Hizbullah: UN interfaith conference is a hoax

Spokesperson calls NY meeting a "back channel" to make Arab countries normalize relations with Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Saudi King Abdullah 248.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Saudi King Abdullah 248.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
The United Nations Interfaith Conference on Dialogue of Civilizations, due to begin in New York on Tuesday, is a back channel to force Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel, a Hizbullah spokesperson was quoted as saying on Monday. The London-based daily al-Quds al-Arabi quoted the spokesperson claiming the conference had no connection with interfaith dialogue, but rather was a hoax to coerce the Arab world into accepting Israel as a legitimate part of the Middle East. He also attacked the UN for inviting President Shimon Peres to attend the Saudi-initiated event and said that Israel should not be recognized as the exclusive representative of the Jewish people. On Friday, an official in Saudi Arabia was quoted as saying that his country had not invited Israel to attend the conference; rather the UN had issued the invitation. "The president of the UN General Assembly addressed invitations to all UN member states," AFP quoted the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Aziz Khoja as saying. Peres will fly to New York with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to represent Israel at the November 11-13 conference. Among other dignitaries who have confirmed their attendance are Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, outgoing US President George W. Bush, Spanish King Juan Carlos, Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Jordan's King Abdullah. The participants will meet to discuss Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as other religions practiced around the globe. The conference, initiated by the Saudi king, is an outgrowth of the Madrid Interfaith Conference held in July. Greer Fay Cashman contributed to this report.