News Brief

At a meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle Tuesday, President Shimon Peres said that Israel extended its hand in friendship to all its neighbors, adding that Europe had an important role to play in encouraging good relations between all countries in the Middle East.

"Israel extends its hand in peace and friendship to all its neighbors," Peres said. "We have nothing against any nation or religion, but only against terror and threats of genocide. Europe must present a clear and united stance against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who calls for such genocide," Peres added.