Macron: France Needs No Lessons In Fighting Antisemitism
The French President hit back at Prime Minister Netanyahu's claim that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state helped the "antisemitic fire" spreading throughout the world.
French President Emanuel Macron hit back at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for saying that France's plan to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state helps "light the antisemitic fire":
"Netanyahu's interpretation linking antisemitism and recognition of a Palestinian state is contemptible and wrong. France protects the Jews within its territory. France does not need lessons in fighting antisemitism."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter today (Tuesday) in which he sharply attacked French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of increasing antisemitism in France and worldwide due to his statements against Israel and his intention to recognize a Palestinian state. This was reported this evening on i24News.
"In recent years, antisemitism has spread in French cities. Since your public statements that attacked Israel and hinted at recognition of a Palestinian state – it has increased," Netanyahu said. "Following Hamas's barbaric attack on the people of Israel on October 7, 2023, Hamas extremists and radicals from the far left began a campaign of intimidation, vandalism and violence against Jews throughout Europe. In France, this campaign intensified before your eyes."
Netanyahu went on to mention several examples of antisemitic attacks recorded in France in recent months, saying that "these are not isolated incidents – this is an epidemic. Your call to establish a Palestinian state has increased this antisemitic fire."
According to him, "This is not diplomacy – this is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terrorism, strengthens its refusal to release the hostages, encourages those threatening French Jews and incites the hatred of Jews spreading in your streets." He also noted that US President Donald Trump "has shown that it is possible and necessary to fight antisemitism. He protects the civil rights of American Jews, enforces the law, maintains public order and prosecutes antisemitic criminals."
"President Macron, antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders remain silent. It retreats when leaders act," Netanyahu concluded. "I call on you to replace weakness with decisiveness, appeasement with determination – and to do so by a clear date: the Jewish New Year, September 23, 2025. History will not forgive hesitation. It will honor action."