JERUSALEM

Israel has canceled a planned visit by French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rouffo to Tel Aviv after France refused to allow US aircraft carrying weapons to Israel to fly over its territory, according to Israeli media on Tuesday.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel's Defense Ministry and National Security Council decided to cancel the visit of Rouffo, who is considered close to French President Emmanuel Macron.

It added that the visit, which had been scheduled for Sunday, was called off after Paris denied permission for US planes transporting weapons to Israel to use its airspace.

The daily also said Israel had recently held talks with French officials “to clarify that the weapons were intended for use in the war against Iran and had presented details about the arms, but French authorities maintained their refusal.”

* Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul.