French President Emmanuel Macron escalated his diplomatic row with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to abandon what he called a “deadly and illegal headlong rush into permanent war in Gaza,” in a letter shared with Le Monde on Tuesday.
The unusually blunt response followed Netanyahu’s accusation that France was not doing enough to fight antisemitism but was rather encouraging it by its support of the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Macron dismissed the charge as an “offence to France” and defended his government’s track record on combating anti-Jewish hatred. France will stand its line about the recognition of a Palestinian state, Macron explained, as it considers it as the only way to avert endless conflict.
In the meantime, the French President argued that “the fight against antisemitism must not be weaponised and will not fuel any discord between Israel and France,” warning that it was Israeli policy, notably in Gaza, that was isolating the country and emboldening “those who use them as a pretext for antisemitism”.
Macron’s response comes as Netanyahu’s accusations have drawn support from US figures, including Charles Kushner, the American ambassador in Paris. Both Netanyahu and Kushner have previously leaked their letters to Macron to the media, whereas the Elysée palace does not usually share diplomatic letters with the press.
Diplomatic row
France on Monday rebuked what it called “unacceptable” allegations from the US and summoned the ambassador. The Trump administration, however, has since reiterated its support for Kushner. Charles Kushner is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
The pressure on France comes ahead of a September UN General Assembly – set to be one of the most contentious diplomatic battles since the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza – where France plans to recognise Palestinian statehood.
The recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel opposes, is gathering support across Europe. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this month called Netanyahu “a problem in himself” and said she was ready to recognise a Palestinian state, provided it is democratic. In Belgium, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has threatened to paralyse the government unless it hardens its stance on Israel, a move rejected by Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also written to his Australian counterpart after Canberra announced it would join the UK, France and Canada in recognising a Palestinian state.
Eddy Wax and Nicoletta Ionta contributed reporting.
(vib)
