French FM: It seems Israel no longer wants peace

To say that Hebrew is a Canaanite language is controversial. Many Biblical scholars maintain the Israelite tribes spoke Hebrew before arriving in Canaan. Presumably Palestinian people predate Israelites in Canaan, When Israelite tribes crossed into Canaan, Canaan, also know as Palestine, was occupied by semite tribes, Amorites, Hittites and Jebusites. The words Jews and Arabs weren?t known yet.The Jebusites built Jerusalem and occupied it for 100 years after the Israelites arrived in Canaan. The New York University School of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences have discovered that Middle East Jewish men have common genetic signature with Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese men, and not with any other non-Jews in the world. Many noted historians maintain the Jebusites are forebears of the Palestinians. If that is true, the Palestinian forebears built Jerusalem. If so, they deserve a state.

You are trying to be clever in using an analogy to justify the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. But flawed and silly analogies serve no purpose than to cause readers to chuckle at the intellectual breadth of the author. It seems frivolous to have to explain to you that 17th,18th and,19th, century colonies of the European powers were not in violation of international law. There was no UN, so no UN resolutions were violated. But as you know Israeli settlements are in violation of international law, UN resolutions, and the 4th Geneva Convention, and therefore Israeli is in commission of a war crime. Find an analogy for that.

Okay, so I know settlements are a touchy subject. However, they make sense, and I think it would be a drastic mistake to halt them, not just for Israel, but the rest of the world. First of all, let's establish that Israel is a crucial country for world progress. See the following article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/09/israel.startup.nation/index.html Now here is what no one is saying--as the years progress, we are looking at 10-15 million Jews now living abroad that will eventually make Aliyah, i.e. returning to Israel to live permanently. Relegating the Jews to a sliver of land for a hypothetical "Palestinian" state that will most likely be a bastion of terrorist activity makes little sense to me. And the motivation given to Israel to go from progress to a long-term humanitarian situation? To stop rockets being launched on innocent civilians and such. In other words--let's appease these terrorists, not look at what is good for the world.

You seem to believe that it all depends on Israel's will, and I am not surprised as I rtead french media daily. Israelis have accepted seceral times (camp david, taba etc..) what the pals claimed they wanted short of Isrel's destruction. It seems to me that it is Israel's neighbors (the pals) that don't want peace. When Egypt agreed to a cold peace, Israel returned the Sinai.

The more you think and speak as you do, the more anti-semitism you create. Those of us who formerly were friends of Israel and happy to send our tax monies to help it, are dropping away in droves. Soon Israel will get what it has wanted: all of Palestine. They how will you deal with the 4.5 million or so Palestinians? You have never wanted a "two state solution," because you have never intended to give any land back that you took illegally. Just do us one favor: refuse any more aid from the US.

Mr M. Abbass resign as PA Chairman & President of WHAT?? Then Demolishtion ( Sorry I mean Dissolve, so use of House Demolishion, that I forget to write DISSOLVING Palestinians Authority), INFORM The Government of Israel of the fact, and asking them to take over their RESPOSIBILITY as OCCUPIERs. If that what they want then give it to them. Let all of you there, live in a BINATIONAL State.

that resemble the Mini State of Hamas, giving them sort of autonomy without Military Army,and keeping full control of their AIR Space,Borders,Economy, Water resourses,No Airport but Ben Gurion (where everything are under Isr. control).Dead sea only to Israelis but DEAD for the Palestinians,Carry on demolishing Pals. houses in East Jerusalem and west Bank. and the continuation of building them awful looking WALLS(bit tallet than the Berlin WALLS , falled in 1988)

Mon.Couchener has donne a faire assessment for many of us. We Are aware that it is not the fault of PM Netanyahu, but his RW cabinet, whay can't he then rebuild that cabinet, with people who are happy to live in TWO States for TWO different People, in Peace and Security. Or Why do not Have a REFERENDUM to go for Peace or NOT, as we understant that ,there are near 60 % of Israelis who would like to live in PEACE with their neighbours.

