• Published 00:00 10.12.07
  • Latest update 00:00 10.12.07

Sarkozy hosts Netanyahu in Paris, backs new sanctions against Iran

Netanyahu tells French President that Israel is united on Tehran's nuclear program, urges divestment from Iran.

By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Iran France

French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosted opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris on Monday, and said he would support further United Nations sanctions against Iran's nuclear program.

"We must continue to pressure Iran on the nuclear issue, including a new UN Security Council resolution on sanctions," said Sarkozy.

The French president told Netanyahu he intends to pay his first official visit as president to Israel in May 2008, in order to participate in Israel's 60th Independence Day celebrations.

Officials said the talks, which were conducted at length and described as very friendly, focused in large part on the Iranian issue.

"There is no opposition and coalition in Israel when it comes to the Iranian nuclear issue, and we are united on our national intelligence assessment on the issue as well," Netanyahu told Sarkozy.

Sources in Netanyahu's entourage said "Sarkozy did not diverge from his firm stance on the Iranian issue, the American intelligence report on the issue notwithstanding, and the report was barely mentioned in the conversation."

The intelligence assessment, released last week, said Iran halted its development of a nuclear weapon in 2003, and that the program remains on hold despite Tehran's ongoing enrichment of uranium.

Netanyahu called for efforts to urge divestment from Iran, and even proposed that France ban entry to Iranian officials who have ties to the country's nuclear program.

The two also discussed a planned conference of Palestinian Authority donor states in Paris next week, which aims to raise foreign aid for the PA. "The formation of institutions is crucial in order for the Palestinians to be able to stand on their own two feet," Netanyahu said. "Jordan and Egypt could also help on this issue."

"Security considerations will be dominant in any future agreement, specifically issues such as demilitarization and [control of] airspace," he added. "Israel's security is not something we will compromise on."

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Monday. (Reuters)

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  • 49. 0 0
    METHINKS IRANS PREZ IS GAY.
    • petra
    • 18.03.08
    • 14:48

    LIKE LARRY CRAIG, PUBLICLY HATES THEM, AND LIKE HE AND ARAFAT, THIS MINI MONKEY PROBABLY HAS A PILE OF BOYS FOR AMUSEMNET. HE'S NOT MARRIED SO, THAT MUST BE OKAY? HE AND IRAN ARE GOING DOWN. GOOD FOR THE WORLD.

  • 48. 0 0
    30. "Is There A French Equivalent Of AIPAC?"
    • ajewinfrance
    • 11.12.07
    • 16:12

    now that is an interesting question - there are no "lobbies" in France but there is certainly influence. what hold would a Zionist lobby/influence have over the French ? None whatsoever. Le Figaro produced a major article about Sarkozy being a Zionist Sayan. Reaction: zero. 'Good Jews' in French terms have always been those loyal to France (they were classified as Honorary Frenchmen; it was almost a compliment) - the non-loyal ones are "foreigners". Sarkozy is playing a dangerous game and my guess is that he will be perfectly happy to help the Zionists until it compromises anything to do with France - then he will become French.

  • 47. 0 0
    Israel's security ?
    • someoldyid
    • 11.12.07
    • 14:04

    Those who keep shrieking against Iran are endangering the very existence of Israel. So what that Sarko-the-Sayan greets the man who was so pleased about 9.11 ? Israel will howl itself into attacking non-nuclear Iran, and then ..... America will do absolutely nothing.

  • 46. 0 0
    #43 Edith
    • u
    • 11.12.07
    • 14:00

    "What should matter is the quality of the leather, not where he comes from, or the group he belongs to." ...then why should we proud of someone from Jewis decent becoming president??? you contradict yourseld a tiny bit, don't you think?

  • 45. 0 0
    P.WOOD @44Your evidence for this is?
    • PETER SM
    • 11.12.07
    • 13:38

    Why haven't the French deposed him using your evidence?

  • 44. 0 0
    Not surprising
    • Paul Wood
    • 11.12.07
    • 12:15

    Sarkozy is in the pay of Mossad, and Israel being Israel they will want a return from their investment.

  • 43. 0 0
    # 7 Of course
    • Edith
    • 11.12.07
    • 11:49

    ... we need to be reminded of the flourishing anti-Semitic culture we still have. The good thing about Sarkozy is that we as Europeans can be proud because a Jew, or at least someone of Jewish descent can become president. Many years ago we had a Jewish minister of external affairs, Jean Gol. What should matter is the quality of the leather, not where he comes from, or the group he belongs to.

