Arabs pushing for roadmap leading to Palestinian state within 3 yrs

NEW DELHI: Sixty foreign dignitaries from moderate Arab countries, who gathered at a conference in Saudi Arabia, collectively urged the United States to outline a definite plan for creating a Palestinian state within a period of three years. This request arises in the midst of increasing dissatisfaction with the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a need for concrete steps towards a sustainable resolution.
The request for action was emphasized due to the nonattendance of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who had a planned meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Riyadh on Friday.Sources near the Palestinian leadership disclosed that his rejection to interact with Blinken was a form of protest against the Biden administration's rejection of the Palestinian request for complete membership in the UN Security Council.
On April 19, the United States vetoed a Security Resolution that unilaterally recognized Palestinian statehood. Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson of the State Department, mentioned at that time that the Palestinians do not fulfill the criteria for statehood and that the Palestinian Authority must go through substantial reform. Both Israel and the United States assert that Palestinian statehood should be achieved through direct peace negotiations.
The proposed plan, which has the approval of Arab foreign ministers and backing from European nations, details a step-by-step strategy for achieving Palestinian statehood. At the core of this strategy is the reestablishment of Palestinian Authority control in Gaza, then the enlargement of areas administered by Palestinians, and important changes within Palestinian governance systems. These actions are considered vital in establishing the required circumstances for productive discussions with Israel.
The key components of the Arab initiative include stopping Israeli military activities in Palestinian territories, setting up an airport under Palestinian control, and handing over control of border crossings to Palestinian security forces.
However, Washington strongly opposes the Arab proposal and emphasizes the importance of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Additionally, Blinken pointed out the Arab road map's failure to condemn Hamas.
( with input from agency)