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France’s Hollande Visits Israel; Takes Tough Stance on Iran

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French President Francois Hollande talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during this three day visit to the Jewish State.  Hollande promised Israel that he would remain tough in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran
French President Francois Hollande talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during this three day visit to the Jewish State. Hollande promised Israel that he would remain tough in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran
French President Francois Hollande promised Israelis on Sunday, November 17, to remain tough in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran, as he began his three-day visit to Israel. His vow earned praise from his Israeli counterparts, according to the Associated Press, mainly due to Israel’s concern that global powers negotiating with Iran are giving far too much latitude to the nation without guaranteeing that the Islamic Republic’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon will be eliminated.

Supporters hope the former president can fulfill promises to reform a dictatorship-era system and also keep his promise to keep up pressure on Iran and not make any concessions regarding nuclear capabilities.

In a joint press conference on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hollande said, “If there hadn’t been sanctions, if they hadn’t been enforced, it’s clear that we would never even have had the words from Iran — and I don’t yet speak of actions — that we had in the last few weeks. We have a duty to resolve this problem that has been under discussions for too many years because Iran for too long has participated in discussions without taking actions.”

Netanyahu opposes any deal that would result in the international community easing sanctions on Iran in exchange for “some curbs on Iran’s nuclear program,” the Washington Post reports. “The countries fear that Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, a charge Iran denies.”

Hollande sought to reassure Netanyahu on France’s stance on Iranian nuclear weapons in his address to the Israeli parliament Monday evening. “I know you rely on your own strength for defense, but know that France is your friend and will not allow Iran access to nuclear arms, for it would a be threat for Israel and the world,” PR Newswire reports.

“Everything must be done to solve this crisis through diplomacy,” Hollande said, adding: “We shall maintain sanctions until Iran has renounced its nuclear program.”

France was once a strong ally of Israel, a provider of weapons and was instrumental in establishing Israel’s nuclear program. But relations soured after the 1967 Mideast war, when France imposed an arms embargo and began adopting more policies critical of Israel.

Some Israelis view France as biased in favor of the Palestinians, with reports of rising anti-Semitism toward the French Jewish community — at 600,000 the third-largest in the world.

This could be seen in Hollande’s actions earlier on Monday, when according to the Jerusalem Post, the French president called on Israel to halt settlement building on Palestinian territory. Hollande said settlement building hinders the possibility of a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Israel has announced plans for thousands of new settler homes since US-brokered peace negotiations with the Palestinians began in July after a three-year break.

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