There is a golden opportunity for US President Joe Biden to
translate his words into deeds regarding the two-state solution as the only way
to resolve the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as the UN General
Assembly's 76th session kicks off in New York mid-September.
اضافة اعلان
Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine took a commendable step when
their leaders held a summit in Cairo earlier this month, in preparation for the
global gathering. At the summit’s conclusion, they reminded the world of their
constants regarding the Palestinian cause, as international actors were
preoccupied with other issues, such as the situation in Afghanistan in the
aftermath of the US withdrawal. It is apparent that the three partners are set
to rekindle the international community's interest in the Mideast conflict, and
the pursuit of peace based on the two-state solution as the only way to end the
world’s only occupation.
Cairo was also the venue for another important meeting, when
foreign ministers of the Arab League’s member states gathered for the 156th
ordinary session, boosting the momentum of joint Arab action ahead of the UN
meeting.
The Arab position on the issue was summed up by Jordan’s
Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi, who stressed in his remarks at the pan-Arab
meeting that "the absence of a solution to the Palestinian cause on the
bases that meet the legitimate rights of the Palestinians is the root cause of
tension and conflict in the Middle East." He also stressed that the
two-state solution remains the only way to attain real peace, and that is what
Jordan will keep exerting all efforts to achieve.
Hopefully things are different this year. With a US
administration that believes in the two-state solution, and supported by the EU
and other powers, including Russia and China, the UN General Assembly's meeting
poses as a real chance that Washington should seize to arrange for meetings
involving all parties to the conflict as well as regional and international peace
partners. The goal of such a series of meetings should, hopefully, be to build
towards the first steps in a trust-building process. These may include, in
addition to others, the reopening of the Palestinian diplomatic mission in
Washington DC, and the US consulate in Jerusalem. The next step, which should
be taken without delay, is the launch of peace negotiations.
After all, the most serious threat to peace in the region is
to allow the status quo to persist, and to be satisfied with interventions to bring
about a ceasefire here and a truce there without addressing the core of the
conflict: The Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. Such mini-moves are just
pain killers, while the disease continues uncured.
With no peace, Israeli will manipulate the situation as
always and continue its unilateral actions and same-old policies to alter
reality and gain more ground with every passing day, including settlement
activities and continued offensives and breaches of peace treaties and
international law.
Arab actors and all peace-loving countries should take
advantage of the fact that the US now is in a position to bring an end to
Palestinian misery through concerted efforts, demonstrating a unified global
position in support of a just and lasting peace, guaranteeing the full rights
of the Palestinian people.
There is no time to waste. Israel has to start listening to
the voice of reason and realize that enough is enough. Biden's administration
is the best messenger to convey this message to Tel Aviv, which will not be
happy, of course, but will eventually acquiesce if the message is strong
enough. History teaches us that.
The UN meetings in New York present a valuable opportunity
that should not be missed, and the ball is now in the US’ court.
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