It will be his first visit to France since his return to power in December.

Israeli Prime Minister will travel to Paris on Thursday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. It will be his first visit to France since his return to power in December.

is making this visit in the midst of heightened tensions in the Middle East

‘’Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho will make an official visit to France where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron this Thursday,’’ his office said in a statement.

The announcement of the visit, which is scheduled to last three days, comes as Israeli-Palestinian violence has escalated in recent days.

Seven people were killed and five others wounded in a string of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem over the weekend, beginning with the massacre at a synagogue in Neve Yaakov on Shabbat.

Macron reiterated ‘unwavering’ support for Israelis’ security, and ‘readiness to contribute to the resumption of dialogue’

Netanyahu discussed the wave of violence on Sunday in a telephone call with President Macron. The French leader offered his condolences to Israelis after a “despicable attack” and reaffirmed France’s “unwavering” support for Israel’s security.

Friday’s attack has been condemned internationally, including in Arab countries that do not have relations with Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss steps toward de-escalation. “We are now urging all parties to take urgent steps toward a return to calm and de-escalation,” he said at a press conference alongside Benjamin Netanyahu.