WEF Dreams And Palestinian Realities
The rosy picture that US and Israeli officials are trying to portray at the World Economic Forum is viewed skeptically by a grieving couple who were unable to see the wife's dying mother.
![Israeli President Peres shakes hands with Palestinian President Abbas as U.S. Secretary of State Kerry looks on, at the King Hussein Convention Centre, at the Dead Sea Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) looks on, during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa at the King Hussein Convention Centre, at the Dead Sea May 26, 2013. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTX10258](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/05/1-RTX10258.jpg/1-RTX10258.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=2-c3ApV8)
On the same day as the World Economic Forum was holding its dramatic closing session with back-to-back speeches from President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Shimon Peres and US Secretary of State John Kerry, I was mourning the passing of a dear friend's mom.
Abbas reiterated the Palestinian government’s total commitment to peace and security, practically begging the Israelis to allow his local police to receive the small shipment of arms that has been rotting in Jordan for years. Peres, the president without much power, contradicted his own prime minister by embracing the Arab Peace Initiative and begging the Palestinians to come to the negotiating table, where they are bound to be surprised.