Proceed With Caution ... But Proceed

This is a good news/?news scenario. Sounds good on the surface. And in fact it may turn out to be more than surface-deep, but then time will tell. The countries that historically joined forces to militarily destroy the dream of a Jewish state in the Middle East are now joining diplomatic forces to entice both parties to a long-standing disagreement to settle it, once and for all.

The first and most important issue in the entire imbroglio is one of a very basic entitlement. The recognition of a Jewish state's right to exist in a geographic enclave of Muslim states. It was those Muslim states who were outraged and enraged that the fervent desire of Jews to return to their historical homeland became a reality, unseating in a manner of speaking, Muslims from their belief that the land was unequivocally theirs.

Islam itself dictates that land once consecrated to Islam may never be transformed into a homeland for any other religion. That Judaism pre-dated Islam historically, chronologically is indisputable. That Jews lived on, prospered within and claimed the area as their heritage and historical right of residence is also beyond dispute. That archaeological evidence of Jewish settlement and worship is present is, however, a matter of dispute and denial.

Two religions claiming for themselves the heritage of sacred devotion within a finite space, with another religion nudging them to move over and make space for them, too. It was Islam that dominated the conversation, the geography, the politics, and the militant resolve to edge out the other two. And only under Jewish stewardship was the way laid open for all three to share in perpetuity.

Now comes the Arab League, once again, with another proposal built upon their last. That they will be prepared to accept Israel's presence in the geography, a peace in fact, a lifting of tensions, if Israel and the Palestinians agree to a settlement that would put the conflict at rest, at long last. The problem exists in the Palestinians obdurately refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

No problem with the nascent Palestine being a Muslim state, nor any of its neighbours representing as Muslim states.

And whereas in Islamic states it is difficult for Judaism to have a representative presence, in the Jewish state the protection of the law embraces the rights of Muslims as it does all others within its justice system. A previous proposal presented by Saudi Arabia and given the stamp of approval by the Arab League insisted on Israel's complete withdrawal back to pre-1967 borders. Borders that proved to be friable and dangerous for Israel.

When Israel unilaterally vacated the Gaza Strip the opportunity was there for Palestinians to continue what Jews had begun; instead inter-strife between Arab factions resulted, with finally a military-terror group dedicated to the destruction of Israel taking power. One of the major sponsors of the new peace proposal endorsed by the 22-member Arab League and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, is Qatar.

This is the country whose head has fairly recently distinguished himself by praising Hamas for its bombardment of Israel by rockets, some very powerful and sophisticated, provided by Iran. After the latest IDF-Hamas engagement in Gaza, Iran did not offer to rebuild shattered Gazan infrastructure, but Qatar most certainly did, effusively enthusing over the courage of Hamas to counter Israeli oppression.

Knowing full well what Hamas's mandate is.

Israel is faced with the prospect of a tentative acceptance of the new Arab League proposal, which has relaxed the rigidity of its previous demands, to offer the possibility of "comparable" mutually agreed and "minor" land swaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Carving out small portions of the West Bank and trading them for areas within Israel's jurisdiction, and including as well East Jerusalem.

"This is literally a statement by the Arab world that they're prepared to make peace, providing the Palestinians and Israelis reach a final status agreement", enthused U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has been busy, like his diplomatic predecessors, ferrying messages back and forth in an effort to restart the moribund peace process.

Israel, surrounded by lethal hostility, inclusive of ongoing vicious attacks on its people, must have certain guarantees. Has Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani taken the trouble to discuss this matter with the Hamas masterminds dedicated to Israel's destruction? What manner of existential guarantees can be proffered unequivocally.

Are the Palestinians, finally, agreeable to pronouncing their unreserved recognition of a Jewish-state neighbour?

Peace and stability depend on these issues. They cannot be circumvented, nor blissfully ignored in the triumph of a peace established only to be destroyed by the following outbreak of an intifada, another spate of rocket bombardments.

Is the will there?