France presents peace initiative to Israel
The French Ambassador to Israel Patrick Maisonnave visited the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on Tuesday to present France's initiative for an international summit in an attempt to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It was first aired two weeks ago by Lauren Fabius before he quit as foreign minister. He said France would recognize the Palestinian state if no progress was made on the two-state solution.
Israel responded negatively by saying it did not reject the French initiative altogether only the ultimatum which placed the high card in Palestinian hands in advance of any talks.