The Israeli and Arab media report that the King of Saudi Arabia (who is the “guardian” of Islam’s holiest sites) will be convening an interfaith conference “including those who believe in the Torah,” to which Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger has already indicated a positive response.

Ironically, to say the least, this comes as the office of President Shimon Peres of Israel has begun to publish information for a grand Israeli Presidential Conference in celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary to be held in May. President Peres is inviting eminent Jews from the fields of science, law, academia and more to come to Jerusalem in May to discuss three themes – “the global tomorrow, the Jewish tomorrow and the Israeli tomorrow.” Notably absent, however, from the materials and agenda published so far, are any sessions examining the role of Torah/Judaism in shaping the “Jewish tomorrow,” not to mention the presence of major religious leaders in the Jewish community who might – as King Saud seems to understand – have some wisdom to contribute to the discussions.
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