ISRAEL: Israeli dressed as Saudi sheikh drives through streets of Tel Aviv to promote regional peace plan

Record ID: 349505

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli dressed as Saudi sheikh drives through streets of Tel Aviv to promote regional peace plan
  • Date: 12th April 2007
  • Summary: CLOSE OF LOUD SPEAKER ON CAR ROOF WITH AUDIO OF THE BEATLES SONG "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE" MORE OF "SHEIKH" WAVING AT CROWD, POSING FOR CAMERAS
  • Embargoed: 27th April 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADTSZG0KW6R7FQ58NJVHODXX6X
  • Story Text: An Israeli group found an original way to try and bring Israelis closer to accepting a five year old Saudi plan for peace between the Jewish state and its Arab neighbours: by taking it to the streets.
    A member of "One Voice", a grassroots movement which says it aims to strengthen the position of political moderates across the Middle East, wore a traditional Saudi gown and head dress and a fake moustache and beard, and sat in a black limousine which took him around the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
    The "Saudi" convoy, carrying Israeli and Saudi flags, drove through the streets with loudspeakers playing the Beatles song "Give Peace a Chance," attracting the attention of a large number of pedestrians.
    From time to time the convoy stopped to allow the "sheikh" to wave at amused crowds. Other "One Voice" activists handed out leaflets explaining the Saudi peace plan and answered questions.
    "One Voice is a movement that is putting those moderates versus the extremists. We are calling for the end of the conflict. This is to present to the Israeli people the Saudi initiative," the peace activist dressed as a sheikh, who would not reveal his name, told Reuters Television.
    Last month Arab leaders revived the 2002 peace plan that offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full withdrawal from the Arab lands it seized in the 1967 Middle East war, the creation of a Palestinian state and a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.
    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called for a regional conference with Arab leaders, which has been seen by some Arab diplomats as a diversionary tactic.
    In a statement issued by "One Voice", the movement said Israel does not have the option of rejecting the Saudi proposal as it presents a serious basis for strengthening the moderate forces in the region and for ending the regional conflict.
    Tel Aviv residents seemed amused by the unusual style of campaigning, but some took it both seriously and positively.
    "We are all for it, we are waiting for peace for a very long time. We don't have peace in our country, it is very difficult to live this, we are very loving people and we would like to have peace for a very long time, it would be very good idea," said Hila, a resident of Tel Aviv.
    But an elderly woman refused to believe that the unusual commotion in the streets was not associated with the filming of a movie.
    "Really? He's from Saudi Arabia? I thought it was a just film. Really? No," she said with a laugh.
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