Weekly Review: French Riots, a US Envoy in Putin's Palace and Israel's Election
France 24's weekly roundup covers violent riots during mass protests in France, US envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Russia, and the final days of Israel's election campaign. Journalists and analysts discuss the events.
The French broadcaster France 24's weekly news programme reviews three major stories: violent unrest in France, a visit to Russia by US President Donald Trump's envoy, and the upcoming election in Israel.
Unrest in France
Mass protests across France were hijacked this week by violent rioters. Shops were looted, public buildings were trashed, and Lyon's Tourist Information office and the Limoges City Hall were set on fire. Curfews followed the riots. President Emmanuel Macron blamed seditious groups, ultra-left anarchists and opportunistic criminals, while partly acknowledging failures: authorities did not anticipate the events and fell short on intelligence gathering. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the presidential frontrunner, claimed Macron was exhausted and disorientated. According to the programme, her polling position for the presidency has strengthened further. Similar protests took place in Milan, Spain, Portugal and Belgium, and more are expected this weekend.
Witkoff in Russia
At St Petersburg's Constantine Palace, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff toasted Russian President Vladimir Putin after the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US teacher. The Kremlin had held him for four years, accusing him of serving as a mercenary in Ukraine, though many saw him as a pawn of hostage diplomacy. Witkoff called Putin a "humanitarian" just as Russia launched another mass aerial attack on Kyiv. The deal appeared linked to the US lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and an apparent Moscow commitment to renew trilateral peace talks with Kyiv and Washington. Critics allege the Trump administration is putting business deals ahead of a just peace.
Israel's election
Final rallies in Israel were intense and bitter ahead of the first election since the October 7th attacks. Candidates were described as shouting rather than debating responsibility for the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, as well as escalating settler violence in the West Bank, which is close to lockdown after an attack today. Trump gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a last-minute endorsement. According to New York Times reporters, Trump privately harboured deep frustration with him, though the US President dismissed the claim as untrue.
