Shimon Peres’s entrance to the convention centre at the Dead Sea provoked chaos as a frantic crowd of journalists jostled for a glimpse, and a word.

After two days of listening to Arab and western officials speak of the hopes for Middle East peace at the World Economic Forum’s conference in Jordan, everyone wanted to know what Israel would be willing to deliver. “Will you commit to the two-state solution?” shouted the journalists as Mr Peres wrestled to make his way through.