Examine the Arab League's peace proposal

Overview: Members of the Arab League are attending a two-day summit in Beirut, Lebanon to determine whether or not to sign the peace proposal put forth by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. Have students analyze the terms of the peace proposal to determine its efficacy and then predict the responses of the Arab League members.

Curriculum Connections: Current Events, International Relations

Have the students read the story, "Saudi prince offers Israel land-for-peace deal," and answer the following questions:

ON TV For a video version of this story, please use the CNN Student News' March 28 broadcast on CNN TV (4:30 a.m. ET). Click here  for more information on the show

1. What is the Arab League summit and why is it being held? Whose peace plan is being presented to the participants at the Arab League summit? What are the terms of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's peace proposal? (Refer to the information in the story, the Resources section, and to the Web story,"Excerpts from Saudi crown prince's speech." What controversy sparked the Palestinian delegation's exit from one of the sessions? How was the issue of Arafat's speech eventually resolved? What arguments and assurances did Abdullah make to persuade the participants at the summit as well as the Israelis that his proposal is both viable and sustainable? To which body of the United Nations does Abdullah propose the signed peace plan be forwarded?

2. Inform students that at the opening of the summit, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan exhorted Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to "reaffirm the strategic choice for peace, based on a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement." To further admonish the leaders, Annan added: "It is their role, and their duty, to lead their peoples back from the brink ... History and their peoples will judge them harshly if they do not." What does Annan mean by the previous statement? Do you agree or disagree with Annan's appraisal of the significance of the two leaders' responsibility to their peoples and the weight of their historic roles? Explain.

3. At the summit, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah called for the Arab world to establish "normal relations" with Israel. Challenge students to examine the diplomatic term "normalization." Have them consult the Internet and other resources to learn more about normalization, and instances in the past when diplomatic normalization of relations has been an issue between nations such as the United States and Iran, North Korea and South Korea, and India and Pakistan. Discuss how normalization differs from coexistence, and what normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors could mean for the Middle East.

4. Direct students to the Resources section in the story of the Map of the Arab League to identify its members. Have pairs of students select one of the members and research its historical and current political relationship with Israel, noting, in particular, if there has been a significant change in the diplomatic relations between Israel and the member of the Arab League. After students have presented their findings, ask: Which members of the Arab League might reject or support the Saudi peace proposal? Explain.

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