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.