JERUSALEM: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday in Jerusalem he saw prospects for ending Israel鈥檚 wars in Gaza and Lebanon after Donald Trump was elected US president.
鈥淚 believe a window has opened for putting an end to the tragedy in which Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region have been immersed since October 7鈥� last year, Barrot told reporters in Jerusalem.
Speaking alongside outgoing Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Barrot cited Trump鈥檚 鈥渨ish to see the end of the Middle East鈥檚 endless wars鈥� as well as Israel鈥檚 recent 鈥渢actical successes.鈥�
Barrot said he hoped a 鈥渄iplomatic solution鈥� would emerge 鈥渋n the coming weeks.鈥�
鈥淔orce alone will not be enough to guarantee Israel鈥檚 security,鈥� he said, adding that 鈥渕ilitary success could not be a substitute for a political perspective.鈥�
鈥淚t is time to move toward a deal that would allow for the liberation of all hostages, a ceasefire and the mass entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to prepare for the day after.鈥�
Barrot said 鈥淚srael has the right to defend itself鈥� but pointed to 鈥渃olonization,鈥� 鈥渉umanitarian aid restrictions鈥� and 鈥渢he continuation of air strikes in north Gaza鈥� as risk factors for Israel鈥檚 security.
Barrot is expected to speak with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas and his prime minister, Muhammad Mustafa