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France/Middle East
Sarkozy tells Israel to stop building settlements in West Bank
Article published on the 2008-06-23 Latest update 2008-06-24 09:47 TU
French president Nicolas Sarkozy and the Israeli parliament speaker Dalia Itzik
(photo: Reuters)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on Monday for a halt to Jewish settlement activity in the occupied West Bank while also proclaiming his staunch support for Israel in an address to its parliament. Sarkozy is on a two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank, accompanied by his wife and a big delegation of politicians and business people.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy told members of the Knesset and invited guests that many members of the Israeli parliament back a bill that that would encourage settlers to leave the West Bank in exchange for compensation and relocation in Israel.
In recent months, the Israeli authorities have announced the construction of hundreds of new homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. These announcements have infuriated Palestinians and drawn oublic criticism from, as well as Sarkozy now, US secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
Sarkozy also called for an easing of travel restrictions in the West Bank, where the army operates hundreds of roadblocks. The World Bank says these are a major obstacle to economic growth but which Israel insists are vital to its security.
He said the Palestinians also had to do more in order to achieve peace, notably in combatting terrorism.
Sarkozy also reassured Israel that France will stand by Israel if its security is threatened.
Sarkozy said a lasting peace required the creation of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel with both sharing Jerusalem as their capital. Sarkozy also said both sides were assured of support from the European Union, whose rotating presidency France takes over on 1 July 2008.
As part of his visit, Sarkozy was due to meet the parents of Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held by Gaza militants for the past two years and who also holds French nationality.
