• Published 02:18 11.05.10
  • Latest update 02:18 11.05.10

Lieberman dismisses Arab threat to boycott Mediterranean summit

European diplomats said the threat constitutes an intensification of the boycott Arab countries have imposed on contact with Israel's foreign minister.

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Service and DPA Tags: Israel news

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday dismissed threats by Arab leaders to boycott next month's summit of European and Mediterranean countries if he attended the event.

Lieberman said he would travel to the early June summit of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, despite the threats.

"I intend to, and I will, be there," Lieberman, 51, told Israel Radio. "We're not forcing ourselves on anyone and we're not forcing anyone else to come."

A failure to show up would be "a slap in the face" of host-country Spain, he said.

"No one can dictate to us what team or which delegation Israel should send," he continued. "We're not boycotting anyone and whoever doesn't come - that's his problem."

The Union of the Mediterranean was initiated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to improve cooperation between European Union member states and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It would also help solve conflicts, not least that in the Middle East.

The threat to boycott the Barcelona summit, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to attend, was initiated by Egypt and Syria. They have informed both their Spanish hosts and France, which co-chairs the sponsoring organization, the Union for the Mediterranean, that Arab leaders will stay away if Lieberman shows up.

The summit was scheduled for June 8 in Barcelona by virtue of Spain's rotating presidency of the European Union.

Netanyahu has already confirmed his attendance, and Lieberman had been expected to join him.

European diplomats told Haaretz that the threat to boycott the summit constitutes an intensification of the boycott Arab countries have imposed on contact with the Israeli foreign minister, given that Netanyahu, not Lieberman, is heading the Israeli delegation. They added that there is disappointment and even anger in Europe over the Arab countries' stance.

Senior Israeli officials confirmed the threat of a boycott. "The Arabs are not prepared to be in the same room with Lieberman, or to take the risk that they would have to be photographed with him or shake his hand," said one.

The feeling at the Foreign Ministry is that the Arab threat could lead to the summit either being canceled entirely or convening at a lower level, with officials of ambassadorial rank only. If this is the result, it would be seen as a humiliation not only for Spain and France, but for the European Union as a whole.

A Spanish diplomat who is in charge of preparations for the Barcelona summit visited Israel several days ago and met with the Foreign Ministry's director general for Western Europe, Naor Gilon, to brief him on the threat by the Arab states. Gilon told the Spanish representative that Israel would not be dictated to by the Arab countries with regard to Lieberman's participation in particular or the composition of the Israeli delegation in general.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos, who will arrive in Israel Tuesday to receive an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is expected to discuss the matter in his talks with Netanyahu. Moratinos will then go to Damascus Wednesday night and meet with President Bashar Assad in an effort to convince the Syrian leader to lift the boycott threat. If Assad agrees to participate, Egypt is considered likely to forgo its opposition as well, and to be followed by the other Arab countries.

In addition to the heads of the 27 EU member countries and their foreign ministers, Spain is slated to host the leaders of all the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Israel, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, in addition to Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Photo by: Tess Scheflan
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  • 89. 0 0
    This is wonderful for everyone
    • Jania
    • 15.05.10
    • 17:23

    If Lieberman's presense at international summits causees Arabs to boycott, then Lieberman should attend every summit, conference, and forum possible. Finally, these discussions will no longer be hijacked by the Arabs and their false Palestinian narratives, and the attendees will have the opportunity to carry on meaningful discussions. Great news!

  • 88. 0 0
    i'm just saying why lieberman
    • yousef
    • 12.05.10
    • 19:15

    we know he's a big mouth racist

  • 87. 2 3
    Arab boycott
    • henry meyer
    • 12.05.10
    • 12:12

    Europa should boycott the Arabs and get rid of the hate that all the Arabic countries have toward Israel. How do you want ( SHALOM ) between countries that don't wont to meet each other in a conference.

  • 86. 1 1
  • 85. 6 0
    i'm arab and i say let him in
    • hannah
    • 12.05.10
    • 08:25

    just put fifty cameras on him at all times cause we know he's going to say something very stupid and we want to hear it

  • 84. 1 1
  • 83. 3 1
  • 82. 2 2
    Yakov Sari-Levi Jerusalem
    • We don't tell the Arabs who to choose as their ministers,we expect the same courtesy from them
    • 12.05.10
    • 07:16

    About time the Arabs grew up.Like petulant children hey think that everyone has to play by their rules.At the same time that they don't respect anyone"s ELSE'S RULES.

  • 81. 4 2
    Good one Mr.Lieberman
    • Yakov Sari-Levi Jerusalem
    • 12.05.10
    • 06:58

    It seems that you are one of the few Israeli's or Jews who are not afraid to stand up for Israel.Keep up the good work. Cheers

  • 80. 2 0
    The good news is that Lieberman is boycotted, not Israel.
    • Fortuna Benmayor
    • 12.05.10
    • 05:29

    If I were Israel, I would discretely say Lieberman's agenda doesn't allow him to participate, and then have the Arab boycotters either have to sit with the Israeli delegation, or be solely responsible for theior slapi in the face to Spain, France and the EU.

  • 79. 5 1
    Lieberman-bashers
    • Mike B
    • 12.05.10
    • 00:51

    Don't you schmucks get it? It doesn't matter who holds the post of Foreign Minister, the Arabs would boycott the event no matter who it was, it's the only trick they know.