  • 42. 0 0
    Sanctions on Iran are a bad idea
    • Edith
    • 11.12.07
    • 11:43

    By putting sanctions on the Iranian people they feel treated unjust. That creates pressure. They will hold those responsible who asked for that unjust measure. I was (and still am) against boycotting Israel, and I am against boycotting Iran. Try to solve problems in an honest way please.

  • 41. 0 0
    Now it's Bibi..... Oye...!
    • Esther
    • 11.12.07
    • 11:27

    Why is Bibi hobnobbing so cosy with Sarkozy?! Have we already given up hope completely?! Who wants to encourage this travelling salesman...?!

  • 40. 0 0
    AND... Two Can Play This Game!
    • Yosemite
    • 11.12.07
    • 09:46

    One wouldn't want to insult the Iranian People in general, the way Ahmadi has insulted 6 Million Jews in Israel. But I certainly would insult that little twerp in such a way that he would be pushed up against a wall and possibly compelled to react even to the detriment of his own country. Shucks? Even if some Iranian fan of his, acted out somewhere, in reaction we could probably pin it on Ahmadi. So what do we know about Ahmadi so far? We certainly know that he doesn't mind seeing his face matched alongside the world's leading White Supremists, whose names I don't mention except in insults because they make money selling their crap. And we know that Ahmadi is a compulsive hand washer like Saddam was. So that makes him an Obsesvive Compulsive. So that thing right there is enough to launch 1000 jokes. We can at least do that.

  • 39. 0 0
    However... These Headlines Must Be Doing A Job On Iran
    • Yosemite
    • 11.12.07
    • 09:03

    I'd take that photo like the one I told you of the Ku Klux Klan leader with Ahmadinejad and hop from one African Country after another and get plenty of photo ops and headlines with many leaders so Iran really gets the feeling that it is very alone in this cold cruel world. Then maybe, Iranians will begin to see Ahmadinejad's face far less glowing and more shadowy despite his iron grip and delusions of grandeur?

  • 38. 0 0
    #24 ChanahS. Israel must have been...
    • Maureen
    • 11.12.07
    • 08:31

    kidnapping Palestinian people (10 000) for many years.

  • 37. 0 0
    BILLY T.I know 1.You are derogatory to short people.
    • PETER SM
    • 11.12.07
    • 08:31

    What's YOUR problem.? 2.You know nothing about the US/Australian alliance,which was immediately re-affirmed by our new PM 3.You slingers at Israel think you have some right to get away with it and get all uopset if someone gives you your own back with interest. If you can't stand the heat-- 4. You have a problem with English

  • 36. 0 0
    Iranian Nazi Videos?
    • Yosemite
    • 11.12.07
    • 08:28

    Iran seems hellbent on Israel taking a first strike at them. This reminds me of the scene in the film Little Big Man when Custer asks Dustin Hoffmann, who he considers to be a traitor, whether he should go down in the valley and attack the American Indians? He reasons if Dustin Hoffmann tells him to go, it's because Dustin Hoffmann really wants him to think that he's fooling him, but in reality would be really fooling him, so when Dustin Hoffmann says, "You go down there General!" Custer says, "Aha!" And then Custer goes down there and gets slaughtered. I can't tell you what to do. But this situation with Iran is certainly no joke. Yo!

  • 35. 0 0
    CHET The usual bitching they are smarter than you.So WORK!!
    • PETER SM
    • 11.12.07
    • 08:23

    Work harder don't waste your time showing what a loser you are. You lot have got endless petro-trillions. The world lines up to sell to you.Look at that murdering creep Qaddaffi he has just got the Royal treatement. The USA & Euros sell them anything they want. So your bitching is just that.

  • 34. 0 0
    nothing in french medias on Netanyahu visit!!
    • Andre
    • 11.12.07
    • 07:49

    yesterday, only Kaddafi. $$$$????

  • 33. 0 0
    Chet # 29
    • Philippe
    • 11.12.07
    • 07:43

    Unlike in the US French political system and tradition does not rely on lobbies of any kind.

  • 32. 0 0
    #9
    • Moshe
    • 11.12.07
    • 06:26

    You are about as far from the truth as any "skeptic" by expressing the nonsense that Sarkozy is an Israeli agent.The people of France voted him into office, but free elections from your viewpoint are never quite free enough concerning pro-Israeli politicians.Your bias does reveal the truth.

  • 31. 0 0
    #5
    • Moshe
    • 11.12.07
    • 06:09

    In response to your question, having enormous quantities of oil tends to discourage innovation and research in the quest for energy sources, as well as efforts in other fields to increase the wealth of nations.

