Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., November 17, 2008 Cheshvan 19, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:36 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  146
Last update - 20:36 17/11/2008
Peres: Arab peace plan - a serious opening for real progress
By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies
Tags: interfaith summit 

President Shimon Peres told world leaders on Wednesday at an interfaith dialogue in New York that the Arab peace initiative must be seriously considered as "a serious opening for real progress" in Middle East peace.

The proposal, initiated by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and ratified by Arab foreign ministers last year in Damascus, offers pan-Arab
recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands
c
Advertisement
aptured in 1967.

(click here to read Peres' entire speech)

The goals of the initiative, Peres told delegates at the United Nations-hosted summit, was to "stop the further shedding of blood, enabling the Arab countries and Israel to live in peace and good neighborliness, and provide future generations with security, stability and prosperity."

"These expressions in the Arab peace initiative are inspirational and promising - a serious opening for real progress," he said.

"We cannot change the past," he said. "However, we can shape our future."

"This seems more feasible today in light of the Saudi proposal which evolved into a Arab peace initiative. The initiative's portrayal of our region's future provides hope to the people and inspires confidence in the nations," he added.

Peres told delegates to the conference that Israel's leadership was prepared to make the concessions necessary for a real political process to take force.

"A comprehensive regional peace requires the completion of the bilateral negotiations with the Palestinians and sharing the painful cost," he said. "We are ready for this as we have proved many times in the past."

"In order to stand up against those who instigate discord and violence, we must bear the flag of brotherhood and peace," Peres added.

Saudi king: Terrorism is the enemy of all religions

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who had urged the United Nations to host the summit, opened the events on Wednesday by declaring that terrorism is the enemy of all religions and callingfor a united front to combat it and promote tolerance.

"We state with a unified voice that religions through which Almighty God sought to bring happiness to mankind should not be turned intoinstruments to cause misery," the king said.

"Terrorism and criminality are the enemies of every religion and every civilization. They would not have emerged except for the absence of the principle of tolerance."

The forum marks a new direction for Saudi Arabia, whose austere "Wahhabi" Islam came in for international criticism after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 on the United States, Riyadh's main ally and guarantor of security.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted the opening dinner Tuesday night for leaders attending the two-day UN conference, intended to promote a global dialogue about religions, cultures and common values.

Arab leaders, including the Saudi king, and Peres attended the same dinner, a rare encounter that the head of the United Nations hopes will promote understanding and talks.

"It's quite unique when you expect President [Shimon] Peres of Israel ... and many kings and leaders from the Arab world ... [sitting] down together and having dinner," Ban told reporters.

The secretary-general told reporters he was not going to organize any meeting between the Saudi king and the Israeli president. Public meetings between Israeli and Saudi officials are extremely rare, and many Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, do not have diplomatic ties to Israel.

