Saying Israel was "not alone" in its efforts to block Tehran's nuclear ambitions, French President Nicholas Sarkozy said Monday that an Iran with nuclear weapons was "unacceptable" and promised his country would always defend the Jewish state against existential threats.
"Anyone trying to destroy Israel will find France blocking the way," he said in an emotional speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem. "The French people will always be at your side when you are threatened," he said. "Those who disgracefully call for Israel's destruction will always, always, find France blocking their path." Israel regards Iran is its prime existential threat, given Tehran's nuclear weapons programme, and comments by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian leaders that Israel should be wiped off the map.
The French president, in Israel on a three-day visit, told the assembled lawmakers and other guests at the legislature that a viable, democratic and modern Palestinian state could best guarantee Israel's security, comments he first made shortly after his arrival Sunday night.