This afternoon, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Senator John Kerry and congratulated him on his nomination as the Democratic candidate for President in the United States, and also asked him to convey his best wishes to Senator John Edwards on his nomination as the Vice-Presidential candidate.

The Prime Minister stated that he was pleased to find on the Democratic Party’s platform topics which are of great importance to Israel:

- The duty of the Palestinians to fight terror until its complete cessation and the carrying out of comprehensive reforms in governing institutions as a condition for political progress.
- Settlement of Palestinian refugees will be carried out through a future Palestinian state and not through Israel.
- Recognition of the new reality on the ground regarding the permanent borders, in the framework of which there will be no return to the 1949 Armistice Line.

The Prime Minister stated that the friendship and understanding between Israel and the United States is deep and bipartisan.  The Prime Minister added that he will continue to develop these relations.

Senator Kerry thanked the Prime Minister wholeheartedly for his kind words and added that on the subject of Israel he is in full agreement with President Bush and that they are both committed to Israel’s security. 

Senator Kerry added that he is a friend of Israel and will continue to be so in the future.