Sarkozy, who is on his first presidential visit to the United States, declared: "Anti-Semitism and racism are beasts and must be attacked head on. Once you try to explain anti-Semitism, you are rationalizing anti-Semitism."

He said anti-Semitism is a reality that must be acknowledged, not denied. "We cannot fight against what is denied," he said. "Unless you agree on a diagnosis, you cannot find the remedy."

The French President described himself as a committed friend of Israel who regards the creation of the state as one of the "miracles" of the twentieth century.

But at the same time, he said "we have waited too long" for an agreement that establishes a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

A message that he reiterated Thursday before a joint session of the US Congress in Washington.

He expressed optimism about advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. When Israelis and Palestinians have “their backs against the wall, the only thing they can do is move forward,” he said.

Pledging the support of his government to help negotiations for a viable two-state solution, President Sarkozy pointed out that “the issue of security is non-negotiable” for Israel, adding that “Israel has its back to the sea and little room to maneuver.”

Nuclear Iran

In his speech, he reiterated France’s determined opposition to the development by Iran of nuclear weapons technology, while expressing support for nations that seek to develop nuclear energy for solely peaceful purposes.

“Iran has the right to civil nuclear power,” he said.

Sarkozy has called for the strengthening of sanctions on Tehran and said that he had told France’s business community that "there should be no double-talk, with political firmness and economic leniency. We can’t have it both ways."

The French president was honored by the American Jewish Committee with the organization’s prestigious Light Unto the Nations Award for his “tireless promotion of democratic values, human rights, and peace”, and in appreciation of his “devoted friendship with the United States, Israel and the Jewish people.”

“Above all, we honor President Sarkozy’s conviction, conscience, and courage – qualities that are in short supply in a world desperately in need of all three,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

The AJC award pays tribute to outstanding statesmanship.
Previous recipients include U.S. President Bill Clinton and Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) is applauded by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Senator Robert Byrd before speaking to a joint session of the Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington.

More than one hundred guests attended the private AJC breakfast with President Sarkozy, including representatives of other Jewish organizations, members of Congress, prominent civic leaders and senior French government officials.

Sarkozy was accompanied by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Justice Minister Rachida Dati, Economy Minister Christine Lagard, Rama Yade, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights and Richard Prasquier, president of CRIF, the umbrella group of French Jewish secular organizations.

The president’s whirlwind visit to the US Nicolas Sarkozy is opening a new era in France-US relations. 

His election in May was welcomed by many in the US who view him as a pro-American voice leading a country that, under his predecessor Jacques Chirac, had been seen as irredeemably hostile to US interests, especially with his opposition to the Iraq war.

“I want to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion,” Sarkozy, who was interrupted several times by applause and standing ovations from lawmakers, said.

He added: "I also came to say one can be a friend of America, and yet win elections in France."