Israel formally expressed its opposition on Thursday to a French-proposed peace initiative, reaffirming its position that only direct talks with the Palestinians can resolve the decades-old conflict, the Times of Israel reported.

A week ago, France said it would hold an international conference in Paris on May 30 in a bid to relaunch talks between Palestinians and Israelis by the end of the year.

But a statement to the media issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Thursday said "Israel maintains its position that the best way to resolve the conflict ... is through direct, bilateral negotiations."

The statement did not explicitly say Israel would not attend any other type of forum but it added that "any other diplomatic initiative would distance the Palestinians from direct talks". 

Source ; MENA