Related articles:
  • Peres breaks bread with Saudi king to kick off interfaith meet
  • Barak: Israel giving serious thought to Saudi peace plan
  • Syria rejects Israel's calls to pursue Saudi peace plan
  • Saudi official presents new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Taped launch
    IDF releases video of Gaza gunners firing rockets at Israel.
    GA, Jerusalem
    UJC General Assembly opens, organizers expect 'success.'
      1.   tried land for peace didn`t work lets try recognition of israel f 19:17  |  ralph 12/11/08
      2.   Shimon: wake up! Peace is not just a paper agreement 19:28  |  Moshe 12/11/08
      3.   Peres doing what he does best-sucking up to foreigners 19:29  |  Sam 12/11/08
      4.   Peace Plan? 19:37  |  Col [Res] COHEN 12/11/08
      5.   Its just a dream 19:38  |  Baz Mann 12/11/08
      6.   Peres - Self Delusional Fool is Pathetic 19:39  |  Tod Zuckerman 12/11/08
      7.   Peres is pre-empting the inevitable pressure. 19:41  |  Ibrahim 12/11/08
      8.   Pretty worthless conference 20:02  |  real vision 12/11/08
      9.   SAUDI PLAN IS DEAD IN THE WATER BECAUSE..... 20:03  |  Ian 12/11/08
      10.   Can you all say G-A-Z-A? 20:08  |  Arie 12/11/08
      11.   The REAL intent of the meeting 20:12  |  Arie 12/11/08
      12.   Yawn ! 20:20  |  wendy 12/11/08
      13.   Obama ought to look at this thread to know what he is up against 20:32  |  Labhras 12/11/08
      14.   Acid test was Gaza, Hamas/Fatah bloodletting, continuing terror. 20:37  |  common sense 12/11/08
      15.   Is There an "Israeli Peace Plan"?. 20:42  |  Roger 12/11/08
      16.   was that praise for the saudi arabians who warned..... 20:47  |  g/e/ 12/11/08
      17.   The Saudi Plan was not serious 20:49  |  Realist 12/11/08
      18.   A GRAVE IS ALSO A SERIOUS OPENING... 20:50  |  Barry S Roffman 12/11/08
      19.   Too true Mr. Peres 21:03  |  Mark Lincoln 12/11/08
      20.   #13 Labhras from Irealand 21:10  |  Proud Israeli 12/11/08
      21.   Six years later, Peres discovers the Saudi plan. 21:50  |  Natallie Durson 12/11/08
      22.   "Peace Plan?" Rubbish! 21:53  |  Angel 12/11/08
      23.   Great plan! Everybody except the Pals. Doh! 21:53  |  Joe Sittizen 12/11/08
      24.   Re: Mark Lincoln # 19 22:17  |  Angel 12/11/08
      25.   Justice before peace 22:19  |  Syria Eagle 12/11/08
      26.   It is Israel`s land 22:37  |  Brod 12/11/08
      27.   Labhras, et. al. 22:54  |  howiej 12/11/08
      28.   advice to peres dont drink wine with your meal 22:57  |  victor hardman 12/11/08
      29.   #13 labbarse of arabia seems to have full details of this arab pl 23:00  |  victor hardman 12/11/08
      30.   Israeli Peace Plan 23:19  |  Baz Mann 12/11/08
      31.   Angel - but try to convince the right 23:35  |  Mark Lincoln 12/11/08
      32.   Syrua Eagle 23:42  |  Mark Lincoln 12/11/08
      33.   What Israel`s solely secular leaders are saying is: 00:02  |  Nach 13/11/08
      34.   #1 Israel will only have peace when it returns ALL the Lands 00:44  |  antoine 13/11/08
      35.   Peres: a Dhimmi promoting Dhimmitude 00:48  |  Joseph.E 13/11/08
      36.   20 Angel 00:57  |  Jose Marcio 13/11/08
      37.   Shimon: Talk is not what you said but what your hear.imon is 01:36  |  Akram Zekaria 13/11/08
      38.   Re: No. 26 01:47  |  Angel 13/11/08
      39.   DO IT PERES WITH ALL THE POWER YOU STILL HAVE 01:47  |  indrajaya 13/11/08
      40.   What the Saudis really mean when they say "Peace" 02:01  |  G Marcus 13/11/08
      41.   How possible extreme will fight against extremes? 02:07  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 13/11/08
      42.   It was a meeting by UN with many participants 02:16  |  17 13/11/08
      43.   #15 A sensible question, Roger. 02:16  |  Johnboy 13/11/08
      44.   It took Obama`s Election to get Saudi Plan suddenly noticed... 02:44  |  BBSNews 13/11/08
      45.   By peace Arabs mean, Jews can stay but not as a country 02:49  |  Sam 13/11/08
      46.   ibrahim 02:57  |  alfredo 13/11/08
      47.   making sence 03:00  |  sam 13/11/08
      48.   To Syrian Eagle, what justice you are talking about? 03:33  |  Abuya 13/11/08
      49.   Pretty worthless conference 03:34  |  R.V Jordan is Pales 13/11/08
      50.   Can you all say G-A-Z-A? 03:39  |  C.S Jordan is Pales 13/11/08
      51.   Can you all say G-A-Z-A? 03:39  |  C.S Jordan is Pales 13/11/08
      52.   The REAL intent of the meeting 03:41  |  Arie Jorad is Pales 13/11/08
      53.   , Livni said that "peace is more than just a piece of paper 03:46  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 13/11/08
