The French presidential office responded firmly on Tuesday, August 19, to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of contributing to antisemitism by calling for international recognition of a Palestinian state. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said the “abject” and “erroneous” accusation “will not go unanswered,” without providing further details. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated since France’s announcement in late July that it would recognize Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In his letter – which, the French presidency pointed out, was sent to Agence France-Presse on Tuesday before Macron received it – Netanyahu expressed concern about “the alarming rise of antisemitism” in France. “In recent years, antisemitism has ravaged French cities,” wrote the leader of Israel’s ruling coalition, which came to power through an alliance with the nationalist and religious far right in 2022. “Your call for a Palestinian state is fueling this antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu wrote. “It rewards the terror of Hamas, strengthens Hamas’s refusal to release hostages, encourages those who threaten French Jews, and fosters the hatred of Jews that now prowls your streets.”
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