Israeli president says he hopes conflict with Palestinians ends

Published: 2004-12-30

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Israel's president told Christian leaders he was hopeful that 2005 would bring about an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence. "I believe a historical moment has opened up to put an end to this terrible conflict," Israeli President Moshe Katsav said at a Dec. 30 reception at his residence. "I hope we will take advantage of this opportunity. It may not be a very long opportunity, but it exists, and it can give hope to the people of the Middle East." At the annual New Year's reception for Christian leaders in Israel, Katsav also said he hoped the new Palestinian leadership would see the need to put an end to Palestinian terrorism so the two parties could return to the negotiating table. Katsav views the death of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat --whom the Israelis said was not a partner for peace talks -- and the Jan. 9 Palestinian election for his successor as providing the window of opportunity. He said Israel has been forced to deal with the issue of terrorism unilaterally in various forums, including the construction of the security barrier, since it has not had a partner with whom to work. He said more Israeli civilians had been killed over the past five years by terrorism than in the previous 50 years. "We don't see the Palestinians as enemies," Katsav said. "The Palestinians are not our target; Palestinian terrorism is our target."

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