A hug from Shakira

The third Presidential Conference opened Tuesday at Jerusalem's International Convention Center (ICC). The theme was "Facing Tomorrow," and pop singer Shakira, who came to Israel especially for the occasion, was its star guest.

President Shimon Peres mistakenly addressed the Colombian singer as "Sharika." Giggling, Shakira hastened to correct him, and the president made an elegant recovery: "Sorry, because I was thinking about the translation of it. Shakira means two things: thanks and grace. I want to thank you for gracing our conference.

"Toda [thank you]," the singer replied in Hebrew.

With that minor gaffe behind them, the president continued, "We all understand that youth today emulate famous people, including singers and soccer players, that's why I am so glad that Shakira and her boyfriend Pique, are here with us today. The message their presence sends is one of a better future for the children of world and for peace. I believe that good will is stronger than any other force."

Peres complimented his guest, adding that "Shakira makes her contribution through education and singing. It is an international language lending hope to the weak and poor and sending a message of hope for a better future to us all. To me, Shakira represents a better tomorrow. She is an ambassador for young children, and through them they can absorb messages of decency and democracy."

The president then presented Shakira with a traditional Yemenite necklace. The singer admired the necklace and after putting it on asked the audience if it suits her. "I am very happy to be in Israel, the land that has been the mother of cultures and human spirituality for so long. It is the perfect place for talking about how urgent it is to invest in education," she said.

Shakira spoke of her visits to two of the capital's schools; one of which had both Jewish and Arab students, " I am convinced that the road to peace has to be travelled hand in hand with education because that is the only way, perhaps, that we are going to achieve global stability and peace."

The singer impressed the audience with her eloquence and mentioned her boyfriend, Barca's Gerard Pique, who attended the conference with her. She used soccer metaphors to make her point. "How wonderful it would be if the world would act like a team. We have so many challenges ahead of us, so many problems to solve," she said. "This is the time to behave like a team, to wear the same T-shirts, and to win the match of discrimination to win the match of inequality and segregation."

In a controversial speech, author Amos Oz addressed Israel's settlement enterprise, receiving boos in response. " I believe the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the building of settlements is unjust and not in Israel's interest," said Oz, "Expelling Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem and bringing in settlers instead is not good for Israel either, I say this as a man who loves his country."

These statements caused much consternation among the audience, some booed the author while others applauded.

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