Prospects for an Arab-Israeli Peace

Publication Date: October 1988

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James A. Phillips

Research Area: International relations

Keywords: Middle East

Type: Report

Coverage: Palestine Israel Israel

Abstract:

Although the Shultz peace initiative tried to accomplish too much too fast, it has served a useful purpose in trying to catalyze an Israeli consensus on the peace process. Unfortunately, the Arabs are even farther away from reaching a consensus on peace efforts than Israel. Heretofore, the U.S. and Israel have waited in vain for the PLO to end its terrorism and participate responsibly the peace process. But King Hussein's recent disengagement from the West Bank has put pressure on the PLO to prove it can safeguard the interests of Palestinians living in the West Bank. Moreover, the growing strength of fundamentalist Palestinian groups poses a long-run challenge to PLO authority if the situation continues to fester. Following the American and Israeli elections in November, the U.S. should make a patient, persistent effort to draw both sides into a step-by-step peace process, leading to direct bilateral negotiations between Israel, Jordan, and responsible Palestinians.