In response to the Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza that was agreed at the extraordinary summit in Cairo this month, the UK joined its European allies in backing the initiative, which aims to rebuild the Strip in phases without displacing its Palestinian population.

France has faced unprecedented political paralysis this year: 60 days without a prime minister following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to hold snap elections in the summer and, last week, the collapse of the government of Michel Barnier, who lasted only a few months at the Matignon.