French Foreign Minister Visits the Middle East to Explore Post-Gaza War Efforts

Stéphane Séjourné, the French Foreign Minister, will travel to the Middle East tomorrow, Saturday, to explore ideas for reviving the political process between Israel and the Palestinians following the Gaza war, at a time when Europe is trying to play a role in the conflict that has caused deep division within the European Union. Christophe Lemaire, deputy spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters at a press conference, "There will be discussions with regional counterparts, particularly with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, to understand how to return to a political vision in the region." He was referring to Séjourné's trip to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Lebanon, where France is also continuing efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, in southern Lebanon. EU member states are divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and their response mostly reflects attempts to alleviate the difficult humanitarian conditions in the sector. However, with the U.S. administration largely supporting Israel and entering an election period, there is a growing sentiment within the European bloc that it should leverage its relationship with Arab states to reach a plan when conditions allow.