Saudis Hard Talk to Obama

Saudis Hard Talk To Obama

Now that Obama is set on a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Saudis under King Abdullah (top left) want Obama to impose such a solution on Netanyahu's right-wing Israeli government. See this interesting story from the liberal-left Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090975.html

The Saudis are concerned with growing Iranian Shi'ite influence in the region in Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and the Gulf states. The Israelis are similarly seeking to stem the tide of Iranian-led Islamism in their backyard. Other key secular Arab states like Egypt are also keen on arresting the spread of a Tehran-driven Islamic fundamentalism.

It looks like Israel will eventually have to accept a two-state solution, which is being pushed by the US, Saudis, Egyptians, and Europeans. In exchange for a two-state solution, the end of settlements, and withdrawal from the West Bank (and perhaps added sweeteners for Arabs like East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital), there will be full diplomatic ties between Israel and all Arab states. Hamas will need to be reigned in, but that is a matter that still remains a big question mark.

The deal would be great for the Saudis because they will look like champions of peace, but continue to maintain an antiquated, authoritarian system of governance. The rest of the Arab states will do the same. They will buy some peace from their own people, who generally see Israel as an "alien body" that ought to be eliminated from the region.

The Islamists all over the Muslim world will cry treason. All of Palestine should be liberated from Jewish control, they insist. They will argue, perhaps accurately, that they would win elections in every Arab capital if they were held in a free, fair, and open manner. As the electoral victory of Hamas in Gaza showed, democracy might not produce the outcomes the West or Israel like.

Israel will gain credibility among Arabs, Palestinians, Europeans, and the United States. They will increasingly be seen as partners in peace rather than as an alien, colonialist, expansionist upstart.

It all seems too good to be true in the Middle East, except for the collusion with Arab authoritarianism. Still, the two-state solution would be a great step for the Middle East and the world. We can only hope that the Saudi hard talk to Obama works. I would have never thought that I would approve of tough talk from the monarchy in Riyadh!

Tamir Bar-On