Advertisement

Hollande is not welcome in the Knesset after snubbing it for students

President of the French Republic Francois Hollande addresses the United Nations General Debate at the 68th United Nations General Assembly in the UN building in New York City on September 24, 2013. UPI/John Angelillo
President of the French Republic Francois Hollande addresses the United Nations General Debate at the 68th United Nations General Assembly in the UN building in New York City on September 24, 2013. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

JERUSALEM, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said Wednesday French President Francois Hollande is not welcome in his Legislature.

Edelstein's comment came after Hollande decided to speak to university students instead of the Knesset during his three-week trip to Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Advertisement

"Giving a speech in a university and not in the Knesset is a distortion," Edelstein said. "He should speak to the representatives of the nation -- coalition, opposition, right, left."

Former French presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac addressed the Knesset during their terms, the Post noted.

He said Patrick Maissonnave, the new French ambassador to Israel, nor any other French dignitary, will be invited to events at the Knesset.

Latest Headlines