For the first time, the Arab League will send a delegation to Israel. This week’s delegation, to be led by Egyptian and Jordanian officials, will discuss the threat posed by Hamas and Islamic extremism as well as the 22-nation league’s peace proposal. The plan offers full Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for its full withdrawal from lands captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, repatriation of Palestinian refugees and the creation of a Palestinian state. “This is the first time the Arab League is coming to Israel,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said, according to The Associated Press. “From its inception, the Arab League has been hostile to Israel. It will be the first time we’ll be flying the Arab League flag. The growing power of Islamic extremists in the Middle East, underscored by Hamas’ violent takeover of Gaza last month, has drawn the fortunes of Israel and the league’s members closer together. Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa said Sunday that “the upcoming visit of Egypt’s and Jordan’s foreign ministers to Israel upon the request of the Arab committee of peace initiative is to conduct necessary contacts with Israel,” according to AP.
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