Don't wait for peace to normalize ties, Israeli FM tells Arab states

[oberliner]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni urged Arab nations on Monday to normalize ties with Israel now, saying this could hasten the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Do not wait for peace to come before you normalize relations with us. Normalize relations now and peace will come," she said in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group.

"You have the power to change reality and to encourage the Palestinians to embrace co-existence," said Livni, who drew applause from an audience of 5,500 people packed into a Washington convention hall.

Earlier, Livni cautiously welcomed a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace deal, dubbed the Saudi initiative, that calls for the Arab world to normalize ties with Israel in return for Israel withdrawing form all occupied Arab land.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070312/wl_mideast_afp/mideastdiplomacyisrael_070312154707

[breakaleg]

1. And who is going to encourage Israel to embrace co-existence? nt

[youngdem]

2. Pfft....How's about you withdraw from the occupied territories and tear down illegal settlements ?

Livni's suggestion is hilarious. What an ass.

Normal ties are not a prize to be awarded - they are a product of work toward understanding and respect of mutual rights to exist.