Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AFP

A major diplomatic clash has erupted between Israel and France, threatening to strain ties between two long-standing partners, after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris will formally recognize a Palestinian state next month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted fiercely, accusing Macron of fueling antisemitism—a charge that France immediately dismissed as false and insulting.

The confrontation has now developed into one of the most significant disputes in recent years between the two countries, reflecting not just differences over Middle East policy but also the growing international divide on how to handle the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu’s Accusation: “Fueling Antisemitism”

The dispute began with a strongly worded letter sent by Netanyahu to Macron. In the letter, the Israeli leader argued that antisemitism in France has sharply increased since Macron’s July announcement that France will recognize Palestinian statehood during a United Nations meeting scheduled for September.

Netanyahu’s words left little room for compromise. He accused Macron of appeasement and warned that his decision was dangerous not only for Israel but also for Jews living in France.

“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu wrote. “It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas’ refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews, and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.”

For Netanyahu, the timing of France’s recognition is especially troubling. With the Gaza war nearing its second year, Israeli officials fear that such recognition will strengthen Hamas and weaken international pressure on the group to release Israeli hostages.

France Responds: “Abject and Erroneous”

The French presidency fired back quickly. Macron’s office called Netanyahu’s accusations “abject” and “erroneous,” saying the claim that recognizing Palestinian statehood amounts to encouraging antisemitism was both misleading and offensive.

Officials stressed that France is committed to protecting its Jewish citizens and will not tolerate any violence against them. They highlighted that Macron has consistently demanded strong government measures against antisemitism since he first took office in 2017.

The French response emphasized two points:

1. Recognition of Palestine is about diplomacy, not Hamas. Paris has long supported a two-state solution as the only viable path to peace. France argues that recognizing Palestine is meant to advance this political vision, not to endorse Hamas, which continues to reject peaceful coexistence.

2. France has a strong record against antisemitism. Macron’s office reminded critics that antisemitic acts have been met with harsh legal punishments, public condemnation, and increased security protections, especially after the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.

Benjamin Haddad, France’s minister for Europe, went further, stating bluntly: “France has no lessons to learn in the fight against antisemitism.” He accused Netanyahu of exploiting a painful issue that “is poisoning European societies” for political purposes.

France’s Role in the Global Push for Palestinian Statehood

France’s decision is part of a wider global trend. At least 145 of the 193 UN member states now recognize or plan to recognize Palestine as an independent state. The momentum for recognition has only accelerated since the war in Gaza began nearly two years ago, with countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia moving towards official recognition.

For Paris, this is not a sudden shift. France has historically championed the two-state solution, arguing that only a Palestinian state alongside Israel can secure lasting peace in the Middle East. By moving forward with recognition at the UN, Macron hopes to push the stalled peace process back into international focus.

This approach directly challenges Israel’s current position. Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that unilateral recognition of Palestine rewards terrorism and undermines Israel’s security. For his government, the path to peace must first involve dismantling Hamas’ control in Gaza, ensuring Israeli security, and only then considering future Palestinian statehood.

Rising Antisemitism in France

The backdrop to Netanyahu’s charge is a troubling rise in antisemitism across France. The country is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community, making it particularly sensitive to the issue.

Statistics show a sharp increase: antisemitic incidents jumped from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, before dipping slightly to 1,570 in 2024. These include attacks on Jewish-owned businesses, graffiti, verbal abuse, and even physical assaults.

For Israel, these figures are evidence that pro-Palestinian sentiment often crosses the line into antisemitism. For France, however, the recognition of Palestine is presented as a political act aimed at creating balance, not a threat to its Jewish citizens.

The Australian Angle: Another Diplomatic Rift

The tension is not limited to France. On the same day, Netanyahu also clashed with Australia over its decision to recognize Palestine next month. He openly insulted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.”

The disagreement escalated further when Australia cancelled the visa of Simcha Rothman, a far-right Israeli politician and member of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Rothman had been scheduled to speak at Jewish community events in Sydney and Melbourne.

Israel responded with its own retaliation: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

Australia rejected the move as an “unjustified reaction.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused Netanyahu’s government of isolating Israel and undermining international efforts to achieve peace.

Broader Implications: A Diplomatic Storm Brewing

The back-to-back clashes with France and Australia highlight Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation on the Palestinian question. Once able to rely on strong backing from Western democracies, Israel is now facing opposition from countries that were previously considered sympathetic to its concerns.

The upcoming UN meeting in September could further intensify this isolation. With France and Australia joining the list of countries recognizing Palestine, Israel may find itself under greater international pressure to shift its policies.

At the same time, Netanyahu’s strong rhetoric shows that Israel has no intention of backing down. By linking recognition of Palestine to antisemitism, he is trying to rally global Jewish communities and conservative allies against what he sees as a dangerous trend.

What Comes Next?

The situation is likely to escalate further in the coming weeks. France has already stated that it will not back down from its plan, and Macron has hinted that the recognition will come with strong diplomatic language urging peace and condemning violence by Hamas.

For Israel, the strategy will be to mobilize allies at the UN, particularly the United States, to counterbalance recognition efforts. Washington’s position will be crucial: while the U.S. continues to support a two-state solution in theory, it has avoided unilateral recognition of Palestine.

The feud between Israel and France is not only a clash between two governments but also a reflection of the deep international divide over how to resolve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.

The diplomatic row between Israel and France underscores the growing rift between countries that see recognition of Palestine as a step toward peace and those who see it as a reward for terrorism. With Australia also entering the debate, and with antisemitism concerns adding fuel to the fire, the issue is becoming more than just a policy disagreement—it is turning into a major international confrontation.

As the UN meeting in September approaches, the world will be watching closely to see whether recognition of Palestine by powerful nations like France can revive the peace process or whether it will deepen the conflict further.