The Middle East Paris peace conference aimed at solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, convened in Paris this week, has been condemned by Israel as a hostile move orchestrated by the Palestinians and the French.

Although this is entirely untrue, it is customary for Israel to oppose any such initiative even if their outcome is very mindful of its interests.

Israel’s concerns, indeed fears, are not based on genuine suspicion that friendly countries, in particular France, would side with the Palestinians; Israeli leaders are well aware that such a possibility does not exist and they often receive repeated assurances to that effect.

It has rarely been the case that Israel was not informed well ahead of time or taken by surprise regarding the intervention of foreign statesmen in presenting proposals or advancing ideas, or even making a statement relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict in any shape or form.

Israel would always be consulted well in advance of any such moves, and the resulting objections are taken seriously into consideration.

Such has been the case regarding the French initiative whereby Israel has been fully and regularly informed over the past year of every step being contemplated by the French government towards saving the so-called peace process from definite collapse.

It is a well-known fact that Israeli leaders have opposed the French move all along, as they would have reacted to any similar motion.

But while taking all Israeli concerns into account, the French authorities proceeded with the peace-making effort, not without introducing all adaptations deemed appropriate to address Israel’s concerns, though.

more:   http://jordantimes.com/opinion/hasan-abu-nimah/israel-gearing-towards-extreme-right%E2%80%99