French President Nicolas Sarkozy is planning to unveil an initiative to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that would not exclude Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, reports IslamOnline.net.
“Sarkozy will present his initiative on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict during his Mideast tour next month,” a highly-placed Palestinian source said.
Sarkozy will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories on June 22. “The initiative is likely to include a reference to the need to engage Hamas which enjoys strong support among Palestinians and because of its election win.” The Palestinian source declined to elaborate whether the initiative would set preconditions for any talks with Hamas.
France assumes the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union as of July 1.
The US and Israel have spearheaded an international campaign to isolate Hamas since it trounced President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah in the 2006 general elections and formed the government.
The Quartet, which comprises the US, the UN, the EU and Russia, wants Hamas to recognize Israel, renounce “violence” and uphold previous agreements before any talks.
Israel has also been closing the Gaza Strip’s exits to the outside world since Hamas take over the territory last June. It completely locked down the coastal area since January, banning food and fuel shipment supplies.
A French presidential adviser did not confirmed or deny the report. “Sarkozy is expected to deliver an important speech at the Knesset that will be a turning point with respect to finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he told the portal, requesting anonymity.
The adviser said Israel still rejects any talks with Hamas until the group “halts terror and rocket fire into southern Israel”.
“The issue of Hamas talks is the most complicated point in any presumed initiative. Therefore, the best way is to keep it under hat for now.”
Last week, France confirmed contacts with Hamas.
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that retired diplomat Yves Aubin de La Messuziere, who served as an ambassador to Iraq, met Hamas leaders, including ousted premier Ismail Haniyeh.
Former US president Jimmy Carter urged European countries on Sunday, May 25, to work for a new national unity government between rival Hamas and Fatah.
“They should be encouraging Hamas to have a ceasefire in Gaza alone, as a first step,” he added.
“They should be encouraging Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement in prisoner exchange and, as a second step, Israel should agree to a ceasefire in the West Bank, which is Palestinian territory.”
Palestinian groups, including Hamas, accepted weeks ago an Egyptian proposal for a six-month ceasefire with Israel in Gaza to be extended to the West Bank, Israel is still reluctant to give a clear answer.
Carter angered the US and Israel last month after a series of meetings with leading Hamas figures, including Damascus-based supremo Khaled Meshaal.
Colin Powell, the former US secretary of State, has recently stressed that Hamas would not go away and does enjoy considerable support among Palestinians.