Spanish PM: We'll do anything for peace
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose country will serve as next EU president come January, assures Israeli President Shimon Peres that Spain will be 'balanced' and work towards peace in Middle East
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met with Israeli President Shimon Peres Thursday at his residence in Jerusalem. The two discussed the regional peace process and the Goldstone report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, with Spain about to take on the rotating European Union presidency in two-and-a-half months' time.
During their meeting, Zapatero assured Peres that Spain will be balanced and impartial and will show understanding, both to the Israeli interest and the Palestinians interest.
In a statement given after the meeting, Zapatero said that when Spain receives the EU presidency, it will not look aside and let the six months pass without doing any work. He said Spain will do anything it can for peace, adding that this is a major goal and the international community is looking forward to it.
Zapatero was 45-miuntes late for the meeting with Peres, after being held up at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum. He said he was was moved by the visit.
Zapatero in Yad Vashem (Photo: AFP)
"The Spanish people will always protect the memory of the pain and suffering of the Jewish people that resisted the Nazis, he said. He added that the Spanish government also named a Holocaust remembrance day so that the young generations remain aware of the darkest period in history.
During their meeting, Peres also addressed the Goldstone report, which accuses Israel of perpetrating war crimes in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. "We will not agree to have the anti-Israel bloc of the Arab Lead and the anti-Israel countries investigating Israel," Peres said.
"These are countries that do not care for the human rights of their own countrymen. If the Human Rights Council wants to demonstrate decency and discretion, we suggest it speak out loud and clear against Iran's calls for Israel's destruction. If I am not mistaken, the right to life is included in the UN's platform," he added.
"One member of the United Nations cannot call for the destruction of another," he continued, "This is against the international treaty."
Peres added that there is no need to probed Israel since the state carries out its own thorough investigation of any military operation, big or small.
The president told Zapatero that he thanks the Spanish government "for your position against arresting Israeli officers", and added that the State of Israel would like to return to the negotiations table with the Palestinians as soon as possible.
Zapatero on his part invited Peres for an official visit in Spain. Peres accepted the invitation.
