French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla we guests in Knesset on Monday, with the French leader addressing the plenum.

Mr. Sarkozy stated France is a friend of Israel and will remain at Israel�s side if her security is threatened. He added France absolutely opposes a nuclear Iran and vowed to continue and step up pressure towards halting Iran�s nuclear program.

The president stated Israel must know she is not alone in the against �Iran�s nuclear ambitions�.

Making reference to the PA, the French leader stated that a Palestinian state and a divided Jerusalem serving as capital for both countries is a necessary step towards peace. He stated that a Palestinian state will ultimately provide additional security for Israel.

The issues of �Palestinian refugees� and construction �in East Jerusalem and the West Bank� must be addressed, calling them �key sticking points,� and calling on Israel to �encourage legislation that would make it worthwhile for settler to leave the West Bank�.

The French president received a standing ovation.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)