Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 02, 2009 Sivan 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 17:21 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Egyptian FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit says Israel must make concrete actions.
 (Reuters)
Last update - 16:29 01/06/2009
Egypt rejects U.S. plan for Arab-Israel normalization
By Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Arabs, Egypt, Israel News 

Egypt has rejected an American proposal for gradual normalization between the Arab world and Israel that would have allowed Israeli planes to fly freely through Arab air space.

The idea arose during discussions in Washington last week between Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and senior White House and State Department officials, including National Security Advisor James Jones and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al Awsat, Aboul Gheit said that U.S. officials had asked him what the Arab response would be if Washington pressured Israel to reach a peace agreement. He responded that after the Oslo Accords were signed, some Arab states allowed Israeli offices to open in their territory, but today, the Arab world insists on seeing concrete Israeli action before making any further gestures.
Advertisement

If Israel accedes to international demands, he continued, "the Arab states could accede to gradual normalization, each according to its own considerations."

That implies that Egypt does not see the Arab peace initiative as requiring Arab states to normalize relations with Israel uniformly and simultaneously. Rather, normalization is something each country would institute at a time it deems appropriate.

Aboul Gheit also rejected Jerusalem's demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, saying this would endanger Israel's Arabs - "especially when Israel has a foreign minister who calls for expelling the Arabs to Palestine, or outside of Israel ... It is also impossible to rule out the possibility of an Israeli leader arising one day and saying, 'the number of Arabs in the state has risen, and we must reduce their demographic weight to maintain Israel's Jewish character.'"
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Obama's chutzpah
That Barack Obama. He just entered the White House and already has something to say.
Hungary's war on Jews
Hungarian police newsletter tells 'homeland lovers' that anti-Semitism is a natural right.
  1.   No G-d Forbid Arabs Make a peaceful Gesture towards Israel 04:02  |  Baruch Gold 01/06/09
  2.   What benefit to Arabs states to normalize ties with Israel? 04:44  |  Natallie Durson 01/06/09
  3.   Israel Must Demonstrate Its Good Intentions 04:46  |  Vladek 01/06/09
  4.   Egypt contradicts Arab League declaration. 04:46  |  Fortuna Benmayor 01/06/09
  5.   Israeli planes often fly thru Abab airspace 05:05  |  Murray of Montreal 01/06/09
  6.   The fundamental fact 05:22  |  Mark Lincoln 01/06/09
  7.   YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON THE ARABS..... 05:24  |  Brant 01/06/09
  8.   theyCanDishIt—ButTheyCan`tTakeIt 05:24  |  Yaacob 01/06/09
  9.   This, from a country supposedly "at peace" with Israel 05:25  |  IW 01/06/09
  10.   The Charge Of The Far-Left Brigade & Obama`s First & Last Stand 05:49  |  Jeff Northridge 01/06/09
  11.   To hell with Arab countries. Just Adrress the Palestinian Issue. 05:58  |  Wedi Mendefera 01/06/09
  12.   Arabs reject Obama -- the unreported story 06:11  |  MichaelF 01/06/09
  13.   Egypt has a law excluding its past Jewish citizens from entering 06:15  |  x-ray 01/06/09
  14.   Appears gheit and Obama are on the same page 06:19  |  Arie 01/06/09
  15.   shocking, shoking revelation 06:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/06/09
  16.   So much for the Arab peace iniative 06:21  |  Hilary`s neighbor 01/06/09
  17.   Stuck so soon? 06:57  |  Chrisona 01/06/09
  18.   Catch 22 for US-brokered Israel/Arab Normalization 07:02  |  Just a Realist 01/06/09
  19.   Piecemeal normalization is still normalization, Egypt correct 07:17  |  Ivar 01/06/09
  20.   Arabs are rejecting every Israeli demands 07:24  |  Frank 01/06/09
  21.   Huh? 07:44  |  Anonymous 01/06/09
  22.   Rather, normalization is something each country would institute a 07:53  |  JW 01/06/09
  23.   RE: What benifit the Arabs have? 08:21  |  Mat 01/06/09
  24.   Israeli-egyptian ?peace treaty?. 08:29  |  Mario Sala 01/06/09
  25.   It seems normal 09:26  |  a wandering Jew 01/06/09
  26.   #1 Natalie step out of your delusions 09:35  |  michael 01/06/09
  27.   Concrete actions is important not just words 09:36  |  muslim-- 01/06/09
  28.   Egypt nathalie 09:38  |  roger 01/06/09
  29.   #3 Murray in Canada, well, yes 09:43  |  ballistic 01/06/09
  30.   #3- Murry - It is Israel who is begging for Normalized Ties 09:47  |  Herecome Djudge 01/06/09
  31.   Durson chasing her tail 09:59  |  Tzfonit 01/06/09
  32.   Precisially Murray of Montreal 10:26  |  kiwi girl 01/06/09
  33.   What benefit to Israel to normalize ties with Arabs 10:41  |  Wile E. Coyote 01/06/09
  34.   mario sala do you think muslims care about weapons israel has ? 10:49  |  muslim-- 01/06/09
  35.   What is Israels big problem today.....???? 11:00  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/06/09
