Watch the first part of The FRANCE 24 Debate by clicking 'Play video' above. Watch the second part by clicking  here.

Tonight: Sarkozy in Israel. His three-day visit has marked the first time a French leader spoke to the Knesset since 1982, but does it mark an increasingly influential France? Zoning in on what he believes are some of the greatest obstacles to peace in the region, the French president called for several steps to be taken, including a total and immediate stop to Israeli settlement expansion.

Now Sarkozy also hopes to facilitate more productive talks between Israel and Syria. On July 13, Paris will host Israeli leaders as well as Syrian officials including President Bashar al Assad to discuss plans for the Mediterranean Union.

And, not escaping the agenda for his trip: Iran. Sarkozy vowed France would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons and that Israel's security will be the primary interest of France.

So, tonight we'll be debating France's potential role brokering peace in the region and whether France can be a true friend to all. Joining me tonight to discuss those questions and others: Taghrid Senouar-Schwarz, a political counselor for the General Delegation of Palestine in France; Ofer Bronstein, president of the International Center for Peace in the Middle East; via satellite from Brussels, Emanuele Ottolenghi, executive director of the Transatlantic Institute; and on the phone from Israel, near Jerusalem, Avraham Burg, former President of the Knesset.

THIS MONTH'S DEBATES