Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron in a letter, accusing him of exacerbating antisemitism by recognizing a Palestinian state.
Macron recently declared that France would officially recognize a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September, joining an increasing number of countries that have taken similar steps since the Gaza war began nearly two years ago. The decision prompted immediate criticism from Israel.
In his letter, Netanyahu asserted that antisemitism in France had “surged” following Macron’s announcement.
“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,” he wrote.
He called on Macron to tackle antisemitism in France, urging him to “replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve, and to do so by a clear date: the Jewish New Year, September 23.”
According to UN data, at least 145 of the 193 member states now recognize or plan to recognize a Palestinian state, including Australia, Britain, and Canada. Canberra confirmed earlier this month that it intends to formalize recognition in September.
Netanyahu also criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, labeling him a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” in a post on his office’s official X account.
The outburst followed a diplomatic dispute after the Australian government canceled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, a member of Netanyahu’s governing coalition, who was scheduled to speak at events organized by the Australian Jewish Association.
In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revoked the visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the move an “unjustified reaction,” accusing Netanyahu’s government of “isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