  36.   Natallie #1 11:01  |  ron 01/06/09
  37.   I don`t recognize the U.S. as a "Christian" country, so ......... 11:02  |  Hanna 01/06/09
  38.   so happy Egypt came clean 11:09  |  Carmello 01/06/09
  39.   US pressure on Israel? Forget it! 11:22  |  The Prophet 01/06/09
  40.   IN YOUR DREAMS 11:24  |  steve 01/06/09
  41.   kiwi girl 11:26  |  yona 01/06/09
  42.   #.37 Hanna, 12:02  |  Stephen. 01/06/09
  43.   Kiwi girl: define what you mean by a fair fight 12:03  |  Fairy 01/06/09
  44.   #.35. Dino. 12:13  |  Stephen. 01/06/09
  45.   To Baruch 12:29  |  Sam Soul 01/06/09
  46.   ron: keep your benefit, just stay away 12:32  |  Benefit man 01/06/09
  47.   Backwards ever 13:39  |  Richard Witty 01/06/09
  48.   NO contradiction with the Arab peace initiative here.... 13:39  |  JustMe 01/06/09
  49.   Israel destiny, in how many hands it is ! 13:50  |  Akram Zekaria 01/06/09
  50.   The Arab Countries are worried ! 13:53  |  Akram Zekaria 01/06/09
  51.   The Peace that has no wings to fly ! 13:58  |  Akram Zekaria 01/06/09
  52.   Natalli2! Does Israel needs Arabs? 14:18  |  Abecassis 01/06/09
  53.   25~ Swiss (Din) Those who kept the Peace on hold 14:23  |  Akram Zekaria 01/06/09
  54.   what a joke 14:34  |  oz 01/06/09
  55.   Israel wants normalisation without progress... 14:39  |  Roo 01/06/09
  56.   Fairy 14:53  |  Iain 01/06/09
  57.   Obama needs to think about US aid to Egypt 15:01  |  Realist 01/06/09
  58.   #41 Yona this a very important point , free.. 15:54  |  Ardi 01/06/09
  59.   dino 16:22  |  second time 01/06/09
  60.   This is a scare story distorting what Gheit said. 16:37  |  Michael 01/06/09
  61.   Egypt`s comments. 16:40  |  sandra chitayat 01/06/09
  62.   Fairy # 47 16:44  |  Jew 01/06/09
  63.   Egypt in violation of peace agreemt with Israel. Give money back! 16:46  |  David 01/06/09
  64.   Hanna Northern CA: US as a "Christian State?" 16:46  |  Arie 01/06/09
  65.   Would Arab planes be allowed to fly over israel? 16:55  |  Observer 01/06/09
  66.   Showes the real arab face and their peace plan 17:14  |  Abuya 01/06/09
  67.   Egypt rejects U.S. plan for Arab-Israel normalization 17:16  |  Tawiran 01/06/09
  68.   If the arabs realy want peace!! 17:17  |  Yosi 01/06/09
  69.   To Vladek # 3 17:21  |  Jozek 01/06/09
  70.   NO contradiction with the Arab peace initiative here.... 17:23  |  JustMe 01/06/09
  71.   Wrong title it was accepted 17:27  |  muslim-- 01/06/09
  72.   I can understand the apprehension 17:48  |  U.S. 01/06/09
  73.   How can Israel... 17:48  |  Jasper 01/06/09
  74.   Realist # 48 U.S. Aid To Egypt 17:56  |  Jeff Northridge 01/06/09
  75.   muslim #62 18:02  |  Alain 01/06/09
  76.   # 48 Akram Zekaria 18:44  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/06/09
  77.   # 54 second time 18:48  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/06/09
  78.   # 44 Stephen (2nd try) 18:56  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/06/09
  79.   this is also a reality to reflect upon 19:34  |  robert costa 01/06/09
  80.   Clarity of Views 19:46  |  The Teacher/instruct 01/06/09
  81.   And What of the Converse? Eh, Might Be Better To "shop around" 19:56  |  Eli 01/06/09
  82.   Jasper 73. Do you know how to use a map? 21:32  |  Michael 01/06/09
  83.   robert costa # 79 Another Reality To Contemplate 21:35  |  Jeff Northridge 01/06/09
  84.   Ever see a map, Michael? 22:48  |  yona 01/06/09
  85.   Fake peace plan we struck in 1970`s. will we ever learn to 23:09  |  Jae 01/06/09
  86.   Jasper # 73 very easy to do if you look at a map 03:20  |  American in NY 02/06/09
  87.   Jew # 62 Cuba never had nukes 03:22  |  American in NY 02/06/09
  88.   When? 03:50  |  utagawa 02/06/09
  89.   Democracy 04:54  |  Gary AndrewS 02/06/09
  90.   Ingenuous and misleading 06:33  |  The Northern Wind 02/06/09
  91.   No goodwill gestures here hey!!!! 07:51  |  lily 02/06/09
  92.   nobody will ever give Israel peace 08:49  |  Miron 02/06/09
  93.   Egypt rejects U.S. plan for Arab-Israel normalization 09:28  |  maoriboy 02/06/09
  94.   Good for Israel 14:01  |  Paul 02/06/09
  95.   for Jeff Northridge #83 15:36  |  robert costa 02/06/09
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
 Haaretz Hot Topics
The Pope in the Holy Land
Durban II conference
Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
Israel vs. Hamas
Air strike in Sudan
More Headlines
17:19 Obama dispatches envoy to Israel to discuss settlements
17:05 Russia FM: We'll demand Iran nuclear program stays civilian
11:12 Sirens sound across Israel in state's largest civilian drill
17:11 GM as parable, and Israel's sudden choice: Obama or Kahane
17:00 Gunman kills Arab, wounds Jew in Jerusalem shootings
16:55 Israel's Bar Refaeli poses naked for Esquire cover
17:03 Entertainer Dudu Topaz admits orchestrating attacks on TV execs
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
17:19 Shi'ite politician challenging Hezbollah in Lebanon
14:38 West Bank police chief: I love settlers, Tel Aviv does nothing for Israel
14:42 U.S. demands Israel halt construction in East Jerusalem market
12:01 High-powered U.S. lawyer Eizenstat to head Jewish policy institute
12:16 U.S. to invite Iranian officials to 4th of July parties
14:09 Preparations for Egypt Obama visit in full force
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved