'Arab nations must get off the fence'

"You must support the Annapolis process and Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas). Sitting on the fence is not helping here," Foreign Ministry Director-General Aaron Abramovich urged the

world's Arab nations on Saturday.

Speaking at an international conference in Morocco organized by the Amadeus Institute, an independent Moroccan think-tank, Abramovich called on representatives from the Arab world taking part in the conference to work towards normalization of ties with Israel.

Israel took part in the conference alongside delegations from Lebanon, Morocco, Gulf nations, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League participated in the conference. Various European countries were also represented, Spain by its foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos.

Israel was represented by four top Foreign Ministry officials, led by Abramovich, as well as former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, who was invited in a private capacity.

Abramovich also discussed the Saudi peace initiative, referring to it positively and saying aspects of it should be taken into serious consideration.

The Israeli delegation reported being warmly received by their hosts and fellow guests, and members of the delegation granted interviews to local media covering their visit.