Israel's New Leader Seeks Peace in the Middle East

Strategic Insights -

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres delivered a key address to Israeli and Arab peace activists in Cairo, where he expressed confidence in the region's new leader, Ehud Barak, and his commitment to peace. Peres stated that Barak was serious about withdrawing Israeli troops from Lebanon by next year and emphasized the need for economic and peace ties in the Middle East. He also highlighted the importance of education, trade, and technology in building a more prosperous and peaceful region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shimon Peres, former Israeli Prime Minister, expressed confidence in Ehud Barak's commitment to peace, stating that he was serious about withdrawing Israeli troops from Lebanon by next year.
  • Peres emphasized the need for economic ties in the Middle East, citing the importance of building a more prosperous region through education, trade, and technology.
  • Peres met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak earlier in the day, describing their talks as "good."
  • Peres' comments fell in line with his new position as minister of regional development in the Barak government, where he will focus on building economic ties between Israel and the Arab world.
  • Rabbi Michael Malkior, a member of Israel's religious Meimad movement and a minister-without-portfolio in the new government, stressed the importance of religious leaders in bringing peace to the region.
  • Arab participants at the peace conference expressed skepticism, with Egyptian peace activist Ossama Fatim and Jordanian Parliament member Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi calling for action from the new Israeli government.

Statistics:

  • Israel's new leader, Ehud Barak, has promised to withdraw Israeli troops from Lebanon by next June.
  • The Middle East peace groups formed a regional alliance in 1997.
  • Israeli and Arab peace activists from Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority, along with international diplomats, took part in the peace conference.
  • The conference attendees included 12 men and 6 women from Egypt, 7 men and 5 women from Jordan, 3 men and 2 women from Israel, 5 men and 3 women from the Palestinian Authority.

Sources:

  • "Former Israeli Prime Minister Doubts Lebanon Pullout," UPI, July 6.
  • "Mideast groups form regional alliance," UPI, 1997.
  • "Israel, Palestinians, Jordan, Egypt accept concessions for peace," UPI, No publication date available.