Shalom with Ban Ki-moon
Photo: Shahar Azran
Minister Shalom to Palestinian UN rep: Renew talks
In meeting with Arab ambassadors in New York, Vice PM says 'Israel willing to take major steps towards peace,' adding that 'Iran wants to restore Persian Empire'
"Let's resume the negotiations. You give us security and we will advance the peace process," Vice Prime Minister and Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom told Palestinian representative to the United Nations Riad Mansour Wednesday evening.
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Shalom met with dozens of envoys at the UN headquarters in New York, including the Palestinian representative, Jordanian Ambassador Mohammed al-Allaf, Qatari envoy Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser and Egypt's ambassador, Maged Abdelaziz.
The meeting was initiated by Terje Rod Larsen, president of the International Peace Institute.
Responding to the Arab envoys' complaint that Israel was not doing enough to progress the peace process, Shalom said "Israel is willing to take major steps towards peace, despite having already taken such steps in the past that did not lead to peace."
Addressing the Palestinian representative, the vice prime minister said "the previous (Israeli) government was willing to give you almost everything. Could it be that Israel is not the problem?"
Referring to US President Barack Obama's current visit to the Middle East, Shalom said "the trip is meant to embolden the moderates. I hope (Obama's) speech in Cairo will serve as an important step towards a return to the negotiating table. Israel accepts all of the agreements signed by its past governments.
"The Israeli government has declared that it would not build new settlements or expand the existing ones, but the government cannot afford to halt construction (aimed at accommodating the natural growth of the settler community)," Shalom stressed.
The minister continued to say that "Iran is trying to restore the Persian Empire. The international community must work to prevent Iran from turning into North Korea. Harsh sanctions will restrain Iran."
