JERUSALEM (Sputnik) — There is no clash of civilizations happening in the Middle East but rather the conflicts there have been caused by people's differing outlooks, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said.
"I don’t think we are witnessing a clash of civilizations. The whole Middle East is a blend of east and west, new and old, inspiration and innovation – and we should be proud of it," Rivlin told RIA Novosti.
The Israeli president added that Israel had no war with Islam.
Rivlin explained that there have been clashes between those who want to live together in understanding and respect on the one hand and fundamentalists on the other "who believe that only they know the truth, and everyone else must agree or die."
In recent years, several Middle Eastern countries have been in political turmoil, most notably Yemen and Syria.
