In less than 24 hours, the Extraordinary Arab Summit will convene in Cairo at the invitation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Unfortunately, it has become customary to exaggerate the significance of such summits, portraying them as historic milestones. This habitual overstatement has eroded their credibility and fueled widespread public scepticism about the effectiveness of Arab cooperation.
Given the gravity of the current challenges and the prevailing uncertainty, the Arab world now expects tangible action and a decisive stance that could offer a surprising departure from past disappointments.
The 4 March summit occurs amid these doubts and questions, grappling with critical challenges. Atop of these challenges are the situation in Gaza, the future of the Palestinian cause, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination within a sovereign state.
The summit's stance on these matters will also determine its success in addressing a broader, equally significant challenge: preserving the Arab world's regional political influence.
Egypt called for this summit in response to US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal. He suggested the forced displacement of all Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, and other countries and a vague American-controlled administration of the strip, turning it into a beachfront tourism hub.
This proposition provoked strong reactions from Egypt and Jordan and widespread opposition beyond the Arab world.
The summit follows a limited consultative meeting in Riyadh, where Arab leaders sought to carefully assess the American proposal, formulate a decisive response, and craft a comprehensive counter-initiative. At the same time, they remain mindful of the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations with the new US administration.
The upcoming summit must carefully balance regional interests, historical obligations, and legal considerations while acknowledging what appears to be Trump's partial retreat from his initial stance. Though he has continued to advocate for his proposal, he has framed it as a recommendation rather than an outright imposition.
It would be a mistake to assume that Trump's unconventional approach signals randomness or lack of strategic calculation. His proposal aligns with a broader objective: the definitive dismantling of any prospects for a Palestinian state — a longstanding goal of Netanyahu and his allies.
Additionally, it seeks to diminish the Palestinian demographic presence in Gaza and, subsequently, in the West Bank.
Trump's remarks were swiftly followed by an Israeli government initiative promoting Palestinian displacement, and within days, Israeli tanks entered the West Bank for the first time in 20 years.
These moves fit squarely within Netanyahu's declared strategy of reshaping the Middle East, characterized by the unrestrained use of military force and the sustained Israeli presence in Lebanon and Syria.
Comprehensive Egyptian plan
The summit will deliberate on Egypt’s comprehensive plan to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis, focusing on alleviating the suffering of displaced Palestinians, reconstructing the strip, and managing its governance during and after the rebuilding process.
This detailed, phased plan underscores the international dimension of the effort, despite the anticipated Arab contributions, while reaffirming Gaza’s Palestinian identity and self-governance.
Naturally, donor states may demand oversight mechanisms to implement their commitments effectively. However, major political challenges remain: Israel's continued targeting of Hamas members inside and outside Gaza, its insistence on maintaining overriding security control on the strip, and its categorical rejection — alongside the US — of any Hamas political or security presence in Gaza.
The Arab summit must support the Egyptian initiative unequivocally, even if some prefer alternative details. The strategic priority is to enable the people of Gaza to lead dignified lives — an objective far more crucial than any individual policy component.
Broader, more ambitious framework
I propose embedding the Egyptian-Arab initiative within a broader and deeper framework — not merely as a response to Trump's ambiguous proposal but because peace negotiations have lost credibility for Israelis and Arabs alike.
To re-engage both sides in serious diplomacy, we need comprehensive proposals that do not merely restart negotiations but present a definitive resolution.
A holistic approach would allow us to address the Palestinian issue as an integrated whole without being constrained by the formal exclusion or endorsement of specific factions or organizations.
The objective should be a comprehensive vision that encompasses the Gaza crisis, establishing a Palestinian state, normalized Arab-Israeli relations, and regional security arrangements that extend beyond the Arab-Israeli framework. Except for security arrangements, these elements have previously been discussed separately.
If we take the publicly stated positions of the involved parties at face value, the Palestinians' fundamental demand is for a sovereign state based on the 1967 borders.
Both sides, Palestinians and Israelis, have an interest in ending the conflict and achieving peace. Meanwhile, Israel prioritizes expanding bilateral and regional relations, normalizing ties with the Arab world, and strengthening security in the Middle East.
Therefore, I propose a comprehensive initiative endorsed by regional actors, particularly Israel and the Palestinians, and subsequently ratified by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Such an initiative would necessitate the approval of the international community, including the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK.
The proposal would encompass the following four key elements.
1. The Adoption of the Egyptian Plan:
- An internationally and regionally backed reconstruction programme for Gaza, implemented over three years,
- The establishment of a Palestinian technocratic government,
- The formation of an international supervisory committee to oversee implementation;
2. A Roadmap for a Palestinian State:
- A five-year plan to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, with minor, mutually agreed-upon adjustments;
3. The Implementation of the 2002 Beirut Arab Peace Initiative:
- Normalized Arab-Israeli relations following the end of Israeli occupation;
4. The Creation of a Regional Security Union:
- A framework initially built on three pillars: crisis management, conflict resolution, and disarmament.
Defining test for Arab leadership
Although this proposal is ambitious, its adoption would reflect the confidence and capability of Arab leaders to take decisive action and exert meaningful international influence.
It demands immediate, high-level diplomatic follow-up. Moreover, such a comprehensive plan would be more compelling and expose the true intentions of all involved parties.
Since it directly addresses all stated demands, rejecting it would reveal a lack of genuine commitment to peace and instead signal a pursuit of unlawful dominance.
That is why I reiterate: the Arab summit faces monumental challenges.
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* This article is published exclusively with Independent Arabia.
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