim 16/08/08   78.   Mecca Agreement Rejected by Israel 07:43  |  Zionist Extremism 16/08/08   79.   The ARAB LEAGUE - The last who should speak 08:20  |  Dagma 16/08/08   80.   Does the USA want peace? 08:24  |  MiddleStanian 16/08/08   81.   Ivar; #58 "Peace and Zionism"... 08:39  |  Gray 16/08/08   82.   Smadar 08:46  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/08/08   83.   To Ballistic # 63 - `Palestinian Lands`? 08:50  |  justiceforall 16/08/08   84.   Bible teaches impartiality, humility, honouring the peacemaker 08:51  |  Ivar 16/08/08   85.   utugawa # 77 - The Right of Return....Correct! 09:09  |  justiceforall 16/08/08   86.   The Arab Peace Initiative = distruction of Israel 09:34  |  Daniel Leopold 16/08/08   87.   Excuse me Mr Muasher you got it backwards 09:36  |  Chafeeka 16/08/08   88.   Israel offered peace many times. Arabs refused 09:40  |  Awake 16/08/08   89.   Most Arabs Want Palestinian Refugees to Return 09:43  |  Semsem 16/08/08   90.   Ibrahim-The Arabs made an offer which implies Israel should 09:53  |  Daniel Leopold 16/08/08   91.   Thanks, Gray, 78, and thanks Haaretz for this open forum 09:59  |  Ivar 16/08/08   92.   On Arab folly and hypocrisy 10:07  |  Awake 16/08/08   93.   #81 IVAR: the Pal "peacemakers` " double-messages 11:49  |  AliciaYasmeen 16/08/08   94.   #76-Ibrahim--What to do with the Pals? 11:55  |  US CITIZEN 16/08/08   95.   to 67 who writes anonymously because he 12:09  |  Hilda 16/08/08   96.   to Gray #70 12:20  |  Hilda 16/08/08   97.   #67 BBSnews - friendly renainder 12:21  |  17 16/08/08   98.   Bible is full of references of Jews return to Israel 12:47  |  Gregor 16/08/08   99.   palestinian living in uk 12:49  |  leb girl 16/08/08   100.   Arab leaders must go to Israel 13:12  |  me 16/08/08   101.   Gregor; and "their spiritual return" 13:58  |  Gray 16/08/08   102.   IVER 14:02  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 16/08/08   103.   I doubt if Muasher can convince himself with what 14:11  |  Akram Zekaria 16/08/08   104.   Ivar is desperately against Israel 14:21  |  x-ray 16/08/08   105.   Space 33- Yes or no? 15:27  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   106.   Ivar @ 45 - what guilt? 15:31  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   107.   Re-Gregor, the 3rd Temple 15:36  |  American lady 16/08/08   108.   Ibrahim 54 - from your posts, which I have 15:36  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   109.   Gray 56 - you seem to wonder but don`t think (or know) much.. 15:42  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   110.   Gregor, 83, is free to believe, only not to justify theft by it 15:43  |  Ivar 16/08/08   111.   # 67 BBSnews - Friendly reminder 15:47  |  17 16/08/08   112.   Ibrahim 54 15:47  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   113.   Refugees? 16:01  |  Margaret Connell 16/08/08   114.   #110 You might like to look up the history of those treaties, 17 16:52  |  Johnboy 16/08/08   115.   ChanahS, sorry to offend you... 16:59  |  Ibrahim 16/08/08   116.   Johnboy # 73 Israel`s Borders 16:59  |  Jeff Northridge 16/08/08   117.   Jimmy Carter was a special man "17", I agree... 17:01  |  BBSNews 16/08/08   118.   73- videogameboy slow on the uptake 17:01  |  peter 16/08/08   119.   Re-Ivar No. 109 17:08  |  lady from USA 16/08/08   120.   Daniel Leopold, when will you actually read the Arab Initiative? 17:13  |  BBSNews 16/08/08   121.   Gray - better read Koran and comics. 17:20  |  17 16/08/08   122.   #104 ChanahS 17:57  |  Space 16/08/08   123.   Stupid not to talk 17:58  |  dyinglikeflies 16/08/08   124.   JOHNBOY"Save your breath".Just read the Hamas charter instead. 18:51  |  PETER SM 16/08/08   125.   WRIGHT"prospect of peace frightens Israel"Peace with Egypt&Jordan 19:21  |  PETER SM 16/08/08   126.   