Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday, 26 Kislev warned the planned French-sponsored peace summit is nothing more than an effort to harm Israel, comparing it to the Dreyfus affair.

In 1894, French Jewish artillery Captain Alfred Dreyfus was accused of and convicted of treason. He was tried again in 1899 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and then exonerated in 1906. He returned to the military and rose to the rank of lt.-colonel.

Lieberman explains the summit is set to begin on January 15, 2017, five days before US President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office and this is no accident, adding France is scheduled to hold elections too. He explains the conference intends “to harm Israel’s security and good name”, reminding the international community that Israel has rejected the invitation numerous times, and will not be attending as Jerusalem feels peace with the PA (Palestinian Authority) may only be achieved by direct face-to-face talks and not via intermediaries.

Lieberman then spoke of the difficult atmosphere that exists in France today for its Jewish community, issuing a call to come home to Israel. “That is not your country or your land” he added. He urges them to leave France for the sake of their children and grandchildren remaining Jewish.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)