In an effort described as a step toward normalization, Arab news channel al-Jazeera - which is the most popular Arab channel - will air an Israeli European soccer match on its sister sports network.

al-Jazeera is owned by the Qatari royal family. Qatar is one of the most liberal Arab nations, which until Gaza 2008-2009; has nominal relations with Israel including an exchange in missions and a visit by Israeli head of state Shimon Peres to Qatar where he met with the Emir. Qatar would probably be one of the first Arab nations to make peace with Israel if a two-state solution comes about.

In other Arab media news, it is well-known that several Saudi princes own a newspaper. During times of royal feuds and power-plays, such a mouthpiece comes in handy. Well, now Arabs watch more T.V. than read the press and Saudi princes are starting a trendy of financing their own networks.

Prince Khalid Al-Faysal, owner of Saudi paper al-Watan (not all Saudi owned papers are seen as Saudi), is starting his own network which he says will be a cross between The Today Show and Fox News.

Good programing to come!