Likud still has its eyes on Trans Jordan 20:13  |  Nick Ferriman 16/08/08   127.   #81 Margie in Tel Aviv 20:31  |  Smadar 16/08/08   128.   #104 ChanahS 20:40  |  Space 16/08/08   129.   BBS BSes again 115 21:13  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   130.   Ibrahim 113 21:21  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   131.   Space 120 21:34  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   132.   2nd temple will be built 21:35  |  Gregor 16/08/08   133.   Nick Ferriman 126 21:38  |  ChanahS 16/08/08   134.   Ballistic claims are wrong 21:57  |  Jackie 16/08/08   135.   #81; Gray and his fantasy 22:44  |  Doc Holliday 16/08/08   136.   Smadar 22:44  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/08/08   137.   Jackie #134 Selective "Anti semitism" 22:45  |  Gray 16/08/08   138.   Channh S complains about denegration 23:11  |  Labhras 16/08/08   139.   3rd temple not 2nd, my mistake 23:23  |  Gregor 16/08/08   140.   Resolution 194 repackaged 23:38  |  Ilan 16/08/08   141.   Resolution 194 repackaged 23:38  |  Ilan 16/08/08   142.   Ibrahim #54 - So you admit 00:10  |  David Israel 17/08/08   143.   23 Sam 00:35  |  Reader 17/08/08   144.   BBSnews 00:39  |  17 17/08/08   145.   # 114 Johnboy - It is all common knowledge 00:43  |  17 17/08/08   146.   Still Stands? 00:45  |  Mark Lincoln 17/08/08   147.   Great deal rebuffed 00:57  |  peter 17/08/08   148.   BBSNews # 120 I Read The Arab Ultimatum (part 3) 01:02  |  Jeff Northridge 17/08/08   149.   David Israel 01:03  |  Ibrahim 17/08/08   150.   Gray`s invasions # 137 01:15  |  ChanahS 17/08/08   151.   By the way Gray 137 01:17  |  ChanahS 17/08/08   152.   145 Ibrahim 01:22  |  ChanahS 17/08/08   153.   The Initiative Still Stands 01:33  |  Nezam el Jenini 17/08/08   154.   #131 ChanahS 01:40  |  Space 17/08/08   155.   Yes it needs to be responded to 01:42  |  peter 17/08/08   156.   Save your breath Northridge... 01:49  |  BBSNews 17/08/08   157.   peacs stil stands 01:54  |  jimmy 17/08/08   158.   Muasher article 02:00  |  jon 17/08/08   159.   145# Ibrahim.** What makes you think you are 02:05  |  Akram Zekaria 17/08/08   160.   No state for terrorists and their supporters 02:31  |  Gregor 17/08/08   161.   BBSing as usual 156 02:46  |  ChanahS 17/08/08   162.   Ibrahim - Mypoint is 03:02  |  David Israel 17/08/08   163.   By All Means Channah....Anything but what`s relevent 03:04  |  Gray 17/08/08   164.   Reader-Acceptable deal depends on belief ALL Pal violence over 05:01  |  Sam 17/08/08   165.   Nezam el Jenini - Israel already accepted Clinton parameters 05:32  |  David Israel 17/08/08   166.   Gray from VA - I cannot stop but laugh 05:55  |  David Israel 17/08/08   167.   Akram Zekaria....and who are you? 06:11  |  Ibrahim 17/08/08   168.   David Israel...whatever, the offer is out there...and Israel 06:14  |  Ibrahim 17/08/08   169.   ChanahS 06:17  |  Ibrahim 17/08/08   170.   Ibrahim - 07:02  |  David Israel 17/08/08   171.   BBSNews re:Jeff Northridge 07:43  |  TonyL 17/08/08   172.   the plan is layers of wrapping paper nothng substantial underneat 08:10  |  zionist forever 17/08/08   173.   176 Ibrahim and who are you ? 08:22  |  Akram Zekaria 17/08/08   174.   #116 Jeff astounds again...... 08:53  |  Johnboy 17/08/08   175.   26# Zeev "Two State" will end " Two early Graves". 08:54  |  Akram Zekaria 17/08/08   176.   not freind of Israel but I acknowledge. 10:31  |  richo 17/08/08   177.   Inrahim 13:49  |  17 17/08/08   178.   No disrespect Mr. Musaher..... 21:36  |  Dave from Chicago 18/08/08   179.   Ibrahim and everyone else 22:33  |  Dave from Chicago 18/08/08   180.   NO LAND FOR PEACE, EVER 06:59  |  Americans 19/08/08

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