Respect: A Two-Way Street

An editorial from the Washington Times:
Respect is a two-way street. Recent polls suggest that about half of Americans hold negative views of Islam, and this is not merely blind bigotry. If they want respect, Muslim states must seek active ways to improve relations with the United States. We would like to see a generally more positive and welcoming tone, with fewer anti-American harangues in official media and firebrand sermons in state-controlled mosques.
Those countries that support terrorism - either through financing, providing materiel or intelligence support, or safe havens - must immediately stop. Respect for Islam would be much more palatable if the Muslim world decriminalized conversion to other faiths and allowed true religious freedom, as Muslims enjoy in America.
With respect to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, many Muslim leaders seem to expect progress to come through the United States pressuring Israel unilaterally to surrender to Arab demands. But they, not U.S. officials, will play the decisive role in settling the matter, since they are the countries refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist (excepting Egypt and Jordan). The peace process would be pushed immeasurably forward by Arab leaders taking concrete steps in that direction.
A good first step would be to end the Arab League boycott of Israel, which will also help develop the Palestinian economy. Muslim governments can make gestures such as granting civilian overflight rights, establishing postal and telecommunications ties and promoting regional travel. The Arab states should pursue diplomatic meetings and multilateral accords, brokered by Egypt and Jordan, with a view toward establishing a framework for full diplomatic recognition.
Israel has shown a desire to do all these things, so the ball is in the Muslim world's court.