Biden: We will transfer more forces to the Middle East. Anyone considering taking advantage of the situation - don't do it/Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he plans to visit Israel soon, French media reported on Tuesday. He said France supported Israel's right to defend itself, but it had to be in accordance with international and humanitarian law. In doing so, Macron joins a series of leaders who have sided with Israel since Hamas' terrorist attack on the south on October 7.
Earlier, Macron was responding to a video of Maya Shem, an Israeli with French citizenship who was abducted from Israel to the Gaza Strip, which Hamas released last night. "The President of the Republic was brought to the attention of the video of Maya Shem, a French-Israeli citizen, distributed by the Hamas terrorist organization. The president denounces the disgrace of kidnapping innocents and their despicable staging. He calls for her immediate and unconditional release," the Elysee Palace said in a statement. "France is absolutely mobilized, and is working together with its partners, to free the French hostages held by Hamas. The Minister for European and Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with the families whose loved ones were murdered or kidnapped, including Mia's family there."
Will come to Israel. Macron/AP, Gonzalo Fuentes/AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also arrive in Israel today. He is expected to meet, among other things, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed tonight that President Joe Biden will also land in Israel tomorrow. Blinken's announcement follows an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and after the White House said Biden was considering a visit to the Middle East this week.
Blinken made the remarks after more than seven hours of talks with senior Israeli officials and after attending a War Cabinet meeting at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The meeting was interrupted by sirens sounding throughout the Dan region, forcing participants to evacuate to a protected area.
President Biden's visit will be unprecedented. No American president has visited Israel in time of war, and beyond the show of solidarity, Biden's visit will also be a message of deterrence to Iran and Hezbollah. After the visit to Israel, Biden will also visit Jordan and meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President el-Sisi and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
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