Arab League chief backs US-led Gaza peace board, says ‘we have to try’ | World News

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit defended Arab states’ decision to support the US-led Gaza Peace Board, saying it offered a rare opportunity for a ceasefire after repeated diplomatic efforts failed to stop the fighting.

Laying out the Arab League’s broader regional approach during the interaction, Aboul Gheit, speaking at a public event hosted by the World Affairs Council of India and moderated by former diplomat Talmiz Ahmad on Friday, said Gulf countries have consistently opposed military escalation and advocated diplomatic solutions.

Providing context for Arab backing of the Gaza initiative, he said, “We have had a president in Washington who acknowledged that he was a Zionist himself. He supported Israel directly as a Zionist.”

“The Security Council was called four times and draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Palestine were presented, and at that time the American administration vetoed all of them,” he said, referring to former President Joe Biden.

Against this backdrop, most Gulf Arab countries signed the Peace Assembly in Davos last week, despite doubts about its framework.

Many European countries, including France, Britain, Norway and Sweden, rejected the proposal, citing concerns that the institution could harm the United Nations.

Responding to these reservations, Aboul Gheit defended Arab participation, saying: “When I first heard of the American president himself leading a council or board to oversee a solution, welcome!”

“Between a person who says, ‘I’m Israel’s strongest advisor and supporter, I’m a Zionist,’ and a president who says, ‘I’m for peace, for an end to the killing, for an end to the conflict,’ we have to try if we’re reasonable.”

“It is not yet clear how implementation will proceed,” he said, also acknowledging unresolved questions regarding funding, oversight, coordination with the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority’s lack of a seat on the executive committee.

Turning from Gaza to broader regional security concerns, Aboul Gheit warned that any military action against Iran would have serious consequences for the region and beyond.

Referring to a potential strike, he said, “If such an event happens, it will be negative for the region and for everyone else,” adding, “It will be a disaster for the peace of the world.”

Trump’s remarks came in response to a question about US President Donald Trump’s statement that a naval fleet was sent to the Gulf, raising fears of a possible military action against Tehran.

Placing the deployment in a historical context, Aboul Gheit noted that the US Fifth Fleet has been in Bahrain since 1995 and that American forces have been present in the region since 1945.

“The presence of American troops in the Gulf, Bahrain, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean is not a new development,” he said, adding that what has changed is the “politics and policies” in Washington.

Questioning the latest statements of the USA in this context, the former Egyptian foreign minister said, “I am not fooled by these words.” [the] Statements of the Americans.”

“Yes, they want to compromise on this aspect, considering that Iran is a nuclear country.”

Expanding the discussion to the Palestinian issue, Aboul Gheit touched on Israel’s opposition to the Palestinian state, saying that occupying forces rarely voluntarily accept political demands.

“An occupying power would never tell you, ‘Yes sir, you are allowed to do this,'” he said, drawing parallels with colonial rule. he said.

While he argued that the American empire was facing decline, linking regional tensions to broader global changes, he also warned of increasing international instability, saying, “I would argue that we are in the middle of the Cold War.”

Recalling historical precedents, Aboul Gheit referred to the establishment of the United Nations after the Second World War and said, “It is not possible for a new order to emerge without war.”

When asked how the current turbulence could be resolved, he replied: “I don’t know, to be honest. The situation is quite fluid.”

Earlier in the day, Aboul Gheit met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the two had a “warm” meeting and exchanged views on “latest developments in the region”.

Touching on bilateral relations during the interaction, Aboul Gheit expressed his optimism about India-Arab ties, praised India’s achievements and pointed out the large Indian workforce in the Gulf countries.

“Arabs understand India’s potential,” he said, noting that the momentum in relations has slowed down in recent years.

Aboul Gheit is in New Delhi to attend the second Arab-Indian foreign ministers’ meeting to be held today after a decade.

He also inaugurated the Arab-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday.