Edouard Philippe

Philippe had been scheduled to make a two-day trip to Israel from May 31 to June 1.

Despite speculation that the cancellation may be due to French displeasure about the deaths of at least 60 Palestinians who were killed during riots along the border with Gaza on May 14 during protests that coincided with transfer of the American embassy to Jerusalem. The Le Figaro daily said the visit would go ahead at a different, unspecified date.

An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said he had been informed by the French of the cancellation, which he attributed to internal French affairs.

TPS