Jordan's Islamic-controlled professional unions hosted Monday a conference to denounce attempts at normalizing ties with Israel, with speakers saying any such move contradicted Islam.
Arab and foreign international figures took part in the two-day forum aimed at protesting any dealings with the Jewish state which stands primarily accused of violating Jerusalem, home to Islam's third holiest site.
French philosophers Roger Garaudy, a staunch opponent of Israel, and Pierre Guillaume were among the participants who also included the former mayor of Nablus Bassam Shaqaa as well as authors from Iraq, Syria and Egypt.
"The struggle against normalization is a religious and national duty," said banners decking the headquarters of the professional unions headquarters in Amman, setting the tone for the debates inside the building.
Garaudy, guest of honor of the conference, was set to expound on the "dangers of Zionist thought over humanity."
"There won't be real peace negotiations and secure borders with Israel ... until the implementation of (UN) resolutions" calling for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab land, Garaudy told AFP.
The secretary general of Jordan's Islamic Action Front party praised the Jordanian and Egyptian people for refusing to normalize ties with Israel -- although their governments have made peace with the Jewish neighbor.
"Breaking psychological barriers with the Arabs and establishing normal relations with them remains the main objective" of Israel, Abdel Latif Arabiyat told the conference.
Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 while Jordan followed suit in October 1994. – (AFP)
© Agence France Presse 2000
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
