Israel-France relations

French President Emmanuel Macron (C) presents a new two-Euro-coin marking the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union during a press conference on France assuming EU presidency, in Paris, on December 9, 2021. (Ludovic MARIN / various sources / AFP)

January 23, 2022, 10:56 am

Israel-Europe ties may not get much warmer with Macron as president of EU Council

As France assumes six-month leadership of key body, more pressing issues like Russia, COVID, and migration mean that relations will continue to be limited despite Lapid’s efforts

By Lazar Berman

A person walks on the ruins of a Palestinian house demolished by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on January 19, 2022 (Ahmed Gharabli/AFP)

January 20, 2022, 1:12 pm

EU, European powers pan Israel over East Jerusalem eviction and construction

France, Germany, Italy and Spain say proposed Jewish neighborhood near Har Homa threatens viability of future Palestinian state

By Lazar Berman

French Ambassador to Israel Eric Danon (courtesy French Embassy Tel Aviv)

January 17, 2022, 12:58 pm

French ambassador: Every passing day jeopardizes chances of Iran deal

As France assumes European Council presidency, Eric Danon says EU and Israel have much to learn from one another but warns that lack of progress with Palestinians cannot be ignored

By Lazar Berman

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (left) speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, on November 30, 2021. (MFA/Quentin Crestinu)

January 8, 2022, 10:47 pm

Lapid speaks to Macron, calls for pressure on Iran as Vienna nuclear talks continue

The two also discuss bilateral relations; according to Foreign Ministry, Macron ‘reiterated his commitment to the security of Israel’

By Amy Spiro

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (right) meets with French President Emanuel Macron in Paris, on November 30, 2021. (MFA / Quentin Crestinu)

December 4, 2021, 2:39 am

French president: Difficult to reach nuclear deal if Gulf, Israel not involved

Macron says talks with Iran should have ‘broader dynamic’ and involve regional powers whose security is directly affected by any accord

By AFP and TOI staff

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (L) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a Conservative Friends of Israel event in London, Britain, November 29, 2021. (Stuart Mitchell)

December 2, 2021, 12:36 pm

Lapid’s Iran approach seems to be paying off with Western allies… for now

After Netanyahu chose confrontation to try to stop the 2015 JCPOA, France and UK are open to hearing from new Israeli government

By Lazar Berman

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid meets with 26 EU foreign ministers in Brussels, July 12, 2021. (European Union)

November 28, 2021, 10:31 pm

Lapid arrives in London, as showdown over sanctions on Iran’s banks takes shape

Talks in Vienna on renewing nuclear deal begin, with foreign minister set to meet with Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron to push for sanctions on financial sector to remain in place

By Lazar Berman

Israeli Foreign Minister and Yesh Atid party chairman Yair Lapid speaks at a Yesh Atid party conference marking 100 days since the formation of the Israeli government, in Shefayim, central Israel, September 22, 2021. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

November 24, 2021, 6:59 pm

Lapid to meet Johnson, Macron in Europe as Iran nuclear talks resume

Amid warming ties, foreign minister to press Israel’s case against reviving the 2015 JCPOA with UK prime minister and French president

By Lazar Berman

Illustrative: An Israeli policeman walks near cement cubes placed as a roadblock by Israeli security forces on a road linking the East Jerusalem Arab neighborhood of Beit Hanina with West Jerusalem on September 15, 2021 (Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)

October 27, 2021, 4:44 pm

Israel shuts down culture festival in East Jerusalem, claiming PA funding

But organizers of festival at French-protected site deny any financial involvement by Palestinian leadership

By AFP and TOI staff

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, attends a meeting of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 17, 2020. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

October 26, 2021, 6:51 pm

UN rights chief slams ‘arbitrary’ Israel decision to outlaw Palestinian groups

Michelle Bachelet says move amounts to an attack on human rights defenders, on freedoms of association, opinion and expression as well as on the right to public participation

By TOI staff and AFP

Construction work is seen in the West Bank settlement of Yakir, on June 11, 2020. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)

October 25, 2021, 7:50 pm

EU, France condemn Israel over plans to build 1,300 new settlement homes

Bloc calls on Israeli government ‘to not proceed with the announced tenders,’ day after new West Bank housing units announced

By TOI staff

October 21, 2021, 10:47 pm

Israel said trying to mend France ties strained over NSO phone hack

Report says Paris has frozen some cooperation with Jerusalem over alleged hack of Macron’s phone; Israel said to offer to prevent targeting of French phones in future cyber deals

By TOI staff

September 25, 2021, 11:15 am

Phones of 5 French ministers said infected with malware from Israel’s NSO Group

Intrusions believed to have taken place in 2019 and 2020; separately, Israeli-made spyware confirmed on phone of UAE human rights activist

By AFP and TOI staff

Travelers seen in the departure hall at the Ben Gurion International Airport, on July 19, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

September 11, 2021, 6:34 am

France, Switzerland impose entry restrictions on unvaccinated Israelis

New regulations effectively ban travel for Israelis who haven’t had shot; both countries will still permit Israelis to travel if they are inoculated

By TOI staff

Knesset member Yael German at a committee meeting in the Knesset on January 1, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

August 16, 2021, 12:54 pm

Parlez-who? Lapid’s pick for Paris posting pilloried for being sans French

Yael German is widely respected, but without mastery of the language and diplomatic experience, many experts question whether she is the right person for the important task

By Lazar Berman