France’s friendship toward Israel should not hinder French efforts to establish and maintain friendly relations with the Arab nations, Israeli sources said today. The comment was made in reference to press reports that France and Syria were moving toward a rapprochement.
Israeli-French relations may undergo a change in tone and outward expression as a result of French hopes to regain her position in Syria. However, the content and closeness of Israeli-French relations will not be changed in the process, observers here believe. It is assumed here that Israel will not interfere in the French attempt to recapture her past influence in Syria, although she may render some tacit assistance.
Some informed circles believe that Israel’s restraint and non-reaction to the latest Syrian shootings and provocations along the border already reveal the Israeli Army’s desire to underplay incidents in order to assist France in its relations with Syria. They see a major difference between French and British attempts to regain their standing in the Arab countries. While Britain still feels friendship to the Arabs requires a cooler attitude toward Israel, the French are convinced that it is possible to normalize and improve relations with the Arabs while maintaining their traditional friendship with Israel.
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