Gaining Arab Support

Leslie Tramontini is a professor at the University of Freiburg and an expert on Middle East policy and ethnic conflict. She spoke to DW-WORLD.DE about Chancellor Angela Merkel's initial trip to the Mideast.

DW-WORLD.DE: Angela Merkel is making her first trip to the Arabic world as the German chancellor. How do you think she will be received?

Leslie Tramontini: I can imagine that as the German chancellor she will be very positively received because the Germans generally have a good image in the Arabic world. I do not think there will be any kind of astonishment when the first female chancellor arrives in the Arabic world. I have always experienced that as a woman I was always most welcome and taken seriously. I could even imagine that it is an advantage for her.

The revival of the Mideast Quartet is high on Merkel's agenda. How can Merkel push the peace process forward?

Merkel can try Egyptian help, Saudi help and support for the revival of some type of peace talks. We do not necessarily need to talk about this "road map," but that they just sit down together at one table. Additionally, it is very difficult to bring peace or start peace talks when the parties are so divided. In view of its historical past, Germany must also, in my opinion, tell the Israelis if there is going to be peace, you too have to make concessions.

The Saudi initiative from Beirut in March 2002 was excellent. It said we recognize Israel when it pulls back to its 1967 border and when the refugee question is dealt with in a somewhat dignified way. That would have been a foundation that they could sit down together about. Until that happens, we have to ask ourselves why it was not accepted.

What Merkel should do is try to collect as much Arab support as possible.

German initiatives usually are well accepted in the Arabic world. Can the EU, under German leadership, take over the US leadership role?

I think that can be answered with a clear no. The EU and Merkel and Steinmeier can try to use Germany's influence to put pressure on. But nothing, from neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian side, would ever be put through against the will or without the support of the United States. The Americans have to be a part, that's a fact that is recognized, possibly grudgingly, by all sides.

While militant and peaceful Muslims use all their resources to fight their own governments and the West, is there really a chance for peace?

Willingness to use violence does not generally go together with peace. But the willingness to use force is not only coming from the Islamic side but also from the Israeli army, for example. The destruction houses is also violence. As long as both sides think the other only understands the language of violence, I do not see any large hope.