Alexandre Chauveau edited by Sylvain Allemand / Photo credits: BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
The Minister of the Armed Forces arrives in Israel this Friday where he will visit IDF headquarters. A new stage of the tour in the Middle East for Sébastien Lecornu after his visits to Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Main objective of these visits: to clarify France’s position in the conflict between the Jewish State and Hamas.
Catch-up operation for Sébastien Lecornu. Since Wednesday, the Minister of the Armed Forces has been on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East and he is expected to arrive in Israel this Friday after making stops during the week in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Trips which have a double challenge: on the one hand to reassure the Arab countries, which reproach France for a position considered pro-Israeli and on the other hand to reiterate Paris’ support for the Hebrew State, which has remained circumspect in the face of requests from ceasefire demanded by Emmanuel Macron at the BBC.
To do this, the Minister of the Armed Forces does not shy away from the task. Since Wednesday, he has increased his number of unofficial bilateral talks. On the agenda for these exchanges: the fate of French hostages held captive by Hamas, Israel’s right to defend itself while respecting international laws or humanitarian assistance to civilian populations in Gaza. Thorny subjects entrusted to Sébastien Lecornu, sent specially by Emmanuel Macron, even if it means overshadowing the activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Clarifying France’s position
The minister is therefore operating in a region in turmoil since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and where France’s position raises questions. Since the start of the conflict, the Élysée has played a balancing act and demanded a fair balance between Israel’s right to defend itself and the protection of civilians in Gaza. A position strongly criticized for its lack of clarity in the region.