THE divide and conquer algorithm applied to Arab politics threatened to disrupt the Kuwait ‘Summit of Solidarity with Gaza' on Monday. It was arguably the most serious Arab political rift in many years; a rift over how to deal with the devastating, inhumane three-week-long Israeli attack on Gaza. It appeared difficult for the Arab leaders to heal the rift and pursue peace with the backing of a raging public, what with sweeping international condemnation of Israeli brutality and more than enough evidence now available for the Israeli perpetrators to be tried for war crimes. Israel has once too often proven itself to be an unparalleled violator of basic human values, let alone human rights. The Arab leaders were in a spot, and their only way to clinch the upper hand in the over 60-year conflict with Israel was to unite, especially at this ironically propitious moment with the tide of world opinion sweeping against Israeli barbarity. And that was what King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, called for in his speech at the summit. In the name of honor and dignity so deeply entrenched in Arab culture, King Abdullah called on the Arab leaders, especially the Palestinians, to unite and avoid playing into the hands of the Israeli enemy and others who seek to divide the Arabs in order to fulfill regional ambitions. He called for being “stronger than our wounds, to rise above our differences, to overcome our enemies' assumptions, to stand tall and erect” so that history will “remember and honor” the Arab nation. King Abdullah sent out a warning to Israel that the hand of peace extended by the Arab Peace Initiative will not last forever. “A drop of Palestinian blood is more precious than all the treasures of the world,” the King said in a reminder that the Gaza bloodshed would not go unanswered and offered cause enough for the Arabs to overcome their political differences. Arab leaders are starting to answer the call of their people to unite and advance with one voice the cause of peace, or perhaps the cause of martyrdom. Whatever be the cause, Israel should understand that it would no doubt spill over to the entire Muslim Ummah which is bristling for action. Gaza will be rebuilt with donations pouring in from the summit where the Kingdom has already contributed $1 billion. But Arab honor that has been tainted by the bloodshed in Gaza will not be cleansed until bloody Israel is put in its place, held accountable and made to plead for peace. The time has come to restore Arab honor through unity, and nothing but unity. One Arab voice for one cause: Force Israel to accept a just settlement of the Palestinian issue for lasting peace in the Middle East. __
