France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy will arrive in Israel on Monday afternoon for a one-day visit with top government officials. Sarkozy’s trip is part of French and European efforts to bring a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas.
Sarkozy will meet with President Shimon Peres at 8:00 p.m. Monday evening. The two leaders will deliberate on the political and military aspects of the operations in Gaza. In addition, the two presidents will discuss how the war will affect the Middle East and Israel’s relationship with its neighboring Arab countries.
Sarkozy will subsequently meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Last Thursday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with Sarkozy, and her counterpart, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, in hopes of winning their understanding for the continuation of Operation Cast Lead until the IDF has accomplished its goals.
Amid pressure from European countries’ calls for a ceasefire, Livni underscored at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting that Jerusalem is opposed to stopping the IDF’s military operation in Gaza until its goals are achieved.
The Foreign Minister previously told reporters that the cost-benefit ratio had been weighed by the government and a decision had been made to act now, to end the threat of an Iranian-powered Hamas, before it becomes any stronger.
"If Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, Hamas is getting stronger - and if Hamas gains more power in the West Bank, the Palestinian state and the Palestinian society are doomed," Livni said.