  • 78. 3 4
    Lieberman is the right man for the job
    • Jason CO
    • 11.05.10
    • 22:06

    Many do not approve of Lieberman's bulldog stance. I find it refreshing after so many centuries of Jewish cowering. Showing weakness and uncertainty has not usually been helpful for Jews. If Arabs want to maintain their old traditions that reject equality with Jews (or Christians), then they are free to do so in their lands. But to demand that Israel be denied a chair at the Med table is tantamont to Iranian calls for elimination. Is that representative of Arab thought? I think so. So Lieberman, walk on through with a swagger. Strength and conviction suit you, and Israel.

  • 77. 7 10
    Yaakov Sullivan on Lieberman's Racism
    • South African Rabbi
    • 11.05.10
    • 22:02

    Lieberman is no more or less racist than most Russians, whether Jewish or not, so why demonize him? The answer is that leftist polemics has always been far more about smear, than evidence or understanding. Netanyahu's picking Lieberman was good for relations with Russia. He is one of their very own.

  • 76. 0 0
    The Med. Union & Mr. A. Lieberman
    • Ricardo Kolbe
    • 11.05.10
    • 21:53

    Sir, the Med. Union serves French interests as Mr. Sarkosy once mentioned. Mr. Lieberman mentioned that President Mubarak should go to hell and later he said one should stop talking of the Israeli occupation (of Arab Palestiine, the Syrian Golan and the occupied Shebaa Farms). So why should he be welcomed by the Egypt., Syrian and Lebanese diplomats at the next Med. Union get together? As soon as Israel opts for peace with her neighbours, the situation will change for the current Israeli Foreign Minister.

  • 75. 0 0
    Let them boycott!
    • Olah
    • 11.05.10
    • 21:26

    I don't like Lieberman, but then I don't like a lot of the Arab leaders either! How dare they try to dictate who Israel sends? For once I agree with Lieberman - if they don't like who Israel chooses, let them stay away.

  • 74. 3 0
    Euros should boycott Lieberman as well
    • 11.05.10
    • 21:26

    I'm so sick of Euro complicity in right wing Israeli politics. If Lieberman was a politician in say Belguim or Austria he would be in jail for incitement

  • 73. 0 0
  • 72. 1 0
    Lieberman is certainly a terrible foreign minister
    • Yםמששאשמ
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:55

    But he is our foreign minister. This is a fact, regrettable as it is, So if the Arabs refuse to attend a summit with the Israeli foreign minister, it says something about them, and not about our foreign minister.

  • 71. 4 2
    The Party line .
    • TOMY
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:50

    As most poster and reader of Haaretz , unless they are readers like me who like to be provoked , have a preformed opinion about anyone who is not subscribing to Haaretz's Party ideology . So everything here is sooo.... transparently predictable , that is Israel is always wrong and Arabs are always right , just with a very few exceptions to this norm .

  • 70. 1 0
    Chutzpa ! Arabs want to go on
    • TOMY
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:38

    Israeli foreign minister shopping . And trust me , many on this sight will understand them .

  • 69. 4 2
    Arab dictators telling Israel who can be her foreign minister
    • Cipora Julianna Kohn
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:19

    it is ironic that arab dictators, the ones practicing torture and oppression of their people, would presume to tell israel who can be appointed israel's foreign minister. arab posturing and hypocrisy are limitless.

  • 68. 3 0
    Liberman
    • George. of troy
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:08

    The only reason for this conference is to force the Arab leaders to normalise relations with Israel while itstill oppressing the Palestinians. However. The Arab leaders are scared shi-tless of their people they can't be seen shaking hands with war criminals while Palestinians suffer. But they also can't say no to their masters.the boycut is their way of saying we got our necks to worry about

  • 67. 0 0
    Lieberman has no choice to turn up
    • Ivor Biggun
    • 11.05.10
    • 20:06

    Otherwise Israel will be even more isolated than when Cleegg becomes Deputy Prime minister of Great Britain. Whoops

  • 66. 3 2
    Israel will not give in ...
    • Axel
    • 11.05.10
    • 19:40

    ... but miraculously, Lieberman will fall ill a few days before the meeting.

  • 65. 2 0
    Arabs should not get into habit of pic and choose
    • Daniel
    • 11.05.10
    • 19:37

    which Israeli official they will boycott.. Lieberman was duly elected official chosen by people of Israel and so represents the State of Israel. It just shows how phony arab regimes are.

  • 64. 3 2
    Boycotting international confreences is normally Israels game
    • Natallie Durson
    • 11.05.10
    • 19:28

    Israel boycotts any conference to do with human rights or nuclear programs. It is quite common. It is amusing to see Israels supporters knocking Arab ministers for not wanting to participate in a conference which is attended by Lieberman. All their arguments apply with equal validity for Israels boycotts of conferences. Israels supporters are totally blind to Israels shortcomings. That's why they seem so pathetic when criticizing Arabs for the same or lesser "offenses".

    • 0 0
      Another mistake by Natallie
      • Mark from Georgia
      • 13.05.10
      • 14:30

      In fact the only conference's Israel boycotts are the ones where the Arabs have baited a trap to make Israel the topic and change the agenda and true nature of the conference. Typically arrogant behavior from the Arab states.

