Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of emboldening antisemitism by pledging to recognise a Palestinian state.
In a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, Netanyahu warned that Macron’s recent announcement had worsened hostility towards French Jews.
“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,” Netanyahu wrote.
Macron had said late last month that France would formally recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in September, joining a growing number of countries including Australia, Britain, and Canada. According to AFP, at least 145 UN member states now support recognition.
The Israeli leader also lashed out at Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, branding him a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” after Canberra announced its plan to recognise Palestine and revoked a visa for far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman.
In retaliation, Israel cancelled the visas of Australian envoys to the Palestinian Authority.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the move as “unjustified,” accusing Netanyahu’s government of “isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace.”
Written By Rodney Mbua
