Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for France’s recent move to recognize a Palestinian state, accusing him of fueling antisemitism.
In a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, Netanyahu condemned Macron’s announcement—made last month during a UN meeting—that France would formally recognize Palestinian statehood in September. The move aligns France with a growing number of countries supporting Palestinian statehood since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza nearly two years ago, following a Hamas attack.
Netanyahu claimed antisemitism in France had “surged” since the announcement.
“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu wrote. “It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens their stance on freeing hostages, emboldens those who threaten French Jews, and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.”
He urged Macron to take stronger action against antisemitism, calling for a shift “from weakness to action” and demanding clear steps by the Jewish New Year on September 23.