Despite warming ties between France and Israel, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday confirmed that his government has been holding talks with Hamas, which remains dedicated to the Jewish state's destruction.
Speaking on Europe-1 radio, Kouchner said that during the informal talks, France had found Hamas "more flexible than before," but that the group still refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist.
Israel and the United States have urged European allies to boycott groups like Hamas and Hizballah, since holding talks and negotiations with them affords the terrorists with a certain degree legitimacy among Arabs who may not normally support them.