President Shimon Peres on Sunday, 17 Sivan 5773 traveled to Jordan and will represent Israel at the World Economic Forum which is taking place on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. The WEF will be attended by heads of state, senior leaders and ministers as well as business people from across the Arab world. Amongst the attendees will be the King Abdullah of Jordan, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) , US Secretary of State John Kerry and the representative of the quartet, Tony Blair. On Friday President Peres and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a working meeting at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem during which they discussed the central issues which will arise during the president’s visit to Jordan.

The closing plenary of the conference is entitled ‘Breaking the Impasse’ and Secretary Kerry, President Abbas, President Peres and King Abdullah will all deliver speeches. President Peres is expected to address the major issues facing the Middle East today including the importance of returning to negotiations between Israel and the PA. He will stress that Israel stretches out her hand in peace to all the countries of the Middle East. The plenary will be broadcast live by the World Economic Forum. During his visit President Peres will also conduct an intensive round of diplomatic meetings with senior leaders attending the conference.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)