Mubarak has warm words on Netanyahu's Gov't to U.S. Jews: Israel committed to advancing peace

(Haaretz).During a meeting with American Jewish officials in Washington on Monday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expressed "surprisingly positive" views about the Israeli leadership, a participant in the meeting told Haaretz.

One official said Mubarak, who is in Washington for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama, had warm words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and President Shimon Peres.

The Egyptian leader said the current Israeli leadership is committed to moving the peace process forward with the Palestinians.

"We thanked him for his efforts on the peace process and the constructive role that he played in the region, told him that we share his vision for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but he can communicate to the Israeli people and the government that there is a growing desire in the Arab world to normalize relations with Israel," the official said