  • 63. 2 0
    The diplomatic solution
    • Colin Wright
    • 11.05.10
    • 19:25

    Have two halls. In one, everyone else can meet, including the rest of the Israeli delegation. In the other, Lieberman can talk to himself.

  • 62. 6 1
    PUT THE ARABS INTO A SEPARATE ROOM
    • Ian
    • 11.05.10
    • 19:13

    This is a great opportunity to have a big clear out of Arab leaders. What I'd do is make sure that Lieberman does go to the summit but make a separate room available to the Arabs who want to boycott him where they can 'discuss' things between themselves.Make sure that there's a dagger provided by each seat at the Arabs' table.and lock the door. A couple of hours later look in to see if any are still alive. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

  • 61. 2 0
    Should be interesting to watch how this plays out.
    • Colin Wright
    • 11.05.10
    • 18:59

    But seriously: how could one meaningfully have a conference of Mediterranean countries if Lieberman wasn't present?

  • 60. 0 0
    Arab Boycott
    • Alexander Diamond
    • 11.05.10
    • 18:40

    Arab dictators Assad of Syria and Egypt's Mubarak have been out of touch with reality for far too long. Obsessed with their own power fantasies they think that they can apply them to democracies such as Israel and the West in general. It's time for Arab people to dispose of these political relics, stand up as free people, and join the rest of the world in striving for peace and freedom.

  • 59. 1 0
    if lieberman gets the stage so should ahmedajad
    • abdalla
    • 11.05.10
    • 18:23

    if we going to give the stage to racists

  • 58. 0 0
    if lieberman gets the stage so should ahmedajad
    • abdalla
    • 11.05.10
    • 18:23

    if we going to give the stage to racists

  • 57. 0 0
  • 56. 2 1
    Leiberman has been a complete disaster for Israel since day one, great news for us Palestinians!
    • palestinian
    • 11.05.10
    • 17:37

    Good job israeli people. Keep picking right-wing religious extremist people like Leiberman and make our PR job in front of the world a lot easier!

  • 55. 0 0
    Don't boycott the Conference, just boycott Lieberman
    • Johan Odin
    • 11.05.10
    • 17:01

    Nearly every time Lieberman opens his mouth he helps the Arab Cause, so while I would not meet or be anywhere near him during the conference, I would encourage him to attend.

  • 54. 2 0
    Picture
    • Jose Pedro
    • 11.05.10
    • 16:54

    Jpost doesn´t like Lieberman, even haaretz posted a better picture of him.

  • 53. 4 1
    No room at the inn for this illegal settler/thief
    • labhras
    • 11.05.10
    • 16:51

    Who wants to listen to this reprobate.

  • 52. 0 0
    Any Israeli would be boycotted
    • Arnold
    • 11.05.10
    • 16:17

    As I understand this is the debut of the "Mediterranean " conference. As far as I am concerned the arab countries would want to boycott any Israeli government official. It has nothing to do with Leiberman. It has to do with the fact that Israel exists on the Mediterranean.

  • 51. 2 0
    Lieberman,Free Speech and Boycots by Alan Smith who says:
    • Ross--USA
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:50

    Pehaps it might be more in the interests of the Arab states not to boycott Lieberman. After all, every time he espouses his religious nonsense in defence of the Israeli occupation and illegal settlements, all he does is demonstrate how far removed the Israeli theocracy is from the mainstream world of democratic politics.. Well Alan it seems you approve the way the Arabs and their outmoded "theocracy" versus Israel's moderate mainly secular so-called theocracy which is nothing but bunkum and you should think twice before uttering such rubbish. So,Saudi Arabia,Egypt, Syria.Lenanon is not a theocracy ? Finally your analysis is not only prejudicial toward Israel.but you are A LIER of the first order.

  • 50. 0 0
    A mess
    • Adam
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:45

    There are now several venues in place for co-called dialogue. Sarkozy is just trying to somehow involved in the middle east process as otherwise would mean marginalization of France in the middle east which is bound to happen anyway. Sarkozy is a hypocrit

  • 49. 1 0
    Lieberman
    • Ross-USA
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:41

    FM Lieberman is not a liability,but an asset for Israel that needs someone like him who voices the unpalatable truth,and is not a "shrinking violet". It is precisely why the Arabs as usual do not want to hear the truth that emanate from the Isreli FM. That is if he chooses to remind them of their failure in the regimes they follow. i.e Dictatorships throughout the whole ME. Of course they want to boycot it.If so,then they show exactly what they are all about. I rest my case

  • 48. 1 1
    Boycotts
    • D
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:39

    If Israeli delegates can walk out on Ahmadinejad at the UN, why can't the Arabs walk out on Lieberman in Spain?

  • 47. 33 12
    Lieberman
    • Ronald - New York
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:34

    Honestly, I am an Israeli/American of Soviet Origin, and I must say that I understand the Arab Nations and I believe Lieberman causes more problems for Israel does then any other politician in the Knesset. He has no idea what he talks about and how he says it, He mimicks Vladimir Putin thinking that people will be scared and Israelis will back him. Well, He is a Israeli National Security Threat and he should become the Chief of the Ashdod Police Station not Foreign MInister. He needs to calm down and understand the situation at hand.

  • 46. 14 26
    Lieberman
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:32

    Although I thought Mr. Lieberman shouldn't have been given the Foreign Ministry, nor am I a supporter of Nathanyahú's government, Mr. Lieberman is our Foreign Minister and i don't think that Arab States can demand who represents us in any ministry. If they really want peace they should stop interfering in our local decisions.

