The French Presidency on Tuesday condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism in France, AFP reports.
According to the report, Macron's office called the claim "abject" and "erroneous," stating that France "protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens." It added that a letter from Netanyahu, which included the allegation, "will not go unanswered."
Macron’s office stressed that "this is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation."
The letter from Netanyahu, seen by AFP, stated that antisemitism had "surged" in France following Macron’s announcement last month that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September. This move would make France the first G7 country to do so.
In his letter, Netanyahu wrote, "Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets."
France is home to Europe's largest Jewish community. According to the interior ministry, reported antisemitic acts in France surged from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, before dipping to 1,570 last year.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and France, stemming from Macron’s ongoing criticism of Israel’s counterterrorism operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The French President twice called for an arms embargo against Israel to stop the conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, saying that "stopping the export of weapons" used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end fighting there.
Later, Macron warned that Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza may be in breach of international humanitarian law.
In yet another incident, the French President lashed out at Netanyahu’s policy regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza as shameful, adding that Europeans should consider increasing sanctions.