Sarkozy to Knesset: Share Jerusalem with Palestinians

[Violet_Crumble]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday that there could be no Mideast peace unless Israel drops its refusal to cede sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians.

Speaking to a packed Knesset plenum at a special session in his honor, Sarkozy called on Israel to put an end to West Bank settlement. But he tempered his address by assuring Israel that it could count on France's support in halting Iran's nuclear program.

<snip>

Turning to the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the French president was not sparing in his criticism of Israel's conduct vis-a-vis the Palestinians. He said that the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and a Palestinian state was a condition for peace.

The Palestinians, he said, "have the right to a viable state of their own." He added that such a state would "ensure Israel's security."

He urged Israel to establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. "We must tell friends the truth, and the truth is that Israel's security can never be assured unless an independent, modern, democratic and viable Palestinian state is established finally beside it," he said.

He also called on Israel to stop the construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank settlements, and said that there would be "no peace without a solution to the problem of the Palestinian refugees," a key sticking point in negotiations between the two sides.

The French leader further urged Israel to "encourage legislation that would entice settlers to leave the West Bank."

"There will be no peace if the Palestinians do not fight terrorism," Sarkozy said. "Each side has to make an effort. Peace is not possible if the Palestinians cannot move about freely."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/995509.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. I am shocked to find myself mostly agreeing with Sarkozy, who is not generally my favourite person

I agree with the need of a two-state solution; the end of the Israeli construction of settlements, and encouraging settlers to leave the West Bank; and the need for the Palestinians to fight terrorism. I STRONGLY agree that 'each side has to make an effort' for peace!

In principle, I also agree about Jerusalem, though security has to be firmly established, by international control if not otherwise, so that it doesn't become a battleground yet again.

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Yeah, it's about the first time I've found myself agreeing with him...

His speech was much more balanced than those of American politicians who've addressed the Knesset...

[oberliner]

2. Netanyahu to Sarkozy: Jerusalem will never be divided

Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday morning and told him that "Jerusalem will never be divided."

Only a united Jerusalem would "make freedom of religion possible for people of all religions in the city," Netanyahu said.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214132672521&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Scurrilous]

3. Border Policeman dies from self-inflicted shot at Sarkozy farewell

<snip>

"An Israeli Border Policeman on the perimeter of a farewell airport ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy apparently shot himself on Tuesday in a incident that did not endanger the visiting leader, Israel Radio said.

The shooting occurred while a military band was playing and went unnoticed by Sarkozy and Israeli leaders at the ceremony. Dark-suited men then quickly ushered Sarkozy and his wife up the stairs of their plane. In a panic, Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, rushed up the stairs ahead of her husband.

At the same time, security guards, with their guns drawn, rushed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres toward their cars. The incident was over within minutes, and Olmert returned and boarded the plane to inform Sarkozy what had transpired, witnesses said.

The plane departed without further incident.

Israel Radio said the soldier was stationed 100 meters to 200 meters away from the plane when the gunshot was fired. Two women soldiers who witnessed the shooting fainted and were treated by medics.

Police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, denied reports that there had been an
assassination attempt on the French leader."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/995777.html