Israel, France discuss peace summit proposal
French ambassador to Israel Patrick Masionnaive
(VOVworld) - French ambassador to Israel Patrick Masionnaive met with the Israeli Foreign Ministry's political director Alon Ushpitz in Jerusalem on Tuesday to discuss a French initiative to hold a peace summit in Paris to seek an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The idea was announced in late January by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Fabius said that if France’s efforts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians fail, France will recognize a Palestinian state.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon said Israel supports direct negotiations with the Palestinians but opposes any attempt to predetermine the outcome of negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he supports negotiations without preconditions, but he objects to the "ultimatum" of Paris recognizing a Palestinian state if talks fail.