Kouchner errs: The issue is no longer whether or not Israel wants peace along a Two State Solution but whether Israel wants peace within its de facto borders! Let's face it: 1. For over 40 years Israel has had control over both the West Bank and Gaza, plus 2. the Oslo process and subsequent viable Palestinian state are already history. And since for all practical purposes the PA has become utterly irrelevant (due to Israeli policies), Israel will soon have to assume responsibility for over 5 million Palestinian Arabs. And then what? Israel will ultimately have to deal with granting equal civil and political rights to those Palestinians in a most expedient manner--such delusional notions and vote catching rhetoric of expulsion (ethnic cleansing) or Jordan already being a Palestinian state, et cetera, just won't fly--unless Israel wants to be seen as another (former Apartheid) South Africa AND be held responsible for increased Antisemitism in the so-called diaspora. Good luck!

look Israelis as a Muslim i have sympathy for Palestinians.but i also have some sympathy for the Jews because of all the suffering they suffered during second world war.but you people have become what a Chinese saying states "greed is sin and sin leads to death" you have a lot of power/influence(political/military) now so you are clearly dictating the peace process.now you can clearly make concessions and reach a peace deal with Palestinians.but it seems you are trying to haggle too much for so long.if you are really interested in peace you can have that. there are a lot of Muslim countrys which will be able to recognize as a state a nation officially including Bangladesh(i am not sure whether you care or just say care about that-it seems Israelis are content with recognition from western and other country) and if you choose peace with Palestinians over land grabbing and stop haggling. only that will convince many moderate Muslim countrys whether Israel is seeking peace or land.

The censorship of quotes from the French FM printed in Haaretz PROVES that he is right. Israel does not want peace, and Haaretz refuses to even allow his point to be affirmed. The world will never know what Haaretz censored. All the censored posts did was agree with the French FM. Yet the censorship prove how right he is. There is no Israeli left. Not even Haaretz. Only Gush Shalom, and they are as insignificant as the French FM postulates. Haaretz publishes his comments yet will not allow concurrence with him. Haaretz proves him right by it's submitions to the desires of the Israeli right - by allowing no moderation in views published. One can no more agree with Kouchner than deem the comments of the Turkish PM absurd. Each is too 'leftist' a position to be printed in Haaretz.

Nonsense. Who took over the government and changed the language spoken? What part of Celtic language and sovereignty remain?

"why are there road blocks and a fences?" Because there is occupation..

built only on Israeli soil? The road blocks wouldn't work if they were built only on Israeli soil? After all, this is what normal nations do in order to protect their citizens on their own Sovereign territory.

When Joshua led the 12 tribes across the river Jordan into Canaan, also known at that time as Palestine, the land was occupied by semite tribes, Hittites, Amorites and Jebusites. They weren't called Arabs then, and the Israelites weren't called Jews. Those names weren't known yet. But, according to the New York University School of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences, Middle East Jewish men and Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian men have the same genetic signature, different from any other non-Jews in the world. Some of those same tribes, and the Canaanites also occupied Judea and Samaria. There are notable historians who maintain Palestinians are direct descendant from the Jebusites. If that is so, and, of course, there is controversy, the fore bearers of Palestinians built Jerusalem.

"Removed Road Blocks? Check!" Almost all of them remain, as does the separation barrier not built entirely on Israeli soil. "Agreed to two states for two peoples? Check!" Not agreed to yet..and Israel's preconditions only allow for a provisional Palestinian state, not independent, certainly not Sovereign. "Slowed down Construction? Check!" Actually increased. "Encouraged talks with out preconditions? Check!" Palestine must be demilitarized. Israel must control it's airspace. Settlements continue. "Cleary (for the french) these are acts of a government that has no desire for peace..." Clearly, you're blind....

First they appease, then they surrender.

