JERUSALEM — Israeli President Shimon Peres plans to join the Saudi monarch at a U.N. interfaith conference this month, Peres’ office said Wednesday, raising the possibility of an unprecedented public meeting between the heads of state of the longtime adversaries.
Peres, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has spoken favorably of a Saudi-sponsored plan that calls for a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world.
A spokeswoman confirmed the Israeli president would attend next week’s gathering in New York, though it was unclear whether Peres and Saudi King Abdullah would meet separately or discuss the peace plan. President Bush, Arab leaders and the Italian prime minister are expected to attend.
Peres’ office said he hopes to bring along Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders from Israel as well.
