The divisive clauses are believed to have included prohibiting the use of US and other military bases in Arab countries to supply Israel with weapons and ammunition; freezing Arab diplomatic, economic, security, and military relations with Israel; and threats to leverage oil and Arab economic capabilities to apply pressure and halt the ongoing aggression.[2]
Libya also proposed that the final statement of the conference should include a joint statement in support of the right of the Palestinian people to resist the Israeli occupation. These measures were proposed and endorsed by 11 Arab countries of the 22-member body, including Palestine, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya and Yemen. The four countries who voted against and those who abstained were not disclosed. The disagreement led to the merging of the summits of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.[3]
Not surprising, commenting of the cancellation of the Arab summit, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said: I say to the Arab leaders, if you want to preserve your interests, you must do one thing... Remain silent! [4]
Netanyahu was referring to benefits Arab countries get from the United States for maintaining relations with Israel. For example, since 1978, when Egypt signed Camp David Accords with Israel, the United States has provided Egypt with more than $50 billion in military aid and $30 billion in economic assistance, according to the State Department. [5]
On May 16, 2024, an Arab summit was held in Bahrain. The summit made it clear that Hamas will not have a role in the future. The final declaration of the summit said that "the Palestine Liberation Organization is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," ignoring Hamas and all other movements in Palestine. At the same time, the statement also called on "all Palestinian factions to join under the umbrella of the Liberation Organization." [6]
References
[1] The New Arab - November 11, 2023
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Iran Press November 13, 2023
[5] Washington Post September 14, 2023
[6] The National News May 16, 2024
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