JERUSALEM (JTA) — Iranian delegates walked out of a speech by Israel’s President Shimon Peres during an interfaith conference in Kazakhstan.
Peres served as the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s conference.
He called on the delegates to "stand up and reject fanatics, and to oppose promoters of hatred and conflicts. Their so-called god is not our God. Their faith is not our faith. Our answer to them is to hold and encourage peace initiatives."
Peres called on Saudi Arabian King Abdullah "to meet in Jerusalem or in Riyadh or to travel to Kazakhstan, and together with other Arab leaders we will all be able to realize your vision, our vision and the vision of all believers in our shared God of peace and justice."
The Iranian delegates reportedly returned to the hall once Peres finished.
About 80 delegations from 35 countries participated in the summit.
