Macron defends recognition of Palestine in response to Netanyahu’s criticism

On Tuesday, August 26, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a direct response to a letter sent by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 17, in which the Israeli leader voiced alarm over what he called “the alarming rise of antisemitism in France.”

“The fight against antisemitism must not be weaponised and will not fuel any discord between Israel and France,” Macron wrote in his reply, a copy of which was reviewed by Le Monde.

Macron emphasised that safeguarding Jewish citizens in France from the surge in antisemitic incidents “has been an absolute priority of mine from day one” and “must not be the subject of manipulation amid the politicisation of a conflict that is not France's but that is affecting its national cohesion and the security of its citizens.” He added, “It would be wrong to explain, or even justify, antisemitism in France through the decisions that I have made.”

Netanyahu, in his original letter, accused Macron of “pouring fuel on this antisemitic fire” by moving toward the recognition of the State of Palestine in September. In his response, Macron firmly defended his position, stating that France’s decision “is rooted in our belief that a lasting peace is essential to the State of Israel's security, to its full regional integration in a Middle East at last at peace, and to a shift towards normalization that we support and that must be allowed to come to fruition as swiftly as possible. This lasting peace will be brought about by a sovereign Palestinian State, recognising Israel and its right to security, demilitarised and living peacefully alongside you.”

The exchange comes after the Elysée Palace on August 19 described Netanyahu’s earlier remarks as “abject” and “erroneous.”

Macron also rejected Netanyahu’s assertion that France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood signals support for terrorism. “The recognition of the State of Palestine does not reflect any sort of tolerance of Hamas or any other terrorist group using that State to threaten your country in the future,” Macron wrote. Netanyahu, however, has argued that France’s move amounts to a “reward” for “Hamas terror” and an encouragement to “those who menace French Jews.”

By Tamilla Hasanova