  • 30. 0 0
    Is There A French Equivalent Of AIPAC?
    • chet
    • 11.12.07
    • 05:25

    With the scandal of "dodgy" Abrahams money flowing to the Brit Gov't for pro-Israeli consideration coming to light, can any poster with a good knowledge of French politics advise as to whether a similar AIPAC-like organization exists in France.

  • 29. 0 0
    To Peter SM,19
    • Billy T
    • 11.12.07
    • 04:44

    We all know, how Howard kissed the Americans but, I'll bet you are a cuz of Howard.He got his sorry butt kicked out of offices for being dumb also,I think you a racist anyways,I have read your posts before You know absolutely nothing about me,I support peace,not occupations or terrorists.

  • 28. 0 0
    Peter SM
    • Philippe
    • 11.12.07
    • 04:43

    Considering height as a political argument shows you very well that they have nothing to argue about. Note that nobody complains that Napoleon was short to. Some people are still bitter that the majority of France does not think like them and elected Sarkozy.

  • 27. 0 0
    ChanahS # 24
    • Philippe
    • 11.12.07
    • 04:40

    Being french myself, I know much too well LouisLebeau's kind. He is a typical National Front militant. Like their leader LePen, they hate jews and arab immigrants alike. On the international scene they were strong supporters of Saddam Hussein and are of Iran. Everything American or Israeli they deeply hate. They are the political heirs of Petain and Laval (Vichy collaborationist governement) who betrayed France.

  • 26. 0 0
    #9
    • Andre
    • 11.12.07
    • 03:11

    I can see that you live in UK! What a shame! Before starting to engage in a political debate and prove yourself as an anti-Semite, maybe you make some effort on learning the English language!

  • 25. 0 0
    Maureen Ann #5
    • TonyL
    • 11.12.07
    • 02:56

    Has the oil! Speaking of oil, ever wonder why the `chosen people` were led AWAY from oil rich areas in the Middle East in ancient times?... See, lakshmi wonders the same thing. Why don`t you share your version with her. You can not heighten your ignorance`s max capacity but you can give her some great ideas we can all laugh at in the future.

  • 24. 0 0
    Free Gilad Shalit # 11
    • ChanahS
    • 11.12.07
    • 02:07

    Louis LeBeau is already living under sharia law - his language and the meaningless slogans he bandies about reveals all.

  • 23. 0 0
    # 13 Funny enough he could pass for Swiss.
    • Stephen.
    • 11.12.07
    • 02:07

    Bibi is a great listener, an par excellence talker, he knows that Iran, Hamas,Hezbolla and Syria are out there to destroy Israel. He makes no bones about it. He is not a diplomatic flunky, which is why Clinton could not handle him. He coined the phrase, "We live in a bad neighborhood"! Bill Clinton coined the phrase, "It·s a slippery slope"!

  • 22. 0 0
    Louis
    • ChanahS
    • 11.12.07
    • 02:05

    France has a fifth column? A Zionist fifth column?

  • 21. 0 0
    Aint that cute?
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:54

    Now Bush has a REAL French Poodle.

  • 20. 0 0
    5 Maureen Ann,you raise a very interesting question!
    • lakshmi
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:52

    Re: Sarkozy and his idiotic pronouncements,who pays attention to this new poodle? He's out blaring blair!

  • 19. 0 0
    BILLYT"Little Brown Noser"elected by French sick of riots& terror
    • PETER SM
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:48

    Being allied with the Arabs,selling rockets,nuclear technology and billions in arms changed nothing. The French got the message.You obviously have not. Arafat was short did that bother you?

  • 18. 0 0
    Hilarious, policies without evidence
    • An American
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:34

    Don't you find it so delightful that our leaders no longer need evidence to support their policies. I mean at least with Iraq they fabricated it. Now with Iran the call for sanctions continues against a nuclear program regardless whether their is a program or not. Life is so much fun when you ignore reality. This must be what its like to be religious

  • 17. 0 0
    "preventive" sanctions or something like "preventive" war?
    • kay
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:32

    as if the the rest of the world was so innocent.

  • 16. 0 0
    To Stephen (#5): Bibi to be next prime minister of ...
    • Morris Valentine
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:21

    ... Switzerland? Funny, he doesn't look Swiss. Seriously, all former PMs (Netanyahu included) must be of very like minds on the topic of security and the Iranian threat. There can be no doubt Ahmadinejad and his ilk are the biggest worry since the good old days of Gamal Nasser. Stop Iran from getting nukes - NOW.

  • 15. 0 0
    L.leBleu.The French electorate knew exactly where he stood.
    • PETER SM
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:06

    He was a elected by the majority of Frenchmen. So the person out of step with France is you. There is the Algerie option n'est ce pas? Allez vous en if you cannot cope with what the French democratically decided.

