France

President Sarkozy makes landmark visit to Israel

Article published on the 2008-06-22 Latest update 2008-06-23 17:17 TU

Nicolas Sarkozy and Ehud Olmert in Paris, October 2007
(Photo: Reuters)

It's been 12 years since a French president made an official trip to Israel. Nicolas Sarkozy is on a fence-mending mission after a chill in relations with Israel. During his two-day visit, he'll meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and address the Israeli parliament. His visit begins as Israel said it's easing its blockade of Gaza on the fourth day of a truce in and around the territory.

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has described relations with France at the moment, as "honey-moon mood", in contrast to what they were when French President Nicolas Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac -- who was seen as being pro-Arab -- was in power.

Sarkozy is visiting Israel with a delegation of politcians and business leaders, and is accompanied by his wife.

Another whirlwind diplomatic trip, Sarkozy will meet Olmert and President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, as well as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethelehem, all in the space of 48 hours.

While Sarkozy has said he is committed to Israel's existence and security, and to rooting out anti-semitism.

At the same time, he wants Israel to stop building settlements on Palestinian territory, saying, like US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice last week, that the settlements are the main obstacle to peace.

Sarkozy is also expected to bring up other regional issues, after having invited Syria's president Bashar al Assad, to the National Day celebrations next month.

On the home front, as if to test Sarkozy, an apparently anti-semitic attack was carried out in Paris on Saturday evening. A 17-year-old Jewish boy, is in a critical condition in hospital after being beaten by a group of youths wielding metal bars. The victim was wearing a kippah, a Jewish skull cap, at the time of the attack.  Five youths were detained in connection with the attack.