World Jun. 23, 2008 - 04:18AM JST ( 15 )

TEL AVIV —

French President Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed his friendship for Israel at the start of a three-day visit on Sunday but also said Israeli security depended on the creation of a Palestinian state.

“I have always been Israel’s friend,” Sarkozy said upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv. The visit is the first to Israel by a French president in almost 12 years.

“I am more convinced than ever that the security of Israel will only be truly guaranteed with the birth of a second state, a Palestinian state,” said Sarkozy, whose visit will also take him to the occupied West Bank.

He expressed certainty that a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians can be reached in the near future. “This agreement would enable the two peoples to live in security.”

Sarkozy and his wife—supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy—were greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before reviewing a guard of honor.

Olmert said Sarkozy’s visit was proof of the French president’s support for the Jewish people and Israel.

“In all our talks I have found in you deep understanding for Israel’s security needs and the challenges it has to face,” said Olmert.

As he was traveling to Israel, Sarkozy led condemnation of an attack in Paris that left a Jewish teenager in a coma after he was beaten with metal bars, an assault organizations said was motivated by anti-Semitism.

Sarkozy expressed his “profound indignation” and reaffirmed his “total determination to combat all forms of racism and anti-Semitism.”

From Ben Gurion airport, France’s first couple headed to Jerusalem for talks with Peres followed by dinner with Olmert, who has been dogged by a graft scandal.

At his meeting with Peres, Sarkozy called for Israel to take “risks for peace.”

“The risks for peace, they must be taken right away. Waiting for tomorrow is even more risky ... There’s been too much suffering in this region. What’s the point in waiting years and years, for deaths, deaths and more deaths?” he said.

Olmert, ahead of their working dinner, said he was confident that Sarkozy would keep up the fight against anti-Semitism in the wake of the attack on the Jewish teenager.

“I know that this president of the republic will continue the incessant fight against anti-Semitism,” he said, recalling his term in office as France’s interior minister.

On Monday, Sarkozy is due to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

The trip, one of several high-profile visits by world leaders to mark the Jewish state’s 60th anniversary, was aimed at underlining the strength of Franco-Israeli relations, in contrast with the tensions that marked ties under former French president Jacques Chirac, perceived in Israel as being pro-Arab.

In an interview with Israeli media, Sarkozy said earlier that France “will always be by Israel’s side when its existence and security are at stake.”

But he also said Israel had to do more to move forward the peace process with the Palestinians, and particularly to halt settlement activity in the West Bank.

“As I’ve said on several occasions, freezing settlements, which are the main obstacle to peace, is crucial.”

Israeli authorities have announced the construction of hundreds of new homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank in recent months, infuriating Palestinians and drawing international criticism.

Sarkozy plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Tuesday for talks with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.

In addition to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Sarkozy was also expected to discuss other regional issues following his recent contacts with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

AFP