Mr Ahern will meet Mr Yasser Arafat in Gaza today on the third day of his four-day official visit to the Middle East.
Welcoming the Taoiseach to Israel yesterday, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had watched with admiration the development of the peace process in Ireland.
Mr Netanyahu added: "You can pass a message to Mr Arafat. We have many ways of passing messages, but I will use your good offices as well. The message is that as soon as the Palestinian Authority implements its obligations under the Wye Agreement . . . at that very moment, Israel will carry out its obligations as well. We want to do so, and we will move forward the minute those obligations are carried out, with elections or without elections."
Mr Netanyahu said his people understood what was happening in Ireland because they were also trying to achieve peace. "We have embarked on a peace process and there are no people on earth who want peace more than us."
Mr Ahern thanked him for his comments about the peace process and the efforts made to find a comprehensive settlement and ensure that people of different traditions could work together.
"So far as there are similarities in peace processes, I suppose the word is that they are difficult. I do not think you can draw great analogy or parallels, but they are something that ongoing. And I, like you, share the vision that we want to live in peace and harmony.
"I want to acknowledge and appreciate the great efforts which you have made in all the discussions and negotiations and the various efforts leading up to and since the Wye Agreement. We have had an opportunity at home, and particularly at the EU and the Council of discussing and analysing that. I want to wish you well."
Mr Ahern said he understood more than most that comprehensive agreements were difficult. "I understand also, more than most, that it is hard to stick with the deadlines and hard to see everything through. But I am convinced that the effort you have made has been worth it."
The Israeli Prime Minister and the Taoiseach were speaking at Mr Netanyahu's office. Mr Ahern, who is accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, was met at Tel Aviv Airport, on his arrival from Lebanon, by the Minister for Labour, Mr Eli Yishai.
The Tricolour and Israeli flags were flying at various points on the route to Jerusalem and outside the Prime Minister's office.
Later, the men had a 11/2-hour meeting, during which they discussed the Middle East peace process and economic issues. Mr Ahern said Mr Netanyahu's message on how peace could be achieved was "not hardline", and that the Israeli election to be held in May would not be an obstacle to progress.
At Mr Netanyahu's request, Mr Ahern gave him a comprehensive briefing on the Belfast Agreement at a state dinner last night. Mr Ahern also met the former Labour prime minister Mr Shimon Peres.
Mr Netanyahu also congratulated Mr Ahern on Ireland's "new society", saying the Republic was "an ancient land with a new vision". Ireland was being transformed from an agricultural economy into a new information society, he said. "This is exactly what we are doing here."
Eamon de Valera had visited there in the 1950s when he was leading Fianna Fail in opposition.
Today, Mr Ahern leaves for Gaza. He returns to Dublin tomorrow.