    • 1 0
      Where is your confidence.
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:05

      The arabs never decide who we have as a foreign minister or whom we vote into government, no matter what. On the other hand where the issue is, depending on what kind of retards we vote into government other nations might perceive us in a bad light and hinder international cooperation to further our interest. This clown that is currently our foreign minister gives arabs and others who might wish an easy excuse to boycott and hinder fruitful contact with israel.

    • 2 0
  • 45. 20 31
    When black is white and white is black
    • Mark from Georgia
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:29

    Again we see this attempted takeover of an international conference by the Arabs. Wanting to dictate who can come and who should stay home. Like the little boy who doesn't make the team so he takes his ball home so nobody can play. It's time for these spoiled little brats to stop putting pre-conditions on everything they do. When will the world finally stand to Arab intimidation and learn it only emboldens them to ask for more and more. If the meeting fails at least we know who to blame and it isn't Israel, it's the Arabs and their childish, arrogant and me first attitudes.

  • 44. 30 16
    lieberman Should Stay Home
    • Yaakov Sullivan
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:26

    He is a racist. He is persona non grata and Israel is bringning him only to incite. Israel should not allow him out of the country.

  • 43. 8 7
  • 42. 23 12
    Lieberman is a Bigot and the boycott does Highlight This!
    • Monitor
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:17

    The fact the Arabs are not boycotting Netanyahu, but his Moldavian racist minister, is a prime example of this.

    • 2 2
      Liberman
      • Michelle Wayne
      • 12.05.10
      • 00:03

      I think that Lieberman is like Sharon and this is what Israel needs, the Arabs are afraid of him.Good!

    • 0 0
      Liberman
      • Michelle Wayne
      • 12.05.10
      • 00:03

      I think that Lieberman is like Sharon and this is what Israel needs, the Arabs are afraid of him.Good!

  • 41. 15 31
    Go Lieberman, Go
    • José Pedro
    • 11.05.10
    • 15:00

    Arab boycott only shows their true intentions, can´t handle a meeting with their peace partners just show they does´nt wish peace, but the opposite.

    • 3 3
      Right! He should go, go go.....
      • Yaakov Sullivan
      • 11.05.10
      • 22:41

      Right back to Moldova!

    • 1 0
      What peace partners?
      • Uncommon American
      • 11.05.10
      • 23:38

      Israel isn't interested in peace. The very day after they said they would "cease building" illegal settlements for 2 years, what do they do? Start building more illegal settlements, of course! Their so-called "peace plans" are a joke and an insult to anyone with any Human decency, and far right wing racists (terrorists?) are in charge of the government. Peace partners? Don't make me laugh.

    • 1 0
      You're Joking...Right?
      • Bill
      • 11.05.10
      • 23:45

      Jose, you are the only person on the planet who would describe Mr. Lieberman as a "peace partner"...this has to be the day's funniest post.

  • 40. 53 20
    What a golden opportunity for Lieberman!
    • Logios
    • 11.05.10
    • 14:41

    Since coming into office, Lieberman set for himself the goal of "teaching the goyim a lesson" (as with the Turkish ambassador), because his ideology does not allow more constructive ideas. With this boycott threat, Lieberman can teach the Arabs a real lesson by having the conference run WITHOUT them. What a golden opportunity for him! My suggestion to the conference: Just delay it by 6 month. By them, Lieberman would be indicted in Israel for corruption (as expected), would have to quit the Foreign Ministry, and of us will be rid of him, Arabs and Israelis alike. Amen.

  • 39. 16 21
    Arab boycott
    • jake
    • 11.05.10
    • 14:24

    Arabs can be stupid. Lieberman epitomizes what Israel is really all about, once you cut through all the bullshit that is. So attend and use him to your advantage.

  • 38. 51 24
    Lieberman, Free Speech and Boycotts
    • Alan Smith UK
    • 11.05.10
    • 13:52

    Pehaps it might be more in the interests of the Arab states not to boycott Lieberman. After all, every time he espouses his religious nonsense in defence of the Israeli occupation and illegal settlements, all he does is demonstrate how far removed the Israeli theocracy is from the mainstream world of democratic politics.

  • 37. 33 52
    Who is the extremist..
    • human
    • 11.05.10
    • 13:33

    Regardless of how the Arab leaders and world media portray Lieberman, the real extremists and threats to the world are those Arab leaders. It is them that make demands and refuse to be in a room with an individual with strong convictions and beliefs. I guess no one should communicate with them as their beliefs are far more extreme. They refuse to normalize relations with Israel, demand Israel give up it`s land and weapons. They deny religious freedom, speech, and humanity by not demanding Hamas allow the Rec Cross to visit Schalit. They celebrate death and support anti-antisemitism. These same Arab countries that sit on billions of dollars of oil and pollute and destroy the earth also destroy the soul of the world by creating hate and terrorism. They were a cloak and like a magician at every turn claim a Jewish or Zionist conspiracy. They are responsible for all the wars in the middle east and for damaging the American economy. Europe needs to stand up to them and Russia needs to stop doing business and selling weapons to them.

  • 36. 56 19
    Far right-wingers are being boycotted
    • Allegra
    • 11.05.10
    • 13:21

    Appointing a foreign minister from a far right wing party supporting illegal settlements is the worse idea ever. Bibi is shooting himself and the country in the foot.

