March 28, 2007

Arab summit meeting in Riyadh shows deep concern for growth of Iranian regional influence. The Arabs fail to broker an agreement between Hamas and Fatah; anarchy and lawlessness continue in Gaza. In Israel, Ehud Olmert’s public popularity as Prime Minister plummets to an all time low. The 2002 Arab Initiative is reconfirmed, this time with it being supported by the European Union and the UN. The original initiative, presented by Prince Abdullah, is meant as a serious overture to the Israelis to end the conflict, however, the major sticking point remains on a resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue. In May 2013, a follow-up Committee of Arab diplomats, charged with sustaining the Arab Initiative declares its acceptance of land exchange with Israel in the context of an agreement with the Palestinians, based upon the June 1967 lines where the negotiations would bring an end to the conflict.