Macron hits back at Netanyahu’s anti-Semitism criticism
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Mr Emmanuel Macron had announced that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September.
PHOTO: DAVE SANDERS/NYTIMES
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PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent criticism over rising anti-Semitism in France and warned that the issue should not be “weaponised”, in a letter to the Israeli leader published on Aug 26.
Rows have broken out about an increase in anti-Semitic acts and hate crimes in France as international tensions mount over the conflict in Gaza.
“Accusations of inaction in the face of a scourge that we are fighting with everything in our power are unacceptable, and are an offence to France as a whole,” Mr Macron wrote to Mr Netanyahu in a letter published in several newspapers.
“The fight against anti-Semitism must not be weaponised and will not fuel any discord between Israel and France.”
Israel has been under mounting pressure to wrap up its campaign in Gaza, where the war has created a humanitarian crisis and devastated much of the territory, and to bring home Israeli hostages held there.
“I solemnly appeal to you to end the desperate race of a murderous and illegal permanent war in Gaza, causing indignity for your country and placing your people in a deadlock,” Mr Macron wrote in the Aug 26 letter.
In a letter sent in mid-August, Mr Netanyahu had complained that Mr Macron’s promise that France would recognise a Palestinian state was fuelling anti-Semitism.
Mr Macron had announced that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state
In his letter to Mr Macron, Mr Netanyahu alleged that anti-Semitism had “surged” in France following the announcement.
“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this anti-Semitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement” of the Hamas militants whom Israel is fighting in Gaza, the Israeli leader wrote.
A diplomatic row also erupted in recent days between the US and France, when Washington’s ambassador to Paris, in a public letter to Mr Macron, accused France of a “lack of sufficient action” on anti-Semitism.
US Ambassador Charles Kushner, the father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was ordered to report to the French Foreign Ministry on Aug 25, but as Mr Kushner was absent, the US embassy’s charge d’affaires went in his place.
France called Mr Kushner’s allegations “unacceptable”. AFP
