Arab League summit to endorse Abbas on recognition of Israel

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL 

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Although there have been some positive signs off late emanating from Tel Aviv about a possible Palestine state establishment, the peace talks brokered by USA for helping Israel with making peace with Palestinians have not progressed much, owing to systematic Israeli gimmicks to prolong the occupation and continue the crimes. 

US president Barak Obama has owed to get a framework of Mideast peace action ready by April. As the Kerry mandate which expires at the end of the month,  he seeking an extension of the mandate from Palestine leader Mahmoud Abbas who, it is reliably  learned, is not averse to the idea of  granting an extension if the frame wok would be made ready by taking care of all apprehensions, concerns and demands of the  besieged Palestinians.

Arab League leaders are keen to pursue their 2002 Arab Initiative for a credible and permanent solution to the long burning Mideast issue of finding a home for the Palestinians on their own lands, now being occupied by Israel with backing from the US led West.

The Arab Initiative calls for pre-1967 borders, Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine, and a right of return for families that left their homes in 1948. The Initiative goes farther, demanding that Israel withdraw from the Golan Heights as well. 

Americans are not serious about the 2002 Arab Initiative and, instead is eager to push through their own initiatives- all have failed thus far because Israel has systematically blocked al peace moves and continues to attack the Palestine masses while proliferating the illegal settlements inside Palestine.

Arab leaders are not opposed to US brokered peace deal if only that really happens.  

Arab League summit is holding a summit this weekend. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will travel to Kuwait for an Arab League summit meeting, apparently seeking to return with support for his rejection of the Israel’s demand that it be recognized as a “Jewish state,” and with the 2002 Arab Initiative back in the forefront.

With pressure mounting on Abbas to agree to an extension of the Kerry mandate which expires at the end of the month, the Palestinian Authority president apparently feels that re-focusing on the 2002 plan, whose tenets are virtually the same as his bargaining position in the Kerry talks, will provide the support he needs to press his case and to avoid being painted as the obstacle to progress.

Abbas warned that all bets are off if Israel fails to release the fourth and final group of 104 prisoners it agreed to set free in order to jump start the Kerry talks. There has been speculation that this gesture unpopular in among illegal Jewish settlers would be halted if there is no tangible progress in the peace process but Israel is yet to show its willingness for the peace deal.

Palestinians are now being occupied and attacked by Israeli military and illegal Jews and as such any demand from of “recognition’ makes no sense.  Israel can request for recognition only when Palestine becomes a free nation. That makes some sense. 

Abbas has been demanding to halt the colonization move by Israelis and stop all illegal settlement construction. Without a freeze of settlements, there can be no real progress in the peace talks.

As Kerry’s timetable is winding down without any real deal, Obama should get top US politicians from both Democrats and Republicans that have close links with Israeli leadership and Zionist lobbyists to pursue dismantling f illegal settlements which would work in favor of peace in the region.

Others wise, Israeli talks are meaningless.