The French pastor responded by saying that the fight against anti-Semitism must have been “exploited.”
Later last month, Macron said during a UN meeting in September that France officially recognized the Palestinian state, causing a swift responsibilities from Israel.
By announcing the move, France was set to join the list of nations that recognized the state for the Palestinians almost two years ago since the start of the Gaza War.
In a letter sent to Macron, Netanyahu said that anti-Semitism had “surged” in France after the announcement.
“Your call for the Palestinian state will fuel this anti-Semitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is to soften it. It will intensify Hamas’ refusal to release Hamas hostages.
The Israeli Prime Minister called on Macron to stand up against French anti-Semitism, saying “we must permeate the debilitating, to resolve and do so by a clear date.”
French European Minister Benjamin Haddad said the country “has no lessons to learn in the fight against anti-Semitism.”
The problem of “addicting our European society” would not be “exploited,” Haddad added.
France has at least 145 of its 193 UN members, or at least 145, have a recognition or planning of the Palestinian state, according to AFP tally.
Australia joined the list earlier this month and announced its intention to recognize the Palestinian state in September.
Netanyahu denounced Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Tuesday, calling him “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australian Jews” in an angry post on his office’s official X-account.
The personal attack came amid diplomatic vomiting between the two countries after the Australian government canceled the visa for far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman on Monday.
Rothman, in Netanyahu’s Governance Union, was scheduled to speak at an event hosted by the Australian Jewish Association.
Hours after his visa was cancelled, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saa said he had revoked the visa for Australian representatives of Palestinian authorities.
In a statement, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said revoking their visas was an “unfair response” by Israel, and that the Netanayahu government would “segregate Israel and undermine international efforts to peace and a solution for the two states.”
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