Consider the following statements:
Statement-I : Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II : The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the incorrect explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: A
The correct answer is (a).
Statement-I is correct. Israel has diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with four Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Morocco.
Statement-II is also correct. The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ was a proposal for peace between Israel and the Arab world, mediated by Saudi Arabia. The initiative was first proposed in 2002, and it called for full normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for Israel’s full withdrawal from the occupied territories and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.
However, Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and some Arab states is not a result of the ‘Arab Peace Initiative’. In fact, the ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ has not been accepted by Israel.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and some Arab states is a result of a number of factors, including the changing strategic landscape in the Middle East, the desire of some Arab states to improve their economic relations with Israel, and the hope that closer ties with Israel will help to promote peace in the region.
