The situation in the Middle East is delicate. The decline in oil revenues across the region and rapidly rising population growth contains dangerous potential for instability. Hegemonial powers that seek to project their influence across the Middle East are ready to exploit this potential to advance their interests. Despite these challenges, Israel is determined to rapidly advance the process of peace and reconciliation with its neighbors. An underlying condition in Israel's approach to peace is its insistence on security, in all arrangements, whether with Lebanon or in reaching peace with Syria.
Security means that terrorism be dismantled.
Security also means that peace arrangements be structured that can last for generations. The international com- munity continues to bear witness to an increasingly urgent human rights issue in Iran today. As of this writing, the fate of the 13 Iranian Jews, arrested a month ago and charged with espionage for Israel, hangs in the balance. Among those detained are the elderly rabbi of Shiraz, as well as community professionals and a teenaged boy. The Government of Israel continues to declare, unequivocally, that the charges are completely without foundation.