Israel/Palestine,  Middle East

One step forward, one step back

najm-wali

Well done to Iraqi writer Najm Wali for his brave and pragmatic defense of normalization between Israel and the Arab world, and for his recognition that, yes, Jews are no strangers to the region. And credit to Al Jazeera for broadcasting it.

By contrast it’s discouraging (if not particularly surprising, given his history of political twists and turns) to see Lebanese Druse leader Walid Jumblatt, part of the successful March 14 coalition which stood up to Syria and Hezbollah, mouthing the tired old phrases again (“[L]et us not forget the main thing – we are Arabs, and Israel is our enemy..”)