Arab world doubts Obama will change pro-Israel foreign policy

One of the best places to put your finger on the pulse of the Arab world’s elite is the World Economic Forum on the Middle East. Almost 1,400 businessmen, bankers, government officials and journalists gathered in Jordan last weekend. The hottest topic at the three-day annual event was whether President Barack Obama can break the stalemate in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The Arab consensus seems to be — no, he can’t.

Sure, there was lots of hopeful talk about the Obama administration’s new style, as well as dire warnings that time is running out for the “peace process.” King Abdullah of Jordan predicted another Arab-Israel (or Iranian-Israeli) war if peace negotiations are delayed. But it sounded like just talk. Most Arabs believe the new administration will not fundamentally change America’s pro-Israel foreign policy, and there is not much they can do about it.

Amre Moussa, one of the Arab world’s elder statesmen, summed up his view of the situation succinctly: “The Israelis don’t want peace, and the Arabs don’t want war.”

The Middle East barometer seems stuck somewhere between peace and war. Obama is expected to promote a comprehensive peace plan in his Cairo speech. Arab leaders will continue to pay lip service to the Palestinian cause (which Arab public opinion, on the other hand, actually supports). My bet is that the status quo will persist, if only because Middle East governments believe talk is better than war.

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/worldview/090521/arab-world-doubts-obama-will-change-pro-israel-foreign-policy