The President of the State of Israel, President Shimon Peres, commented on the interview given by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, to Israel's Channel 2 news: "The Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, has proven through his deeds and his words that Israel has a real partner for peace. Abu Mazen rejects terrorism, guarantees that under his leadership he won't allow the outbreak of a violent third intifada, understands that the solution to the Palestinian refugee issue cannot be in Israel's territory and to the detriment of Israel's character, and stretches out his hand to Israel to restart negotiations."

 

"These are significant words" stressed President Peres, "we must all treat them with the utmost respect. These positions stand exactly in line with those of Israel and with the clear majority of the population, which supports the solution of two states for two peoples. This is a brave and important public declaration in which Abu Mazen makes clear that his aim for a state is only within the West Bank and Gaza, and not in the territory of the State of Israel."

 

At the conclusion to his remarks President Peres said, "Israel is a country that seeks peace and as such we should bravely stretch out our hand for peace to a leader like Abu Mazen because with him, and the brave positions he articulated, there is a real hope for peace."