JERUSALEM, Dec. 1 (JTA) — The leader of the Nation of
Islam wants to advance the Middle East peace process. The Rev. Louis Farrakhan, who has often sparked controversy with his anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, announced Sunday during an interview on CNN that he hoped to visit Israel during an upcoming 52- nation tour that is scheduled to include Syria, Iraq, Libya and Cuba. “I want to be a voice for peace,” he told CNN. “I don’t think that the politicians of the region are doing their utmost for peace.” Farrakhan, who was slated to leave on the tour this week, ducked a question whether he would call on Hamas and Islamic Jihad to suspend terror attacks on Israel. “I would also advise the Israelis to stop building Jewish settlements in Jerusalem,” he said, adding when the question was again put to him, “Hamas leaders have already said that they’re ready to exchange violence for a dialogue toward peace.” Farrakhan said that he was not sure Israel would be willing to host him. “My image there is terrible,” he said. Israeli officials said Monday they had no plans to invite him for a visit.
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