There's greater need for Arab summit now

The UAE yesterday agreed to attend the proposed emergency Arab summit in Doha. The decision gives greater hope that the much-debated summit, meant to discuss the Gaza situation and find ways to stop the bloodshed, could be held tomorrow as proposed by Qatar. Some Arab states are shunning the Doha summit, saying such a meeting at a critical time needs careful preparations. However, the Israeli invasion, which has entered its third week, is not giving the Arabs room to prepare.

The summit actually should have been held long ago. The situation in Gaza was catastrophic even before the Israeli massacres which started 19 days ago. The Palestinians had been dying for more than a year from an Israeli ruthless blockade.

The UAE decision, as well as that of the other 14 Arab countries to attend the summit, is in line with Arab public opinion. The Arab people have spoken. They said a summit should be held immediately. They aired their views in the massive demonstrations held across the Arab world, including the UAE. And they are asking the legitimate question: If the Arabs fail to meet now, then there is no need for them to meet at any other time.

There is a need to meet now. But there is a greater need for the Arab states to speak with one voice if they do meet in Doha.

The current division in the Arab world is hurting every Arab cause, from Iraq to Somalia. This can no longer be tolerated. More than 1,000 Palestinians, including some 300 children, have been massacred in the Israeli offensive. Many of those lives could have been saved had the Arabs moved faster to counter the Israeli aggression. And that is why the summit is needed now to stop Israel from killing hundreds more.