A SUMMIT WITH ABSENCES

The 31st Summit of the Arab League, held in Algiers, concluded with a declaration in which all the concerns suffered by the Arab world are once again stated, placing the Palestinian problem first.

The absence of several monarchs and heads of state, in particular the Saudi Prince, Mohamed ben Salman; the king of Morocco, Mohamed Vi; King Abdallah of Jordan, and Egyptian President Al Sissi, played down the importance of the meeting, although it did not influence its results. The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, regrets the absence of these leaders.

The great problems facing the Arab world were at the center of the discussions. There was no reference, however, in the statement to the countries that have recognized Israel; seven in all.

In the Middle East, the relationship of forces continues to favor Israel. The Jewish state continues to occupy Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan; and at the same time it punishes Gaza by bombing the strip when it deems it necessary for sending rockets in response to some Israeli criminal act. Netanyahu's possible election, if confirmed, will also be bad news for the Palestinian leadership.

Perhaps the most important thing about this summit was the willingness of its participants and the diplomatic effort made by Algeria so that the divisions and confrontations that still persist among the Arabs were not mentioned.

But, in short, the summit has been a success if only because it has been held in a calm atmosphere.

The head of Algerian diplomacy added that it is “also a success for the Arab world, which has demonstrated its ability to come together despite the pandemic and to raise the importance and the need to unite their ranks and their voices, in this sensitive regional and global context. »