Sarkozy Heading to Jerusalem to mediate between Israel and Hamas

December 30, 9:42 PMForeign Policy ExaminerAimee Kligman

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France's Sarkozy  Photo: Reuters 

How lame is our duck? Lame enough that we are witnessing a first. The President of France, together with his Foreign Affairs Minister, Bernard Kouchner, are heading to Jerusalem to mediate between the warring factions.

This feels uneasy, though I am elated to see that at least one head of state stands behind his words. Everyone who has a voice around the world has been busy pontificating over what should be done, why and where. But the only man willing to put his money where his mouth is  - is Nicolas Sarkozy.

And I believe that he will be a more honest broker than the U.S. If you missed it, when Sarkozy was in Israel earlier this year, (and almost got killed, but it was quickly swept under the carpet) he delivered an address to the Knesset. It was a formidable speech filled with praise for Israel's historic achievements in the last sixty years. Toward the end of the speech, you could sense that Olmert's and Livni's faces were turning green. 

Sarkozy dared to speak of the "occupation". He dared to suggest that Israel had become a world power, and was in a position to extend the hand of peace to the Palestinian people. He had the nerve to suggest that Israel should halt its building of further settlements on Palestinian land.  He was eloquent without being overbearing. But the message may have gotten lost.

Lending more weight to the French intervention is Tziporah Livni's anticipated meeting with French officials later on this week in Paris.

Have we arrived at a world where the U.S. is no longer the peace maker, the relations promoter, the center stage power? Will France edge itself closer to Israel and its politics? Let us remember that Sarkozy has very deep Sephardic Jewish roots. Though this has not been emphasized in the English speaking press, it has been a very big deal in French speaking media.  Remember that after the U.S., France has the largest size Jewish community.

Calling Obama.

 For more info: Sephardic Jews, Sarkozy and Israel