Close Gallery
The two leaders in Jerusalem today. Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO
Zoom Picture

JERUSALEM.-  Dominican Republic president Leonel Fernandez on Monday stressed the importance of "developing a culture of peace and tolerance" midway through his official visit of Israel, which he said looks to "consolidate" relations between both countries.

Fernandez, who today began in Jerusalem the official agenda of his three day visit, met early Monday morning with his Israeli par Shimon Peres, and thanked him for "his dedication to the cause of freedom by everybody ."“The objective of my visit is to consolidate our relations with Israel, to know more about each other."

Dominican delegation sources told the news agency Efe that the two parts mull the signature of several agreements areas such as energy, justice and agriculture, and that tomorrow, in an economic gatheing, will look into joint business opportunities.

Fernandez, the second Dominican President to visit Israel after Hipólito Mejía in 2003, visited the Holocaust Museum, where he was "moved” by the "immense suffering of the Jewish people during World War II.” “This memorial is a faithful testimony of that tenebrous moment in contemporary history."

Monday evening Fernandez will also visit the Knesset, with officials and with opposition leaders.

After the official visit the Dominican president will fly to Egypt, where he’ll be the spokesman for the ousted Honduras president Manuel Zelaya, in the Summit of Non-Aligned Nations, from Wednesday to Friday.

Share / Recommend this article: FacebookFacebook Digg thisDigg this del.icio.usdel.icio.us TechnoratiTechnorati YahooYahoo Facebook
COMMENTS
11 comment(s)
Written by: RosaLaLinda, 13 Jul 2009 11:19 AM
From: United States, Rock Hills, North Carolina
It is not my intention to offend; so if the following comments offend anyone; please accept my apologies for it was not intended as such. That being said, after reading this article, it occurs to me to ask:
Can the modern state of Israel (the one founded in 1948), with its incredibly complex history be the example of Peace and Tolerance the president alluded to?
Written by: gmiller261, 13 Jul 2009 11:25 AM
From: United States
While he is there, impeach him so he can not come back.
Written by: ElProfe, 13 Jul 2009 11:28 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa
Very Good Point Rosa La Linda.
Written by: RosaLaLinda, 13 Jul 2009 11:38 AM
From: United States, Rock Hills, North Carolina
I have great admiration and respect for the state of Israel. Some of its institutions are the epitome of professionalism and effectiveness (the IDF and the Intelligence services come to mind); but it seems that on a practical sense, its continuous survival depends, to some degree, in violating (or at least temporarily disregarding) the very same principles on which it was founded.

I won't even pretend to understand the moral dilemmas facing Israel's leaders and citizens; but one cannot but realize the unenviable dichotomy facing that nation: Ethical and Moral ideals or physical survival.
Written by: Ricardolito, 13 Jul 2009 12:11 PM
From: Dominican Republic, la Romana
RosaI think you need a Jewish statesman to answer what you ask but there are many non Jews living in Israel and I imagine that all people in Israel would like to live in peace and tolerance but it is difficult when the neighbouring countries seek publicly the destruction of Israel ..I think that all the world supports Israel except the militant Muslim states because we all recognise their right to live peacefully in the home country
Written by: ArsenioALembertJr, 13 Jul 2009 12:53 PM
From: United States, (on Sabbatical)
President Fernadez Reyna really acts like he's an international high-roller; jetting back and forth like he's the president of an indutrialized nation.
Perhaps, when he's through with all his high level multi-billion dollar business negotiations, he can find-out what happend to ????? ????? Ari Sharon? Enquiring minds want to know.
Written by: CarlosFranco, 13 Jul 2009 1:46 PM
From: United States, Brooklyn

Rosalalinda... Yes... Israel is a model.

Written by: okian, 13 Jul 2009 10:03 PM
From: United States
He should be home hailing the importance of fighting corruption within his own administration.
Written by: celin, 13 Jul 2009 10:25 PM
From: United States
I feel compelled to rebut all the neysayers out there. As a Dominican woman who has visited Israel several times. The county for all the negative publicity that the press reports is a melting pot of many nationalities. I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the county and many thousands of Israeli and Arabs live side by side as good neighbors. I do not dispute that the Palestenians deserve their State. Israel, however must always remain in a Defensive state of alert. Since its been attacked several times. The Israelis just like us are warm, friendly and giving people. Always willing to assist when disaster strikes. President Fernandez has a golden opportunity to establish a relationship with Israel that can greatly benefit both countries. The Israelis are experts in H2O disallination and energy efficiency. Quien sabe!! SHALOM to all
Written by: walnut, 13 Jul 2009 10:36 PM
From: Dominican Republic, La Romana
Maybe LF can bring some of those smart Israelis back to the DR to solve the electricity issues. Although I don't condone their politics, I do admire these peoples ability to create a modern, thriving civilization from a wasteland desert in 60 years.
Better to kiss up to the Israelis than Chavez..
Meanwhile, time to come home and govern. Let Zelaya talk for himself in Egypt.
Written by: AfroLatino This user is banned, 16 Jul 2009 12:46 AM
From: Dominican Republic, La Union
"In Israel Dominican President hails the importance of peace, tolerance."

Wow, such a contradiction in retrospect to the situation of Haiti-DR relations. Money does make people want to be your friends and peaceful huh (lol).
Post Your Comment | Not a member? Create your account | Lost your password?
Write your opinion here. Please keep your comment relevant to this article. Please note that any comments which contain offensive language or discriminatory expressions may be edited/removed.
You must log in to post a comment:
Username Password