Israel Matzav

Maybe this will dampen Israelis' enthusiasm for Francois Hollande

Israelis have been giving a warm reception to French President Francois Hollande in light of what's seen  as his much-stronger-than-Obama's stance on the Iranian nuclear program. Perhaps the picture above (word is that the rais was in the grave today) and the story below will dampen Israelis' enthusiasm for Hollande.

"For the sake of peace and to reach a deal, France calls for the total and definitive end to settlement building because it compromises the two-state solution," Hollande said at a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas described settlements as "the greatest threat that could end the peace process and lead to its failure."

...

Hollande held talks on Sunday with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem which focused on international efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.

He met Abbas in Ramallah, the Palestinians' seat of government in the occupied West Bank, and laid a wreath on the grave of Yasser Arafat, their guerrilla leader and first president who died in 2004.

After a public signing of economic aid and development agreements, Hollande said France had donated more in budget support to the Palestinians than to any other nation.

The continued existence of the 'settlements' and the continual increase in the number of Israelis living in them are the only incentives that Abu Mazen has to 'negotiate.' Without the 'settlements,' he could just refuse to even sit at the table and feel that he has nothing to lose.

Oh wait... he feels that anyway, doesn't he?

Labels: Abu Mazen, Francois Hollande, Yasser Arafat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:35 PM