The Arab World and the Political Process

In order to jumpstart the Israeli-Palestinian political process in 2009, the Obama administration sought to foster suitable conditions for negotiations. It suggested that Israel commit to a comprehensive freeze on construction in the Jewish settlements, and the moderate Arab states make some gestures towards Israel. The idea was to give Israel a taste of the Arab peace initiative, thereby demonstrating to Israel’s leadership and public what the fruits of peace with the Palestinians could be like. Assuming that for Israel the key to normalization with the Arab world was Saudi Arabia, the American initiative focused on Saudi Arabia and included a request that El Al be allowed to fly though Saudi airspace. Saudi Arabia responded negatively. In his meeting with President Obama in June 2009, King Abdullah refused to adopt any steps toward normalization with Israel before significant progress was made in negotiations with the Palestinians.