The Arab League has sent its first formal delegation to Israel. Earlier today, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan arrived in Tel Aviv to officially present the Arab League peace offer that would see full recognition of Israel in return for its withdrawal from the Occupied Territories and the creation of a Palestinian state. The Arab League first offered the deal in 2002, but Israel rejected it. Israel is likely to do so again. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has sent Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an “Agreement of Principles” that includes Israeli control over large West Bank settlement blocs and near-total Israeli control of East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair continued his first visit as Middle East envoy with meetings in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Blair said he was optimistic at the chances for peace.

Tony Blair: “I think there is a sense of possibility at the moment. I think this is a moment of opportunity, but, for me, the most important thing at the moment is to listen and to learn and to reflect. And as I said earlier today, there will be very many questions that you will have of me. At the moment, I think this is not the time for giving all those answers.”