Israel will not partake in Paris peace talks

Israel yesterday confirmed that it rejects the French initiative for peace and will not participate in a conference in Paris, local media reported.

An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told French’s special envoy to the Middle East peace process, Pierre Vimont, that direct bilateral talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are the only way to reach peace.

The Times of Israel reported a statement by Netanyahu’s office saying Vimont, who is visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories, met with acting Israel National Security Adviser Jacob Nagel and Netanyahu’s advisor Yitzhak Molcho.

According to the statement: “Any other initiatives only distance the region from such a process… It was explained to the French envoy that Israel will not participate in any international conference convened in opposition to its position.”

Vimont also briefed Netanyahu’s aides about the French activities to prepare for the conference and the contacts made with numerous countries who are expected to participate.

The statement noted that Netanyahu’s aides told Vimont that the conference “greatly harms the possibilities for advancing the peace process” as it would allow the PA President Mahmoud Abbas to avoid resuming direct talks without preconditions.

“Israel is certain and expects that France will not advance a conference or process contradicting the State of Israel’s official position,” the statement added.

According to Arab48, Vimont said on Sunday that Israel’s participation in the conference would show its commitment to the two-state solution.

He added that after the American elections, he would arrange with the American Administration regarding the conference, noting that the conference is an injection to revive the two-state solution.