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Sarkozy to Knesset: A nuclear Iran is intolerable
By Ariel Zilber, Sara Miller and Noa Yachot
Tags: Syria, Nicolas Sarkozy 

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."
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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.

Related articles:
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  • Editorial / Parisian option
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      1.   Pres. Sarkozy should not forget : The Land of Israel belongs... 12:33  |  Jean Van Daem 23/06/08
      2.   Sarko 13:44  |  J. Herrmann 23/06/08
      3.   Friends help when you`re strong 13:59  |  MR 23/06/08
      4.   Wow thats a surprise 14:02  |  Rachel Stevens 23/06/08
      5.   Sarkozy Stay There - found your Real Country Not return to Franc 14:19  |  Tayfun_Turkey 23/06/08
      6.   Don`t make me laugh 14:20  |  Steven A. 23/06/08
      7.   French hypocrisy 14:29  |  Rafael 23/06/08
      8.   Sarko 14:31  |  Ramius 23/06/08
      9.   Steven A.: Nobody is making you laugh. 14:31  |  Vittorio 23/06/08
      10.   Wow, Rachel You never fail to surprise me 14:40  |  Ramius 23/06/08
      11.   France should just worry about themselves from getting invaded! 14:43  |  sam 23/06/08
      12.   Steven it is easy to make a joker like you laugh 14:46  |  Ramius 23/06/08
      13.   Sarkozy who according to La Figaro 14:52  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      14.   At least Sarkozy talks of help NOT like Obama`s empty talk. 15:00  |  S 23/06/08
      15.   This is a good thing 15:00  |  Nechama 23/06/08
      16.   #5, tayfun would have liked hitler! 15:02  |  DR 23/06/08
      17.   Why do these Europeans act like they live in the Middle East? 15:13  |  POP 23/06/08
      18.   A nuclear Israel is intolerable, too! 15:14  |  Judy 23/06/08
      19.   #5 - Tayfun 15:17  |  Marc 23/06/08
      20.   Artist 15:21  |  Giald 23/06/08
      21.   Judy #18 15:26  |  Myer 23/06/08
      22.   Judy Chicago-Is a really great artist , is that you Judy????? 15:32  |  Ramius 23/06/08
      23.   #18 -Judy 15:36  |  Eric 23/06/08
      24.   #17 on Euro`s acting like they live in Muddle East 15:39  |  Joe Moer 23/06/08
      25.   #17 on Euro`s acting like they live in Muddle East 15:41  |  Ari ben Yisrael 23/06/08
      26.   rafael 15:47  |  Axel 23/06/08
      27.   Israel with Nukes is intolerable too, much more so.... 15:47  |  POP 23/06/08
      28.   European immigrants should go back home & complain 15:48  |  POP 23/06/08
      29.   Iran is a bad joke 15:54  |  ScotGuy 23/06/08
      30.   #18-Judy 15:55  |  Ray 23/06/08
      31.   Le Figaro discovers that Napoleon was the Baal Shem Tov in Mufti 15:57  |  Ramius 23/06/08
      32.   Last visit to Paris was like visiting an arab country! 15:58  |  ISLAM INVADING FRANC 23/06/08
      33.   Axel and the Basques 16:15  |  Rafael 23/06/08
      34.   Big Liar Chris Linthwayte #13 16:20  |  S 23/06/08
      35.   Paris: The capital of France and an Algerian State 16:20  |  jon leb 23/06/08
      36.   sarkozy 16:21  |  azad 23/06/08
      37.   #31 Ramius 16:31  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      38.   Sarkozy generosity 16:31  |  DR D 23/06/08
      39.   Jean Van Daem - Then you would agree that the French 16:38  |  French 23/06/08
      40.   Typo in article 16:50  |  Shlomo 23/06/08
      41.   Yes, the French will fly with Israel. Did you hear that? 16:54  |  I did. 23/06/08
      42.   Judy 18 - I`ll tell you why 16:58  |  ChanahS 23/06/08
      43.   #12 Ramius 17:25  |  Steven A. 23/06/08
      44.   To ALL Israel Nukes Justifiers 17:46  |  Lisa 23/06/08
      45.   WOW!!! BEAUTIFUUUUL 17:51  |  RW 23/06/08
      46.   so what about US 17:59  |  Sameer 23/06/08
      47.   Relax Israel - the Frog King has spoken, RIBBIT! RIBBIT! 18:00  |  Clickfool 23/06/08
      48.   to # 15 18:00  |  fair man 23/06/08
      49.   Chris Linthwaite 13 18:02  |  Jeremy Woolf 23/06/08
      50.   #49 Jeremy Woolf 18:18  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      51.   #13 Chris Linthwaite -- Are you sure you can read French? 18:21  |  Joe Camel 23/06/08
      52.   #51 Joe Camel 18:42  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      53.   sarkozy is more popular in israel than in france 18:47  |  Phil from Mtl 23/06/08
      54.   #27 Why more "intolerable"? 18:48  |  DesMnsDave 23/06/08
      55.   #28 POP 18:49  |  H 23/06/08
      56.   Lisa, and to many like you. 18:57  |  RW 23/06/08
      57.   Why do we bother to answer these nut bars? 18:58  |  Ben 23/06/08
      58.   joe camel #51 19:00  |  casual observer 23/06/08
      59.   #58 casual Observer 19:25  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      60.   Nuclear Iran is unacceptable to the world 19:31  |  Altalena 23/06/08
      61.   #57 Say Ben, "Israel risking its life every day for US" 19:43  |  ballistic 23/06/08
      62.   To 44. Lisa. Iran is a threat 19:46  |  Altalena 23/06/08
      63.   Linthwaite #59 20:01  |  casual observer 23/06/08
      64.   Is This The Thin Edge Of The Wedge On Settlements And The WB? 20:06  |  chet 23/06/08
      65.   #63 Casual Observer 20:13  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      66.   Linwaite #65 20:44  |  casual observer 23/06/08
      67.   #66, Casual observer...talking to Linthwaite... 21:07  |  DR 23/06/08
      68.   #66 Casual Observer 21:16  |  Chris Linthwaite 23/06/08
      69.   Its good to see a real leader sayng the things that 21:28  |  JP 23/06/08