Arab League Envoys to Visit Israel

The Arab League, which represents twenty-two Arab nations, is planning to send official envoys to Israel to discuss peace.

This move represents a significant shift in Arab thought. The Arab League has previously focused on the destruction of Israel, but is now considering a peace plan which would involve official recognition of Israel.

Why is this happening now? The nations which make up the Arab League have discovered that the Islamist militant movements which they have long nourished and supported have grown to become grave threats to their national sovereignty.

Jordan and Egypt are leading the effort, as they have had the longest history of friendly relations with Israel.

The current peace plan proposes trading full Arab recognition of Israel for an Israeli withdrawal from all territory captured in the 1967 war and the creation of a Palestinian state.

This would obviously be a major step forward in both Middle Eastern and global peace. It would not be an end to all aggression, but it would represent a major shift into a “live and let live” policy which could be a first step towards eventual peace.