The sad story is Gaza is an occupied territory since the land border airspace and sea are controlled by Israel if you want Gaza to be free you let them trade and move freely and directly with the outside world.

"Removed Road Blocks? Check! Agreed to two states for two peoples? Check! Slowed down Construction? Check! Encouraged talks with out preconditions? Check!" Removed Road Blocks? Only a few for foreign public relations. Agreed to two states for two peoples? A truncated Palestinian state of bantustans with no control over water resources, airspace, or coastline. Slowed down Construction? Big f****ing deal! Encouraged talks with out preconditions? In other words, talks without substance. Actions of a government that does not want peace? Check!

What this really means is "Israel is no longer interested in making concessions in return for empty, worthless promises".

not Arafat. That has been the goal of every likud/Kadima party since dau one. In any event -the left in Israel was just for show. Peres and Barak built more illegal squats in their term then did ever the right wing wakos---until this present pressure was pput on netanyahoo by Obama. Build Build build---as he destroys the moderates in the Palestinan camp. How naive you are.

are against your occupation of the North. Dual Citizenship can be a nuiscance---right old boy.

we would all dearly love to get our hands on such valuable evidence. "After agreeing (more than once) to all what the palis allegedely wanted, they saw the wonton violence that paid them back."Phillipe I can be reached @ Haaretz . com---talk back.

Just listen to the Arabs and you will hear what I have been saying for a long time! Arabs do not want peace and do not recognize Israel's legitimacy what so ever.

Israel has always been ready for peace and more so now than ever but Israel needs partners to make peace and this Israel does not have. The French FM needs to look at why Israelis are soured on Arab lies, violence, war, terrorism, boycott and has been tired of this for the past century.

have you noticed that since the wall have been built there are no more suicide bombing ? why did israel build this kind of fence ? to show the palestinians that they will never achieve anything through violence ! i hope that one day the fence will be destroy it will mean that peace has arrived !

After agreeing (more than once) to all what the palis allegedely wanted, they saw the wonton violence that paid them back.

"Shlechem WAS the name of Nablus. Times change and we can`t bring back what is dead." Times most certainly do change. Now all you have to do is figure out that times changed so much since 1967 that those lines are no longer on the table. Several other things have changed since then. Jews were kicked out of the territories in 1948. Well, times change -- they moved back in after 1967.

That may be, but the government, customs and language went Germanic.

Then then centre people reached out to the Palestinians, and Israel left Gaza. What did they get in return - 12,000 rockets. You claim 12.000 rockets after the disengagement from Gaza? Instead of posting propaganda, you should get your facts strait: According to statistics compiled by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre at the Israel Heritage & Commemoration Center an organization with links to the Government of Israel, 3,455 rockets and 3,742 mortar shells were fired into Israel from Gaza from 16 April 2001 to 18 June 2008.

Arafat and his bombers destroyed the Israeli left. Then then centre people reached out to the Palestinians, and Israel left Gaza. What did they get in return - 12,000 rockets.

Barak offered 97% of the"occupied" territories and so did Olmert with a compensation in territories for the remaining 3%. The problem never was the borders but the right or not for the refugees to migrate "back" into pre 67 Israël.No Palestinian leader will yield on it (I hope I'm wrong) and hopefully, no Israëli leader will ever yield on it. If that's the case, the only thing we can do is strenghten our hold on the lands where there is a big Jewish majority

I just don't get these people. What peace when you have hamas on one side and hezbollah on the other??? I mean, why play dumb publicity games?

Surely Kouchner must realise that we Jews are deeply opposed to French settlements in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion and "French```' Guyana and, of course, Corsica and the Basque country.

demise or the chance for peace ? Those two are totally mutually exclusive . The left inspired appeasement of terror brought hundred of victims and ruined every chance for a secure peace for Israel . To make a make-believe peace with Arabs on their terms at a cost of Israels survival is not an option for us , Jews . And this is the precise reason for the disappearance of , eulogized by you , left . You got it the wrong way , Mr Kouchner , but with a background like yours who would expect anything else ?

