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Amr Moussa Demands ‘Added Benefits’ in Exchange of Any New Normalization with Israel

Amr Moussa speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 6, 2013. (AP)
Amr Moussa speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 6, 2013. (AP)
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Amr Moussa Demands ‘Added Benefits’ in Exchange of Any New Normalization with Israel

Amr Moussa speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 6, 2013. (AP)
Amr Moussa speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 6, 2013. (AP)

Former Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa called Saturday on Arab states that may seek to follow the United Arab Emirates’ example in normalizing relations with Israel to note that the Israeli plan to annex Palestinian territories was resolved in the deal with Abu Dhabi.

“If these states proceed with such normalization or recognition of Israel, they must consider that the exchange favor the Palestinians and achieve added benefits for them,” Moussa said Saturday.

In a telephone call with Asharq Al-Awsat, he reiterated the “importance of taking the legitimate Palestinian interests into account and to establish a negotiation path that leads to a fair peaceful solution to their cause.”

Commenting on the Arab League’s move in the next phase, Moussa said he calls on the organization to prepare an Arab meeting to seriously discuss these developments.

Israel and the UAE reached a historic deal Thursday that will establish diplomatic ties, becoming the third Arab country to recognize Israel after Jordan and Egypt.

The deal was brokered by US President Donald Trump in a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Moussa’s comments came two days after White House advisor Jared Kushner confirmed to Fox News on Friday that other Arab countries are expected to sign agreements with Israel during the upcoming weeks.

Moussa said the world has changed and is witnessing the fall of some “universals and the building of new international relations that do not follow the principles of international law or UN Charter and resolutions.”

Moreover, he stressed the importance that the UAE establish its embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem.

In Ramallah, Secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat condemned Moussa’ statements, which he slammed as a violation of Arab summits and the annihilation of the 2002 Arab peace initiative.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.