BICOM

Omani Foreign Minister, Yusuf bin Alawi, has called on the region to provide greater security assurances to Israel.

Speaking to the Times of Israel at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, bin Alawi said: “Israel still believes that it is in a region with enemies. It considers its security requirements to be a top priority. Therefore, as Arabs, we must discuss this issue and see how we can eliminate this feeling and reach a mutual understanding with Israel. If it is reassured about its security, Israel will have no need or requirement to keep its army in the Arab lands and it will not feel that it has enemies in the region.”

The Omani Foreign Minister said it would be in Israel’s interest to cooperate with Arab states in establishing an independent Palestinian state. He cautioned Israeli leaders that: “Israel will not be able to force the Arabs to adopt a policy that does not lead to restoring Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories to their nations; if this does not happen, Israel will remain in a state of fear, especially at this time, in which missiles are more damaging than they once were. We call on Israeli people and leaders to be aware of this reality.”

Bin Alawi said in his speech to the conference: “[Israel] is not reassured of the continuation of its existence in the region. I believe that we, the Arabs, are able to discuss this issue and strive to get rid of these fears.” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi disagreed saying: “That the issue is that there is an occupation”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told delegates at the opening session of the conference: “I am convinced that it is crucial to look at the Middle East and North Africa, not only as an area of conflict, but as a region of opportunities.”

The World Economic Forum focused on the Arab World’s sustainability agenda to unlock action-oriented dialogue related to the future of economic progress and scale up its efforts to support entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.