Netanyahu Postpones European Trip; Denies Delay Tied to Harsh Criticism

Aides to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu are trying to dispel the notion that a decision to delay a planned trip to Europe is in reaction to harsh criticism of comments the Israeli leader made while visiting Washington last week. Netanyahu had planned to meet with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on June 3 and 4, respectively. But the French in particular were severe in attacking Netanyahu’s declaration that Jerusalem would never be divided. A spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry went so far as to assert his nation’s belief that Jerusalem should become the divided capital of both the Jewish and Palestinian states. The spokesman accused Netanyahu of “prejudicing” the final status negotiations. Netanyahu’s office said the trip would take place within the next several weeks.