France: More hostility towards Israel from French government

Another example of the famous "politique arabe" of France in place since de Gaulle.  And as usual hope comes from America. In spite of persistent hostility from the government headed by Manuel Valls, European rabbis honoured Prime Minister Valls for combating anti-Semitism...No wonder French Jews are leaving France in larger numbers than in any other European country.

i24 news reports:

Israeli-French strategic consultations hit an unexpected bump last week, Israeli daily Haaretz reported, as French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius sought to advance a resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue before the United Nations Security Council.  Jerusalem argued that Fabius was making the move behind Israel's back.

The annual strategic talks are dedicated to consulting on diplomatic and security issue, as well as symbolizing coordination. According to Israeli diplomats cited by Haaretz, this is "a forum in which the sides generally stress what they have in common," making the argument all the more unusual.

Diplomats from both sides reported difficult exchanges, with the frustration that built up in recent months erupting over said resolution, which is expected to call for permanent borders of a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines with territorial exchanges and Jerusalem as capital for both states.

Fabius recently agreed to a request made by Washington DC to put off advancing the resolution until a nuclear deal is reached with Iran, which is expected to be signed by June 30.

“We’re at a difficult moment in this relationship,” a French diplomat was quoted by Haaretz as saying, “On the Palestinian issue there is a real lack of agreement. There is increasing frustration in Europe, and that’s what we tried to explain.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli government received a nod by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican presidential candidate, with Rubio supporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to consider the pursuit of a two-state solution as a part of his new government's goals.

“I don’t think the conditions exist for (a two-state solution) today,” Rubio said. “The conditions… at this moment, do not exist.”

Rubio cited several reasons for the lack of conditions for negotiations, including the split government of Palestinians (with Fatah controlling the West Bank and political rival Hamas controlling Gaza), alleged "ongoing incitement against Israel" and Palestinian rejection of "two very generous offers" for a final settlement.

“I think the most we can hope for in the short term is that the Palestinians Authority will be able to provide a level of stability in that territory. And ultimately, the conditions will rise up with new leadership that will allow something like that to happen," Rubio concluded.