  • 35. 29 28
    Culture of freedom VS culture of terror
    • Dani
    • 11.05.10
    • 13:10

    Israel is representing in the middle east the culture of the freedom of speech customs and ideas; vice versa Arabs leaders are ruling their country with the culture of the terror and what it is the value the human life down there everyone knows it. This is the real reason for the Arabs nation to fight Israel the picture is David against Goliath. Few days ago I heard and Arab guy complain over the new security misuses at the Europeans airports, well we as European are also loosing our freedom because of terrorism threats. concluding I Europeans should care about Israel that will be considered one of the big defenders of the democratic values.

  • 34. 17 26
    The Med . Summit
    • DT
    • 11.05.10
    • 13:00

    Good for Lieberman. He does and says it as it is.

  • 33. 64 23
    There is an easy way to resolve this.
    • seth
    • 11.05.10
    • 12:44

    Spain should refuse entry to Lieberman because he is a convicted criminal, a child molester. He paid a fine after entering a guilty plea for beating a little boy to a pulp, sending him to hospital. Further, he paid damages. No country should allow such a criminal near its children. Spain should bar his entry for this reason alone. This way there would be no policy problems and Bibi could represent Israel. Having a criminal as a high official is ever a bad idea. It is even worse when a man who brutalized a child is a nation's public face to the world. Each individual Israeli really should reconsider his moral standard for election day..

  • 32. 49 26
    I wouldn't attend if Lieberman Showed up!
    • Johan Odin
    • 11.05.10
    • 11:32

    Lieberman is a open racist, so I would never attend any meeting etc. that allowed him to attend. How someone of his ilk is allowed to continue to represent Israel in an official capacity is is abhorrent in it itself, so do not be surprise if others choose to turn a bind eye to his racist agenda.

    • 0 0
      Conference
      • Claude
      • 11.05.10
      • 21:28

      to #32, talk about racism, where is your stand on Saudi Arabia. You on the oyher hand are free to call Israelies racist, and Lieberman in particular, Arabs have more freedom in Israel than they do in any ather part of the Arabian countries, so get off you Bull****.

  • 31. 36 12
    Lieberman should attend
    • Natasha Kaplinsky
    • 11.05.10
    • 11:32

    Perhaps then the decent Israelis who hold close the true tenats of Judaism will do something about the nightclub bouncer from Moldovia.

  • 30. 29 36
    '2-State' is a Utopia that can't happen !
    • Akram Zekaria
    • 11.05.10
    • 11:15

    The Arabs are full of hate & rejection ! "Lieberman: I'll attend Mediterranean summit despite Arab boycott threat" Ed. One can't find anything positive in the entire Arab History !!

    • 5 2
      #30 Adam Zakaria Short of facts
      • Ron of Fairfax
      • 11.05.10
      • 16:59

      As for hate, any people who occupy and oppress another for 43 years should expect hate, as occupied Europeans hated Germans, Algerians and Vietnamese hated the French, and Kenyans and Cypriots hated the British. Israelis are no different. For rejection: obviously you know nothing of the Arab Leagues peace plans put forward in 2002 and 2007, which Israel rejected. And worse, you know nothing of Arab history. Al-Khwarizmi, 790-850 most important work Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala written in 830 gives us the word algebra . This treatise classifies the solution of quadratic equations and gives geometric methods for completing the square. No symbols are used and no negative or zero coefficients were allowed. Abu Kamil Shuja 850-930, worked on integer solutions of equations. He also gave the solution of a fourth degree equation and of a quadratic equations with irrational coefficients. his biggest advance was in the use of irrational coefficients (surds). In al-Uqlidisi's book c.950 Kita b al-fusul fi-l-hisab al-Hindii (The book of chapters on Hindu Arithmetic), two new contributions are significant: (1) an algorithm for multiplication on paper is given, and (2) decimal fractions are used for the first time. Abu'l-Hasan Thabit ibn Qurra. 826-901. Thabit generalized Pythagoras's theorem to an arbitrary triangle. He also considers parabolas, angle trisection and magic squares.Perhaps most impressive is his contribution to amicable numbers, that is two numbers who are each the sum of the divisors of the other. Theorem. (Generalization of Pythagorean Theorem.) From the vertex A of  , construct B' and C' so that  Then  Abu al-Fath Omar ben Ibrahim al-Khayyam (Omar Khayyam) 1048-1122, was a poet as well as a mathematician. He discovered a geometrical method to solve cubic equations by intersecting a parabola with a circle. Ghiyath al'Din Jamshid Mas'ud al'Kashi,1390-1450, calculated  to 16 decimal places and considered himself the inventor of decimal fractions. Is there anything you consider your strong suit?

    • 0 0
      what ever
      • redfes
      • 11.05.10
      • 22:07

      Did you asking yourself WHY arabs are full of hatered?

  • 29. 17 16
    Don't worry
    • noor alghazali
    • 11.05.10
    • 11:07

    as usual the Arab leaders will automatically make up their minds and attend the summit .. aftereall they do only care for Israel , and pay no attention to their nation.

  • 28. 26 8
    Lieberman
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:55

    This is what happens when there is a person with no diplomatic training mingling in the diplomatic world. Diplomatic work is to keep things going not to confront.

