The Israelis went to the Annapolis parley and were surprised over the wide Arab participation which included all countries. The Arabs came to demand the setting of a timeframe for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the establishment of the Palestinian state. They also urged the international community to move ahead the Syrian track as soon as possible, confirming their commitment to normalize relations with Israel as stipulated in the Arab peace initiative: all land in return for full peace.

For his part, Arab League Chief Amr Moussa said there is no room for the normalization of relations in the Annapolis meeting given that this should take place within the conditions set by the Arab peace initiative. In addition, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud el-Faisal said the Arabs did not come to Annapolis to shake hands with the Israelis, but to realize how the international community is serious concerning the establishment of the Palestinian state. Surprisingly, Israel regarded the statements of both officials as evidence of bad intentions.

It is crystal clear that the Israelis went to Annapolis with a package of pretexts in order not to accelerate the establishment of the Palestinian state given that Abu Mazen cannot fully control the West Bank. The question is: does the Bush administration have the sufficient political will to overcome all peace obstacles and realize Bush's promise to establish the Palestinian state before the end of his term?

Makram Mohamed Ahmed
Al Ahram
28/11/2007