Israel and the Middle East – Leaders Talk About Security and Economics

Leaders from Israel and other countries around the world are participating.

 

A year after the launch of the "Arab Spring" in this region, the convention is discussing the balance of Israel's security strength, but also global economical issues.

 

The first of the speakers opening the convention was the president of Israel, and the last speaker closing it was the United Nations Secretary -General who is currently on tour in the Middle East.

 

[Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel]:

"It has become clear that the world as we know it is vanishing rapidly and as yet, we cannot decipher its new character. International frameworks have become weaker, and governments have lost their strength. Nationality is in regression, globality is speeding forward." 

 

[United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon]:

"The Palestinians must engage seriously on situating. The Israelis must engage seriously on territory. The world is ready to help Israel to security just it is ready to help Palestine to establish a nation so long overdue."  

 

Each of the countries in the Middle East has been affected by the global economical state as well as from the crisis in Europe. 

 

What should Europe do in order to get out of the crisis?

 

[Robert Zoeklick, President, World Bank]:

"Germans that for sixty some years have demonstrated their role as a committed partner in Europe would now have to take a leadership if that Europe has to be saved."

 

Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan did not make the convention, but addressed the participants via a video recording, winning their applause at the conclusion of his speech. 

 

[HRH Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal, Prince of Jordan]

"I want to tell you very honestly and frankly what I feel about this conference. If its focus is to be on security, it cannot bring us an inch closer to security and peace in the region.

The more we spend on armament, the less we feel secure." 

 

Prince Hassan told about research that has shown that by perpetuating internal conflict and conflicts between countries, Middle Eastern countries have lost 12 trillion dollars.

 

In answer to the question of whether the countries surrounding Israel can achieve economical breakthrough, the president of the World Bank said:

 

[Robert Zoeklick, President, World Bank]: 

"People don't have to look at Europe and the U.S. as a model. There are incredible model(s) about efficiently social safety nets that Egypt and other(s) can use (such) as Mexico and Brazil " 

 

The politicians concluding remarks expressed some optimism:

 

[Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel]: 

"The best, and perhaps the only way that is left us, is to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." 

 

[HRH Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal – Prince of Jordan] 

"We need to develop a concept of our shared future. It is time to engage with the Arab awakening and his winter offshoots."

 

Reporter:Aviva Grunpeter      Photographer:Anat Markram

NTD News, Herzliya, Israel