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Last update - 16:14 12/05/2008 13 heads of state, 3,500 guests - and one Shimon Peres By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Shimon Peres, Israel  U.S. President George W. Bush, former British prime minister Tony Blair and media mogul Rupert Murdoch are among the 13 heads of state and 3,500 guests expected to attend President Shimon Peres' Presidential Conference in Jerusalem. The conference, which begins Tuesday, is being held in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary. (Details on the Facing Tomorrow Conference are available on Haaretz.com.) Advertisement The conference will bring together people from vastly different fields at the capital's International Convention Center, in what has been called "a celebration of Jewish intellect." Discussion subjects in panels and workshops are to range from medical ethics to "Why the new Middle East is not yet here." The conference budget, $21 million, has been entirely provided by Jewish donors from Israel and elsewhere. U.S. billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who is close to MK Benjamin Netanyahu, contributed $3 million and was named honorary conference president. In the days leading up to the conference, it has been impossible to find any suites in Jerusalem hotels - eight hotels in the city are already fully booked. The International Conference Center, where the opening ceremony will take place, has undergone a massive remodeling. Hundreds of attendants have been hired to cater to the distinguished guests' needs, and a number of special teams have been formed by the Foreign Ministry in order to escort some of the world leaders that will arrive. Fifty representatives will be on call to answer the press' questions, and 400 hotel rooms have been booked for journalists. The organizers of the conference are hoping that Peres' stature will not be overshadowed by the investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert is scheduled to speak to the conference twice. It is not clear whether the publication of the suspicions against Olmert will result in a change of plans. Ex-U.S. diplomat analyzes threats to Israel in run-up to conference In a run-up to the conference, former U.S. deputy secretary of state and treasury Stuart Eizenstat was to present on Monday a position paper on Israel's future to the conference's participants. In the paper, Eisenstat analyzes the main geo-political trends that threaten and effect Israel and the Jewish world. The paper includes ways in which to deal with these issues as well. The first trend Eisenstat discusses is a shift in the world's economic and political power, as the United States will soon no longer be the lone super power. Eisenstat remarks that other players, such as India, China and Russia, will soon become much more influential. The second trend Eisenstat writes of refers to both globalization and the "Clash of Civilizations". The third is the rise of the radical Islam and terror groups. The fourth is on "untraditional" dangers such as nuclear proliferation, global warming and demographics. The fifth and final trend is the rise of a new form of anti-Semitism which is mixed with anti-Israel sentiments. "All these main trends will be most challenging to Israel and the Jewish world," summarizes Eisenstat, "but Israel is in a good position. The economy is strong, Israel has an excellent military and the kind of creativity that turns these challenges into opportunities." In order to take advantage of these opportunities, Eisenstat believes Israel must fight the brain drain and invest heavily in education. He adds that in order for Israel to preserve it's Jewish and Democratic identity, it must have internationally accepted borders. Related articles: Organizers hope Olmert probe won't cast shadow on Peres conference Jewish issues to take center stage at Peres conference Facing Tomorrow: The Israeli Presidential Conference Bookmark to del.icio.us   A few good celebs Some of Hollywood's top guns congratulate Israel in a clip played in Times Square. Chosen, shmosen 'Religion is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions,' wrote Albert Einstein.   1.   Hmmm! More money from rich Americans! 10:32  |  Motic 12/05/08   2.   Aside from Bush... 10:35  |  Sherlock Holmes 12/05/08   3.   The real issue 10:41  |  Ben Azai 12/05/08   4.   When are heads of state going to show some moral appitude? 10:57  |  Dutch 12/05/08   5.   Re Motic #1....as one sleuth to another... 11:16  |  Esther 12/05/08   6.   Since none of them recognize Jerusalem as Israel`s capital 13:58  |  Nat 12/05/08   7.   Heads of state??? 13:59  |  Sherlock Holmes 12/05/08   8.   To the sleuths Motic and Esther 14:33  |  S 12/05/08   9.   Eisenstat sells common sense as `analysis` and forgets the 15:12  |  Charles 12/05/08   10.   With friends like these ...who needs anything 17:15  |  Sal 12/05/08   11.   Dutch it is a Pleasure to Read of Your FRUSTRATION 17:56  |  Gil 12/05/08   12.   Is peace impossible 02:32  |  Dan Chazan 14/05/08

Read & React Ahmadinejad predicts Israel will be 'swept away' by Palestinians Responses: 136 Woman, 70, killed as Qassam strikes Negev home Responses: 314 Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting Responses: 86 Israel mulls moving Gaza crossings east to dodge rockets Responses: 224 Bush to Haaretz: PM is 'honest guy' and strategic thinker Responses: 90 Rosner's Domain "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Not winning the war on terror (WTR) Interview with Bush: the transcript Rosner's Guest: The Jewish story in 6 words Obama: Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea (WTR) More Headlines 02:40 Police quiz U.S. tycoon Sheldon Adelson as part of Olmert probe 03:16 Olmert: Understandings reached in talks with Palestinians 02:41 Dennis Ross, Daniel Kurtzer slam Bush's Mideast policy 01:47 Video shows officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range 02:52 Tom Cruise, Ben Stiller wish Israel happy anniversary 22:27 Polish Pres.: Israeli youth should learn Poland not to blame for the Holocaust 19:43 Oscar winner Voight to Qassam victims: 'You're on the front line' 03:15 MK Orlev wants to end former MK Bishara's retirement payments 20:30 Fayyad: Israel shouldn't celebrate independence until peace deal signed 22:56 Israel mulls moving Gaza Strip crossings east to dodge rockets 03:00 Welfare Min. launches plan for savings accounts for every Israeli kid 19:02 Einstein: Nothing 'chosen' about the Jews, Bible 'childish' legends Previous Editions Select Day 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr

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