Sarkozy to Knesset: A nuclear Iran is intolerable

By Ariel Zilber and Sara Miller


French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at a special session of the Knesset in his honor, vowed Monday that France would always defend Israel in the face of any existential threat - a direct reference to Iran and its nuclear program, which he called unacceptable. "A nuclear Iran is intolerable," Sarkozy said. "Anyone trying to destroy Israel will find France blocking the way." And, to applause from the assembled politicians, judicial leaders and assorted dignitaries, Sarkozy declared: "Israel must know it is not alone in the battle against Iran's nuclear ambitions."

Turning to the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the French prseident said that the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and a Palestinian state was a condition for peace. The Palestinians, he said, "have the right to a viable state of their own." He added that such a state would "ensure Israel's security." He also called on Israel to end its settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and said that there would be "no peace without a solution to the problem of the Palestinian refugees," a key sticking point in negotiations between the two sides. The French leader also urged Israel to "encourage legislation that would entice settlers to leave the West Bank." "There will be no peace if the Palestinians do not fight terrorism," Sarkozy said. "Each side has to make an effort. Peace is not possible if the Palestinians cannot move about freely." Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni received a red carpet reception as they arrived at the Knesset, and as he stood to speak, the French leader received a standing ovation from lawmakers. In his address to the plenum of lawmakers in Jerusalem, the first by a French president since Francois Mitterrand in 1982, Sarkozy said that his nation's connection to the Jewish people had enriched French culture. Ahead of his speech, Sarkozy received plaudits from Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, who praised his "determination" and "courageous reforms," and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a "true friend of Israel." Netanyahu's remarks in which he labeled "radical Islam as the greatest threat to the free world" prompted angry catcalls from the Arab MKs, who heckled the former premier. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert applauded Sarkozy for his "determination to root out anti-Semitism in France," and said that ties between France and Israel had seen a "revival under your leadership." "Your words of support for Israel touch our hearts," he said. Sarkozy, who arrived Sunday for a three-day trip accompanied by an entourage of some one hundred businessman, cabinet ministers and Jewish leaders, spent the first part of Monday morning at the Yad Vashem Holocaust musuem, where he was accompanied by Bruni and President Shimon Peres. Prior to Sarkozy's arrival, France promised Israel that it would put the brakes on its rapprochement with Syria until Damascus shows willing to distance itself from the axis of extremists, in particular Iran. During a meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Sarkozy and Peres discussed Syria. Peres applauded his French counterpart for inviting Syrian President Bashar Assad to a meeting of the Mediterranean nations in Paris on July 13. The visit, which will conclude Tuesday afternoon, will also include meetings for Sarkozy with the parents of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted to Gaza in 2006. Shalit's father, Noam is of French extract, and Gilad holds French citizenship. In his address to the Knesset, Sarkozy offered to assist in efforts to Shalit, and the two Israeli reservists held by Hezbollah since July 2006. Sarkozy will also hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, and with Netanyahu in Jerusalem.