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Taking the Mideast Peace Plunge

[Christian Science Monitor] Editorial - The Obama administration is trying to shake up the waiting game by moving all parties in "parallel steps" toward a return to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. But even as American special envoy George Mitchell scurries around the Middle East trying to get the peace ducks in a row, Egypt and the Arab nations could be doing much more to support Mr. Mitchell's efforts. Since coming to power five months ago, the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not issued any new contracts for construction of new Jewish settlements in the West Bank - a key demand of Washington and the Palestinians. Egypt and other Arab nations appear to be the odd men out here. Egypt has promised to end weapons smuggling into Gaza, including rockets, but arms still flow. Neither has Cairo been able to negotiate the release of an Israeli soldier held hostage since 2006. It's disheartening that Arab nations reject the administration's request for small steps toward normalizing relations with Israel. Apparently, Arab autocrats still need Israel as a foe to deflect public disappointment from their own poor performance. The new U.S. administration's "everyone together" approach is worth a try, but it won't work if Egypt and the Arab states hold out.
2009-08-21 08:00:00
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