Iranian delegates stormed conspicuously out of the opening event of an interfaith conference in Kazakhstan on Tuesday when Israeli President Shimon Peres was invited to the podium to deliver an address.
One Iranian later told reporters that his country views Peres as a "repulsive Zionist" and said he was not welcome at such a conference. The Iranians returned to the hall after Peres had finished speaking.
For his part, Peres urged his mostly Muslim audience to cast aside religious fanaticism and its adherents and make peace with Israel on a basis of reason and compromise.
He specifically called on Saudi King Abdullah to meet with him in Jerusalem or in Riyadh so that their shared vision of peace can finally be realized.