Why is France’s Macron visiting Israel?

The prime minister’s visit comes as the death toll from Israeli air raids in Gaza has risen above 5,000. What is the purpose of his visit? Macron is coming with a four point plan, reported Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher from occupied East Jerusalem. Macron claims all his points are operational: He wants to prevent an escalation, he wants to free the remaining captives in Gaza, he wants a guarantee of security for Israel and also wants to work towards a two-state solution. He was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express France’s “full solidarity” with Israel, the French presidency said. This is in the wake of the recent violence following the Hamas attack of October 7. Additionally, Macron is expected to address the “preservation of the civilian population” in Gaza, amid Israel’s relentless bombardment, and as it prepares for a ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave. Macron will call for a “humanitarian truce” to allow desperately needed aid into Gaza, whose 2.3 million people have been largely deprived of water, food, electricity and other basic supplies after an Israeli blockade, the Elysee Palace said. Macron will propose relaunching a “true peace process”, with the aim of creating a viable Palestinian state in exchange for guarantees from regional powers towards “Israel’s security”. Who else will he meet with during his visit? Soon after he landed, Macron visited Israeli-French nationals whose family members have died in the violence. He also met with the families of captives. Macron is scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at 06:20 GMT.

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