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Sarkozy
to Knesset:
A Nuclear Iran
is Intolerable
 French President Nicolas
Sarkozy, speaking at a special session of the Knesset in his honor,
vowed Monday 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. "A nuclear Iran is intolerable,"
Sarkozy said. "Anyone trying to destroy Israel will find France
blocking the way."
And, to applause
from the assembled politicians, judicial leaders and assorted
dignitaries, Sarkozy declared: "Israel must know it is not alone in the
battle against Iran's nuclear ambitions."
Turning to the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the French
prseident 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 also called on Israel to end its settlement activity in East
Jerusalem and the West Bank, 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
also 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."
Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni received a red carpet reception as they
arrived at the Knesset, and as he stood to speak, the French leader
received a standing ovation from lawmakers.
In his address to the plenum of lawmakers in Jerusalem, the first by a
French president since Francois Mitterrand in 1982, Sarkozy said that
his nation's connection to the Jewish people had enriched French
culture.
Ahead of his speech, Sarkozy received plaudits from Knesset Speaker
Dalia Itzik, who praised his "determination" and "courageous reforms,"
and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a "true friend
of Israel."
Netanyahu's remarks in which he labeled "radical Islam as the greatest
threat to the free world" prompted angry catcalls from the Arab MKs,
who heckled the former premier.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert applauded Sarkozy for his "determination to
root out anti-Semitism in France," and said that ties between France
and Israel had seen a "revival under your leadership."
"Your words of support for Israel touch our hearts," he said.
Sarkozy, who arrived Sunday for a three-day trip accompanied by an
entourage of some one hundred businessman, cabinet ministers and Jewish
leaders, spent the first part of Monday morning at the Yad Vashem
Holocaust musuem, where he was accompanied by Bruni and President
Shimon Peres.
Prior to Sarkozy's arrival, France promised Israel that it would put
the brakes on its rapprochement with Syria until Damascus shows willing
to distance itself from the axis of extremists, in particular Iran.
During a meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Sarkozy and Peres discussed
Syria. Peres applauded his French counterpart for inviting Syrian
President Bashar Assad to a meeting of the Mediterranean nations in Paris on July 13.
The visit, which will conclude Tuesday afternoon, will also include
meetings for Sarkozy with the parents of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit,
who was abducted to Gaza in 2006. Shalit's father, Noam is of French
extract, and Gilad holds French citizenship. In his address to the
Knesset, Sarkozy offered to assist in efforts to Shalit, and the two
Israeli reservists held by Hezbollah since July 2006.
Sarkozy will also hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, and with Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
Source: Ha'aretz
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