Marwan Muasher

About the author: Marwan Muasher is the foreign minister of Jordan.

The Arab states recognize not only the terrible humanitarian conditions created by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also the benefits of a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine for the entire region. To that end, the Arab states met in Beirut, Lebanon, in March 2002 and drafted a groundbreaking peace initiative. The iniative advocates peace between Israel and Palestine, seeks to normalize relations with Israel and recognizes Israel's right to exist, and attempts to find a workable solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees who have been displaced by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This goes beyond Arab propaganda and should be treated by Israel as a genuine attempt at diplomacy by the Arab states. The iniative should also be recognized...