Peres with Klaus
Photo: AP
President Shimon Peres met Saturday with Czech President Vaclav Klaus in order to discuss the military operation in the Gaza Strip as well as the Iranian nuclear threat.
Peres told his counterpart that during the IDF offensive in Gaza, "Hamas should have learned its lesson, just as Nasrallah did" - referring to the secretary general of Hizbullah, against which Israel fought in the Second Lebanon War.
Davos Debacle
Roni Sofer and AP
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Klaus told Peres that the Czech Republic, currently the president of the EU, was "concernedly" following the occurrences in Gaza. A statement from his office said, "The Czech Republic and the EU intend to continue to be involved and to assist both sides in promoting the negotiations for peace."
Peres said Israel plans to continue to cooperate with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He added that "Israel extends its hand to the new US administration and will work with it and the EU to promote the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians."
Peres also referred to the nuclear threat posed by Iran. "The countries of the EU and the US must form a clear and unified policy that would prevent Iran's continuing nuclear armament," he said.
"Iran is not developing nuclear (technology) for peaceful purposes, but rather nuclear long-range missiles for mass destruction," Peres added.
The president spoke at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, which he has been attending for the past week.