Macron’s office retorted in a statement Tuesday shortly after the letter surfaced in French media, saying that Netanyahu’s assertion that the decision to recognize a Palestinian state had led to an increase in antisemitic violence in France was “erroneous, despicable and will not go unanswered.
The statement said that Macron would respond to Netanyahu by mail and noted Macron’s efforts to stamp out antisemitism in France, including the rise in incidents following the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks.
“[France] protects and will always protect its compatriots of the Jewish faith,” it added, saying the moment “demands seriousness and responsibility, not confusion and manipulation.”
On July 24, Macron announced that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state during the U.N. meeting in September, drawing a swift rebuke from Israel that it was rewarding Hamas for carrying out the 2023 terror attack that left about 1,200 people dead and saw some 250 taken hostage. Israel responded with overwhelming force and recently expanded its operations in the Gaza Strip in an effort to wipe out Hamas.
More than 60,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties, but a growing number of academics and government officials — including those in the European Union — are accusing Israel of conducting war crimes or genocide.
Macron announced late last month that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state during the U.N. General Assembly in September, a move that immediately drew condemnation from Israel. The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia followed suit shortly after, albeit with caveats.