Unlike the previous Arab summits, the one held in Riyadh last Thursday adopted resolutions reflecting the aspirations of the Arab nation.
If the previous Arab summits had come out with resolutions similar to those adopted in Riyadh, perhaps the Palestinian cause and other issues crucial to the Arab nation would have been settled and the Arab conditions would have been much better now.
The Riyadh summit has unified the Arab stance and will be remembered for its clarity in the case of principles enunciated and resolutions passed.
The summit made it clear to the whole world that Arabs offer total support to the Palestinian people in their struggle to win their rights and sovereignty. The summit unanimously agreed to stick to the Arab peace initiative in a way calculated to preserve the Palestinian rights.
Arab leaders have challenged and resisted external pressure exerted on them before the Riyadh summit and confirmed that there will be no concessions or normalization of relations with Israel without a just and real peace.
The decisions of the summit reflect the dream of all the Arab and Muslim nations without exception. The people of Arab and Muslim countries have been following the developments on the Palestinian front very closely and anxiously, extending full support to the struggle of the Palestinian people who have long been sacrificing everything including their lives to achieve their goal.
Countless demonstrations were staged across the Arab world throughout the many phases of intifada or resistance, illustrating the unity of Arabs and their resolve to reach the goal.
There has always been undue external pressure on the Arabs to normalize relations with Israel and on the Palestinians to give further concessions to the Jewish state. It may be noted that the US administration, Israel’s permanent ally, is not the only one to apply diplomatic and political pressure on the Palestinians.
The EU has followed in the footsteps of the US administration, calling for normalization of relations with Israel and further concessions by the Palestinians.
At the same time the Jewish state has been adamantly refusing to offer any concessions to the Palestinians and casting aside resolution after resolution and agreement after agreement.
If there is anyone who thinks that Israel seeks real peace, he is deluding himself and has to wake up to face realities. Israel wants a sort of peace that allows it to reject Palestinian rights and extract more concessions than it deserves.
What we all call a just and fair settlement which ties in with international laws is not acceptable to Israel. A close examination will reveal that Israel has breached all agreements it has signed in Oslo, Madrid, Sharm El Sheikh, Taba and other cities. Israel will continue to rat on any agreement it might sign, with the international community just looking helplessly, if not approvingly.
Why is it that only Palestinians need to provide concessions? This is a question I tackled in an earlier column I wrote on the subject: “Logic stipulates that concessions should come from both sides to reach a solution. Why only the Palestinians need to provide concessions? Is the one-sided concession the ideal solution to the Palestinian cause? Doesn’t this exacting of concessions ramp up the Israeli arrogance and embolden it to demand more and more concessions?” The summit’s message is loud and clear: There will be no more unilateral concessions, no normalization of relations with Israel before a comprehensive peace. It is utterly illogical that Israel can demand all rights without fulfilling any of its obligations. The whole world, in particular the major powers, have to play the role of impartial judges and do away with pressure tactics and the policy of double standards.
— Essa bin Mohammed Al-Zedjali is editor in chief of The Times of Oman.