    • 0 1
      Jan Beresky
      • Michelle Wayne
      • 12.05.10
      • 00:20

      The Arabs have trained diplomatic world??Where in Hezbollah-Hamas training camps?

    • 4 0
      Does not matter
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:14

      His lack of diplomatic training is not the big issue here, he is a thug and acts like a thug and would never succumb to any diplomatic ways no matter how much training you might give him, as proven because he is a low life thug no matter what.

  • 27. 39 19
    lieberman
    • hala habib
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:52

    lieberman is the worst thing to happen to israel. If i was israeli i would have been very sad but since i am an arab i am very happy. He single-handedly managed to destroy israels image in the west much more than all the arab efforts put together.

  • 26. 23 10
    Even Bar Rafaeli would do a better job!
    • Allegra
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:45

    Foreign relations are at an all time low because Lieberman and Ayalon are seen abroad as belonging to extremist political parties, and because they're unable to behave. They're a terrible choice. Any Israeli professional diplomat would be 10,000 times more qualified for the job. Even Bar Rafaeli would have more results than them...

    • 0 0
      Huh?
      • Chris Stein
      • 11.05.10
      • 20:03

      So what about the Arab Extremists ruling their countries, or by dint of them being Arab and Muslims make it acceptable.

  • 25. 24 25
    About mediterreanian summit...
    • Israel friend from Finland
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:41

    They dont want mr. Liebermann... hm.. and nowbody cares ( or is afraid ) when terrible Ahmaniejad of Iran talks freely in UN in New York! Well, the " endtimes", really.

  • 24. 28 39
    Arabs boycott
    • Dennisho
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:37

    Let the arabs missed the mediterranean summit. They don't contribute very much to the world anyway, except, exporting terrorism, lies, hatred, and generally anything that spill blood.

  • 23. 21 5
    lieberman excluded
    • voyager
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:33

    he's done so much to draw people's attention, now he's got a lot of people's hatred on him.

  • 22. 38 16
    this was bibis intention, when he made lieberman the FM
    • eporue
    • 11.05.10
    • 10:02

    why else did he do something that strange... it says it all about bibis "strategy"... your FM-team has only insulted everyone so far...

    • 2 0
      How strange
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:18

      And what would netanyahu profit from this except putting whole of israel in a difficult and dangerous position? Oh, you mean personal gain for netanyahu, where lieberman while given a minister post yet has no power? As he offends everyone, non-foreign ministers and officials then later actually mend and negotiate?

  • 21. 25 8
    Troubling....
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:54

    I am not a fan of Lieberman and I too think he should be replaced, but regardless of this opinion, what credit is there for Egypt and Syria to head a boycott of the Med. Summit if Lieberman is present? Are the leaders in Egypt and Syria any better? In fact, I think he'll fit just right in.

  • 20. 35 9
    I don't necessarily agree with their boycotting the conference should the little-man end up attending
    • WeCan2
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:37

    But only a complete idiot would fail to understand why! Personally, I'd go just to push his buttons to see if I could make him pop. They may actually be missing out on a great opportunity for fun and excitement. 'How many buttons pushed will make the little-man pop'.

    • 0 0
      Lieberman
      • Claude
      • 11.05.10
      • 21:42

      How many buttons more do the Arabs have to push before you wake up, they have been pushing since 1948, or have you been around long enough, or mature enough to see what is before your eyes. It is strange that a country as small as Israel is to cause such discourse in the middle east, If I were the Arabs I think they have tried and tried to get rid of them, I would immediately sign a peace treaty, and get on with life, the cost will be more than they will be willing to pay.

  • 19. 47 20
    In same room with Lieberman
    • Robin
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:32

    I will also refuse to discuss with Lieberman, his standards make me sick, he's a disgrace for Israel. (Fortunately, I don't have to!)

  • 18. 37 30
    Boycott, stay away, don't negotiate
    • IW
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:29

    In short, stay mired in the twelfth century while the world advances all around you. That will do wonders for you.

  • 17. 35 44
    boycott threat
    • Lee
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:25

    Lieberman is wonderful! Its about time that Israel has someone representing her thats stands up and not bends over. The hell with the countries that threaten a boycott. They have been making the threats before Lieberman and will be making them long after as well. Why should the arabs get to dictate who represents Israel. Do they even recognize Israel as a Jewish country?

    • 16 32
      boycot threat
      • Richard/ISRAEL
      • 11.05.10
      • 14:48

      Who the hell cares about the useless Arab countries who will boycot if FM Lieberman attends?Do those dictatorships should look into their Islamofascism first rather than demonize Israel's FM. They offer nothing but jihadism.Methinks how come they object not when thet attend sesions when Ahmedinejad is present.All smiles and kissing ugh sickening. To the ones who object of Lieberman calling him th ebouncer shame on you. You don't like him?Fine by some of us who prais him for his outspokeness and truthfulness.And that is why the arabs all.. cannot stomach hearing the truth tough luck.AND WHO ON EARTH WOULD WANT TO SHAKE THE VIPER'S hand anyway. Mr.Lieberman take no notice of the haters here,or the Arab world.They are JUST HYPOCRITES.

  • 16. 40 12
    Pls keep Lieberman....
    • AAssaf
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:23

    He projects the soft side of Israel and chooses his words carefully..... He is a great diplomat !

  • 15. 39 30
    How abou the holocaust denier?
    • MAXS
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:19

    Lieberman out but the man who wrote his PhD thesis proving that the holocaust didn't occur is welcomed everywhere. Who is this man--The Palestinian PM of course.

