Israel accuses France of stoking the flames of anti-Semitism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of fueling antisemitism in France through his support for recognizing the Palestinian State. In an official letter published on August 19, 2020, Netanyahu argued that Macron’s move to recognize Palestine was effectively a "reward" for Hamas terror and encouraged those threatening French Jews.
Netanyahu claimed that antisemitism had surged in France following Macron’s announcement and that this recognition poured "fuel on this antisemitic fire." He asserted that Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian State politicized the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that exacerbated antisemitic incidents in France, linking the rise of antisemitism to this political stance.
The French presidency strongly rejected the accusation. Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the fight against antisemitism must not be weaponized or politicized. He argued that recognizing the Palestinian State is aimed at achieving a lasting peace, which he believes is essential for Israel's security and regional integration. Macron denied that his decision could be seen as support for Hamas or as encouragement to antisemitism, stating that such accusations misuse the fight against antisemitism to create discord between France and Israel.
In response to Netanyahu's accusations, Minister Benjamin Haddad, in charge of Europe, stated that France has no lessons to receive in the fight against antisemitism. Haddad also declared that French authorities have always been extremely mobilized against anti-Semitism. He mentioned an acceleration of violent anti-Semitic acts since the Hamas attacks of October 7 and the intensification of a campaign of intimidation, vandalism, and violence against Jews across Europe under Macron's mandate.
Haddad states that antisemitism that poisons European societies cannot be instrumentalized. He reaffirmed that the Republic protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens. The Elysee described Netanyahu's accusation as "erroneous" and "abject."
Netanyahu has been leading a war in Gaza for nearly two years. He has faced criticism for his handling of the conflict and his government's response to rising antisemitism within Israel and across Europe. This latest accusation against Macron is likely to further strain relations between the two leaders and their countries.
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