Russia: Israel election results must not harm peace process
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Israel, said Moscow is pressing Hamas to engage in talks.
By Barak Ravid and The Associated Press Tags: Russia Hamas Israel newsRussia's foreign minister on Sunday called for Israel to not let last week's election results freeze the peace process, if a government dominated by the right-wing takes over.
"Russia sees great importance in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Israel must "preserve the momentum of the diplomatic process in spite of the results of Israel's elections."
Lavrov also said that Russia is planning a Mideast peace conference for the first half of this year.
Lavrov said that Moscow has diplomatic channels with Hamas and is pressing on the militant group to engage in peace talks with Israel, but that their leaders are not all of the same opinion.
Lavrov added that Arab nations and Israel will be invited to the conference.
He said the conference will be a continuation of U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks restarted in 2007, and an Arab peace initiative.
Lavrov is visiting Israel. He told President Shimon Peres on Sunday that he hopes the new Israeli government will renew peace talks.
According to a statement, Peres responded, "Our hand will always be extended in peace, but we cannot accept a situation in which rockets are fired at our citizens."
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