Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 20, 2009 Iyyar 26, 5769 | | Israel Time: 18:22 (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 Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  50
Last update - 22:58 04/05/2009
Peres to AIPAC: Netanyahu wants to make history by forging peace
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Haaretz TV, Shimon Peres 

In an address to the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in Washington, President Shimon Peres said on Monday that the current Israeli government seeks peace and will honor Jerusalem's previous commitments as they relate to the peace process with the Palestinians.

"Benjamin Netanyahu was at one time my political opponent," Peres told the annual AIPAC conference. "Today, he is my prime minister. He knows history and wants to make history. In our tradition, making history is making peace, and I am sure that peace is his priority."

Click here for live coverage of the AIPAC conference.
Advertisement
The president praised Barack Obama as a man capable of bringing peace to the region.

"I am convinced [Obama] has the capacity to turn the crises into opportunity," Peres said. "May I say to president Obama - you are young enough to offer hope to the world and great enough to bring it to life."

Peres also expressed satisfaction at the "u-turn" in the attitudes of Arab states toward peace with Israel as reflected in the Saudi initiative, though he did qualify his comments by saying: "Israel wasn't a partner to the wording of this initiative. Therefore it doesn't have to agree to every word."

"Nevertheless, Israel respects the profound change, and hopes it will be translated into action," Peres added. "I trust that the leadership of President Obama will pave the way to both to a regional agreement and meaningful bilateral negotiations."

"Israel stands with her arms outstretched, and her hands held open to peace with all nations, with all Arab states, with all Arab people." the president declared.

"To those still holding a clenched fist I have just one word to say: Enough. Enough war. Enough destruction. Enough hatred. Now is the time for change," said Peres. Israel is prepared today to bring peace closer. Today."

The president also lashed out at the Iranian regime for casting a "shadow of a nuclear threat" over the entire Middle East.

"Let me be clear: The fanatic rulers of Iran are on the wrong side of history," Peres said. "Actually, they are outside of history."

"We have respect for the Iranian people and its tradition. Historically, Iran sought to enrich mankind. Today, alas, Iran's rulers enrich uranium."

"The aggressiveness of the Iranian government is not limited to Israel. Indeed, they seek regional hegemony and want to control Arab states using terror and coercion."

