The Arab League is joining the surge of diplomatic activity being undertaken by the Palestinian Authority and its supporters to promote the country's further unilateral decisions to recognize the Palestinian state. The surge in activity has come as a backlash to the breakdown in multilateral peace negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian Authority, backed by the Arab League, has said that the resumption of negotiations with Israel requires real initiatives on Israel's part, including an end to settlement building, a release of prisoners (here, captives), and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.