Defense Minister Bnei Gantz concluded a 10-hour quick visit to France, during which he met with the Minister of Defense, Florence Farley, and with the head of the DGSE ("French Institution"), Bernard Emmy, who is in charge of dealing with security issues outside France, including Lebanon. He also met with the heads of the Jewish community in Paris.

The Defense Minister discussed with the Minister of Defense the strategic security relations between the countries, and the need to bring about a change in the conduct of the Iranian regime, which is using the "shuffle" period to accelerate the nuclear project, while threatening to accelerate a regional arms race. Gantz stressed that the Iranian regime poses a threat to the entire world, to the Middle East and also to Israel, and that Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself.

Gantz also discussed with the Minister of Defense the issue of Lebanon and the internal deterioration in the country and the need to advance measures to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and ways to stabilize the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Ganz also said that Israel was concerned about the transfer of unbalanced weapons to Lebanon, and that it was prepared to offer any humanitarian aid or assistance to countries seeking humanitarian aid, and in particular that it would involve preventing intensification and undermining regional stability.

At the minister's request, the defense minister addressed the NSO issue, telling her that Israel takes the allegations seriously, and that Israel gives cyber licenses exclusively to countries and only for use in dealing with terrorism and crime. Ganz informed Farley that representatives examining the matter had arrived at the NSO company today, and that Israel was examining the matter with the utmost seriousness.

Photos: Ariel Hermoni / Ministry of Defense