PARIS: A row between Israel and France over Paris’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state next month escalated to crisis level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fomenting “antisemitism”.
The Elysee hit back, calling Netanyahu’s allegation “abject” and “erroneous”.
“This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation,” the French presidency added.
Netanyahu’s accusation was sent in a letter addressed to Macron, seen by AFP, which said that antisemitism had “surged” in France following the French president’s announcement last month that he will recognise Palestinian statehood.
Macron, Netanyahu embroiled in spat after latter accuses French leader of fomenting ‘antisemitism’
Macron said France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September – a move that at the time drew a swift rebuke from Israel.
In his letter, Netanyahu said to Macron: “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 [prisoners], emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.”
By announcing the move, France was set to join a growing list of nations to have recognised statehood for the Palestinians since the start of the Gaza war nearly two years ago.
France is among at least 145 of the 193 UN members that now recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally.
