By Stan Goodenough
Feb 24, 2009
Israeli President Shimon Peres appealed Tuesday to the new Israeli Parliament to use its term to finalize the creation of Palestine in the historical heartland of the Jewish state.
Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the 18th Knesset, the leftist elder-statesman who more than any other Israeli official has facilitated the land-for-peace process that has so damaged Israel's security, urged Israel's lawmakers to 'complete negotiations with Palestinians during this term.'
"Distinguished Arab leaders" had assured him, he said, that a peace accord with the Palestinian Arabs would be regarded as a regional peace agreement in which Israel would be included.
Israel's president is a ceremonial figure and not part of the three-tiered Israeli government structure, which is comprised of Prime Minister and his government, the Knesset or Parliament, and the Supreme Court.