Sarkozy to Knesset: A Nuclear Iran Is Intolerable
Source: Al-Manar TV, 24-06-2006
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on Monday for a halt to Jewish settlement activity in the occupied West Bank while proclaiming his staunch support of Israel in an address to its Knesset.
"There can be no peace without stopping settlement," Sarkozy told MPs and invited guests.
"There is a proposal backed by many members of your Knesset for the adoption of a law that would encourage settlers to leave the West Bank in exchange for compensation and relocation in ‘Israel'," he said.
‘Israeli' authorities have announced the construction of hundreds of new homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank in recent months, infuriating the Palestinians and drawing criticism from the international community which regards all settlements on occupied land as illegal.
Sarkozy also called for an easing of travel restrictions in the West Bank, where the army operates hundreds of roadblocks which the World Bank says are a major obstacle to economic growth but which ‘Israel' insists are vital to its security.
Sarkozy's visit was aimed at underlining the strength of Franco-‘Israeli' relations, in contrast with the tensions that marked ties under former French president Jacques Chirac, perceived in ‘Israel' as being pro-Arab.
Sarkozy is the first French president to visit ‘Israel' in almost 12 years, and only the second to address the Knesset after Francois Mitterrand in 1982.
Sarkozy vowed that France would always defend Israel in the face of any existential threat - a direct reference to Iran and its nuclear program, which he called unacceptable. The French leader addressed the plenum and stressed that his country would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. He also spoke of the importance of the Jewish homeland to the Jewish people.
"I reiterate here in the clearest manner: As far as France is concerned, a nuclear Iran is totally unacceptable," Sarkozy declared. "France is determined to continue to lead, along with its partners, a policy that integrates gradually intensifying sanctions with openness, in case Iran chooses to honor its international obligations."
France, he said, "is ‘Israel's' friend, and will always stand by her side when her security or existence is threatened. Those who scandalously call for the destruction of ‘Israel' will always, always, find France blocking their path."
Later in the day, Sarkozy was scheduled to meet the parents of Gilad Shalit, an ‘Israeli' soldier captured by Gaza resistance fighters for the past two years who also holds French nationality.
On Tuesday, Sarkozy plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. In addition to the ‘Israeli'-Palestinian peace process, Sarkozy was also expected to discuss other regional issues following his recent contacts with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on Monday for a halt to Jewish settlement activity in the occupied West Bank while proclaiming his staunch support of Israel in an address to its Knesset.
"There can be no peace without stopping settlement," Sarkozy told MPs and invited guests.
"There is a proposal backed by many members of your Knesset for the adoption of a law that would encourage settlers to leave the West Bank in exchange for compensation and relocation in ‘Israel'," he said.
‘Israeli' authorities have announced the construction of hundreds of new homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank in recent months, infuriating the Palestinians and drawing criticism from the international community which regards all settlements on occupied land as illegal.
Sarkozy also called for an easing of travel restrictions in the West Bank, where the army operates hundreds of roadblocks which the World Bank says are a major obstacle to economic growth but which ‘Israel' insists are vital to its security.
Sarkozy's visit was aimed at underlining the strength of Franco-‘Israeli' relations, in contrast with the tensions that marked ties under former French president Jacques Chirac, perceived in ‘Israel' as being pro-Arab.
Sarkozy is the first French president to visit ‘Israel' in almost 12 years, and only the second to address the Knesset after Francois Mitterrand in 1982.
Sarkozy vowed that France would always defend Israel in the face of any existential threat - a direct reference to Iran and its nuclear program, which he called unacceptable. The French leader addressed the plenum and stressed that his country would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. He also spoke of the importance of the Jewish homeland to the Jewish people.
"I reiterate here in the clearest manner: As far as France is concerned, a nuclear Iran is totally unacceptable," Sarkozy declared. "France is determined to continue to lead, along with its partners, a policy that integrates gradually intensifying sanctions with openness, in case Iran chooses to honor its international obligations."
France, he said, "is ‘Israel's' friend, and will always stand by her side when her security or existence is threatened. Those who scandalously call for the destruction of ‘Israel' will always, always, find France blocking their path."
Later in the day, Sarkozy was scheduled to meet the parents of Gilad Shalit, an ‘Israeli' soldier captured by Gaza resistance fighters for the past two years who also holds French nationality.
On Tuesday, Sarkozy plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. In addition to the ‘Israeli'-Palestinian peace process, Sarkozy was also expected to discuss other regional issues following his recent contacts with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
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