Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Paris on February 2, his first visit to France since returning to power, his office announced Monday. Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously served as prime minister from 2009 to 2021, returned to power last month leading a coalition that includes right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.
The announcement of this visit scheduled for February 4 comes at a time when Israeli-Palestinian violence has increased in recent days.
A context of Israeli-Palestinian violence
In the wake of Israel’s deadliest incursion into the West Bank in years, followed by rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes, a Palestinian killed seven people in East Jerusalem on Friday.
On Saturday another wounded two Israelis and on Sunday Israeli guards killed a Palestinian in the West Bank. On Monday, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in Hebron, in southern Hebron, according to Palestinian authorities. The army said a fleeing driver was shot.
Violence raises fears of a new spiral and calls for moderation have multiplied around the world.
“Take urgent measures to return to calm”
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israelis and Palestinians on Sunday to “avoid measures that could fuel the spiral of violence.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss steps for de-escalation.
“We now urge all parties to take urgent measures to return to calm and de-escalation,” he told a news conference with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday in Ramallah in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
Source: BFM TV
