Arab League Divided Over Concrete Measures Against Israel
Arab League Divided Over Concrete Measures Against Israel
The Arab League is divided over concrete measures to take against Israel, with four influential countries preventing the adoption of proposals that carry teeth, according to a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
The divisive clauses are believed to have included prohibiting the use of US and other military bases in Arab countries to supply Israel with weapons and ammunition; freezing Arab diplomatic, economic, security, and military relations with Israel; and threats to leverage oil and Arab economic capabilities to apply pressure and halt the ongoing aggression.
Libya also proposed that the final statement of the conference should include a joint statement in support of the right of the Palestinian people to resist the Israeli occupation.
These measures were proposed and endorsed by 11 Arab countries of the 22-member body, including Palestine, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya and Yemen.
The four countries who voted against and those who abstained were not disclosed.
The report said that the four influential countries had proposed more vague non-committal clauses instead.
The division within the Arab League is a reflection of the complex and often conflicting interests of its member states. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have closer ties to the United States and Israel, while others, such as Syria and Algeria, are more supportive of the Palestinians.
The failure of the Arab League to agree on concrete measures against Israel is a setback for the Palestinian cause. It also sends a message to Israel that it can continue its aggression against the Palestinians without facing serious consequences.
COMMENTARY
The fact that four influential Arab countries were able to prevent the adoption of concrete measures against Israel is a sign of the weakness of the Arab League. The organization has been unable to effectively confront Israel for many years, and this latest episode is just one more example of its disunity.
The failure of the Arab League to agree on a strong response to Israel’s aggression will only embolden the Israeli government to continue its policies of occupation and settlement. It is also a betrayal of the Palestinian people, who have been suffering under Israeli occupation for over half a century.
The Arab League needs to undergo serious reform if it is to become an effective force in the region. It needs to put aside its differences and unite behind a common goal of supporting the Palestinian people and achieving a just and lasting peace.
