by Dr. Ahmed Charai
The new Middle East that has emerged since the Arab Spring is a region that is more divided on the one hand, while showing increased interest for rapprochement with Israel on the other hand.
The new Middle East that has emerged since the Arab Spring, the rise and fall of Islamic State – as well as the rise of Iran's role in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen – is a region that is more divided and also one where openness to Israel has increased among Arab states.
Israel and Morocco agreed to normalize relations, US President Trump and King Mohammed VI of Morocco said Thursday. "This will be a very warm peace," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, adding that Israel and Morocco would quickly set up liaison offices and introduce direct flights between the two countries.
The historic announcement marks a true turning point in Middle East affairs.
Count me among many Arabs who have long believed that the peace between arabs and Israel through full normalization deserves a chance – albeit one of the few who says so publicly. I have held this view to the surprise of many American, Israeli, and Palestinian friends.
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner has been key to pushing the peace deals. Kushner's years of patient and quiet behind-the-scenes negotiation paid off. Tossing out the tired scripts of past talks, he listened, he learned, he summarized to show his understanding, and he asked fresh questions.
Kushner succeeded in getting his vision adopted.
Israeli observers of a certain age will recall the statesmanship of the present king's late father, Hassan II, who worked tirelessly to foster rapprochement between Israel and its neighbors, including the Palestinians. He did so privately as well as publicly – on the one hand, facilitating every major initiative from Camp David to Oslo behind the scenes; King Hassan II is considered the main architect of the first peace agreement between Egypt and israel.
King Mohammed VI maintains the same commitment to advancing Israeli-Arab rapprochement – and the same willingness to do so discreetly.
The Arab world has never been monolithic. Other Arab states may probably follow countries that do not border Israel are not directly affected by the plight of they Palestinian people, other than by considerations of international law, charity and mercy. Without the unity of the Arab world supporting a stalemate that has dragged on for half a century, the Palestinians will have to readjust their strategies.
Israel, too, may change. Trade, the peaceful exchange of goods and ideas, may forge new connections among the young and ambitious, on both sides of the Arab-Jewish divide. In time, the bitterness of the old may be replaced by the hopefulness of the young.
On a very important subject for Moroccans, and in an unprecedented move, Trump recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara provinces.
Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal is the only basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!"President's Trump said in a Tweet. "Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Sahara."
The White House released a statement formally proclaiming the recognition of Morocco's territorial claim over the Sahara.
"Now, therefore, I, Donald J Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that the United States recognizes that the entire Western Sahara territory is part of the Kingdom of Morocco."
The vast majority of Moroccans really do stand behind the monarchy in that regard. The separatist movement, often known as the Polisario, jeopardizes peace and security in the whole region, rendering it a breeding ground for terrorism. This is an issue that's been out there for a long time, and there's just been no progress on a resolution. As part of the recognition agreement, the United States diplomatic mission to Morocco will open a consulate in Dakhla, a city in the south Sahara.
By recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over an area where Morocco engaged a hundred of billions of dollars of investments for the Sahraoui population could possibly break the logjam.
In that, the agreement between Morocco and Israel should be praised for being truly game-changing, laying the groundwork for genuine Israeli-Arab friendship, and signifying the long-awaited acknowledgment of each other's humanity.
Dr. Ahmed Charai is a Moroccan publisher. He sits on the board of the Atlantic Council and is a member of the global board of advisers of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/the-makings-of-a-true-israeli-arab-friendship/
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