Peres. Does PR in Qatar
צילום: רונן בוידק
Peres to speak at Qatar conference
Vice premier arrives in Doha, hopes to promote Israel's image
DOHA - In a rare visit of an Israeli personality to the Arabian Peninsula, Vice Premier Shimon Peres landed in Qatar on Monday to speak at a conference at Doha University.
Peres was asked to speak at the "Doha Debates" forum, an annual event taking place in Qatar's capital city, where international personalities are invited to discuss various political matters with hundreds of students.
After inaugurating Israel's official office in Doha in 1996, Peres now hopes to take advantage of this visit in order to strengthen democratic and economic ties with the country.
Peres also plans to make PR efforts in favor of Israel, and is scheduled to be interviewed on Qatar's famous news network al-Jazeera.
In a talk with reporters accompanying Peres, he commented on Monday's suicide bombing in Eilat.
"We know that there are incessant attempts to commit attacks against Israelis," said Peres. "Unfortunately, they cannot be prevented hermetically, and sadly they managed this time. The need to stand guard, especially in Eilat, the tourist city, should not be taken lightly."
"I spoke this morning with Eilat's mayor and offered my help. Unfortunately we are living in a world where even New York, Paris and Madrid are not safe and our security services are doing all they can," he added.
