On Wednesday, Jordan’s King Abdullah urged the international community to intervene in order to prevent “Israel’s provocative actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are intended to change Jerusalem’s identity.”
Abdullah met in the afternoon with EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, after which the royal palace issued a harsh criticism of the Jewish Country:
“We cannot keep quiet in face of the Israeli steps that are meant to change the status quo in Jerusalem and cleanse it from its Arab citizens – both Muslims and Christian.”
The ruler of the Hashemite Kingdom added that Jerusalem was the “red line” that should not be crossed.
Meanwhile Brazil’s president has placed a wreath on the tomb of Yasser Arafat. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the late Palestinian leader’s grave Wednesday during a trip to Ramallah. He also called on Israel to dismantle the West Bank security barrier and lift its blockade on Gaza. He said that his country condemned Israel’s decision to build an additional 1,600 apartments in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as their future capital.
The Brazilian leader said that he wishes to play a bigger role in Mideast diplomacy:
“The region is important to the world and the negotiations are in need of the intervention of new elements, and we can help with this.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians have no preconditions for returning to the negotiating table. “We simply want the implementation of international resolutions and the Road Map.”
The Palestinian president urged Mr. Silva and the international community to work towards lifting the Israeli siege on Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
On Tuesday, Avigdor Lieberman boycotted meetings with Silva because the Brazilian did not visit the grave of Theodor Herzl.
Peres called upon the delegates attending the conference to separate themselves between religion and terror and to castigate those who use the practice of religion to “kill in the name of God”. He then focused hid attention towards the Iranian delegation by telling them “Your country organizes religion to carry out violent acts, supposedly in God’s name, towards your own people – acts that are seen to be in worst criminal manner against mankind and against the laws of God.” 
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