Mauritania established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1999. At the time, Mauritania became a member of the Arab League. As an Islamic nation in North Africa, Mauritania was one of the few in the Arab world to recognize Israel. This move was popular and widely hailed as a breakthrough in an attempt to build a lasting peace in the Middle East. At that time, then President Bill Clinton, (USA), and Secretary of State Madeline Albright, (USA), were excited in their praise of Mauritania for beginning positive relations with the State of Israel. At that time Egypt and Jordan were the only other two nations with Mauritania as members, of the Arab League and having ambassadors stationed in Tel Aviv. With Mauritania recognizing Israel, it was the goal and a first step to hopefully bringing other countries of the Arab League to follow in recognition of Israel.
?In 2009, Mauritania celebrated ten years of stability with Israel, the government in Mauritania decided to suspend relations with the Jewish State due to Israel?s attacked in the Gaza strip. I believe it is time to reopen a positive relationship once again with Israel. There are many benefits to having a diplomatic relations with Israel.? Bessid stated.
With increasing uncertainty in 2000, followed by the break down of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, held at Camp David in the USA, with the new incoming United States President at that time, George W. Bush. The region entered a period of unrest. The subsequent incidents that followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, followed by wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, caused a great deal of volatility and threatened an end to Mauritania’s relationship with Israel. Mauritania suspended relations with the Jewish State in 2009, due to Israel?s attack in the Gaza strip.
?Mauritania was under great pressure from leaders such as Syria?s Bashar Al-Assad and Kahled Meshaal, the exiled leader of Hamas. Both had called for all Arab League members to cut all direct and indirect ties with Israel. On January 16, 2009 Mauritania closed its embassy in Tel Aviv and froze relations with Israel. A few months later, Mauritania asked Israel to close its embassy in Nouakchott. That brought the end of our mutual relationship with Israel.
By March of 2010, Mauritania had fully severed it’s diplomatic ties with Israel and we remain without diplomatic relations today.? Weld Bessid said.
Re-establishment of relations becomes a tricky subject for Mauritania. The only two nations that remain in the region with full diplomatic relations with Israel are Egypt and Jordan.
?I believe the vast majority of the citizens of Mauritania do identify and sympathize with the Palestinians, in their struggle against Israel.? Bessid claims.
However, many questions linger as to whether Mauritania should in fact re-establish relations with Israel. If the re-establishment of relations is created between Mauritania and Israel the question remains of, when and how should this relationship be completed?
?My agenda, if elected President, is to participate in the negotiations for, two state solution, that benefit Israel, Palestine and the Arab & Islamic world including Mauritania.
To clarify the, two-state solution, is a possible solution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, that is currently a controversial discussion that calls for “two states for two peoples”. The two-state solution, conceives the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that alines with the State of Israel.
The major point that the, two-state solution concept, differs from those that favor the current independent Palestinian state, is that it calls for a direct negotiation and communication between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. ?Achieving the goal of a, two-state solution, requires several core issues to be resolved first. These issues must include a defined solution for the borders of the Palestinian State. A plan must be implemented for the citizenship of the new Palestinian State. We must address the status of the Palestinian refugees that are outside the final defined borders. What becomes of the status of current Arab citizens that reside within the Israel borders? Along with these issues we must also address the future of East Jerusalem.
Polling results consistently show that a majority of respectable Israeli and Palestinians are in favor of having a negotiated two-state settlement.? Bessid outlined in his platform.
If elected, Weld Bessid would begin negotiations to move forward with overcoming the obstacles in establishing a two-state solution. Returning Mauritania to diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.
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