      54.   1967 border is too late for Israel to accept 03:52  |  American 13/11/08
      55.   Peres did you have to come in the back door? 04:11  |  Great White North 13/11/08
      56.   No Choice 04:25  |  crlman 13/11/08
      57.   Many think it ... Few dare say it 04:31  |  Sobering Thought 13/11/08
      58.   19# Lincoln & 20# Angel & The truth about the Saudi Plan. 04:38  |  Akram Zekaria 13/11/08
      59.   To "american":What`s fair is fair 04:54  |  Arie 13/11/08
      60.   alfredo`s peace for peace 05:04  |  Ibrahim 13/11/08
      61.   Zionist Extremism Key Impediment to Peace 05:35  |  End the Occupation 13/11/08
      62.   wonderful news 05:36  |  Rami 13/11/08
      63.   We Saw their "Peace Plan" on 9/11 05:39  |  Steve 13/11/08
      64.   keep rehashing and talk the talk Mr. Peres 05:48  |  Steve the Pals. 13/11/08
      65.   Sad 06:36  |  End the Occupation 13/11/08
      66.   Where the Jewish State stands with the Liberals.-Left? 07:59  |  Akram Zekaria 13/11/08
      67.   The ol` fella` just won`t shut up, will he? 08:07  |  Johnboy 13/11/08
      68.   #58 Akram refuses to see. 09:11  |  Johnboy 13/11/08
      69.   End the Occupation 09:11  |  Giora Ben Ami 13/11/08
      70.   #57 Are you one of those who dare say it? 09:27  |  Hastaroth 13/11/08
      71.   Peres speaks! 10:08  |  Mark 13/11/08
      72.   The fact is 10:35  |  Chris Linthwaite 13/11/08
      73.   To JohnBoy About Israeli Peace Plan 10:48  |  Roger 13/11/08
      74.   #73 No, there is no Israeli Peace Plan, Roger 12:08  |  Johnboy 13/11/08
      75.   Things seem to be moving in the right direction 13:52  |  Edith 13/11/08
      76.   #17 Realist 14:32  |  Said 13/11/08
      77.   The reactionary word by Chris # 72: reformatted 14:48  |  Israeli citizen 13/11/08
      78.   Now what do they suggest that beings with their goodwill gestures 14:58  |  lily 13/11/08
      79.   #57 "Many think it......" 15:14  |  Jack 13/11/08
      80.   Re: Mark Lincoln # 31 15:32  |  Angel 13/11/08
      81.   DELUSIONS, DELUSIONS & MORE DELUSIONS! 15:39  |  Ben Uziel 13/11/08
      82.   In return for "peace" they still demand the "right of return". 15:41  |  Matt C 13/11/08
      83.   To Tell You The Truth... 15:55  |  Yosemite 13/11/08
      84.   The Arab Ultimatum (Saudi Initiative) 16:00  |  Jeff Northridge 13/11/08
      85.   Any peace would be a disaster for Israel 16:06  |  American in NY 13/11/08
      86.   38 Angel 16:19  |  Jose Marcio 13/11/08
      87.   johnboy 74 guess you have inside information 16:27  |  strange 13/11/08
      88.   Yeah well, he also thinks that Oslo was a success 16:41  |  Kobi 13/11/08
      89.   american 54 yeah that`ll fly 17:25  |  strange 13/11/08
      90.   lily 76 only post i agree with 17:26  |  strange 13/11/08
      91.   Arabs/muslims have no claim to the Jewish land of Israel...sorry. 17:38  |  Jordan 13/11/08
      92.   We won the defensive wars, WE make the demands..not the arabs.... 17:44  |  Jordan 13/11/08
      93.   Johnboy # 68 What`s Wrong With Arab Ultimatum 17:52  |  Jeff Northridge 13/11/08
      94.   Peres at "interfaith" summit hosted by King Abdullah of SA? 18:12  |  haolam mishugah 13/11/08
      95.   The Oslo Agreements were born in sin and brought only death, ... 18:55  |  Jean Van Daem 13/11/08
      96.   Any peace would be a disaster for Israel, that is why it no plan 19:21  |  American in NY 13/11/08
      97.   Jeff Northridge and `ultimatum` 19:31  |  raul gilberto 13/11/08
      98.   Greed and Intransigence Ensure War 20:10  |  Gray 13/11/08
      99.   ibrahim 20:25  |  alfredo 13/11/08
      100.   End the Occupation 65 20:28  |  alfredo 13/11/08
      101.   Arab peace plan? 20:30  |  khairi janbek 13/11/08
      102.   Roger -- Negotiate what? 20:37  |  DavidAK 13/11/08
      103.   Providing CPR for Mark Lincoln`s `breath-taking` visions 20:37  |  Jacob Blues 13/11/08
      104.   68# Johnboy Grow up..**The Saudi Plan is an illusion Trap** 21:11  |  Akram Zekaria 13/11/08
      105.   to Moshe you should encorage these steps 21:35  |  gus 13/11/08
      106.   81# Jeff Northridge. Thanks for your response to Johnboy. 22:54  |  Akram Zekaria 13/11/08
      107.   There are no other religions allowed in Saudi Arabia... 22:55  |  John Chisolm 13/11/08
      108.   #77, the truth 23:38  |  Doron 13/11/08
      109.   #13 Hey Labhras 23:39  |  ballistic 13/11/08
      110.   #26 Still pushing lies, Brod 23:58  |  mike 13/11/08
      111.   Arab peace plan 00:18  |  Ralph 14/11/08
