Netanyahu (R) and Sarkozy
Photo: GPO
PM: Peace with PA only via negotiations
Benjamin Netanyahu meets with French President Sarkozy, says Palestinian recognition of Israel a must; UN cannot dictate results of peace process
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. The meeting followed a stop in London, where Netanyahu met with British Premier David Cameron.
In a press conference held after the meeting, Netanyahu told reporters that peace between Israel and the Palestinians can be achieved only through negotiations, and not via dictation.
Pressure
British PM David Cameron tells PM Netanyahu UK may endorse PA's unilateral declaration if peace process continues stalling. French President Sarkozy expected to echo sentiment
As for the possibility that the Palestinian Authority's bid for statehood in the UN would prove successful, Netanyahu said that the real question was whether the Palestinians would enjoy an automatic majority among UN member states.
According to the prime minister, the French president agreed to his demand that Israel must be recognized by the Palestinians as the Jewish homeland.
Netanyahu told reporters Sarkozy essentially echoed the sentiment expressed by Cameron, stating that the Palestinians would be made to recognize Israel as a condition for peace.
"Both Paris and London understand that those who want peace, must be committed to peace," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister stressed that the recognition of Israel as the Jewish state is one of the crucial points in the stalled peace process: "The heart of the conflict has always been the persistent refusal of the Palestinian leadership to recognize the Jewish state within any borders.
"We are prepared to recognize a Palestinian state, so why can't they return the favor if they want peace?" he said.
Netanyahu added that unfortunately, he sees no change in the Hamas' position toward Israel, despite its recent reconciliation with Fatah.
“Hamas has not abandoned the goal of destroying Israel. They are not a partner for peace."
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