In a show of renewed cooperation between France and Israel, French President Jacques Chirac and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Wednesday in Paris. Referring to years of strained relations between the two countries, the French daily La Monde included in its front-page headline "the time for détente has come".
French sources speaking to La Figaro newspaper stated that France concluded that its role in the Middle East would continue to be limited without improved communication with Israel. The importance of relations with France for Israeli-European ties is also clearly a factor in renewing relations between the two counties. This is the first such visit by Sharon to France since his election in 2001.
Strained relations between France and Israel have continued ever since Sharon's election, while tensions reached their peak in 2003 after President Chirac failed to condemn comments by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammad, who said at the time that “the Jews control America”.
Following the incident, Sharon called on France’s Jews to immigrate to Israel due to the anti-Semitism raging in France.
The visit is seen as an important step towards improved relations for the two nations, as well as increased involvement of France in the Middle East region. The two heads of state are expected to focus their discussion on the upcoming disengagement of Israel occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, which, according to French diplomatic sources, is an important factor in the shift in France's attitude towards Israel.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