Nablus is the Palestinian name for that town. What does it really matter if Israel and Palestinians call it by different names? Both Israelis and Palestinians occupy it, after all.

Some fellow said Nablus used to be called Shechem. Who came up with the name? Moses or Aaron who originally came from Mesopotamia? No. It was the Canaanites. Both the Palestinians and Israelis are supposed to be descendants of the Israelites. The Jews who were outside converted whereas Jews over time were speaking more and more Arabic and converting. Saying Nablus was called Shechem is meaningless since it wasn't Hebrews who named it that. Hebrews also didn't name Jerusalem. Hebrew is not a Mesopatamian language. It is a Canaanite language.

You are wrong about England. Studies show that the English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish are descended from the same people who predate the Anglo-Saxons, the Romans, and the Celts.

Shlechem WAS the name of Nablus. Times change and we can't bring back what is dead. As for Jews being indigenous to Israel, they came in and conquered. Then they left and others came in. Would you demand that all of England be given to the Welsh because their ancestors lived there? Or would you say :"Sorry, that was the past"?

The Palestinians should have demanded that Israel halt its illegal settlement construction long ago. While they have been trying to negotiate a peace deal for the past 8 years...Israel was busy building an UNPRECEDENTED number of settlements in the territories. What kind of peace partner is that? The time has come for Israel to meet its obligations and halt ALL SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION to prove it is serious about reaching a peace agreement. Its that simple.

"After BIbi`s Beautiful Speech in Washington" - Stephen "Actions speak louder than words." - Theodore Roosevelt

Hi Mike, I am in Israel and I fully agree with Indigenous (#3) opinion.

Shechem is the real name of nablus. it is where our Holy Ark was placed over 3000 years ago prior to the Holy Temple being built in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The Jews are indiginous to Israel. I am happy that you are reading Haaretz because it shows that you are looking for dialogue. But there will only be peace when you recognise our legitimate and historical claims. Otherwise, there can not be real peace and the conflict will continue.

France's assessment is correct. Netanyahu is not for peace. He is too dependent on settlers and conservatives to work for peace. Much of what he says is just rhetoric for the ears of American Jews to calh their fears about Israeli abuses.. A free, independent Palestine is one where the settlements and highways are turned over to the Palestinians with the IDF exiting completely. Anything less would be trying to have the Palestinians legitimize what has been an illegal occupation. As long as the West Bank is divided by Israeli highways, settlements and with an IDF presence, the Palestinians will not be free. communities in the West Bank will be turned into replicas of Gaza by the Israelis.

I did not hear Kouchner say that the Israel or the Israeli's "do not desire" peace anymore. He did say that he thinks they don't believe in it anymore.

Hi Ben, I am in Toronto and I fully agree with your opinion.

Removed Road Blocks? 579 road block and the wall still exist! Agreed to two states for two people? the other state should be stateless without sovereignty over borders, water airspace..etc and the most advanced weapon its police can have is a swiss knife. Slowed down construction? Not is Jerusalem, not ion public and governmental building not on the 3000 units! Encouraged talks without precondition! The negotiation should start from scratch, the Palestinians should announce that Israel is a Jewish state! Clearly Ben ...you are very knowledgeable!

I listen and watched Netanyahu's speech on C-Span; and it was a good one, even though he said peace about 25 times. Now, his Paris portion of the trip is about to begin. Now, the opportunity for Bibi to continue to talk peace and TAKE ACTIONS that convince others he and Israel are serious about proceding with peace talks. Two Sets of talks: one with Palestinians and the other with the Syrians. That would be good.

Removed Road Blocks? Check! Agreed to two states for two peoples? Check! Slowed down Construction? Check! Encouraged talks with out preconditions? Check! Cleary (for the french) these are acts of a government that has no desire for peace...