The upcoming Arab Summit in Amman, Jordan, on March 27th must not fall short of addressing the vital issues at hand, namely, a helplessly stagnant Palestinian economy and a collapsing Palestinian-Israeli peace process. It must take tangible steps in making a qualitative shift towards democratization as well as political, economic, and social regional cooperation.

The new reality reinforced by the ongoing Palestinian Intifada (uprising) calls on all Arab states to take a firm stance against the injustices committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. As regional and global attention is turned towards Amman, the time is ripe for Arab leaders to take decisive measures.

Arab states must clearly voice opposition to Israel’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinians, and take concrete steps in providing international protection to the Palestinian people. The daily horrors of Israeli occupation must be addressed and condemned as crimes against humanity and a violation of the most basic Palestinian rights.

The summit must equally reassert its stance within the context of final status talks in calling for an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338 (Israel’s withdrawal to the June 1967 boundaries and the return of the Palestinian refugees).

The dangerously declining Palestinian economy must be addressed. Arab states must be fully aware of the damage inflicted on the Palestinian economy due to the ongoing Israeli-imposed multiple siege on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, thus, concrete steps must be taken in providing development and financial assistance to the Palestinians.

The Arab summit must present itself as an embodiment of regional political consensus on the mentioned issues. Any outcome that falls short of addressing these issues will only add more volatility to an already explosive situation, the implications of which will have destabilizing elements on the Palestinian territories, Israel, as well as the Arab World.