Israeli leaders are giving serious consideration to a peace plan proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002. The plan represents the most comprehensive diplomatic solution to date regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in that it would confer formal recognition of the State of Israel by not only Saudi Arabia, but states throughout the Arab world in exchange for Israel giving back land taken in the 1967 War: the West Bank, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Israeli Labour Party Leader and Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Israeli Army radio, “There is definitely room to introduce a comprehensive Israeli plan to counter the Saudi plan that would be the basis for a discussion on overall regional peace”. Barak also said he had discussed the plan with Prime Minister-Elect Tzipi Livni.

While there have been no shortage of peace plans between Israel and its Arab neighbors for decades now that have never come to fruition, it is certainly refreshing to hear the Israeli Government is looking to engage in a diplomatic solution with a regional power like Saudi Arabia in order to move forward in solving this complicated international issue.

You can takepart in trying to encourage a peaceful solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict by checking out the Foundation for Middle East Peace.

LINKS:

AP: Barak: Israel considering Saudi peace plan

Xinhua: Barak: Israel seriously considers Saudi peace deal

The Guardian: Israel considers reviving Saudi peace plan to resolve conflict