PARIS: France accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday of prejudicing the outcome of the Middle East peace process by declaring that Jerusalem would forever be Israel’s undivided capital.
“The declaration made by the Israeli prime minister yesterday in Jerusalem prejudices the final status agreement,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux told reporters in Paris.
The international community does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the city’s status is a stumbling block in negotiations with Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state.
On Thursday, at a ceremony marking Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, Netanyahu said: “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. It has always been, will remain so forever and will never be divided.”
Reacting to the speech, the French spokesman took the opportunity to restate Paris’ position on the future status of Jerusalem and to criticize Israel for allowing Jewish settlers to build on disputed land.
“In France’s eyes, Jerusalem should, within the framework of a negotiated peace deal, become the capital of two states,” he said, adding that President Nicolas Sarkozy had told Israeli lawmakers this in a speech last year.
“Actions such as the destruction of Palestinian homes or the transformation of Arab districts risk provoking an escalation in violence. They are unacceptable and contrary to international law,” Desagneaux said.
“In broad terms, France condemns the ongoing settlement, including in East Jerusalem. We reiterate the need for a freeze on colonization activities, including those linked to natural population growth,” he added.
War drills
In a separate development, Israel’s air force held a large-scale exercise simulating war on several fronts with enemies that include Iran, Israeli defense officials said yesterday.
The practice this week involved Israel’s entire air arm and was meant to prepare for an all-out war, including missile attacks aimed at Israeli cities, the officials said. It lasted four days, ending on Thursday.
