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Obama in Cairo: Actually, the Arab World Needs to Reach Out

[Washington Times] Editorial - Respect is a two-way street. If they want respect, Muslim states must seek active ways to improve relations with the U.S. We would like to see fewer anti-American harangues in official media and firebrand sermons in state-controlled mosques. Respect for Islam would be much more palatable if the Muslim world decriminalized conversion to other faiths and allowed true religious freedom, as Muslims enjoy in America. With respect to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, many Muslim leaders seem to expect progress to come through the United States pressuring Israel unilaterally to surrender to Arab demands. But they, not U.S. officials, will play the decisive role in settling the matter, since they are the countries refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist (excepting Egypt and Jordan). A good first step would be to end the Arab League boycott of Israel, which will also help develop the Palestinian economy. Muslim governments can make gestures such as granting civilian overflight rights, establishing postal and telecommunications ties and promoting regional travel. Israel has shown a desire to do all these things, so the ball is in the Muslim world's court.
2009-06-08 06:00:00
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