Preparations underway in Israel for a strong retort to Macron's initiative advocating for Palestinian statehood
Paris and Jerusalem find themselves at a crossroads, with both nations preparing for potential retaliatory moves in a growing diplomatic standoff.
The French President's push towards recognising a Palestinian state has caught the attention of Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who believes this move is influencing multiple countries to follow suit. This stance has not gone unnoticed, as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has accused European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of empowering terrorist groups due to these plans.
President Emmanuel Macron, however, argues that the recognition of a Palestinian state is the best way to isolate Hamas, the militant group largely responsible for the Oct. 7 terror attack. This assertion is echoed by several countries, including Canada and Australia, who have announced plans to grant recognition or take fresh steps towards recognition at a conference on a two-state solution at the U.N. General Assembly.
The United Kingdom will be joining this initiative, announcing its intention to recognise a Palestinian state before the conference begins, on Sunday. This move has earned Macron a rare political win.
Relations between France and Israel have been complicated by the personal antagonism between President Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This tension has been further exacerbated by the Israeli government's plans for retaliation against France, which include accelerating West Bank annexations, closing the French consulate in Jerusalem, and encroaching on French-owned territory in Israel.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel has warned that closing France's diplomatic outpost in Jerusalem 'is on the table of the Israeli prime minister.' This threat comes in response to Macron's plan to recognise a Palestinian state, a move that Netanyahu has accused the French President of pouring fuel on an 'antisemitic fire.'
The Israeli Embassy spokesperson, Hen Feder, has stated that the main reaction to the statehood push will be directed towards France and not other countries. This statement comes amidst reports of increased antisemitic attacks in France in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. However, no hard numbers have been made public to back up this assertion.
As the situation unfolds, it appears that relations between France and Israel are expected to deteriorate enormously following France's recognition of Palestinian statehood. Karim Amellal, a former French ambassador who handled Mediterranean affairs, warns that Israel 'won't stop at anything in terms of retaliation.'
Israel, however, maintains that it will not bow to international pressure when it comes to Palestinian affairs. The Netanyahu government wants to send a clear message that it will continue to pursue its own course, despite the growing international pressure.
This diplomatic standoff between France and Israel is a complex and evolving situation, with both nations prepared for potential escalations. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this conflict will be resolved and what the long-term implications will be for both nations.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
