Nabil Elaraby. Photo: Jewish Chronicle.

JNS.org – Nabil Elaraby, the head of the Arab League, has called on Arab countries to take a “firm stand” against recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.

Elaraby made his remarks Sunday as part of an Arab Foreign Ministers conference in Cairo, the Associated Press reported.

On Friday, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas made similar comments, saying there is “no way” he would recognize Israel as a Jewish state. PA-based Al-Quds newspaper on Saturday quoted U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as saying, “The American position is clear, Israel is a Jewish state. However, we do not see a need that both sides recognize this position as part of the final [U.S.-brokered peace] agreement.”