France Assures Israel It Will Stand Firm On Iran Deal

[Purveyor]

Source: REUTERS

(Reuters) - President Francois Hollande assured Israel on Sunday that France would continue to oppose an easing of economic sanctions against Iran until it was convinced Tehran had given up any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Hollande's pledge could help underpin an intensive campaign by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince Israel's main ally, the United States, and other leading powers to toughen terms of a proposed nuclear deal with Iran ahead of negotiations reconvening this week in Geneva.

Differences over how to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons have opened a rift between Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama, whose relationship has long been fraught. France has taken a tough line with Iran, helping Paris forge closer ties with Tehran's foes in Israel and the Gulf.

"France will not give way on nuclear proliferation," Hollande said at a welcoming ceremony at Tel Aviv airport. "So long as we are not certain that Iran has renounced nuclear arms, we will keep in place all our demands and sanctions."



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/17/us-iran-nuclear-idUSBRE9AG0DP20131117

[jessie04]

1. Good.

They should stand firm.

[kelliekat44]

3. Why? nt

[dipsydoodle]

2. Pretty safe to say

they won't then.

[1000words]

4. You had it all, Israel. The most powerful nation in the world as your advocate.

Now, you have France.

[leftynyc]

16. Don't kid yourself

The US will stand by Israel if push comes to shove. If you think we'll stand by Iran, you're delusional.

[1000words]

17. I'm under no delusions regarding loyalties "if push comes to shove."

Simply acknowledging a fundamental shift in US/Israeli diplomatic relations.

[rpannier]

5. Wish the party could change Presidents

The man is killing the Socialist Party in France

[ucrdem]

6. He's in a tough spot economically.

Still I wish he hadn't gone down this rue.

p.s. more here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/116433

[polly7]

7. Ironic, as it was with help from France that Israel

started developing its own nuclear weapons.

[rpannier]

8. and FRance used Israel to help start the Suez Canal Crisis

[Alamuti Lotus]

9. Which was, it should be noted...

a blunder so blatant that the United States and the Soviet Union--during a fever-pitched moment in their erstwhile fairly contrived Cold War--joined together in one collective voice to ask: "What the hell are you people doing?"

[Arcanetrance]

10. Economic sanctions don't hurt those in power they hurt the normal everyday person

Last edited Mon Nov 18, 2013, 03:54 AM - Edit history (1)

Also I say this as a person who is half Jewish myself basing how the world should treat a country on the fears of a war minded government in Israel with the power to obliterate their entire region seems like lunacy.

[Kurska]

11. Since when is Francois Hollande half jewish?

I looked around and I could see no information on that. Only thing I could find were some pretty baseless rumors from some incredibly anti-semitic sources.

I think maybe one of his grand fathers might have been partially jewish, but solid information on that is very elusive. Very far cry from half.

[Arcanetrance]

12. Sorry I was referring to myself being half Jewish and giving my opinion on Israel

[Kurska]

13. Ahh I understand, mea culpa for not receiving the message correctly n/t

[Arcanetrance]

14. I changed it to try and add clarity typing from my phone I sometimes forget to add words

[Kurska]

15. It happens to all of us sometimes n/t