PARIS — A delegation of 14 senior Israeli figures paid a discreet visit to Paris last week, including former top officials at Israeli security agencies, security experts, IDF officers, three Knesset members and one minister. Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern had actually joined the delegation at the last moment, but it was his presence specifically that was important for the French.

The overall stated goal of the delegation, organized by the experienced European Israel advocacy group Elnet, was to interact with French decision-makers on strategic issues, and explain to them Israeli positions on issues such as the Iranian nuclear talks, Hezbollah in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The arrival of the delegation was organized to coincide with the International Paris Milipol expo, opening Oct. 19 and dedicated to homeland security.

Elnet prepared an impressive program for the delegation. On Oct. 21, for instance, they met with the France-Israel friendship group in the Senate. The group’s chairman, Roger Karoutchi, received them with all honors. Later, they met with members of the National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee, and with senior members of the prestigious Montaigne Institute. Researchers at Montaigne are often asked to advise the Elysee Palace on issues of national security.

The French interlocutors were eager to meet the Israeli delegation. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considered the European Union biased in favor of the Palestinians, and was not a very welcome guest in Paris. The new Bennett government is still a mystery to Paris because of the diverse combination of the coalition. French decision-makers are now wondering whether the new government will prove to be more flexible on talks with Iran and on curbing West Bank settlements.