Related articles:
  • SPECIAL FEATURE / Live blogging from AIPAC conference
  • WATCH: American officials address AIPAC pro-Israel lobby
  • Peres: Bombing Iran may not be the 'best solution'
  • Obama to meet with Peres at White House on Tuesday
  • Introducing Israel's newest TV star: President Shimon Peres
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Israel-U.S. rift
    Obama and Netanyahu still must iron out gaps in Mideast policies, say U.S. officials.
    Gaza fighting resumes
    Following more than a week of quiet, IDF bombs south Gaza in response to Qassam strike.
      1.   PM must honor previous commitments to God+Human Rts of Israel 16:53  |  Sam 04/05/09
      2.   Peres and history 16:55  |  Boris 04/05/09
      3.   Excellent! But know that peace pays, it does not cost 17:02  |  Ivar 04/05/09
      4.   If Shimon Peres would still be a "man of peace"...... 17:25  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/05/09
      5.   Peres` speech 17:31  |  WHG 04/05/09
      6.   Chamberlain wanted peace with Hitler 17:41  |  David 04/05/09
      7.   Swiss Dino #3 too bad you do not know Peres 17:44  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      8.   #1 Sam. You omitted the Palestinians. They`re human too. 17:44  |  Lou Medel 04/05/09
      9.   #7 17:58  |  newyorkone 04/05/09
      10.   Pers To Aipac 18:01  |  Steve Gure 04/05/09
      11.   Israel wants peace? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 18:05  |  Massah Veritas 04/05/09
      12.   #5 WHG same ol Israel hate it retoric 18:08  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      13.   Peace is spelled the same in Hebrew and Arabic 18:25  |  jk 04/05/09
      14.   #7 Big Sur -your fights with Dino are.. 18:26  |  Ardi 04/05/09
      15.   Massah Veritas it has tried many times here are two 18:26  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      16.   ??? 18:27  |  JK 04/05/09
      17.   2 state solution is good for IRAN! 18:27  |  Abe 04/05/09
      18.   Peres: "making history is making peace"... 18:43  |  BBSNews 04/05/09
      19.   So netanyahu--lied to his constituents. 18:54  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      20.   BBS News I am amazed you can say anything 18:58  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      21.   # 7 Big Sur, Believe me, as Ardi already pointed out...... 19:03  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/05/09
      22.   BS giving back what you stole is not a compromise 19:04  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      23.   #14 Ardi I believe you have no clue too 19:04  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      24.   Israel wants peace with Arab states, skip Palestine 19:15  |  Jaak 04/05/09
      25.   Lahbras #19 tell me did shin fein honor all of the previous Govt 19:20  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      26.   #22 Lahbras now now don`t cry you know that spoils of war etc st 19:23  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      27.   Everyone forgets how they gave out candies danced in Gaza at 9/11 19:33  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      28.   what a friggin liar 19:36  |  edgar 04/05/09
      29.   Other Than 3000 Saudi Princes & Mubarak, No Arab Believes 19:38  |  Monitor 04/05/09
      30.   Two words: Wye River 19:38  |  Harold 04/05/09
      31.   Big Sur is this the Peres you had in mind 19:39  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      32.   Big Sur What does sinn fein have to do with this discussion 19:52  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      33.   In Summary 19:54  |  Sam 04/05/09
      34.   #31 20:02  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      35.   #32 glad you figured it all out 20:03  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      36.   BS wrong again and again and again 20:09  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      37.   for the normal people in here please see this Utube 20:21  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      38.   #34 BS Wrong again--it was barak who was at fault 20:24  |  Labhras 04/05/09
      39.   The quartet road map appears now obsolete. 20:32  |  Sarah 04/05/09
      40.   WELL, OLD MAN 20:36  |  indrajaya 04/05/09
      41.   A message to Peres 20:44  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/05/09
      42.   #12 Big Sur 20:50  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/05/09
      43.   Notice his language among the platitudes 20:51  |  Yaakov Sullivan 04/05/09
      44.   His memory is perking up - 21:47  |  David 04/05/09
      45.   if Palestinians were the Obstacle for peace 21:54  |  ig Sur 04/05/09
      46.   if there is a alestinian obstacle to Peace 21:55  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      47.   #39 Lahbrasserie if what you say is true all of it 21:59  |  Big Sur 04/05/09
      48.   Sullivan - seeing ghosts 00:06  |  Lon 05/05/09
      49.   Netanyahu want a war to secure his place in Jewsih history 04:09  |  American in NY 05/05/09
      50.   not an easy task 04:43  |  oz 05/05/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    The Pope in the Holy Land
    Durban II conference
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Air strike in Sudan


    More Headlines
    18:20 'Israel ready for talks with Syria without preconditions'
    17:21 Spain nears ending probe of Israeli 'crimes' in Gaza
    17:32 Clinton: Nuclear Iran would spark Mideast arms race
    15:12 Iran: We successfully fired missile that can hit Israel
    15:33 Barak: Israel will remove illegal outposts by force, if needed
    15:56 The long arc of Israeli politics bends toward Kadima
    16:32 Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn to play Nazi hunting rockstar
    00:06 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    13:04 Edinburgh film festival refuses Israeli grant due to pressure by Ken Loach
    15:14 Report: Russia won't sell Syria fighter jets due to Israel pressure
    08:48 The distance between Gaza and the West Bank is growing
    04:51 Is U.S. media tired of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
    12:27 UN: Gaza war crimes probe to go ahead without Israeli approval
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on 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