By IRNA,
London : Time is running out for the two-state solution in the Middle East, a new report published by a British global security think-tank warned Thursday.
The report, authored by Gabrielle Rifkind from the Oxford Research Group (ORG), said that an offer from Arab nations to recognize Israel in exchange for a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians should be put at the center of EU and US policy.
Despite being published on the anniversary of the US-sponsored Annapolis Agreement, it suggested that the Arab Peace Initiative put forward by the Arab League, is gaining increasing support among influential Israelis.
“The Arab Peace Initiative provides Israel with what it has been seeking from its inception: recognition of the state of Israel, normal relations with its neighbours and the guarantee of security,” Rifkind said.
She said that the plan should have attracted serious Israeli interest but that “sadly, the Israeli public is only starting to wake up to what is on offer.”
“The Israeli, EU and US governments must now seize the opportunity it offers to help broker the hard compromises needed for peace,” the author argued.
The report, entitled ‘The Arab Peace Initiative: Why Now?,’ warns that time is running out for the two-state solution and that the Arab Peace Initiative can provide a needed catalyst for negotiations.
It follows the ORG organizing a rare meeting in October, between influential Israelis and Arabs including a delegation headed by Prince Turki al Faisal of Saudi Arabia.
“As Israelis become more aware of the quid pro quo offered by the Initiative, they will see the great opportunity that this vision of a final and definitive peace between Israel and the Arab world offers,” Turki said in a forward to the report.
The report documents efforts by Israelis to launch a public media campaign in Israel to increase public support for the Arab Peace Initiative.
But it also makes clear that Arab nations will not take further positive steps unless there is a freezing of settlement expansion to demonstrate that Israel is serious about negotiating a comprehensive peace agreement.
“This may take some time but, if EU and US governments are serious about Israel’s security, they must ensure their policies treat key Arab nations as important players and give this offer a real chance,” she said.
The Arab Peace Initiative, proposed in March 2002 by all 22 Arab League members, offered a definitive end to the Arab-Israeli conflict, full recognition for Israel, and the establishment of normal relations and mutual guarantees of future security.
In exchange, it asked for full Israeli withdrawal from lands occupied in June 1967, including Syrian and Lebanese territories, a just settlement to the Palestinian refugee problem ‘to be agreed upon’ in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
Central to the plan was the establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem.