Netanyahu Criticizes Macron Over Antisemitism and Palestinian Statehood
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of exacerbating antisemitism in France by advocating for Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. In a letter released earlier this month, Netanyahu stated that antisemitism has “surged” in France and directly linked Macron’s diplomatic efforts to a rise in hate towards Jewish communities, reports 24brussels.
“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu asserted in the letter. He condemned this stance as “not diplomacy, it is appeasement,” warning that it emboldens Hamas and undermines Israel’s security, while also hardening the terrorist group’s refusal to release hostages.
The tensions between Macron and Netanyahu have been accentuated by Macron’s recent push to recognize Palestinian statehood. This comes in the context of increasing antisemitic incidents in France following Hamas’ attack on October 7, heightening diplomatic friction between the two leaders.
In his response, Macron rejected Netanyahu’s assertions, emphasizing that the push for a Palestinian state is rooted in a commitment to lasting peace, which he argued is vital for Israel’s security. “Our determination to ensure that the Palestinian people have a State is rooted in our belief that a lasting peace is essential to the State of Israel’s security,” Macron stated.
The diplomatic conflict extended this week with U.S. Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, accusing Macron of inadequate measures against antisemitism. The French government decried these allegations as “unacceptable,” further spotlighting the complex dynamics between these nations in addressing the rising tide of antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
