Iran Furious at Peace Plan Advertisement
The Arab peace initiative has hit a snag in its efforts to bring together Arab and Islamic countries in a joint peace initiative with Israel. The problem is Iran. After an advert was published in Arab newspapers displaying the Star of David flag of Israel along with the Iranian flag, Tehran disassociated itself from the Arab peace initiative. The plan, announced by Saudi Arabia, calls for Israel to withdraw to its pre-1967 borders, as well as agree to a just solution to the Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive peace. Israel has cautiously welcomed the plan, but insists that it will still seek negotiations on the proposed plan. The adverts which featured the Israeli and Palestinian flags prominently surrounded by the other Arab League and ICO countries, has already been banned by several Arab newspapers, demonstrating how difficult the plan will be to promote. President-elect Barack Obama has already demonstrated approval of the plan. Iran is rejecting the peace process on the grounds that it seeks to legitimize the “occupying Zionist regime.” This is, of course, only the latest action by the Iranian regime to spark controversy–President Ahmadinejad’s comments regarding the Holocaust ranking high on the list.
Bridget Russell
