Washington, Jan 9: Benazir Bhutto was a big hope for Israel as “someone who could have served as a bridgehead to relations with that part of the Muslim world”, with which its ties are “naturally limited”.

Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert called Benazir’s assassination a “great tragedy”.

On her way back to Pakistan, Benazir had sent a message to Israel that “in the future she would like to strengthen the ties between Israel and Pakistan,” the Daily times quoted Olmert, as saying.

The Israel’s President Shimon Peres described Benazir as a strong woman with no fear and of rare capability. She served her people with courage and was never afraid of speaking her mind.

Peres said he had the chance of meeting Benazir and she had expressed her interest in Israel and hoped of visiting the country after returning to power. (ANI)