      112.   Arab peace plan 00:18  |  Ralph 14/11/08
      113.   #81 The quick rebuttal for Jeff Northridge 00:36  |  Johnboy 14/11/08
      114.   Justice for the Palestinians 00:38  |  Jess Ghannam 14/11/08
      115.   Thank you Akram for proving me right 01:29  |  Mark Lincoln 14/11/08
      116.   "Oxymoron" (noun); Example:. "Israeli Peace Plan" 01:52  |  Gray 14/11/08
      117.   #78 Jeff, Johnboy is correct....it`s a peace proposal for talks.. 02:26  |  Smadar 14/11/08
      118.   Johnboy # 89 Bull! 03:13  |  Jeff Northridge 14/11/08
      119.   #85 - David AK 03:24  |  Roger 14/11/08
      120.   Smadar # 100 The Arab Ultimatum Is Not A "Framework" 03:42  |  Jeff Northridge 14/11/08
      121.   gray 04:05  |  strange 14/11/08
      122.   gray by the way.... 04:12  |  strange 14/11/08
      123.   103# Mark Lincoln The PLO is DEAD " ! 04:42  |  Akram Zekaria 14/11/08
      124.   Northridge on Smadar, Johnboy... 04:45  |  BBSNews 14/11/08
      125.   Strange, by the way on Gray... 04:54  |  BBSNews 14/11/08
      126.   #106 Such nonsense, Jeff Northridge 05:19  |  Johnboy 14/11/08
      127.   #108 Smadar, Jeff can`t comprehend the idea of an "offer" 05:32  |  Johnboy 14/11/08
      128.   Peres: Arab peace plan - a serious opening 05:37  |  Arnold 14/11/08
      129.   American in New York looking for a new disaster movie 05:39  |  Jacob Blues 14/11/08
      130.   104 gray as is normal with the deranged 05:45  |  victor hardman 14/11/08
      131.   #108 Jeff, you deliberitely want to interpret differently.... 05:55  |  Smadar 14/11/08
      132.   #108 Jeff, re: right of return 06:00  |  Smadar 14/11/08
      133.   Ibrahim - Palestinian state is not viable 06:05  |  Imnimalu 14/11/08
      134.   smadar 115 06:13  |  strange 14/11/08
      135.   103# Mark Lincoln It is not the Saudis Stupid ! 06:18  |  Akram Zekaria 14/11/08
      136.   #122 strange - one last post before going to bed... 07:03  |  Smadar 14/11/08
      137.   to Jeff Northridge #78 07:57  |  zeev 14/11/08
      138.   to Jacob Blues #118 08:19  |  zeev 14/11/08
      139.   the hate brigade never fails to voice its disapproval 10:17  |  eric 14/11/08
      140.   to Imnimalu #122 10:18  |  zeev 14/11/08
      141.   Wh, then, did Arabs kill Jews in Israel BEFORE 4 June 67? 12:53  |  Yaakov K. 14/11/08
      142.   to Jeff Northridge #78 - 2nd try 14:23  |  zeev 14/11/08
      143.   127# Zeev "Why would Egypt do that (absorbing Gaza) ? 14:33  |  Akram Zekaria 14/11/08
      144.   one simple question and not one answer 16:29  |  strange 14/11/08
      145.   to Yaakov K. #128 20:28  |  zeev 14/11/08
      146.   to Jeff Northridge #78 - 3rd try 20:29  |  zeev 14/11/08
     Read & React
    Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label W. Bank goods is 'exaggerated'
    Responses: 180
    Poll: Only 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in peace talks
    Responses: 216
    IDF officers slam top ministers for Gaza 'war-mongering'
    Responses: 34
    Settlers threaten 'Amona'-style riots over Hebron eviction
    Responses: 62
    Amira Hass: Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas?
    Responses: 45


    More Headlines
    18:49 IAEA chief confirms traces of uranium found at Syria site
    16:38 GA special report / Ex-IDF chief: Military option against Iran still exists
    18:14 Crime boss killed in underworld Tel Aviv car bombing
    20:28 Ramallah woman arrested on suspicion she planned to assist suicide bombing
    15:50 Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners in goodwill gesture to Abbas
    15:20 Barak: Israel will not accept indiscriminate attacks on its citizens
    15:21 JEWISH WORLD / Obama must get involved in peace talks before they atrophy
    16:42 GA special report / Peres to Obama: To help Israel, be a great president for the U.S.
    13:22 IDF lets limited aid into Gaza, despite Qassam fire on Negev
    16:07 Top Obama aide denies report president-elect will back Arab peace plan
    08:11 Poll: Only 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in peace talks
    15:18 IDF officers slam top ministers for Gaza 'war-mongering'
    16:03 Israeli man moderately injured in criminally linked West Bank shooting
    10:52 Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas?
    06:03 Chief IDF rabbi: Army rabbinate needs to inculcate Jewish values
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dan Boutique Jerusalem
    New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online!
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved