More than 100 ex-world leaders urge Arab-Israeli peace conference

The angels sang when Jesus was born a babe. "peace on earth amoung men of good=will" Going by some posts here it is so refreshing to note that amoung the Arab population there are men of good-will, and I agree a maturing to take personal responsibility for ones own actions is vital for peace to florish, for individuals and nations.Its no good for world leaders to be jew bashing every time it comes to peace negotiations because the Arab has just pretended, he has never really sought peace.

They must tell the Palestinians to stop their terror, disarm their militias and do it, not to keep using violence. They must also recognize Israel's right to exist. They tell this also to Hezbollah, and also get Iran and Syria out of the picture of meddling. Everyone knows Israel wants peace, but Israel can't have peace until the others stop their terror, and recognize Israel.

Quote " In response to your personal insults, which are of course a reflection on your Intellectual poeverty I have this to say to you : The biggest form of insult is negligence... and as such I would treat you with total negligence......." Your negligence is an insult to your intelligence . Catch that , and i will catch you on the rebound Israel is not negliging or ignoring the arabs proposals of their notion of peace . . But since Israel has experienced that arabs are not to be trusted even by signatures and of course less by their words , Example of 67 UN 242 signed cease fire broken by 73 arabs agression surprise war , or 2000 UN 1559 signed cease fire broken by 2006 hezbo agression surprise kidnapping causing UN 1701 wich by now is worth the recycling. . However on the other hand Israel instead of negliging its pursuit for peace , Israel has the quartet doors open to arabs 24/7/365 when they will be willing to deal without violence when in disagreement. . Your Caliphated followed up negligence is an all to well known arab behavior for not following up on cease fire agreement. But could have been of use in the pope's speech affaire. Therefore it wouldn't be a surprise , altough groundless, if you caliphatly blast at haaretz for a ban as protest, For allowing freedom of speech in a controled environment such as talkback.

with people who praise Mohamoud who signed a peace treaty with an opposing tribe only to break it when his army was strong enough to desr=troy them. Israel can not trust such people.

In response to your personal insults, which are of course a reflection on your Intellectual poeverty I have this to say to you : The biggest form of insult is negligence... and as such I would treat you with total negligence.......

Hi Sam, I am not part of any Israeli establishment, just a Jew living abroad, with some Israeli relatives. I think the answer to your question, though, why Israelis are not very interested in peace conferences right now is simple: they are afraid that if a Palestinian state emerges, and it has an army, and the sole purpose of the establishment there is to destroy Israel, or to make it illegimate in the eyes of their children, then eventually there may be another war, this time with between states. Combine that with a loss of the strategic Golan, and you are going to have a major war. While we all dream of a peaceful Middle East, I think the majority of Israelis simply do not trust the leadership of Arab countries to actually act on its promises for peace, even if they sign it. It's like, if you let a murderer out of jail, even if he says he is reformed, what do you do, if he kills someone? No, this is not fair to individual Palestinians, but you have to understand the Israeli side too

IT TAKES A GENERATION FOR EUROPEANS TO WAKE UP TO GLOBAL TERROR TO ARAB TERROR TO ARAB DIFFERENT POSTURES The above is said in connection to your dormant thinking , or should i say caliphated thinking.

all you want is war,so war is what you will get!

Secular arab Turkia need no peace talks or peace agreement with Israel to have good relations with Israel. . Other arabs states could learn something from Tyrkia political behavior to Israel . . In your post # 33 to tex , your clearly express an arab thinking wich is the carelessness and inexistant value to life in the arab world , by you saying let them kill each other , Israel-pals or pals infighting , as the arab world is use to that tradition in their own states as history proves. . Therefore in your quest for answers you conveniently omit the basic in any agreement wich is the cessation of hostilities , before and after whatsoever agreement , , It is mentioned in the quartet requirements as self evident road to peace , the rest is up to deals moreover where the arab side must end any whatsoever act of violence when in disagreement as it is not the case with the pal infighting for example or the hezbollah provocation at the border . Sam the caliphated sam , you're surely a lost case , it is only fair to tell you get lost , and you deserve to be told so as a gentle rebuke. and if not than join the quartet

and my wife is one. if you want to make her mad, just refer to her as a "palestinian". you have been warned. yes, her mother even cries when an israeli soldier is killed. there are plenty of arab israelis like this, the only problem is that they are treated with abuse by their arab "brothers" when they reveal their true feelings. i'm constantly amazed how people refuse to believe this is true. it's not genetic, you know. some arabs do actually think for themselves. pity that it is not more.

Your wild imagination of Zionist double game is groundless and even if true , it is still rebutted , since people like you , brits as arabs sympathizers , are included in Arab-Israeli posts , who describe the fear of arabs in the arab world to express otherwise than what their dictators propaganda allow . And for you the fear to realize that you have been destabilized . And you want to reinforce your argument by bringing up israel jews , as you say identify with pals plight , argument rebutted again since these leftists realize now more than ever their misplaced feels or thinking , especially in light of what is not suppose to continue wich is the terror from gaza after israel good will gesture redeployement , moreover with the established connection between PA -hamas and pals in general with hezbollah and pals murderous infighting , who wants to have neighbors like that , only you since they are not your neighbors , not in my backyard , you surely say. Even with his slap in your face , you still refuse to wake up . easy for you to be destabilized by just one voice that you also want to shut up , moreover when he is an israli arab proudly living in israel among jews.. Sam the caliphated brit

ok so what is the alternative? blood shed from now till the end of time or what? it is time to start from scratch, it is time to stop the blame and counter blame. Do you think that declarations like ( No return to 1967 , FM, no return of the golans , PM) are peace initiatives?..... well I suppose there are other alterantives than peace.... 1) is for one side to completely crush the other side by pure military might 2) may be the wolrd should completely boycott both sides ( the Israeli and the Palestinians), rather than just strangle the Palestinians , lets strangle both sides, till one day they will come to their senses, or lets arm both sides eqaully , how about that, and then leave them alone to settle thier dispute ......... it is all sides , that the tribes that produced Issa, Mosa, Mohd, and Einstein to the human race, are not able to produce 2 leadres in the year 2006.... Hope peace come your way

Are there other Arabs living in Israel who call themselves "Israeli?" Are you non-Muslim? Are you real at all? Would any Muslim Arab living in Israel dream of accepting the kind of "Dhimmi" status they would impose on everyone else if they ever, G-d Forbid, got into power?

I know there are some powerful countries but I am not jealous at all. On the contrary, I like the Americans. I have also heard that the pals are an industrial power, which exports high tech, and an advanced democratic country with a wonderful welfare system and all the stuff. So why do those ex-leaders care? It is only their desire of fame. What I cannot understand is why the pals are always whining that they are starving. We know it cannot be true. So which intention is behind it?

It is difficult to go back into history. We will always disagree even on basics: what is true and what is myth. Arabs and Israelis should now make peace, nobody can undo history and all misfortunes. France & Germany have gone thru that process. Some Arabs must stop propagate hate for the benefit of all. Can they do that or are more wars needed?

I'm happy because non of them comes from Spain, you see Spain is not an important country. Many people don't know the name of Spain PM.

Five peace initiatives over the past 60 years were not only written up by Israelis, but accepted by the Israeli public. Why, dude, are you so confused? Arafat rejecting the last of these peace treaties in 2000 does not mean that Israel didn't offer it. Hello.... Is anybody home?

Question to the Israeli political establishment! Why would not Israel unleash a peace initiative? The Arabs have come up with teh Saudi Plan ? The Syrians are screaming they want peace with Israel? I really dont understand how the political establishment in Isrel think/operetae? it seems to me eithe they are lacking the wisdom/experience and or have a become a prisoner to the wild and irresponsible policies of the US administration!!. why would not Isarel call for a meetng with the Arab league?......with no pre conditions. GO there set around the table with them and start talking one step at a time? what is wrong with that ? ......instead of just keep rejecting the other sides initiatives/overtures, why hss Israel become the "rejectionist" period. if you dont talk to your "enemy" you never achieve peace. The US and Vietnam used to set around the table to negotiate, while the war was raging . any idea?????????????/

If the Israeli enemy and demon ceases to exist in the Arab world, and peace actually happens a lot of very difficult questions would have to be answered and many difficult issues would arrise which many Arab leaderships do not want to access, it's much easier to blame the chaos and opression in which they live on the evil Jews. This is a very old formula: blaming one's hardships on the Jews and being blind to one's own mistakes. The problem with it is that it's always wrong and the truth always comes out in the end. I salute all Arabs (and Israelis) who are corageously commited to sticking to good sense and finding a peaceful solution.

Clearly, you have taken the hate literature of Arab propaganda and mistaken it for truth. Show me one example of the "rapes" you say occurred by Israeli forces against Arabs. Even one. There have been lots of Arab "big lies" but they're just that. It's too bad you swallow that garbage whole.

A thinly veiled attempt to accelerate the process of destroying Israel. No wonder Carter - Israel's nemesis - is leading the way. Carter is sympatheic to both Hamas and Hezbollah, and despises Israel. Also, no surprise that the weird Wesley Clark is along for the ride.

Arabs, including Israeli Arabs try to present a unified opinion, but truth be told, there isn't one. There are as many opinions as there are people living in a democratic nation, like Israel. Sure, there are problems, like in any other group - crime, poverty etc. That goes for any minority group, including Jewish immigrants, like the Ethiopian Falash Mura and others. However, bottom line is that Israeli Arabs are full members of Israeli society, not fifth column like the Palestinians in the Arab lands. That was a choice made by them, to live in the past. What about the Jews from the Arab lands - why did they move on? That's what some Arabs think, not just in Israel. The cannot say that loud but they think that. They (and I mean the Arabs outside of Israel) envy us (Arabs inside Israel) because of the lifestyle and the opportunities we (the Israeli Arabs) have in Israel. By the way Israeli arabs and druze serve in the IDF with pride and fight for Israel.

Mr oe Miss "Israeli Arab".... There is no way on earth that people will believe that you are an "Israeli ARAB"... your writing seems to be a text book copy from the Israeli secret service, or an extreem right wing zioinst propaganda machine. Even Israeli jews would not say the things you have said, and there are plenty of decent Israli Jews who idetntify themselves with the plight of the Palestinians ,and support the pals even more than some sections of the Arab world. I think you are giving yourself away easily, through your very unsophisticated drevil. whoever is deploying you is not doing himself any justice. Thw world does not need intelectually backward people like you.... There are decent Israeli jews all over the place, and it is those decent people that matter. Shalom/salam/peace to all the peace loving people

To JJ, Highlander and others who think that Arabs have one identity and think the same way - You have to understand Arab culture much better than superficially. First, what is often said or printed as representing the "Arab opinion." There are many Arabs and many opinions. Having said that when I refert to "we" and "they" I make a distinction about Arab identity. I identify myself first as an Israeli and also as an Arab. I am Israeli by birth and upbringing but I am also Arab by culture. Its a combination of two. So when I refer to "they" I refer to the Arabs who left Israel. True, there may have been some attacks by individual Hagannah groups that acted outside of their responsibilities. These were not a professional army but mostly a group of civilians. On the other hand, many Arabs supported and even fought alongside them against the other Arabs. You have to understand the history of Arab clans and their relations with each other.

Those ex-leaders have nothing to do and have come out with it because they were bored. Most people are not thinking of the pals nor consider them to be their concern.

there will be no "breakthrough" - the mindset of the Zionists is too extreme. peace will be forced on Israel.

There's a lot of cynicism here about the possibility of a peace conference, and that's understandable, but it could work at this point. The Pals are in a pretty desperate spot, but then so is America in Iraq and Afganistan, and Israel had a nasty surprise in Lebanon. Consequently all sides are probably more aware of their weakness and more prepared to compromise than in a long time. Having said that, a peace conference will only work if the US is prepared to play the role it did at Dayton. That is, it must let politicians from all sides know that rejecting a peace deal is not an option, and that attempting to do so would entail dire consequences, and it must be prepared to communicate thet to Israel, just as much as to the Arab states. Then lock all the politicians in a room and don't let them out until there's a deal, even if they get no sleep.

Dont bet on it. They have nothing better to do and want to be in the media. If they really cared about the world problems, they would be in places like Darfur

LED BY THE BIGGEST LOSER OF ALL TIME THE WORST OF 43 USA PRESIDENTS THE JIMMY CARTER OF PEANUT FAME

I doubt that Israeli Arab from Haifa is an Arab. He/she refers to Arabs as "they" and "them" as opposed to "we" and "us". And that old familiar reasoning that the Arabs left on their own back in 1948, they made a stupid decision so why should they expect to return is not your typical Arab reasoning. That aside, a summit is simply not a realistic path to take right now. Of course, everyone hopes that another Mardid or Oslo breakthrough will occur but look where that has gotten us. Not only is everyone back to square 1 but probably worse off than pre 1990. Palestinians and other Arabs (even other Moslems) are still hoping that Israel will disappear and trying hard to make this a reality. They need to come to terms with Israel's presence, particularly her immediate neighbours. Only then can any sort of dialogue lead to an improvement to the current situation.

You should put pressure on the pals so they recognize Israel and stop attacking it. Otherwise, don?t mess around because you mean it is the same the terrorists and their targets.

'"The Arabs were never forced out of Israel. Those who stayed are part of Israeli society like any other group. The ones who left thought they will ride back into Israel on the back of Arab tanks. That was their choice. They have no right to return or to be compensated for the stupid choices their grandparents made"'. Are you calling Benny Morris and other similar Israeli Social Historians liars? The mass killings, bombings, rapes etc didn't happen? These days there are many 'Jewish' and non-Jewish sources available which document that which you are refuting... ... Are you new to this forum? You've missed what has been posted it seems not to mention all the LITERATURE which addresses quite succinctly and candidly 'data' contrary to your own asertions.

135 former presidents, prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers and others ..... is magnificent. But what is squeaking noise - there is cheering and hope, but is strange noise like whining ? Ah, is Zionist - howling with fear at prospect of most unZionist idea of peace.

There is no unified Arab opinion or Arab leader who can speak for the Arabs. A new group rejects any agreements a previous group made. There is responsible Arab or Pelestinian leader who has the authority and the support and ability to make permanent agreements. While the world intellectuals amuse themselves with rhetoric Iran and Syria spread hate, violence, terror and weapons. Its time for those leaders to stand up for Israel's right to exist and against Hamas. Financially and politically starving Hamas until they recognize Israel is a good start.

For peace must come with Justice , there must be consequences to Arabs-Pals terror agression against Israel who time again sinceres good will gestures are responded by Arabs-pals murderous conduct. All Talks of Pals state may sounds fine but is not the core issue of Israel- Arabs-Pals conflict , Existential issue under territorial made up excuses , beside that no talks mention an end to hostilities before and after any agreement . Moreover the fact that Israel is a state of Law therefore cannot justify act of violence , terror , murder ect ... skip justice under excuses of whatsoever agreements and Israel should therefore bring Justice to murderous Arabs-Pals barbarism . That's why Peace must come with justice before and after any agreement with a cessation of hostilities before and after any signature . If lawlessness is part of 100 ex-world leaders thinking , than think twice again before trying different postures against Israel . Cheap ,frivulous and dangerous Populism

Of course, the cry is for instant resumption of aid to Hamastan, without a parallel requirement that warfare against Israel cease at the same time. Likewise, this crew has numerous, detailed demands for what Israel must give to Palestinians, Syrians, but offering only vague, feeble assurance of what "security" and "recognition" for Israel would look like, or how it would be achieved. A Translation of this group's real message: there are a billion Muslims and Arabs, and only 10 million Jews, and therefore the "crisis" as they define it must be settled on Arab terms for the greater good of World Peace. Who do these clowns think they're fooling? Golan Heights was a hot spot of attacks on Israel for the 20 years it was part of Syria, virtually quiet for subsequent 40 years it was part of Israel. Vast majority of PA residents state unambiguously that destroying Israel, not statehood for themselves, is their goal. These alleged "leaders" know this. They're "ex-leaders" for a reason!

The Arabs have a choice if they want to live in peace with each other and Israel or focus on destroying themselves. They know they can never destroy Israel but continue to fool themselves into thinking that is possible. The Arabs were never forced out of Israel. Those who stayed are part of Israeli society like any other group. The ones who left thought they will ride back into Israel on the back of Arab tanks. That was their choice. They have no right to return or to be compensated for the stupid choices their grandparents made. Millions of Jews were forced out of may Arab and Muslim countries and insteand of living in UN refugee camps they chose to build a modern society. Indeed they have something to learn from the Israelis. No Israeli Arab ever wants to live any other country because only in Israel are they respected and women have rights.

So why would they stop? Palestinians get endless attempts to create their own state and Israel gets endless attempts to destroy its state. How fair. For once they should apply equal standards to Arabs and Jews, rewarding truthfully peaceful Muslims not terrorists that claim to be moderate. Finally, why focus so much on the Palestinians? There are more than enough other Arab countries in the world that Israel should establish peace with before the Palestinians and they are far more willing.

Not the idea, but the wording in introducing the idea. This idea is old and has been presented more times than can be counted. Infact, it's almost impossible to enact once the details begin to be explored. However, the spokesperson said something interesting - "everyone loses, except the extremists that feed off of the rage". If this is true, then it means we finally have a common ground in which to meet. Terrorists are bad people, and since they will not stop at anything to reach their agenda, we're ALL at risk! However, if we waited until everything is perfect, like poster #3 suggests (and like many Pro-Pals suggest before they reform), then nothing will ever get done. And we can't afford that anymore.

Hamas does not want peace, (last poll) only 46% of the Palestinians want a two state peace. Hizbollah operates outside all international and national law in Lebanon and also wants to destroy Israel. Iraq is a war amongst Arabs and Moslems, because the people are unable to live together peacefully without being pacified subjects to a dictatorship. What exactly will peace conference "jibber jabber" do about the reality of all this. Nothing. A peace conference is the delusion that an illusion is an effective answer to all the mistakes that have been made by so many for so long (and that means all those guilty men who signed off on the idea).

why try to make peace with 'terrorist group A' when 'terrorist group b', 'c', 'd', etc are fighting each other and won't recognize any of the others' commitments? no wonder the ex-world leaders are ex-world leaders.

These are people with sense and knowledge of the world. Shame Rice won't listen to them, as she wastes her and other people's time touring the Middle East peddling the same old White House garbage. Maybe she needs the frequent flyer miles. That's all she'll get out of it.

is rolling, God help it pick up speed.