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Netanyahu tells French minister direct talks the only route to peace
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the French multi-lateral peace initiative during a meeting with France’s foreign minister in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Speaking with French Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that only direct talks with the Palestinians can bring peace. Earlier this year, Ayrault’s predecessor Laurent Fabius announced France’s intention to host an international conference with the goal of agreeing the implementation of a two-state solution. An initial preparatory meeting of ministers from interested countries, but excluding Israeli and Palestinian representatives, is scheduled to take place later this month.
Following their meeting, Netanyahu told his cabinet: “I told [Ayrault] that the only way to advance a true peace between us and the Palestinians is by means of direct negotiations between us and them, without preconditions.” He added: “any other attempt only makes peace more remote and gives the Palestinians an escape hatch.”
Netanyahu also explained that French support for a vote last month at UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural heritage agency, which “doesn’t recognise millennia-long connection between the Jewish people and the Temple Mount, casts a shadow over the fairness of any summit France is trying to convene”. The motion referred to the Western Wall in inverted commas, in preference for the Muslim definition of the site.
Last week, Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Dore Gold, considered a close ally of Netanyahu, noted the absence of reference to the Jewish state within the French initiative and explained its addition would be “a very important factor”.
Ayrault insisted that “the goal” of the French initiative “is to help return to negotiations”. He added: “I know that there is strong opposition. This is not new and it won’t discourage us. The conference will take place.”
American-led peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) were suspended in April 2014. Netanyahu has since repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet with Abbas at any point without preconditions.