The Arab League’s decision Sunday in Cairo to break the economic embargo imposed by the United States and Europe on the Hamas-led Palestinian administration was long overdue. Indeed it may be asked why any Arab state ever subscribed to this unjust punishment of a country, simply because its people had elected a government that Washington did not like. Hamas’ crime in American eyes was that it refused to recognize Israel and had used terror tactics, including suicide bombers. Yet no such sanctions were ever contemplated against Israel, which does not recognize Palestine and uses its own terror tactics to slay far greater number of Palestinians than the number of Israelis who fall victim to militant violence.
The electorate chose Hamas’ “recognition policy” as the bargaining chip that might at last bring real progress on a just settlement. But North American and European democracies cried “Foul.” Instead of building on the new democratically laid foundations for peace, they punished Palestinian voters for their choice of government and laid economic siege to the territory. This arrant hypocrisy has debased the high claims made for democratic institutions by both the Americans and Europeans.
It took, however, a further egregious example of mealy mouthed meddling by Washington to convince the Arab League that enough was enough. The US veto of a UN resolution condemning Israel for the Beit Hanoun slayings was an astounding display of bias. The whole world had been appalled by the crime and was every bit as reprehensible as the innocent deaths caused by Palestinian suicide bombers. This ignorant or willful American lack of equivalence in judging Israelis and Palestinians seems custom-made to lock the Palestinians into their present misery, while, at the same time, helping Israel avoid any risk of having to make a just peace.
Europe has become increasingly uncomfortable with the US-instigated siege of the Palestinian territories. If the Palestinians can at last agree on a national unity government, the Europeans will have the chance to escape from the corner into which they allowed Washington to back them. The Arab League can play a key role here, working with European capitals to restore economic and physical support for the Palestinians in an orderly fashion. Just as important, the League should involve Europe in the proposed peace conference.
It is nonetheless crucial now that the League has taken this stand to stick to it and follow through. It may not be too difficult. With the strategic review of Washington’s disastrous Iraq policy, Syria and Iran are to be offered a new and influential role. Damascus has already made it clear that part of its price for helping Washington out of its catastrophe will be a Palestinian settlement. British Premier Tony Blair is now telling anyone who will listen that this was what he has believed all along.
It really does begin to seem there is now an open door for peace. Let the Arab League therefore be sure that it always pushes and never pulls.
