Israeli and Palestinian leaders "know they have to make sacrifices," Valerie Hoffenberg, France's envoy for economic aspects of the Mideast peace process, told The Associated Press. "We've had enough handshakes." Hoffenberg led Palestinian and Israeli high school students on a joint visit to France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday, part of France's efforts to use its relationship with Israel and the Arab world to encourage peace efforts. The students presented their own plan for Mideast peace.
Hoffenberg said she expects Israel to make an announcement Sunday, when its curb on settlement construction is slated to end. The Palestinians say they will walk away from renewed peace talks, which the US is helping to mediate, if Israel resumes settlement construction in the West Bank.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who wants Israel to extend the settlement freeze, is coming to France on Sunday for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarkozy tried to negotiate an end to Israel's Gaza offensive last year, and has tried to carve out a bigger role for himself in the region.
"The United States can't do it alone," Hoffenberg said.
"It is in the interests of the Americans to listen to France." She said that French and European experience in economic development in the West Bank would be useful in working out a viable peace plan.