    • 0 0
      Wrong quote
      • Mordo
      • 11.05.10
      • 19:22

      The man you describe as holocaust denier is the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. He is said that he presented his thesis in Moscow during USSR era.

  • 14. 29 34
    ARAB BOYCOTT NOW REBRANDED AS THE LIEBERMAN BOYCOTT
    • earl
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:12

    The Arabs can stay home. I hope Lieberman attends the summit.

    • 3 1
      Wrong way
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:22

      This is not the way to ensure israels future by creating and keeping enemies everywhere. This lieberman thug even succeeds into making long friends of ours to keep distance or force their hand.

  • 13. 21 14
    Lieberman
    • arthur Finn
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:07

    Can’t think of many people I dislike and distrust more than Lieberman. However, I don’t like any of the Arab leaders of Arab states except maybe Morocco. Can we talk when your enemy chooses the participants?

  • 12. 58 41
    lieberman is less racist & more democratic than them
    • matt
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:04

    i think the real reason arab states don't want lieberman to come is that, as bad as they make him sound, he's still far and away more reasonable and moderate than any of them are. sure lieberman has serious issues, but it's nothing compared to even the most moderate arab state out there. sad but true.

  • 11. 54 33
    ARABS bitting off their nose in spite.Do they want peace or points
    • PETER SM
    • 11.05.10
    • 09:04

    scoring with their brothers?

    • 2 1
      huh?
      • ravi
      • 11.05.10
      • 18:52

      does israel want peace... by peace i mean a fair peace? sadly peace for israel means wanting to have their cake & eating it too.wont work that way. liberman is just a symptom of the disease afflicting israel

  • 10. 27 17
    Finally,
    • Karim
    • 11.05.10
    • 08:52

    Lieberman is the only person in this world that is stupider than Bush. He need to be Replaced IMMEDIATELY he watch Israel's image being ruined all over the world and He did NOTHING

  • 9. 22 26
    attendance
    • colin
    • 11.05.10
    • 08:26

    The foreign minister of Israel MUST ATTEND THE MEDITERAIAN MEET. If the arab states want to boycott the meeting it can only be for the good of the mediteraian states.Who needs the islamic ideas in this modern world (sorry the islamic president of the usa is pushing the muslim trait) He will do anything against jews and Israel

  • 8. 24 31
    Mr. Lieberman, I didn't vote for you but your place is in the conference as a government minister...
    • Jehudah Ben-Israel, Qatzrin, Israel
    • 11.05.10
    • 08:26

    ...of the nation-state of the Jewish people. If others don't like it, it is their problem, not ours.

  • 7. 18 16
    Lieberman
    • stockholmer
    • 11.05.10
    • 07:58

    If the Arabs will be allowed to decide who is the appropriate person to be Israels foreign minister then better not to go to the meeting. Do someone else decide who is theirs? Hutzpa is the word! There are none so blind as those who don`t want to see.

    • 1 0
      Oh my
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:25

      Its not about deciding who is to be foreign minister, its about not wanting to discuss anything with this thug. He is a hindrance to israels interests.

  • 6. 16 15
    Lieberman
    • stockholmer
    • 11.05.10
    • 07:54

    If the Arabs will be allowed to decide who is the appropriate person to be Israels foreign minister then better not to go to the meeting. Do someone else decide who is theirs? Hutzpa is the word!

  • 5. 28 30
    Let them boycott
    • B
    • 11.05.10
    • 07:45

    Lieberman is one of the few Israeli leaders who doesn't follow false metaphors and says what needs to be said. G-d bless him.

  • 4. 30 30
    Lieberman is the key to success
    • jochai
    • 11.05.10
    • 07:36

    Lieberman will tell the Arab leaders things they otherwise have no means to learn,because they kill everybody , that says those things. I wonder why they are so afraid of Lieberman.

    • 25 21
      Liberman
      • Pal
      • 11.05.10
      • 13:23

      because he is just an animal , why we have ti talk to an animal. otherwise he will do his best to shake hand and tell later look we have shaked hand with ur leader. we fed up with barbaric and mean behaviour. Simply we dont trsut jews. get it man

    • 24 19
      Nobody outside Israel fears Lieberman
      • Robert
      • 11.05.10
      • 14:15

      But everybody, really everybody in the international community at least derides if not even hates him. Lieberman is - and I say this as jew and Israeli - one of the worst antijewish caricatures G_d could have created. I'm serious about it: he posseses most characteristics of what makes out the historic antijewish preconceptions. People like him are the worst enemies of Erez Israel and the best ally of all antisemites nowadays.

    • 12 9
      Yes Lieberman is key to success.& Arabs are afraid !!
      • JOSH --ISRAEL
      • 11.05.10
      • 14:59

      Afraid because Lieberman tell the truth,and to them it is not acceptable.That is why they want to boycot the meeting.If so,good luck,who needs them anyway. Mr.Lieberman you are a courageous man who does not mince words and informs all what ma lay behind the lies perpetrated by those Arabs who no doubt are AFFEARED! Kudos to you FM Avigdor Lieberman.

    • 2 0
      Robert
      • The Teacher/Instruct 11.5.10
      • 11.05.10
      • 16:02

      You're too foolish for any comment.

