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**Israeli President Moshe Katsav has shaken hands and chatted briefly with the leaders of Israel’s arch-enemies, Syria and Iran, during the funeral of the Pope John Paul II, the president’s office says. **
Katsav shook hands on Friday with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, the second time initiated by al-Asad, his office said.
Katsav said al-Asad sat one row behind him during the service. When he turned to shake hands with the nearby Swiss leader, “the Syrian president also stood there. We exchanged smiles and shook hands,” Katsav told the website of the Maariv daily.
“During the prayers, according to the Christian tradition we exchanged handshakes. During this, it was the Syrian president who extended his hand to me and we again shook hands,” he said. The Iranian-born Katsav also spoke briefly with Iranian President Muhammad Khatami in Farsi.
Katsav said that as he was leaving, “the Iranian president held his hand out to me. I shook his hand and greeted him in Farsi.”
Media reports said the men conversed about Yazd, the city in central Iran where both men were born. Israel accuses Syria and Iran of backing Palestinian resistance fighters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
was messing utd, dunn take it to heart. but check MV out, me thinks his residence overlooks some ones dunny. no wonder he thinks he has a inhouse pool.
I was raised catholic and so I assume that these handshakes & greetings took place at a time during the service (I forget what it's called, or even if it has a name) when you shake hands with your neighbors (in the pews/seats) in all directions. I recall this as one of the most enjoyable parts of going to church. Kudos to whoever handled the seating arrangements for the Pope's funeral service as I'm sure they had hoped/thought of this.
hmmm, its the same after Friday prayers where people musafa with everyone else. Over here, they shake hands and join on to the end of the line, until everyones done thier round on the line. Other places, they just greet the people standing around them.
An update: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has denied speaking to Israel’s president at the funeral of Pope John Paul.
Member STu, It is a total coincidence that those presidents sat so close.
"Dignitaries were seated in alphabetical order, according to their countries. Mr Assad was seated in the row behind Mr Katsav. Mr Khatami was seated three seats to the left of the Israeli president. "
^ Why are Muslims so petty that they can't acknowledge they acted humanely and treated another person with respect? And then lie about it?
This guy is good proof positive why people shouldn't be named"'Muhammad'. What part of this man's actions show enough righteousness to carry such a name? It's like if George Bush's name were 'Jesus'.
Man why cant u just say why are SOME muslims so petty, how many ppl have u seen made noises about this. It was a good thing, civility and respect is a nice thing and something a muslim has to observe.
and yeah I cringe when i see idiots running around with the same name as a person I so revere
Sorry for the gross generlization, I was mimicking the previous poster trying to illustrate the lack of civility and respect by using such stereoptypes. I meant only impugn the character of Muhammad Khatami and no one else (except maybe those who draw conclusions about a whole group of people based on their perceived perception of a lie by someone they are supporting).
I think they would like their neighbours to accept them so they can goon with their lives. I am sure if Makkah and medina were surrounded by opposing countries, you would want to try and get decent relationships with those countries too.
if Israel was surrounded by countries inhabited by druids, they would probably be happy if there was a chance of peace with druids.