  • 14. 0 0
    Louis LeBeau # 7
    • Philippe
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:04

    Spoken like a true militant of the National Front (FN). The heir of the Vichy traitors gives lessons.

  • 13. 0 0
    Stephen # 3
    • Philippe
    • 11.12.07
    • 01:02

    As much as I dislike Bibi, I have to agree with you that he will be a much better leader than Olmert. Still Sharon's ailment could not come at a worst time for Israel.

  • 12. 0 0
    # 7 Words from the past.
    • Stephen.
    • 11.12.07
    • 00:54

    France, the Dreyfuss Affair. France under Petain and the Vichy Government, the final solution, sending hundreds and thousands of Jews to the Nazi Gas Chambers. People like you were the paisans who followed the easy road. To call your own President a traitor,..........tsk tsk........ Madame Guillotine.!

  • 11. 0 0
    #7 Louis LeBeau
    • Free Gilad Shalit
    • 11.12.07
    • 00:33

    .."France`s security that he must not compromise upon by making alliances to regimes whose reckless and criminal behavior only stands to tarnish the image for France by association." Are you more intersted that France ally with the oil-rich terrorist sponsor countries such as Saudi Arabia, etc. Or are you afraid that all the millions of Muslems in France will start another riot? Its time you wake up and realise who the real enemy is, before you find yourself living under Sharia law.

  • 10. 0 0
    #7 louis
    • Joe
    • 11.12.07
    • 00:10

    Hi Louis, I could'nt have said better myself! Finally, a French citizien says it the way it should! Chapeau! Joe.

  • 9. 0 0
    Sarkozy dead on arrival
    • Realtruth
    • 10.12.07
    • 23:52

    After the NIE report every plan is sure to fail. Sarkozy is a dead meat, why? Reason being even the CIA listened to a statement by ALgierian minister that Sarkozy was and is a Israeli agent before election and Jewish lobby played heavy investment to bring him, just like USA. Free feel to search and I hope Haaretz will keep the tradition of printing it.

  • 8. 0 0
    Oil
    • Ed
    • 10.12.07
    • 23:47

    Maureen Ann, Moses knew something was up.

  • 7. 0 0
    Sarkozy is a Zionist Mole and Traitor to France
    • Louis LeBeau
    • 10.12.07
    • 23:46

    Sarkozy appears to be a member of France's Zionist's 5th column in as it seems that he is spending more time concerning himself with Israel and Israeli security issues than he is spending on solving the important issues facing France today. Israel itself should not be a concern of France's President, France should be his only concern and it is France's security that he must not compromise upon by making alliances to regimes whose reckless and criminal behavior only stands to tarnish the image for France by association.

  • 6. 0 0
    This little Brown Noser
    • Billy t
    • 10.12.07
    • 23:44

    He's really trying to score points with the US.His country invested so much in Iran and Iraq,now he's tryin to be US lap doggie, replacing Tony Blair.

  • 5. 0 0
    Iran.
    • Maureen Ann
    • 10.12.07
    • 23:35

    Has the oil! Speaking of oil, ever wonder why the 'chosen people' were led AWAY from oil rich areas in the Middle East in ancient times?

  • 4. 0 0
    Isn't there a better way...
    • Edith
    • 10.12.07
    • 22:55

    ... to show one's love for the Jewish people?

  • 3. 0 0
    Now thats a meeting of real Leaders!
    • Stephen.
    • 10.12.07
    • 22:46

    Finally, an Israeli leader of real guts and calibre meets with Sarkozy. Both do as they say. Both call a spade a spade. Both are realistic leaders who stand by their convictions. Hopefully,...Bibi will be our next P.M.!

  • 2. 0 0
    Visit
    • Jim
    • 10.12.07
    • 22:42

    I searched high and low thro the French press and there is no mention of Nuttinyahoos visit. On the other hand there is wall to wall coverage of Col Khadaffis state visit to France which began today. Indeed contracts worth 10B dollars including aircraft and nuclear reactors have been signed already. Where Nuttinyahoo got 5 minutes with his existential threats Sarkozy knows where the money is.

  • 1. 0 0
    That is rediculous! He wants Israel to control the airspace of PA
    • Peacenik
    • 10.12.07
    • 22:41

    What country would agree to that? No peace, one state solution. There are more Palestinians than Jews from Jordan to the sea, time is on the Pals side. What country allows another country to control its airspace? "Israel's security is not something we will compromise on." Nor is Palestines...and Palestines liberation (air, land and sea) is something that will not be compromised.