Organization’s stance response to non-existent peace process
CAIRO: The Arab League’s decision to lift the financial embargo on the Palestinian territories was a reflection of the frustration in the Middle East, Arab League spokesman and advisor Alaa Roushdy told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt ITALICS.
Roushdy added that the Arab stance was a response to “continuous Israeli attacks, death of civilians and a non-existent peace process. This (decision) is a reflection of that.
He agreed that it was also a response to the US veto of a UN Security Council draft resolution that condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza town of Beit Hanun last Wednesday.
The spokesman dismissed the notion that this was simply a rhetorical decision and that nothing tangible would come of it. “There are several solid steps included in the resolution, Roushdy told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt ITALICS, “we are in the process of collecting funds from member states and some countries have already paid.
Kuwait has pledged $30 million and Secretary General of the Palestinian cabinet Muhammed Awad stated that he is expecting around $52 million to be immediately transferred according to AP.
“In any case, the Arab League has already paid $100 million in the past with funds provided by our member states, Roushdy told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt ITALICS.
The Arab League is also sending a delegation to many state capitals to try to revive the peace process. “We are asking for a peace conference, to re-launch the peace process, whether on the Palestinian issue, or concerning Lebanon and Syria. We want to meet in state capitals and compare notes so to speak, Roushdy told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt ITALICS.
The Arab-sponsored draft resolution was vetoed on Saturday by the United States, with representatives describing the text of the draft resolution as unbalanced and “biased.
The draft resolution condemned the Israeli artillery strike on the Palestinian town Wednesday that killed 19, mostly women and children. It also condemned Palestinian rocket attacks on the Jewish state.
The US veto was expected according to Dr Waleed Kazziha, political science professor at the American University in Cairo who told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt, ITALICS
“It’s no surprise that the US vetoed the resolution. The Security Council members voted with ten states supporting the implementation of the resolution, four abstentions and the US veto.
“The Arab stance will not (comprise) a direct and practical face off against the United States. It will be the usual criticisms and fancy words, Kazziha told ITALICS The Daily Star Egypt ITALICS.
“Primarily, it is due to the close ties many Arab nations have with the United States, especially countries that hold a lot of sway within the Arab League.
