By DPA,
Tel Aviv: Israeli leaders congratulated US President Barack Obama Friday on winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, saying they hoped it would add force to his efforts to push for peace in the Middle East.
President Shimon Peres sent a message to Obama, saying “there are few leaders who succeeded in changing the mood in the world in such a short time”, it said, Israel Radio reported.
Defence Minister Ehud Barak said he hoped the award would boost Obama’s ability to contribute to peace in the Middle East.
“Israel has a superior interest to achieve peace with our neighbours,” said Barak, of the centre-left coalition Labour Party, adding “I believe the Nobel Prize will boost the president’s ability to promote the establishment of regional peace in the Middle East, and to an arrangement between us and the Palestinians – which will bring security and prosperity to all the people in the area.”