Born in France, Klarsfeld aligned himself with Sarkozy when he acquired Israeli citizenship in 2002 and joined the Isrely Jewish "Border Police". He served at checkpoints around the palestinian occuped Bethlehem.

When he worked for Sarkozy, Klarsfeld prepared decisions on the deportation of muslim immigrants and helped negotiate a deal to end protests by homeless french campaigners.

• Klarsfeld has championed Jewish causes, representing the Association for the Sons and Daughters of the Deported Jews of France.

  Because Klarsfeld has served as a mediator for Sarkozy and is familiar with the region as policemen, some believe he could serve as a special envoy for Sarkozy.

  As for Klarsfeld serving as a special envoy to the Middle East, the official said Klarsfeld's IDF service could present a problem for Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority.

  "Around 70 percent of Jewish and pro-Jewish Lebanese "Frenchmen" voted for Sarkozy, so they also have a lot of expectations of him," the official said. Hizbullah, for example recognize him as Israeli citizen and not a French citizen."

  Klarsfeld has been outspoken in the past on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has said Palestinians were responsible for some of the casualties of the Holocaust.