Israel intends to send envoys to Arab states

Israel is intending to send envoys to several Arab states in an attempt to make use from the decision of the Israeli government to break the liaison with the Palestinians, in order to normalize its relations with the Arab world, according to officials in the Israeli government.

The Israeli daily Haartez said that the government will delegate two delegates carrying a message from the foreign minister Silvan Shalom explaining withdrawal plans from Gaza and elimination of several Israeli settlements from the West Bank.

Israel is currently linked with diplomatic relations with three Arab states; while its relations are intensified greatly with the other countries especially following the launching of the acts of violence committed by its forces against the Palestinians since 2000.

One official said that Israel seeks to explain the extent of the new plan contribution to withdrawal from Gaza for annexing lands from the West Bank in enhancing the peace process in the Middle East.

He explained that the envoys will be sent to Qatar, Moroco, Bahrain, Tunisia and Oman, noting that it is not clear which of these countries will agree to receive them. Israel will also send delegates to Jordan and Mauritania with whom it is linked to diplomatic relations.

This month, the Israeli government decided to initially withdraw from Gaza and remove four settlements in the west bank with the fall of 2005.