On a day that was already heavy with symbolism, one of the most remarkable scenes was that of the two nemeses walking on the front line of the unity rally, with just four dignitaries standing between them.
They were among dozens of foreign representatives who had jetted into the French capital at short notice to take part in an unprecedented show of solidarity after 17 people were killed in Islamist attacks in France this week, including several journalists and cartoonists.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders was heavily critical of some of the dignitaries attending the march -- including Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry -- accusing them of restricting media freedoms in their own countries.
As the heads of state and government kicked off the march, it had been a long time since Netanyahu and Abbas had been in such close proximity.
In a row of leaders walking arm in arm, the two were separated only by Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council president Donald Tusk.
With the Middle East peace talks deadlocked, the last face-to-face meeting between Netanyahu and Abbas dates back to some four years ago. No such meeting was expected of them Sunday.
They were not the only foes to brush shoulders in Paris. Also present were Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose countries are engaged in a violent struggle in Ukraine.
AFP