Key Takeaways
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of inciting antisemitism over Paris’s initiative to recognize the state of Palestine.
- 147 countries recognize Palestine, with 10 new recognitions since 2024.
- The US does not recognize Palestine and vetoed its full membership in the United Nations in 2024.
Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of inciting antisemitism over Paris’s initiative to recognize the state of Palestine, Politico reported, citing a letter.
“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 said in the letter to Macron, as quoted by Politico on Tuesday.
The Elysee Palace, in turn, responded to Netanyahu that France “protects and will always protect its compatriots of the Jewish faith” and also “demands seriousness and responsibility, not confusion and manipulation” from the Israeli prime minister, the report added.
In addition, Macron’s office reportedly noted that Netanyahu’s accusations are “erroneous, despicable and will not go unanswered.”
Palestine is recognized by 147 countries. It gained 10 new recognitions since 2024, including by Ireland, Norway, Spain and Armenia. Canada, the UK and France have also announced their plans to recognize the Palestinian state. The US does not recognize Palestine and vetoed its full membership in the United Nations in 2024.
