Will Edelstein and Iran's Zarif cozy up at Middle East conference?
Zarif is known for his provocative statements against the United States and Israel.
By ARIK BENDER/MAARIVUpdated: NOVEMBER 22, 2018 16:26 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey, October 30, 2018(photo credit: MURAD SEZER/REUTERS)
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein departed to Rome Thursday to attend a conference on Middle Eastern affairs, in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is also taking part.Many foreign ministers from the region, including from Oman, Qatar, Tunisia and Jordan will participate in the MED conference.Edelstein was invited to represent Israel, and is expected to participate in discussions to promote cooperation between Middle Eastern countries. Edelstein will address the conference participants on Friday, including the president of Iraq and the president of Italy, with whom he is also expected to meet. Edelstein will also speak with the President of the Senate and Chairman of the Italian Parliament in order to strengthen relations and cooperation between Israel and Italy."I'm happy to represent Israel at an important meeting with many influential representatives of life in the Middle East, including representatives of countries with whom Israel has no official relations," Edelstein said before his flight to Rome. "On the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, the time has come for all of our neighbors in the Middle East to internalize that the Jewish state is a fact. We are happy to cooperate with anyone who's interested, but we will not hesitate to act against anyone who will challenge our existence "Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, is known for his provocative statements against the United States and Israel. He has claimed that "the American addiction to sanctions is out of control."Regarding reports that the Mossad helped thwart Iranian assassinations in countries such as Denmark, France and Argentina, Zarif claimed that "the Mossad is trying to incriminate us with false accusations, which only increases our ability to forge deep relationships with countries around the world."Translated by Sara Rubenstein.
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