Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., September 11, 2008 Elul 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:46 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Interfaith meet signals thaw in Saudi hostility toward Israel By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Interfaith, Saudi, Israel  In an apparent easing of traditional Saudi hostility toward Israel, King Abdullah has urged followers of all the world's leading religions to embrace reconciliation. "We must tell the world that differences don't need to lead to disputes," he said at the opening of an interfaith conference in Madrid, addressing Muslim and Christian delegates and even one Israeli envoy who also shook his hand. Rabbi David Rosen, who is also the Chief Rabbinate's adviser on interfaith dialogue, had been invited to the conference as Chairman of IJCIC, the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations. Advertisement The conference organizers knew he was Israeli, following media reports to that effect last week. He met King Abdullah, told him he was a rabbi from Jerusalem and even received his blessing. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told Rosen that his participation in the conference was important and following his recommendation, Rosen was interviewed by the country's official television channel. Rosen told Haaretz on Thursday that Saudi Arabia was very interested in creating calm in the region but as is their custom, they proceed slowly. "This event is historic because it's the first time that a Saudi king initiated such a move. The Saudis want to reduce the risks to the region's stability, including the Holy Land. This will be tested in the continuity of the contacts," he said. Jerusalem sources told Haaretz that Israel and Saudi Arabia have been holding covert meetings in a third state. The talks in these meetings are reportedly not about changing the relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia but only about the goings on in the region. A few weeks ago, the Ilaf Web site, a prominent Saudi news medium, applied to the Government Press Office for accreditation for its foreign correspondent in Israel. Unlike most of the institutional Arab press, Ilaf publishes interviews with Israelis. Another major Saudi newspaper, the London-based Asharq alawsat, published an interview with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert earlier this month. The paper published interviews with senior Israeli figures several times over the last 10 years but in the past refrained from mentioning that these were exclusive. The newspaper's correspondent in Israel, Nazir Majali, told Haaretz on Thursday that his newspaper reflects a growing tendency of Arab patriots who want to restore Arabism and Islam to a central place in world culture, unlike the direction political Islam has taken. Part of this trend is a change in the attitude toward Israel. "Saudi Arabia is fulfilling a central role in this trend, both with the Arab peace initiative and in the interfaith dialogue initiated by King Abdullah. But the trend exists in all the states, from Morocco to Yemen," he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   'I didn't kill Rose' Ronny Ron, grandfather of missing 4-year-old, recants his confession. Diplomatic incident Olympic medalist Shahar Zubari stirs controversy, calling Chinese 'shits'.   1.   SAUDI Interfaith Dialogue Initiative 06:32  |  Shimon Cleopas 18/07/08   2.   Change of heart by the saudis? Thank the iran extremists. 07:01  |  CK Tan 18/07/08   3.   power to the saudis and israel, too! 07:13  |  eric 18/07/08   4.   Could there be a glimmer of hope?? 07:20  |  judith 18/07/08   5.   Thank You King Abdullah And Prince Saud al-Faisal 08:29  |  Yosemite 18/07/08   6.   Should we trust them ? 08:32  |  Jean Van Daem 18/07/08   7.   Dream on 08:39  |  Kuchuk 18/07/08   8.   #1 - Totaly agree with you 08:42  |  ScotGuy 18/07/08   9.   They simply hate and fear Iran more than us...they need US policy 08:52  |  Alain 18/07/08   10.   Interfaith and the Jews 09:57  |  Elmas 18/07/08   11.   # 8 Elmas - Eternal fairy tale of `Tolerant Muslims` 10:29  |  Paul Henzen 18/07/08   12.   Cracks in hostility? Maybe. Cracks in policy? No. 10:36  |  Natallie Durson 18/07/08   13.   nothing is really going on 12:39  |  Manolo ME expert 18/07/08   14.   Cromwell welcomed jews but killed catholics 12:55  |  Manolo ME expert 18/07/08   15.   Cautiously optimistic 12:57  |  Said 18/07/08   16.   Lord Protector = nazi briton 13:32  |  Manolo ME expert 18/07/08   17.   Yoav`s not the brightest pen in the newsroom 14:22  |  Rami 18/07/08   18.   No Respect for the Truth 14:23  |  Michael Cecil 18/07/08   19.   Manolo NOT expert on Cromwell: Jews in England before Cromwell 14:26  |  Briton 18/07/08   20.   Saudis- Not the land of milk, honey or kindness 14:27  |  Micheal 18/07/08   21.   Said-You are not enough.How many other Pals agree with you? 14:29  |  Sam 18/07/08   22.   PERHAPS THRE SAUDIS WANT ISRAELI PROTECTION FROM IRAN? 15:26  |  petra 18/07/08   23.   Manolo / Briton - Jews in England since Roman times 16:32  |  Paul Henzen 18/07/08   24.   #21 Sam 16:41  |  Said 18/07/08   25.   # 16 Manolo - Oliver Cromwell was a great Protestant leader! 16:43  |  Paul Henzen 18/07/08   26.   The House of Saud Party Line 16:52  |  Mark Lincoln 18/07/08   27.   Middle Eastern Center 17:03  |  Anonymous 18/07/08   28.   THAT`S RIGHT THE "BROTHERS IN ARMS"ARE ALL HOSTILE TOWARDS ISRAEL 17:21  |  glenna 18/07/08   29.   Saudi`s are just pushing their "Peace Plan" again 17:53  |  * BEN JABO 18/07/08   30.   Interfaith Dialogue, an opportunity for family reunion 18:31  |  Shimon Cleopas 18/07/08   31.   Extremely good news! 19:10  |  truejew 18/07/08   32.   Smoke and mirrors... 19:23  |  David 18/07/08   33.   Still a long way to go 19:29  |  MichaelF 18/07/08   34.   #10 - Elmas 19:33  |  MichaelF 18/07/08   35.   Good news, bad news for Catholics 19:35  |  Shimon Cleopas 18/07/08   36.   so,mark,is that where you get your narrow minded ideas, 20:05  |  terrornator 18/07/08   37.   Positive moves 20:27  |  Joe 18/07/08   38.   Torah for Gentiles 21:48  |  Elisheva 19/07/08

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