Sarkozy To Support Palestinian State If Peace Talks Do Not Resume

  • There appears to be a growing willingness to support the idea of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state if peace talks do not resume with Israel. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has come out in support of such an idea. From the Associated Press:

    French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will support a unilateral declaration of Palestinian independence if peace talks with Israel don’t restart by September, dealing a tough setback to Israel’s campaign to isolate the incoming Palestinian unity government.

    The comments published Thursday — similar to a message from Britain a day earlier — suggest Europe may be inching toward a watershed moment, joining those in favor of recognizing Palestine even if there is no peace deal with Israel.

    However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated Thursday that she is opposed to any unilateral move.

    “We (Germany) don’t think unilateral steps are further helpful,” she said after meeting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Berlin.

    Sarkozy’s comments were published shortly before his meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is touring Europe to rally opposition against the Palestinians decision to form a unity government. Netanyahu says it is impossible to talk peace with a government that is set to include the Islamic militant group Hamas.

    But so far, Netanyahu appears to be making limited progress. Western governments have called on Hamas to moderate its views, but are also urging Israel to make a new push for peace.

    Speaking to the weekly newsmagazine L’Express, Sarkozy was quoted as saying if talks between Israel and the Palestinians don’t resume over the summer, France will help promote the international recognition of a Palestinian state.

    “The idea that we have time is a dangerous idea, we must finish,” Sarkozy said.

    Speaking briefly to reporters after leaving the Elysee Palace, Netanyahu was unconvinced.

    “A serious quest for peace can only happen through negotiations” between Israel and the Palestinians, “not a U.N. dictat,” he said.

    And he suggested he had no doubts about Hamas’ intentions.

    “Hamas unfortunately remains committed to our destruction and remains committed to pursue the war of terror,” he told reporters. “In fact, what is being discussed (by the Palestinians) today is to create a Palestinian state in order to improve the positions from which Hamas wants to drive Israel to the sea.”

    He said the idea of a state should be to end “the conflict as Israel and anybody interested in peace wants,” not “to continue the conflict as Hamas wants.”

    If Palestinian national unity “is unity for peace then we would be the first to support it,” Netanyahu said “But if it’s unity to move away from peace and to pursue the battle for Israel’s eradication then obviously we oppose it and so should everyone else.”

    Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel broke down last September with the expiration of an Israeli settlement freeze in the West Bank. They say there can be no talks if Israel continues to build homes in the occupied territories…

    I doubt Israel will sit idly by if the such an action is taken, an action that would threaten their safety.

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    May 6th, 2011 | bluecollartodd | No Comments |

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