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Macron Says Now Not the Time for French Middle-East Peace Plan

  • Macron and Abdullah say they are still waiting for U.S. input
  • First half of 2018 will be ‘crucial’ for the region, they say
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference in Paris, on Dec. 19.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference in Paris, on Dec. 19.

Photographer: Philippe Wojazer/AFP via Getty Images

President Emmanuel Macron said “now is not the time” for France to push an initiative to settle issues between Israel and the Palestinians because the U.S. hasn’t yet presented its own long-awaited proposals.

“We don’t agree with the unilateral move by the Americans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital, but we want to see the full initiative put on the table,” Macron told reporters after meeting Tuesday in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. “We will bring our support to any useful initiative.”