President Francois Mitterrand was the first French President to ever visit Israel while in office. His visit lasted forty eight hours, and apart from ceremonial visits, he met with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, as well as the leader of the opposition, to discuss bi-lateral relations and detailed his views on the ways to resolve the Arab-Israel conflict. He was welcomed at the airport by President Navon in these words:
Your Excellency, the President of the French Republic and Madame Mitterrand, it gives me unique and sincere pleasure to offer you and your distinguished entourage our warm and heartfelt greetings on behalf of the people of Israel.
Our good wishes come from the heart. They are not merely a matter of protocol. You are no stranger to us, nor are we to you. We regard you as a true friend, who has always been faithful to his principles and whose word is a word of honor. In the course of your life, you have personified the great and noble French people, with its human, cultural and social ideals, which have left their imprint over the generations on the entire world.
Mr. President,
Your visit is taking place at a time when we are beginning the last stage in the withdrawal of our forces from Sinai. As you are no doubt aware, this phase has aroused a storm of controversy amongst us, particularly because it involves the painful task of uprooting a number of settlements and their people. This is one of the sacrifices that Israel is making because of her dedication to peace, her respect for the commitments under the peace treaty with Egypt, and the hope that the peace will be permanent and will extend, in the future, to other states in this area.
Mr. President,
This is not your first visit to our country, but it is the first visit to Israel by a President of the French Republic and we are all conscious of its profound, historic significance. In the history of the relations between our peoples there are many chapters written in letters of gold, and we shall be able to recall only a few lines of them during our visit. We all cherish the hope that we may be enabled to read some more brilliant pages written by your hand, and that the clouds which have darkened our skies from time to time may be scattered by the wind, never to return.
I am confident that wherever you go you will feel the affection, respect and esteem that fill the hearts of our people towards you and your great nation.
Once again, welcome. In our country you are at home.