President of France Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni arrived at the Knesset today where he spoke before the plenum. Speaking in French, Sarkozy said that France would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel against anyone who called for its destruction.
"Israel is not alone. France is Israel's friend, and it will always stand alongside it when its security and existence are threatened. Those who scandalously call for the destruction of Israel will always - always - find France blocking their way," he said.
Sarkozy continued, "Iran's nuclear program requires a determined response by the international community. I say in the clearest way possible that, as far as France is concerned, a nuclear Iran is completely unacceptable." He added that France was determined to pursue with its partners a policy that "combines intensifying sanctions with openness in the event that Teheran chooses to honor its international commitments."
Opposition chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) talked about the threat of radical Islam, which he compared to Nazism. His speech to the plenum was interrupted by MK Ahmad Tibi (Raam-Taal) and MK Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash).
Sarkozy commented on the outbursts, saying, "I hope that at every parliament in the world it would be possible to stop a speech in the name of freedom of expression. That's democracy."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel's relations with France had had their ups and downs, "but the foundation of friendship was never broken." He thanked Sarkozy for his support of Israel. "We thank you for your statement that Israel's security does not depend on negotiations, and for your adamant and determined position against nuclear program of Iran, which has called for the destruction of Israel."
Netanyahu also said that Israel would not return the Golan Heights to Syria. "The time has come to tell the world that the main obstacle to peace is the refusal to recognize Israel in any borders. The Palestinians declare that their goal is the elimination of Israel within the 1967 borders. They do not want a state alongside Israel, but instead of Israel. We won't return to the 1967 borders, and we won't hand over the Golan Heights."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 23, 2008
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2008