Relations between France and Israel have sharply deteriorated following Paris’s announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of fueling antisemitism, prompting a strong rebuttal from the Élysée Palace, which described Netanyahu’s remarks as “vile” and “based on falsehoods.”
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Netanyahu, in a letter to Macron, claimed that France’s recognition plan “adds fuel to the fire of antisemitism,” arguing that it rewards Hamas, strengthens its refusal to release hostages, and encourages threats against French Jews. He called on France to replace weakness with firmness before Rosh Hashanah on September 23, coinciding with the UN General Assembly session.
The Élysée responded, emphasizing that linking France’s recognition of Palestine to antisemitic incidents is false and unacceptable. France reaffirmed its commitment to protect its Jewish citizens and stressed the need for responsible leadership rather than manipulation.
The dispute follows Macron’s announcement last month that France would recognize Palestine in September, prompting several other countries—including Canada, Australia, Ireland, Finland, and Luxembourg—to signal similar intentions.
Netanyahu also sent a comparable letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing him of “fueling antisemitism” and praising former U.S. President Donald Trump as a model in combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish citizens.
In his letter to Macron, Netanyahu cited recent incidents in France, including the vandalism of El Al offices in Paris, attacks on Jews in Livry-Gargan, and assaults on rabbis, describing them as symptomatic of a wider trend.
France has seen a rise in antisemitic acts since October 7, 2023, following Israel’s war on Gaza. The country hosts Europe’s largest Jewish community (~500,000 people) alongside a large Arab Muslim population sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.
The Palestinian Authority condemned Netanyahu’s letter, calling it an “unjustified attack” on Macron and “hostile to peace,” stressing that criticism of Israeli occupation policies or support for Palestinian rights is not equivalent to antisemitism.
The rift also reflects broader disagreements over arms transfers, humanitarian conditions in Gaza—criticized by France as “shameful”—and Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank.
According to official reports, the Hamas attack resulted in 1,219 Israeli deaths, while Israeli military operations have killed 62,064 Palestinians, mostly women and children, figures recognized by the United Nations as reliable.
(AP, AFP, Reuters)
