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Report: EU seeking to engage Arab states in peace process

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Reuters reports this morning that the European Union (EU) is spearheading an attempt to more closely involve Arab states in Israel-Palestinian peace efforts through the framework of the Quartet.

Bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) which were brokered by the United States ended in April after PA President Mahmoud Abbas announced a unity government with Hamas. According to the Reuters report, the Quartet (EU, US, Russia and United Nations) is looking to take a more regional approach to peace efforts by bringing countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia into the process. Apparently, Federica Mogherini, the new EU Foreign Affairs chief will appoint a fresh Middle East envoy within the coming days and then arrange a Quartet meeting with Arab countries and perhaps the Arab League within the coming weeks.

An unnamed European diplomat is quoted saying, “There is an understanding that peace between Israelis and Palestinians must be embedded in a broader regional concept and for that you need neighbouring Arab countries.” The source added, “The important thing is that there will be an outreach to those countries.” The Quartet has not until now taken a leading role in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Apparently though, American and UN leaders are supportive of the initiative although Russia’s position is less clear.

The reported EU-led strategy would appear to tally with the outlook of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Addressing the UN General Assembly in September, he indicated that a wider rapprochement with the Arab world could lead to Israeli-Palestinian peace. Netanyahu said at the time, “To achieve that peace, we must not look only at Jerusalem and Ramallah, but also to Cairo, Amman, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and elsewhere,” adding, “I believe peace can be realized with the active involvement of Arab countries, those who are willing to provide political, material and other indispensable support.”