Friday September 30, 2005

I've Been Thinking:

This is what Amir Mousa, the Secretary General of the Arab League, said to the Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat:

"Israel's policies do not deserve Arab courtesy"... "Why are they offering (Israel) free rewards?" ... "I don't understand why they are hailing Israel. Because of the withdrawal from Gaza? Doesn't everyone know that this is an incomplete withdrawal and that settlements are still being built and that the wall is being built?"

Officially, Israel has full normal diplomatic relations with Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Mauritainia. During the past few weeks other Muslim countries, incuding Pakistan, Indonesia, Tunisia and Qatar, have engaged in dialogue with Israel.

Since its inception, the philosophy of the Arab League has been hatred towards Israel. Mousa, like many other Arab leaguers, still does not believe that diplomatic relations with Israel is in the best interests of the Arab League. While more and more Arab countries are becoming aware of the benefits of improved realtions with the United States and with Israel there are still many who cling to long held antagonisms.

It seems to me that the Arab League is not interested in progress for Muslim states. It seems to me that the Arab League prefers instead to unite their countries in the hatred of Israel than see them flourish. That is a shame. There is much that Arab countries can learn from Israel. Economic stability would be a good start.