- JERUSALEM (AFP) - Leading
right-wing figures from the United States and Israel are to hold a conference
in Jerusalem Tuesday on key issues in the Middle East, a statement said.
-
- Some 100 politicians and academics are expected to gather
in Jerusalem for the summit, which is hosted by the Christian Coalition
for Israel.
-
- Among the most senior US guests are Under-Secretary of
Defence Richard Perle, a leading neo-conservative hardliner in the Pentagon,
and Daniel Pipes, President George W. Bush's adviser on the Middle East.
-
- Several members of the Israeli government are also expected
to attend the "Jerusalem Summit", including minister without
portfolio Uzi Landau and Tourism Minister Benny Elon, from the far-right
National Union party.
-
- Issues ranging from the situation in post-war Iraq to
peace between Israel and the Palestinians will be discussed, the statement
said.
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- The gathering coincides with another one organised by
the International Christian Embassy, which saw Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon address a 3, 000-strong crowd in Jerusalem on Sunday to mark the
Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
-
- Besides the large Jewish lobby in the US Congress, Israel
benefits from the unconditional support of the Christian evangelicals,
an influential movement within Bush's Republican party.
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