France disputes Netanyahu's accusation of antisemitism in regards to acknowledgment of Palestine
In a series of recent events, tensions between Israel and France have escalated over the recognition of a Palestinian state. The latest diplomatic spat stems from French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been critical of this decision, accusing President Macron of stoking antisemitism. In response, the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the French President, called Netanyahu's accusations "abject" and "erroneous." French officials maintain that the move is in line with decades of French diplomacy, not a departure from it.
France recognises Palestinian statehood as a means to push back against Hamas and revive the prospects of peace. However, the Palestinian Authority dismisses the conflation of criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry has called Netanyahu's accusations unjustified and hostile to peace.
The Palestinian Authority welcomes France's stance, strongly condemning Netanyahu's claims. This dispute between Israel and Australia has led to tit-for-tat visa cancellations between the two countries, with France not excluded from such actions.
The tension between Israel and France is not isolated. More than 145 UN members have already recognised Palestinian statehood or plan to do so. Countries that have already officially recognised Palestine include Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia. France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malta have announced plans to recognise Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September 2025.
France's recognition of a Palestinian state is not seen as hostility towards Jews, according to officials. The presidency has stated that it "protects and will always protect" its Jewish citizens. The French government has ordered "the strongest action" against antisemitic crimes since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.
France has faced rising numbers of reported antisemitic acts in recent years. The latest violence against French Jews is described as "intolerable" by the presidency. The Palestinian Authority has also condemned any form of antisemitism, stressing that criticism of Israel should not be conflated with hatred towards Jews.
The ongoing diplomatic spat serves as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As more countries consider recognising the State of Palestine, the international community continues to grapple with finding a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
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