Unanimous resolve

The Muslim states have unanimously flexed their muscles and posted a statement on the new plausible order in the Middle East. The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh mustered the courage to put its foot down by demanding the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Palestinian territories as a prerequisite for regional peace and reconciliation, and at the same time made it categorically clear that return to the pre-1967 borders, implementation of relevant UN resolutions in the light of 2002 Arab Peace Plan with East Jerusalem as the capital is the path for normalizing relations with the Jewish state in exchange for a two-state solution. Though nothing new in the stated position, the monumental difference is the timing of the move and the collectivity with which the Muslim states have asserted themselves. With Tel Aviv taking flak for gross human rights violations from the Western constituents, and in the dock for genocide, it would not be an easy get-away for Israel and its sympathizers to ignore the emerging realpolitik in one of the most volatile zones of the world.

The post-October-2023 Mideast is one of regression and revulsion. Israel's strategy to take on Iran and all the proxies in the region on the heels of unprecedented carnage in Gaza with more than 43,000 deaths has changed global public opinion for times to come. Tel Aviv's brinkmanship sooner than later will put it in an existential crisis of its own. The endorsement from Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to the resolve of the 57 nations for a Palestinian state should be taken as writing on the wall. Likewise, the thaw between Tehran and Riyadh augers well for peace in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond. With a change of guard at the White House, it's time for the Muslim world to stick to its geopolitical determination and let the state of Palestine come into being.