French FM: Status quo between Israel and Palestinians risks 'explosion of violence'

[Jefferson23]

In remarks before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Alain Juppe also says scheduled to meet Palestinian President Abbas later on Monday.

French FM said on Monday that the status quo between Israel and the Palestinian is neither acceptable nor tenable, and "posed a risk of an explosion of violence." Alain Juppe added he is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Monday.

Abbas said Monday that he expects a "very difficult" situation after the Palestinians submit their request for full membership at the United Nations General Assembly, the French news agency AFP reported.

snip* Earlier this month, French foreign ministry special envoy to the Middle East Valerie Hoffenberg was summarily sacked - because, she claims, of her opposition to the expected Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood later this month.

"I don't think this is a coincidence," the envoy told Haaretz when asked about the timing of her sacking, which she was shocked to learn about from a Foreign Ministry announcement on Friday. A day earlier, during a visit to Israel, at a meeting with Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom, Hoffenberg said that while she did not know the official French position, she herself was "completely opposed to the unilateral declaration."

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/french-fm-status-quo-between-israel-and-palestinians-risks-explosion-of-violence-1.385380

[bemildred]

1. French Mideast envoy fired for opposing Palestinian UN bid

Valerie Hoffenberg, the outspoken French foreign ministry special envoy to the Middle East, was summarily sacked over the weekend - because, she claims, of her opposition to the expected Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood later this month.

"I don't think this is a coincidence," the envoy told Haaretz when asked about the timing of her sacking, which she was shocked to learn about from a Foreign Ministry announcement on Friday. A day earlier, during a visit to Israel, at a meeting with Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom, Hoffenberg said that while she did not know the official French position, she herself was "completely opposed to the unilateral declaration."

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/french-mideast-envoy-fired-for-opposing-palestinian-un-bid-1.382960

[Jefferson23]

2. It's always a game of power, she knows this. n/t