Israeli Parliament Sworn In, President Calls For Peace

The 18th Knesset was sworn in today in Israel as Benjamin Netanyahu continues to try to form a coalition government.

Israeli President Shimon Peres opened the swearing-in ceremony with praise for President Barack Obama and strong statements calling for peace with the Palestinians during the next term. The Jerusalem Post reports:

The president said that "distinguished Arab leaders" had told him that a peace accord with the Palestinians would be recognized as a regional peace agreement that includes Israel.

"Negotiations with the Palestinians need to continue until an accord is found," he insisted. "It stands against our principles to rule another people and it stands against our experience to be ruled by others."

The Post also reports that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was there to convey his hopes that the Knesset will last the full four-year session (the 17th Knesset fell short, dispersing around three months ago).

President Peres called on Netanyahu to form a coalition where parties across the political spectrum may have a voice: "Most of parties voiced a clear preference for a broad national unity government. This is also my request."

Netanyahu, who was appointed by Peres last week with the task of forming the new government, already has most of the Parliament on his side but still says he wants to reach out and include representatives from the Kadima Party. From Al Jazeera English:

Jacky Rowland, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Jerusalem, said that Netanyahu has so far had little success in forming a coalition executive, given that Kadima and the left-wing Labour party have played down a partnership with Likud.

"Netanyhau is really desperately trying to get Kadima and Labour on board, to take part in his coalition - particularly Kadima. He does want to get a centrist government, a broad-based government that is stable," she said.

Finally, Peres discussed the global economic crisis and its effects on Israel. He asked the Knesset to look for innovative solutions to curb the effects of the failing international economy, reports Haaretz.

"We have to find creative solutions to overcome the crisis," he said. "The weak, elderly, and young cannot wait. We have to do it right away, despite the critical issues that menace us, like Iran's nuclear program and the threats of terror in the north and the south."

Comments

[SpoonieLuv]

Unfortunately, actions speak louder than words. Mr. Peres' overtures for peace are belied by the appointment of a political and religious fundamentalist to lead the foreign ministry, not to mention the murder of hundreds of Palestinian civilians earlier this year. The United States has great potential to help Mr. Peres realize his vision for the future of the Middle East by scaling back its military aid to Israel and attach preconditions to continued economic aid (which is, after all, the lifeblood of the Israeli economy). My point is that Israel is only as powerful as the US allows it to be, and would not have carried out its attacks earlier this year if it was faced with the possibility of military and economic ruin. If we in the United States attach disincentives for Israel to carry out future campaigns of mass murder, then we have a better chance of securing Mr. Peres' hope - a lasting peace in the Middle East.

[Doris]

It's nice to read some calm and hopeful voices on here for a change.

[lainey]

Beautiful words by Peres. May the journey to peace and stability be made with a centrist Israel and a centrist Palestine. May the foolishness of extreme thinking be gone...

[Doomestic]

There is no such thing as a centrist Israel.

[Chazak]

Wanna bet? There are actually loads of centrists, even a left wing who demonstrates against the policies of their government. You see, in democratic Israel you can do that without getting arrested like in Iran.

[skialethia]

Malarky! The foolishness of extreme thinking is what got Netanyahu elected and Avigdor in 3rd place. This is all bunk, hypocrisy and denial in the making.

[Macready]

totally agree with you skialethia . . . malarky!

[ZenJu]

Skialethia, do you really want us to believe that you want "peace"? All I see in your comments is hatred, bias, and the darkness of a small soul. Whether or not it frustrates you, I'm Israeli and I'm HERE TO STAY. Most of us in Israel WANT a just and lasting peace, to live in peace with the Arab world and a Palestine that genuinely wants peace with us. Jews and Arabs CAN get along, prosper, and fluorish side-by-side. Shame on you for denying us this hope. Your pseudo-liberal propaganda notwithstanding, we will survive and, one day, I hope that our neighbours will join hands with us here.

[fbr79]

Skialethia, you do know that people can go and see all your previous comments and realize that you have no interest in peace? The Israelis could have elected an Arab PM and you would still spill out venom.