Paris Angry from Netanyahu, Asked Him Not to Attend Protest

Local Editor

"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on attending Sunday's anti-terrorism march in Paris despite being asked by French President Francois Hollande not to do so, "Israeli" media reported Monday.

"Hollande conveyed a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend asking him not to come to Paris to take part in the march against terror on Sunday," "Israeli" newspaper Haaretz quoted an Israeli source as saying.

The French president's "national security adviser, Jacques Audibert, contacted "Israeli" minister Yossi Cohen, and said that Hollande would prefer that Netanyahu not attend," Haaretz quoted the source as saying.

The French official argued that Hollande wanted the event to focus on demonstrating solidarity with France, and to avoid anything that might divert attention to other issues, the source said.

According to the paper, the "Israeli' premier acquiesced to the French request, but later changed his mind after learning that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett had intended to travel to Paris.

The source also stated that, not conveyed to the "Israeli" representatives, was Hollande's concern that Netanyahu would use the event for campaign purposes and make speeches about French Jews. The Elysee Palace feared such statements would hurt the solidarity France was trying to promote in face of the recent attacks.

The French presidency then had to invite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who the source said, had previously announced he would not be attending after being similarly approached by the French.

According to Haaretz, Hollande was so angry at Netanyahu that it was obvious during a ceremony held Sunday evening following the march at the Grand Synagogue in Paris.

"Hollande sat through most of the ceremony, but when Netanyahu's turn at the podium arrived, the French president got up from his seat and made an early exit," the "Israeli" paper said.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, for his part, said that Hollande had "contacted Abbas and asked him to attend the anti-terrorism march."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team