Israel rethinks policy stance

Dubai: Israel is going through a period of major reassessment of its regional foreign policy as a post-Ehud Olmert government will eventually take over, Murhaf Jouejati, a political analyst and professor at the National Defence University in Washington, DC, told Gulf News.

Last month Israeli President Shimon Peres called on Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to revive the famous "land for peace" proposal endorsed by the Arab League six years ago.

Palestinian chief negotiator Ahmad Qurie told reporters in Paris yesterday that Israel's interest in the stagnant proposal is praiseworthy.

"We note this change of language and we place a lot of hope in it," he said.

The Saudi plan calls for full Arab recognition of Israel if it gives up "all of the territories" occupied in the 1967 Six Day War and accepts "a just solution" for Palestinian refugees.

Today Peres will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss regional stability and security.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal said last Tuesday that he hoped Tzipi Livni would follow Peres's lead when her government is up and running.

Qurie said the new Israeli interest in the "land for peace" initiative was positive although it should be put to the test of real diplomatic negotiations. Regardless of the sincerity of Israel's interest, it is undeniable that Israel has significantly opened up to its neighbours in the recent months. The most significant indication of this was its engagement in indirect talks with Syria through Turkish mediation. Reports surfaced earlier this week that Israel was considering negotiating a non-belligerence treaty with neighbouring Lebanon, as well.

Pressing element

While many of these steps are still in their infancy stages, Israel is examining a wide range of options as domestic and regional factors change. Perhaps, the most pressing element of change could surface if Illinois Senator Barack Obama wins the US Presidency next month.