Peres hopeful
Photo: Yotam Frum
Peres: If it weren't for Hamas, Palestinians would have a state
President addresses 'Facing Tomorrow' conference, says Israel has no right to postpone peace any longer
If it wasn't for Hamas, a Palestinian state would have been established by now, President Shimon Peres said
Tuesday evening at the opening of the "Facing Tomorrow" Presidential Conference in Jerusalem.
"If it weren't for Hamas, a Palestinian state would already exist," Peres said.
Hundreds of guests, including presidents and ministers, will take part in the Presidential Conference. United States President George W. Bush will deliver a speech at the event Wednesday.
During his address, Peres said Israel had "no right to postpone any longer the peace all the world's peoples wait for."
"I hear around me the sighs of an era coming to a close. Look at the promises of the future, not the threats of the past," he said.
Earlier this week, Peres said that while Hamas possesses rockets, it has no future. "It may take some time, but we shall reach a future without rocket threats," he said.
Olmert receives warm reception
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was warmly received by the crowd. In his speech, Olmert said that as PM he faces dilemmas and pressures on a daily basis, in an effort to balance between the long and short term.Olmert added that Israel's elected leaders will ultimately be judged based on what they leave behind them in terms of Israel's security situation and international status.
The prime minister also addressed the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, and said that Israel must aspire for a separation between the two peoples on the basis of two states
