[Ha'aretz] Ari Shavit - There is good news in the diplomatic world surrounding Israel. The strategic alliance between Egypt and Israel has never been as strong. The Egyptians see the Middle Eastern jungle as it is and understand that, in this jungle, Israel is a sister. If Israel is harmed, Egypt will be hit. If Israel is hit, President Hosni Mubarak's Egypt will be lost. That's why Israel and Egypt worked in coordination during the Gaza operation. In Jordan, Saudi Arabia and most of the Gulf emirates, many royal families know they are living on the slopes of a volcano. If the right rope bridge is tossed at them, they will be happy to cross the river. Another piece of good news is Quartet envoy Tony Blair who understands that the way to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is from the bottom up. Not to force a Geneva-style piece of paper on both sides, but to build a down-to-earth process that will shape a different economic, diplomatic and security reality.
2009-05-08 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive