Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told French President Francois Hollande that he is prepared to meet Palestinian Authority’s (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris, but not under the framework of France’s international peace conference initiative.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office said that he had spoken on the phone with Hollande and told him that “if there is no international conference in Paris, the Prime Minister will come to meet Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] for direct talks without preconditions”.

It added that Israel will “not take part in an international conference that will not contribute to achieving peace”.

David Keyes, Netanyahu’s spokesman, reiterated Israel’s position on Wednesday, saying: “Peace will be achieved through direct negotiations with our Palestinian neighbours, not through international conferences… Israel will not attend the French conference, because it will push peace further away”.

French daily Le Figaro reported earlier this week that France’s Ambassador to Israel Hélène Le Gal contacted Jacob Nagel, Netanyahu's national security adviser, and Abbas entourage to invite them to meet in Paris on 22 December, the day after France hopes to convene an international conference.

Last month, Israel formally told France that it does not intend to participate in the conference. Israeli leaders have consistently argued that such a multi-lateral framework will hand the PA cover to make unrealistic demands and avoid real negotiations.

Earlier this year, France had announced its intention to host an international conference with the goal of agreeing the implementation of a two-state solution. An initial preparatory meeting of ministers from 29 interested countries, but excluding Israeli and Palestinian representatives, convened in Paris in June.

In the past few months, Netanyahu has stated several times his willingness to meet with Abbas anytime, anywhere and without preconditions.