    • 3 0
      Robert
      • Bobby G
      • 11.05.10
      • 16:49

      What's the matter, Robert, afraid to hear the truth ?? Lieberman speaks the truth, and a large segment of Israelis agree with him and telling it the way it is.

    • 1 0
      To Robert who thinks not with his head,but with his behind.why?
      • Richard /Istrael
      • 11.05.10
      • 17:36

      Because what happened before Lieberman came on the scene Robert dear fellow?Was everything hunky dorry,and we were loved by the arabs and world community? When you say:he posseses most characteristics of what makes out the historic antijewish preconceptions. People like him are the worst enemies of Erez Israel and the best ally of all antisemites nowadays. That is why I asked if that is your assumption what occurred before he came on the scene,please elucidate. I think Lieberman is our salvation in many ways.He does not flinch in telling the truth. if you approve it not,tough.We have got him,we will keep him-for he is the only voice that counteracts the besmirching Israel from our enemies.

  • 3. 15 17
    liebermann
    • Tamás
    • 11.05.10
    • 07:17

    Arabs boycot Lieberman.The background is clear: simple and rediculous propaganda. Is there any time when they are ready to boycot anyone who is committed to destroy the state of Israel?

    • 1 0
      Faulty logic
      • Oriv
      • 12.05.10
      • 01:28

      By boycotting lieberman and all the easy excuses he gives everyone to put him in bad light, he is used as a tool to isolate israel and force a solution upon her. You racist nuts do not think further other than he is making a mockery out of everyone, why don't you also consider the consequences of this mockery and in what light he puts she whom he is supposed to represent.

  • 2. 25 22
    Liberman is Israels foreign minister & its not for arabs to dictate who Israel can send
    • zionist forever
    • 11.05.10
    • 06:55

    If the arabs want to boycott the summit because Israel has sent its foreign minister thats up to them but they are in no position to decide who Israel is or is not allowed to send to this thing. The arabs don't run Israel & they don't get to appoint ministers in Israel even if they would like to think they should. Bibi send Liberman even if its just to send a message to the arabs you will not dictate to us.

  • 1. 82 62
    Liebernman has got to be replaced
    • MIKE
    • 11.05.10
    • 06:26

    It's the job of the FM to make nice to the other countries. This guy everybody hates. Replace him. Bar Rafaeli would be a better choice.

    • 25 22
      Strength and clarity
      • Yonatan
      • 11.05.10
      • 06:57

      It is the job of the foreign minister to represent the policies of his/her country to the world. Israel never got anywhere by making nice. Making nice is nothing but a sign of weakness in that part of the world. He merely says publicly what most Israelis believe, and he speaks with strength, logic, and clarity. something that works even in the delicate world of diplomacy. He is not afraid of his, or rather, Israel's shadow.

    • 23 38
      ARABS
      • gideon ben yoash
      • 11.05.10
      • 07:47

      you are as stupid as any leftist. lieberman is nationalist he love israel contrary to you and mike do not make a choice for us keep your big mouth /....

    • 13 17
      Football for FM
      • Matt
      • 11.05.10
      • 09:16

      Then why don't we just nominate a football for FM? That way, there doesn't have to be any pretense about him (it) being kicked around.

    • 27 31
      Lieberman
      • Marc
      • 11.05.10
      • 09:19

      Why is it his job to make nice, when Arab FM have no problem not making nice to Israel. Lieberman should attend and call the bluff of the Arabs, you seriously think they won't come, let us see.

    • 11 28
      Liberman
      • The Teacher/Instruct 11.5.10
      • 11.05.10
      • 10:02

      Mike, Maybe you'd want Rahab from Jerico to take over the job ? Then she would,"make nice to other cunt ries" !?

    • 7 17
      Stupid behaviour
      • azougagh
      • 11.05.10
      • 13:49

      Arab attendants must be present with alike Lieberman and even worst guys. So they can tell them their facts, frankly and in man to man manner. Otherwise arabs will show they have no dignity nor courage. Though lieberman is as sophisticated as a bouncer can be. Are they afraid to be kicked ou like drunk troublemakers.

    • 0 0
      He was elected
      • Al
      • 11.05.10
      • 16:43

      He was democratically elected in a democratic country not apointed. Whether we like it or not it is no business of arab countries to dictate who should be our foreing minister.

    • 1 0
      So in other words, most Israelis are racist. Good to know!
      • Uncommon American
      • 11.05.10
      • 18:32

      If this is true, that Lieberman speaks what most Israelis hold as truth, then we can drop the charade that Israel is actually interested in peace, and let them slide into apartheid. Then we can finally cut all ties with that rogue nation at long last.

    • 0 0
      Again Liberman
      • The Teacher/Instruct. 11.5.10
      • 11.05.10
      • 19:16

      Liberman ! Never falter. . Never fail. Stick to your guns, And those who are against you. Well. Let them jump

    • 0 0
      Arabs
      • Illuminati
      • 11.05.10
      • 22:11

      If every country in the world were to boycott talks with Arabs in general how would it feel???when it is them, their children and women killing people at will and or recklessly.

    • 0 0
      1# Mike
      • Michelle Wayne
      • 12.05.10
      • 00:41

      FM to be nice to whom? Arabs? They are the ones who are boycoting, nobady ells.You hate hom yours problem, don't speack for others.Lieberman is one of the best ministers in Israel and the Arabs are running for cover, they can't handle him