Israeli President Shimon Peres told a conference of pro-Israel European parliamentarians that his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak, who faces daily street protests, will always be remembered for his contribution to peace between the two countries.
In an opening address to the European Friends of Israel (EFI) policy conference Saturday night in Jerusalem, Peres declared: "In spite of all the attacks against President Mubarak, I know him for many years, throughout his presidency, and I accredit him as one of the persons who saved many lives by preventing war in the Middle East, who saved lives of Egyptians, of Arabs, of Israelis, by not allowing to renew a war."
Peres also spoke of his worries about the changes if Mubarak will have to leave the presidency.
"Elections in Egypt are dangerous. Should the Muslim Brotherhood be elected they will not bring peace. Democracy without peace is not a democracy. We fear there will be a change in government without a change in the circumstances which led to this state."
Around 400 members of the European Parliament and of national parliaments from 37 European countries, including all 27 EU member states, are attending the 3-day EFI conference.
Several former heads of state are also present at the conference, including Aleksander Kwasniewski, former president of Poland, José Maria Aznar, former Spanish Prime Minister and George Vassiliou, former president of Cyprus.
Participants will tour the country and meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.Alexander Machkevitch, president of the EFI conference and president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) told the parliamentarians that Israelis and Europeans carry the same values of freedom, democracy and social responsibility.
He stressed that in the days when Europe is unfolding a campaign of deligitimization of the Jewish state, those who see themselves as bearers of these values should show solidarity with Israel.
Those who gathered in Jerusalem clearly demonstrated this solidarity, Machkevitch said.
The conference will discuss issues like the boycotting of Israel, the threat of terrorism and EU-Israel political and economic relations.
According to the organizers, its main findings should be to reinforce relations between Europe and Israel in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, the development of mutual understanding and strengthening the partnership for peace and democracy.
The European Friends of Israel organization was established in 2006 by European parliamentarians with the mission of "forging a stronger political relationship and a deeper understanding between Europe and Israel."