Netanyahu rejects French president’s offer to talk with Abbas in Paris

Netanyahu rejected an offer from the French president to participate in direct talks with Abbas at an international conference in Paris.

“Israel will not take part in the international conference, which won’t contribute to bringing peace,” read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu reiterated to Hollande his preference for direct talks with Abbas outside of an international summit.

“Netanyahu told Hollande if there were not an international conference in Paris, the prime minister would meet with Abbas for direct talks without preconditions,” the statement continued.

Meanwhile, according to an earlier report in WAFA, the Palestinian News & Info Agency, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has yet to receive an official invitation to participate in the international summit in Paris on December 21. However,  the PA continues to support France’s efforts in implementing a final agreement between Israel and the PA and reportedly had accepted Hollande’s invitation for tripartate talks on the sidelines of the international conference.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the French initiative, saying that such moves allow the Palestinians to avoid direct negotiations and impose preconditions on Israel.

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News