Israel's Foreign Minister Secretly Hosted French Counterpart at Home

By Вести-Ynet

Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar secretly hosted French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot at his home in Ness Ziona on October 7, 2026. The meeting occurred despite France's claims the visit was private and would not involve official Israeli representatives. Barrot attended October 7 commemoration events. The encounter highlights ongoing, albeit sometimes tense, diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar secretly met French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot at his home on October 7, 2026.
The meeting was revealed on October 29, contradicting France's initial statement about a private visit.
Barrot attended events commemorating victims of the October 7 attacks.
The secret meeting occurred despite diplomatic tensions between Israel and France.
The two countries have differing views on French military presence in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar secretly met with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, at his home in Ness Ziona on October 7, 2026. The meeting, revealed on October 29, occurred despite France's initial assertion that Barrot's visit was private and would not include official meetings.

Barrot attended events commemorating the victims of the October 7 attacks, including visiting Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and a ceremony at the Nova festival site. Paris had previously stated that the minister would not meet with Saar or the prime minister, but the meeting between the two foreign ministers did take place, with no public announcement or photographs released.

The encounter highlights ongoing contacts between Israel and France, even amid diplomatic tensions. Jerusalem recently welcomed France's stance against boycotting Israel at Eurovision. However, the countries disagree on French military presence in southern Lebanon, with France's proposal for its soldiers to assist the Lebanese army in pilot project areas being rejected by Israel.

France has also reportedly barred Israel from an arms exhibition due to strict conditions. In a separate move, Israel decided not to close the French consulate in Jerusalem, unlike its action against the British consulate in response to sanctions on settlement products.